US411879A - Potato-scoop - Google Patents

Description

J. VOWLES; POTATO SCOOP.

(No Model.)

Patented Oct. 1, 1889 a 1W 7 EN T012 flfiorneym N, PETE PbMo-Uihngrlpher. ylnhington. D, C.

WITNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

JOSEPH VOIVLES, OF MILFORD, MICHIGAN.

POTATO-SO00 P.

. SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 411,879, dated October 1, 1889.

Application filed February 18, 1889. Serial No. 300,335. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH VOWLES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milford,

county of Oakland, State of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Potato-Scoops; and I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention has for its object the provision of a pot-atoscoop which shall be cheaply manufactured and at the same time light, strong, and durable; and it consists, essentially, of making the scoop of malleable iron, cast-steel, or other cast metal in the form hereinafter described and claimed.

Figure l is a plan view, and Fig. 2 is a side elevation, of my improved scoop. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation with the socket in section.

In carrying out-myinvention, A represents the main frame, 13 the intermediate ribs, 0 the handle-socket, of my improved scoop, and D is the handle. It will be observed that the ribs B are so shaped and placed as to form an abundance of room in which to hold the potatoes or other articles being scooped. At 1), where the ribs are curved, it will be observed that they are thickened and flattened on their under sides.

In using potato-scoops it generally the case that the operator first pushes the scoop under the pile of potatoes, then tiltsit slightly by tilting the handle to hold them in the scoop, and then draws it back. This operation of sliding the scoop back and forth causes the wear to come on these ribs at about the point Where they curve upward. By thickening and flattening the ribs at this point I overcome this serious difficulty, which has heretofore been experienced in the use of wroughtiron scoops of similar shape. So, also, in the use of wrought-iron scoops difficulty has been experienced from the fact that because of the peculiar shape it has been necessaryto leave a space between the side of the frame a. and the adjacent rib b. This has sometimes been obviated by inserting transverse Wires across this space; but this has necessitated extra expense and trouble. In my scoop, however, by widening the rib at this point the space is sufficiently filled up and the scoop made much more effective in its operation at comparatively no extra ex pense. v

c are small feather edges or fins upon the interior of the sockets C. These are adapted to hold the handle D more firmly in the socket, and also to prevent its turning therein. These fins may or may not be employed.

\Vhile I have herein shown a socket for holding the handle it is obvious that a shank might be cast onto the frame with equal facility.

I have described my scoop as being applicable as a potato-scoop; but it may also-be used for shoveling any articles where an open shovel is desired.

Of course I do not limit myself to any particular number of ribs, nor do I limit myself to the particular shape of scoop herein shown, since it is apparent that other shapes might with equal facility be employed and a greater or less number of ribs be employed Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

\Vhat I claim is 1. A potato-scoop, as herein described, con sisting of the frame A and the curved ribs 13, said ribs being thickened at their bends b and flattened on the under sides of said bends, and the outer ribs thickened also on their sides adjacent to the frame, substantially as described.

2. A potato-scoop, as herein described, having the ribs which are adjacent to and extending parallel with the frame widened to fill the intervening space, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH VOIVLES. lVitn esses:

W. H. CHAMBERLIN, L. A. DOELTZ.

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