IMPROVEMENTS IN COAL BOXES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Clement Sims, of 98, St. Martin's Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Manager to Messieurs Benham and Froud, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN COAL BOXES."
Sealed the 26th May, 1877, and dated the 27th March 1877.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Clement Sims at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th March 1877.
CLEMENT SIMS, of 98, St. Martin's Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Manager to
Messieurs Benham and Froud. "IMPROVEMENTS IN COAL BOXES."
The Invention has for its object improvements in coal boxes, which may be
made of wood, iron, or other material.
Heretofore some descriptions of coal boxes have had their lids hinged thereto,
and others have been provided with " cylinder fronts," formed solid and in the
shape of an arc of a circle to slide in suitable grooves or ways.
Coal boxes constructed according to the first arrangement frequently had their
lids broken off the hinges, whilst according to the second arrangement the use of a
cylinder front" limited the design and greatly added to the cost. Now, according
to my Invention, I use a jointed sliding front, formed of a number of comparatively
narrow strips or sections articulated together, and running in grooves or ways
formed in or fixed to the body of the coal box. By these means I obtain a very
convenient and durable form of cover at comparatively small expense, whilst I can
apply the same to coal boxes of wide varieties of designs.

page_text: "
Coal boxes constructed according to the first arrangement frequently had their
lids broken off the hinges, whilst according to the second arrangement the use of a
cylinder front" limited the design and greatly added to the cost. Now, according
to my Invention, I use a jointed sliding front, formed of a number of comparatively
narrow strips or sections articulated together, and running in grooves or ways
formed in or fixed to the body of the coal box.
And in order that my said Invention may be more clearly understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed, aided by the accompanying Drawings, more fully
to describe the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a front view, and Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of a coal box
with my Invention applied thereto, and representing the front thereof raised or
open; and Figure 3 is a horizontal section, and Figure 4 is a longitudinal section
of the same, showing the front down or closed; a is the body of the coal box, which
is represented in the Drawings as formed of wood; but it may also be formed of
iron or of other material.
According to my Invention I employ a jointed sliding front b, formed of a
number of comparatively narrow strips or sections hinged or articulated together,
each strip or section being provided with a stud or projection c to run in grooves
or ways a¹, formed in or fixed to the body of the coal box.
And in order to assist the free motion of the strips or sections in cases where some
of such sections or strips are wider than others, I employ, in connection with such
wider strips or sections, studs which are capable of moving transversely of the thick-
ness of such strips or sections.
At Figures 5 and 6 I have represented one of such studs c, which is formed to
slide in a slot formed in a plate c¹, which is screwed to the end of the section or
strip. By these means I obtain a very convenient and durable form of cover or
front at comparatively small expense, whilst I can apply the same to coal boxes
of wide varieties of designs. The lower strip or section of the cover or front b may
be provided with a knob or handle, and an internal metal box or case, is used, as is
well understood.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the mode in which
I carry the same into effect, I would have it understood that what I claim is
applying to coal boxes a sliding jointed front or cover, constructed and operating
in manner substantially as herein shown and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Clement Sims, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.