Improvements in Spring Clips for Letter, Newspaper, and like Files.
Year: 1890

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Spring Clips for Letter, Newspaper, and like Files.
EYRE CROWE Gatteridge Street Banbury County of Oxford Box Manufacturer
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 improvements relate to that class of spring clip which in one position presses
on the papers in the file and in another when pulled away from the papers will
remain in this position so as to free them.
I so construct the clips that all movable parts turn in centres or pivots, so that, as
there is no sliding of one surface along another the friction is reduced to a minimum
and the clips work more smoothly. By aid of the accompanying diagrams I will
proceed to show the devices by which I carry out my invention.
Figures 1 and 2 are an elevation & plan respectively of a spring clip consisting
of a presser arm A working on the two centres B & C. a coil spring D exerting an
upward pressure on the centre B, and a swinging binge E, the lower end of which
works on the centre or eye F and the upper end encloses the centre C.
When the presser arm is in the position shown by the full lines, the pressure of
the spring causes it to bear upon the papers &c. in the file and when lifted away
from the papers in the position shown by the dotted lines, the swinging hinge takes
up a position at the other side of the centre B & the pressure of the spring tends to
keep it in this position.
The whole action of the above may be reversed by making the spring D so that it
exerts pressure in a downward instead of an upward direction and reversing the
position of the pivots or centres B. C. then, when the presser arm is bearing on the
papers, the swinging hinge E will occupy the position shewn by the dotted lines and
when the presser arm is away from the papers the swinging hinge will occupy the
position shown in full lines.
Fig. 3 shews an elevation of a clip on a similar principle to Figs. 1 & 2 except
that the swinging hinge E instead of working in an eye F is made in one piece with
a coil spring G which exerts a pressure on the centre C of the presser arm in the
direction of the arrow, so that the presser arm when in the downward position is
acted upon by both the coil springs D & G. The action of this clip may be reversed
in a similar manner to that described with reference to figs. 1 & 2.
Figs. 4 & 5 shew an elevation and plan respectively of a clip in which A is the
presser arm working on centres B and having a crank C. the rod D is looped at its
top end and works on the crank C and at its bottom end slides through an eye or
guide E. F is a spiral spring in compression, threaded on the rod D. The lower
end of the spring rests on the eye E and its upper end exerts a pressure on the
looped end of the rod D and so on the crank. When the presser arm is in the
position shewn in the diagram the pressure is exerted on the papers &c. in the file,
but when the arm is thrown over the other way the spring tends to keep it in this
position.
The centres B may be made in a hook form so that the presser arm and spring
are easily put in and taken out of the file. When in position the pressure of the
spring prevents the arm A from falling out of the hooks or centres B.
Figs. 6 & 7 shew an arrangement in which the spring is connected to the crank of
the presser arm by means of a connecting link E.
A is the presser arm pivotted to the fixed eyes B. B. and having a crank C.
D is a coil spring exerting a pull, in the direction of the arrow, on the link E, which
pull is transmitted to the crank C.
F is a wire connecting the the 2 eyes B B and forming a stop to prevent the arm
going too far back.

page_text: When the presser arm is down the pull of the spring causes it to press on the
papers in the file, but when lifted the pull of the spring keeps it up against the
stop F.
I may use these spring clips in any position and for any sort of letter, newspaper
or other file.
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
1st. The combination of a spring D with cranked presser arm A and swinging
hinge substantially as described and illustrated by Figs. 1 and 2.
2nd. The combination of a spring D with cranked presser arm A, and the swinging
hinge E formed in one piece with the spring g. substantially as described and
illustrated by Fig. 3.
3rd. The cranked_presser arm A hinged on supports B. in combination with a
compression spring F exerting a pressure between a fixed eye or guide E and the
crank, substantially as described and illustrated by Figs. 4 & 5.
4th. The combination of a spring & cranked presser arm in which the pull or
pressure of the spring is transmitted to the crank through a connecting rod or link,
substantially as described and illustrated by Figs. 6 & 7.
Dated this 6th day of January 1890.
EYRE CROWE.