IMPROVEMENTS IN FILES OR CASES FOR LETTERS OR OTHER PAPERS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Phillips Thompson of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors 6 Lord Street Liverpool in the County of Lancaster and
323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex Civil Engineer for an invention
of IMPROVEMENTS IN FILES OR CASES FOR LETTERS OR OTHER PAPERS
A communication from abroad by George V. Nauerth of Cincinnati Hamilton
County, Ohio, United States.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Phillips Thompson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th April 1882.
WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON of the Agency for Foreign Patent Solicitors
6 Lord Street Liverpool in the County of Lancaster, and 323 High Holborn, in
the County of Middlesex Civil Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN FILES OR CASES
FOR LETTERS OR OTHER PAPERS a communication from abroad by George V.
Nauerth of Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, United States.
"
The invention relates to that class of files which is employed for preserving
letters, bills et cetera, and has special reference to the cover of the file and the
method of fastening it in the case to cause it to securely hold and retain the
papers placed within the case, and to allow these papers to be readily and quickly
examined
The file consists of a case having sides or ends back, bottom, and removable
cover.
In the case so formed is placed the series of index leaves between which the
papers to be filed are placed and these leaves are retained in the case, when the
cover is removed by a suitable device, preferably by pins which are secured to
the bottoin near its rear edge and extend upwardly nearly to the top of the case,
the leaves being provided with openings through which the pins pass. The free
ends of these pins are preferably provided with suitable projections knobs or
buttons which are detachably connected thereto so that they may be easily
removed when old leaves are to be removed from the case, or new ones inserted
and when in position on the pins secure the leaves in the case.
A

page_text: To the inner faces of the ends of tho caso are secured racks which for the
purpose of better securing thein in position are preferably dovetailed and fit into
corresponding dovetailed recesses in the ends of the case.
Each of these racks is further preferably provided with a suitable fastening to
resist upward strain, such as a lug, which when the rack is in position rests
against the lower edge of the ends, a recess being cut in the lower edge, in which
the log rests, preventing it froin extending below the said edgo. These racks when
thus constructed are driven into their respective recesses from the lower edge of
the ends and when the lugs are in position the racks are prevented from being
detached from the ends by any upward strain.
The racks which occupy positions near the front of the case are each provided
with guards placed at the front side of the racks.
To either end of the cover are secured lugs which are preferably formed by
staples driven into the ends of the cover the lugs at either end being separated by
a space equal to the distance between the two racks
When the pins or studs are employed then in the rear edge of the cover are
formed notelies which correspond to the position of the pins and which are of
sufficient depth to permit the cover to be raised without interfering with the pins
When the cover is to be secured in the case it is placed therein, the lugs being at
the rear sido of the racka
The cover is now to be pressed down upon the papers in the caso and at the
same time pushed forward when the lugs will engage with the various racks and
the cover will thus bo held firmly in position.
The cover is prevented from being pushed too far forward by guards on the
front racks, or both front and rear racks against which the lugs strike.
When the contents of the file are to be examined the cover is slid by means of
a thumb hole towards the back to disengage the lugs from their respective racks,
and then raised
Notches on the cover allow it to be slid back till it comes in contact with the
back, and a space being left between the back and the rear edges of the index
leaves the cover is raised and allowed to drop into this space
It may be here remarked that it is not essential to the perfect operation of the
invention that tho various lugs should enter their respective racks at the same
distance from their upper ends
This is an important feature for the reason that the papers in the filo may be
thicker at one corner or end than at the others, and by the construction of this
invention each corner of the cover may be pressed down till it firmly compresses
the papers in the case and secured in this position.
The invention may be made to operate as follows the guards may be dispensed
with or attached to the rear side of the racks viz., to that side of the racks which
is opposite to the one to which they are now attached.
The rear side of the filing case or the guards will act as a stop or guard to
prevent the cover from sliding too far rearward.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Phillips Thompson in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 11th October 1882.
WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, of the Agency for Foreign Patent Solicitors,
6, Lord Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, and 323, High Holborn, in
the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, "IMPROVEMENTS IN FILES OR CASES FOR
LETTERS OR OTHER PAPERS."-A communication from abroad by George V. Nauerth,
of Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, United States.
The invention relates to that class of files which is employed for preserving
letters, bills, etcetera, and has special reference to the cover of the file and the
method of fastening it in the case to cause it to securely hold and retain the papers
placed within the case, and to allow these papers to be readily and quickly
examined.
The various features of this invention will be apparent from the following
description and the drawing in which,
Fig 1, is a perspective view of the file with the cover raised to the position it
occupies when the papers are to be examined.
Fig 2, is a perspective view of the file showing the cover in position to retain
the papers in the file.
Figs 3, 4, and 5, are views of detached portions of the file.
The file consists of a case baving the sides or ends A, back B, bottom C, and
removable cover D,
In the case so formed is placed the series of index leaves E, between which the
papers to be filed are placed, and these leaves are retained in the case when the
cover is removed by a suitable device, preferably by the following one, namely by
the pins a, which are secured to the bottom C, near its rear edge and extend
upwardly nearly to the top of the case, the leaves being provided with openings b,
through which the pins a pass. The free ends of these pins are preferably provided
with suitable projections, in the present instance, consisting of knobs or buttons c,
which are detachably connected thereto, so that they may be easily removed when
old leaves are to be removed from the case, or new ones inserted, and when in
position on the pins secure the leaves in the case.
To the inner faces of the ends A, are secured the racks d, and e, which for the
purpose of better securing them in position, are preferably dovetailed as shown in
Figs 3 and 4, and fit into corresponding dovetailed recesses in the ends A.
Each of these racks is further preferably provided with a suitable fastening to
resist upward strain and a desirable fastening is shown in the accompanying
drawing where each rack is provided at or near its lower end with a lug f, which
when the rack is in position, rests against the lower edge of the ends A, a recess
being cut in the lower edge, in which the lug rests, preventing it from extending
below the said edge. These racks when thus constructed are driven into their
respective recesses from the lower edge of the ends A, and when the lugs f, are in
position the racks are prevented from being detached from the ends A, by any
upward strain.
The racks d, which occupy positions near the front of the case are each provided
with guards g, placed at the front side of the racks.
To either end of the cover D, are secured the lugs h, which are preferably formed
as shown by staples driven into the ends of the cover, the lugs at either end being
separated by a space equal to the distance between the racks d, and e.
When the pins er studs a are employed as shown, then in the rear edge of the

page_text: covor D, are formed the notches F, which correspond to the position of the pins a,
and which are of sufficient depth to permit the cover, when raised to the position
shown in Fig 1, to be so raised without interfering with the pins a
When the cover is to be secured in the case it is placed therein, the lugs h, being
at the rear side of the racks ‹, e.
The cover is now to be pressed down upon the papers in the case, and at tho
same time pushed forward, when the lugs &, will engage with the various racks d, e,
and the cover will thus be held firmly in position.
The cover is prevented from being pushed too far forward by the guards g, on
the racks d, against which tho lugs h, strike.
It is only necessary that two of the racks one at either side of the case, bo
provided with the guard g, but if preferred all of the racks may be so provided
When the contents of the file is to be examined the cover is to be raised, and
this done by first sliding it towards the back B, to disengage the lugs h, from their
respectivo racks, and then raised as shown in Fig-1. For greater convenience in
thus sliding and raising the cover, it is provided near its rear edge, with the thumb
hole H, in which the thumb of the operator may be placed.
The notches F, in the cover, allow it to be slid back till it comes in contact with
the back B, and a space being loft between the back B, and the rear edges of the
index leaves E, the covor is raised and allowed to drop into this space, when it
assumes the position shown in Fig—1.
It may be hero remarked that it is not essential to the perfect operation of tho
invention that the various lugs h, should enter their respective racks d, o, at the
same distance from their upper ends.
This is an important feature for the reason that the papers in the file may bo
thicker at one corner or end than at the others, and by the construction of tho
invention each cornor of the cover may be pressed down till it firmly compresses
the papers in the caso, and secured in this position.
The peculiar formation of the racks, secures their perfect retention in the ends
of the case and thus the cover will be firmly retained in position.
The invention may be made to operate as follows-the guards g, may bo
dispensed with or attached to the rear side of the racks, namely to that side of the
racks which is opposite to the one to which they are now attached.
The lugs are then preferably respectively placed somewhat further forward on
the edges of the cover, than they are shown to be in the drawing. The cover can
then when placed on the leaves, be slid from the front towards the rear, each of
the lugs h, entering a notch in its respective rack.
Where the guards are present at the rear edge of said racks these will prevent
the lugs h, from sliding rearward through and out of the notches; or when the lugs
are located further forward on the odges of the cover as aforesaid and the guards
dispensed, the rear side of the filing case will act as a stop or guard to prevent the
cover from sliding too far rearward.
Having now described this invention as communicated to no I wish it to bo
understood that what I desire should be protected under the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is:—
1st The herein described letter filo consisting of an outer case provided with the
racks d, e, and the pins a, and the cover D, provided with the lugs h, and notches F,
substantially as and for the purposes specified.
2nd A letter file consisting of an outer case provided with the racks d, e, and
the cover D, provided with the lugs fixedly attached to the cover and arranged
in such a manner that the lugs are caused to engage with or bo detached from the
racks by sliding the cover horizontally, substantially as and for the purposes
specified.
3rd In a file for letters or other papers the combination of the cover D, provided
with lugs h, and the case provided with the racks d, and e, two or moro of said
racks being provided with guards g, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
4th In a file for letters or other papers, the combination of the cover D, provided

page_text: with the lugs h, the notches F, and the case provided with pins a, and the racks,
d, e, the front edge of the racks d, being provided with guards g, substantially as
and for the purposes specified.
5th In a file for letters and other papers, the combination of the cover D, provided
with lugs h, the notches F, and thumb hole H, and the case provided with pins a,
and racks d, and e, the front edge of the racks d, being provided with guards g,
substantially as and for the purposes specified.
6th In combination with a filing case, the rack provided at or near its lower end
with a lug ƒ, substantially as and for the purposes specifiod.
7th As a now article of manufacture, a rack for a filing case, dovetailod
substantially as shown and described and provided at its lower end with lug f,
substantially as and for the purposes specified.
8th As a now article of manufacture, a rack for a filing case, dovetailed as
shown, and provided with guard g, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
9th As a new article of manufacture, a rack for a filing case, provided at or near
its lower end with a lug f, and having guard g, substantially as and for the
purposes specified.
10th In a file for letters and other papers the combination of the cover D,
provided with lugs h, and the racks d, and e, dovetailed substantially as shown and
described, the lower ends of said racks being provided with lugs f, said racks being
secured in dovetailed recesses in the sides of the caso, substantially as and for the
purposes specified.
11th As a new article of manufacture, a rack for a filing case, provided with a
guard g, and at its lower end with a lug f, the rack being dovetailed substantially
as and for the purposes specified.
12th In a letter file the combination of the cover D, provided with lugs h, and
the case provided with the racks d, e, said racks being dovetailed and retained in
dovetailed recesses in the ends of the case substantially as described.
In witness whereof I the said William Phillips Thompson have hereunto set
my hand and seal this twenty ninth day of August in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and eighty two.