Improvements in Postal Letter Boxes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in Postal Letter Boxes.
We, JAMES TEEVAN of 13 Northumberland Road, Dublin, Surgeon, and JAMES
FREDERICK HOYNE of Royal Marine Road, Kingstown, Co. Dublin, Gentleman 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 has reference to improvements in letter boxes, and is designed
for the purpose of preventing the surreptitious removal or extraction of the contents
of same, also to prevent the contents being injured by the introduction of lighted
inatches, burning cigars, cigarettes, and such like.
The accompanying Explanatory Drawings will enable our said Invention to be
more readily understood.
Fig. 1. is a side view of the front plate of an ordinary letter Box shewing the
application of our Invention.
Fig. 2. is a plan of same, and,
Fig. 3. is a plan of the under surface of the Invention as hereinafter more fully
described.
A is a shoot composed of wood, metal or other suitable material which is attached
to the inside of the front plate B of the letter Box so that its upper open end
co-insides with the ordinary letter slot.
At the free end of this shoot is hinged a rectangular flap C, so balanced that a
gentle pressure from above (such as a letter descending) will cause it to open.
Once a letter or paper or such like falls through the shoot, the flap permits same
to pass into the box, and immediately returns to its normal position, while should
any attempt be made to surreptitiously extract the contents of the box the presence
of the flap will effectually prevent the accomplishment of such design.
The free longitudinal edge of the flap may be serrated or pointed to increase its
efficiency for the purpose in view.
The bottom side D of the shoot is provided with a number of slots as shewn in
Fig. 3, of sufficient width to allow matches, burning cigars, cigarettes, and such
like to pass through, but not too wide to interfere with the free passage of letters,
periodicals, newspapers, and such like over its surface.
Thus should a lighted match, or burning cigar, or cigarette, be thrown into the
letter slot it passes harmlessly through these slots and is received in a receptacle E
fixed underneath the shoot, whereby injury to the contents of the Box is prevented.
From the above description it will be obvious that according to our Invention
the two objects in view are effectually fulfilled, namely, (1) the prevention of the
surreptitious removal of the contents of letter Boxes, and, (2) the prevention of
injury to the contents by lighted matches, burning cigars and such like.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we would have it understood
that what we claim is :-

page_text: The use and application of apparatus consisting of a shoot A provided with a
slotted bottom side D and a hinged flap C in combination with letter Boxes arranged
and operating substantially as and for the purpose herein specified and set forth.
Dated this 30th day of August 1897.
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9 Westland Row, Dublin, Agents for Applicants.