Year: 1899

page_text: I, WATSON EBENEZER GRIFFIN, of Reno, in the County of Washoe, State of
Nevada, United States of America, Express Agent, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:—
My invention relates to a fastening for the mouths of mail pouches.
It
consists of flexibly hinged metal plates secured transversely across one side and
the flap which folds over the opposite side of the pouch, so that when the pouch.
has been closed and locked they form an absolutely rigid strip extending across
both sides of the top of the pouch.
The invention also comprises details of construction which will be more fully
explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which-
Figure 1 is a back view of the upper part of the pouch, showing the flap opened
up and the plates upon both parts. Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line a-e
of Fig. 1. Figure is a transverse vertical section showing the flap closed and the
staple passed through from one plate to the other. Figure 4 is a perspective
view showing the mouth of the pouch open.
The pouch O has a flap Pat the top, which forms an extension of one side of the
pouch and is foldable over the upper edge of the other side, so that the flap extends
down a short distance over said side and is locked in this position by means of
a staple E, secured to the flap and passing through a slot in the opposite side of
the pouch.
A A are metal plates, riveted or otherwise strongly fastened to the top of the
pouch, extending across the side from which the flap projects, and a similar set
of plates extends across the flap itself, leaving an intermediate space of exposed
leather A between the contiguous edges of the plates A A, which space forms
the folding line of the flap. When the flap is opened as shown in Fig. 1, the
plates upon the top of the back and those upon the flap are essentially in line with
each other. When the flap has been closed down upon the opposite side, the two
plates are in opposition upon the outer sides of the mouth of the back. These
plates have hinged joints as shown at C, and extensions B, hinged at these points,
form bendable continuations of the plates A, so that the length of the plates A
between the hinge points may be approximately one-third the distance across

page_text: the mouth of the pouch. The extensions B will form the other two-thirds; but
these particular proportions are not absolute, as they may be varied to suit
conditions, the plates being comprised of three sections hinged together and all
riveted across the mouth of the pouch and the flap, respectively, with the inter-
mediate flexible folding portion between the top of the pouch and the flap.
Exterior to the plates A are fixed other plates A2, which have ends a extending
beyond the hinges and overlapping the hinged portions B, as shown. When the
pouch is opened, the wings or hinged portions B are turned about their hinges,
as shown in Fig. 2, so that the mouth of the pouch will be held open in convenient
position for the reception of letters, as is plainly shown in perspective view Fig. 4,
the flap under these conditions being held up in line with the back part of the
pouch. When the pouch is closed, these wings B are straightened out in line
with the parts A, and in this condition they rest against the rigid extensions a of
the plates A³, and are thus prevented from bending backwardly in the opposite
direction. Having thus been straightened out, the flap of the pouch is then
folded over the mouth, and the staple E, passing through the slot D in the
opposing plates A A³, will be in position to be locked. It is then fastened by
means of a hasp G and loosely attached to the back of the pouch, as shown, and
having a slot which fits over the staple, so that when the lock has been passed
through this staple the whole device will be fastened in place. As in this con-
dition the flexible hinged plates B press against the extensions a they are pre-
vented from turning outwardly and practically form a rigid plate extending from
one side of the mouth of the pouch to the other, forming a rigid and durable
fastening.
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
1st. A closure for the mouths of mail pouches consisting of plates secured
transversely across the central upper rear portion of the pouch and the corre-
sponding portion of the flap, other plates hinged to the ends thereof and extending
to the outer edges of the pouch and riveted thereto said plates being foldable
inwardly with relation to the first named plates when the pouch is opened, and
stops suitably mounted upon said first named plates by which they are prevented
from bending in the opposite direction when the pouch is closed.
2nd. A mail pouch having a foldable flap at the top, plates riveted to the upper
central back portion of the pouch and to the corresponding portion of the flap,
other plates hinged thereto extending outwardly to the edges of the pouch and
flap respectively, other plates coincident with the first named plates having rigid
wings or extensions in line therewith against which the hinged plates abut when
the pouch is closed.
3rd. A mail pouch having a flexible flap adapted to close over the mouth,
metal plates fixed to the rear central portion of the top of the pouch and the
corresponding portion of the flap, a staple carried by one of said plates and
adapted to extend through a slot made in the other plate when the flap is closed,
other plates hinged to the ends of the first named plates extending therefrom to
the outer edges of the back of the pouch and the flap respectively, and other
plates riveted to the first named plates having the ends projecting beyond the
hinges of said plates whereby the extensions may be bent inwardly when the
pouch is opened, but are prevented from moving in the opposite direction when
the pouch is closed.
T
214
1
1
1000
For the Applicant,
GEDGE & FEENY,
Chartered Patent Agents, 60, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.