A New or Improved Clasp or Fastener for Closing Envelopes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Sept., 1890-Accepted, 15th Nov., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Clasp or Fastener for Closing Envelopes.
I, JAMES SPREADBURY of Walworth House St. Michaels Road Bournemouth, in the
County of Hampshire Gentleman, 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 :-
My invention relates to a new or improved clasp or fastener for securely closing
envelopes in such a manner that it will be impossible for any one to open an envelope
furnished with such a device without tearing the upper and closing flap open, so that
any tampering with a letter can be instantly detected.
And in order that my invention may be more fully understood, I have shown the
same in the accompanying drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a front view of an envelope, closed with my improved fastener, Fig. 2
being a central vertical section thereof.
Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 are enlarged views, showing the fastener in various positions
Fig. 3, 4 and 5 being respectively a front view, an end view and a horizontal section
of the fastener closed, while Fig. 6 is a plan of the same open.
Fig. 7 shows to a smaller scale, the upper part of an envelope, with the closing flap
raised.
E is the envelope provided as shown in Fig. 7 with two rectangular openings o 01
in the upper or closing flap f and two similar openings o² o³ in the front part of the
said envelope the back B of which remains untouched as shown in Fig. 2.
My improved clasp or fastener consists of a thin and narrow band or strip f of brass
or other suitable metal terminated at one extremity with a still narrower part s bent
over at a so as to form a projecting and flexible end or catch a'. The other end c
which is rounded as shewn is embossed so as to form an inclined recess on one side
at d and a corresponding relief on the outer surface of the band b, while an opening
is made at e. The band is punched through at i¹³ in order to allow the band b to
be easily bent at g and g¹ (Fig. 6).
The fastener thus formed is used in the following manner. The letter having been
enclosed in the envelope, the upper and closing flap f of the latter is folded upon the
front part of the envelope E so that the openings o o' of the said flap may coincide
with the openings o² o of such front part. The rounded end c of the fastener is now
inserted through the holes o³ o' and o2 o respectively until it protudes slightly outside
the front of the envelope and yet sufficiently for the bent part a to be guided along
the inclined plane d and pressed through the opening e (Fig. 5) wherein the catch a
(Fig. 6) snaps its terminal edge projecting above the embossment d and bearing upon
it, the envelope being now closed. To open the same no other means can be resorted
to, but to tear the upper flap from the top of the opening o to that of the opening o'
along the dotted line z z¹, Fig. 7 which tear can be immediately noticed on examining
the envelope.
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 :-
The improved clasp or envelope fastener arranged constructed and operated
substantially as described and shown in the accompanying drawings and for the
purpose set forth.
RAYNER & CASSELL,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.