Improvements in Letter Boxes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 29th May, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 28th Oct., 1891-Accepted, 28th Nov., 1891-
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Letter Boxes.
I, ISAAC TAYLOR, of 30 Faulkner Street, Manchester, Merchant; do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The improvements relate to letter boxes, and have for object greater security
against the unlawful abstraction of the contents of such letter boxes.
To accomplish this, and to effect my improvements, I provide, in the interior of
the box, in addition to the ordinary hinged flap, covering the orifice of the letter
box, a second flap, hinged, like the first, and arranged to oscillate below the same.
The two flaps are connected together by suitable means, such as by cord or chain,
or by links, in such manner that when the upper flap is raised, the lower flap is
caused to rise also.
I form the lower flap,-which may be a disc, or merely a grid, in such manner
that when raised to a horizontal position, by the lifting of the top flap, as aforesaid,
the interior of the letter box beneath such disc is effectually shut off from the space
above, and a letter inserted through the usual orifice, and past the upper flap, does
not therefore, according to my improvements, at once fall to the bottom of the letter
box, but is first deposited upon the horizontal surface of the upraised disc or grid
forming the lower flap, and will only fall into the lower interior when the upper flap
is allowed to descend and the obstructing disc or grid is caused, in consequence, to
assume a vertical position.
No communication with the lower interior portion of the letter box being possible
through the letter orifice, it will be seen that much greater security against the
unlawful abstraction of letters is attained.
Variations in detail, such as the method of attaching and connecting the flaps,
may be made without departing from the peculiar character of the invention.
Dated this 28th day of May 1891.
WILLIAM GADD, C.E.,
64, Barton Arcade, Manchester, Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Letter Boxes.
I, ISAAC TAYLOR, of 30 Faulkner Street, Manchester, Merchant, 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 improvements relate to letter boxes, and have for object greater security
against the unlawful abstraction of the contents of such letter boxes.
In the accompanying sheet of drawings illustrating my invention, Fig. 1, shows a
side view of apparatus arranged in accordance with one form of my invention, and
Fig. 2, a like view of a variation thereon. In both views the side of the letter box
is removed, to make the working of the invention clear.
I provide, in the interior of the box, in addition to the ordinary hinged flap b, b,
(which is hinged to the letter box sides a, a,) covering the orifice of the letter box,
a second flap c, c, hinged, like the first, and arranged to oscillate below the same.
The two flaps are connected by suitable means, such us by cord, or chain, or by
links d, d, as shown, in such a manner that when the upper flap is raised, the lower
flap is caused to rise also.
I form the lower flap c, c,-which may be a disc or sheet of metal or other
[Price 6d.

page_text: substance, or merely a grid, and is, by preference serrated at the outer edges
-in such manner that when raised to a horizontal position, by the lifting of
the top flap, b, as aforesaid; the interior of the letter box beneath such disc is
effectually shut off from. the space above.
Thus, a letter inserted through the usual orifice, and past the upper flap, does not,
according to my improvements, necessarily at once fall to the bottom of the letter
box, but is first deposited-upon the surface of the upraised disc or grid c, c, forming
the lower flap,and will fall into the lower interior when the upper Hap is allowed to
close, and the obstructing disc or grid is thereby caused to assume a vertical
position or nearly so. Communication with the lower interior portion of the letter
box being thus cut off by the lifting of the flap c, c, it will be seen that much
greater, security against the unlawful abstraction of letters or other contents is
attained:
Variations in detail, such as the method of attaching and connecting the flaps,
as for example as shown in Fig. 2, wherein the invention is applied to an outward
moving, flap, and other variations may be made without departing from the peculiar
character of the invention.
"
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:-
In letter boxes, the secondary or lifting lower flap c, c. connected by link or
otherwise to the ordinary flap. b, b, whether such ordinary flap moves outwards
or inwards,, for the purpose, and in manner substantially as herein shown and
described.
Dated the 24th day of October 1891
WILLIAM GADD, C.E:,
64, Barton Arcade, Manchester, Agent.