Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Nov., 1890-Accepted, 10th Jan., 1891
Figs. 3, and are detached detaris.
Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in the several figures.
A represents the bag. B, B1, B2 and B are the side plates, made preferably of
malleable stoel. These plates are hinged together as shown at b, b², 6 and 6, the
hinges and being so arranged that whou the bag is closed the plates B and B*
and the plates B1 and B2, respectively, will form two straight sides, and be maintained
in that relation. In other words, the hinges 6 and only allow the plates to turn
thereon, in one direction, until the plates form a straight line. The hinges b² and 68
are also so arranged as to allow the plates Band B' and B2 and B³, respectively, to
turn thereon, when the bag is opened, until the four plates assume the form of a
square. The bag can then be suspended by one of the handles a, and will remain
open as long as desired.
The plates B and B are provided on their upper edge with lips or flanges CC¹,
which may be cast integral with the plates or riveted to them as preferred. The
ends cc of these plates are beveled as shown; and when the bag is closed these
beveled ends overlap each other and form a close joint midway of the width of the
bag, thereby forming, practically, a continuous plate covering the top edges of the
sides formed by the plates B and B and B and B², respectively. This construction
effectually excludes dust which would otherwise have a tendency to enter the bag
between the sides formed of the plates as aforesaid. The lips CO' also serve to
brace or stiffen the fastening device sidewise.
The plates B1 and B2 are provided on their inner sides with projecting pins D D,
each having a circumferential groove d; and the plates B B³ are provided with
holes D' D', through which the pins D D, pass, when the bag is closed.
EE are locking plates having elongated holes e e, through which the headed
pins e¹ pass, the said pins being firmly secured in the plates B and B³. The plates E
are, therefore, attached to the platos B and B but free to have longitudinal move-
ment, limited by the pins e' in the elongated holes e. The top edges of the plate DE
and B B are flush. The plates E are furnished at their inner ends with lugs F
projecting outwardly from the face of the plates, and also extending beyond the ends
thereof so as to overlap; they being also so arranged as to be one above the other.
These lugs have holes f which, when the bag is closed and the fastening devices are
in position, will register and through which the hasp of the lock F¹ passes. The
plates E are also provided with key-shaped openings which register with the
holes D D', and through which the ends of the pins D D pass; and, when the bag
is to be closed and locked, the narrow portion of these openings will engage the

page_text: >
circumferential grooves d on the pins D, and thereby lock the two sides B B³ and B¹ B²
together. And when the lock is in the lugs F, it will be seen that the plates E
cannot be moved longitudinally, and, therefore, the bag will be securely closed and
locked.
In order to move the locking plates longitudinally, I pivot the crank levers G G
on the plates B and B³. The long arms of said levers are provided with thumb-
pieces g for operating them with greater facility. The short arms are rounded at
their ends, and indented at one sido as indicated at g'. These short arms fit in
recesses H in the plates E, said recesses being semi-circular at their upper ends to
conform to the shape of the ends of the short arms. Each plate is cut away as
shown at to enable it to move longitudinally when the long arm of the lever is
pulled down as shown in Fig. 3.
To the top surface of one of the flanges C C₁ is secured a tag holder for the
reception of a tag to indicate the destination of the mail-bag.
The bag is secured to the fastening devices by means of rivets i which pass through
the side plates, the bag, and staying-pieces I.
From the foregoing description the operation of the fastening devices will be
readily understood.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. In a mail-bag the combination with the quadrangular jointed frame of sliding
and locking bars having angular projections, a bag and a locking dovice, substantially
as specified.
2. The combination in a mail-bag of a quadrangular jointed frame, the adjustable
or sliding bars provided with perforated protuberances located in close relation to one
of the joints of said frame, the headed pins adapted to engage with said sliding bars,
and a locking device applied to said protuberances, substantially as specified.
3. In a fastening device for mail-bags, four side plates hinged together, as
described, two of said plates being provided with openings and projecting pins on the
other two plates adapted to pass through said openings, said pins having a circum-
forential groove nour their ends combined with two independent oppositely moving
locking plates attached to the side plates (having the openings) by a sliding
connection, said locking plates being provided with key-shaped openings which
register with the openings in the side plates and through which the pins pass,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
4. In a fastening device for mail-bags, four side pieces hinged together, as
described, two of said plates having openings through which pins on the other two
plates pass when the bag is closed, said pins having each a circumferential groove near
its end combined with two independent oppositely moving locking plates attached to
the side plates (having openings) by a sliding connection said locking plates having
key-shaped openings which register with the openings in the sido plates and through
which the said pins pass, and lugs projecting from said locking plates at their inner
ends and overlapping each other, said lugs being provided with holes for the
reception of the hasp of a lock, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
5. In a fastening device for mail-bags, the combination with the side plates and
two locking plates attached thereto by a sliding connection, of levers pivoted on said
side plates and engaging the locking plates to operate them, substantially as
specified.
6. In a fastening device for mail-bags, the combination with the side plates, and
two locking plates attached thereto by a sliding connection, of crank levers pivoted on
said side plates, the short arms of said levers engaging the locking plates to operate
them, substantially as specified.
7. In a fastening device for nail-bags, the combination with the side plates, and
two locking plates attached thereto by a sliding connection, each of said locking
plates being provided near its inner end with a recess, of crank-levers pivoted on

page_text: said side plates, the short arms of said levers engaging the recesses in the locking
plates, substantially as specified.
Dated this 10th day of November 1800.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
1n en OT AUT DONEAT