US622100A - Oyster-tongs - Google Patents

Description

No. 622,l00. Patented Mar. 28, 1899. P. 6. ASHLEY.

OYSTER TONGSQ (Applicafion filed Dec. 28, 1898.)

(No Model.)

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PHILLIP G. ASHLEY, OF ROCK HALL, MARYLAND.

OYSTER-TONGS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 622,100, dated March 28, 1899. Application filed December 23,1898. Serial No- 700,128. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, PHILLIP G. ASHLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rock Hall, in the county of Kent and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oyster-Tongs, of which the following is a specification.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of the apparatus in position to be low ered into the water, and Fig. 2 a similar view showing the device as it appears after it has struck the oyster-bed in its descent.

Referring to the drawings by letters, a des ignates the usual pair of flat levers,.pivoted at their point of intersection 'upon a horizontal bolt Z); and having the lifting ropes or chains connected to their upper ends in the usual manner. Attached to the lower ends of these levers are the rake-bars c and the usual basket-like wire frames d. Attached to each lever is a supplemental fiat bar or plate 6, parallel to both levers and attached at its ends to one of the levers, being separated therefrom sufficiently to loosely receive the opposite lever. These supplemental plates are attached to opposite sides of the levers, so that each one embraces the opposite lever and bears on its outer side, the pivotal bolt passing through all the bars.

Depending from near the upper end of one of the levers is a'latoh f, pivoted upon a horizontal pin extending transversely through the lever, so that the latch may swing toward and from the same. Its lower end is bent inward and turned upward slightly, forming a I hook-like end g, which when the apparatus is set for lowering into the water engages under the lower edge and upon the inside of the adjacent rake-bar, holding the rakes apart against the tendency of the levers to close them. As soon as the rakes strike the oysterbed the tendency of the levers to close the rakes will be relieved and the weight of the latch will cause the latch to become instantly disengaged from the rake-bar and to swing away therefrom, so that when the tongs are lifted the rakes will be free to close and gather the oysters.

The advantage of the supplemental plates on the levers is that the bearing-surfaces are increased, whereby the levers will be more truly guided, relieving the pivotal bolt of torsional strain and reducing the tendency to loosen the binding-nut on said pivot-bolt.

It is obvious that the latch may be employed upon both levers, if desired.

The advantage of pivoting the latch near one end of the lever and adapting it to swing inward and engage under the lower edge of the rake-bar is that it will have a free swing away from the rakes when released, whereby danger of being interfered with in its operation is avoided. A further advantage is that it gives the latch ample length and swing, so

that while it will lock the parts securely it will need buta slight jarring to release it. A further advantage is that by engaging the rake-bar directly a firmer and more reliable latch is provided.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In oyster-tongs the combination of a pair of levers provided with oyster-rakes on their lower ends and having hoisting-ropes attached to their other ends, a pivot-bolt connecting the levers at their point of intersection, and supplemental bars attached at their ends upon opposite sides of the respective levers and having the pivot-bolt passing through them, the adjacent surfaces of the levers and supplemental plates bearing against each other.

2. In oyster-tongs,the combination of apair of intersecting levers pivoted together and provided with oyster-rakes at their lower ends and means for attaching them at their upper ends to the hoisting-ropes, and a swinging latch pivoted to one of the levers at a point above where it intersects the other lever and adapted to swing toward and from the rakes, the lower end of this latch being provided with an inward and upturned hook adapted to engage under and upon the inside of one of the rake-bars.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

PHILLIP G. ASHLEY.

Witnesses:

MARY 0. ASHLEY, JOHN E. BECK.

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