Improvements in or relating to Fasteners and Means of Fastening for Papers and the likė, Specially Applicable to the Securing of Envelopes.
Year: 1887

page_text: [Communicated from abroad by GEORGES GROS, of Bordeaux, and Messrs. POURE,
O'KELLY & Ce, of Boulogne s/Mer, in the Republic of France, Manufacturers.]
Improvements in or relating to Fasteners and Means of Fastening
for Papers and the likė, Specially Applicable to the Securing of
Envelopes.
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 improved method and device for fastening or closing
envelopes for the purpose of preventing the same from being furtively opened without
leaving traces of such opening. With the use of the improved fastener it is impossible
to open the envelope without tearing the same.
Referring to the accompanying drawing,
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the fastener.
Fig. 2 an elevation and plan of the same applied to and fixed in an envelope.
Fig. 3 is an elevational section of the driver for the fasteners and
Fig. 4 a plan thereof both on a reduced scale.
Fig. 5 a detail view in plan of the under table M.
Fig. 6 an envelope on a reduced scale provided with the improved fastenings, the
driver being shown in dotted lines in the proper position for setting the central
fastener.
The fastener or clamp consists of a copper disc or plate h having at suitable distances
radial points (Figs. 1 and 2). These points penetrate into the paper, are bent
round underneath the disc, and again pass through the paper towards the centre,
when fixing the clamp. This double penetration ensures most perfect security.
The clamp may be provided with initials, monogram or device of the sender.
The clamp driver consists of two principal pieces, viz :
The rod A preferably curved semicircularly and carrying at one of its extremities.
the under table M and at the other the pivot K about which revolves the other
branch B

page_text: The branch B movable round the pin K and carrying at its other extremity a
cylnider e into which the clamp is introduced. Into the upper part of this cylinder c
penetrates the piston d of the button D, by pressing on which the clamp is driven and
fixed.
This button is held normally in an elevated position by means of a caoutchouc
The rod A carries an
spring S, which serves also to unite it with the cylinder c.
extension Gallowing the tool to be grasped commodiously, the said extension may he
constituted, as indicated in the drawing, by an iron wire of large diameter bent on
itself and penetrating at and into the pin K so as to form a lever for holding the
branch A. The latter carries a spring r which passes into the bow of the fork G
and is supported under G so as to maintain the cylinder e constantly at a distance
from the under table M. By this means tearing of the envelope, while introducing
or withdrawing the driver, is avoided. A projection n allows the arm B to be raised
by pressing with the finger thereon.
The peculiar shape of the under table M which causes the double penetration of the
clamp is fully shown in Fig. 5.
The improved device is employed as follows: The clamp is introduced into the
cylinder e below the piston d. The driver being thus prepared, the gummed rims of
envelope are moistened and the letter is closed by pressing with the finger on the left
part only or of the gummed rim. The rim oy on the right being not yet pressed
down, the curved arm A can be easily introduced within the envelope under the point
of intersection of the four folds of the envelope. The fastening is effected by pressure
or blow on the button D. The driver is then withdrawn and the gummed rimi on the
right is caused to adhere by pressure of the finger.
With envelopes in which the gum does not extend to the outer corners ry, of the
top flap, the said flap may be stuck down and the branch A afterwards introduced
by the corner y, the semicircular shape allowing of its attaining the centre, even in
envelopes with very high folds and ey.
In the case of envelopes carrying beavy papers or articles the clamps 1 and 2 are
first fixed before moistening the gunned edge, the edge o is then moistened and
stuck down and the fastener a fixed therein, then the fastener 5 and lastly the
fastener 4. The driver may have a straight branch A¹ (Fig. 4) the introduction of
which is effected by cutting a slit in the envelope as shown at j Fig. 6.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :
.
1. A driver for metal clamps consisting of a semicircular or straight branch A
carrying the under table M and of a branch B. carrying the cylinder e for the
reception of the clamps and the button D substantially as described and illustrated
and for the purpose set forth.
2. The seal or clamp herein shown in combination with an under table, which by its
shape effects a second penetration of the points in the opposite direction of the first
towards the centre of the seal substantially as set forth.
3. The seal or clamp substantially as herein set forth and illustrated.
TOLL both Ive of Ian 1007