US1220858A - Folding ax. - Google Patents

Description

E. KLEPSCH.

FOLDING AX.

APPLICATION FILED APR.30, 1915.

Patented Mar. 27s 1917.

2 SHEETS--SHEET l.

E. KLEPSCH.

FOLDING AX.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 30| I915.

wm Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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ERNST KLEPSCH, 0F SAGINAW, MICHIGAN.

FOLDING AX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led April 30, 1915. Serial No. 25,023.

iently carried.

A further object of the invention is to produce a device of the character described in which -the head of the tool will be held very securely when in position for operation, precluding all possibility of the tool doubling upon the handle when a blow is struck.

,A further object ofthe invention is to produce a tool of the character describedv in -which when blows are struck the impact of the same will not be received altogether by the rivet or member whereby the head and the handle of the tool are connected together, but will be distributed over an extended surface fitted to receive the same.

With these and other ends in view which will readily appear as the nature of the in- -vention is better understood, the same consists in the improved construction and novel i arrangement and combination of parts which will be hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed `out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings has been illustrated a simple and preferred form of the invention, it being, however, understood that no limitation is necessarily made to the precise structural details therein exhibited, but that changes, alterations and modifications within the scope of the claim may be resorted to when desired.

In the drawings,-

Figure 1 is a side view ofthe improved ax showing the same-folded for transportation.

yFig. 2 is a side view, showing the ax eX- tended for use.

Fig. 3 is an edge view of the same.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 44 in Fig. 2'.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 5--5 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 6-6 in Fig. 1.

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Fig. 7 is a transverse sectionalview taken on the line 7 -7 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of the blade detached.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are denoted by like characters of reference.

rllhe blade 15 of the improved ax is formed of 'steel and it has a shank 16 which is formed integral therewith, said shank being provided with an aperture 17 for the passage of a pivot member, and said shank having also at the end thereof a tapering recess 18, the side walls of which converge in the direction -of the head or blade 15, as clearly seen in Fig. 8.

rl`he handle of the improved implement is composed of'side members 19, the forward ends of which are provided with recesses 20 'loA in their opposed faces for the reception of the shank 16, the same being mounted on a pivot member B that extends through the cheeks or side members of the handle and through the aperture 17 of the shank. Said pivot member B has been shown as including a sleeve 21 and screws 22, 23 threaded into opposite ends thereof, one of said screws having a head which is countersunk in one 'of the cheeks of the handle, thus providing a construction which will enable the parts to be tightened to compensate for wear.

The cheeks or side members 19 of the handle are provided in their opposed faces with recesses 24 to accommodate a slide 25 and an actuating spring 26 for the same, said slide having a terminal wedge 27 adapted to engage the recess 18 of the shank 17. The said shank is also provided with an oifset or shoulder 28 having a notch 29 adapted to be engaged by the point or narrow end of the wedge 27 when the tool is folded, thereby serving to retain the same in a folded condition. rlhe slide 25 projects beyond the heel end of the handle, and is provided with a thumb piece or button 30, whereby it may be conveniently manipulated or retracted against the tension of the actuating spring.

rlhe rearward end of the handle is provided with a laterally extending heel portion 31, and the inner opposed faces of the side members 19 forming said heel portion are recessed for the reception of guard plates 32 of leather, indurated fiber or other suitable material, the edges of said guard plate being beveled, as seen at 33, for the purpose of receiving between them the edge of the blade or head 15 of the ax when folded, thus serving to guard and protect the edge.

The side members 19 of the handle are to be secured together by means of screws,bolts or like fastenings in such a manner as to form a strong and compact structure. In order to lessen the weight of the device, said side members may be provided with slots or openings, and the weight of the slide 25 may in'like manner be reduced. The outer faces of the side members 19 may be protected by trimming plates 34 of wood, fiber, celluloid or other appropriate material, so as to present a neat and attractive appearance.

When the improved ax is folded, as seen in Fig. 1, 'the edgeof the blade will be absolutely protected, and accidental opening of the blade is positively prevented by engagement of the wedge portion 27 of the slide 25 with the notch 29 in the shoulder 28 formed on the shank of the blade. By retracting the slide by means of the button 30 the wedge will be disen aged from the notch 29, thus permitting the lade carrying shank to be moved to the open position shown in Fig. 2, the rear end portion of the shank being beveled,.as seen at 35, so as to pass readily into engagement with the wedge 27 which presently will engage the recess 18. The spring actuated wedge will forcibly engage the side walls of the recess 18, and the blade carrying shank will thus be held with perfect security against rocking or other movement. The force of every blow struck with the ax will be taken up not only by the pivot member, but to a greater extent by the wedge engaging the recess 18, thus providing an extremely strong and durable construction, whereby loosening of the parts will be rendered practically impossible, any wear resulting from use being taken up by the Wedge formation of the interengaging parts, said partsbeing maintained in engaged relation by the action of the spring 26. The improved device is capable of being commercially produced at a moderate cost, and it has proven to be thoroughly useful for the purposes for which it is provided. Particular attention is directed to the fact that when the device is in use, the projecting heel portion of the handle will afford a firm grip for the operator, and will prevent the handle from sliding from the hand when heavy blows are struck.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is

In a device of the character described, a handle, a slide in said handle, a terminal wedge member mounted in said slide, a blade carrying shank pivoted to said handle and having a recess with divergent walls adapted to be engaged by said wedge member, and means for maintaining said Wedge member in tight engagement with said recess.

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

ERNST KLEPSCH.

Witnesses:

SIMON Y. Konrizn, MABEL L. BoHNHoFF.

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