IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC CASES OR BOXES FOR HOLDING NEEDLES, PINS, POSTAGE AND OTHER STAMPS, CARDS, AND OTHER SMALL ARTICLES
Year: 1881

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George William Hinchley at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th May 1881.
GEORGE WILLIAM HINCHLEY, of Handsworth, in the County of Stafford, Tool
Maker. "IMPROVEMENTS IN METALLIC CASES OR BOXES FOR HOLDING NEEDLES,
PINS, POSTAGE AND OTHER STAMPS, CARDS, AND OTHER SMALL ARTICLES."
My Invention consists in constructing the said cases or boxes in the manner
herein after described.
I make the case or box of two parts, namely, of an outer part or case, having a
closed end, and of an inner part or box sliding in the outer part or case. In the
said inner or box part, the needles, pins, or other small articles are placed. The
said inner or box part is open at one side, the open side extending through about
two thirds of the length of the said box part, the head part being closed. When.
the inner or box part is withdrawn from the, outer or case part, access may be
gained to the needles or other articles held in the box part through the open side
described. In the head of the sliding box part a combined spring snap fastening
and releaser or pusher is situated. The said snap fastening consists of a strip of
steel or other elastic metal bent into the form of the letter U. On the end of one
leg or side of this spring is a bevilled head or catch; and near the said bevilled
head or catch is a projection constituting a pusher. The spring is fitted in the
closed head of the inner or box part, that side or leg which is without a catch
being fixed to the said closed head of the box part. When the sliding or box part
is pushed into the case or outer part, the bevilled head or catch of the spring is
pressed back; and when the sliding part has been fully pushed home, the said
bevilled head or catch snaps upon a shoulder or engages with a slot in the outer-
part, and the two parts of the box or case are locked or fastened together. To
separate the sliding part from the outer part or case, the pusher on the spring is
pressed inwards. The bevilled head or catch of the spring is thereby disengaged
from the shoulder, or withdrawn from the recess in the outer case, and the two
parts may be separated for opening the box or case.
.
Instead of the double or U shaped spring described, a straight spring arm may
be used; and instead of employing a spring catch at one side only of the sliding
inner box part, a spring catch may be employed at each side of the said inner box
part. In this modification the releasing of the inner sliding box part from the

page_text: outer case is effected by the pressing inwards, between the thumb and finger, of
the two pushers of the double snap fastening. In the double snap fastening
described, a U shaped spring, or two straight spring arms may be employed, and
the double spring or spring arms may either be situated in the closed head of the
sliding inner box part or in the lower open part or body of the same.
In constructing cases or boxes of the kind described to be worn on the person
after the manner of the articles of jewellery called "charms," I give the two parts
of the case or box the required ornamental figure (for example, the figure of a cross
or an anchor); and in order to suspend the said cases or boxes, I attach a loop to
the head of the sliding inner part by which to connect the case or box to a chain
or other suspender.