Improvements in Portfolios.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 24th May, 1889-Accepted, 29th June, 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Portfolios.
I, ALBERT EDWARDS, residing at 90 Haverly Avenue, Brooklyn, in the County of
Kings, and State of New York, United States of America, Mercantile Man, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to he
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my improved portfolio mounted upon jointed leg
supports, showing the portfolio open.
Fig. 2 is a vertical central section taken through Fig. 1 showing the same devices
when closed.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the portable portfolio applied to a book case showing
the leaves open.
Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional detail taken transversely through the
device.
Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through my improved portfolio adapted for use as
a hand satchel showing the same open.
Fig. 6 is a top view of the portfolio.
Fig. 7 is a top view of a grooved or channeled section adapted to receive
merchantable articles, this section being removed from a cell or compartment of a
leaf of the portfolio.
Fig. 8 is an end view of Figs. 5 and 6 closed.
My invention relates to certain novel improvements in portable portfolios which
are especially designed for holding, and when desired, readily displaying sheet
music, pictures of all kinds, sample goods and the like together with surgical and
other instruments which are adapted to be enclosed between leaves adapted to be folded
and opened at will.
In carrying my invention into effect it will be seen from the following
description that I may support the portfolio upon a standard or pedestal, book
case or the like, or I may employ a case or hand satchel embodying my
improvements.
For the purpose of fully describing my improvements I shall describe first, a
portfolio mounted upon a pedestal or other substantial support adapted to rest upon
the floor, particular reference being had to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive.
The supported portfolio provided with jointed legs or a book case or other standard
pedestal is provided with a back composed of pieces C, of wood or other suitable
material having their sides beveled as indicated in Fig. 2.
These pieces are flexibly connected together at their upper parts by means of a
strip D of canvas, leather cords or metal hinges which may be employed, my object being
to form an articulating back. These beveled jointed pieces Care preferably in length
the full width of the portfolio case, of which they constitute the back, exclusive of the
thickness of the leaves or pieces B.
However, the said beveled pieces C may consist of a series of smaller block-like
sections that is to say they may be scored out or made thinner at and near the center
leaving only the extreme ends beveled and adapted to abut when the case or
portfolio is closed as shown in Fig. 2. Instead of the beveled back sections above
described pieces of other like forms may be employed as the essential feature of
this part of my invention being that the flexible jointed or hinged back of the
portfolio should be adapted to hold the leaves B in position radiating from said
back as a center when the portfolio is open as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 by the binding
together by direct or indirect contact between themselves of the pieces composing
the flexible or jointed back.

page_text: Attached to the outer ends of the pieces C and at right angles thereto are
uprights B to which are attached the leaves or partitions of the portfolio. The
central upright B³ has at its upper portion a vertical receiving slot R shown in
Fig. 2 of the annexed drawings. Attached to the outermost leaves B is a case A.
Upon the top of the portfolio are lids L L provided with suitable fastenings or
knobs ff. these lids being hinged together at the middle and capable of being dropped
into the receiving slot or pocket R. Attached to the central upright B₁ is a bar K
which works centrally in a slide S cut in a plate P, the bar K working between the
plate P and a cross bar platform or shelf F prevents the bar K from descending too
far, and thus prevents the back of the portfolio from sagging at the middle. Pivoted
upon the outermost uprights or leaves B B at the points E E are legs N N which
are likewise pivoted upon the cross bar F at the points E¹ E¹.
These legs have a horizontal motion by which they draw together at their upper
portions when the portfolio is open and assume a substantially parallel position when
the portfolio is closed as shown in Fig. 2. My supported portfolio attached to a
fixed support N¹ in all essential respects constructed similarly to the one with a
support having reciprocating or jointed legs except that the central part of the
uprights B¹ has at its lower end a stop Scut in a plate P¹ attached to a cross
bar F¹ connecting rigid legs N¹ N¹ of the support as clearly shown in Figs. 3
and 4.
It will be observed from the above description of the first part of my invention
that by simply raising the leaves or partitions to the position shown in Fig. 2,
raising the cover portions L L and unfolding them, the portfolio will assume the
compact closed position shown in said figure. By reversing the movements of said
parts, the portfolio will assume the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3.
Referring to Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 as illustrating the second part of my invention
or the valise or satchel portfolio, A³ designates a case composed of wood or other
suitable material which case is attached at the points a, a and d d to the outermost
parts of beveled pieces B2 B2 also made of wood or other suitable material. The
beveled pieces B2 are in length the full width of the case, exclusive of the thickness
of its siding and lie parallel with each other and are beveled on their sides or
edges so that when seen edgewise they resemble a series of keystones in contact
and are held together at their upper edges by a flexible fastening of canvas leather,
tape, cord or other suitable material e. In lieu of this form of joint, it is obvious
that the well known hinge or pivotal joints may he substituted, my object being to
allow the said beveled pieces to flex back upon each other as shown in Fig. 5
and fully explained in the description of the first part of my invention. This
flexible back may be given a finish by a suitable end covering as indicated by the
letter D³ Fig. 7.
Attached to or near the ends of the beveled pieces B2 at the points 6 and b
and connecting them with the pieces c are vertical strips 61 the whole forming
through the action of the hinge pieces B2, hinged leaves. Instead of the leaves thus
formed solid sheets of wood, paste board, or other suitable material may be attached
vertically to the upper faces of the pieces B2 and between the uprights B thus
forming solid leaves.
In the construction of my flexible case back I may employ a series of short beveled
pieces as if the hinged pieces B2 were cut away at the middle leaving only the extreme
ends thereof suitable reduced connections for supporting the hinged leaves taking the
place of the cut away portions of the said hinged pieces.
Or the lower ends of the pieces, leaves or partitions may be double beveled and held
together by a corresponding series of beveled or keystone shaped pieces hinged or
otherwise flexibly connected with each other at the upper points of their beveled edges and
attached to the outsides of the ends of the parts B with suitable connections between
these uprights to support the hinged leaves."
It will be observed that the flexible back should articulate about a series of beveled
bars, blocks or keystones in contact at the uppermost points of their beveled sides or
edges when the portfolio is closed and binding together by the contact of their

page_text: beveled sides or edges when the portfolio is open, also that the uprights and
connections forming the hinged leaves should work in unison with the action of the
series of keystones.
By the use of an endpiece a fixed to the case A' and a suitable lock f and
handle the portfolio may be securely closed and conveniently transported from
place to place. My portfolio is thus adapted for use as a sample case or trunk.
The operation of this part of my invention is as follows:-The portfolio being
closed as shown in Fig. 8 is opened, when by the action of the beveled hinge-
pieces B2, the hinged leaves are thrown apart and upward as seen in Figs.
and 6.
These hinged leaves are held firmly in an upright position by the binding or
pressing of the beveled sides or edges of the pieces B2, and to effect this, the
angle of the bevel of the central pieces is more acute than that of the outer
pieces.
Thus the necessity for connecting chains or leather pockets betweeen the hinged
leaves to keep them in an upright position is done away with, while the broad upper
faces of the hinged pieces B2 afford a square surface for the contents of the portfolio
to rest upon without jamming, the spaces at the bottom between the leaves being
always the width of the upper faces of the hinged pieces B2 whether the portfolio is
open or shut.
By the arrangement of the key-stone bevel, more or less acute, of the said pieces B³,
any number of hinged pieces and hinged leaves may be inseried.
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 1
claim is
1. In a portfolio, the combination with a series of bars of approximately keystone
shape in cross section, said bars being flexibly connected and bearing leaves so that
when the latter are in an open position, the bars will bind by the beveled sides and
the leaves be sustained in a radial position with respect to the back, substantially as
specified.
2. A portfolio composed of a series of leaves provided with a hinged or flexibly
connected back, said back having its sectional parts beveled so that when the leaves
are opened, the beveled sides of the back sections, will abut against each other,
substantially as specified.
3. In a portfolio, the combination with a series of leaves, of a flexibly connected
sectional back, said back being composed of bars of keystone shape in cross section
an upright having a pocket and a folding top adapted to enter said pocket, substan-
tially as specified.
4. In a portfolio, the combination with a suitable case or supporting frame of
a series of leaves having a flexibly connected back composed of bars which are
adapted when the leaves are open to assume the position of an arch, substantially as
specified.
5. In a portfolio, the combination with a suitable support, of a series of leaves
having a flexibly connected back composed of bars which are adapted when the leaves
are open to assume the position of an arch and a vertically movable upright to prevent
the back from sagging, substantially as specified.
6. A supported portfolio having a flexible back, leaves connected with the flexible
back and a stand for support said flexible back being adapted by the binding together
of the sides of the pieces of which it is composed, to hold the leaves of the portfolio
in position radiating from the flexible back as a centre when the portfolio is open,
said stand and its connections with the portfolio being adapted to allow the portfolio
to be opened and closed without detachment from the stand, substantially as set
forth.
7. In a supported portfolio, the combination of beveled pieces C, C, C, flexibly
connected with each other at the upper points of their beveled sides and adapted
when the portfolio is open to bind together by the contact with each other of their

page_text: beveled sides as described, uprights B2, B2, B², with leaves joined to the pieces (), C, G
together with a stand for support connected with the portfolio by a slide and stop
attachment, all substantially as set forth.
8. In a supported portfolio, the combination with the case A³ A³ of beveled
pieces C, C, C, flexibly connected with each other at the upper points of their
beveled sides and adapted when the portfolio is open to bind together as described,
uprights B2 B2, B3 with leaves joined to the pieces C. C, C, a bar K having a stop S',
a plate P. having cut therein a slide S, and being attached to a bar F together with
legs N N pivoted upon the uprights B B at the points EE and pivoted on the cross
bar Fat the points E¹ E all substantially as described.
9. In a supported portfolio, the combination of a flexible back and uprights B² B², B²
connected therewith said flexible back and uprights B2 B2 B2 in positions radiating
from the flexible back as a centre by the binding together of the sides of the
pieces comprising the flexible back, said pieces being in a horizontal line when
the portfolio is closed and assuming a semi-circular form when the portfolio is
open, together with a stand for support connected with the flexible back by a sliding
stop attachment, all substantially as set forth.
10. In a supported portfolio, substantially as described, the combination of lids I. L
adapted to be dropped into a receiving slot R cut in the central one of
uprights B2 B2, B3 attached to a flexible back substantially as specified.
11. In a supported portfolio, the combination with a supporting stand having a
plate and cross bar substantially as described, of a slide and stop substantially as
and for the purposes set forth.
12. A portfolio composed of a case a flexible back attached thereto and hinged
leaves connected with, the flexible back said flexible back consisting of a series of
keystone shaped pieces flexibly connected with each other at the upper points of
their beveled sides or edges, in contact with each other at the upper points
of their beveled sides or edges when the portfolio is closed and capable of binding
together by the contact of their beveled sides or edges with each other when the
portfolio is open, said hinged leaves consisting of upright pieces and connections
working in unison with the series of keystone shaped pieces, all substantially as
described.
13. In a portfolio, a hinge consisting of a series of keystone shaped pieces, flexibly
connected with, each other at the upper points of their beveled sides or edges, in
contact with each other at said upper points of their beveled sides or edges when the
portfolio is closed and capable of binding together by the contact of their beveled
sides or edges when the portfolio is open, substantially as set forth.
14. In a portfolio, the combination of a case, a series of keystone shaped pieces
flexibly connected with each other at the upper points of their beveled sides or
edges joined to said case, said keystone shaped pieces being in contact with each
other at the upper points of their beveled sides or edges when the portfolio is closed
and capable of binding together by the contact of their beveled sides or edges when
the portfolio is open, with hinged leaves composed of upright pieces and connections
working in unison with the keystone shaped pieces, substantially as set forth.
15. In a portfolio, the combination of a case A³, a flexible back connected there-
with consisting of a series of keystone shaped pieces flexibly connected with each
other at the upper points of their beveled sides or edges and working upon each other,
as described with upright pieces B2 B2 B2 and connections working in unison with the
keystone shaped pieces, all substantially as set forth.
16. In a portfolio, substantially as described, the combination of a series of keystone
shaped pieces flexibly connected with each other at the upper points of their beveled
sides or edges and working upon each other as described, substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
17. In a portfolio, the combination of a case A³, with pieces B2 B3 B², of wood or
suitable material attached thereto, said pieces B2 B3 B3, having their sides or edges
beveled in the form of keystones and being flexibly held together by a fastening e, e,
of canvas, leather, tape, cord, or suitable material upon their upper faces, with upright

page_text: pieces B 6' 6 b and connections C, C, C, attached to the beveled pieces B' at or near
the respective ends of said beveled pieces and upon the upper faces thereof, all
substantially as specified.
18. In a portfolio, substantially as described, the combination of pieces B' B' B' of
wood or suitable material having their sides or edges beveled in the form of keystones
and being flexibly held together at the upper points of their beveled sides or edges
and working upon each other as described, substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
19 20 day or may 2007.
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.