Improvements in Frames for Purses, Pocket Books, Bags, or similar Articles.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Sept., 1894-Accepted, 20th Oct., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Frames for Purses, Pocket Books, Bags, or similar
Articles.
I, SCHEYER NATHAN, of 438 Broome Street, in the City of New York, State of
New York, U.S.A. Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention
for improvements in purse frames, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to an improvement in purse frames, or frames for pocket.
books of the purse pattern, or similar articles, and it has for its object to construct
the frame in such manner that the locking device or devices employed will be
located within the frame, entirely concealed thereby, leaving the upper portion of
the frame entirely free from any obstructions.
A further object of the invention is to so construct the frame that the members
thereof may in themselves constitute springs, maintaining the locking device
employed in locking position, and furthermore to provide a means whereby the
two members of the frame can be expeditiously and conveniently manipulated
with one hand to unlock the fastening devices.
A. further object of the invention is to provide a means whereby when the
locking device is carried to unlocking position the members of the frame will
automatically open.
A further object of the invention is to provide a purse frame of exceedingly
simple, durable and economic construction, presenting no protuberances that will
tend to chafe or wear the pocket.
The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the several
parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this
Specification, in which similar figures of reference indicate corresponding parts in
all the views.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the frame applied to a purse.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the frame open.
Figure 3 is a horizontal section, taken essentially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, the
purse frame being closed.
Figure 4 is a section taken practically on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, the purse frame
being opened; and
Figure 5 is a plan view of a modified construction of the frame when open.
In carrying out the invention the frame consists of two members 10 and 11, of
the usual angular or U-shaped construction, but they may be differently shaped
if in practice it is found desirable, and the two members of the frame are pivotally
connected at the extremities of their vertical members. The members of the frame,
as is usual in frames of this description are angular in cross section.
The pivot pins 12 of the frame are each surrounded by a spring 13, preferably
a coiled or spiral spring, the ends whereof have bearing against opposing frame
members, the tendency of the said springs being to bold the said frame members
separated, or the frame in open position, as illustrated in Figs. 2, 4, and 5. The
horizontal member of each frame member is provided upon its inner face with a
latch 14, the two latches being adapted, when brought in contact, to interlock.
Ordinarily the latches are made as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 5, in which they
are shown as consisting each of a stud extending inwardly on the inner sides of
the frame at right-angles thereto, each stud being provided with a head, and the
two heads are made to face in opposite directions. The studs are so located

page_text: that when the frame members are closed one head will slip by the other, and as
the frame members are of a spring material the said members will give laterally,
permitting the heads to pass each other, and after such a contact the frame members
in assuming their normal position will bring the heads in locking engagement, as
shown in Fig. 3; but it will be understood that any other equivalent latch may
be employed.
Each frame member is provided with a button 15, or a similar projection formed
upon the outer face of one of its vertical members, the button upon the member 10
being oppositely located to that upon the member 11. Thus it will be observed
that the top portion of the frame may be made perfectly smooth, or free from all
protuberances or any other projections that would tend to wear the pocket, and the
frame is thereby rendered exceedingly neat in appearance.
In the operation of opening the purse frame, it being closed as shown in Fig. 1,
the frame is taken, for example, in either the right or the left hand, and the thumb
is placed against one of the buttons and the fore-finger against the opposing button
on the side of the frame. By exerting inward pressure upon the buttons, one
member of the frame is forced in one direction and the opposite member in an
opposing direction, and in this manner the heads of the studs or latches 14, are
carried out of engagement with each other, and the spiral springs 13 act auto-
matically to force the frame members apart, thus opening the purse as shown in
Figs. 2, 4, and 5.
Instead of making the frame members cf a spring material, the necessary lateral
motion so as to permit the heads of the latches to pass each other, may be obtained
by arranging the springs 13 between the ends of the frame members, see Fig. 5.
The coils of the springs 13 will then be compressed, when inward pressure is
exerted upon the buttons 15, and consequently the latches will be carried out of
engagement.
It will be understood that the frame members may be locked together, or the
purse closed, by simply compressing the members of the frame, causing the latches
to interlock.
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. In a bag or purse frame, the combination with a frame constructed of a spring
material, whereby one member may be sprung end wise past the other, and opposing
latches located upon the interior of the frame adapted to interlock and open by
laterally forcing one from the other, of springs coiled upon the pivots of the frame
and having their ends bearing upon the frame members whereby the frame will be
opened when the latches are disengaged, substantially as described.
2. In a bag or purse frame, the combination with the members of means for
locking the same in a closed position adapted to be released by lateral movement of
the members and a spring or springs normally holding the members in a locked
position but permitting of lateral movement of the members to release the latches,
the ends of such spring or springs bearing upon the frame members whereby the
frame will be opened when the latches are disengaged, substantially as described.
Dated this 10th day of September 1894.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Patent Agent.