An Improved Rack or File Applicable for Arranging Papers, such as Music, Newspapers, or similar Articles.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Jan., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 15th Mar., 1890-Accepted, 26th Apr., 1890)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Rack or File Applicable for Arranging Papers, such
as Music, Newspapers, or similar Articles.
I ALFRED WATKINS of Saint Catherines Felpham Bognor Sussex Gentleman do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to more conveniently hold newspapers or similar
articles for ready reference. For this purpose I form the back or foundation of
a solid material but preferably of wood and of any required length, breadth and
thickness. I bind this at each end with a metal clamp or plate, affixed thereto
by screws nails or other device. Projecting from these plates or clamps in the front
is a wire rod preferably in a semicircular form. Round this wire rod I run a
continuous coil of finer wire of suitable length, coiled in the form of a spring
perpendicularly from top to bottom, I run a material preferably covered elastic,
between each coil as often as required to form the rack or file. The method of
use is as follows, the pieces of music, newspapers or other documents can be
passed under one or more of the elastics and are there held in position for
reference, and each article is separately removable without disturbing the remainder.
Dated this 13th day of January 1890.
GRAHAM & GRAHAM,
Agents for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Rack or File Applicable for Arranging Papers, such
as Music, Newspapers, or similar Articles.
I, ALFRED WATKINS of St. Catherines Felpham Bognor Sussex 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:
The object of my Invention is to more conveniently hold newspapers, music or
other similar articles or readable works separate or in part ready for immediate
reference or use. For this purpose I form the back or foundation of the portfolio
or holder to which the covers form part of a solid or suitable material, but pre-
ferably of wood and of any required length, breadth and thickness, according to the
class of work and numbers to be contained and kept in relative or suitable position ;
and at the top and bottom thereof or at each end I bind or affix thereon a metal plate
or clamp by means of either screws, nails or other suitable device or attachment, and
projecting from these plates or clamps and to the front or inner portion of same,
provide a wire rod preferably in a semicircular form and around each of the upper
and lower simicircular or curved wire rods I run a continuous spiral coil of wire in
the form of a spring, and then perpendicularly connect from between each division
space or interstice formed by the spirally coiled wire or spring, from the upper
to the lower parts of same, with a series of elastic connection pieces, formed
either of round or suitably shaped cords of silk and india rubber or of fine spun wire
or other suitable material for the purpose.
I
In some cases I may propose to employ a thin portion of either brass, tin or
other metal or material of a hollow or curved form so as to be capable of being
fixed or attached to each top and bottom end of the back portion or inner cover
of the portfolio or music holder, having a transverse piece of wire fixed and
secured thereto and with a spiral coil of wire likewise formed thereon, to which
elastic cords of silk and india rubber or other suitable material are perpendicularly

page_text: surrounded from the upper to the lower portions or division spaces formed by the
spiral coil of wire and that of the transverse piece of wire at each end in manner
similar to and for the particular purpose before referred to.
In the accompanying Sheet of Drawings. Figure 1, exhibits a portfolio or holder
for placing and securing in position either sheets of music, newspapers or other
readable work, ready for immediate reference or use, so that each part may be easily
detached whenever desired. Figure 2, shews an end view of same when closed
with the contents placed in position therein.
In these respective Figures (Figures 1 and 2) A, A, are the folding covers
attached to and forming part of the back B, of the portfolio or holder, which may be
made of wood or other suitable material, and at the upper and lower part thereof a
curved or semi-circular metal plate or clamp C, C, is provided so as to be capable of
being screwed or fixed to the top and bottom ends thereof and having a semi-circular
or curved wire rod D, D secured to the face or inner end of each upper and lower
metal plate or clamp, and I surround each of the upper and lower curved wire
rods D, D with a spirally coiled wire or spring E, E, which are held securely in posi-
tion when the portfolio or holder is open or closed. F, F are a series of elastic cords
or connection pieces of suitable form and material which are vertically strung as from
and between the upper to the lower division spaces formed by the spirally coiled wires
or springs E, E, semicircularly curved and secured as in manner described.
Figure 3, is another view of a portfolio or music holder with a somewhat different
altho' similar arrangement for the particular purpose and method of securing readable
matter or work in position.
Figure 4, exhibits an end or top view of same when closed and having the con-
tents placed in position; wherein A,.A are the folding covers attached to the back B
of the portfolio or holder, and in this case I provide a hollow or dished form of thin
metal C, C, capable of being fixed or attached to the top and bottom portions of
the back B, of the portfolio or holder and I place a cross or transverse piece of
wire D', D¹ fixed or secured thereto, and cover or surround same with a spiral
coil of wire E¹, E', likewise thereon, and connect from the upper portions of same to
the lower spiral coil of wire and cross or transverse piece of wire, with a series of
elastic cords or connection pieces F1, F1, vertically strung to and around each.
The music, newspaper or other such article or readable work is as will be seen
slipped into and under one of the elastic vertical cords or connections and held in
position separate from other parts of the contents and be as easily detached when
desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and illustrated same, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
I declare that what I claim is
The particular method in forming an improved portfolio case or rack holder to
secure pieces of music, newspapers or other readable material securely in position
therein so as to be easily detachable whenever required as hereinbefore fully described
and illustrated. .
Dated this 15th day of March 1800
GRAHAM & GRAHAM,
Agents for Applicant.