Bean Patrolman's Hook

I recently picked up a Bean Hook (it's a nipper).

The usual Hook has a small coil spring in the handle to push the moveable arm out to be ready for use. That is the way the nipper is depicted in the patent drawings. U.S. Patent #284,165.

HOWEVER, there was an earlier pre-patent model which had a flat spring in the handle instead of the coil spring EDB settled on.

As luck would have it, that is the model I have and the spring and retaining screw are gone. It is marked "Pat Apl'd For"

I have conjured up some ideas of what the spring might have looked like and sent them to Ian who may try to make one for me.

Does anyone know about EDB building and selling the nipper before he had a patent and also in a style which predates the patent drawing?

I've only found one collector who has a set and it is packed away and he can't get to it to photo and describe.

Does anyone else have a flat spring model? If so, could you describe the spring and perhaps even send me a photo of the inside of the handle?

If it would help, I can post pictures of the nipper, the handle or the patent papers, if Joe would indulge me one more time, if anyone wants to see.

Thanks for any help,
Brad

Hi Brad--My hook has the patent date May 8, 1884. Without taking it apart, I would guess that the spring is wound around the screw. There is no view of the spring when the movable piece is in the open or closed position. I don't think that the screw would come out easily since the side opposite the head is flush with the body and most likely permanently in place.

Ron

I recently picked up a Bean Hook (it's a nipper).

The usual Hook has a small coil spring in the handle to push the moveable arm out to be ready for use. That is the way the nipper is depicted in the patent drawings. U.S. Patent #284,165.

HOWEVER, there was an earlier pre-patent model which had a flat spring in the handle instead of the coil spring EDB settled on.

As luck would have it, that is the model I have and the spring and retaining screw are gone. It is marked "Pat Apl'd For"

I have conjured up some ideas of what the spring might have looked like and sent them to Ian who may try to make one for me.

Does anyone know about EDB building and selling the nipper before he had a patent and also in a style which predates the patent drawing?

I've only found one collector who has a set and it is packed away and he can't get to it to photo and describe.

Does anyone else have a flat spring model? If so, could you describe the spring and perhaps even send me a photo of the inside of the handle?

If it would help, I can post pictures of the nipper, the handle or the patent papers, if Joe would indulge me one more time, if anyone wants to see.

Thanks for any help,
Brad

Click to expand...

Hi Ron,

Since yours has the 1884 date it would be the coil spring, not the flat spring.

Interestingly, if yours has the 1884 patent date, it is one of the rare ones that has the wrong date stamped on it. The Hook was patented Sept 4, 1883. The May 6, 1884 date was for a set of chain nippers, or "twisters". Congratulations on your peculiar find. (Forte, "American Police Equipment" 2000, p.120).

Later on, whoever was making the things for EDB managed to get the right patent date stamped on it. However, all of that was long past the flat spring.

Maybe we should post a bunch of pictures, since this thing is rather obscure. I guess I could send mine to you to post if Joe is busy, if you didn't mind.

Ian's trying to come up with something on this.

I'm starting to think HCA '11 here.

Brad

I recently picked up a Bean Hook (it's a nipper).

The usual Hook has a small coil spring in the handle to push the moveable arm out to be ready for use. That is the way the nipper is depicted in the patent drawings. U.S. Patent #284,165.

HOWEVER, there was an earlier pre-patent model which had a flat spring in the handle instead of the coil spring EDB settled on.

As luck would have it, that is the model I have and the spring and retaining screw are gone. It is marked "Pat Apl'd For"

I have conjured up some ideas of what the spring might have looked like and sent them to Ian who may try to make one for me.

Does anyone know about EDB building and selling the nipper before he had a patent and also in a style which predates the patent drawing?

I've only found one collector who has a set and it is packed away and he can't get to it to photo and describe.

Does anyone else have a flat spring model? If so, could you describe the spring and perhaps even send me a photo of the inside of the handle?

If it would help, I can post pictures of the nipper, the handle or the patent papers, if Joe would indulge me one more time, if anyone wants to see.

Thanks for any help,
Brad

Click to expand...

Dear Brad and Ron,

The May 6, 1884 patent date was for Bean's "police chain nippers", number 298,158. It was the only chain nipper Bean invented or patented.

That patent date's appearance on Bean's Patrolman's Hook is not the only time this has occurred. Tower's chain "police nippers" were patented on April 24, 1883, number 276,307. I have two Tower twin-trough chain twisters that are stamped incorrectly with the May 6, 1884 Bean patent date. They appear on my Web page http://www.editing.org.uk/tanis/restraints1.htm -- although the patent date stampings can not be seen.

Perhaps there was a lengthy production run of various devices and the patent date stamp was maintained throughout and not changed for different items.

Cheers,

Jack
http://www.editing.org.uk/tanis/collectibles.htm

I recently picked up a Bean Hook (it's a nipper).

The usual Hook has a small coil spring in the handle to push the moveable arm out to be ready for use. That is the way the nipper is depicted in the patent drawings. U.S. Patent #284,165.

HOWEVER, there was an earlier pre-patent model which had a flat spring in the handle instead of the coil spring EDB settled on.

As luck would have it, that is the model I have and the spring and retaining screw are gone. It is marked "Pat Apl'd For"

I have conjured up some ideas of what the spring might have looked like and sent them to Ian who may try to make one for me.

Does anyone know about EDB building and selling the nipper before he had a patent and also in a style which predates the patent drawing?

I've only found one collector who has a set and it is packed away and he can't get to it to photo and describe.

Does anyone else have a flat spring model? If so, could you describe the spring and perhaps even send me a photo of the inside of the handle?

If it would help, I can post pictures of the nipper, the handle or the patent papers, if Joe would indulge me one more time, if anyone wants to see.

Thanks for any help,
Brad

Click to expand...

My twin-trough chain twisters is also stamped with the May 6, 1884 date.

Brad, my hook must have what I think you are calling a flat spring. On the top of the screw you can easily see that there is no spring. Closing the hook you can see under the screw area, that there is no spring and I inserted a shim to verify no spring.
That leave me to believe that the spring is wound around the screw with the extended ends of the spring against hollowed out area of the moving part of the hook. This is what I would call a flat spring.

As far a patent date errors, in those days they were pretty sloppy on what they used and how they marked things. The patent picture compared to the actual item may be the same or may be somewhat different incorporating modifications as they make the item. As long as the basic idea that the patent is trying to protect is not changed, other changes were acceptable. For example the Maltby flat and round key. The patent shows only the flat key model.

All this just makes us wish that we knew more history of the inventors and the manufactures and all this ambiguity just make our collections just a little more interesting.

Ron

I recently picked up a Bean Hook (it's a nipper).

The usual Hook has a small coil spring in the handle to push the moveable arm out to be ready for use. That is the way the nipper is depicted in the patent drawings. U.S. Patent #284,165.

HOWEVER, there was an earlier pre-patent model which had a flat spring in the handle instead of the coil spring EDB settled on.

As luck would have it, that is the model I have and the spring and retaining screw are gone. It is marked "Pat Apl'd For"

I have conjured up some ideas of what the spring might have looked like and sent them to Ian who may try to make one for me.

Does anyone know about EDB building and selling the nipper before he had a patent and also in a style which predates the patent drawing?

I've only found one collector who has a set and it is packed away and he can't get to it to photo and describe.

Does anyone else have a flat spring model? If so, could you describe the spring and perhaps even send me a photo of the inside of the handle?

If it would help, I can post pictures of the nipper, the handle or the patent papers, if Joe would indulge me one more time, if anyone wants to see.

Thanks for any help,
Brad

Click to expand...

Ron, as soon as the satellite starts working right I am going to send you the patent drawing and my drawing of what the flat spring should look like and you can let me know what you think. I know you have, like me, all the patents so if you just want to look at your own stuff go ahead. Its #284,165. It shows the coil spring only.

The coil spring was located down at the pivot point where the moveable and stationary arms are connected. The flat spring was connected at the top of the channel inside the handle and traversed down the channel to the pivot point. There will be a #6 screw hole at the top of the channel (nearest the handle, farthest from the pivot point)to fasten the flat spring.

It would be REALLY interesting to see that an '84 marked still had a flat spring, but I guess they were the earliest "date marked" versions? Still they had to have been made in 1884 or later and the patent ap was submitted in '83 and the "Pat Apl'd For" was made before the patent ap. Hmmm...

I recently picked up a Bean Hook (it's a nipper).

The usual Hook has a small coil spring in the handle to push the moveable arm out to be ready for use. That is the way the nipper is depicted in the patent drawings. U.S. Patent #284,165.

HOWEVER, there was an earlier pre-patent model which had a flat spring in the handle instead of the coil spring EDB settled on.

As luck would have it, that is the model I have and the spring and retaining screw are gone. It is marked "Pat Apl'd For"

I have conjured up some ideas of what the spring might have looked like and sent them to Ian who may try to make one for me.

Does anyone know about EDB building and selling the nipper before he had a patent and also in a style which predates the patent drawing?

I've only found one collector who has a set and it is packed away and he can't get to it to photo and describe.

Does anyone else have a flat spring model? If so, could you describe the spring and perhaps even send me a photo of the inside of the handle?

If it would help, I can post pictures of the nipper, the handle or the patent papers, if Joe would indulge me one more time, if anyone wants to see.

Thanks for any help,
Brad

Click to expand...

Ron, two more things. I just took a close look at Joe's and I see what you mean about the screw. It is a transverse pivot screw and, I guess, designed to be taken out so that nipper could be taken apart and the coil spring could be replaced. Mine has no such screw, both sides of the hinge point are polished smooth. It is a permanent junction.

On the flat spring model, if you opened the handle and looked inside you would be clearly able to see the flat spring running down the channel to the pivot point and the retaining screw at the top.

I recently picked up a Bean Hook (it's a nipper).

The usual Hook has a small coil spring in the handle to push the moveable arm out to be ready for use. That is the way the nipper is depicted in the patent drawings. U.S. Patent #284,165.

HOWEVER, there was an earlier pre-patent model which had a flat spring in the handle instead of the coil spring EDB settled on.

As luck would have it, that is the model I have and the spring and retaining screw are gone. It is marked "Pat Apl'd For"

I have conjured up some ideas of what the spring might have looked like and sent them to Ian who may try to make one for me.

Does anyone know about EDB building and selling the nipper before he had a patent and also in a style which predates the patent drawing?

I've only found one collector who has a set and it is packed away and he can't get to it to photo and describe.

Does anyone else have a flat spring model? If so, could you describe the spring and perhaps even send me a photo of the inside of the handle?

If it would help, I can post pictures of the nipper, the handle or the patent papers, if Joe would indulge me one more time, if anyone wants to see.

Thanks for any help,
Brad

Click to expand...

Mine has only one screw at the pivot point. The head is recessed into the body and the other side is machined flat. I think it would be hard to get it out without damage.

If you read the thread about my Maltby cuffs and their repair, one of my last entries stated that all my Maltbys, flat and round key, were all stamped with the early 1891 date. However they all had the double lock feature which is the 1894 date.

The bottom line, in my opinion, is that they took many liberties in the manufacture of many cuffs. The one you hold in your hand may not match the patent papers or dates. The papers should be used as a guide and not stone fact. In more modern cuffs the patent is probably closer to reality since there is more competition, manufacturers, and lawyers.

Most cuffs, as you know, are fairly straight forward not like the Mattatucks (Maltby, Judd, and Mattatucks) which are an internal nightmare. They did not believe in the KISS principle (Keep it Simple Stupid).

Anyway your hook sounds interesting. Who knows whats next.

Ron

I recently picked up a Bean Hook (it's a nipper).

The usual Hook has a small coil spring in the handle to push the moveable arm out to be ready for use. That is the way the nipper is depicted in the patent drawings. U.S. Patent #284,165.

HOWEVER, there was an earlier pre-patent model which had a flat spring in the handle instead of the coil spring EDB settled on.

As luck would have it, that is the model I have and the spring and retaining screw are gone. It is marked "Pat Apl'd For"

I have conjured up some ideas of what the spring might have looked like and sent them to Ian who may try to make one for me.

Does anyone know about EDB building and selling the nipper before he had a patent and also in a style which predates the patent drawing?

I've only found one collector who has a set and it is packed away and he can't get to it to photo and describe.

Does anyone else have a flat spring model? If so, could you describe the spring and perhaps even send me a photo of the inside of the handle?

If it would help, I can post pictures of the nipper, the handle or the patent papers, if Joe would indulge me one more time, if anyone wants to see.

Thanks for any help,
Brad

Click to expand...

Ron, I can't find your email address anywhere. Would you click on my name in blue on the previous page (it won't work for me in reverse) and send it to me.

thanks,
Brad

I recently picked up a Bean Hook (it's a nipper).

The usual Hook has a small coil spring in the handle to push the moveable arm out to be ready for use. That is the way the nipper is depicted in the patent drawings. U.S. Patent #284,165.

HOWEVER, there was an earlier pre-patent model which had a flat spring in the handle instead of the coil spring EDB settled on.

As luck would have it, that is the model I have and the spring and retaining screw are gone. It is marked "Pat Apl'd For"

I have conjured up some ideas of what the spring might have looked like and sent them to Ian who may try to make one for me.

Does anyone know about EDB building and selling the nipper before he had a patent and also in a style which predates the patent drawing?

I've only found one collector who has a set and it is packed away and he can't get to it to photo and describe.

Does anyone else have a flat spring model? If so, could you describe the spring and perhaps even send me a photo of the inside of the handle?

If it would help, I can post pictures of the nipper, the handle or the patent papers, if Joe would indulge me one more time, if anyone wants to see.

Thanks for any help,
Brad

Click to expand...

the American Police Equipment cataloge descibes both the pre patent and patent models and the springs. If someone has a copy of it.

I recently picked up a Bean Hook (it's a nipper).

The usual Hook has a small coil spring in the handle to push the moveable arm out to be ready for use. That is the way the nipper is depicted in the patent drawings. U.S. Patent #284,165.

HOWEVER, there was an earlier pre-patent model which had a flat spring in the handle instead of the coil spring EDB settled on.

As luck would have it, that is the model I have and the spring and retaining screw are gone. It is marked "Pat Apl'd For"

I have conjured up some ideas of what the spring might have looked like and sent them to Ian who may try to make one for me.

Does anyone know about EDB building and selling the nipper before he had a patent and also in a style which predates the patent drawing?

I've only found one collector who has a set and it is packed away and he can't get to it to photo and describe.

Does anyone else have a flat spring model? If so, could you describe the spring and perhaps even send me a photo of the inside of the handle?

If it would help, I can post pictures of the nipper, the handle or the patent papers, if Joe would indulge me one more time, if anyone wants to see.

Thanks for any help,
Brad

Click to expand...

Clyde, I don't think I'm familiar with that. Do you have anymore info on it?

Anyone know?

Thanks,
Brad

I recently picked up a Bean Hook (it's a nipper).

The usual Hook has a small coil spring in the handle to push the moveable arm out to be ready for use. That is the way the nipper is depicted in the patent drawings. U.S. Patent #284,165.

HOWEVER, there was an earlier pre-patent model which had a flat spring in the handle instead of the coil spring EDB settled on.

As luck would have it, that is the model I have and the spring and retaining screw are gone. It is marked "Pat Apl'd For"

I have conjured up some ideas of what the spring might have looked like and sent them to Ian who may try to make one for me.

Does anyone know about EDB building and selling the nipper before he had a patent and also in a style which predates the patent drawing?

I've only found one collector who has a set and it is packed away and he can't get to it to photo and describe.

Does anyone else have a flat spring model? If so, could you describe the spring and perhaps even send me a photo of the inside of the handle?

If it would help, I can post pictures of the nipper, the handle or the patent papers, if Joe would indulge me one more time, if anyone wants to see.

Thanks for any help,
Brad

Click to expand...

Clyde

Is the American Police Equipment catalog by Forte and is it still in print? I have heard reference to it before but have never seen a copy. Could you pass on information about it.

Ron

I recently picked up a Bean Hook (it's a nipper).

The usual Hook has a small coil spring in the handle to push the moveable arm out to be ready for use. That is the way the nipper is depicted in the patent drawings. U.S. Patent #284,165.

HOWEVER, there was an earlier pre-patent model which had a flat spring in the handle instead of the coil spring EDB settled on.

As luck would have it, that is the model I have and the spring and retaining screw are gone. It is marked "Pat Apl'd For"

I have conjured up some ideas of what the spring might have looked like and sent them to Ian who may try to make one for me.

Does anyone know about EDB building and selling the nipper before he had a patent and also in a style which predates the patent drawing?

I've only found one collector who has a set and it is packed away and he can't get to it to photo and describe.

Does anyone else have a flat spring model? If so, could you describe the spring and perhaps even send me a photo of the inside of the handle?

If it would help, I can post pictures of the nipper, the handle or the patent papers, if Joe would indulge me one more time, if anyone wants to see.

Thanks for any help,
Brad

Click to expand...

Think I found it. Any comments on how good it is?

http://www.amazon.com/American-Police-E ... 0966593855

American Police Equipment : A Guide to Early Restraints, Clubs & Lanterns$75.00

Amazon

I recently picked up a Bean Hook (it's a nipper).

The usual Hook has a small coil spring in the handle to push the moveable arm out to be ready for use. That is the way the nipper is depicted in the patent drawings. U.S. Patent #284,165.

HOWEVER, there was an earlier pre-patent model which had a flat spring in the handle instead of the coil spring EDB settled on.

As luck would have it, that is the model I have and the spring and retaining screw are gone. It is marked "Pat Apl'd For"

I have conjured up some ideas of what the spring might have looked like and sent them to Ian who may try to make one for me.

Does anyone know about EDB building and selling the nipper before he had a patent and also in a style which predates the patent drawing?

I've only found one collector who has a set and it is packed away and he can't get to it to photo and describe.

Does anyone else have a flat spring model? If so, could you describe the spring and perhaps even send me a photo of the inside of the handle?

If it would help, I can post pictures of the nipper, the handle or the patent papers, if Joe would indulge me one more time, if anyone wants to see.

Thanks for any help,
Brad

Click to expand...

yes that one and the american police collectibles i think are very good books, use them all the time ,if it was made for police it probiably is dicribed in those 2 books.

LK D~D

I recently picked up a Bean Hook (it's a nipper).

The usual Hook has a small coil spring in the handle to push the moveable arm out to be ready for use. That is the way the nipper is depicted in the patent drawings. U.S. Patent #284,165.

HOWEVER, there was an earlier pre-patent model which had a flat spring in the handle instead of the coil spring EDB settled on.

As luck would have it, that is the model I have and the spring and retaining screw are gone. It is marked "Pat Apl'd For"

I have conjured up some ideas of what the spring might have looked like and sent them to Ian who may try to make one for me.

Does anyone know about EDB building and selling the nipper before he had a patent and also in a style which predates the patent drawing?

I've only found one collector who has a set and it is packed away and he can't get to it to photo and describe.

Does anyone else have a flat spring model? If so, could you describe the spring and perhaps even send me a photo of the inside of the handle?

If it would help, I can post pictures of the nipper, the handle or the patent papers, if Joe would indulge me one more time, if anyone wants to see.

Thanks for any help,
Brad

Click to expand...

MENT TO SAY IF IT WAS MADE FOR AMERICIAN POLICE IT'S PROB. IN THOSE 2 BOOKS


LK D~D

I recently picked up a Bean Hook (it's a nipper).

The usual Hook has a small coil spring in the handle to push the moveable arm out to be ready for use. That is the way the nipper is depicted in the patent drawings. U.S. Patent #284,165.

HOWEVER, there was an earlier pre-patent model which had a flat spring in the handle instead of the coil spring EDB settled on.

As luck would have it, that is the model I have and the spring and retaining screw are gone. It is marked "Pat Apl'd For"

I have conjured up some ideas of what the spring might have looked like and sent them to Ian who may try to make one for me.

Does anyone know about EDB building and selling the nipper before he had a patent and also in a style which predates the patent drawing?

I've only found one collector who has a set and it is packed away and he can't get to it to photo and describe.

Does anyone else have a flat spring model? If so, could you describe the spring and perhaps even send me a photo of the inside of the handle?

If it would help, I can post pictures of the nipper, the handle or the patent papers, if Joe would indulge me one more time, if anyone wants to see.

Thanks for any help,
Brad

Click to expand...

Hello,

American Police Equipment
http://books.google.com/books?id=OHgh0m ... &q&f=false

American Police Collectibles
http://books.google.com/books?id=2RJEri ... &q&f=false

Order directly from the author, Matthew G. Forte, through the publisher, Turn of the Century Publishers
http://turnofthecenturybooks.wordpress.com/

Cheers,

Jack
http://www.editing.org.uk/tanis/collectibles.htm

I recently picked up a Bean Hook (it's a nipper).

The usual Hook has a small coil spring in the handle to push the moveable arm out to be ready for use. That is the way the nipper is depicted in the patent drawings. U.S. Patent #284,165.

HOWEVER, there was an earlier pre-patent model which had a flat spring in the handle instead of the coil spring EDB settled on.

As luck would have it, that is the model I have and the spring and retaining screw are gone. It is marked "Pat Apl'd For"

I have conjured up some ideas of what the spring might have looked like and sent them to Ian who may try to make one for me.

Does anyone know about EDB building and selling the nipper before he had a patent and also in a style which predates the patent drawing?

I've only found one collector who has a set and it is packed away and he can't get to it to photo and describe.

Does anyone else have a flat spring model? If so, could you describe the spring and perhaps even send me a photo of the inside of the handle?

If it would help, I can post pictures of the nipper, the handle or the patent papers, if Joe would indulge me one more time, if anyone wants to see.

Thanks for any help,
Brad

Click to expand...

Thanks Jack--they have better prices than Amazon. Is there enough difference in information between the two books? The later one just looks like an update.

Ron

I recently picked up a Bean Hook (it's a nipper).

The usual Hook has a small coil spring in the handle to push the moveable arm out to be ready for use. That is the way the nipper is depicted in the patent drawings. U.S. Patent #284,165.

HOWEVER, there was an earlier pre-patent model which had a flat spring in the handle instead of the coil spring EDB settled on.

As luck would have it, that is the model I have and the spring and retaining screw are gone. It is marked "Pat Apl'd For"

I have conjured up some ideas of what the spring might have looked like and sent them to Ian who may try to make one for me.

Does anyone know about EDB building and selling the nipper before he had a patent and also in a style which predates the patent drawing?

I've only found one collector who has a set and it is packed away and he can't get to it to photo and describe.

Does anyone else have a flat spring model? If so, could you describe the spring and perhaps even send me a photo of the inside of the handle?

If it would help, I can post pictures of the nipper, the handle or the patent papers, if Joe would indulge me one more time, if anyone wants to see.

Thanks for any help,
Brad

Click to expand...

Dear Ron,

They are cheaper because the middleman is being bypassed. I personally think there is enough of a difference between the two to justify buying both. Equipment goes far beyond being a revised or updated version of Collectibles. There is a substantial overlay, but that goes without saying as the field itself is limited. I wrote fairly detailed reviews of both books. The reviews are at Amazon and either at Google or through the publisher's page. They might help you decide whether to get one or both books. I actually use both books about equally.

Cheers,

Jack
http://www.editing.org.uk/tanis/collectibles.htm

I recently picked up a Bean Hook (it's a nipper).

The usual Hook has a small coil spring in the handle to push the moveable arm out to be ready for use. That is the way the nipper is depicted in the patent drawings. U.S. Patent #284,165.

HOWEVER, there was an earlier pre-patent model which had a flat spring in the handle instead of the coil spring EDB settled on.

As luck would have it, that is the model I have and the spring and retaining screw are gone. It is marked "Pat Apl'd For"

I have conjured up some ideas of what the spring might have looked like and sent them to Ian who may try to make one for me.

Does anyone know about EDB building and selling the nipper before he had a patent and also in a style which predates the patent drawing?

I've only found one collector who has a set and it is packed away and he can't get to it to photo and describe.

Does anyone else have a flat spring model? If so, could you describe the spring and perhaps even send me a photo of the inside of the handle?

If it would help, I can post pictures of the nipper, the handle or the patent papers, if Joe would indulge me one more time, if anyone wants to see.

Thanks for any help,
Brad

Click to expand...

Guys, both of Matt's books are superb, well written and full of info you won't get anywhere else, like Bean Hook flat springs.

That is the source I quoted, when I started this thread. The books are quite different and I would encourage you to get both.

I keep meaning to ask Joe to put them in the Bibliography section here on the site.

Clyde, sorry I didn't recognize what you were referring to, I should have. I was envisioning some old arcane catalog somewhere.

Ron, send me your email address over the blue link and I will send you some interesting stuff on this. If it's interesting enough to everyone else maybe you'd want to post it for me.

Brad

I recently picked up a Bean Hook (it's a nipper).

The usual Hook has a small coil spring in the handle to push the moveable arm out to be ready for use. That is the way the nipper is depicted in the patent drawings. U.S. Patent #284,165.

HOWEVER, there was an earlier pre-patent model which had a flat spring in the handle instead of the coil spring EDB settled on.

As luck would have it, that is the model I have and the spring and retaining screw are gone. It is marked "Pat Apl'd For"

I have conjured up some ideas of what the spring might have looked like and sent them to Ian who may try to make one for me.

Does anyone know about EDB building and selling the nipper before he had a patent and also in a style which predates the patent drawing?

I've only found one collector who has a set and it is packed away and he can't get to it to photo and describe.

Does anyone else have a flat spring model? If so, could you describe the spring and perhaps even send me a photo of the inside of the handle?

If it would help, I can post pictures of the nipper, the handle or the patent papers, if Joe would indulge me one more time, if anyone wants to see.

Thanks for any help,
Brad

Click to expand...

Brad I have sent you several emails but they are all returned as undeliverable.

Ron

I recently picked up a Bean Hook (it's a nipper).

The usual Hook has a small coil spring in the handle to push the moveable arm out to be ready for use. That is the way the nipper is depicted in the patent drawings. U.S. Patent #284,165.

HOWEVER, there was an earlier pre-patent model which had a flat spring in the handle instead of the coil spring EDB settled on.

As luck would have it, that is the model I have and the spring and retaining screw are gone. It is marked "Pat Apl'd For"

I have conjured up some ideas of what the spring might have looked like and sent them to Ian who may try to make one for me.

Does anyone know about EDB building and selling the nipper before he had a patent and also in a style which predates the patent drawing?

I've only found one collector who has a set and it is packed away and he can't get to it to photo and describe.

Does anyone else have a flat spring model? If so, could you describe the spring and perhaps even send me a photo of the inside of the handle?

If it would help, I can post pictures of the nipper, the handle or the patent papers, if Joe would indulge me one more time, if anyone wants to see.

Thanks for any help,
Brad

Click to expand...

That's what happens to me too. Something about the right foozil not being installed.

Oh well, here goes: [email protected]

Brad

I recently picked up a Bean Hook (it's a nipper).

The usual Hook has a small coil spring in the handle to push the moveable arm out to be ready for use. That is the way the nipper is depicted in the patent drawings. U.S. Patent #284,165.

HOWEVER, there was an earlier pre-patent model which had a flat spring in the handle instead of the coil spring EDB settled on.

As luck would have it, that is the model I have and the spring and retaining screw are gone. It is marked "Pat Apl'd For"

I have conjured up some ideas of what the spring might have looked like and sent them to Ian who may try to make one for me.

Does anyone know about EDB building and selling the nipper before he had a patent and also in a style which predates the patent drawing?

I've only found one collector who has a set and it is packed away and he can't get to it to photo and describe.

Does anyone else have a flat spring model? If so, could you describe the spring and perhaps even send me a photo of the inside of the handle?

If it would help, I can post pictures of the nipper, the handle or the patent papers, if Joe would indulge me one more time, if anyone wants to see.

Thanks for any help,
Brad

Click to expand...

Well, Ian McColl came through again. Based upon what I suppose the spring should have looked like, he made one and I have fitted it and installed it and it works. I can see why EDB switched to a coil spring, though.

I can't imagine the flat spring lasting very long, which I guess is why it was missing.

If any of you come across one of these and need the spring, Ian is the "go to" guy. He usually is anyway.

I'll send Joe some pics and maybe prevail upon him to post them.

Thanks,
Brad