AN IMPROVED FILE OR BINDER FOR HOLDING LETTERS, INVOICES, SHEETS OF MUSIC, OR OTHER PAPERS OR DOCUMENTS." PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Downie, of Chicago, Illinois, United States of
America, now of Barbican, in the City of London, for an Invention of "AN
IMPROVED FILE OR BINDER FOR HOLDING LETTERS, INVOICES, SHEETS OF
MUSIC, OR OTHER PAPERS OR DOCUMENTS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Downic at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd July 1880.
WILLIAM DOWNIE, of Chicago, Illinois, United States of America, now of
Barbican, in the City of London. AN IMPROVED FILE OR BINDER FOR HOLDING
LETTERS, INVOICES, SHEETS OF MUSIC, OR OTHER PAPERS OR DOCUMENTS."
My Invention relates to an improved file or apparatus for holding letters, invoices,
sheets of music, or other papers in a convenient position for ready reference or use,
and at the same time in such a manner that any letter or paper amongst the
number may be readily removed, or other letters or papers may be added in any
desired order without altering the relative position of the papers remaining or being
on the file or apparatus at the time the withdrawal or addition takes place.
The said apparatus or file when used for letters, invoices, or other documents of a
similar character, is chiefly designed to be employed in connection with the file or
binder described in the Specification of former Letters Patent dated 29th July,
A.D. 1879, No. 3075, although it will be obvious that the present Invention may be
advantageously used alone. The file or binder described in the said former
Specification is designed to receive the letters, invoices, or the like as they arrive,
and to hold them conveniently until they have accumulated in sufficient number to
render the removal necessary or desirable, and provision is made whereby all the
documents may be threaded or sewn together before being removed from the file,
and then taken off securely united to be packed away in any desirable manner, thus
leaving the file free to receive new papers.
The present Invention provides means whereby these accumulated papers may be
speedily removed from the file and bound up into book-form without the use of
thread or string, and although thus bound up and in a convenient form for packing
away, the papers so removed remain held together as above explained in such a

page_text: manner that any one or more of the same may be removed, or others added, with
great facility without dis-arranging the others.
When my Invention is used for binding or holding sheets of music or the like,
these sheets are held together with the saine facility for removal or addition as above
explained with regard to letters and invoices, but the file described in the said former
Specification is not employed.
In carrying my Invention into practice I provide a piece of tin or other metal
and bend a portion thereof on two sides in such a manner as to leave one broad
bottom piece with a narrow strip projecting upward on each side at right angles to
the bottom picce and in a longitudinal direction. A trough-shaped piece is thus
formed, which is designed to fit between two covers or lids, like the covers of a book,
and the broad lower piece of the inetal is preferably somewhat rounded, so that the
back of the covers may be of the same form to present a book-like appearance.
One of the narrow longitudinal strips or edges of metal is turned round at its upper
part to provide an aperture for a wire, which has at each end a thin tube with a
sharpened extremity, these tubes projecting from the wire at right angles thereto;
the wire fits loosely in the metal piece, so that it may work therein as a hinge.
The longitudinal strip of metal on the other side is provided with a catch designed
to receive and hold a projecting central part of a wire which extends from the point
of one of the said tubes to the point of the other tube, this cross wire being bent at
right angles at each end, so that a leg of the said cross-wire fits into each of the
tubes, extending to or nearly to the bottom thereof. When a sufficient number
of papers have accumulated upon the file or binder described in the said former
Specification, the cross wire above described is entirely removed from the apparatus
forming the subject of the present Invention, and the legs of this wire are inserted
in the-tubes of the file-containing the accumulated papers, whereupon the latter may
be all removed upon the legs of this cross-wire and transferred to the apparatus to
which the present Invention relates, that is to say, the legs of the cross-wire
containing the papers are inserted into the tubes of the last inentioned apparatus,
and then the papers may all be slipped upon the tubes thereof; and when this has
been done the tubes and wire are moved over on the hinge and are fastened to the
opposite side by the means above described. The papers thus become almost
instantaneously bound securely together in the same relative position they occupied
on the temporary file, and then the book of papers thus bound may be packed away
upon a shelf or otherwise, suitable indications having been made upon the back as
to the contents. An index may be used to facilitate reference.
It will be obvious that this improved file or binder may be used, if desired, to
receive the papers direct instead of being used in combination with the file described
in the said former Specification.
When my improved binder or apparatus is to be used for music or similar sheets,
I somewhat modify its construction, that is to say, I provide a trough-shaped metal
piece, to which two tubes are secured with a capability of moving over as herein-
before described. I also provide the cross wire with right angled legs, but this
cross-wire carries a blade or plate of thin metal, having at each cud a projecting
spur or point with a sharp edge. When the sheets of music are to be filed or
secured the blade is removed by withdrawing the legs from the tubes, and the music
sheet is pierced along its fold by the two pointed spurs; then I take small pieces of
card, linen, parchment, or other material, so cut that there is a portion which will
pass through the apertures made in the fold of the music sheet, the other portion of
cach piece of card being made too large to pass through the aperture and provided
with gum, so that it may be caused to adhere to the sheet. The part of the card
passing through the music has a hole through it which fits upon the tube of
the binder, and when the tubes are moved over and secured by the cross wire to
the other side of the trough-shaped piece between the two covers, the sheets of music
become securely held in a convenient position for use, but in such a manner that
they or any one thereof may be removed instantaneously. The points of the blade
or cutter coincide exactly with the ends of the tubes, so that in all cases the apertures

page_text: made in the folds of the music sheets will be in the proper positions. There may be
more than two tubes if desired, and they may be placed at any desirable distance
apart.
The metal trough-shaped piece and the parts connected therewith, whether for
letters, invoices, or similar documents, or for music or the like, are designed to bo
combined with covers or book-lids of sizes and shapes to suit the papers to be filed
or held together.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Downic in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st January
1881.
WILLIAM DOWNIE, of Chicago, Illinois, United States of America, now of
Barbican, in the City of London. "AN IMPROVED FILE OR BINDER FOR HOLDING
LETTERS, INVOICES, SHEETS OF MUSIC, OR OTHER PAPERS OR DOCUMENTS."
My Invention relates to an improved file or apparatus for holding letters,
invoices, sheets of music, or other papers in a convenient position for ready reference
or use, and at the same time in such a manner that any letter or paper amongst
the number may be readily removed, or other letters or papers may be added in any
desired order without altering the relative position of the papers remaining or
being on the file or apparatus at the time the withdrawal or addition takes place.
The said apparatus or file when used for letters, invoices, or other documents of
a similar character, is chiefly designed to be employed in connection with the file
or binder described in the Specification of former Letters Patent, dated 29th July,
A.D. 1879, No. 3075, although it will be obvious that the present Invention may be
advantageously used alone. The file or binder described in the said former
Specification is designed to receive the letters, invoices, or the like as they arrive,
and to hold them conveniently until they have accumulated in suflicient number to
render their removal necessary or desirable, and provision is made whereby all the
documents may be threaded or sewn together before being removed from the file,
and then taken off securely united to be packed away in any desirable manner,
thus leaving the file free to receive new papers.
The present Invention provides means whereby these accumulated papers may
be speedily removed from the file, and bound up into book form without the use of
thread or string, and although thus bound up and in a convenient form for packing
away, the papers so removed remain held together, as above explained, in such a
manner that any one or more of the same may be removed or others added with
great facility, without disarranging the others. When my Invention is used for binding
or holding sheets of music or the like, these sheets are held together with the same
facility for removal or addition as above explained with regard to letters and invoices,
but the file described in the said former Specification is not employed. In carrying

page_text: my Invention into practice I provide a piece of tin or other metal, and bend a
portion thereof on two sides in such a manner as to leave one broad bottom piece,
with a narrow strip projecting upward on each side at right angles to the bottom
piece, and in a longitudinal direction. A trough-shaped picco is thus formed, which
is designed to fit between two covers or lids like the covers of a book, and the
broad, lower piece of the metal is preferably somewhat rounded, so that the back of
the covers may be of the same forin to present a book like appearance. One of the
narrow longitudinal strips or edges of inetal is turned round at its upper part, like
half of a hinge, to provide an aperture or apertures for a wire, which has at each end
a thin tube with a sharpened extremity; these tubes projecting froin the wire at right
angles thereto. The wire fits loosely in the metal piece so that it may work therein
as a hinge. The longitudinal strip of metal on the other side is provided with a
catch designed to receive and hold a projecting central part of a wire, which extends
from the point of one of the said tubes to the point of the other tube, this cross-wire
being bent at right angles at each end, so that a leg of the said cross-wire.fits into each
of the said tubes, extending to or nearly to the botton thereof. When a sufficient
number of papers has accumulated upon the file or binder described in the said
former Specification, the cross-wire above described is entirely removed from the
apparatus forming the subject of the present Invention, and the legs of this wire are
inserted in the tubes of the file containing the accumulated papers, whereupon the
latter may be all removed upon the legs of this cross-wire and transferred to the
apparatus to which the present Invention relates, that is to say, the legs of the
cross-wire containing the papers are inserted into the tubes of the last mentioned
apparatus and then the papers may all be slipped upon the tubes thereof, and when
this has been done the tubes and wire are moved over on the hinge and are
fastened to the opposite--side. by the means above described. The papers thus
become almost instantaneously bound securely together in the same relative
position which they occupied on the temporary file, and then the book of papers
thus bound may be packed away upon a shelf or otherwise, suitable indications
having been made upon the back as to the contents. An index may be used to
facilitate reference. It will be obvious that this improved file or binder may bo
used, if desired, to receive the papers direct, instead of being used in combination
with the file described in the said former Specification.
When my improved binder or apparatus is to be used for music or similar sheets,
I somewhat modify its construction, that is, I provide a trough-shaped metal piece
to which two tubes are secured, with a capability of moving over, as hereinbefore
described. I also provide the cross-wire with right-angled legs, but this cross-wire
carries a blade or plate of thin metal, having at each end a projecting spur or point
with a sharp edge. This blade I may if I choose make disconnected from the wire,
or I may use a single pointed blade. In either of the two latter cases 1 provide a
suitable sheath or pocket within the cover of the binder for the reception of said
blade. When the sheets of music are to be filed or secured the blade is removed
by withdrawing the legs from the tubes, and the music sheet is pierced along its
fold by the two pointed spurs. Then I take small tags or pieces of card linen,
parchment, or other material, so cut that there is a portion thereof which will
pass through the apertures inade in the fold of the music sheet, the other
portion of each tag being made too large to pass through the aperture. I make
cach of those tags of one, two, three, or more pieces of card, linen, parchment,
or other suitable material, of exactly the same size and shape. This single or
composite tag, as the case may be, is perforated close to its outer end
of that part which is intended to be passed through the aperture in the
fold of the music sheet, as herein before mentioned, and the edge of this
perforation is guarded by an eyelet inserted therein which imparts strength
to the aforesaid part of said tag, and permits of said tag being passed over
its proper tube of the binder. The other portion or portions of the piece
or pieces composing said tag are gummed on one or both sides, but they are
not fastened to each other. The gum is allowed to dry, so that each portion

page_text: may for the purpose of attaching a loose sheet to it have its gummed surface
moistened in any convenient way and so be inade adhesive. When the tubes
are moved over and secured by the cross-wire to the other side of the trough-
shaped piece, between the two covers the sheets of music become securely held in
a convenient position for use, but in such a manner that they or any of them may
be removed instantaneously. The points of the blade or cutter coincide exactly
with the ends of the tubes, so that in all cases the apertures made in the folds of
the music sheets will be in the proper positions. There may be more than two
tubes if desired, and they may be placed at any desirable distance apart. The
metal trough-shaped piece and the parts connected therewith, whether for letters,
invoices, or similar documents, or for music or the like, are designed to be
combined with covers or book-lids of sizes and shapes to suit the papers to be
filed or held together. For the better explanation and illustration of my said
Invention I refer to the accompanying Drawings, in which the same letters
designate the same parts. Figure 1 is a plan of my file as used for letters or
invoices; Figure 2 is a side view of the lower side of Figure 1 with the cross-wire
in position; Figure 3 is a side view of the top side of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a plan
of the horizontal part of the cross-wire as the latter appears in Figure 2; Figure 5
is an end view of the file, shown in Figure 1, taken from the left hand, showing
the tubes closed; Figure 6 shows the filo mounted book-wise between two covers;
Figure 6 is drawn reduced size, the five previous Figures are drawn full size;
Figure 7 is a plan of my filo when used as a music binder; Figuro 8 is a sido
view of Figure 7 taken from the left hand; Figure 9 is a side view of Figure 7
taken from the right hand; Figure 10 is a plan of the blade and cross-wire ;
Figure 11 is a side view of Figure 10 taken from the left hand; Figure 12 is an
end view of the music binder mounted in a portfolio with the binder closed and
carrying my patent tags, showing the method of inserting sheets of music or other
papers; Figure 13 is a plan of a tag; Figure 14 is a plan of a double tag unpierced
and unfolded; Figures 15, 16, & 17, are sectional views of my single, double, and
treble tags respectively, the lower parts being drawn rather wide; Figure 18 shows
the music binder fitted in a folio, the reverse way to the one indicated in Figures 7
to 12 inclusive. The following is a key to the reference letters:- is the trough-
shaped pieco; a¹, the broad lower piece; a³, the narrow longitudinal strip or
metal piece; a, a³, &c., are the hinge like apertures; b is the wire, carrying at
each end a tube c, c', with sharpened extremity c²; d, the narrow longitudinal
strip on the other side of the broad lower piece and furnished with a single or
double flanged catch d³, and in the case of the invoice file with thumb bits d³,
e is the cross-wire; c', the projecting central part of the same; c², c², its legs; fis
the blade of the music binder; f', f, are its spurs or points; ƒ³, fs, are its cutting
edges; 9, 9, 9, are the tags; g' is the portion of the tag that passes through the
aperture in the fold of the music sheet; g² is the gum'd portion to which the
sheet is to be attached; g³ is the eyelet; h is the cover of invoice file; i is
the folio in which the music binder is fixed; j are the clips in the bottom (or
sides) of the trough-shaped piece a; h, k, k, are the holes for receiving the staples
,. These holes may be made either in the bottom or in the sides of the
trough-shaped piece.
Having now fully described the nature of my said Invention and the manner in
which the same is to be carried into effect, I wish it to be distinctly understood
that what I consider new and therefore secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
> recited Letters Patent is set forth in detail in the following claims:-
First. The trough-shaped piece, as and for the purpose herein before described
and illustrated in the said Drawings.
Second. The combination of the two tubes, both fastened to a wire working
as a hinge in combination with the trough-shaped piece, as and for the purpose
herein before described and illustrated in the said Drawings.
Third. The cross-wire separate from or in conjunction with the blade and
carrying one or more projecting part or parts c', working in combination with a

page_text: corresponding number of catches formed on one side of the trough shaped piece, as
and for the purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated in the said Drawings.
Fourth. The blade or plate having two projecting spurs or points with sharp
edges, said blado being fastened to or separate from the cross-wire hereinbefore
mentioned, as and for the purpose herein before described and illustrated in the
said Drawings.
Fifth. The single blade fastened to the aforesaid cross-wire, as and for the
purpose hereinbefore mentioned and illustrated in the said Drawings.
Sixth. The single duplex, triplex, or multiplex taga, constructed as and for the
purpose hereinbefore described and mentioned in the said Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Downie, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Thirty first day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
Signed and scaled in
presence of
P. O'HALLORAN,
Patent Agent,
28, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, E.C."
WILLIAM DOWNIE. -(L:S:)·