US366371A - James t - Google Patents

Description

(No Mde.)

J. T. BRIDGES.

y PORK, BAKE, am. N0. 366,371 Patented July 12, 1887.

INVENTOR N. PETERS. Phew-Lithograph, washingwn, D4 C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES T. BRIDGES, OF HANCOCK, MARYLAND.

FORK, RAKE, sbo.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 366,371, dated July 12, 1887.

Application filed May 7. 1887. Serial No. 937,392. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.:

Be it known that I, .Lines T. BRIDGES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hancock, in the county of Vashington and State ofv Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Forks, Rakes, die.; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in forks, rakes, and like agricultural implements; and it consists of the peculiar combination of devices and novel construction and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

The primary object of my invention is to provide improved means for rigidly securing a fork to its handle in such a manner as to et'- fectively brace the parts at the points of greatest strain.

By my improvements I am enabled to produce a fork possessing great strength and durability, and it is also very light, simple, and cheap in construction.

I have illustrated an embodiment of my invention in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 isa top orplan view of a fork constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof on the line x .e of Fig. l.' Fig. 3 is a plan view of the fork detached from the handle and fastening device to show the peculiar construction thereof. Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views illustrating modifications of my improvements.

Referring to the drawings, in which like letters of reference denote corresponding parts in all the figures, A designates the handle of a fork, B, embodying my invention, the peculiar construction of which I will now proceed to describe in detail. The extreme lower end of the handle A is formed with a transverse central recess, a, which provides two flanges or ears, a', on opposite sides of the recess, and between these flanges or ears is fitted the head b of the fork B. The fork is of the ordinary steel, so that the head b and the tines b are p integral.

A strap, O, is secured to the handle A and passed between the two central tines of the fork over the head thereof, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The inner edge of the head b of the fork, at the point where the strap fits over the same, is formed with a recess, c, in which the strap is fitted, the outer edge or side of the strap lying flush with the inner edge of the head of the fork. rlhe fork is further provided with a tang or shank, c2,whieh is driven securely into the end of the handle in the ordinary manner.

The strap C is formed of a single piece of metal, and is doubled or folded upon itself to provide the two arms d, which lie on opposite sides of t-he handle, and are secured thereto by rivets rlor other equivalent devices.

To more securely connect the strap to the handle, I place a ring or band, E, over the 'strap and secure the two parts together by driven through the aligned openings in the collar and strap, as in Fig. 2, or they may be formed integral with the collar, as in Fig. 5. The head of the fork is furthermore provided with a central opening or socket, f, which is formed in the middle of the recess therein, and in this socket is fitted a stud, f', which is formed on the inner side of the transverse portion of the strap-z'. c., that portion of the strap which connects the two arms and fits in the recess of the fork-head.

The collar or band E is arranged on the strap and handle close up to the head ofthe fork to afford additional strength to the parts at the points where the greatest strain comes in using the fork, and the strap, by being passed over the fork-head and connected therewith inthe peculiar manner set forth, affords additional strength and security to the parts.

In forks having an even number of tines, I form the recess at a point in the head between the two central tines, as seen in Fig. 3; but in forks having an uneven number of tines it is impractical to form this recess in the head,and

I therefore form a transverse aperture, g, in the strap, through which the central tine of the fork is passed, as in Fig. 5, thereby securing additional strength tothe fork having an uneven number of tines as well as in a fork having an even number. Y

In applying my invention to rakes, the strap is passed around and over the rakefhead in the same manner as in thefork shown herein; but in adapting my improvements to hoesand other like agricultural implements the perforated strap is used, the tang or shank of the blade being passed through the aperture in the strap, as is obvious.

In lieu of the studs or rivets to secure the collar to the strap, I may form the latter with an annular iiange or ridge, h, at 'a point in rear of the collar to prevent it from vertical dislplacement on the handle, as seen in Fig. 4.

Modifications in the form and proportion of parts can be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-` 1. The combination of a handle, a fork having an angular recess formed on the inner side of the head and between the two central prongs thereof, and a strap secured to the handle and fitted snugly in the angular recess of the head, said strap lying flush with the inner side or edge of the fork-head and serving to hold the fork in iixed position with relation to the handle, substantially as described.

2. The combination of a handle, afork having a central socket, and a strap secured to the handle and tted over the fork-head, said strap having lug which fits in the socket of the head, substantially as described.

3. The combination of a handle, a fork having a recess formed in the head between the central tines and a socket formed in the middle of the recess, and a strap fitting flush in the recess and having a stud which enters the central socket, as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination of a handle having a central recess formed in one end thereof, a fork having its head fitted in the recess, a strap secured to the handle and passed around the fork-head, and a band or collar fitted over the y handle and strap in close proximity to the fork, substantially as described.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a fork having a handle provided with a central recess inone end, a fork having the head thereoflitted in the recess, a U-shaped strap secured to the handle and fitted around the fork-head, and a band or collar fitted over the strap in close proximity to the fork-head and having means for securing the same to the strap, substantially as described.

Intestimony whereof I affix my signature iny Witnesses: Jos. FoRREsT,

JAs. R. EDsEN.

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