Patented Ice Tools

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Patented Ice Tools

Jan 1850 – Dec 1904

This section is a collection of tools patented from January 1850 through December 1904. Each tool is found elsewhere in the respective section. If there were more than one tool for a patent, only one item is shown in this section. The patent number, issue date, patentee and a short reason for the patent, along with a portion of the patent drawing, are shown.

List of Patents
15,483 – Aug 1856	281,644 – Jul 1883	484,518 – Oct 1892
22,991 - Feb 1859	287,423 - Oct 1883	D22,394 - May 1893
23,969 – May 1859	296,126 - Apr 1884	500,923 – Jul 1893
58,078 – Sep 1866	296,501 – Apr 1884	572,952 – Dec 1896
87,491 - Mar 1869	RE10,548 - Jan 1885	576,461 – Feb 1897
128,020 – Jun 1872	314,723 – Mar 1885	578,215 - Mar. 1897
136,593 – Mar 1873	329,523 – Nov 1885	D27,210 – Jun 1897
142,916 - Sept 1873	342,697 – May 1886	587,230 – Jul 1897
143,957 – Oct 1873	361,108 – Apr 1887	595,855 – Dec 1897
162,864 – May 1875	402,173 – Apr 1889	608,848 – Aug 1898
165,729 – Jul 1875	405,001 - June 1889	618,640 - Jan 1899
187,609 - Feb 1877	441,333 – Nov 1890	618,748 - Jan 1899
189,196 – Apr 1877	446,171 – Feb 1891	621,356 Mar. 1899
222,168 – Dec. 1879	452,555 – May 1891	655,692 – Aug 1900
234,397 - Nov 1880	458,383 – Aug 1891	690,829 – Jan 1902
247,861 – Oct 1881	466,549 - Jan. 1892	698,730 - Apr 1902
277,334 – May 1883	476,052 – May 1892	740,162 – Sep 1903
	482,883 – Sep 1892	766,558 – Aug 1904

1850’s & 1860’s	1870’s & 1880’s	1890’s & 1900’s

1850’s & 1860’s

Patent 15,483 Issued August 5, 1856 to Isaac H. Griffing of New York, New York.

Instrument for Breaking Ice

Operation of the tool: Place the pointed end on the ice, hold the looped end in one hand and raise and drop or thrust the weight down to break the ice.

L = 18-7/8”, with a 14-1/2” stroke.

Patent Drawing

Patent 22,991 issued Feb. 15, 1859 to John Tyler, of Providence, Rode Island

Ice-Tongs

The invention consists in combining a pick or cutter or both of them with a pair of ice-tongs. The pick is pointed like a common ice-pick and the cutter made with its edge of chisel or ax form. The whole tool may be made of malleable iron, each leg with its attached pick or cutter being cast in one piece, thus making a cheap and convenient tool.

L – 10-1/2”, Spread 9-1/2”

Galvanized steel, pick on one leg and short blade on the other. Two handles, two points and one pivot. No markings

Patent Drawing

Patent 23,969 Issued May 10, 1859 to Milton White, Howard

White, Henry T. White and Jos. White of Philadelphia,

Pennsylvania.

Ice-Pick

Operation of tool: Place point on the ice, raise the handle then let it drop or thrust it down on the pick to break the ice.

L = 11-1/8 extended and 8-3/8” closed. A 2-3/4’ stroke. Left photo shows location of following marking - M. WHITE AND BROS, PHILA PAT MAY 10, 1859

Patent Drawing

Patent 58,078 Issued September 18, 1866 to Charles W. Dunlap of Brooklyn, New York.

Improved Ice-Breaker

The metal band placed around the handle is used to crack the ice to smaller pieces without doing damage to the more fragile wooden handle.

L – 9-5/8”, Pick diameter – 0.27”. Smooth ring around the handle with serration on the top edge. Brass ferrule. No special markings.

Patent Drawing

Patent 87,491 Issued Mar. 2, 1869 to Randolph Hayden of Middletown, Connecticut.

Improvement in Ice-Tongs

The invention improvements consist of the manufacturing ice-tongs of malleable cast-metal and a housing at the pivot containing a spring to keep the tongs closed when not in use.

L – 14-3/4”, Spread 13-1/5”,

PAT. MAR. 2, 1869 FERREE & HAYDEN MIDDLETOWN, CT. marked on the cap of the housing at the pivot. The housing contains a spring that keeps the tongs closed when not in use. Two oval shaped handles. The handles extensions have a small rib along the center and the tong legs have an expanded edge along the inside surface.

Patent Drawing showing the two halves

Top of the Document

1870’s & 1880’s

Patent 128,020 Issued June 18, 1872 to Thomas A. Conklin of New Britain, Connecticut.

Improvement in Ice-Picks and Meat-Mauls Combined

The design of the hammer shaped tool; The larger end of the head is a meat maul while the pointed end is an ice pick.

L = 11”, All metal with the exception of wooden inserts in the handle. The tenderer end of the head is six sided and has 19 blunt points. The other end of the head is a very strong ice pick. There is an eyelet on the end of the handle for hanging.

Patent Drawing

Pre- Patent 128,020 issued June 18, 1872.

L – 10-1/8”,

The metal structure forward of the handle is more robust and faceted unlike the patented configuration which is rounded. The pounding points are conical and pointed as shown in the patent drawing, not truncated as in the patented item. No markings.

Patent 136,593 Issued Mar. 11, 1873 to William Theadar Farre of Montreal, Canada

Improvement in Ice-Tongs

The main objective of the invent is to provide ice-tongs for general household purposes, durable, cheap as possible and constructed to be used with one hand. The tongs shown meet the general intent of the invention but are more durable in that the arms are heavy duty and the ring at the arms crossing keeps the arms from spreading when used. This set of tongs was probably made between the date of this patent and Dec. 10, 1878 the second patent drawing shown.

L - 11-3/4”, Spread – 9”,

PAT is stamped in the center of the handle. The tongs have an oval cross section shape. The ice tongs are identified in the 1883 SIMMONS HARDWARE COMPANY catalog as No. 0, Ice Tongs, for Kitchen, $3.00 per dozen

Patent Drawing

Patent 142,916 Issued Sept. 16, 1873 to Edwin C. Johnson, of South Providence, Rhode Island.

Improvement in Ice-Tongs

This invention consists of the construction of the ice tongs with a joint and handle made of cast metal and the tong jaws (legs) are attached by being driven in to a wedging dovetail slot. The objective of this improvement is to lessen the cost of manufacture of the ice tongs.

L – 12”, Spread – 16”,

Pre-Patent example of 142,916. Two "T" handles 0.75-0.85' taper from outer end to center, hollow cylinder, all steel tongs, tong legs make a slip fit with the upper portion just below the pivot. And the thickness tapers from 0.25" at the junction to 0.18" at the tip. PATENT APL on the upper end of the leg at the junction fitting on one leg.

Patent Drawing

Patent 143,957 Issued October 28, 1873 to Sidney S. Boynton and Daniel Keefe of Peoria, Illinois.

Improvement in Ice-Picks

The design is an improvement to the common ice pick by combining a pointed instrument with a serrated chisel for planning or shaving ice from large blocks of ice.

L = 7-5/8”, No special markings.

Patent Drawing

Patent 162,864 Issued May 4, 1875 to Austin V. M. Sprague of Rochester, N. Y.

Improvement in Combined Ice Picks, Chisels, and Hammers

This invention is a new and useful improvement for picking, cutting, crushing and pulverizing ice.

L 10-3/4” The blade is 2-1/4” wide. The head has four functions. The pick is on one end and a blade to cut ice on the other, while one side has protrusions the crack the ice and the other side has a concave surface to pulverize the crushed ice.

Patent Drawings

Patent 165,729 Issued July 20, 1875 to Thomas Hagerty of New York, New York.

Improvement in Combined Ice-Picks and Can-Openers

This invention is the combination of an ice pick and by adding a pin and cutter on the side of the tool to use it as a can opener. This particular example does not have the can opener features.

L = 9”, Brass ferrule. No special markings

Patent Drawing

Patent 187,609 Issued Feb. 20, 1877 to Peter Euler of Troy, New York

Improvement in Ice-Tongs

The intent of the invention is the ability to grasp the handle with one hand and strike the tongs down on the block ice, the toggle-joint spreads to allow the tongs jaws to take hold of the ice. Also, the user can hold the handle with the right hand and grasp the tab handle, positioned between the links, the tong jaws can be easily opened and guided to properly position the tong jaws to grasp the ice block.

L – 19-7/8”, Spread – 12-5/8”,

P. EULER PAT FEB. 25 77 T.NY on one tong leg just below the pivot. I think the marking is in error since the tongs were patented on the 20^th. The tongs are made of 3/4"X1/4" flat steel. The mechanism between the pivot and the handle controls the amount the tongs will open and close.

Patent Drawing

Patent 189,196 Issued April 3, 1877 to John Crawford of New York, New York.

Improvement in Ice-Tools

The invention is a combination tool having the following devices: a hatchet, pick, cutter, or scraper and shovel, designed for use of housekeepers, bar-keepers, dispensers of soda – water, and others employing cracked, granulated, or powdered ice.

L = 11”, Five points plus one point plus a shave blade. A scoop behind the five points. PAT’D APR 3, 1877 on the metal area between the scoop and the ferrule. Some of the lettering is very difficult to read.

Patent Drawing

Patent 222,186 Issued Dec 2, 1879 to Warren S. hill of Hyde Park, Massachusetts

Improvement in Combined Ice Tongs, Pick, and Hatchet

This invention consists of ice tongs and when the tongs are closed the hook end of the tongs can be used as a handle for the ice pick and hatchet that are on the opposite ends of the handle.

L – 12-3/4”, Spread – 16”, PAT JUNE 25, 1878 is stamped on one side of each arm between the pivot and the handle. 0.20” material used for the tongs. The material of the legs is chamfered creating a very thin edge. The handle has an ice pick on one end and hatchet on the other.

The patent date stamped on the tongs is for patent 205,169. Both patentees lived in Hyde Park, Mass. I don’t know why the earlier patent number was placed on the later configuration.

Patent 222,186 Drawing

Patent 205,169 Drawing

Patent 234,397 Issued Nov 16, 1880 to Edwin S. Field of Springfield, Massachusetts.

Ice-Cutting Machine

This invention relates to certain improvements in that class of machines for cutting ice in which a pair of toothed cylinders revolve in opposite directions. The cylinders consist of a peculiar shape and set of cutting teeth whereby the ice lumps of considerable size is broken and cut into pieces of small size for cooling beverages, articles of food and for other domestic and general use.

H – 12-1/2”, CHANDLER'S ICE CUTTING MACHINE PAT. NOV. 16 '80 and a large 10 on one side of the ice chamber and MADE BY C. E. JENNINGS & Co. NEW YORK U.S.A. on the other side. The handle is attached to the shaft connected to the large gear.

H – 12”, CHANDLER'S ICE CUTTING MACHINE, SPRINGFIELD, MASS. PAT. NOV. 16, '80 on both sides of the ice cutting chamber. Metal container to catch the cut ice is 6-3/4” long, 4” wide, 5-1/2’ high. The handle is attached to the shaft connected to the small gear.

Patent Drawing

Patent 247,861 Issued Oct. 4, 1881 to Thomas R. Way of Springfield, Ohio

Ice-Tongs

The improvements to the ice-tongs with stirrups, between the handle and upper ends of the arms, enable the skilled user better use of the tongs. The construction and alignment of the handle, stirrups and the curved upper ends of the arms, enables the tongs to open easily when pressed against the block ice to be moved.

L – 15-1/2”, Spread 13”

GIFFORD-WOOD CO. HUDSON, N.Y. stamped on the side of one tong leg and 551-12IN (12 indicating the tong span) on the other tong leg. There are no other marking on the tool. The tongs are listed in the GIFFORD-WOOD 1909 Catalog as Patent Link Cincinnati Tongs for $12.50 per dozen. Three sizes were listed; 10” 12” & 15”. Note: This particular set of ice tongs was manufactured many years after the patent was issued; however, it was made to the criteria of the patent. Gifford-Wood Co. was formed in 1905.

Patent Drawing

Patent 277,334 Issued May 8, 1883 to George M. Patten of Holbrook, Massachusetts

Combination Ice-Tool

The invention relates to improvements in ice-tools consisting of the combination of tongs, pick, and hatchet arranged together to form one tool.

The handle separates and functions as ice tongs. The other end has an ice pick on one side and a hatchet on the other. The tool is all metal. PAT APP’D FOR in raised letter along the top edge of the hatchet/ice pick.

Patent Drawing

Patent 281,644 Issued July 17, 1883 to Alfred C. Rex of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Ice-Pick or Cutter

The invention is to construct the pick to be both cheap and durable and capable of cutting ice into smaller blocks without splitting it into small pieces. The blade is held on the ice and the sliding weight dropped or thrust down on the blade to cut the ice.

L = 14-1/2”, Slider weight on handle shaft. Markings on each side of blade support. A “4” on one side and PAT JULY 17, 83 on the other side.

Patent Drawing

Patent 287,423 Issued Oct. 30, 1883 and RE10,548 Issued Jan 6, 1885

to Gilbert J. Dickson, of Albany, New York

Ice-Tongs

This invention relates to the manufacture of ice-tongs from wire, the objective of the improvements being, to facility the manufacture and render them less liable to break or bend when made of light wire. Each half of the tongs made of a single strand of wire, wrapping around the other forming a spiral-spring pivot joint.

L – 15-1/2”, Spread – 18”,

Each tong was made from a single piece of 0.23' rod or wire and the pivot was made by enlacing the two halves. No Markings.

Patent Drawing

Patent 296,126 Issued April 1, 1884 to David F. Burgess, of Lockport, New York.

Ice-Hook

The invention relates to improvements in ice-tongs: and it consists in pivoting the grappling-arms and connecting their upper ends by a spring-bail. Preferably a rod is used, which makes a strong and durable spring for grappling a block of ice.

L – 15-1/2”, Spread – 14”,

Markings on one leg - "PAT APPLD FOR" are hard to see, A single half loop 0.25" wire handle, The tong legs are made of 0.25" X 0.50 iron oval stock with a single pivot point. Tongs are built to the shape depicted in the patent.

Patent Drawing

Variant

L – 15”, Spread – 11”,

Handle is made of 1/4” diameter spring-rod and the tongs made of 1/4” flat stock. Second set of holes that may have been to adjust the pivot. No markings.

Variant

L – 14-1/2”, Spread – 15-1/2”,

Single half loop 0.25" spring-rod handle, tong legs cast oval shape 0.55" X 0.27" at center of the leg. No markings.

Patent 296,501 Issued April 8, 1884 to Hermann Albrecht of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Ice-Chipping Tool

The invention has a guard for the cutting blade to chip ice from a block producing fragments approximating to uniformity in size.

L = 10”, AMERICAN MACHINE Co. PHILADA. PAT APR 8, 1884 is stamped on the bottom side of the cutting blade. Brass ferrule. The blade is riveted to the guide and support.

Patent Drawing

Take note this configuration is quite different from the basic shave configuration identified in this patent. The inventor allowed for other configurations, stating the blade may be a single chipping tooth, the opening can be deleted, and the guard can be attached directly to the block/bar attached to the handle.

L = 8-3/8”, Solid metal. The curved metal piece above the blade serves as a guide when chipping or shaving ice. AMERICAN MACHINE CO. PHILADA. PAT APR. 8, 1884, on back of guide. The leading edge of the guide is tapered to a sharp edge for shaving the ice block. This chipper was called the STAR chipper.

Patent RE10,548 Issued Jan 6, 1885. See Patent 287,423 Issued Oct. 30, 1883 above, for description.

Patent 314,723 Issued March 31, 1885 to Ethan Rogers of Cohoes, New York.

Ice-Pick

The invention consists of an ice pick, to quickly and effectively cut the block and the other end of the tool used to crush or break the ice into smaller pieces.

L = 7-3/4”, Single point on one end and an ice cracker on the other end. E. ROGERS PAT’D MAR 31-85 stamped on the blade

L – 7-1/4”, Two point, E. ROGERS (Patentee)

PAT’D MAR 31-85 stamped on the blade near the hammer end.

Patent Drawing

Patent 329,523 Issued November 3, 1885 to Gustav H. Werner of St. Louis, Missouri.

Ice-Tongs

This invention is an improvement to ice Tongs by adding a saw to one leg and a splitter to the other.

L = 15”, Spread = 16-1/4”, 0.20” flat plate structure. No markings. Oval type handles. Saw on one leg and sharpened outer edge on the other leg

Patent Drawing

Patent 342,697 Issued May 25, 1886 to Albert E. Johnson, of Southbridge, Massachusetts

Knife

The objective of the invention is to provide a cost effective means for fixing the shank in the handle in a firm and rigid manner.

L – 9-1/2”,

L F&C PAT MAY 25, 1886 stamped on the blade near the ferrule. L F & C is for Landers, Fray & Clark. The patent was issued for an insert over the tang of a knife to enhance the retention of the wood handle and thus applied here for the same purpose.

Patent Drawing

Patent 361,108 Issued Apr. 12, 1887 to Newton K. Wright, of Pewamo, Michigam

Ice-Tongs

The intention of the invention is the peculiar construction, arrangement, and combination of parts whereby the legs of the tongs can readily spread apart when pressed down on the block of ice. And, when releasing the ice, by pressing down on the handle the ice is released, the flanged heads contact the links prevent the tongs from moving past a certain point, and the possibility of pinching the hand.

L – 18-3/4”, PAT APR 12 87 & HSYBY on the sides of the handle. Tongs made of 0.16" flat plate steel, 0.125' flat plate steel for the links between the tongs and the handle. The handle is cast or forged steel, single handle and pivot

Patent Drawing

Patent 402,173 Issued April 30, 1889 to Sewell K. Lovewell of Chelsea, Massachusetts.

Ice-Tool

This invention relates to a tool for handling and breaking ice for the household use. The tool consists of a hatchet with a serrated blade and an opposite finger either a curved hook or pointed. Another feature is to add a second curved blade on a pivot in the middle of the handle so the tool could be used to carry block ice. The tool shown has the pointed end and does not have the optional curved blades or the pivot in the handle.

L = 12-3/4”, Four points on one end of the head and one point on the other end. No special markings.

Patent Drawing

Patent 405,001 Issued June 11, 1889 to Edward F. Barton of Ravenna, Ohio

Tongs

The invention relates to tongs adapted to be held and used by one hand, and to be operated by means of two struts connected with the arms of the tongs and a sliding rod formed at one end with a T-shaped handle. Since this patent is generic in nature, with respect to application, there is no doubt the tongs can be used to carry block ice.

L – 16” , Spread – 7-3/4”,

Single handle with "T" lever to squeeze which pulls the tongs together. Spring on the "T" causes tongs to open when the squeeze pressure is released. Six points on swivel plate on each tong leg. PAT JUNE 11, 89 stamped on one of the horizontal links. A wood handle 3.5" long. Major portion of metal structure is 0.35" steel wire/rod.

Patent drawing

Top of the Document

1890’s & 1900’s

Patent 441,333 Issued Nov. 25, 1890 to Albert B. Schofield, of Brooklyn, New York

Ice-Pick

The invention relates to an improvement in ice-picks in which a sliding weigh, which acts as a hammer, is arranged to strike an abutment, to embed the cutting edge into the ice.

Patent 452,555 Issued May 19, 1891 to Frank Paul Pfleghar of New Haven, Connecticut.

Ice-Pick

The invention relates to an improvement in ice-picks in which a sliding weigh is held by the two shanks in position to contact the abutment on the shank for the purpose of driving the cutting edges into the ice.

L = 12-1/2”, All metal. Heavy metal weight slider in the handle, ALASKA” on one of the blades and “PATD NOV. 25, 1890” on the other blade. Note: The Ice pick is marked with design - patent 441,333 but is manufactured to design patent 452,555.

Patent 441,333 Drawing

Patent 452,555 Drawing

Pre-Patent No. 441,333 Issued November 25, 1890; however, the configuration is like Patent 452,555 issued

May 19, 1891.

L = 10-3/8”, All metal. Heavy metal weight slider in the handle, ALASKA” on one of the blades. I think this is a pre-patent sample because it is not marked with the patent and it is two inches shorter and in general smaller than the patented item.

Patent 466,549 Issued Jan. 5, 1892 to Frank R. Woodward, of Hill, New Hampshire.

Combination Ice-Tool

This invention comprises various ice preparing or cutting tools for economy and convenience. The tools include a hammer, hatchet, serrated chisel, an ice pick and the arms act as a handle and ice tongs.

L – 10”,

Combination Ice Tool with a hatchet, five pointed shave/chisel and hammer on the top, an ice pick between the legs which is a handle/ice tongs.

Patent Drawing

Patent 446,171 Issued Feb 10, 1891 to J. Brinkerhoff of Auburn, New York

Ice-Tongs

This invention is new and improvement to ice tongs. The improvement incorporates duel points on the two legs orientated 90 degrees to each other. This improvement enabled the tongs to grip the ice block and prevent it from swinging and possible being dropped while transporting.

L – 12-1/2”, Spread – 12-3/4” 0.25” flat plat structure and oval handles. The two sets of points are positioned at 90 degrees to each other. The point configuration prevents the ice block from swinging when being carried.

Patent Drawing

Patent 452,555 Issued May 19, 1891. See Patent 441,333 Issued Nov. 25, 1890 above, for description.

Patent 458,383 issued August 25, 1891 to Francis X. Brenner of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

ICE-TONGS

The invention consists of an intermediate portion between the handle and the tongs which guides a spring-actuated handle and the two tongs. The tongs are designed to enable the tongs to be readily lower into water coolers, refrigerators, and other narrow places. The tongs are made from a continuous piece of material.

L – 14”, Spread – 10”,

Made from a single piece of 0.2" iron wire. The tongs are design such that the two sides of the tongs open when the handle is squeezed the tong legs open. The legs are designed so the tongs can be lower into water coolers, refrigerator or other narrow places. No markings.

Patent Drawing

Patent 476,052 Issued May, 31, 1892 to James F. Loftus and Eben Bancroft Williams of Thorndike, Massachusetts.

Combination Ice-Pick

The invention incorporates improvements in ice-picks. The objective is to produce a simple and effective device which may be quickly adjusted to, break ice into small pieces, split it, or shave it.

L = 8-3/4”’ PAT MAY 31 92 in raised lettering on the surface between the picks. Wing nuts on top of the pick support, provides access to replace the picks.

L = 8”, PAT. MAY 31, 1892 THE PARKER ICE CRUSHER on a beveled edge around the pick support. The wing nuts allow the pick support to be loosened in order to remove the two outside picks on one axis to form a straight line chipper with three picks. By disassembling the pick support enables the chipper to be configured with one to five picks.

L = 11-1/2”, PAT. MAY 31, 1892 THE PARKER ICE CRUSHER around the edge the pick support. The wing nuts allow the pick support to be loosened in order to remove the four outside picks along one axis to form a straight line chipper with five picks. By disassembling the pick support enables the chipper to be configured with one to nine picks.

Patent Drawing

Pre-Patent 476,052 May 31, 1892

L – 13”, No markings on the metal part indicating this is probably a pre-patent item. This item is slightly larger, about 1-1/2” longer, than the patented item. The wing nuts allow the top cover/handle portion to be removed to adjust the number of picks and their arrangement. Removing the outer pick from two opposites will leave five picks in a row and the chipper can be used as a shave. Also, notice the top of the metal plate does not have the holes, as show in the patent drawing, to allow the removal of the picks without the complete removal of the retaining screws and housing.

Patent 482,883 Issued September 20, 1892 to Joel Stubbs of Long Lake, Minnesota.

Ice-Shave

This invention relates to a device to shave ice for use in beverages. The cutting blade acts as the base for the catcher and is designed such that it can be sharpened in place. Another design feature is the blade is sharpened on both ends. One could be for shaving and the other for cutting chips or they both could be the same. This would allow cutting or shaving the ice on the push or pulling stroke.

L = 9-1/2”, Bowl Dia. = 2-1/4”

There are no marking on the shave. The five shaving teeth are attached with screws and are facing forward, thus, you have to push to make shavings whereas the other shaves you pull the shave to make shavings. The shave is made of a non-ferrous metal.

Patent Drawing

Patent No. 484,518 Issued Oct. 18, 1892 to John W. Eshleman of Mount Joy, Pennsylvania

Combined Meat-Tenderer and Ice-Pick and method of Making Same

The invention relates to useful improvements in a combined meat-tenderer and ice-pick. The main objective is to provide a two-part tool that can be put together with a single rivet or lug.

L – 10”,

PAT OCT 18, 92 on the top of the meat tenderer head. The tenderer surface has 36 points and is 1-3/4” square. The opposite end of the head is used as an ice chipper.

Patent Drawing

Design Patent D22,394 issued May 2, 1893 to Josiah Austice and Warren E. Warner of Rochester, and Nelson R Streeter, of Groton, New York.

Design for an Ice-Pick

The invention consists of several improvements to ice picks to include the end having four picks with sharpened ends to form a knife edge and one end of the head is flattened and roughened for an ice cracker and the other end has a single four sided ice pick.

L – 8-7/8”, All metal tool, "SENSIBLE" and "PAT PEND'G" on opposite sides of the tine support, taper four sided pick on one end of the tine support and hammer head on the other end. Tines are tapered on the ends.

Patent Drawing

Patent 500,923 Issued July 4, 1893 to Truman Mabbett of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Ice Shredder or Shaver

This invention consists of a device for shredding or shaving ice. The lid is provided to prevent loss of the shaved ice until it’s ready to be deposited in desired receptacle. The blade is adjustable to allow for different size chips.

L = 7-1/4”

ENTERPRISE

NO.33

M’F’G. CO. PHILA.

U.S.A.

PAT. JULY 4.93.

3624 on the underside of the lid and 3623 under the handle.

Patent Drawing

Patent 500,923 Issued July 4, 1893

Alternate configuration of the same patent.

L – 8-1/6”, Bowl Diameter 3-3/4”, height - 3-3/4”,

ENTERPRISE MFG CO, PHILA. PA USA, PAT. JULY 4, 93, NO 43 on the lid, pivot on end of handle, hole in end of cone to allow for adding flavoring to the ice cone prior to dispensing. Blade cutting depth is adjustable.

Patent 500,923 Issued July 4, 1893

Alternate configuration of the same patent..

L = 7-1/4”, Bowl Dia. = 3-1/2”

ENTERPRISE MFG COMPANY, PAT. May 4, 1893, ICE SHREDDER NO.34 around the rim of the top. Very faint and hard to read. Small teeth on the shaving blade. The handle and support for the blade are cast and the lid and bowl are made of sheet metal. Material is non-ferrous.

Pre-Patent 500,923 Issued July 4, 1893

L – 7-5/8”, Bowl Diameter – 3-3/4”

PAT APP’D FOR in small circle in center of lid, handle and blade support is cast and the lid and body of the scoop is formed sheet metal, only the blade is ferrous material. This is a pre-Patent model of the Enterprise No. 34.

Patent 572,952 Issued December 15, 1896 to Charles Samuel Byrd and Edward D. Weston of Jackson, Michigan.

Ice-Tongs

The invention relates to improvements for handling ice in which the upper ends of the tongs slide through a slot on the handle yoke. This provides an ice-tongs that is durable, simple, and convenient to handle.

L – 17”, Spread - 14.5", "THE JAXON" PATD. 12.15.96 on each tong near the pivot. 0.125” flat steel material for the tongs and handle bracket. Wooden handle.

Patent drawing

Patent 572,952 Issued Dec. 15, 1896 Variant

L – 17”, Spread - 16",

No markings. Handle is 4” long including the castings attached to each end. The supports between the handle and the tongs are steel castings and 0.15 X 0.75” flat steel material for the tongs.

Patent 572,952 Issued Dec. 15, 1896 Variant

L – 13-3/8”, Spread – 11-1/2”,

Metal handle 3-3/4” long. Total tongs made of 0.125” thick by 0.73” wide flat steel. No markings.

Patent 576,461 Issued Feb. 2, 1897 to William Louden, of Fairfield, Iowa

Ice-Tongs

The invention relates to ice-tongs having a handle and levers connected to the tines such that, when the two are pressed together to tongs open to maximum to engage the block ice. The same operation can also be used to release to block ice.

L – 16-1/8”, Spread – 14”

An “F” is stamped in three locations on the tongs, probably by the owner. By squeezing the top and bottom parts of the handle together will cause the tongs to spread.

Patent Drawing

Patent 578,215 Issued Mar. 2, 1897 to William Coulter, of Lorain, Ohio.

Grapple

This invention relates to two correspondingly-shaped jaws with the lower ends are curved and pointed to enable engagement with the object. The lower edge of the handle has flattened sides shaped to allow the tongs to open to the desired width and a stop in the center of the handle, between the two links that prevent the tongs from closing completely. The invention also has a device that will retain the tongs in an open position.

Two samples of the patented ice tongs, neither of which have the locking mechanism shown in the patent. The one on the left is slightly smaller, # 14, and has straight upper links attached to the handle, whereas the one on the right is larger, # 15, and the upper links have a juggle about mid-way as shown in the patent drawing. The patent date is stamped on each tool.

Patent Drawing

Patent D27,210 Issued June 15, 1897 to George J. Fanner, of Cleveland, Ohio

Design for an Ice Tool

New Design for an ice chisel and pick.

L = 8-1/2”, Chipper on one end and a pick on the other. MOLINE CHANNEL ICE COMPANY on both sides of the chipper blade.

Patent Drawing

Patent 587,230 Issued July 27, 1897 to Richard M. Pancoast of Camden, New Jersey.

Ice Scraper or Shaver

The objective of this invention is to produce an ice scraper or shaver that will be low cost to manufacture, simple and alleviate problems with detachable and adjustable cutting blades. The design reflects numerous configuration of single to multi rows of cutting blades or teeth. It also allows for the insertion of a tumbler or similar receptacle in the top to catch the shaved ice. In other words, there are numerous configurations included in this invention. The simplest of the design are shown.

L = 6-1/2”, Bowl Dia. = 3”

The only marking is a “2” on the underside of the handle. The shaving teeth are integral to the scoop.

Patent Drawing

Another configuration of Patent 587,230 Issued July 27, 1897 with two rows of cutting teeth.

L = 6-1/2”, Bowl Dia. = 3-1/8”

NO. 3 ARTIC on the lid and MADE IN USA on the underside of the handle. The shaving teeth, two rows, are molded into the scoop.

Patent 595,855 Issued December 21, 1897 to John H. Logan of Allegheny, Pennsylvania.

Self-Emptying Ice-Shredder

The invention is an improved ice-shredder consisting of vessel with an ice-shredding blade next to an open slot in the bottom and a pivoted cover/lid to reverse and empty the vessel of shredded ice.

L = 7-1/8”

LOGAN & STROBRIDGE

IRON CO.

NO 10

NEW BRIGHTON

PA. U.S.A.

The little tab in the lower left is used to flip the lid to deposit the shaved ice. A fixed shaving blade with small teeth.

Patent Drawing

Patent 608,848 Issued Aug. 9, 1898 to Isaac L. Edwards, of Aurora, Illinois.

Ice-Tongs

The object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of tongs for handling block ice. The primary feature is a mechanism to retain the tongs in the open position until needed for use and the ability to operate the tongs with a single hand.

L – 16-1/4”, Spread – 11-1/4”,

A spring clip mechanism latches over the horizontal section of the lower portion of the handle assembly and retains the tongs in the open position. There are no markings. The latching mechanism is not exactly as show in the patent drawing but it and all the other features meet the intent of the invention.

Patent Drawing

Patent 618,640 Issued Jan. 31, 1899 to Isaac Burk, of Lambertville, New Jersey

Ice-Tongs

The invention consists of the combination of a bifurcated handle having arms, the angle tong-legs pivoted at their bends to the extremities of the handle-arms, a bar able to slide through the handle, and pivotal connections between the horizontal-disposed parts of the tong-legs and bar. If you don’t believe or understand this - read the patent!

L - 15-1/4”, Spread – 10-3/4”,

Single handle, compound pivot, handle and grip are cast iron and the legs made of 1/8" flat stock iron. PATENTED JAN’Y 31,’99 stamped on both sides the triangular area below the handle and grip. The tongs were found in the seller’s brother-in-law’s garage in Morrisville, Pennsylvania

Patent Drawing

Patent 618,748 Issued Jan 31, 1899 to Walter G. Stinchcomb and Jacob Streitz, of Marine City, Michigan

Ice-Tongs

This invention incorporates certain improvements in construction to adapt the tongs for convenient manipulation allowing the user to open or close the tongs in any direction desired with the use of one hand only.

L – 15-1/2”, Spread – 13-1/2”,

PATD JAN 31 ‘99 is on the lower horizontal bar of the inner portion of the handle. Squeezing the inner “D” to the upper portion

Patent Drawing

Patent 621,356 Issued Mar. 21, 1899 to Albert D. Marsh of Ovid, New York.

Tongs

The objective of the patent is to have tongs with two movable jaws and provided with means whereby the distance the jaws can be opened, can be adjusted and open the a fixed distance and their closing also regulated.

L – 26-1/2”, Spread – 21”,

PAT MAR 21, 99 BY A D MARSH, on one side of the lower portion of the handle, double action pivot. This item is the configuration of the upper right patent drawing.

Patent drawing

Patent 655,692 Issued August 14, 1900 to George F. Dana and Frank M. Snook of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Ice-Chipping Tool

The invention is to furnish a chipper or pick with a guard and blade stamped from a single piece of sheet metal. The purpose of the tool is to chip ice fragments of approximately the same size.

L = 11-1/8”, PEERLESS DANA & CO. CIN. O ICE CHIPPER PATD AUG 14, 1900 is stamped on the inside of the chipper near the handle. The metal portion of the tool is made of sheet material formed and stamped and attached to the handle with nails.

Patent Drawings

Patent 690,829 Issued January 7, 1902 to William G. Browne of Kingston, New York

Ice-Pick

The objective of the patent in improvements to ice-picks by a semicircle or “V” shaped blade tapered at the tip to act as an ice pick, the sides of the blade are squared/flattened so the blade can be held to use the tool handle as an ice crusher. Another objective is to have a hollow handle to allow the blade to slide in the handle and the handle act as an impact device.

L – 11-1/2” extended, 8-3/4” compressed. PAT 1-7-1902 is on the handle. The handle splits in half lengthwise and is held together with a wire wrapped around the center of the handle and looped back into an indent on two sides of the handle. See small picture.

Patent Drawing

Pre-Patent 690,829 Issued January 7, 1902

L - 8-1/8” extended, 6-6/7” compressed. PAT. PENDING on the handle. The handle splits in half lengthwise and is held together with a rivet. This tool is a pre patent of the one shown below.

Patent 698,730 Issued April 29, 1902 to James A. McMasters, of Kittanning, Pennsylvania

Ice-Tongs

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in tongs, particularly to ice tongs. The main objective is to construct a simple, effective and inexpensive pair of tongs. The tongs have extension arms which slide through a keeper attached to the handle. The keeper is held together with rivets which have rollers to facilitate the working of the extension arms. The tongs can be operated with a single hand. To engage the block ice, one just pushes the tongs down on the block and they will open to engage the block ice.

I don’t have any idea which of these two marking configurations came first.

L – 15-1/2”, Spread – 13-1/2”

PAT APRIL 29 stamped on upper end of one tong leg. Traces of original black paint exist. The upper ends of tongs slides through slots below the handle to open the tongs. Tongs are made of 0.10' flat plate stock and the handle is cast.

Patent Drawing

L – 16”, Spread – 14”,

MCMASTERS cast in the bottom portion of the handle casting. The upper ends of tongs slides through slots in handle to open tongs. Tong legs made of 1/8" X 7/8" flat stock.

The patentee name McMASTERS is, cast in the lower portion of the handle

PAT. NO 698730 stamped on the upper end of one tong leg.

Patent 740,162 Issued September 29, 1903 to Charles H. Moore of Bolton, Illinois.

Ice-Reducer

The invention is an improvement in ice-reducers and the objectives to provide a simple, inexpensive and effective device for chipping ice. The guard will prevent too deep a cut and tilting the device the guard determines the depth of cut.

L = 9-3/8”’ LIGHTNING, NORTH BROS MFG CO, PHILA PA USA on back of pick support. Metal protrusion on end of handle could be used to crack ice.

Patent Drawing

Patent 766,558 Issued August 2, 1904 to Adam Wagner of Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Combined Ice-chisel and Ice-Chipper

The invention relates to a combined ice-chisel and ice-chipper. The device design is such that the tool can be quickly rearranged to allow breaking the ice into smaller pieces.

L = 9-1/2”, Eight points Four points on each axis of an “X”. Four of the points can be easily removed leaving a single row of four points. WAGNER MFG CO. CEDAR FALLS, IOWA PATENTED AUG 4, 1904 on the fixed blade.