US1316157A - Albert ho sctem - Google Patents

Description

A. uossmn. TONGS FQR PICKING UP POTATOES AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR- 29,19.

, PatentedSept. 16,1919.

ALBERT nossrstn, or nwxsron, Mmnnsora.

TONGS FOB PIcKINe UP romances AND THELIKE.

Specification of itetterslPatent. Patented Sept. 16, 1919,

Application filed March 29, 1919. Serial No. 286,037.

To all whom it may concern: 3

Be it known that I, ALBERT HossrELD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lewiston, in the county of W'inona and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tongs for Picking Up Potatoes and the like; and I do. hereby declare the following to be a full,

l 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.

My invention relates to improvements in tongs, especially adapted for use in picking up potatoes and the like; and, to this end, generally stated, it consists of the novel devices and combinations of devices hereinafter described and defined in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the invention, like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an operator holding in one hand a pair of the improved tongs and in his other hand a basket which he slides or drags over the field to receive the potatoes picked up by said tongs;

Fig. 2 is a proved tong;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the same with one of the legs shown in a closed position by means of dotted lines; and

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the improved tongs holding a potato.

The legs 5 and 6 of the improved tongs are connected, at one of their ends, by a flat U-shaped spring that is rigidly secured thereto by rivets or otherwise. The ends of the spring 7 are preferably set into the legs 5 and 6, so that their outer faces are flush therewith, as well as the rivets which connect the same to said legs. The free or other end of each leg is bifurcated to aflord a pair of tongs 8.

A flexible strap 9, of rubber or of other suitable material, connec ts the prongs of each pair at their inner faces. Interposed between the prongs 8 of each pair, is a coiled spring 10' which yieldingly holds said prongs spread and the respective strap 9 taut. To limit the opening and closing movements of the legs 5 and 6, there is rigidly secured between the prongs 8 of the leg 5, at the crotch of said prongs, a flat link 11, which projects between th pro gs 8 of the leg .6, .A cotter perspective view of the impin 12, passed through any one of a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes 13 in the link 11 outward ofthe leg 6, limits the opening or spreading movement of the legs 5 and 6, and a cotter pin 14, passed through any one of saidholes' between said legs, limits the closing movenient of said le s. Obviously, these cotter pins 12 and 14 a 'ord adjustable stops on the linkll to limit the opening and closing movements of the legs 5 and 6.

The leg 5, at its inner or spring-connected end, is expanded to afford a hand hold 15 by which an operator 5 may hold the prongs and operate the leg 6 with his thumb to close said leg. Potatoes 0, picked up by the improved tongs, as shown in Fig. 1, are preferably placed in a metal basket or other receptacle d having a bail e, which the operator holds in his other hand, and pushes or drags the basket with, him, as he walk over the field and picks up the potatoes with the improved tongs. The potatoes are held between the fiexible straps 9, as best shown in Fig. 4, and which straps do not mar or bruise the potatoes. With a little practice, an operator can pick up potatoes very quickly with the improved tongs, without having stoop over, which, of course, makes the work of picking up potatoes very easy and less tiresome. When the basket is filled, the potatoes may be emptied into a sack or a wagon box. By adjusting the inner pin or stop 14, the size of potatoes held by the tongs may be varied, at will. The link 11 guides the legs 5 and 6, during their opening and closing movements, and holds the same against lateral movement with respect to each other.

What I claim is 1. A pair of tongs having their legs spring-connected at one end and bifurcated at the other to afford pairs of prongs, and flexible straps connecting the prongs of each pair, said pairs of prongs being under strain to hold the flexible straps taut.

2. A pair of tongs having their legs spring-connected at one end and bifurcated at the other to afiord pairs of prongs, flexible straps connecting the prongs of each pair, and springs under strain to separate the prongs of each pair.

3. A pair of tongs having their legs spring-connected at one end and bifurcated at the other to afford pairs of prongs, fissible straps connecting the prongs of each palr, and a link pivoted between. and to the prongs one of said legs and Working between the prongs of the other said legs as a guide to limiting the opening movement of said legs.

4 A pair of tongs having their legs spring-connected at one end and bifurcated at the other to afford pairs of prongs, flexible straps connecting the prongs of each pair, a link rigidly secured to one of said legs and extending between the prongs of the other thereof, and an adjustable stop on the link for limiting the closing movement of the legs.

i 5. A pair of tongs having their legs spring-connected at one end and bifurcated at the other to afiord pairs of prongs, flexible straps connecting the prongs of each pair, a

link rigidly secured to one of said legs and extending between the prongs of the other thereof, and adjustable stops on the link for limiting the opening and closing movements of said legs.

6. A pair of tongs having their legs spring-connected at one end and bifurcated at the other to afford pairs of prongs, and flexible straps connecting the prongs of each pair, one of said legs at its spring-connected end being expanded to afford a hand piece.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

ALBERT HOSSFELD. Witnesses:

R. L. THOMPSON, J. W. KAEPsELL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

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