US285910A - Grafting-tool - Google Patents

Description

K. MOLENNAN.

GRAFTING TUQL. No. 285,910. Patented Oct. '2, 1888.

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GRAFTlNG-TOOL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 285,910, dated October Q, 1883.

Application filed May 1883. (Model.)

To all whoml t may concern:

Be it known that I, KENNETH MeLnNNAN,

of Berkeley, county of Alameda, State of Galiing the edges of its ends curved fornia, have invented an Improved Grafting- Tool; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to certain improve` ments in that class of grafting implements or tools in which the cutting-blades are adapted to be actuated by a hand implement; and it consists in a peculiar angular knife ttcd into one of the jaws of the implement in an opposing block in the other jaw, against which said knife is adapted to operate, and in a means for adjusting and limiting the n1ovenient ofthe knife against said block, all of whichl I shall hereinafter fully explain.

The object of my invention is to prepare Vthe scions and stocks of young trees or vines for grafting by means of a peculiar counterpart cut in each, whereby the two may be fitted together with an advantageous union by close and perfect joint. Union of the stock and scion has been heretofore accomplished by a joint made by toolssimilar in operation to the one hereinafter described, but with knives of such shape as not to be able to make a eut in each providing for so advantageous and per-A fecta connection as that which I am enabled to form with my knife.

Figure l is a perspective view of my grafting-tool. Fig. 2 is a view of the knife D havas in Fig. l. Fig. 3 is an edge elevation of the knife D. Fig. fl is a view showing the knife Dwith eutting-edge of ends d straight, and block E with plane surface. Fig. 5 is a view showing the jaws A and B placed at an angle. Fig. `6 is a view of a' portion of a stock, showing the form of cut made. Fig. 7 is a view showing the lower grafting-cut.

A B are the handles, pivoted together at a, and having jaws A B', respectively.

C is a spring between the handles, in usual form, to accomplish the automatic separation of the jaws after the pressure is released.

In the jaw B is formed a slot, a', in which the knife D is secured bya key, m. In the other jaw is fitted, by dovetailing or mortise and tenon, the opposing block E. This is preferably made of some hard wood. The

knife D is made of a steel plate, having its ends l bent in opposite directions7 but parallel with each other, and forming the same an'- gle with the body of the plate. This angle should preferably be an acute one rather than a right or obtuse angle, in order to make the longest possible cut in the shortest space, J[hat the impinging surfaces of the stock and scion may be the greatest. rlhe base of the knife is thick enough to provide for strength, and its cutting-edge is ground down to therequired sharpness. f l

In Fig. l the opposing block E has a coucave groove, e, in its face, and in order to conform the knife thereto I curve the edges of the ends d, as shown both in Figs. l and 2; but

in Fig. L the block E has a plane surface and` the ends d of the knifeare straight.

The implement is particularly designed for outside use, being portable and adapted to readily take hold of the stock.

In using the tool the stock or the scion, as the case may be, is fitted upon the blockE in such position that the main edge of the knife shall strike along the longitudinal center of the wood. The cut made is a counterpart at each end, and is shown in Figs. 6 and 7. lt will be seen that the acute angle of the end cuts gives a great impinging surface, while the whole eut is confined to the length of the body of the knife. The scions are of course previously prepared and carried bythe operator.

The stocks are cut as he goes along, and the scions are fitted thereto.

It will be observed that the joint or union is close and perfect, being a dovet-ailing into one another, affording the greatest amount of impingi ng surface, both ofbark and wood, and each part furnishing support to the other.

With an experienced operator who can readily judge of sizes, the stocks may be rapidly selected upon which to iit a certain size of scion, whereby formed. j

The grooved-face block and the knife with the curved ends are particularly adapted for young trees and forstraight stocks of all kinds, as these will lie within the groove of the block'. When this block can bc used, the tool is much handier, as the operator can more readily fit it to the stock, and the grooved bed forms a the most perfect union may be` IOO e Y 2:85AM() guide forthe stock and holds it more firmly against the pressure of the knife; but for angle with the handles, as shown in Fig. 5,

whereby these latter may incline upwardly, giving the knife an opportunity to operate on the stock as close to the ground as maybe necessary without having to place the hand directly on the ground.

By removing the key m, the knife may be taken out from the jaw and another of different size may be inserted. The block E may likewise be removed for -the substitution of' another. v.

In order to limit the movement of the knife against the block, for the purpose of preserving said block and keeping the edge'upon the knife, I, have a set-screw, F, passing through one of the jaws and impingingagainst the other. This is to be set up just far enough 4to permit the knife to touch the block.

It may be well to explain that this implement is intended for use in preparing nursery stock alone, and not for grafting in large limbs of old trees.

I am aware that grafting implements having an action similarjto shears have been provided with knives or blades for making the tongue, saddle, whip, and splice graft; but I am not aware that any knife has been constructed to make the cut I have illustrated, and for which I claim advantages not possessed by the others. I do not therefore claim, broadl y, such an implement provided with cuttingknives to form the graft, but simply my own shape of knife'and the novel details of construction I have herein set forth.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is Y 1. In a grafting implement or tool, a knife 45 or cutter having its endsturnedin opposite directions, and forming with the body of the knife the same angle, substantially as herein described.

2. In a grafting implement orftool, a knife 5o or cutter having its ends turned in opposite directions, lying parallel with each other, and forming, with the body of the knife, acute angles, whereby a greater impinging surface within the length of the cut may be obtained, 55 substantially as herein described.

8. In a grafting implement or tool, the knife y'or cutter D, havingts ends (l turned in opposite directions, lying parallel with each other and forming acute angles with the body ofthe 6o knife, in combination with the opposing block E, substantially as herein described.

4. In a grafting implement or tool, the knife or cutter D, having its ends turned in opposite directions, lying parallel with each other, and 65 forming acute angles with the body of the knife, said ends having a convex cutting-edge, in combination with the opposing block Il, having a concave groove, e, corresponding to the convex edges of the ends d of the knife, 7o-

substantially as and for the/purpose herein described. y

5. In a grafting implement or tool, the combination of the pivoted handles A B, having .jaws A B', with the knife or cutter D in olie 75 jaw, said knife having its ends d turned in opposite directions, forming with the body of `the knife acute angles, an'd lying parallel with eachother, and the opposing block E in the other jaw, substantially as herein described. So

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand.

KENNETH llIcLENNAN.

lVitnesses:

C. S. MERRILL, WM. F. BOOTH.

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