IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METALLIC FRAMEWORK AND FASTENINGS OF TRAVELLING BAGS AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES."
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Simpson, of the City of Manchester, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METALLIC FRAMEWORK AND FASTENINGS
OF TRAVELLING BAGS AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES."
ealod the 7th July 1876, and dated the 12th January 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Simpson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th January 1876.
66
HENRY SIMPSON, of the City of Manchester. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METALLIC
FRAMEWORK AND FASTENINGS OF TRAVELLING BAGS AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES."
The object of this Invention is the construction of a framework and fastening
for travelling bags, whereby such bags shall be better and more readily secured at
the ends simultaneously with the closing and locking of the bag in the middle.
In carrying out my Invention I construct the framework with the usual hinges
for opening, and the side of the framework carrying the lock is formed rigid
throughout, as heretofore, but the opposite side of the framework carrying the
staple or staples of the lock is formed with a hinged joint about the middle
thereof. This side of the framework likewise carries two studs or buttons, one
near cach outer end of the framework, and which studs or buttons take into and
are held by suitable slots provided to receive them in the framework carrying
the lock.
In closing a bag provided with this improved framework and fastening the
jointed side of the framework herein-before mentioned is first drawn slightly out
of its straight form. This allows the studs or buttons herein-before mentioned to
pass through suitable holes in the framework opposite, whilst a continuation of the
closing action causes such studs or buttons to retire behind the slots before
mentioned, and so firmly hold the ends of the bag, whilst the entering of the
staple or staples into the lock secures the middle of the bag.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Simpson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th July
1876.
HENRY SIMPSON, of the City of Manchester. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METALLIC
FRAMEWORK AND FASTENINGS OF TRAVELLING BAGS AND OTHER SIMILAR ARTICLES."
The object of this Invention is the construction of a framework and fastening
for travelling bags, whereby such bags shall be better and more readily secured at
the ends simultaneously with the closing and locking of the bag in the middle.
And in order that this my said Invention may be the more readily seen and
understood I have hereunto annexed a Drawing illustrative of two modifications of
my improvements. Similar letters marked on the several views being used to
indicate similar parts.
"
Fig. 1 is a front elevation, and Fig. 2 a plan of the framework of a Gladstone"
travelling bag shewn partly open. The frame is provided with the usual hinge
joints A, A, and the side B of the frame carrying the lock is made as heretofore,
but the opposite side C of the frame which carries the staples of such lock is
formed by preference with a hinge joint D at or about the middle thereof. A
spring E is applied behind the hinge D to throw this side of the frame into the
bent position illustrated when it is released from the lock F. This spring may be
fixed inside the frame C if desired. Two studs or buttons G, C, are also affixed
to the side C of the framework near each end thereof (au enlarged view of one of
which studs is seen in Fig. 3). These studs or buttons are designed to take into
fixings H, H', on the opposite side B of the framework (an enlarged front and top
view of one of these fixings is illustrated by Fig. 4).
In closing a bag fitted with this my improved fastening the heads of the studs
or buttons G, G¹, owing to the bent form of the side C, first enter the enlarged
part of the fixings H, H¹, inclines being formed on such fixings to ensuro
this result. As the staples I of the lock F are forced home the side C.of the
framework straightens (the spring E yielding for this purpose), causing the heads
of the studs or buttons G, G¹, to retire behind the slots h³ in the fixings H, H¹ (sce
Fig. 4), so firmly holding the ends of the frame whilst the entering of the staples
I into the lock F secures the middle of the frame.
By depressing the push J on the lock F, and thus releasing the staples I, the
frame springs out to its bent form, so withdrawing the studs or buttons G, G¹, from
behind the slots ³ in the fixings II, H, and the bag may then be drawn open in
the usual manner.
Instead of the button-headed studs and fixings provided with inclines and slots,
as herein-before described, I sometimes employ a pair of hook bolts K, seen in
Fig. 5, which are capable of passing each other whilst the hinged side C of the
framework is in its bent position, and of hooking or locking together as such
hinged side straightens, in which position they aro effectually locked by the
entering of the staple or staples into the lock. This last modification possesses
this further advantage, that if desirable both sides of the framework may be rigid
(and not one of them hinged or capable of bending, as herein-before described),
and this is accomplished by affixing the hook bolts K to each side of the frame-
work with their hooks turned in the same direction (and not in opposite directions,
as seen in Fig. 5), and by forming longer slots than ordinary in the lock to enable
the staples to enter at one end of such slots, and then for the frame C to slide
sideways until the staples reach the other end of the slots, by which time the
hook bolts have become locked together, and are effectually secured in such position
by the lock.
In order to assist the opening action in bags fitted up in accordance with this
last mentioned modification I apply a spring or springs between the sides to give
the framework a constant tendency to open.
It will be readily apparent that by means of this my improved fastening

page_text: increased strength and security are given to the fraine which could not be obtained
hitherto with any system of outside fastening, and it will be further noticed that
this system of fastening is applicable to all other descriptions of travelling bags
and other similar articles provided with a similar metallic framework.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
Invention, together with the best methods with which I am acquainted for carrying
the same into practical effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine
myself to the precise details, relative proportions, or dimensions of the various
parts of the fastenings described and illustrated, as it will be apparent that the
same may be considerably varied without departing from the Invention, and I
claim,
1st. As applied to travelling bags and other similar articles the methods herein-
before described of securing the ends of the framework simultaneously with the
locking of the same in the centre, as and for the purposes herein-before described
and illustrated on the accompanying Drawing.
2nd. Constructing one side of the framework of travelling bags and other
similar articles with a joint or capable of yielding at or near the centre, in
combination with the button-headed studs and slots or hook bolts as and for the
purposes herein-before described and illustrated on the accompanying Drawing,
3rd. The hook bolts in combination with the rigid framework of travelling bags
and other similar articles, as and for the purposes herein-before described.
In witness whereof, 1, the said Henry Simpson, have hereunto set my hand
and seal this 10th day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-six.
Witness,
JOHN G. WILSON,
Patent Office,
71, Market St.,
Manchester.
HENRY SIMPSON. (L.S.)