Year: 1886

page_text: I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 :—
This invention relates to a mail bag or pouch in which a series of hinged plates
are arranged within the mouth of the bag, said plates being partly separated by
intervening spaces and connected by hinges that extend only partly across the
plates; the arrangement being such that the hinge on one side will be received in
the corresponding space on the opposite side and so permit the mouth pieces to be
brought closely together, when the projecting pintles of the hinges at the rear will
be engaged by bolts that are actuated by a hinged hasp on the front of the bag.
The invention consists in the construction and combination of parts as herein-
after more fully set forth.
In the accompanying drawing illustrating the invention
Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved mail bag partly opened.
Figure 2 is a similar view of the upper part of the bag, showing the same closed
and ready for transportation.
Figure 3 is a horizontal section through the mouth of the bag.
Figure 4 is a vertical transverse section of the same.
Figure 5 is a detail view of the opposite mouth plates with their connecting.
hinges.
The reference numeral 1 designates the body of a mail bag or pouch made of any
suitable material.
Within the mouth of the bag is secured a series of oblong metallic plates 2,
preferably three on each side, connected by hinges. The end hinges 3 extend
entirely across the mouth plates, but the intermediate hinges 4, on one side of the
bag and the corresponding hinges 5, on the opposite side, extend only about half
Prine R71

page_text: way across the plates connected thereby. Beneath the rear hinges 4 and above
the front hinges 5, between the ends of the plates 2, are vertical spaces 6, that
receive the opposite hinges 4 and 5, when the bag is closed, and so allow the
opposite plates to come closely together.
The upper edges of the plates 2, on one side of the bag mouth, are preferably
provided with flanges 7, to fit over the upper edges of the opposite plates when the
bag is closed.
The central plate on the front of the bag is provided with a horizontal slot 8 for
the passage of a staple 9, secured to the corresponding rear plate. The slot 8 is
also formed through the bag and through a hasp-supporting plate 10, fastened to
the outer side of the bag front.
The plate 10 is provided at each end with horizontal slots 12, and between the
slots 8 and 12 are transverse guide loops 13. The slots 12 and guide loops 13
receive and support the guide arms 14 of bolts 15, that slide in horizontal slots 16
formed in the ends of the front and rear mouth plates. The pintle 17 of each rear
hinge 4 extends down, across and immediately in front of the horizontal slot 16,
in position to be engaged by the bolts 15, and thereby lock the opposite plates 2
together.
To the guide arm 14 of each bolt 15 is pivotted one end of a hinged hasp 18,
that is adapted to engage the staple 9, and also serves as a lever for actuating the
bolts 15.
Before closing the mouth of the bag, the hasp 18 should be drawn out so as to
retract the bolts 15 and prevent them from interfering with the closing together
of the mouth plates. The front and rear plates 2, should then be brought together
with the flanges 7 on one side closing over the upper edges of the opposite plates,
and with the staple 9 projecting through the slot 8 in the front central plate. By
now forcing the hasp 18 into engagement with the staple 9, the bolts 15 will be
carried outward and behind the projecting pintles 17 of the rear hinges, thus
locking the plates 2 in close parallel contact; the mouth of the bag can then be
secured by a padlock or other suitable fastening applied to the staple and hasp.
For the purpose of excluding the weather, a flap 19 is attached to the rear side
of the bag near the top in position to be folded over the closed mouth of the bag.
This flap 19 carries a slotted plate 20, that is engaged with the staple 9, and
secured by the padlock or other fastening; and this plate 20 may, if desired, be so
formed as to serve as a tag or label holder.
With this construction of device for closing and securing the mouth of a mail
bag or pouch, the bag can be opened into the most convenient position for filling,
and can then be quickly and reliably closed and secured.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is
First The combination with a mail bag, of hinged mouth-plates connected by
hinges that extend only part way across said plates, and having intervening spaces
for receiving the opposite hinges, the hinges on one side of the bag mouth being
provided with projecting pintles that are engaged by sliding bolts on the opposite
side of the closed bag, substantially as described.
Second-The combination with a mail bag, of hinged mouth plates having inter-
vening spaces 6 and horizontal slots 16, the intermediate front hiuges 5 and rear
hinges 4 having projecting pintles 17, and the sliding bolts 15 adapted to engage
the pintles 17 of the rear hinges, substantially as described.
Third The combination with a mail bag, of hinged mouth-plates having inter-
vening spaces 6 and horizontal slots 16, the intermediate hinges 4 and 5 extending
only partly across the plates, the rear hinges being provided with projecting
pintles 17, the bolts 15, and the hasp 18 pivotted to and adapted to actuate said
bolts substantially as described,
:

page_text: Fourth-The combination with a mail bag, of the mouth plates 2 having spaces 6,
slots 16 and hinges 3 and intermediate hinges 4 and 5, said intermediate hinges
being extended only partly across the plates, and the rear intermediate hinges being
provided with downwardly projecting pintles 17; the staple 9 secured to the rear
central plate and engaging a slot 8 in the front central plate; the bolts 15 sliding
on the inside of the front central plate and engaging the pintles 17; and the
hinged hasp 18 pivotted to the guide arms of said bolts substantially as described.
Dated this 29th day of June 1886.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.