Improvements in Boxes and Cases.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 24th Oct., 1894-Accepted, 8th Dec., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Boxes and Cases.
1, WILLIAM RIGHTER COMINGS, Mechanical Engineer, of Brewhouse Yard
172 St. John Street Clerkenwell, London, in the County of Middlesex do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
My improved box or case is made as follows:-2 seamless lids are first stamped
of paper, metal, celluloid, xylonite or other suitable material, of such a size as to
just fit one within the other and form a telescopic box or case of adjustable height.
The outer lid of this box is made so as to obtain one or more turned over edges
or ridges projecting on the inside. The inner lid is preferably made slightly less in
height than the outer lid by the width of this projecting ridge, so that when the
lids are fully telescoped together, the ridge of the outer lid springs over the bottom
of the inner lid and prevents it from coming out. I further provide the sides of
the inner lid with a series of sunk grooves, corresponding in width to the ridges
or edge on the outer cover. To facilitate the opening, one or both of the lids is
provided with thumb holes. These grooves provide an automatic fastening to secure
the outer lid at any height required, without in any way opening or straining it.
By the ordinary construction, such telescopic boxes are made with a tight fit, but
it is found in practice, that if the fit is sufficiently tight to hold the lids properly
in position at any height required, the continuous strain gradually causes the outer
one to open and become loose so that the lids soon drop apart. This is particularly
the case with lids made from any elastic or flexible material, such as celluloid,
paper, or vulcanite. By the improved construction, the grooves and ridges entirely
prevent this stretching and enable the lids to be firmly held at any height required.
Instead of a single ridge on the lid as mentioned, in some cases, particularly with
high lids, I find it desirable to use several ridges. In other cases, the ridges are
conveniently replaced by projecting teeth on the outer lid, fitting into grooves or
suitable indentations on the outside of the inner lid. Or, instead of effecting the
locking by the system of grooves and ridges formed in the materials of the lids
themselves, small metal pieces, having suitable teeth or grooves, can be applied to
one or both of the lids to effect the same object and hold them in position.
grooves may be made (V) shape, or they may be saw tooth or ratchet shape, so as
to make the lids easy to apply and difficult to remove. In other cases, where very
elastic material is used for the lids, the grooves may be made into regular screw
threads. This enables the lid to be pushed on quickly through the spring of the
material and removed by screwing off. My improved box, as constructed for a
watch protector case, is provided with a transparent spring or other clip on the
bottom lid which would hold a convenient calendar, or other card having useful or
desirable informnation, advertisements or ornamental designs. These, on account of
the transparency of the material, can be read by looking at the back of the watch,
and are thoroughly protected from wear and exposure. The top lid, covering the
face of the watch, has a transparent clip adapted to hold an engagement reminder
or memoranda. This can be arranged, if desired, so that the time cannot be read
without removing the memoranda. Sufficient space is provided in the lower lid to
keep a small supply of these memoranda or others cards or papers, in the case
itself. The cases being provided with grooves and ridges, enables it to hold
securely any height of watch, and prevents the covers gradually opening and
working loose, as has generally been the case with all other forms of watch
protectors, made from celluloid or similar material. In a modification of my
improvements, by making the rim of the outer case of a curved shape, the
The

page_text: locking edge is obtained without making any projecting ridge on the inside of said
lid. With this construction, it is also generally desirable to make the rim of the
inner lid similarly curved.
improvements in Boxes and Cases.
I, WILLIAM RIGHTER COMINGS, Mechanical Engineer, of Brewhouse Yard,
172 St. John Street, Clerkenwell, in the County of Middlesex, 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 :-
This invention relates to boxes or cases applicable for carrying watches so as to
protect them from dust and moisture and from electrical influences, and for other
purposes.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood reference is made to the
accompanying drawings in which:-
Fig. 1 represents the two separate parts of a box for watches or the like.
Fig. 2 represents in section the same parts when in their closed position.
Fig. 3 represents a plan view of one of the parts.
Fig. 4 represents a modified form of box, the parts being separated.
Fig. 5 represents a sectional view of same, the parts being in their closed position.
Figs. 6, 7 and 8 represent in sectional elevation and in elevation respectively
other shapes of boxes or cases adapted for various purposes, made in accordance
with my invention.
When carrying out my invention as illustrated by Figs. 1 to 5, I first stamp up
or form two seamless lids (or top and bottom pieces) of paper, metal, celluloid,
xylonite, or other suitable material, of such a size as to just fit one within the
other and form a telescopic box or case of adjustable height. The outer lid a of
this hox is made with one or more turned over edges or ridges b projecting on the
inside. The inner lid c is preferably made slightly less in height than the outer
lid a by the width of this projecting ridge, so that when the lids are fully
telescoped together, the ridge 6 of the outer lid springs over the bottom of the
inner lid c and prevents it from coming out, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. I may
further provide the sides of the inner lid c with a series of sunk grooves corre-
sponding in width to the ridges or edge b on the outer cover.
These grooves
provide an automatic fastening to secure the outer lid a at any height required,
without in any way opening or straining it, and this construction is indicated in
Figs. 4 and 5.
C
By the ordinary construction such telescopic boxes are made with a tight fit, but
it is found in practice that if the fit is sufficiently tight to hold the lids properly
in position at any height required, the continuous strain gradually causes the outer
one to open and become loose, so that the lids soon drop apart. This is particularly
the case with lids made from any elastic or flexible material, such as celluloid,
paper, or vulcanite.
By the improved construction heretofore indicated the grooves and ridge
entirely prevent this stretching and enable the lids to be firmly held at any height
required. Instead of a single ridge on the lid as mentioned, in some cases,
particularly with high or deep lids, I find it desirable to use several ridges. In
other cases the ridges are conveniently replaced by projecting teeth or studs on the
outer lid fitting into grooves or suitable indentations on the outside of the inner
lid, or on a body piece, or the arrangement may be reversed. Or instead of
effecting the locking by the system of grooves and ridges formed in the materials

page_text: In
of the lids themselves, small metal pieces having suitable teeth or grooves can be
applied to one or both of the lids to effect the same object and hold them in
position. The grooves may be made of a V shape or they may be saw-tooth or
ratchet shape, so as to make the lids easy to apply and difficult to remove.
other cases where very elastic material is used for the lids the grooves may be
made into regular screw threads. This enables the lid to be pushed on quickly
through the spring of the material, and removed by screwing off.
My improved box as constructed for a watch protector case may be provided
with a transparent spring or other clip d on the bottom lid which would hold a
convenient calendar or other card e having useful or desirable information,
advertisements or ornamental designs. These on account of the transparency of
the material can be read by looking at the back of the watch, and are thoroughly
protected from wear and exposure. The top lid covering the face of the watch
may have a similar transparent clip adapted to hold an engagement reminder or
memoranda f. This can be arranged if desired so that the time cannot be read
without removing the memoranda. Sufficient space may be provided in the lower
lid to keep a small supply of these memoranda or other cards or papers in the
case itself. The cases being provided with grooves and ridges enables it to hold
securely any height of watch, and prevents the covers gradually opening and
working loose as has generally been the case with all other forms of watch-
protectors made from celluloid or similar material. To facilitate opening one or
both of the lids may be provided with thumb holes g.
In place of the narrow clip d I may employ a thin transparent or other lid d
which I call a secondary lid, fitting into one of the lids or covers as shown in
Fig. 5; or it may be placed over same in the case of the outer lid.
In a modification of my improvements by making the rim of the outer case or
body cof a curved shape, as indicated in Fig. 6, the locking edge is obtained
without making any projecting ridge such as b on the inside of said lid, but with
this construction it is desirable to make the rim of the inner lid or case similarly
curved or so shaped that the parts will engage securely.
Instead of making the inner lid, case, or body c¹ curved at the edge to engage
the lid a, as indicated in Fig. 6, such lid or body c¹ may have a plain edge as
indicated in Fig. 7, while lid a may be made a close fit thereon, and as an
additional precaution for travelling boxes the lid or body c¹ may be provided with
projecting teeth or studs h, while the in-turned edge of lid a is provided with
slots i which permit the studs h to pass within the lid, a slight turn of which then
locks the two parts.
In Fig. 8 is shown an illustration of a box formed of a body portion c¹ having
two annular grooves formed on the outside of same, with which engages by means
of the spring of the material the lids a and c, the turned over edges or ridges of
such lids fitting into the grooves.
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. The improved box, one or more lids or parts of which are provided with a
ridge or ridges adapted to engage the under edge of the second lid or part or
body portion or a groove in same, substantially as described.
2. The improved box, one lid or part of which is provided with grooves, and
the other part with one or more ridges adapted to engage therewith in order
that the parts may be locked at varying distances from top to bottom, substantially
as described.
3. The improved box, one lid or part of which is provided with an outwardly
turned edge or rim, and the other lid or part with an inwardly turned edge, the
parts being adapted to engage with each other, substantially as described.
4. The improved box made of transparent material and provided with a clip or
clips or secondary lid, substantially as and for the purposes described.

page_text: 5. The improvements in the construction of boxes or cases, substantially as
herein before described, and as illustrated by the drawings.
Dated the 24th day of October 1894.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agent,
For the Applicant.