IMPROVED MODE OF OPENING AND CLOSING COAL VASES FANCY BOXES, WRITING CASES AND SIMILAR RECEPTACLES
Year: 1884

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
We ROBERT HODGES BISHOP of 8, St Georges Terrace, Liverpool Road in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman and WILLIAM DOWN, of 18 Vicars Road in the
same County, Draughtsman do hereby declare the nature of our invention for
"IMPROVED MODE OF OPENING AND CLOSING COAL VASES FANCY BOXES, WRITING
CASES AND SIMILAR RECEPTACLES," to be as follows:-
In coal vases as usually constructed the lid is hinged at its upper end to the
body of the vase so that when the lid has to be turned back to take out coal, the
underside which is usually disfigured by dirt is exposed to view which is very
unsightly, besides this the lid when turned back strikes against the handle of the
vase and becomes indented.
The knob or handle by which the lid is lifted is placed near the lower edge of
the lid which is inconvenient for the person (especially if a stout person) opening
the box to reaclı. '
Now the object of this invention is to obviate these inconveniences and the
invention consists in so mounting the lid that when lifted the front which is usually
ornamented will always remain exposed to view.
In carrying out our invention we dispense. with the ordinary hinges and. we
secure the lid to the box by means of two pairs of parallel bars secured one pair on
either side to the lid and to the box and entering intò rebates made in the side
edges of the lid. The lifting knob or handle will be placed near the top edge of
the lid so that the stooping required to raise the lid will be reduced to a minimum.
Although we have more particularly described our invention as applied to Coal
Vases we would remark that the same may be adapted to other kinds of receptacles
such for instance as Fancy Boxes of various kinds, Writing Cases and Secretaires.
300
L1001
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: We ROBERT HODGES BISHOP of 8, St Georges Terrace, Liverpool Road in the
County of Middlesex Gentleman and "WILLIAM DOWN of 18 Vicars Road in the
same County, Draughtsman do hereby declare the nature of our invention for
IMPROVED MODE OF OPENING AND CLOSING COAL VASES, FANCY BOXES, WRITING
CASES, AND SIMILAR RECEPTACLES," and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
This invention relates more particularly to Coal Vases, but it is also applicable
'to writing cases and similar receptacles.
1
In Coal Vases as usually constructed, whether of wood or metal, the lid is hinged
at its upper end to the body of the box and in order to take out coal, the lid must
be, turned up. In this way the underside of the lid, usually disfigured by dirt,
becomes exposed to view, which is objectionable as being unsightly. The lid, also
when turned back, strikes against the handle of the box, and the front becomes
indented and if the front is ornamented with glass or enamel, the glass or enamel
is liable to be broken or cracked, thereby rendering the front unsightly and causing
unnecessary expense for repairs. Again, the knob or handle by which the lid is
lifted must be placed near the bottom edge of the lid, which is inconvenient for
the person (especially if a stout person) opening the box to reach.
Now the object of this invention is to obviate these inconveniences, and the
invention consists in so mounting the lid that, when lifted, the front which is
usually ornamented will always remain exposed to view.
In carrying out our invention we dispense with the ordinary hinges, and we
secure the lid to the box by means of parallel bars or links secured on either
side to both the lid and the box, and fitting into rebates made in the side edges of
the lid. The lifting knob or handle will be placed near the top edge of the lid, so
that the stooping required to raise the lid will be reduced to a minimum.
In the accompanying Drawing we have shown our invention as applied to a
wooden Coal Box.
Eig: 1 being a perspective view with the lid closed;
Fig 2 a similar view with the lid open; and
Fig 3 a detached view of one form of the opening mechanism in three
positions.
"
A is the Coal Vase, the construction of which will be readily understood from
the drawing, and further description of it will be therefore unnecessary.
B is the lid which fits between the two sides of the box A as shown.-C is a
plate of metal which is secured in any suitable manner in a rebate formed in the
side edge of the lid, and C is a similar plate suitably secured in a recess or groove
inside the side of the box A. These two plates CC¹ are connected together by
links D, which are pivotted to the plates CC so that when the lid is shut down,
they will lie snugly between the two plates.

page_text: The links will all be of the same length viz such as to allow of the lid opening
the full height of the box, and they will be secured to both plates at equal
distances apart, such distance slightly exceeding the length of the links, so that
when the lid is shut down, the two links will form practically a continuation the
one of the other.
A corresponding arrangement will be placed on both sides of the lid.
In order to prevent the straining or bending of the links, we may connect the
upper or the lower links on opposite sides by, or form them in one with, a
transverse rod or bar E the ends of the rod turning in suitable bearings in the
plates C¹.
It will be evident that if desired, the plates C and C¹ may be dispensed with,
and the links D may be. secured direct to the box and the lid.
F is the lifting handle or hook, which is placed near the top edge of the lid.
It will also be evident that instead of using two pairs of links we may dispense
with the lower link on each side and provide in place thereof a pin which we
insert in the side edge of the lid. These pins will slide each in a groove formed in
the side of the box to receive it. Or again, instead of the upper links one on
either side of the lid, we may employ a single link only (see the diagram view
Figs: 4) which we place in the centre of the lid and secure thereto and to the box
by hinges, or in any other convenient manner; or we may employ, a single central
link with the side pins.
In applying the invention to metal Coal Vases, the most convenient plan will be
to provide lugs or ears on the underside of the lid, to which the links will be
pivotted.
Either of the arrangements above mentioned will be suitable for metal boxes,
though the last named is perhaps preferable.
It will be seen that the whole of the mechanism is contained inside the box, and
is thus not only protected from injury but is also out of sight.
We may here remark that our invention may be readily applied to existing Coal
Vases whether of wood or metal.
In adapting the invention to Fancy boxes and similar receptacles, the precise
details will be varied according to the description and shape of the box.
Having now particularly described and, ascertained the nature of our said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is
Securing lids to Coal Vases, Fancy Boxes, Writing Cases or similar receptacles,
substantially as herein shown and described, whereby the front of the lid will
always be presented to view whether the lid be open or closed, and the mechanism
for opening and closing is contained within the box as set forth.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicants.