Im Automatic Thief proof Letter Box
Year: 1888

page_text: THOMAS WILLIAM MAPLES 63 Walworth Road London Tin Plate Worker do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-.
An Improved Automatic Thief proof Letter Box to prevent extraction of letters and
so constructed as to prevent letters being destroyed by lighted matches and fusees
when thrown in-It can be made either of wood tin or other metal. It forms a letter
box with a double action flap working on a spindle to close Hole in letter boxes the
bottom to close when top is opened. When a letter is put in at the opening it passes
from the flap to bottom of box.
There is also a box placed under bottom of flap to receive matches and fusees.
The match box is constructed by a strip of metal being placed under the flap of Letter
box and the opening in a slánting position fastened at each end and bottom of Letter
box the top remaing open so as to receive any matches fusees &c. dropped into the letter
box and wires are placed across the strip of metal forming the match box for the
purpose of passing the letters into the proper compartiment and preventing their extrac-
tion and rendering damage by fire (through matches or füsees being placed into the
letter box) impossible.

page_text: THOMAS WILLIAM MAPLES 63 Walworth Road S.E. Tin Plate Worker 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 invention relates to improvements in letter boxes the improvements rendering
letter boxes thief proof and it also prevents letters being damaged by fire, dust or water
these objects are obtained by means of a single or double action flap working on a
spindle or pivot in conjunction with a strip of metal fastened at each end and side of box
having wires fixed across in a slanting position I obtain these results by the mechanism
illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
Fig. 1 is a drawing of letter box with a double flap as shown at a¹ and a² working on
a spindle or pivot B the bottom edge being serrated as shown at k.
On opening hole Cof letter box as shewn in Fig. 2 flap a¹ is raised when a² is pressed
forward against the wires and letter placed in the opening C passes through and
falls against a as shewn in Fig. 2 and when flap a' falls closing C as shewn in Fig. 1.
it allows the letter to pass to bottom of box D.
There is also a box E formed under opening C below flap a¹ to receive extraneous
matter such as matches dust or water the box E is constructed by a strip e of metal or
other material placed in a slanting position fastened at each end and side of letter box
the top remaining open.
The wires are fixed at top edge of strip e and project over so that should any wire
or string with any sticky substance at the end be passed in to extract letters placed in
box D in being withdrawn the projecting wires on stripe would prevent the letters
being extracted.
Upon flap a¹ is fixed a projection f¹ which comes in contact when flap a' is raised
with lever of Gong g as shewn in Fig. 1 and strikes the Gong whenever a letter is placed
in the letter box, thus intimating to the occupiers of places where the boxes may be
placed that a letter is in the box.
Upon flap al is attached a lever i which when flap a' is raised as shown in Fig. 2
holds the flap a' in position against wires preventing anything passing while flap a¹
is raised, when flap a' falls as in Fig. 1 the lever i releases flap a allowing letters to
pass into box D.
Fig. 3 represents double action flap a¹ and a hinged together at H also lever i which
is fastened on flap a¹ the spindle B is attached at each end of box as shown in drawings
Figs. 1 and 2.
Fig. 4 represents single action flap working on a spindle or pivot at each end as
shewn at B, this flap will answer the same purpose as the double flap shewn at Fig. 3
so that either single or double flaps may be used, these flaps may be attached to the top
or sides of box and are opened and shut as shewn in Figures 1 and 2.

page_text: 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
Firstly. The use of a single flap or double flaps for the purpose of preventing theft
of letters from letter boxes including Pillar letter boxes.
Secondly. The use of a tray or box with wires attached allowing matches &c. to
fall into same and thus preventing damage to letters.
Thirdly. The use of a Gong in conjunction with letter plate and the single or double
flaps.
Liated this Nineteenth dev at Novom box
XXX1
Dated the Nineteenth
November 1XXX
Witness:
EDWD. QUIN,
8, Dashwood Road, S.W.
THOMAS W. MAPLES..