The Ice Tongs: Links That Close the Grip as You Lift

"The invention consists in the peculiar construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, whereby the legs of the tongs can readily be spread apart to grasp the ice". The two legs are "pivotally secured together, as in the usual manner." Their upper ends "are provided with flanged heads B, and in the rear of these heads the lower ends of the links C are pivotally secured to the legs A, the upper ends of such links being likewise pivotally secured to the ears a of a handle, D." "If it is desired to lift a piece of ice, the operator grasps the handle and rests the points of the legs upon the ice. By the pressing down upon the handle the points are forced apart until they embrace the ice, when, by pulling up on the handle, the points are embedded in the ice, and the latter is then easily carried. By again pushing down upon the handle the points are released." "The flanged heads coming in contact with the lower edges of the links C prevent the tongs from closing past a certain point, and the liability of pinching the hand is avoided."

Freeze blocks of different sizes in loaf pans and a storage box. Weigh each on a scale. Lift each with the tongs and a spring scale hooked through the handle, raising slowly. Watch how deep the points sink as the load rises. Measure the angle of the links with a protractor while lifting. Lift only a few centimetres over a towel, and wear gloves: a dropped block breaks toes.

**Newton K. Wright** of Pewamo, Michigan, filed US 361,108 on 17 February 1887; it is dated 12 April 1887. He notes one link at each end of the handle would also serve. **Honest limits.** The patent gives no sizes. The link angles and leg lengths in the notebook are examples, and the model ignores the points' friction and penetration.