Improvements in Fastenings for Boxes, Doors, Shutters, and the like.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Nov., 1893-Accepted, 16th Dec.,
1893
Improvements in Fastenings for Boxes, Doors, Shutters, and
the like.
A communication from JOSEPH DAVY, of Oakland, in the County of Alameda
and State of California, United States of America, Distiller and Manufacturer
of Syrups and Cordials.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, 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 :-
The object of this invention is to provide a simple cheap, and handy fastener
that may be quickly handled, whether used singly or in combination with padlock
or seal, and may be relied on to firmly and securely hold in place the lid, cover,
door, or other contrivance with which it is connected.
In the accompanying drawing, which shows the invention applied to a box,-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the fastening and the box to which it is
attached, the same being represented in an open position,
Figure 2 is a front elevation, showing the fastening combined with a padlock;
Figure 3 is a side elevation, looking from the right of Figure 2, the padlock
being removed, and
Figure 4 is a front elevation of the fastening with seal attachment.
Let A represent a box or case having a hinged lid or cover A¹, such as may be
used by express companies, packers, and tradesmen generally.
To the front edge of the lid A' is rigidly secured a bent plate B, the ends of
which extend over both the upper and under sides of the cover and project from
the surface thereof. The lower part of this plate fits in a notch or recess a cut
into the upper edge of the box and becomes seated therein when the cover is
brought down. It then prevents the lid from moving sidewise and greatly lessens
the strain to which the hinges may at times be subjected in the handling of the box
or case.
C is a staple of the ordinary bow shape projecting outwardly from the plate B,
at the outer edge of the lid, and run through a suitable hole in one end of a hasp D
that forms part of the fastener. This staple may be either rivetted to the plate,
or made integral therewith, or driven into the cover through the plate, or otherwise
affixed thereto, as deemed best. The hasp D is slotted lengthwise and the aperture d
so produced is centrally enlarged at to enable it to pass over the staple E and
key F hereinafter described.
E and F respectively designate a hook-shaped staple and a bolt or key that are
secured to and project forwardly from the face of the box. By preference, the
staple E is provided with a plate E' which is countersunk in the front wall of the
box, where it is held by screws e. The bolt or key F is pivotally connected there-
with by means of a pin G passing through it and extending outwardly from the
plate to the outer end of the staple. Bosses ff' that may be part of either the
pin, the staple, or the plate, are provided in order to confine the key within
proper bounds and keep it off the box far enough to allow the hasp to lie
under it.
The above-described parts constitute a complete fastener, as may be seen by
reference to the drawing. For, if we take the lid of the box in the position
shown at Figure 1, bring it down and pass the hasp over the staple and the key
therein, and then turn the key crosswise of the hasp as illustrated at Figures 2
and 3, we have the box closed and fastened as thoroughly and securely as may
be effected by ordinary means. This fastening may therefore be used in this

page_text: way whenever desired, for instance on boxes that are empty or contain nothing of
much value.
But in the case of treasure boxes, or chests containing articles to which free
access is not allowable to every one handling them, a padlock H may be added to
the fastening device, as represented at Figure 2. The fastening, it will be noticed,
is peculiarly adapted to receive such a lock, which inay be readily inserted through
the loop formed by the hook-shaped staple E and the pivotted key secured thereto.
The said fastening may thus be used with or without lock, as circumstances may
require.
Besides locks, seals may also be used in connection with the improved fastener
herein described, that is to say that class of devices employed to indicate whether
a box or case containing valuables has been improperly opened or tampered with.
The bolt or key F, it will be observed, is wider at one end than at the other and
the thin end thereof somewhat longer than the big one, the pivot passing
eccentrically through it. The key is thereby prevented from making a full turn
around its pirot within the staple, the lower limb of the staple standing in the
way. The hasp, which is slotted to conform with the shape of the key and staple,
cannot therefore pass over them without having the wide end of the key within
the staple and its narrow end upwardly projecting therefrom. If then we close
the box, apply the fastener, and turn the key in the position shown at Figure 4, the
longer end of the key will lie close to and rest against the lower limb of the
staple E, which will prevent it from moving farther inward and thereby keep
the hasp from becoming unlocked. A wire or string I may then be passed around
the staple and around the key through a small notch f² provided in the under side
of the latter and a piece of lead or wax J affixed to the ends thereof in the usual
way. The long end of the key being confined between the staple (on either side)
and the twisted end of the wire or string, it cannot move nor can it be changed in
position without the fact being indicated by the rupture of the seal. Thus the
fastening may be used with or without seals, as well as with or without locks, as
preferred, which is a great convenience for those having to handle or ship all sorts
of freight or packages widely differing in value and the landing whereof involves
more or less risk.
It will be observed that the above-described fastening is composed of but few
parts that are easily made and put together and so combined that the fastening
occupies little space and yet is quite effective for the purposes in view. All the
elements of the device are disposed within the outline of the hasp, an arrange-
ment obviously more compact and economical than is commonly found in other
devices of the same class. Furthermore the hook-shaped staple serves as a guard
to protect the key and prevent it from being broken, whereas in ordinary fasteners
the key is entirely exposed. There is no necessity either for a very accurate
adjustment of the parts composing the fastener herein described and there is
nothing in it liable to get out of order. It is thought therefore that it will afford
every possible convenience to those having to use such devices.
The fastening illustrated by the accompanying drawing is applicable to railway
or other carriage doors, shutters, and the like, as well as to boxes, chests, trunks,
cases etc.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In a box fastening the combination of a hasp adapted to be hung on the
box lid, a hook-shaped staple adapted to be secured to the box and project through
the hasp and a key pivotted under the hook of said staple and adapted to be turned
across the hasp.
2. In a box fastening the combination of a hasp adapted to be secured to the
box lid a hook-shaped staple adapted to be secured to the box and pass through
the hasp a key pivotted under the hook of said staple and having one end longer

page_text: than said hook and a seal wire adapted to fasten said longer arm of the key to
the hook of the staple.
3. The improvements in fastenings substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated by the accompanying drawing, and applicable to boxes shutters doors
and the like with or without locks and with or without seals.
4. The improved fastening as hereinbefore described and illustrated by Figures 2
and 4 of the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 9th day of November 1893.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
London, Nottingham, Liverpool, and Manchester, Agents for the Applicant.