Improvements in and relating to Letter Boxes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Apr., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 17th Jan., 1900-Accepted, 10th Mar., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Letter Boxes.
I, JAMES TURNER, of Trafalgar Works, Chapel Street, Nelson, in the County of
Lancaster Slaymaker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The first part of this invention consists of new and improved means of fixing
name plates to letter boxes, whereby they are rendered readily detachable and
removable, and a fresh name plate inserted as required.
According to this part of my invention, I form the flap of the letter box with
an open front, and recess it at the back, so as to form flanged or grooved sides
for the reception of a glass plate, and also of the card or name plate, on which
the name or other matter may be printed or painted. I now fix over both a
backboard or plate. This backboard or plate, I secure by means of metal strips
or clips, which may take divers forms. In one form, the clip may be made out
of angle iron, and provided with a hole and open slot at the side, and may hold
the backboard firmly in position by being secured by a screw to the back of the
frame or flap, which when constructed of metal, may have a tapped hole to receive
the said screw. Thus, by merely untightening the screws, the clips may be
removed by aid of the side slots, and a fresh name plate or glass, if need be in-
serted. In another method, one clip only may be used, which may extend across
the narrow portion of the back of the flap, and provided with screws and end
slots, as and for the purpose hereinbefore named, or such clips may be provided
with holes only instead of having side slots. The back board or plate may be
formed with extension pieces, which extend over the sides of the back of the flap,
by means of which the clips may be dispensed with.
The second part of my invention, consists of an improved method of attaching
a call bell to letter boxes to answer as an alarm, when letters have been inserted,
or otherwise to answer as an ordinary door call in addition to or in substitution
of the ordinary knocker.
In carrying out this part of my invention, I extend one of the limbs (by which
the flap of the letter box is pivotted) beyond its pivot, and form into it a hole,
or preferably a number of holes for adjustment. A small link is mounted on a
stud fixed into one of the said holes, the other end of the said link being con-
nected to the lever of the call bell, which may occupy any suitable or adjacent
position. Or, the stud may be dispensed with, and the link hooked into one of
the holes in the projecting limb of the flap.
This arrangement will apply to a flap either raised or depressed for the in-
sertion of letters. In the latter case, the link may be hooked on a stud screwed
into the body of the flap.
The third part of my invention relates to means for retaining the flaps of letter
boxes in a raised position until the letters have been inserted.
For this purpose,
I employ rather longer pivots than usual for the flap, so that after being raised,
it may be moved laterally thereon, and a notch on the bottom edge of the flap

page_text: the flap of the letter box is pirotted) beyond its pivot, and form into it a hole,
or preferably a number of holes for adjustment. A small link is mounted on a
stud fixed into one of the said holes, the other end of the said link being con-
nected to the lever of the call bell, which may occupy any suitable or adjacent
position. Or, the stud may be dispensed with, and the link hooked into one of
the holes in the 'projecting end of the flap.
This arrangement will apply to a flap either raised or depressed for the in-
sertion of letters. In the latter case, the link may be hooked on a stud screwed
into the body of the flap.
The third part of my invention relates to means for retaining the flaps of letter
boxes in a raised position until the letters have been inserted. For this purpose,
I employ rather longer pivots than usual for the flap, so that after being raised,
it may be moved latterally thereon, and a notch on the bottom edge of the flap
may come against a lip on the frame of the letter box, retaining it in the desired
position until relieved.
In another method, the letter box flap may carry a stud having a shoulder so
that when the flap is raised the shoulder will come against the bottom edge of
the opening of the letter box.
The fourth part of my invention consists of an improved form of hood for letter
boxes on the inside, to enable a door and complete case to be added, if desired, and
locked. This hood may be composed of a curved piece of sheet metal, wood,
or the like secured to two pieces having ears at the bottom, by which the
side pieces are secured to the door of the house. The side pieces are also pro-
vided with holes. These holes are for the purpose of securing the door and ad-
ditional sides of the letter box at any time if need be, in which case bolts are
passed through such holes from the exterior and also through the sides of the added
letter box or case and both are firmly secured together by nuts screwed on the
bolts in the interior of the box.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a front view of a letter box, with my improvements applied, and
Fig. 2 a cross section of the same.
Fig. 3 is a back view of a somewhat different letter box fitted with my improve-
ments, and Fig. 4 a cross section of the same.
Fig. 5 is a back view of letter box fitted with hood, and my improved method
of securing side pieces for the attachment of a complete case, while Fig. 6 is a
cross section of the same.
By reference to the respective figures, it will be observed how the first part
of my invention is carried into effect. In Fig. 1 the flap A, of the letter box,
which may be hinged or pivoted in any usual, suitable or well known manner,
is shewn with an open front, before which is displayed the removeable card or
name plate "Turner." Printed on the back of this may be the word "Letters,"
so that the card may be reversed when desired. The flap is formed with flanged
or grooved sides A¹ (see Fig. 2) at the back. Into the recess thus formed fits
the glass front B, and behind this the card or name plate C. These are retained
in position by the clip D, which may take divers forms. In Fig. 3 it is shewn
as having end slots G, and secured by screws H to the flap J. When the screws
are untightened, the clip may be removed, and a fresh name plate or glass inserted.
In Figs. 5 and 6, the clip is shewn as made of angle iron for ready removeal, and
extending across the opening of the flap from end to end.
This clip is provided with holes and secured by screws H..
་
The second part of my invention will be understood by reference to Figs. 3, 4,
and 5. The pivotted limb K of the letter box flap is extended at K¹. Fixed to
the stud M on the extended part is the link L, which is then hooked into a hole
in the lever M' of the call bell N, and with the movement of the flap A the bell
is rung. The short link L, and the extended portion K¹ of the pivotted limb K.
in combination with the lever of the call bell as described form the important
feature of the second part of my invention, the internal ringing mechanism of