IMPROVEMENTS IN DESPATCH BOXES, DESKS, ESCRITOIRES, AND HINGES FOR THE SAME OR FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William James Dodds and Alexander Robb, both of
Gray's Inn Road, in the County of Middlesex, Cabinetmakers, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN DESPATCH BOXES, DESKS, ESCRITOIRES, AND HINGES
FOR THE SAME OR FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
Sealed the 13th October 1877, and dated the 25th April 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William James Dodds and
Alexander Robb at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
25th April 1877.
WILLIAM JAMES DODDS and ALEXANDER ROBB, both of Gray's Inn Road, in the
County of Middlesex, Cabinetmakers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN DESPATCH BOXES,
DESKS, ESCRITOIRES, AND HINGES FOR THE SAME OR FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
The improvements consist in making the falling drawer front or desk flap without
sides, as at present, and usuing therewith one or more of the improved travelling
quadrants and supporting hinges presently described.
Also in the use with said flap of improved dolphin hinges in conjunction with
said travelling hinge, preferably a dolphin hinge at one side and a travelling hinge
at the other.
Also in the use of improved double-jointed eccentric flush hinges for the various
parts as desired.
Also in the arrangement of a sliding stationery tray or rack fitted with a secret
drawer, secured by improved catch fasteners to be further described.
The various parts and fittings can be made of suitable material, as at present, the
hinges of metal. The travelling quadrant hinge is fitted with a travelling stay or
support fixed to one limb of the hinge at one end, and working up and down a
groove or channel in the other limb of the hinge, the said stay, when the hinge is
opened at an angle of 90°, is clipped and held fast by a spring catch; when the
hinge is opened flat the stay and the two limbs are flat and lie in the same plane.
The dolphin hinge is supplied with an improved butt, which enables it to lie and
keep flat or be at an angle of 90°, as desired.

page_text: The flush double-jointed eccentric hinge is made of two limbs with a connection
piece between them, which allows of the limbs being placed flat, one over the other,
or opened in the same plane.
The fasteners are of the nature of a spring trigger acting on a curved fastener,
when the trigger is pulled the curved fastener falls and allows the tray or such like
to be pulled out; the act of pushing in said tray causes the curved fastener to rise
and secure the tray in place.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William James Dodds and Alexander Robb in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 25th October 1877.
"
WILLIAM JAMES DODDS and ALEXANDER ROBB, both of Gray's Inn Road, in the
County of Middlesex, Cabinetmakers. IMPROVEMENTS IN DESPATCH BOXES,
DESKS, ESCRITOIRES, AND HINGES FOR THE SAME OR FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
The improvements consist in making the falling drawer front or desk flap without
sides, as at present, and using therewith one or more of the improved travelling
quadrants and supporting hinges, presently described.
Also in the use with said flap of improved dolphin hinges in conjunction with
Baid travelling hinge, preferably a dolphin hinge at one side and a travelling hinge
at the other.
Also in the use of improved double-jointed eccentric flush hinges for the various
parts, as desired.
Also in the arrangement of a sliding stationery tray or rack fitted with a secret
drawer, secured by improved catch fasteners to be further described.
The various parts and fittings can be made of suitable material, as at present, the
hinges of metal. The travelling quadrant hinge is fitted with a travelling stay or
support fixed to one limb of the hinge at one end, and working up and down a
groove or channel in the other limb of the hinge, the said stay, when the hinge is
opened at an angle of 90°, is clipped and held fast by a spring catch; when the
hinge is opened flat the stay and the two limbs are flat and lie in the same plane.
The dolphin hinge is supplied with an improved butt, which enables it to lie and
keep flat or be at an angle of 90°, as desired.
The flush double-jointed eccentric hinge is made of two limbs with a connection
piece between them, which allows of the limbs being placed flat, one over the other,
or opened in the same plane.
The fasteners are of the nature of a spring trigger worked by a partition in the
stationery rack acting on a curved fastener; when the partition and trigger are
pulled the curved fastener falls and allows the tray or such like to be pulled out; the
act of pushing in said tray causes the curved fastener to rise and secure the tray
in place.
The Drawing hereunto annexed will serve to illustrate a convenient mode of
performing our Invention.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a despatch box, showing stationery rack and
other compartments pulled out as far as possible; Fig. 4, same box closed; the other
Figures being details.
A is the outer case or box; B, the paper rack; C, a secret drawer hinged to B; ; D, a
spiral spring pressing against C, as shown in Fig. 4; E, the lid or front forming
part of the desk slope; F, the slope; G, the hinge, shown in full size in Fig. 5;
H, the slope hinge, as shown full size in Fig. 6; 1, the spring that keeps J in
position; J, the catch; K, the pin fixed to L, and that Jengages with; L, the lever ;
M, slot in which K works; N, slope rest; O, handle; P, lock; Q, box of lock; a is
a metal catch; a', slot or groove; b, lever; b³, moveable partition for actuating the
lever b; b, spring; c, the projection on bolt; c², spiral spring; c, bolt; o, stop

page_text: fixed to c; d, the slot or groove; d', metal stop; d, groove that bolt rests in;
f, brass stop; f¹, wood stops.
In witness whereof, we, the said William James Dodds and Alexander Robb,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty-fourth day of October,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
WJ DODDS (TO)