57

Frank English Pat. No. 1,653,995

Frank English Pat. No. 1,758,504

On December 27, 1927 Frank English of Detroit, Michigan was granted U. S. Patent No.

1,653,995 for his

―

Flexible Handled Tool

‖

. Noting that the entry to the stuffing box is

generally at an angle, English incorporates a flexible shaft. He also uses interchangeable

heads and writes

―

...the

corkscrew

(20) may be removed from the head (13) and the

screw driver (21), which is provided with a head (18), threaded into the recess (14).

‖

English's second patent was issued May 13, 1930. In this patent he writes

―

The outer

end of the shank (18) is formed into a suitable tool (19), in the present case being a

cork

screw

.

‖

He had applied for both patents in 1925.

In Ervin Webb's 1932 patent we see a drawing of

the tool in use. In his application he writes

―

...

one end is bent to form a finger ring or grip and

the other end is bent in the form of a

cork screw

...

‖

U. S. Patent No. 1,858,176 was granted to the

Beaumont, Texas resident on May 10, 1932.