Year: 1899

page_text: of America, and in what manner the same are to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in the following statement;-
This improvement is designed to provide a trunk which will be stronger and
more convenient than the trunks commonly used, and to these ends the inven-
tion consists in the peculiar construction hereinafter more particularly described
and then definitely claimed at the end hereof.
In the accompanying drawings:-
Figure 1 is a vertical central cross section of a trunk constructed according
to my improvement.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the trays thereof.
I
Figure 3 is a perspective rear view of a frame without the trunk and having
a flat tray shown therein.
Figures 4, 5 and 6 are perspective details which will be more fully described
hereinafter.
Referring now to the details of the drawings by letters a represents the body of
an ordinary wicker trunk and, b the cover thereof made of enamelled cloth or
other suitable material. Enclosed in this trunk is a metal frame c (shown fully
in perspective in Figure 3) made preferably of aluminum, to combine lightness
with strength, but it may be made of any suitable material. At one side, prefer-
ably the front side, are tray supports d, made of wire bent to form a series of
loops as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3, and on the opposite or rear side are
other tray supports f also formed of wire, but bent to form a series of rings g.
In Figure 2, I show a deep tray h formed of a frame i preferably of aluminum
or willow having sides and bottom of woven fabric j. At the center is a parti-
tion also of woven fabric. Connected to the opposite side and ends are flaps /:
four only are shown in this instance but two or more sets of flaps may be used.
Where there are two sets the two center flaps should be attached to the center
rod m supporting the central partitions k. The adjacent ends of these flaps are
provided with fastening attachments, preferably in the form of separable buttons n
such as are used for fastening gloves, etc. The upper part of the frame is pro-
vided with projection lugs o which rest upon the top of the frame c.
In the frame shown in Figure 3 is represented a flat tray having two sets
of flaps 7. At each rear corner of the frame (the rear side as shown in Figure 3)
is a peculiar fastening g formed of spring wire, one end of which is coiled around
the frame of the tray to fasten it in place, but it may be fastened in any other
convenient way. The free portion is bent as shown in Figure 4 to form a tooth r
and a loop s while its extremity is bent under the end of the frame as shown, to
prevent the catch yielding vertically, which it might do if the end were not bent
under.
These trays with the flaps of which there may be several in each, trunk will

page_text: be found very useful and convenient, by their use small articles such as
collars, handkerchiefs, etc., may be securely held in place on the trays, as four
of the Haps with the buttons of the tray form a pocket within which small articles
may be securely held, no matter how roughly the trunk may be used in travel-
ling. As an additional means of security the articles may be pinned to the
bottom, sides or flaps of the trays, and this will be facilitated by the sides of
the deep tray being of woven fabric instead of a wooden frame such as is com-
monly used. If preferred strips of webbing may be employed instead of broader
fabric.
In setting the tray in place it is held in an inclined position, the front thereof
slipped into one of the notches in the front support and the catches held back
by the fingers of the user until the rear of the tray is opposite the proper ring
in the rear supports when the fingers are withdrawn and the teeth of the catches
allowed to slip into the rings, when the tray will be securely held. By reversing
the operation the tray may be readily removed.
In some trunks I may dispense with the frame, in which case I form the end
of the tray supports into eyes t (see Fig. 5) by which they may be sécured to
the trunk.
Where a wooden trunk is used the rear supports may be dispensed with by
making a series of holes in the rear side which extend only part way through
the same.
The spring catch will enter these holes and hold the tray fast, the
same as when used in connection with the rings in said rear support.
In some cases I may employ other fastenings for securing the trays in place,
such as the clasp and ladder shown in Figure 6, instead of the spring catches
shown, but I prefer the latter.
From the above, it will be seen that I have procured not only a very convenient
trunk in which articles of wearing apparel may be carried without being crumpled,
but also a very strong trunk as the frame being of metal will very materially
strengthen the same.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. In a trunk, the combination with a supplementary frame, of a series of
trays, and means for holding said trays in said frame at different heights, sub-
stantially as described.
2. In a trunk, the combination with a supplementary frame adapted to fit
within said trunk, of a series of trays arranged to be placed in said frame, and
means for holding said trays in said frame in fixed horizontal positions at different
heights, substantially as described.
3. The combination in a trunk, of the supports and f, a tray having one
side set in a notch in the support d, and means on the other side co-acting with
the support to hold said tray in a fixed position, substantially as described.
4. A tray provided with a bottom and a series of flaps provided with fastenings
at their free ends, substantially as described.
5. A trunk tray having an upper and lower frame and sides of woven fabric,
substantially as described.
6. A trunk tray having a spring catch provided with a tooth and loop, substan-
tially as and for the purpose specified.
7. A trunk tray provided with the spring catch q having a tooth r and loop s, sub-
stantially as described and shown.
Dated this 1st day of May 1899.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.