Hi
Gadge and
ODK members.
See David, I said this was good fodder
Gadge, thanks so much for posting the patent application.
I concur with your summation of the design. Great stuff.
Timing was of the essence back then, and manufacturers came up with simpler and safer
designs (as you say), whilst still retaining the well-understood bolt & nut idea.
The new ideas of the recessed bolt head, the stepped blade, the slotted blade holder,
and radically new blade holder designs all offered simpler solutions to the safety problem.
In SAFETY, I think the
Golden Rule is to never underestimate the
stupidity of the public.
It could be argued though, that the timing of the inventor's idea was
too early.
Non-bolt&nut blade capture systems are now not uncommon on commercial machines.
Here, I specifically refer to flail mowers and some really heavy-duty modern rotaries.
From at-least the 1970s flail mowers have had quick release designs, like pins and
spring clips. I mean, who would want to undo 40 or 100 bolts to replace the flail set?
All very interesting.
--------------------------------------
JACK.
