Improvements in the Jointing of Metallic Boxes or Cases, Cameras, Shutters, or other Articles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Apr., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 6th Jan., 1900-Accepted, 7th Apr., 1900
Improvements in the Jointing of Metallic Boxes or Cases, Cameras,
Shutters, or other Articles.
I, JOHN EDWARD THORNTON, of Rokeby, Oldfield Road, Altrincham, in the
County of Chester, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to boxes cases cameras shutters or the like made of sheet
metal and is designed to provide a strong and simple corner joint or connection.
It consists essentially of a box case or the like formed or constructed with curved
or bent dove-tailed corner pieces which engage with each other (not in the thick-
ness of the metal) in the same curved surface or plane.
In carrying out the invention the sheets which may be of aluminium iron steel
brass copper or other metal or alloy are stamped to the required shape the edges
which are to come together to form the corners being stamped with dove tail pro-
jections or notches.
When raised or stamped into shape for a rectangular box or case the dove
tailed projections are curved or carried round the corner from one side and the
corresponding projections are bent or curved round the corner from the other
side the projection at one side fitting into the notch or recess at the other side
thus forming a dove tail joint not in the thickness of the material but in the same
curved plane.
The two parts are tightly pressed and so rendered secure. Solder may be used
if necessary.
The bottom edges or corners may be formed in the same way.
Improvements in the Jointing of Metallic Boxes or Cases, Cameras,
Shutters, or other Articles.
I, JOHN EDWARD THORNTON, of Rokeby, Oldfield Road, Altrincham, in the
County of Chester, Manufacturer, 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 boxes cases cameras shutters or the like made of sheet
metal and is designed to provide a strong and simple corner joint or connection.

page_text: Hitherto in the construction of structures of thin sheet metal it has been cus-
tomary to form the joints at the corners or other positions by turning over the
metal upon itself overlapping soldering brazing or the like where a water tight
or light tight joint has been required.
This invention consists essentially of a box case or the like formed or con-
structed with curved or bent dove-tailed corner pieces which engage with each
other (not in the thickness of the metal) in the same curved surface or plane.
The invention will be fully described with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which as an example it is shown as applied to the various parts of
a camera.
Fig. 1. Shows the invention applied to a camera case.
Fig. 2. Also shows it applied to a camera case with the joints differently
arranged.
Fig. 3. Shows the invention applied to another form of camera.
Fig. 4. Shows the invention applied to a camera shutter.
The sheets a from which the case or structure is made may be of aluminium
iron steel tin brass copper or other metal or alloy and are stamped out in blanks
of the required shape.
The edges which are to come together to form the connections or joints at the
corners (or elsewhere) are stamped with inter-locking or dovetail projections b
alternating with recesses or notches c of corresponding shape.
When the blank is raised or stamped into shape for a rectangular case or struc-
ture the interlocking dove-tail projections 6 are bent or carried round the corner
from one side and the corresponding projections on the other edge are bent or
carried round the corner from the opposite side the projections b on one side
engaging and fitting closely into the recesses or notches on the other side thus
forming a dovetail joint not in the thickness of the metal but flat or in the same
curved plane.
The two parts after being fitted into position are tightly pressed and so rendered
secure.
Solder may then be used if desired.
All the jointed edges may be formed in the same way.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. The method of jointing the corners of boxes or other structures of thin
sheet metal by forming interlocking or dovetail projections and recesses in the
flat of the metal bending same at an angle engaging the corresponding edges and
pressing same substantially as described.
2. A box case or structure of thin sheet metal constructed with bent dovetail
corners one side engaging with the other and pressed into close contact with or
without solder or other binding material substantially as described.
3. A box case or structure of sheet metal having jointed corners constructed
substantially as described and shown.
Dated this 3rd day of January 1900.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
6, Bank Street, Manchester, Patent Agents.