IMPROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR BOXES, TRUNKS, PORTMANTEAUS, AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES. PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Blizard Williamson, of the City of
Worcester, Manufacturer, and Eli Hitchin, of the City of Lincoln,
Tin Plate Worker, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS
FOR BOXES, TRUNKS, PORTMANTEAUS, AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Blizard
Williamson and Eli Hitchin at the Office of the Commissioners
of Patents, with their Petition, on the 19th August 1872.
We, WILLIAM BLIZARD WILLLAMSON, of the City of Worcester,
Manufacturer, and ELI HITCHEN, of the City of Lincoln, Tin Plate
Worker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "Iк-
PROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR BOXES, TRUNKS, PORTMANTEAUS, AND
LIKE ARTICLES," to be as follows:-
OTHER
Our Invention consists of the construction and combinations or
arrangements of parts herein-after described of fastenings for boxes,
trunks, portmanteaus, and other like articles, the object of our Invention
being so to construct and arrange the fastening mechanism of the said

page_text: boxes and articles as to give increased security to the fastening of the
said boxes and articles.
Our Invention consists principally in making the lock (or the hasp)
of the box or article capable of rotation, and combining with the said
rotating lock a hasp mechanism for fastening the box or article in
addition to the ordinary lock and hasp.
According to one of our improvements the rotating lock, which is
situated on the body of the box, turns by preference on a screwed
spindle, the said spindle carrying inside the body of the box a hooked
arm, which engages with a loop on the inside of the lid of the box.
By partly rotating the lock after the said lock has been unlocked and
the hasp turned therefrom the hooked arm may be unhooked from the
loop of the lid, and the lid may then be raised.
"
"
Instead of making the hooked arm on the screwed spindle turn with
the spindle the said hooked arm may have a sliding motion to engage it
with and disengage it from the loop on the lid of the box. In this case,
the sliding hooked arm is fixed and released by the rotation of the
lock, and after the lock has been unlocked and the lock turned
through a portion of a rotation the sliding of the lock causes the hooked
arm to be withdrawn from the loop on the lid, and the bar is thereby
infastened.
Or we place a hooked spring in the interior of the body of the box
and place a staple or loop on the lid. The screwed spindle of the lock
is connected with the said hooked spring. By rotating the lock in
one direction the said spring can be pressed inwards, so as to cause its
hooked and to engage with the staple or loop on the lid, and thereby
to fasten the box, and by rotating the lock in the opposite direction,
the said hooked end of the spring may be withdrawn from the staple
or loop on the lid and the box thereby unfastened.
'
L
Where it is wished to fasten the lid in two places two sliding bolts a
are placed in the interior of the body of the box and two staples on the
lid. These sliding bolts are engaged with and disengaged from the
staples on the lid by means of an arm on the spindle of the rotating
lock, to which the bolts are geared by connecting rods, or an elliptical
hollow cam on the spindle of the rotating lock may work the sliding a
bolts.
Instead of causing an arm or bolt or bolts worked by the rotating
11
11

page_text: of the rotating lock may be made to engage with an eye or staple on
the lid and thereby fasten down the said lid; or instead of making
the lock rotate the hasp on the lid which engages with the lock may
be made capable of rotation, and its spindle be made to take into a
staple on the edge of the body of the box.
The ordinary hasp may be dispensed with, and in place thereof parts
constructed as follows may be used:-An opening is made in the lock
case, in which opening a cross piece or catch works, the inner end
of the said catch passing through the side of the box, and preventing
the rotation of the lock and the unfastening of the box. The catch
described is fastened in its place by the bolt of the lock engaging with
a staple on the said catch. The said catch may either have a sliding
motion in the opening in the lock case and be pressed outwards by a
spring, or it may turn upon a joint. In order to unfasten the box
the catch is first released by unlocking the lock, and the said catch is
then withdrawn or turned out of the opening in the lock case, so as
to remove its inner end from the body of the box. When this has
been done the lock can be rotated and the hooked arm disengaged
from the loop on the lid, and the box thereby unfastened.
The arrangement last described may be used in connection with the
arrangements previously described, so as to render a hasp unnecessary.
Although for convenience of description we have described our In-
vention as applied to boxes, yet our said Invention may also be applied
to trunks, portmanteaus, and other like articles, such for example as
carpet bags and reticules.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Blizard Williamson and Eli Ilitchin in
the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th February 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, WILLIAM
BLIZARD WILLIAMSON, of the City of Worcester, Manufacturer, and
ELI HITCHIN, of the City of Lincoln, Tin Plate Worker, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Ninteenth day of August, in the
year, of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the

page_text: thirty-sixth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto us, the said William Blizard Williamson and Eli
Hitchin, Her special license that we, the said William Blizard Williamson
and Eli Hitchin, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as we, the said William Blizard Williamson and Eli Hitchin, our
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and
no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN FASTENINGS FOR BOXES, TRUNKS, PORTMANTEAUS, AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES,”
upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said William Blizard
Williamson and Eli Hitchin, our executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under our or their hands and seals, or under the
hand and scal of one of us or them, should particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
samo was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Blizard Williamson, on
behalf of myself and the said Eli Hitchin, do hereby declaro the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, that is to say:-
-
Our Invention consists of the construction and combinations or
arrangements of parts herein-after described of fastenings for boxes,
trunks, portmanteaus, and other like articles, the object of our Invention
being so to construct and arrange the fastening mechanism of the said
boxes and articles as to give increased security to the fastening of the
said boxes and articles.
Our Invention consists principally in making the lock (or the hasp)
of the box or article capable of rotation, and combining with the said
rotating lock or hasp mechanism for fastening the box or article in
addition to the ordinary lock and hasp.
According to one of our improvements the rotating lock, which is
situated on the body of the box, turns by preference on a screwed
spindle, the said spindle carrying inside the body of the box a hooked
aim, which engages with a loop on the inside of the lid of the box. By

page_text: partly rotating the lock after the said lock has been unlocked and the
hasp turned therefrom the hooked arm may be unhooked from the
loop of the lid, and the lid may then be raised.
Instead of making the hooked arm on the screwed spindle turn with
the spindle the said hooked arm may have a sliding motion to engage
it with and disengage it from the loop on the lid of the box. In this
case the sliding hooked arm is fixed and released by the rotation of the
lock, and after the lock has been unlocked and the lock turned through
a portion of a rotation the sliding of the lock causes the hooked arm
to be withdrawn from the loop on the lid, and the box is thereby
unfastened.
Or we place a hooked spring in the interior of the body of the box,
and place a staple or loop on the lid. The screwed spindle of the lock
is connected with the said hooked arm or spring. By rotating the lock
in one direction the said spring can be pressed inwards so as to cause
its hooked end to engage with the staple or loop on the lid, and thereby
to fasten the box, and by rotating the lock in the opposite direction
the said hooked end of the spring may be withdrawn from the staple or
loop on the lid, and the box thereby unfastened.
Where it is wished to fasten the lid in two places two sliding bolts
are placed in the interior of the body of the box and two staples on
the lid. These sliding bolts are engaged with and disengaged from the
staples on the lid by means of an arm on the spindle of the rotating
lock to which the bolts are geared by connecting rods. Or an elliptical
hollow cam on the spindle of the rotating lock may work the sliding
bolts.
Instead of causing an arm or bolt or bolts worked by the rotating
lock to engage with a staple or staples on the lid the screwed spindle
of the rotating lock may be made to engage with an eye or staple on
the lid, and thereby fasten down the said lid. Or instead of making
the lock rotate the hasp on the lid which engages with the lock may
be made capable of rotation, and its spindle be made to take into a
staple on the edge of the box.
The ordinary hasp may be dispensed with, and in place thereof parts
constructed as follows may be used:-An opening is made in the lock
case, in which opening a cross piece or catch works, the inner end of
the said catch passing through the side of the box and preventing the

page_text: rotation of the lock and the unfastening of the box. The catch
described is fastened in its place by the bolt of the lock engaging with
a staple in the said catch. The said catch may either have a sliding
motion in the opening in the lock case and be pressed outwards by a
spring, or it may turn upon a joint. In order to unfasten the box the
catch is first released by unlocking the lock, and the said catch is then
withdrawn or turned out of the opening in the lock case so as to
remove its inner end from the body of the box. When this has been
done the lock can be rotated and the hooked arın disengaged from the
loop on the lid, and the box thereby unfastened.
The arrangement last described may be used in connection with the
arrangements previously described so as to render a hasp unnecessary.
Having explained the nature of our Invention we will proceed to
describe, with reference to the accompanying Drawings, the manner in
which the same is to be performed.
Figure 1 represents an external elevation, Figure 2 an internal
clevation, and Figure 3 a cross section of a portion of a box to which a
fastening constructed according to one of the improvements or arrange-
ments constituting our Invention is applied, the lid of the box being
represented fastened in the said Figures 1, 2, and 3; Figures 4 and 5
represent an internal and external elevation of the said box with the
lid unfastened.
a represents a portion of the body of the box, and b a portion of the
lid of the same. On the body a of the box is the lock c with which
the hasp & on the lid engages, and by which the said hasp is fastened.
The said lock c is capable of rotating on the spindle c², the said spindle
passing through the body of the box and projecting into the interior
thereof in the manner best seen in Figure 3. On the screwed end of
the spindle c inside the box a hooked arm e is fixed by the screw
nute, and on the inside of the lid band near its lower edge a loop f
is fixed. By turning the rotating lock c through a small angle in onc
or other direction the hooked end of the arme on the spindle c² of the
said lock is cither engaged with the loop fand the lid fastened to the
body, as represented in Figures 1, 2, and 3; or the said hooked end of
the arm e is unhooked from the loop f on the lid b, and the said lid is
unfastened, as represented in Figures 4 and 5, and may be lifted. In
order to unfasten the box when the parts of the fastening are in the
respective positions represented in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the lock c is first

page_text: unlocked and the hasp d raised from the said lock, which lock may now
be rotated into the position represented in Figure 4. By the rotation
of the lock c into the position Figure 4 the hooked arm e is unhooked
from the loop of the lid, and the said lid is unfastened. To relock
the box the rotating lock c is first turned into the position represented
in Figures 1, 2, and 3, so as thereby to re-engage the hooked arm e
with the loop on the lid, the said motion of the lock bringing its
recess in a line with the staple d² of the hasp d. The hasp d may
now be turned down and engaged with and locked by the said lock c,
as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3. The lid of the box is thus fastened
both outside and inside; outside by the lock c and hasp d, and inside
by the hooked arm e and loop f. When the hasp d is locked the
rotation of the lock c is prevented, and the hooked arm e cannot be
removed from the loop so long as the said lock is locked.
Figures 6 and 7 represent internal elevations of a portion of a box
in which the hooked arın e on the screwed spindle of the rotating
lock c has a sliding motion to engage it with or disengage it from the
hook on the lid b. instead of the partial rotation as last described.
In this arrangement the bottom of the hooked arm e slides in the
guide g on the inside of the body a of the box, and the spindle c³ of
the lock c, to the end of which the booked arm is connected, slides in
the longitudinal slot in the body of the box. The sliding arm e is
connected to the screwed end of the spindle by the nut i on the said
spindle, so that the partial rotation of the lock c in one or other
direction presses the lower edge of the said arm against or releases it
from the guide g. The lock c having been unlocked, and the hasp
raised therefrom, as before described, the partial rotation of the lock c
releases the hooked arm e from the guide g, and by sliding the lock in
the direction of the arrow, Figure 7, the said lock and the hooked arm e
carried thereby are moved to the position represented in Figure 6. The
hooked arme is thereby withdrawn from the loop, and the lid b is
unfastened. On again sliding the lock c to the position represented in
Figure 7 the hooked arm e is re-engaged with the loop, as illustrated
in Figure 7, and by turning the lock through a partial rotation, so as to
bring it in a position proper for the hasp to engage in it, the hooked
arm e is fixed or bound against the guide g. The lock having been
locked the box is fastened both inside and outside. The rotation of tho
lock in this arrangement may be dispensed with.

page_text: •
Figure 8 represents an internal clevation, and Figures 9 and 10
vertical sections of a portion of a box provided with another arrange-
ment of our Invention, Figures 8 and 9 shewing the box fastened, and
Figure 10 the box unfastened. In this arrangement a hooked spring k
is used in place of the rotating or sliding hooked arm herein-before
described, and the screwed spindle c² of the rotating lock c has a disc a'
on its inner end, which bears against the hooked spring k. The spindle
passes through a hole in the spring k. is the loop or staple on the
interior of the lid b, with which the hooked end of the spring & engages.
By turning the lock c in one direction the spring arm k may be com-
pressed, and its hooked end withdrawn from the staple or loop / on
the lid, and the said lid is unfastened, as shewn in Figure 10; and by
turning the said lock c in the opposite direction the said spring arm k
may be pressed inwards, and its hooked end made to engage with the
loop on the lid, and fasten the lid, as shewn in Figures 8 and 9. The
lock c and hasp d are the same as in the arrangements before described.
k
Figure 11 represents an internal elevation of a box containing an
arrangement of our Invention for fastening the lid of the box in two
places in addition to the fastening by the external lock and hasp. In
this arrangement two sliding bolts m, m, are placed in the interior of
the body a of the box, and two staples n, n, are fixed on the lid b. The
said sliding bolts m, m, work in the guides p, p, and are actuated by a
cross-arm on the end of the spindle c² of the rotating lock c, the said
bolts being geared to the said cross arm by the connecting rods q, q.
When the parts are in the positions represented in Figure 11 the acting
ends m, m2, of the sliding bolts m, m, are engaged with the staples n, n,
on the lid, and the said lid is fastened down. In order to unfasten the
lid the rotating lock c is unlocked, as before described, and the said
lock is turned so as to bring the cross arm into the position indicated
in dotted lines. The ends m², m³, of the sliding bolts m, m, are thereby
withdrawn from the staples 11, 11, the said parts m³, m², occupying the
positions indicated in dotted lines, and
of the cross arm on the end of the spindle of the rotating lock c for
working the two sliding bolts m, m³, m, m³, a hollow elliptical-shaped
cam may be fixed on the said spindle and be used for that purpose.
the lid 6 is unfastened. Instead
This modification of our Invention is illustrated in internal elevation
in Figure 12, and cross section in Figure 13 of the Drawings, where
the elliptical-shaped cam is markeds; the guides for the connecting

page_text: rods m³, m³, are marked p², p²; and the guides for the bolts are marked
The manner in which the connecting rods m³, m³, of tlic sliding
bolts are geared with the cam s will be readily understood by an
examination of the Drawing..
t
Figure 14 represents an internal elevation, and Figure 15 a cross
section of the arrangement of our Invention in which the screwed
spindle c of the rotating lock c engages with an eye or staple on the
lid for fastening the lid to the body. When the lid b is shut down
the eye comes opposite the end of the spindle c³, and by rotating the
lock the said spindle advances into the box and enters the eye and
fastens the lid to the body as illustrated in the Drawing. The hasp d
is then fixed to the lock c in the ordinary way. To open the box the
lock c is first unlocked and the hasp d raised. The lock c is then
rotated until the end of its spindle & is withdrawn from the eye ɩ on the
lid when the box is unfastened.
C
Figure 16 represents an external elevation, Figure 17 an internal
sectional elevation, and Figure 18 a cross section of a box provided with
the arrangement of our Invention in which the hasp is made to rotate.
instead of the lock as in the last described arrangement. " is the
rotating hasp, and is its screwed spindle. On the inside of the box a
is an eye or screw box w carried by the plaie x. By turning the
rotating hasp in one or other direction the end of its spindle may be.
made to enter or be withdrawn from the eye or screw box w. When
the lid is shut down the spindle c is opposite the eye or screw box w,
and by turning the hasp in the required direction its spindle advances
into the box a and enters the eye or screw box w, and thereby fastens
down the lid within the box. The plate of of the rotating hasp u can
now be engaged with the fixed lock and secured thereto in the
ordinary way so as to fasten the box externally.
Figure 10 represents an external elevation, Figures 20 and 22 cross
sections, and Figure 21 an internal elevation of a portion of a box
the rotating lock of which is provided with a cross piece or catch
constructed according to our Invention, the said cross piece or catch
being used in place of the ordinary hasp. The internal fastening of
this box is the same as that herein-before described and illustrated in
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and corresponding parts are marked with the
same letters of reference.
In the case of the rotating lock c is an

page_text: opening in which the cross picoc or catch y works. An opening is also
made through the side of the box a, through which the inner end y* of
the catch y may be passed. The outer ond of tho catch y is connected
to the flat spring 1 which tends to press the catch outwards and remove
its inner end y² from the opening in the side of the box. After the
hooked arme has been hooked upon the loop on the lid 4 by the
partial rotation of the lock c, the said catch y is pressed inwards by
acting upon its thumb plate so as to project its inner end y" through the
side of the box, and thereby prevent the rotation of the lock as illustrated
in Figures [19, 20, and 21. The catch y, y, is fixed in its forward or
fastening position, while thus pressed inwards by the shooting of the
bolt 2 of the lock c, the said bolt 3 coming in front of the lower part of
the said catch (see Figure 20). In order to unfasten the lock-c to
permit of its rotation and the unfastening of the box, the bolt 2 of the
said lock is withdrawn, when the catch y, y, is projected outwards of its
spring 1, and its inner end y² thereby withdrawn from the opening in
the side of the box as illustrated in Figure 22. The lock c is thus
released and may be rotated and the box unfastened. Instead of
mounting the cross piece or catch y, y², on a spring, the said catch may
be jointed to the lock in the manner illustrated in Figures 23, 24, 25,
and 26. In Figures 23 and 24 the catch is represented in its forward
or locking position, and in Figures 25 and 26 in its withdrawn position;
or the spring and hinge of the catch may be dispensed with, and the
catch be withdrawn and pushed home by a sliding motion effected by
hand. In this case the catch is furnished with a guide and also with
a stop for preventing the said catch from being wholly withdrawn from
the lock. The cross piece or catch may be used in combination with
the fastening mechanism herein-before described in which an ordinary
hasp is employed.
Although we have described and represented the various forms of
our Invention as applied to the interiors of boxes, yet the several forms
of our said Invention may be applied to the exteriors of boxes with
nearly the same effect, and although for convenience of description we
have described and represented our Invention as applied to boxes, yet
our said Invention may also be applied to trunks, portmanteaus, and
other like articles, such for example as carpet bags and reticules.
Having now described the nature of our Invention and the manner
in which the same is to be performed, we wish it to be understood that

page_text: we do not limit ourselves to the precise details herein described and
illustrated, as the same may be varied without departing from the naturo
of our Invention; but we claim as our Invention of improvements in
fastenings for boxes, trunks, portmanteaus, and other like articles,-
Firstly. Making the external lock of the box or article capable of
rotation, the spindle of the rotating lock being furnished inside or
outside the box or article with a hooked arm or hooked spring, which
hooked arm or spring by the motion of the lock can be hooked to or
unhooked from a loop or staple on the inside or outside of the lid of the
box, the parts of the fastening mechanism being constructed, arranged,
and worked substantially as herein-before- described and illustrated in
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, and 10 of the accompanying Drawings.
g
Secondly. The arrangement or combination of parts herein-before
described and illustrated in Figures 6. and. 7. of the accompanying
Drawings, in which the fastening and unfastening of the lid of the box
or article are effected by the sliding of the external lock, and whether
the fastening mechanism be internally or externally..
Thirdly, The arrangements or combinations of parts hercin-before
described and illustrated in Figures 11, 12, and 13 of the accompany
Drawings in which the external rotating lock is made to actuate two
(or more) internal or external bolts.
Fourthly, The arrangement or combination of parts berein-before
described and illustrated in Figures 14 and 15 of the accompanying
Drawings in which the spindle of the rotating lock is engaged with and
disengaged from an eye or staple on the inside or outside of the lid of
the box or article.
Fifthly. The arrangement or combination of parts herein-before
described and illustrated in Figures 16, 17, and 18 of the accompanying
Drawings, in which the external hasp of the lock is made capable of
rotating and the spindle of the said hasp is engaged with and disengaged
from an eye or staple or screw box fixed inside or outside the body of
the box or article.
Lastly. The combination with the rotating or sliding lock herein-
before described in place of the ordinary hasp of a cross piece or catch
fastened and unfastened by the said lock for preventing the rotation or
motion of the said lock, the said cross piece or catch being constructed
and combined with the lock and used substantially as hercin-before

page_text: described and illustrated in Figures 19 to 26 both inclusive of tho
accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Blizard Williamson, have
hereunto set my band and seal, this Thirteenth day of February,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
three.
W*. BLIZARD WILLIAMSON. (L.S.)
Witness,
RICHARD SKERRETT,
Clerk to George Shaw,
Birmingham.