Improvements in or relating to Boxes or Trunks for Holding Hats.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 29th June, 1895-Accepted, 3rd Aug., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Boxes or Trunks for Holding Hats.
A communication by GOTTLOB SCHÖNLEBER, of 204 Büchsenstrasse, Stuttgart,
in the Empire of Germany, Merchant.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of The Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street,
Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, 118 New Street, Birmingham, in
the County of Warwick, and 31, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
It is always an inconvenient and troublesome matter to carry bats and especially
Indies' hats in band-boxes or the like when travelling, more particularly when
it is necessary to convey a number of hats at one time. This has hitherto been
generally done by packing them in separate boxes, whereby the number of
packages is considerably increased and their conveyance becomes more difficult.
This drawback is removed by the improved travelling box or trunk which forms
the object of this invention. By this improved arrangement the hats according
to the number to be carried are contained in a box having one or more com-
partments, in such a way that a hat is fixed on each of the inner walls of each
compartment, by means of movably arranged spring tongues or clips. The size
of the spaces inside the box are so calculated, that the hats placed in any one
compartment do not come in contact with each other thereby preventing any
flattening or damaging of the hats.
In order to carry hats which cannot be held by their brims, such for instance as
toques, or hats the brims of which are bent sharply upwards, and the like, a device
hereinafter described is arranged in the travelling trunk in place of the device
herein before mentioned.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is an elevation of the improved box when opened.
Figure 2 is an elevation of the same when closed.
Figure 3 shows a hat held by means of four spring tongues or clasps and
Figures 4 and 5 are detail views of the spring holding devices.
A is a box or travelling trunk with rigid sides and having two compartments,
separated from each other by means of a partition. One of the sides C of the
box, and also the lid B are made to open. On each inner wall of the com-
partments four revoluble spring holders or tongues D are provided for each
hat, the loose ends of said holders or tongues having sockets d in which a knob
or stud d', or the like, of soft material, such for instance as felt, is inserted.
After the hat has been inserted, it is pressed with its brim against the wall of
the box, and held fast by means of the spring tongues D or their studs d'. The
spring tongues or clips D are made more or less bent according to the shape of bat
to be conveyed, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Instead of four spring tongues D
for each hat E only three or even less may be employed.
For holding hats without brims, such for instance as toques, bonnets, and the
like, the device F shown in Figure 1 at the left hand is employed. This cousists
of two curved pieces f, which cross one auother, on which the toque or bonnet is

page_text: laid, and held fast by means of two indiarubber bands attached to the curved
pieces and passing over the bat. Several such devices F may, if desired, be
arranged in each box.
Instead of directly attaching on the walls of the box the spring tongues or
clips D. which hold the hat by the brim, or the curved pieces which serve for
holding toques or the like, special frames a may be employed, on which the
tongues D or curved pieces are fixed. These frames a are then attached to the
inner walls of the box in the usual manner by means of clips, or other suitable
fixing devices which may be easily removed. These frames a together with the
bat attached thereto may be easily taken out or inserted as required.
As shown in Figure 1, six hats may be carried in each compartment of the box
therein represented, and thus in the two compartments together 12 hats in all may
be carried. According to requirements of course boxes or trunks for carrying a
smaller or larger number of hats may be made.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In a box or trunk for carrying hats, and having rigid walls, and one or more
compartments, the arrangement for securely holding such hats on the inner
walls (A, B, C) of the box, such arrangement consisting of spring tongues or
clips (D) with or without studs (d') substantially as herein before described and
shown in the accompanying drawing.
2. In a box or trunk for conveying hats, the arrangement for holding hats
having no brim, or hats which cannot be secured by means of the spring tongues (D)
described in Claim 1, such arrangement consisting of curved pieces (1) attached to
the inner walls of the box, on which the hat rests, and indiarubber bands (y) which
pass over the hat; substantially as hereinbefore described and shown on the
accompanying drawing.
3. In a box or trunk for carrying hats, the arrangement of attaching the
tongues (D) or the curved pieces (1) on easily removable special plates or
frames (a) instead of directly on the partitions of the box; substantially as
described and shown.
Dated this 28th day of June 1895.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents.