An Improved Folding Letter-box.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 21st June, 1894-Accepted, 21st July, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Folding Letter-box.
I, WILLIAM ARTHUR DAY of 47 Inglis Road, Southsea, Wireworker, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :—
This invention consists of a letter-box to be fixed behind a door to receive letters
from the usual horizontal aperture.
It is made of open wirework, and when not actually holding letters can be folded
into a space of about one and half inches deep.
It is so contrived that when anyone pushes in the hinged flap of the letterplate
and inserts a letter, the box immediately unfolds itself by the aid of two coiled
springs, and assumes its rectangular position. When the letter has been taken out
by some-one on the inside of the door, it is necessary to press the letter-box
against the door and reset the trigger in the cavity behind the letter plate, when
it is ready for the next arrival.
The folding of the box or cage is effected by employing what are known to
wireworkers as double joints, that is to say by forming loops of wire to engage
with loops, very much like two eyes or rings, one interlacing with the other.
These are placed where the sides connect to the front, back, top and bottom, and
also where the vertical wires of the side cross and interlace with the horizontal
wires.
The trigger is formed by two D shaped loops of wire, connected together, and
fitted to enter the cavity in which the flap of the letterplate works. The bar
which unites them above, is attached to a coiled spring fastened to the door a little
way above the cavity. When the flap of the letterplate is pushed in from outside,
it in turn, dislodges the two loops, which are then pulled up by the coiled spring,
and as the loops are also connected to the letter-box below, they pull it up into the
rectangular form, being aided in this by the two coiled tension springs at the side
of the box.
My improved letter box can be made open, or with cover to lock up by means
of a padlock or other fastening.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, E.C., Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Folding Letter-box.
I, WILLIAM ARTHUR DAY of 47 Inglis Road, Southsea, Wireworker, 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 is designed to supply a folding letter box which will occupy very
little space behind a door until it is wanted for use, when it automatically assumes
the shape necessary for receiving letters.
It consists of a wire letter-box to be fixed behind a door to receive letters from
the usual horizontal aperture.
It is made of open wirework, and when not actually holding letters can be folded
into a space of about one and a half inches deep.
It is so contrived that when anyone pushes in the hinged flap of the letter plate
[ Price Rd. 1
•

page_text: and inserts a letter, the box immediately unfolds itself by the aid of two coiled
springs, and assumes its rectangular position. When the letter has been taken
out by some-one on the inside of the door, it is necessary to press the letter-box
against the door and reset the trigger in the cavity behind the letter plate, when it
is ready for the next arrival.
The folding of the box or cage is effected by employing what are known to
wireworkers as double joints, that is to say by forming loops of wire to engage
with loops, very much like two eyes or rings, one interlacing with the other.
These are placed where the sides connect to the front, back, top and bottom, and
also where the vertical wires of the side cross and interlace with the horizontal
wires.
The trigger is formed by two D shaped loops of wire, connected together, and
fitted to enter the cavity in which the flap of the letterplate works. The bar
which unites them above, is attached to a coiled spring fastened to the door a little
way above the cavity. When the flap of the letter plate is pushed in from outside,
it in turn, dislodges the two loops, which are then pulled up by the coiled spring.
Two coiled springs g, g, one on each side are placed to prevent the trigger rising
too far. The lower coiled springs h, h, raise the box into the rectangular position.
I will now describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which,
Fig. 1 shows a side elevation of my letter-box or cage open or unfolded.
Fig. 2 shows a similar view to Fig. 1 with box or cage closed.
Fig. 3 shows a front elevation of my letter box folded.
Fig. 4 shows a partial vertical cross section of the operating trigger when the
box is folded. This trigger is shown in its alternate position in Fig. 1.
ab
is the letter box or cage.
a¹, a¹, are the special wire loops or folding joints used in constructing the two
sides of the cage.
b. is the prolonged upper portion, of the front of the cage to allow of the trigger
holding the same in the closed position when folded.
c, is the angular trigger with catch d for keeping the cage closed or folded. A
portion of this trigger is made to fold into the usual oblique slot in the door and
abuts against the flap of the letter plate.
d, is a catch formed in the angular trigger c, which when pulled down, catches
onto the trigger-bar d', of the cage and so keeps the same closed or folded.
e,
is the vertical coiled tension spring which allows the cage to unfold by the aid
of two diagonal coiled springs h, h, when the catch d is released from the trigger
har d', by pushing in the flap f, of the box as shewn in Fig. 4.
f, is the usual flap of the letter plate in front of the oblique slot in the door.
9, 9, are check springs to prevent the trigger when released from flying too far
upwards.
h, h, are two long diagonal tension springs extending from corner to corner of
the cage which cause the same to unfold when the trigger c, is released.
An ordinary cover of wire or other material, provided with a hinge or other
fastening, can, if desired, be added so as to allow of the box being fastened with a
padlock in the usual way.
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 :-
In a wire letter receiving box, the combination of the folding frame a, with
double joints a¹, a', and springs h, h, and the trigger c, catch d, springs g, e, and
with or without cover and lock, as herein described and set forth.
Dated this 21st dow of Tune 1901
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, E.C., Agent for Applicant.