Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 11th May, 1897-Accepted, 7th Aug., 1897
L, GEORGE AUGUSTUS COLTON, of Wilmitte, in the County of Cook, and State
of inois, United States of America, Mechanic, do hereby declare the nature of
his 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 letter-box indicators, and has for its objects means by
which the pllector can see if the box has been opened and the inspector see if the
carrier has neglected his duties. The indicator renders it impossible to open the
lor of the box for a few minutes after closing the same thus preventing
the collector from setting it ahead and skipping one or more collections.
The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with
the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of this application and in
which:-
Fig. 1 is an elevation of a portion of the box with portions broken away, showing
the door open in dotted lines and in full lines closed, and the parts in the position
they assumie when the same is locked.
Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the indicator and locking mechanism with the dial
removed.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation of the indicator-operating mechanism.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the box.
Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the quadrant removed.
Fig. 6 is an under edge view of the same.
Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail of the spring pawl which engages the ratchet of the
indicator.
T
Like letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.
Referring now to the details of the drawings by letter, A designates the box,
which may be of any well-known form, provided with a door B hinged at the
lower edge at one end, as seen at a, and provided with suitable fastening means at
the other end, for instance the staple b, adapted to engage the opening in the
hasp:B and to receive a lock of the usual or any preferred form of construction.
The joint at the upper end of the door is such as to exclude snow and rain. .
On the inner face of the door is a quadrant C provided upon its under edge with
the teeth c, and at a point about two-thirds the distance from its free end is pro-
vided with a notch C₁ for the purpose of permitting the passage of the long gear
tooth g, of gear G. This quadrant may be affixed to the door in any suitable
manner, in this instance being shown as provided with a lock cl for that purpose.
Near its free end it is provided with the lateral lug, and upon its upper face
with the notch or recess C2, the under face of which is on a curve concentric with
that of the teeth C, as seen at 3, leaving the flanged portion ct and at the inner end
of this notch or recess is the slot C³, disposed at substantially at right angles to the
length of the quadrant, as seen best in ‘Fig. 5, the pin C upon the upper side of

page_text: said notch or recess in proximity to the slot having its upper face preferably
rounded, as seen most clearly in Fig. 5. This constitutes all the mechanism
carried by the door. The remainder of the mechanism is disposed within the
box A, and is designed to be locked to the bottom thereof in some suitable manner,
the side wall of the box being provided with a key-hole A¹ as seen in Figs. 1, 2,
and 4 for the introduction of the key to unlock said mechanism for removal from
the box when desired. This locking mechanism within the box nrevents its
removal and guards against its being tampered with by malicious persons or by the
collector should he desire to change the numeral disclosed at the opening A² to save
detection in case he should fail to collect from the box on any trip.
The box A is provided with an aperture A2 through which the numbers on the
indicator dial are exposed. This dial D is detachably secured to the ratchet D2
fast upon the shaft D' mounted in the casting or supporting frame D³ of the
mechanism, as indicated more clearly in Fig. 2, the reference letter d, in Fig. 2
designating the openings in the ratchet to receive the screws d' by which the
disc is retained in position.
E is a pawl pivotally mounted at e, and designed to engage the teeth of the
ratchet, as indicated more clearly in Fig. 2. This pawl is held to its work by the
spring E¹ seen in Fig. 2. Loose upon the shaft 11 is the plate or disc D¹ having
the projection d' which is designed to be engaged by the lug or projection d5 on
the under face of the ratchet, as indicated in Fig. 2, so that by said projection d
engaging or striking the projection d' causes the latter to bear upon the under face
of the pawl E and move the same away from operative relation with the ratchet at
predetermined periods, so that the ratchet may be returned by its spring to its
normal position 1, at opening A3, after having been moved the desired number of
teeth to indicate through the opening A² the times of collection of the mail in the
box.
F is a shaft supported suitably at one end in the wall of the case D³ and its
other end in the plate or bracket f, secured within the same. Fast upon this
shaft is a gear-wheel G with which the toothed quadrant C is designed to engage
when the door is being shut, so as to wind up the clock mechanism. This gear-
wheel is provided with a projecting tooth g, as seen in Fig. 2. which is designed to
be engaged by the shoulder c5 of the toothed quadrant when the door is first moved,
to insure meshing of the teeth of the gear wheel and rack. Upon this shaft is a
disc H having a peripheral notch h, movable with the spring drum I through
suitable intermediate connections, said spring drum being loosely mounted on said
shaft and adapted to operate the clock-work of known construction.
J represents the escapement, and J¹ the depending weighted arm or pendulum
thereof, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2.
K is a shaft parallel with the shaft F. and fast on this shaft is the plate K¹
having the tooth or depending portion k, which is adapted to engage in the notch h,
of the disc H, as indicated in Fig. 2, and to ride upon the periphery of said disc
when the door is in its locked condition. A spring K2 serves to normally hold the
plate in its innermost position. This plate K₁ as a lateral projection A which is
designed to be engaged by the lateral projection on the inner end of the toothed
quadrant as the door is opened, so as to throw the plate toward the front of the case
or box and lift its toothed or depending portion & out of the notch h of the disc H.
L is a double or rocking pawl mounted on the shaft K. as shown, being acted
upon by the spring K2 as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. This pawl is so mounted
that but one of its acting portions is in operative position at the same time.
When one end is thrown up into operative relation with the segmental rack, the
other end is thrown down so as not to be affected thereby.
M is a pawl adapted to engage the ratchet D2 having a lateral, off-set portion m.
as shown, and a stud m³ around which is an antifriction roller m² which is designed
to travel in the slot of the quadrant rack C as shown in Fig. 1. This nawl is
1 which is mounted to slide in the direction of the length of
the pawl, being guided by the portion M upon opposite sides of which the side
carried by the frame

page_text: portions of said frame pass, and this portion Ms is pivoted upon the pivot M³ as seen
best in Fig. 2. This pivot is supported in the detachable plate Ms secured within
the casing D and carries the stud or pin M³ around which is a spring N, which
serves to normally hold the pawl in its outermost position, but which is compressed
as the pawl is moved bodily toward the pivot Ma. This frame has a cut-away
portion with a cam face N¹ upon which the lower end of the pawl works to guide it
in its movements.
With the parts in the position shown in Fig. 2, the operation is as follows:
When the door B is unlocked and opened, it moves the ratchet one tooth, and
consequently the dial indicator one space; the pawl L is in a position to allow the
door to be opened.
The toothed quadrant having the stud m' and the anti-friction roller thereon
engaged in its slot C³ the movement of the parts first moves the pawl M forward
with it so as to engage the ratchet and move it one tooth, and in the further move-
ment of the rack the pawl whose spring has been compressed by this movement, is
disengaged from the ratchet and then moves downward and to the rear, so as to be
out of operative relation with the ratchet. This pawl or the frame carrying the
same has a lateral pin or projection O, which engages the pendulum as indicated
in Fig. 2, holding it from vibrating as it engages the same when the door is open.
As the door opens, the pawl L prevents its being closed until it has been fully
opened, so that the door cannot be opened a little so as to allow of the removal of
the mail and then closed after moving the dial, and the dial cannot be set either
ahead or back without fully opening and closing the door. When the door is
fully opened the hook or lateral projection 2 on the end of the quadrant engages
the lateral projection of the plate K¹ and lifts its toothed or depending portion k
out of the slot in the disc H and would allow the time movement to start were it
not for the fact that the pendulum is held out of operative relation by the engage-
ment thereon of the projection of plate M. After the mail is removed and the
door is started on its closing movement it cannot be again opened for the reason
that the inner end of the pawl L is raised and prevents withdrawal of the quadrant
and the door must be fully closed. By reason of the spring K2 bearing against the
flat hub of pawl L (see dotted lines Fig. 2) the rack C may be pushed in but cannot
be drawn out and door opened until the clock movement brings opening h, of
dise H in alignment with projection of the plate K¹ at which moment the pawl is
released from the rack C as it and the plate are connected at the pivot K. When
the door has been fully closed it is locked and the armor projection being moved
away from the pendulum J' as the pawl M is returned to its normal position, the
time movement is again started and the door cannot be opened until the disc H
has made one entire revolution, so that its notch comes opposite the tooth or
depending portion k, of the plate K¹ when its spring K2 throws the same down into
the notch, as indicated in Fig. 2. As the door is closed the racked quadrant
engaging the gear wheel G winds up the clock movement, the door is locked and
the arm or pawl M which revolves the dial is moved back to its normal position, the
stop is moved away from the pendulum and the parts are again set in motion.
When the time is up the disc H has made one entire revolution, and the tooth k,
falls into the notch thereof, the time movement is stopped and the double pawl L
is reversed, so that the door may be opened.
The time movement can if desired be employed on a box without the indicator
and may be arranged to open any length of time desired or to lock or unlock at
stated intervals. The indicator can, if desired, be used without the time
movement.
Modifications in detail may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of
the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.
I should consider a weighted lever adapted to be raised by the quadrant as an
equivalent of the spring designed to be wound by the inner movement of such
quadrant, and all such modifications I should consider as clearly within the scope
of my present invention.

page_text: Having now particularly described. and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. The combination with the clock movement, of the gear wheel, the movable
door and the toothed quadrant carried thereby and adapted to engage said gear-
wheel substantially as described.
2. The combination with the time lock and the movable door, of means carried
by the door for actuating the time movement, substantially as described.
3. The combination with the time movement, and the indicator, of a movable
door, a toothed quadrant carried thereby, and mechanisms constructed and arranged
to actuate the indicator as the door is opened and to start the time movement
as the door is closed, substantially as described.
4. The combination with the indicator, and the time lock, of the pivoted plate
having a lug, and the quadrant on the door having a projection to engage the lock
on said plate, and a pawl actuated by the movement of the quadrant to actuate the
indicator, substantially as described.
5. The combination with the clock movement, of a gear on the arbor thereof,
a notched dise on said arbor, a pivoted plate having a portion to engage the notch
of said disc, and the movable door having a toothed quadrant adapted to engage
said gear, and a portion to actuate said plate to disengage its lug from the notch,
substantially as described.
6. The combination with the clock movement, of a gear on the arbor thereof,
a notched disc on said arbor, a pivoted plate having a portion to engage the notch
of said disc, and the movable door having a toothed quadrant adapted to engage
said gear, a portion to actuate said plate to disengage its lug from the notch, and a
double rocking pawl arranged in the path traversed by said quadrant, substantially
as described.
7. The combination with the box, the indicator and the movable door, of a
time lock and a quadrant carried by the door and constructed to control the move-
ments of the indicator and time lock, substantially as described.
8. The combination with the letter-box, its movable door and the time lock,
of a toothed quadrant carried by the door, a pivoted plate having a finger, and a
lateral projection, a double rocking pawl, and a spring acting on said plate and
also on said pawl, substantially as described.
9. The combination with, the letter-box, and its door, of a time lock arranged
within the box and constructed to be controlled in its movements by positive
engagement with means carried on the door, substantially as described.
10. The combination with the letter-box, and its door, of a time lock arranged
within the box and constructed to be controlled in its movements by positive
engagement with means carried on the door, and an interposed double rocking
pawl mounted in position to control the movements of the door, substantially as
described.
11. The combination with the time lock and the movable door with its toothed
quadrant, of the indicator, its ratchet and the pawl for engaging said ratchet having
a portion working in a slot in said quadrant, substantially as described.
12. The combination with the time lock and the movable door with its toothed
quadrant, of the indicator, its ratchet and the pawl for engaging said ratchet
having a portion working in a slot in said quadrant, and a spring acting to normally
forge said pawl outward, substantially-as described.
13. The combination with the indicator and its ratchet, and the pawl engaging
said ratchet, of the time lock, and a projection carried by said pawl adapted to
engage the pendulum of the escapement of said time lock, substantially as described.
14. The combination with the indicator and its ratchet, and the pawl engaging
said ratchet, of the time-lock, and a projection carried by said pawl adapted to
engage the pendulum, of the escapement of said time lock, said pawl being mounted
in a slot in the toothed quadrant carried by the door, substantially as described.

page_text: 15. The combination with the indicator and its ratchet, of the movable door, the
toothed quadrant carried thereby and having a transverse slot, and the pivoted
pawl having a portion working in said slot and mounted for movement lengthwise
thereof, substantially as described.
16. The combination with the indicator and its ratchet, of the movable door,
the toothed quadrant carried thereby and having a transverse slot, the pivoted
pawl having a portion working in said slot and mounted for movement lengthwise
thereof, and a spring acting on said pawl to normally force it outward, substantially
as described.
17. The combination with the time lock and the clock movement and its pendu-
lum escapement, of the pawl for engaging the ratchet of the indicator-mechanism,
a lateral projection on said pawl adapted to engage said pendulum, and means
carried by the movable door to control the time-lock and to actuate said pawl,
substantially as described.
18. The combination with the time lock and the clock movement and its pendu-
lum escapement, of the pawl for engaging the ratchet of the indicator mechanism,
and a lateral projection on said pawl adapted to engage said pendulum, substan-
tially as described.
19. The combination with the clock movement and the gear wheel on the arbor
thereof having a projection of the movable door, and the quadrant carried thereby
having a racked under portion, and a shoulder to engage the projection on the
gear, substantially as described.
20. The combination with the clock movement and the gear wheel on the arbor
thereof having a projection, of the movable door, the quadrant carried thereby and
having a racked under portion, a shoulder to engage the projection on the gear,
and a double rocking pawl mounted in the path of said quadrant to be engaged by
the teeth thereof, substantially as described.
21. The combination with the clock movement, of the gear wheel, the movable
door, and means connecting said door and gear wheel, substantially as described.
Dated this 11th day of May 1897.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.