Improvements in or relating to Work-boxes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Work-boxes.
I, Mrs. SARAH FLORA BELLE O'LEARY, of Waverly, in the County of
Coffey, and State of Kansas, United States of America, 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 :-
My invention relates to an improvement in boxes adapted to contain ladies'
articles, and my principal object is to provide a combined work and toilet box and
to so construct the device that it will be inore simple and durable than any heretofore
known, and at the same time one which will be convenient to the user.
To these ends my invention consists of certain improved features of construction
and arrangement of parts, all of which will be fully described hereinafter and
finally embodied in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of a workbox constructed after my
invention.
Fig. 2 is a view of the invention showing the main lid raised.
Fig. 3 is a section.
Fig. 4 is a detail view of the cotton cutting devices.
Fig. 5 is a detail of one form of the scissor-bed.
Fig. 6 is a perspective of the device shown with its attachments open.
Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the thread-cutting device.
'
The device consists of a body portion A, square in shape and provided with the
compartment A' and drawer space a. Hinged to the top side of the body and
arranged to close the compartment A, is the lid a', which is provided with a lock a²,
and a catch a by which it may be secured over the compartment.
A jointed
brace A³ is provided for the lid a' by which it may be held open and a spring A
which aids in opening or raising the lid. The compartment A¹ is adapted to
contain the toilet articles and to comprise a portable toilet set. Secured to the
under side of the lid a' is the mirror B, which is extended out from the bottom
by reason of the position of the box B'.
, and indicate two clasps which are adapted to hold a tooth or nail brush,
and these may be increased at will or their positions varied, since this is immaterial
to the invention. This compartment may be provided with various other devices
which will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art.
Secured to the under side of the lid a' and extending at right angles to each
other and parallel with the sides of the lid are the two strips or cleats C, each of
which forms one side of the box B¹ and are also adapted to form a support for the
spool spindles C¹. These latter devices may be of any desired number, preferably
twelve, and consist of metallic rods projecting laterally toward the sides of
the box.
Formed in the edges of the lid a' and directly above the spindles C¹ are the
slots c.
These slots are one for each spindle, and formed with a straight portion
communicating with the edge of the lid and extending inwardly for about half an
inch, at which point they curve to form substantially a quadrant.
Secured to the edges of the lid a' that are above the spindles C' are two metallic
plates c', which have slots c², formed in their edges, and these slots are of the same
shape as the slots c.
D indicates a series of openings which are formed at the center of the quadrant
part of the slots c, and are matched by the openings D' formed above them and in

page_text: the plates c. Through these openings the bolts or screws d, pass and are secured
by the nuts d' which are arranged in the openings D. The screws d, are adapted
to hold the thread cutting devices E in place, and these consist of circular knobs
formed with central depressions E' and openings E2 therein, through which openings
the screws d, pass. This revolubly secures the knobs in place and rubber pads E³
are placed between the plate cand nuts d' whereby even tension is secured.
Formied in the raised edges of the knobs E, and directly opposite each other are
the notches e, and e'. Notch e, is provided with a slot e, which extends downwardly
to the lower side of the device and is adapted to communicate, when the knob is
turned properly with the curved portion of slots c.
are
Secured to the side of the knobs E directly adjacent to the notches
plates F, which lie flush with the curved sides of the knobs and which have the
vertical cuts F¹ formed in their upper ends and directly opposite the notch e'.
These cuts or slots are just wide enough at their upper ends to easily admit the
thread from the spools on spindles C₁ and taper down to a very fine space at their
lower ends, the sides being formed sharp and capable of cutting the thread when
brought thereagainst.
f, indicates the spools of thread which are revolubly and removably mounted
upon the spindles C₁ and have their thread passed through the slots c, and thence
up through the slots c², across the knobs E, and over the cuts or slots F in the
plates F. Thus it will be seen that the thread may be drawn out as far as desired
and then quickly parted by bringing it in engagement with the knife plate F.
The end of the slot e, may be used to pass the thread through so that it may be
brought into engagement with the plate F at a more acute angle, thus expediting
the cutting.
In the under side of the thread-cutting device E and just to the left of the
slot e is a short groove N. When the device E is set with its vertical cut F'
directly over the straight portion of the slot c, this groove in the thread cutting
device E is just long enough to connect the slot with the end of the slot c.
This allows the cotton to move freely and horizontally between the device E and
the metallic plate c¹ and prevents the end of the thread from dropping back into
the compartment A' while in use.
The box B' is covered by the lid f¹ and this is provided with a lock or catch G
by which it may be raised. Secured to the top of this lid f' is a pin-cushion G¹
which is retained by means of screws G2 thus admitting its substitution by a new
one when worn out. Fixed to the lid a' opposite each other and on each side of
the lid are the bifurcated studs g, to which is pivotally connected the handle g¹.
By this means the device may be carried and the parts are so arranged that the
box will be easily balanced when lifted by this means. I have provided thimble
beds or receptacles H and these are preferably three in number and arranged near
the back edge of the box. These devices consist of the cylindrical cups H
provided with lids H2 which are hinged to the lid a¹ by hinges arranged adjacent
to the back edge of said latter lid. Knobs or buttons H3 are provided and affixed
to the lids H2 by which they may be raised.
Fig. 5 illustrates the bed or receptacle for holding scissors and this consists of a
depression h, shaped after the manner of a pair of scissors and provided with a
deeper depression h' at the handles whereby these devices may be easily grasped.
I indicates a lid which is hinged at 1' and provided with a catch 12 by which the
scissors may be covered. Formed in the body A below the compartment A' and
occupying all the space there-beneath is the drawer-space a, which is adapted for
the reception of the drawer K. The drawer K¹ is preferably formed of a solid
block of wood, though it may otherwise be constructed if so desired, and has
formed in it a series of compartments adapted for the reception of various sewing
articles. Thus I have provided fifteen button bowls or receptacles k, in which
buttons may be conveniently placed. Darning needles may be placed in the
compartment k', chalk in the compartment L, while various articles such as button-
hooks, lead pencils, knitting needles, etc. may be arranged in the compartments L'.

page_text: A larger opening 1, is provided for embroidery floss and l, and 1 may be used for
button-hole cutters and knives.
M indicates a button by which the drawer may be withdrawn and M' a catch or
lock for holding the drawer in place. Within the box B¹ a number of compartments
are formed in which various articles such as needles, pins, tape lines, etc. may be
conveniently placed.
From the foregoing it will be seen that my invention is extremely convenient
and that by its means a lady's sewing articles may be kept handy and within easy
reach. It is also simple in construction and attractive in appearance while by
means of the toilet set one may arrange the toilet while at work and without having
to go to their chamber.
In Figs. 1 and 5 I have shown the lid of the scissor bed formed of one piece and
hinged at the inner side. This is not however the preferred form, and Fig. 6
illustrates the manner of constructing the lid which I regard as best adapted to
the purpose for which the receptacle is used. There, the lid is shown as formed
of the transverse sections, one of which is secured over the bed, while the other is
hinged to the front end of its companion and provided with a knob or button by
which it may be raised.
By means of the thread cutting devices the cotton may be quickly drawn out
and severed from the spools leaving an inch in length above the device for a
ginger hold. Turning the device a little farther to the right than when in use
tightens the thread firmly leaving an inch of it above the device to show color
and size. Lids of scissors and thimble beds are attached by strong spring hinges
which close them firmly over their openings. These spring hinges in conjunction
with the shape and arrangement of the parts fix all articles which may be placed
therein, so firmly in their compartments that they cannot be shifted or removed
from their place though the box be rolled over and over. Therefore it will be
seen that the use of the thread cutting devices is in exhibiting the color and size
of the cotton, and in severing, loosening and tightening it.
While I have shown my invention embodied in a square box it will be understood
that it is not necessarily so shaped, and that I could employ various, indeed all,
other shapes, and in practice I contemplate varying their shape to suit the fancies
and conveniences of the trade.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
1. A work box comprising in its construction a body portion provided with a
swinging lid, a cleat fixed to the under side of said lid, a spindle fixed to the
cleat and projecting parallel with the lid, the said lid having formed therein and
adjacent to the spindle a slot having a straight portion communicating with a
curved or segmental portion, and a thread-cutting device pivotally mounted upon
the outer side of the lid, the spindle being adapted for the reception of a spool of
thread, substantially as described.
2. A thread-cutting device comprising in its construction a plate or base board
having formed in its edge a slot consisting of a straight portion communicating
with a curved or segmental portion, and a cup-shaped knob pivotally secured to
the plate or base board with its axis concentric with the segmental portion of
said slot, said knob having formed in its sides two oppositely-located notches, and
a notched thread-cutting blade secured to the knob and directly adjacent to one of
the notches therein, substantially as described.
Dated this 5th day of November 1894.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.