Improvements in or connected with Files for Letters and the like.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Feb., 1895-Accepted, 2nd Mar., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Files for Letters and the like.
I, FRIEDRICH MULLER of Gutleutstrasse 13, Frankfort-ou-the-Main, in the
Empire of Germany, 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 present invention relates to an apparatus for filing letters and the like
commonly called or such which are known as a "letter-file."
In this apparatus the hooks that constitute the closing device can be quickly
moved out of engagement with the pius on which the letters or other sheets of
paper to be filed are placed by simply pulling a rod which is connected with the
bolt that locks or fixes the hooks so as to allow any desired sheet to be removed.
Now the essential feature of this file as compared with what is already known
consists in the mode of locking the hooks while at same time allowing of easily and
quickly opening the file and ensuring a safe closure of the same.
The subject of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying sheet of drawings
in which:
Fig. 1 is an underside view of the file.
Fig. 2 is a section on the line x-y of Fig. 1 the apparatus being shown closed, and,
Fig. 3 is a similar section-the apparatus being shown open.
When the file is closed the hooks a engage with their pointed ends in the hollow
filing pins (which latter are bevelled or otherwise suitably formed at their points)
and thus constitute the closure of the file. These hooks a are carried through
suitable apertures a¹ in the top cover plate of the casing c which encloses the
locking mechanism into the interior of said casing and are connected together at
their lower ends by means of a cross piece d. The latter is pivotted in suitable
bearings (for instance the lugs e fixed on the bottom cover plate f of the casing)
and has a nose g which when the file is closed is prevented by means of a bolt i
from turning or being turned upwards by the action of the spring h mounted on the
cross-piece so that the hooks a are thus rigidly held engaged with the filing pins b.
The bolt i is fixed on the rod k which passes out through the wall of the casing and
is there bent so as to form a handle l.
The rod k and with it the bolt i are adapted to be moved by means of pulling
out the handle in opposition to the action of a suitable spring such as m (which is
or may be arranged between the bolt i and the wall of the casing) in such a manner
as to cause the bolt i to release the nose g.
Then the hooks are moved by the spring rapidly out of engagement with the
filing pins that is to say the file is opened (as shown in Fig. 3). In this movement
the nose moves into a position such that the bolt is held in its outermost position
that is to say it cannot be pushed back by the spring m.
To close the apparatus again when desired the hooks are replaced by hand in
engagement with the filing pins (as in Fig. 2) against the action of the spring h.
By this movement the nose g releases the bolt i again so that the latter is
returned into its position of rest by the spring m and now locks the nose and thus
automatically locks the hooks in their closed position.
From the preceding description it is clear that the books can never move either
by themselves or unintentionally away from the filing pins but are always securely
held in engagement therewith whilst however this engagement can be easily and
quickly undone by simply pulling the handle outwardly when the hooks a
automatically fly up as aforesaid.

page_text: 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 :-
1. A file for letters and the like having in combination with the filing pins hooks
connected together at their lower end and there pivotted and adapted to be rocked
backwards from said filing pins by means of a suitable spring adapted to normally force
said hooks away from said filing pins a locking nose on the lower part of said
rocking hooks and a locking bolt adapted to engage and hold said nose against or
over which latter said locking bolt is normally kept forced by a suitable spring a
draw lever or handle adapted to withdraw said bolt from engagement with said nose
while the last-named spring will always cause the said locking bolt to lock and
hold the said nose and thus automatically lock the hooks immediately same are
closed down on their filing pius substantially in the manner and for the purposes
herein before set forth.
2. A file for letters and the like in which hooks such as a are held in engagement with
the filing pins such as b by means of a nose g situated on the crosspiece d connecting
the lower part of the hooks together and which nose g is held fast by means of a
bolt in opposition to the action of a spring mounted on the said crosspiece said
nose being released by the withdrawal of said bolt by means of a rod such as k
provided with a handle whereupon the hooks are moved out of engagement with
the filing pins by the action of the spring the bolt i being held fast in its outer-
most position while upon the hooks being closed upon the filing pins thereupon said
bolt is caused to shoot back into its position to lock said hooks by the action of a
spring m which is mounted on the draw-rod of said bolt all combined and arranged
to act substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein before described.
3. The improved letter file with self-locking hooks arranged constructed combined
and acting substantially in the manner and for the purposes hereinbefore described
and illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
Dated this 31st day of January 1895.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.