An Improved Letter Box,
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Mar., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Jan., 1893-Accepted, 25th Feb., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Letter Box,
We, WILLIAM JOHNSTON of 124 Pershore Road in the City of Birmingham
Commercial Traveller and WILLIAM CLAYTON LLOYD of 137 Upper Mary
Street Balsall Heath in the City of Birmingham Manufacturer do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of our invention is to prevent letters being abstracted from a letter
box through the mouth of such letter box and is performed as follows:-
Inside the box we first put a slanting piece, (which we call the shoot) just under
the mouth of the box, so as to shoot the letter on to the swinging flap afterwards
described and also to prevent the letter from falling on to the weighted part of
such flap. At a certain distance from the shoot we insert a swinging flap such flap
extending the whole width of the box and being slightly weighted on the inner
portion so as to bring the flap into position. A side stop is fixed inside the box to
prevent the flap from falling into an upright position and also to prevent the flap
from being pulled upwards to allow letters to pass it. Another stop is fixed to
prevent the flap from being thrown over by any means so that the weighted
portion of the flap would pass the centre of the box and rest on the side stop
and prevent the flap from swinging. We also fix another piece at some distance
underneath the flap projecting at an angle from the back of the box so that when
the letter has passed the flap this projecting piece throws the letter forward to the
front of the box.
When a letter or similar article is put into the box drops on to the swinging
Hap, bearing it down, until the letter has passed the flap, when, the flap, (by
reason of its weighted side) falls back into position and covers up the inside of the
letter box.
In case of an attempt to abstract a letter through the mouth of the box,
directly the letter catches the under side of the flap, the flap is forced up against
the side stop and completely covers the inside of the box effectually preventing
the letter passing and being abstracted.
The different parts above described can be made of any suitable material but
preferably of sheet metal.
Dated this 21st day of March 1892
WILLIAM JOHNSTON.
WILLIAM CLAYTON LLOYD.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Letter Box.
We WILLIAM JOHNSTON of 124 Pershore Road in the City of Birmingham
Commercial Traveller and WILLIAM CLAYTON LLOYD of 137 Upper Mary
Street Balsall Heath in the City of Birmingham Manufacturer, 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 our invention is to prevent letters being abstracted from a letter
box through the mouth of such letter box and is performed as follows:-
Inside the box we first put a slanting piece which we call the shoot just under
the mouth of the box so as to shoot the letter on to the swinging flap after
described and also to prevent the letter from falling on to the weighted part of
Price 8d7

page_text: such flap. At a certain distance from the shoot we insert a swinging flap, such flap
extending the whole width of the box and being slightly weighted on the inner
portion so as to bring the flap into position. A side stop is fixed inside the box to
prevent the flap from falling into an upright position and also to prevent the flap
from being pulled upwards to allow letters to pass it. Another (or back) stop is
fixed to prevent the flap from being thrown over by any means so that the
weighted portion of the flap would pass the centre of the box and rest on the
side stop and so prevent the flap from swinging. We also fix another piece at
some distance underneath the flap (which we call the bottom shoot) projecting at an
angle from the back of the box so that when the letter has passed the flap this
projecting piece throws the letter forward to the front of the box.
The accompanying drawings show the different parts of our invention the same
letters denoting the same part in each case.
Figure shows the shoot (a) the swinging flap (b) the side stop (c) back stop (y)
and the projecting piece or bottom shoot (d) for throwing the letters to the front
of the box the dotted lines show the form of the box and the relative positions of
the above parts.
Figure 2 is a sectional view, the dotted lines (e) (f) showing the position of the
flap when the letter or similar article is passing the flap.
The swinging flap (b) is hinged or pivotted in any suitable manner so as to
allow it to move very freely, the weighted part being the portion underneath the
shoot (a).
When a letter or similar is put into the box it passes down the shoot (a) & drops
on to the swinging flap (6) bearing it down until the letter has passed the flap,
when the flap (by reason of the weighted side) falls back into position and covers
up the inside of the letter box.
In case of an attempt to abstract a letter through the mouth of the box directly
the letter catches the under side of the flap, the flap is pulled up against the
side stop, closing the inside of the box and effectually prevents the letter passing
and being abstracted from the box.
The box is provided with the usual door or other arrangement for taking the
letters from the box.
We do not confine ourselves to any particular shape or size of the box or
portions above described, the box being made to suit different requirements.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is :-
The shoot, swinging flap, stops and projecting piece or bottom shoot for the
purposes and constructed in the manner above described.
Dated this 21st day of January 1893.
W. JOHNSTON.
WM. C. LLOYD.