IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FOLDING AND PARMARE CRA BOXES BASKETS PACKING CASES AND HUTS
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Neufville Martin, of Newman Street, Oxford
Street, London, in the County of Middlesex, Captain in the Army, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FOLDING AND
PARMARE CRA BOXES BASKETS PACKING CASES AND HUTS."
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Neutville Martin at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 29th September 1855, pursuant to the 9th Section
of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
I, WILLIAM NEUFVILLE MARTIN, of Newman Street, Oxford Street, London,
in the County of Middlesex, Captain in the Army, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FOLDING
AND PORTABLE CRATES, BOXES, BASKETS, PACKING CASES, AND Hurs," and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement (reference being had to
the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon), that is to say:-
My improvements consist in so constructing the above-named articles as to
render them more compact, and calculated to occupy the least possible space
when not in use; and at the same time certain descriptions of boxes or packing
cases made according to my improvements are readily convertible into many
useful forms of camp or travelling furniture.

page_text: suitable for packing and conveying ordinary merchandize.
Sheet B Figures 1, 2, and 3 shew another form, either for a box, or
crate, or basket, suitable for the same purpose as the above, but folding in a
different way.
Sheet C: Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 shew another form of crate or packing
case, with a few of the forms into which it is convertible for army or travelling
purposes.
Figure 4, Sheet B, shews a hut made according to my Invention.
I will now proceed to describe the construction of the crate shewn in
Sheet A (Figure 1) shews it folded up, as it will be when not in use;
(Figure 2) shews it partially opened; and (Figure 3) shews it packed, and
ready for use. On reference to (Figure 2) it will be seen that the top side (a) is
so hinged to the side (b), that on straitening the two ends (c, c), which are made
in two parts, hinged in the centre, and bringing them into a line, as seen at
(Figure 3), the top side (a) will precisely fit and clamp on to the sides and
ends, as shewn in (Figure 3), in which position the whole may be secured in
any suitable manner, such as by hooks and eyes, or pins and cotters; the
bottom (d) is also fixed and secured in like manner.
When not in use it is
folded into a very small compass, as seen at (Figure 1), in the following
manner-The top side (a) falls back on to the side (6), and the bottom (d)
turns upwards against the side (e); the two ends (c, c,) being jointed in the
middle, fall inwards, and the crate assumes the form seen at (Figure 1), in
which position it may be tied or strapped together.
Sheet (B) shews a method of constructing folding boxes, crates, or baskets,
somewhat modified from that above described, the sides folding together
diagonally, and the top and bottom shutting down upon the sides, as seen at
(Figure 2).
Sheet C shews views of the form of case adapted for military and travelling
purposes, from its being readily convertible into simple articles of furniture.
In this case the top and bottom are altogether separable from the sides, merely
sliding in grooves formed by nailing two strips on the inside. (Figure 1) shews
the case put together for travelling; (Figure 2), the form it is caused to
assume to render it useful in keeping a bed or paillasse off the ground, one
side being slightly raised, serving to support the head. In (Figure 3) it is
adapted for a chair and table, the seat being formed by a partition in the case,
sliding in grooves like the top and bottom, and a moveable prop supporting

page_text: the fourth angle of the table; (Figure 4) shews the case contracted to stow
away.
I now come to that part of my Invention which consists of improvements
in the construction of folding and portable huts. (Sheet B), Figure 4, shews
the framework of one of these, which may be covered with felt or any other
suitable material, a door being left in the centre of the side. The sides,
roof, and ends are all hinged together in such manner, that, when required to
be taken down, the ends (a) open in two flaps, falling back on to the sides, and
the gable pieces (b), dividing also in the middle, turn back on to the roof; the
roof is then allowed to fall inwards by the hinges on the ridge, and the whole
closes together like a screen.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I wish it to be clearly understood that 1
do not confine myself to the precise details or forms shewn, nor do I claim the
exclusive right of constructing these articles capable of being folded when not
in use; but that which I do claim as of my Invention is, the improvements
described in the construction of folding and portable crates, boxes, baskets,
and packing cases, whether adapted for commercial purposes, or convertible
into articles of furniture for military and travelling purposes; and also the
improvements in the construction of portable huts, as herein more fully set
forth and specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Neufville Martin, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of September, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
W. N. MARTIN. (L.S.)