US634902A

US634902A - Post-hole digger.

Info

Publication number: US634902A
Application number: US72541699A
Authority: US
Inventors: Chalmers L Monroe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1899-07-28
Filing date: 1899-07-28
Publication date: 1899-10-17
Anticipated expiration: 1916-10-17

Description

No. 634,902. Patented Uct. I7, |899.

C. L. MoNRoE.

POST HDLE BIGGER.

Application led July 2S, 1899.)

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iTnn STATES PATENT Leraren..

OHALMERS L. MONROE, OF GENEVA, EST VIRGINIA.

POST-HOLE DIGG ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 634,902, dated October 17', 1899. Application filed July 28, 1899. Serial No. 725,416. (No model.)

To all 'wh/0m t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHALMERS L. MONROE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Geneva, in the county of Roane and State of XVest Virginia, have invented a new and useful Post-Hole Digger, of which the following` is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in post-hole diggers.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of that class of posthole diggers employing two members carrying blades or shovels and adapted to be operated on soft ground with both blades or shovels working together and capable of being adjusted to extend one of the blades or shovels when it is desired to operate on hard or stony ground or remove roots.

A further object of the invention is to provide simple, inexpensive, and efcient means for locking the members in either position and for enabling them to be quickly adjusted from one position to the other;

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a post-hole digger constructed in accordance With this invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, illustrating the manner of locking one of the members in its extended position. Figs. and a are detail views of the members. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional View of the same. Y

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the iigures'of the drawings.

l and 2 designate two members pivoted together by a bolt 3 orothersuitable fastening` device and carrying blades or shovels 4t and 5, adapted to be readily driven into the soil and curved to form scoops for removing loose earth from a post-hole.

The bars or members l and 2 which are preferably composed of wooden handles and metal shanks, are adapted to swing on the pivot to close the blades or shovels to cause the same to clamp the loose earth when it is desired to remove the same from a post-hole. The curved shovels or blades, which are preferably constructed of steel, are suitably se cured to the lower or outer ends of the members, which are preferably enlarged to form heads.

The bar or member l is provided at its pivoted end With a longitudinal slot 6, receiving thepivot` 3 and adapted to permit the said bar or member to be moved` longitudinally to extend the blade or shovel d to a point beyond the blade or shovel 5, as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings, whereby the said blade or shovel 4 is adaptedto be used independently of the other for operating on hard or stony soil and for cutting roots and the like. The members are locked in either adjustment by means of a lug 7, projecting from the inner face of the member 2 and adapted, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5 of the accompanying drawings, to .engage the shoulders formed by inner and outer recesses S and 9 of the member l. The member 2 is adapted to be swung on the pivot 3 to engage 'the lng with and disengage it from the said shoulders. The recess 9 forms a shoulder at its inner end, and the recess S, which extends across the member l, is narrow and forms a pair of shoulders to lock the lug against movement in either direction. lVhen the lug is in engagement with the shoulders of the recesses, the members are in alinement andare adapted to be grasped simultaneously by the operator, so that there is no liability of the lug becoming accidentally disengaged during the operation of the device.

The post-hole digger, which is adapted for operatin g on soft or hard ground, may be used with the blades arranged as illustrated in Fig. l of the accompanying drawings, they being adapted when in such position for operating in soft soil. The shovels or blades when in this position may be used for removing loose earth from a post-hole, and by swinging the handles or members slightly from each other the shovels or blades are brought together and are caused to clamp and hold such loose earth. When it is desired to operate on hard soil having roots and stones, one of the members is extended beyond the other to' the position shown in Fig. 5, and the blade t may then be used asa spade or as a cutting-blade or chopper.

It will be seen that the means for adjust- IOO ing the members and for locking them in either position are exceedingly simple and that they enable the adjustment to be quickly made Without withdrawing or manipulating any fastening devices and by simply swinging the handles apart and moving them longitudinally. I

Changes in the form, proportion, size, and the minor details of construction Within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted lto Without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

What is claimed is- 1. A device of the class described comprising two members pivoted together, capable of a limited longitudinal movement on each other and provided with blades, and means for detachably interlocking the members to hold them against such longitudinal movement, substantially as described.

2. A device of the class described comprising two members carrying blades, one of the members being slotted, a pivot connecting the members and arranged in the said slot, Wh ereby the members are capable of a limited longitudinal movement on each other, and means Afor holding the members against such longitudinal movement, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. A device of the class described comprising two pivoted members capable of a limited longitudinal movement on each other and provided With blades, one of the members being provided with recesses forming shoulders,and a lug carried by the other member and adapted to engage the shoulders of the recesses t0 lock the members against longitudinal movement on each other, said lng being arranged to be carried into and out of the recesses by the movement of the members on their pivot, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of tWo Witnesses.

CHALMERS L. MONROE.

\Vitnesses:

M. F. LEWELLEN, N. B. HOFF.