Improvements in Puzzle Boxes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 24th June, 1890-Accepted, 13th Sept., 1890
Improvements in Puzzle Boxes.
I, GEORGE WASHINGTON ALTEMUS, Jr., of No. 713 Linden Street, in the City of
Camden, and State of New Jersey, United States of America, Printer, do hereby
declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN PUZZLE BOXES, 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 the construction of a box in such a way that it can only
be opened when its various parts occupy a determined relation to each other, the
device being thus adapted for the ordinary purposes for which boxes are made or for
use as money boxes for children, and serving also as an interesting and amusing
puzzle. The nature of my invention will be best understood after a description of
the drawings in which it is illustrated and the novel features which I desire to cover
are hereinafter clearly pointed out in the claims.
Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved puzzle box, the different parts of which
are provided with circular rows of figures which must be arranged in a certain order
in order to bring the box in position to open. The different parts are represented as
being in a position to open..
Figure 2 is a central section through the box on the line w w of Figure
Figures 3, 4 and 5, cross-sections on the lines a x, y y, and z respectively of
Figure 2.
Figure 6 a perspective view of the box proper.
Figure 7 a diagram showing an arrangement of figures to be pasted on the different
parts of the box and which I have found convenient in practice.
Figure 8 is a section on the line vv of Figure 9 showing a modified construction.
Figure 9 is a cross-section on the line of Figure 8.
Figure 10 a vertical section on the line tt of Figure 9.
A is the box proper which, as shown, is provided with a cylindrical extension a
from which projecting lugs a¹ a² extend, said lugs being arranged in the same vertical
line. B is a ring adapted to fit over the cylindrical projection a and provided with a
longitudinal slot 162 which enables it to pass the lugs a¹ a and an annular slot b
which receives the lug a¹ and permits the ring to turn. In my preferred construction
the upper part of the ring B is recessed and provided with the annular upwardly-
extending flange 64. C is the lid proper of the box. It is provided with a down-
wardly-extending groove c' to permit it closing down on top of the ring B and to
permit the lug a passing upward into the annular groove c with which it is also pro-
vided; said groove being arranged to permit the lid to turn on the projection a, and
to interlock with the lug a². The lid C is recessed, as shown, at c and provided with
a downwardly-extending flange c³ which fits between the cylindrical projection a, and
the flange 6 of ring B. c is an annular slot formed in projection c³, and D D are
pins inserted through flange B into slot C so as to lock the lid and ring together
while permitting them to turn freely upon each other. E indicates in dotted lines
a slot formed in the top of lid C to serve for the introduction of small coins.
The parts are put together by first uniting the lid and ring as shown in Figure 2,
and securing them together by means of the pins D. They are then turned to a
position in which the slots 66 and c¹ are in line and are then placed upon the box,
the lugs a¹ a² passing through the aligned grooves in the ring and lid. Once in
position, if either the lid C or ring B be turned it is impossible to take the lid off and
the box will remain fast until the grooves in the lid and ring are again aligned and
again made to register with the lugs a¹ a² of the projection a of box A.
It is of course evident that an exactly equivalent construction would result by
ransposing the interacting slots, grooves and projections. My claims are intended to
cover such an equivalent construction as well as that specifically referred to in them.
DC

page_text: .
A, B, C (Fig. 7) represents strips with figures printed upon them and intended
to be secured upon the different parts of the puzzle box as shown in Figure 1. The
arrangement shown is one in which each column of figures will add up to the same
total when the parts of the box are arranged so that it can be opened. Of course any
other arrangement of symbols can be used instead of figures shown.
In Figures 8, 9 and 10 1 have shown a modified construction of the lid C and
ring B. An annular slot 6" is formed at the base of the projection with entrance
slots 66 66 leading into it, while upon the projecting flange c³ lugs c are formed,
which pass down through slots 6 into the annular groove 65. In this way the ring B
and lid C are interlocked, though not so securely as in my preferred construction.
I have also constructed my puzzle boxes by providing interlocking devices such
as are described to unite the lid and the annular projection a of the box and
providing a ring B which will turn freely on the projection a but not interlock
with it or with the lid; such boxes being cheaper to manufacture and constituting
an interesting toy when properly provided with symbols on the outside.
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-
First: A puzzle box A having a cylindrical projection a in combination with a
lid C arranged to fit over and extend down upon the projection a, and a ring B
formed to fit and turn on the projection a between the base of box A and lid, said lid
and ring being each formed to rotate upon and interlock with the projection a and
with each other, substantially as described.
Second: A puzzle box A having a cylindrical projection a provided with lugs a¹ a²
arranged in line with each other, in combination with a lid C having an interior
annular slot c to receive lug a² and with a downwardly-extending entrance groove e
extending from said slot and a ring B having a slot to receive lug a', and having
entrance grooves 61 62 extending from it on both sides, all substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
Third: A puzzle box A having a cylindrical projection a provided with lugs a' a²
arranged in line with each other, in combination with a lid C having an interior
annular slot c to receive lug a² and with a downwardly extending entrance groove c¹
extending from said slot, and a ring B having a slot 6 to receive lug a¹ and having
entrance grooves 61 62 extending from it on both sides-said lid and ring being
arranged to interlock with each other.
Fourth: A puzzle box A having a cylindrical projection a provided with lugs a¹ a³
arranged in line with each other in combination with a lid C having an interior
annular groove c to receive lug a² and downwardly-extending entrance slot c¹, and an
exterior annular groove at a ring B having an annular slot to receive lug a¹ and
with entrance grooves 6162 extending from it, and a pin or pins D arranged to secure
lid to ring B as described.
Dated this 94th dose of 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.