An Improved Puzzle Box.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Puzzle Box.
1 JOHN ANDREW MANNELL of "Trefoy," Snodland, in the County of Kent,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved puzzle box, and refers more particularly
to fixing a sliding bolt in the cover of a box, so that by suitably tilting and
manipulating the box, the bolt may shoot, so as either to lock or unlock the box,
substantially in the manner hereinafter described.
The following is a way of carrying out this invention, as applied to a match-box
for example.
I stamp or otherwise suitably form the body of the box, which I prefer to have
flat and of metal: and at one end, at a short distance from the back, I pivot a
cover, to the under side of which I fix (say) four clips, in which latter I place a
bolt, so as to work loosely under the said clips. On the surface of said bolt,
preferably at or near the middle thereof I fix or form transversely a projection, to
limit the shoot of the bolt. On the inner surface of the aforesaid cover, coming
underneath the aforesaid bolt, I fix a flat spring piece. To the front of the box,
inside near the top, 1 fix or form a ledge, so that upon the cover being shut, and a
slight pressure exerted thereon at the front, the bolt will slide by its own weight,
upon suitably tilting the box, and upon releasing the pressure upon the cover, the
bolt will be held in position against the underside of the aforesaid ledge by the
aforesaid spring piece exerting a slight pressure upon the top of the ledge.
The box cannot be again opened without pressing upon the cover in front, and
tilting it (the box) towards the back.
Dated this Fourth day of June One thousand eight hundred and ninety-six
I JOHN ANDREW MANNELL of "Trefoy" Snodland, in the County of Kent,
Engineer, 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 an improved puzzle box, and refers more particularly
to fixing a sliding bolt in the cover of the box, so that by suitably tilting and
manipulating the box, the .bolt may shoot, so as either to lock or unlock the box,
substantially in the manner hereinafter described.
The following is a way of carrying out this invention, as applied to a match-box
for example.
I stamp or otherwise suitably forin the body of the box, which I prefer to have
flat and of metal; and at one end, at a short distance from the back, I pivot a
cover, to the underside of which I fix (say) four clips, in which latter I place a

page_text: bolt, so as to work loosely under the said clips. On the surface of said bolt,
preferably at or near the middle thereof I fix or form transversely a projection, to
limit the shoot of the bolt. On the inner surface of the aforesaid cover coming
underneath the aforesaid bolt, I fix a flat spring piece.
To the front of the box, inside near the top, I fix or form a ledge, so that upon
the cover being shut, and a slight pressure exerted thereon at the front, the bolt
will slide by its own weight, upon suitably tilting the box, and, upon releasing the
pressure upon the cover, the bolt will be held in position against the underside of
the aforesaid ledge by the aforesaid spring piece exerting a slight pressure upon
the top of the ledge.
The box cannot be again opened without pressing upon the cover in front, and
tilting it (the box) towards the back.
And in order that my invention may be more clearly understood I will now
proceed to describe the same with reference to the drawings accompanying this
specification in which
Fig. 1 shews elevation of a box (open) constructed according to my invention
partly in section,
Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are details hereinafter referred to.
The same letters of reference denote the same parts in all the views.
a shews body of box, b lid, e pivot of lid, d clips in which slides loosely a bolt e;
f is a projection on bolt e to limit the action of the bolt, g is a slight spring, his
a ledge form with or fixed to the body a of box.
In order to shut and lock a puzzle box constructed as above it is necessary after
having closed the box as at Fig. 2, to press upon that end of the cover which comes
over the ledge h-indicated by an arrow in Fig. 3. This will have the effect of
pressing the spring 9 between the ledge h and the lid b. The box must then be
held with the front downwards, when the bolt e will shoot under the ledge hand
then lock the box when the pressure is withdrawn as shewn in Fig. 3.
In order to open the box again it is necessary to press down the lid b in front as
aforesaid and then tilt the box with the back downwards, when the bolt e will
fall from under the ledge h and the box can then be opened by pressing on the
back of the lid b.
Fig. 4 shews plan of underside of lid b with my invention adapted thereto.
I do not intend to limit myself to the exact form of box shewn on the
drawing, as the box may be of any form required, according to the articles which
it is intended to contain.
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. Constructing puzzle boxes substantially as set forth.
2. In puzzle boxes the employment of a loose bolt so fitted as to be capable of
falling into position upon the box being suitably tilted and manipulated, said
bolt being retained in such position by a spring, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
Deted this Thind d
BROWNE & Co.,
9 Warwick Court, Gray's Inn, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.