IMPROVEMENTS IN SHOW CASES OR TRAYS."
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Frederick Smith, of Lambeth, in the County of
Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SHOW CASES OR TRAYS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Frederick Smith at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th December 1876.
GEORGE FREDERICK SMITH, of Lambeth, in the County of Surrey. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SHOW CASES OR TRAYS."
The object of this Invention is to provide show cases or trays having many sub-
divisions for the display of small objects and articles, so that the sides or partitions
of the subdivisions shall not throw a shadow or obscure the view of the objects or
articles exhibited.
In carrying out my Invention I cut upon the surface of boards which are to serve
as the backs of the cases or trays a number of grooves; or pieces or strips of wood
are secured at a short distance apart on to the surface of such boards, so as to form
grooves, which grooves are made (a) in a straight direction, that is, parallel to each
other, and at right angles, to form square, diamond, or oblong divisions; (b), con-
centric circles; (c), circle or circles, with grooves radiating from a centre; or
(d), star or fan shaped; and into the said grooves are inserted, edgwise, strips, pieces,
or circular hoops of glass or other transparent or semi-transparent material, such as
gelatine or talc properly cut, and of requisite heigth; and through these glass or
semi-transparent partitions the light will pass without throwing any appreciable
shadow upon the objects displayed, nor will they obscure the view thereof.
The spaces between the strips of glass may be fitted with looking-glass, or be
covered with velvet, or be coloured, painted, stained, or covered as required, and
the grooved backs or sides of these show cases may be of glass, papier maché, wood,
or other suitable material, in which the grooves can be readily made, or on which
the strips or pieces forming the grooves can be secured.
These cases are applicable for the display of jewellry, small articles of trade,
mineralogical specimens, or other like articles.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Frederick Smith in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
18th June 1877.
GEORGE FREDERICK SMITH, of Lambeth, in the County of Surrey. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SHOW CASES OR TRAYS."
The object of this Invention is to provide show cases or trays having many sub-
divisions for the display of small objects and articles, so that the sides or partitions
of the subdivisions shall not throw a shadow or obscure the view of the objects or
articles exhibited.
In carrying out my Invention I cut upon the surface of boards which are to serve
as the backs of the cases or trays a number of grooves; or picces or strips of wood
are tacked or secured at a short distance apart on to the surface of boards, so as to
forin grooves, which grooves are made (a) in a straight direction, that is, parallel to
each other, and at right angles, to forin square, diamond, or oblong divisions;
(b), concentric circles; (c), circle or circles, with grooves radiating from a centre;
or (d), star or fan shaped; and into the said grooves are inserted, edgewise, strips,
pieces, or circular hoops or bands of glass or other transparent or semi-transparent
material, such as gelatine or tale properly cut, and of requisite height; and through
these glass or semi-transparent partitions the light will pass without throwing any
appreciable shadow upon the articles or objects displayed, nor will they obscure the
view thereof.
The spaces between the strips of glass may be fitted with looking-glass, or be
covered with velvet, or be colored, painted, stained, or covered as required, and
the grooved backs or sides of these show cases may be of glass, papier maché, wood,
or other suitable material, in which the grooves can be readily made, or on which
the strips or pieces forming the grooves can be secured.
These cases are applicable for the display of jewellery, small articles of trade,
mineralogical specimens, or other exhibits in museums, and the like, and may be
arranged in tiers, side by side, or as desired. The partitions of gelatine would be
particularly servicable for the display of superior classed sweetmeats.
In order that iny said Invention may be well understood I have hereunto annexed
a Sheet of Drawings illustrative thereof, wherein Fig. 1 represents in plan a
circular show caso or tray with concentric and radiating divisions; Fig. 2 represents
a somewhat similar arrangement showing a fan shaped tray; Fig. 3, a show case
of rectangular form with square divisions; Fig. 34, a side view of Fig. 3; Fig. 4, a
similar tray with oblong divisions and inner rim for receiving a cover of glass;
Fig. 4 is a section at line x, x, of Fig. 4; Fig. 5 is a tray of diamond shape; and
Fig. 6, a tier of trays.
Throughout the Drawings the backs of the trays or cases are lettered A. Bare
the strips, pieces, or circular bands of glass, talc, or gelatine forming the transparent
sides of the divisions, and inserted edgewise into the grooves formed upon the said
backs A.
The pieces A', shewn in Fig. 4, 4, and 5, are of a piece with or tacked or secured
to the board or back A to form the grooves for reception of the divisional pieces B¹.
The pieces B of said Fig. 4 are shorter than the outer pieces B, and will serve as
supports for a lid pieco C. The intermediate pieces B₁ will be of same height or
less than the pieces B. The pieces A¹ between the divisions will, in some cases, be
of looking-glass.
In Fig. 6 is represented a standard or tier of trays, whereof the backs A. will
preferably be of glass grooved for the reception of the bands B. The stand D
carries a centre stem D₁, and.for keeping the trays at the requisite distance apart
tubular pieces E of metal or glass are employed and passed over the stem D', the
whole being secured tightly together by the screwed knob F. Tiers of these trays
of rectangular form may be found to be desirable, and they will be arranged in
framing, side by side, or as desired.

page_text: Having now described the nature and particulars of my said Invention, I claim
the improvements in show cases or trays, substantially as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Frederick Smith, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of June, One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-seven.
G. F. SMITH. (L.S.)