Improved Apparatus for Transmitting Valuables.
Year: 1887

page_text: Improved Apparatus for Transmitting Valuables.
I, HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the firm of Herbert & Co., Patent Agents, of
67 Strand, London, 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:-
This invention relates to an improvement in the art or method of transmitting
money or valuables from place to place and in the means of carrying out the same,
and is intended more especially, for the use of banks and express companies, in
shipping money.
The invention consists primarily in so enclosing the money or valuables for trans-
port, that they are constantly visible to the parties receiving or handling them and
are at the same time secure from molestation or injury, it also consists in the
improved packing cases or portable safes for carrying out the method.
In the accompanying drawings are illustrated some of the preferred forms of
packing cases, though other forms may be used.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one form of my improved safe.
Fig. 2 an end elevation in section.
Fig. 3 shows a part of the end of the safe and the lock.
Fig. 4 is a cross section of Fig. 3, showing the part of the lock inside of the safe in
section.
Fig. 5 is a side elevation with the grating or guard.
Fig. 6 is a side view of the lock partly in section.
Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the internal half or portion of the lock.
Fig. 8 is a side view of one of the tumblers, showing the internal chamber and slot.
The same letters of reference are used to indicate identical parts in all the figures.
In the drawings the safe is shown as made of sheet metal, but leather or any other
suitable material which combines lightness and strength may be used. I prefer to
make the safe in two parts, as shown, one fitting within the other and locked together,

page_text: when the outer casing A is made open at the top, and the inner casing B which fits
down into the outer, open at the bottom. The inner box fitting snugly within the
outer box or casing A, is provided with an opening C in one side, which opening is
covered with a plate of glass, or a sheet of wire gauze, or any other suitable material,
as bars of steel or iron so arranged as to secure the contents and yet expose them to
view. In the drawing the entire side containing the opening is lined with a sheet of
plate glass which extends beyond the opening even with the ends and top and
bottom of the box. The outer casing or box A has an opening in the side corre-
sponding with the opening C, of the inner box, so as to leave the glass or barred
window unobstructed. When one of the cases has been filled one is fitted within the
other, securely encasing the contents, but exposing them to view, through the
glass C¹, and the two are securely locked together.
To illustrate the manner of locking the safe, I have shown a form of combination
lock adapted to the purpose, but do not limit myself to any particular form of lock.
The lock illustrated consists of two forked pieces of metal H, G, the prongs of one
fitting within the prongs of the other. One prong K of the fork H is a hollow
cylinder to receive the prong P of the other, and the two form a bolt KP which
extends through both the outer and inner box, fastening them securely together.
The other prong O of the fork H consists of a hollow tube provided with a longitu-
dinal slot. Rotating on this tube are a number of loose tumblers L. These tumblers
are provided with one or more slots V Fig. 8 corresponding in size with the slot in
the tube O. The prong Q of the fork G is provided with teeth p. Each tumbler has
a circular internal opening S of a width to admit freely the teeth p, so that when the
prong Q is inserted in the tube the teeth p pass through the slot in the tube and the
slot in the tumblers until they come opposite the circular openings S in the tumblers.
The tumblers are then turned on the tube and the prong Q cannot then be withdrawn
until they are all again turned so that their slots all come in line with the slot in the
tube and the teeth p. The tumblers are provided with figures to indicate the position
of the slot and when these figures are in line so as to bring their slots over the slot in
the tube the teeth can pass. These figures form a certain number which constitutes
the key or combination. If at any time it is necessary to change the key number or
combination, the tumblers can be taken off and replaced in a different order, thus
forming a new key number, and for that purpose they are put loosely on the tube O.
Each tumbler has figures on its surface from 1 to 9, only one of which, however, is
used as an indicator or part of the key number, the others being used merely as a
blind to make it more difficult to guess the combination. For additional safety and
to make it more difficult to pick the lock, I provide in each tumbler one or more
blind slots or depressions n Fig. 8 not extending clear through so that one endeavouring
to discover the key number by turning the tumblers and feeling when the tooth
catches, will not know whether the tooth has struck a blind slot or a true one. When
the safe is thus locked it may be delivered to an express company for transportation
and the key number transmitted to the consignee of the safe by mail or telegraph or
in any other way, and the safe can only be opened by one having the key number.
The express company can, however, learn the contents of the safe without opening it,
and know that it is transmitting money or the valuables claimed. The consignee can
also know, without opening the safe, whether it contains the article it should contain,
and if it does not can decline to receive it.
Where money is shipped by banks, it can be arranged in small parcels, with narrow
strips of paper around them showing the amount in each parcel and the signature or
seal of an official of the bank through the glass.
By the use of the improved portable safe the express company or receiver do not
have to open the package in order to know its contents. Money or valuables can be
shipped with convenience and safety, securely locked, and in case the safe is tampered
with the guilty party can be readily detected, as any loss or alteration of its contents
would be at once apparent to any one of the many persons who usually handle such
packages between the place of shipment and the destination.
For the purpose of more effectually protecting the glass or transparent opening,

page_text: the outer casing may be provided with a wire or steel grating, as shown in Fig. 5,
where the outer casing A is provided with bars R, extending across the opening so
that the glass C is protected from any blow from the outside.
The safe may also be made entirely of glass, when of course it is thick enough to
prevent breaking by ordinary use.
Where it is desired to seal the safe, an ordinary catch or bolt may be used to keep
it closed and a strip of paper or ribbon wrapped around the safe and the ends sealed
together so that it will be impossible to open the safe without breaking the seal or
ribbon. I therefore provide a depression F, in the sides of the safe to receive the
ribbon, at the corners a guard f, under which the ribbon passes, prevents the ribbon
from being removed or torn, or worn. I do not limit myself to the form of safe
shown in the drawings as various constructions may be used.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of said invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :—
1. The method or improvement in the art of transmitting money or valuables from
place to place consisting essentially in enclosing said valuables in a secure box or
packing case, through which a window permits them to be visible, while en route,
substantially as and for the purpose described.
2. A portable safe for transmitting money or valuables, provided with a secure
transparent opening, through which its contents are visible, and a lock which can
only be opened by one acquainted with the key-number or combination, substantially
as described.
3. A portable safe for transmitting money or other valuables constructed in two
parts, one fitting within the other, and securely locked together, and having a certain
part transparent, for the purpose of making the contents visible, substantially as
described.
4. A portable safe for transmitting valuables, one side or portion of which is
transparent, in combination with a combination lock so arranged that the key-number
may be changed by simply changing the order of the tumblers, substantially as
described.
5. A portable safe for transmitting valuables, constructed in two parts, one fitting
within the other, and locked together, the inner casing provided with a glass or
transparent window, and the other casing being cut away.so as to expose said window
to view, substantially as described.
6. A portable safe for transmitting money or other valuables and provided with
a transparent portion, through which the contents are visible, substantially as
described.
7. A portable safe for transmitting money, constructed with a transparent part for
exposing the contents, said transparent portion being protected by an outer grating,
substantially as described.
8. A portable safe having a transparent portion for the purpose described, provided
with a circumferential groove or depression to receive the encircling cord or ribbon
for sealing the safe, substantially as and for the purpose described.