Improvements in the Construction of Boxés, Drawers, and similar Receptacles for the Prevention of the Abstraction of the Contents, and for Various Uses.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Oct., 1886.
Complete Left, 20th July, 1887
Complete Accepted 23rd Aug. 1887.
RESE
Improvements in the Construction of Boxés, Drawers, and similar
Receptacles for the Prevention of the Abstraction of the Contents,
and for Various Uses.
I EDWARD ASHTON SHARP of Epworth, in the County of Lincolnshire, Chemist, do
hereby declare the nature of this Invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to the construction and arrangement of boxes drawers and
similar receptacles, and has for its object securing the safety of the contents therein
against abstraction, and also the measurement of the goods or matter contained
therein.
My apparatus is constructed as follows:-I take a drawer or similar receptacle
without a bottom, and fit it to slide between two flat plates or surfaces. In the top or
outer plate or surface is an opening of any size suitable to the size of the drawer or
receptacle and coinciding with it. The drawer or receptacle is fitted to slide so that
it may be moved from under or opposite to the opening in the top or outer plate or
surface, and may come over an opening in the lower or inner plate or surface, so that
anything that was placed into the drawer or receptacle through the opening in the top
of the outer plate or surface, would be deposited through the opening in the bottom or
inner plate or surface, into a box or receptacle underneath it. The openings in the
top and bottom or outer and inner plates or surfaces are so placed that the drawer or
receptacle cannot be either wholly or partially opposite to both of them at the same
time. Attached to the top of the sliding drawer or receptacle is a sliding door which
when the drawer or receptacle is moved from under or opposite the opening in the
top or outer plate or surfaces slides over or in front of the opening and so closes it. A
spring or equivalent device is provided to keep the sliding drawer or receptacle in
either of the two extreme positions and a handle, wheel, or knob, or other device is
connected or attached to the drawer or receptacle to enable it to be brought into the
other position.
It will be seen that my apparatus may be used for many purposes, for instance it
may be used as a check till for counter use, either in combination with or without a
recording book or tape. If used in combination with a recording book or tape I

page_text: arrange the sliding door which covers the opening in the counter to cover the recording
book or tape until the door closes the opening and the drawer has deposited its
contents into the lower box or receptacle, so that the amount received cannot be
entered until the amount received is deposited in the lower box through the movement
of the drawer.
The apparatus may also be applied to Letter boxes whether private or public and
forms a perfect safe guard against the abstraction of letters or other articles placed
therein. In this case the sliding drawer or receptacle is connected with the usual
hinged or sliding covering for the opening to the box, and is operated by opening
the cover to insert the letters in the opening to the box. Instead of arranging the
drawer or receptacle to slide I sometimes hinge it so that as the opening on one side
opens, the one on the other side closes and vice versa.
My apparatus may also be used for measuring dry goods, in which case the drawer
or receptacle is made to hold a given quantity, or its capacity may be made variable by
means of an inner slide, or collapsible sides, controlled by a screw, with a scale
attached.
My apparatus may also be used for cutting off effluvia, and for the delivery of
disinfectants and other matter, in connection with closets and also for many other
purposes.
Date : 101
1000
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in the Construction of Boxes, Drawers, and similar
Receptacles for the Prevention of the Abstraction of the Contents,
and for Various Uses.
I, EDWARD ASHTON SHARP of Epworth in the county of Lincolnshire, Chemist 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 :-
My invention relates to the construction and arrangement of boxes, drawers, and
similar receptacles, and has for its object securing the safety of the contents thereof
against abstraction.
My apparatus is constructed as follows:-I take a drawer, or similar receptacle,
without a bottom or with an opening formed therein, and I fit. it to slide between
two flat plates or surfaces. In the top or outer plate or surface is an opening of
any size suitable to the size of the drawer or receptacle, and coinciding with it.
The drawer or receptacle is fitted to slide so that it may be moved from under, or
opposite, to the opening in the top or outer plate or surface, and may come over an
opening in the lower or inner plate or surface, so that any thing that was placed into
the drawer or receptacle through the opening in the top or outer plate or surface,
would be deposited through the opening in the bottom or inner plate or surface into a
box or receptacle underneath it. The openings in the top and bottom or outer and
inner plates or surfaces are so placed that the drawer or receptacle cannot be either
wholly or partially opposite to both of them at the same time. Attached to the top of
the sliding drawer or receptacle is a slide which, when the drawer or receptacle is
moved from under or opposite the opening in the top or outer plate or surface, slides
over or in front of the said opening and so closes it. A spring or equivalent device is
provided to keep the sliding drawer or receptacle in either of the two extreme
positions and a handle, wheel, knob or other device is connected or attached to the
drawer or receptacle to enable it to be brought into the other position.
My apparatus may be used for many purposes;-for instance it may be used as a
check till for counter use either in combination with or without a recording book or
tape. If used in combination with a recording book or tape I arrange the slide which
covers the opening in the counter to contain or cover the recording book or tape,
until it has closed the opening and the drawer has deposited its contents into the
lower box or receptacle, so that the amount received cannot be entered until the
amount received is deposited in the lower box through the movement of the drawer.
The apparatus may also be applied to letter boxes whether private or public and
forms a perfect guard against the abstraction of letters, or other articles placed
therein. In this case the sliding drawer or receptacle is connected with the usual
hinged or sliding covering for the opening to the box, and is operated by opening the
cover to insert the letters in the opening to the box. Instead of arranging the drawer
or receptacle to slide I sometimes pivot or hinge it so that as the opening on one side
is exposed, the one on the other side is closed, and vice versa.

page_text: In order that my invention may be fully understood I will more particularly
describe it making reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figures 1 and 2.
Sheet No. 1, illustrate my invention as arranged for a check till. Figure 1 showing
the till open for the reception of coins, and Figure 2 showing it closed for the
deposition of the coins into the lower case or drawer. Figures 3 and 4 Sheet No. 1
illustrate another form of my invention suitable either for a till or letter box.
Figure 3 showing the apparatus open and Figure 4. showing it closed. Figures 5, 6,
and 7 Sheet No. 1 illustrate a modification of my invention suitable for letter box use,
in which the openings for admission and discharge are in the vertical and horizontal
faces or sides of the box respectively. Figure 5 is a front elevation of the box,
and Figures 6 and 7 sectional elevations, showing the box open and closed
respectively. Figures 8 and 9 Sheet No. 2 illustrate a modification of the apparatus
illustrated by Figures 3 and 4 Sheet No. 1. Figure 8 shows the box open and
Figure 9 closed. Figures 10, 11 and 12 Sheet No. 2 illustrate a modification of my
invention consisting of a vertical slide for the delivery of small goods. Figure 10
is a front elevation, and Figure 11 a side elevation, of the apparatus and Figure 12
is a sectional elevation showing the slide or drawer in a position to discharge its
contents. Figures 13 and 14. Sheet No. 3 illustrate a modification of my invention
specially arranged for letter boxes, Figure 13 showing the letter box open for the
reception of letters, and Figure 14 showing the same closed. Figures 15 and 16
Sheet No. 3 illustrate a modification of my invention as arranged specially for letter.
boxes, the slide or drawer being operated by a pulling knob. Figure 16 shows the
letter box open for the reception of letters, and Figure 15 shows the same closed.
Throughout the several views similar parts are marked with like letters of
reference.
a
Referring to Figures 1 and 2. Sheet No. 1 of the accompanying drawings which
illustrate my invention as arranged for a check till, A designates the top of the
box or counter, having an opening a therein, which may be of any suitable size not
larger than the orifice in the sliding drawer which is designated B; this sliding
drawer is either formed without a bottom, or has an opening b of any suitable size
formed therein. 61 designates the slide fixed to the drawer B to cover the opening
when the drawer is pushed forward to empty its contents into the lower receptacle of
the till. C designates the bottom of the box, or the floor, on which the drawer B
slides, and in it is formed an opening c the size of which coincides with the opening b
in the floor of the drawer B; and D designates the lower receptacle of the till for
receiving the coins after they pass through the drawer B. The relative positions of
the openings a and c are such, that the openings at the top and bottom of the sliding
drawer cannot coincide with both of them either wholly or partially-at one and
the same time, so that it is impossible to gain access to the lower receptacle of the till
through the sliding part thereof. The sliding drawer B may be caused to slide
backwards and forwards by any suitable mechanism, or it may be kept in either of
its extreme positions by a spring and operated direct by hand. If desired an entry
book or roll may be used in combination with the till for entering and recording the
amounts deposited, such book or roll being arranged so that it remains covered until
the drawer is pushed forward to deposit its contents in the lower part of the till. In
Figures 1 and 2 Sheet No. 1 of the drawings an entry book is shown and designated
by 62. If desired the drawer B may be fitted with suitable rollers and guides to make
it travel freely.
In figures 3 and 4 Sheet No. 1 of the accompanying drawings which illustrate a
modification of my invention suitable either for a till or letter box, the sliding
drawer B is arranged to withdraw beyond the top of the box or counter A so that
the opening a is dispensed with. Instead of making the drawer B inclined as shown
in these figures it may be arranged vertically as shown by Figures 8 and 9 Sheet No. 2
of the accompanying drawings, where space is limited. When these arrangements
are used for letter boxes or analogous purposes I prefer to make the sides of the
drawer slightly tapering as shown by figures 8 and 9, so as to provide more clearance
at the top than at the bottom, thus ensuring a clear fall for the articles placed therein.

page_text: In the arrangement illustrated by Figures 3 and 4 I sometimes construct the sliding
drawer to tilt upwards when it is pushed in, to ensure its contents being deposited in
the receptacle beneath it (not shown in these figures) and to economize space.
Referring to Figures 5, and 7 Sheet No. I of the accompanying drawings which
illustrate an arrangement specially suitable for a letter box, the opening a is made in
one of the vertical faces of the box, and the opening c in another at right angles
thereto. The drawer or slide B is formed with a sloping bottom and the opening 6 is
formed in the side thereof.
In Figures 13 and 14 Sheet No. 3 of the accompanying drawings which illustrate
a modification of my invention specially adapted as a letter box for doors the drawer B
is pivotted or hinged to the door A so that as the top is opened the bottom opening b
is closed, and vice versa. The opening a is formed in the door A and the opening c
in the case of the box C. Figures 15 and 16 Sheet No. 3 of the accompanying
drawings show a modification of this arrangement in which the drawer B is arranged
to slide vertically, being controlled by a sliding knob, bell crank lever, and cord, as
shown, or by any other suitable device. The opening a is made in the door A. and
the opening c is made by enlarging the lower part of the case C to form the lower
receptacle D as illustrated.
I do not limit myself to the exact details of construction herein before described or
illustrated by the accompanying drawings, as my invention is capable of many
modifications, neither do I bind myself to the use of any particular material for the
construction of receptacles made according to my invention, but
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 :—
First-The construction and use of boxes, drawers, and similar receptacles, sub-
stantially as herein before described and shown.
Second-In a till for the reception of money and the like, the combination of the
drawer B with the orifice b in its bottom, the counter or surface A under which the
drawer slides having an orifice a, and the lower surface Con which the bottom of
the drawer B slides having an orifice c therein, all combined, arranged and operating
as and for the purpose set forth.
Third In a letter box or similar receptacle the combination of the slide or
drawer B having openings at both ends, the door or front of the box A having an
orifice or opening a therein, the case of the box C having an opening c or its equivalent
therein, all combined, arranged, and operating, as and for the purpose described.
Fourth In a letter box, the combination with the frame of the box or of a door A,
of the hinged or pivotted slide B the lower end of which moves over a segmental
floor C having an opening c, with which the bottom of the slide B coincides when the
top thereof is closed by the frame of the box or door A, substantially as herein before
set forth.
Fifth-A safety receptacle consisting essentially of a box in which is mounted a
sliding drawer having no bottom or an equivalent orifice therein, of an orifice in the
top of such box to obtain acess to the top of the drawer, of a slide attached to the
drawer to close the said orifice and of an orifice in the floor underneath the said drawer
for depositing the contents of the drawer in the box, substantially as set forth.
500
1000
13334
A day of busy
1007
15344
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, 71, and 72, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.