Improvements in Filing Devices for Letters and the like.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 19th May, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 19th Feb., 1892-Accepted, 19th Mar., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Filing Devices for Letters and the like.
1, Frederick WILLIAM SCHÄFER of 2 and 3 Ropemaker Street in the City
of London, County of Middlesex, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:
This invention relates to an improved device for filing letters, bills and other
papers. The filing apparatus thai. I propose to use will be the well known Shannon
files, although the invention can be used with other suitable forms of filing devices.
Hitherto the Shannon file has usually consisted of a board carrying the filing
wires the index, cover and the like and where it was necessary to lock up the
papers these were arranged to fit into a cabinet with a lock for controlling the
whole of the files. I have found however that it is desirable to provide a portable
ile which besides carrying the papers will protect them and if necessary lock them
as well. The exact form of this improved device may be varied but the following
description will serve to indicate how it may usefully be carried into effect.
The file proper is secured to a base which 1 prefer shall be the bottom of a box
the sides of which are slanted so that when the lid is closed it may present the form
of a sloping desk. The deeper end or back of this box may be hinged or jointed
and the lid or cover may be also hinged or jointed to the above described folding
back or end. Inside the cover may be suitable pockets or receptacles for paper,
envelopes, post-cards, telegraph forms and the like as well as appliances for carrying
pens, ink, rules and so forth and a perforator for perforating the papers to be sub-
sequently placed upon the filing wires. The outside of the cover may with advan-
tage carry a blotting pad or this may be arranged in any convenient manner inside
the case so that everything may be secure from dirt or damage and be under lock
and key.
Any or all of the sides or ends of the box may if desired be made to fold down
and to fasten together in any required manner. The sides of the box may be
secured to the lid or cover and arranged to open away with the lid from the base
which carries the file. The filing wires may be secured upon the lid so 18
to open out away from the box which may contain the pockets etc. as above
described.
One or more handles or carrying devices may be with advantage employed to
increase the convenience of carrying this apparatus about.
Dated this 10th day of May 1801
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Filing Devices for Letters and the like.
I, FREDERICK William SchäfER of 2 & 3 Ropemaker Street, in the City
of London, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to an improved device for filing letters, bills and other
papers. The filing apparatus that I propose to use will be the well-known Shannon
files, although the invention can be used with other suitable forins of filing devices.
Hitherto the Shannon file has usually consisted of a board carrying the filing
wires, the index, cover and the like and where it was necessary to lock up the
371

page_text: papers these were arranged to fit into a cabinet with a lock for controlling the
whole of the files. I have found however that it is desirable to provide a portable
file which besides carrying the papers will protect them, and if necessary, lock
them as well. The exact form of this improved device may be varied but
the following description will serve to indicate how it may usefully be carried
into effect.
The file proper is secured to a base which I prefer shall be the bottom of a box
the sides of which are slanted so that when the lid is closed it may present the
forin of a sloping desk. The deeper end or back of this box may be hinged or
jointed and the lid or cover may be also hinged or jointed to the above described
folding back or end. Inside the cover may be suitable pockets or receptacles for paper,
envelopes, post-cards, telegraph forms and the like, as well as appliances for
carrying pens, ink, rules and so forth and a perforator for perforating the papers
to be subsequently placed upon the filing wires. The outside of the cover may
with advantage carry a blotting-pad or this may be arranged in any convenient
manner inside the case, so that everything may be secured from dirt or damage and
be under lock and key.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a perspective view as an example of an improved letter-file constructed
according to this invention, and
Fig. 2 represents the same, open.
A, Fig. 2, is the base which as shown forms the bottom of the box.
B are the
sides which are slanted to agree with the oblique position of the lid when closed.
These sides B may be hinged or jointed to the bottom A so that they may be turned
down in the manner shown with regard to one of them in Fig. 2. C is the back of
the box which like the sides B may be hinged to the bottom A and to the upper
edge of which is hinged or jointed the lid or cover D. E is the front of the box
in which is fitted a lock E' for securing the lid D down upon it. E2 is a hook for
securing the appropriate side B. in its closed or vertical position the eye or
equivalent B receiving the end of the hook E for this purpose.
D' is a pocket secured to the inside of the lid ID for containing paper, postcards,
telegraph forms or other stationery, and D2 are bands which may be secured to the
pocket D for holding envelopes as shown. F is a perforator for perforating the
papers to be subsequently placed upon the filing wires G. These filing wires G with
the file G constitute a file of the well-known "Shannon "
type of which the
bottom A forms the base.
H are ink-bottles which may be supported on the bottom A as may also other
devices for containing or supporting pens, pencils or other such articles. Besides
this the walls B may be provided with bands B2 or equivalent for receiving scissors
pencils, rules and other articles that may be considered necessary.
On the outside of the top D may be secured a blotting-pad I. If desired the
sides B of the box may be secured to the lid or cover D and. arranged to open
with the lid away from the base A which carries the file, and any or all of the
sides or ends of the box may if desired be made to fold down and to fasten together
in any required manner.
The filing wires G may be secured upon the lid so as to open out away from the
box which may contain the pockets etc. as above described.
One or more handles or carrying devices may with advantage be employed to
increase the convenience of carrying this apparatus about.
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,-
1. In apparatus such as described the combination with a file of a box containing
it and the bottom or top of which constitutes the base and an integral part of the
file and having at least one of its sides arranged to fold down substantially as
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

page_text: 2. In apparatus such as described the combination with a file of a box containing
it and the bottom or top of which constitutes the base and an integral part of the
file and having at least one of its sides arranged to fold down and two of its sides
tapered the lid or top lying obliquely when closed substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3. In apparatus such as described the combination with a file of a box containing
it and the bottom or top of which constitutes the base and an integral part of the
file and having two contiguous sides adapted to fold down substantially as described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
4. In apparatus such as described the combination with a file of a box containing
it and the bottom or top of which constitutes the base and an integral part of the
file substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
5. In apparatus such as described the combination with a file of a box containing
it and the bottom or top of which constitutes the base and an integral part of the
file of pockets bands and a perforator or equivalent fittings also contained within
the box for supporting containing or receiving stationery ink and other articles
adapted to be used in connection with the file substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
6. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete filing
device substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 18th dow of Fohruary 1809
F. W. SCHÄFER.
W. P. Thompson & Boult,
Agents for the Applicant.
F. W. SCHÄFER.
W. P. Thompson & Boult,
Agents for the Applicant.