Improvements in and connected with Directory-posts and Call-boxes.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Dec., 1894-Accepted, 5th Jan., 1805
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Directory-posts and Call-boxes.
I, JOHN TELFAIR FIELD, of No. 304, North Eighth Street, City of St. Louis,
State of Missouri, United States of America, Gentleman, 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:—
In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this Specification, in which like
letters of reference denote like parts wherever they occur,
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the post assembled ;
Figure 2 is a similar view taken from the opposite side;
Figure 3 is a perspective of one of the side panels;
Figure is a cross-sectional view through the post;
Figure 5 is a detached view of one of the name-plates removed;
Figure 6 is a detail view of part of the hood or cap, showing the method of
assemblage;
Figure 7 is a detail view of the supplemental cap piece;
Figure 8 is a detached view of one of the cap sections ;
Figure 9 is a detached side view of the bell cover;
Figure 10 is a detail view, illustrating the method of removing or inserting the
name-plates in either side, the hinged angle-iron acting as a lock for both;
Figure 11 is a sectional view through the hinged angle-iron, adjoining panels,
and name-plates, showing the angle-iron in a closed position.
My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in directory-posts and
call-boxes, and consists, generally stated, in combining with a post upon which is
arranged a directory for the adjacent streets, a number of call-boxes such as a fire-
alarm, police telephone call, police signalling alarm, and such other calls or alarms
as may be useful, such as a telephone or signal for use by street railway systems,
which connect with the central station, to notify the attendant in charge of
breakages or accidents.
To accomplish this object, the post is made hollow, and, preferably, square, into
which the several call and signal boxes before referred to are received.
If desired, a mail receptacle may also be arranged at the bottom of the post, as
illustrated in the drawings.
The post, as before stated, is preferably square in cross-section, and is formed of
four panels A, two of which are solid and formed with cross-ribs a on their faces,
which act in the capacity of spacers for the name-plates a¹ (shown in Figure 5).
The sides of the post, which are formed by these solid panels holding the name-
plates are preferably turned toward the side walk, so as to exhibit the names of the
persons residing on the adjacent streets, for one block, to the passers-by. These
name-plates, as I have termed the pieces a', or sign-boards, as they are sometimes
called, are made of sheet metal or other suitable material, and are oblong in shape,
as shown in Fig. 5.
The name-plates are also designed to receive the numbers of the residences of
the respective persons, besides their names.
These posts are designed to be placed upon the four corners of intersecting
streets, and each post is to be provided with call-boxes and signalling alarms, as
before described.
The remaining two panels, forming the other sides, are, preferably, formed with
openings, which are closed by doors leading to the several call and signal boxes,

page_text: while, at their bottoms, they may be provided with letter drop openings and an
opening for the extraction of the mail which may be received into a box contained
in the post.
All of these panels are, preferably, provided with outwardly-extending feet at
their bottoms, through the medium of which the post may be anchored or otherwise
permanently secured in place.
These panels are secured together at their upper ends by a cap-piece E, which is
shown as being made in four sections, but it will be obvious that a hood formed of
a single piece would also answer.
Angle-irons D are arranged at the corners to hold the panels in place more
securely, and on the corner at the junction of the two name-plate panels, the angle-
iron D is preferably hinged at d to one of the panels, and secured to the other by
a suitable lock d'. By this construction, the angle-iron may be swung around to
permit the removal and placement of name-plates on either side. The name-plates
are held in place by the angle-irons D, which are secured immovably to the post,
and by the swinging or hinged angle-iron D', as shown in Fig. 10.
Projecting from the top of the panels, is a key e arranged at an angle to the
panel, which key is adapted to co-operate with ways e¹ on the under side of the
cap sections, into which the keys are received, when the post is assembled, and
when the cap sections are secured together the panels are also held.
These cap sections E are preferably formed with a tongue and over-lap on their
respective contiguous edges, which alternate with each other in such manner that,
when the cap is assembled, the water is prevented from gaining access to the
interior.
The apices of these sections are formed with projecting tongues or lugs ell, which
overlap each other and are formed with registering openings for receiving a locking
bolt, shown in dotted lines in Figure 6.
A supplemental cap F is arranged to fit upon the apex formed by the four
sections when assembled, through which supplemental cap the locking bolt is
adapted to pass.
Arranged upon this supplemental cap is a bell or gong G, which is designed to
be rung for purposes of calling policemen to the box to receive instructions, etc.,
from headquarters.
This feature of locating a police cail-gong on the posts at each corner is of
special value to a patrol system, in the matter of the headquarters being able at all
times to locate the men in the different districts, to communicate with them, for
purposes relating to that special department, such as guarding certain suburban
avenues, to prevent the escape of criminals, etc.
Projecting from beneath the eaves of the cap-piece, preferably at the diagonal
corners, are electric lamps, which not only assist in the street illumination, but
light up the post, thus enabling persons to easily read the name
name-plates, etc.
on the
I support over the gong G, by posts or rods h, a cover H, of such construction
as to shed water to protect the bell, and, at the same time, reflect the sound. This
latter is accomplished by arranging a downwardly-projecting reflector on the
bottom of the cover, as shown in Figure 9.
I am aware that many minor changes in the construction and arrangement of the
several parts of my device can be made and substituted for those shown and
described, without in the least departing from the nature and principle of my
invention.
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. In a directory post, the combination with panels having transverse ribs on
their faces, of angle irons which secure the panels together, said angle irons fitting
over the corners of the ribs, plates which are spaced by the ribs and secured by the

page_text: angle irons in place, and a hinged angle iron which swings horizontally to permit
the insertion or removal of the plates from two sides, substantially as described.
2. In a directory-post, the combination with panels having ribs arranged trans-
versely on their faces, angle irons arranged at the corners of the panels, one of
which is hinged to swing horizontally, a lock for the hinged iron, tongued
projections extending obliquely from the tops of the panels, and a cap or cover
formed with ways which engage the tongues to hold the cap or cover in position,
substantially as described.
3. In a directory post, the combination with the panels, two of which are
provided with ribs across their faces, the others being formed with openings leading
to the interior, and provided with doors for the openings, angle irons for holding
the panels together, said irons where they connect with the ribbed panels being
arranged on the outer faces of the ribs so as to leave a space, plates which are
arranged between the ribs and received in the spaces formed by the angle irons at
the corners, and an angle iron hinged at its top and bottom at the junction of the
two ribbed panels and adapted to swing horizontally, said hinged angle iron holding
the plates against displacement on each side, substantially as described.
4. In a directory post, the combination with the panels, of name plates or sign-
boards which are adapted to be secured to some of said panels, angle irons for
retaining said sign-boards in position and holding the panels together, one or more
of said panels being formed with openings giving access to the interior, doors for
closings said openings, a cap piece for the post, and a bell mounted upon the cap
piece, substantially as described.
Dated the 4th day of December 1894.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
Chartered Patent Agent, London,
For the Applicant.