A Fastening Device for Tying up Mail Matter
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Feb., 7897
Complete Specification Left, 9th Nov., 1897-Accepted, 11th Dec., 1897
Date of Application, 15th ed., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 9th Nov., 1897-Accepted, 11th Dec., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
"A Fastening Device for Tying up Mail Matter."
"
I ALEXANDER JOHN CHAPMAN of Linwood" Moreland Road Coburg in the
Colony of Victoria Civil Servant do hereby declare the nature of my invention
for A Fastening Device for Tying Up Mail Matter" to be as follows:-
66
My present invention has been designed so that letters or papers can be
quickly tied up into parcels or as quickly untied for delivery.
In order to carry out my object † purpose using a device consisting of a
Hat metallic plate made preferably square or rectangular in shape. In the
centre of this plate is a hole or perforation the edge of which is turned up to
form a circular bead, there is therefore what may be termed "a beaded central
hole" in said plate.
A slot is forined from said beaded central hole to one side edge of the plate
and there are also formed at one end of the said plate two parallel or tapered
recesses being in the form of the letter V. In the metal portion intervening
between said recesses is made an eye through which is passed a short length of
string having a knot at one end to catch against said eye. The plate and string
constitute the fastening device. For the purpose of tying up a parcel of letters
or papers the string is passed twice around the parcel.
It is then slipped through the slot of the plate thence into the beaded central
hole against which said string is pulled. Whilst the string is in tension its
free end is slipped into and held by both of said ✓ shaped recesses formed in
the end portion of said plate. Said string is also further secured by passing
again through the aforesaid slot.
I do not confine myself to the use of two V shaped recesses at one end as I
may employ two recesses at each end of said plate so that when one end portion
of the latter is worn out the other end may be utilized for the same purpose.
1511
1807
ALEXANDER JOHN CHAPMAN.
Boult & Wade
Agents for the Applicant.
"A Fastening Device for Tying up Mail Matter."
"Linwood", Moreland Road,
I, ALEXANDER JOHN CHAPMAN residing at
Coburg, in the Colony of Victoria, Civil Servant, do hereby declare the nature
of this invertion and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:
My present invention has been designed so that letters or papers can be
quickly tied up into parcels or as quickly untied for delivery and my said
fastening device can also be used for tying up mail bags in which case there

page_text: would be combined with said device a tab upon which may be stamped or other-
wise placed the names of forwarding and destination Post Offices or Stations.
But in order that my invention may be better understood I will now describe
the accompanying sheet of drawings in which
Figure 1 represents a plan of my fastening device without the string.
Figure 2 repesents my fastening device showing it combined with a tab so
that said device can be used for the transportation of mail bags.
Figure 3 illustrates my fastening device showing the position of the string
or cord after the parcel has been tied up.
Figure 4 illustrates a central sectional elevation of the device taken upon the
line 1 of Figure 1.
Referring to the drawings which form part of this specification the device for
tying up letters or parcels consists of a flat metallic plate (A) made preferably
square or rectangular in shape.
In the centre of this plate is a hole or perforation (B) the edge portion of
which is turned up so as to form a circular bead (C) there is therefore what may
be termed a beaded central hole" in said plate (A).
A alot (D) is formed from said beaded central hole (B) to one side edge of
said plate (A) and there are also formed at the two end portions of said plate (A)
four parallel or tapered recesses (E) (F) (G) and (H) which are each made
in the form of the letter V, the extremities and edges of said recesses being
rounded off so that they will not cut the string or cord (I) that is to be used for
tying up the parcel of letters or papers.
In the metal portions intervening between said recesses (E) (F) (G) and (H)
are made two beaded eyes (J) and (K) through one of which is passed as shewn
at Figure 3 the short length of string or cord (I) having a knot (L) at each end
to catch against the eye (J).
I wish it to be particularly understood that the before mentioned plate (A)
without string (I) constitutes the fastening device.
Although I have herein described and illustrated four recesses (E) (F) (G) and a
(H) and also the two eyes (J) and (K) I may use two of said recesses but in
any case I would employ the eye (J) only for the knotted end of the string, the
other eye (K) being provided only for the purpose of allowing the device to be
used from either end.
For the purpose of tying up a parcel of letters or papers the string (I) is
passed loosely twice around the parcel. It is then slipped through the slot (D)
of said plate (A) thence into the central hole (13) against the bead (C) of which,
the string (I) is pulled. Whilst said string (I) is in tension its free end is first
slipped into the recess (E) thence into the other recesses (F) and (G) and slot (D))
respectively and finally into the beaded central hole (B). The recess H may 4
be used when the string is first knotted in the hole or eye K.
When the fastening device is to be used for mail bags the string (I) is first
tied tightly around the mouth thereof and is secured in the same manner as
for parcels of letters or papers.
After the tying up of the mail bags the usual seal may be applied to or placed 4
upon the string crossing the central beaded hole (B).
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
The hereinbefore described fastening device consisting of the metallic plate (A) 5
having the beaded central hole (B), slot (D), recesses (E) (F) (G) and (H)
and eyes (J) and (K), as hereinbefore described, and illustrated in my drawings.
Dated this 5th day of October 1897.
ALEXANDER JOHN CHAPMAN