A Safety Letter Box.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 20th May, 1889-Accepted, 20th July, 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Safety Letter Box.
I RICHARD VERNON WILLIAMSON 9 Brookville Road Walham Green London S.W.
County of Middlesex Carpenter do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This letter box is formed with hollow sides in which are placed the arms or apparatus.
In the front near the top is an inlet, and inside the inlet is a flap or plate hung
on centres, about midway in the box is another flap, also hung on centres, which
divides the box into two portions. The two flaps are connected by the arms which
are in the hollow chambered sides, and when the upper chamber is opened to receive
letters, they remain there until the hand is drawn from the letter plate, when they pass
immediately to the lower, chamber or well of the box.
In the accompanying drawing shewing two sections the different portions of which
are lettered. a. a. is the hollow chambered sides in which are fixed the arms
b. which open and close the two flaps. c. is the pins or studs that connect the arms.
(d. represents the grooves for studs or pins to work in. (e represents the flap at inlet
chamber. (f is the flap that divides the body of the box into two chambers. (g is a
quadrant or pusher fixed on inlet flap. h. is the door of the letter box.
1
Dated 5th day of October 1888
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Safety Letter Box.
7
I RICHARD VERNON WILLIAMSON of 9 Brookville Road Wallrun Green London Sow.
County of Middlesex, Carpenter 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 letter box is formed with hollow chambered sides-in which are placed the arms
or quadrant apparatus: In the front near the top is an inlet and inside the inlet a
flap or plate hung on centres or pivots, about midway in the interior of the box is
another flap or plate also working on centres, which divides the box into two chambers.
The two flaps are connected by the arms or quadrants which are in the hollow
chambered sides and when the upper chamber is opened to receive the letters or other
documents, they remain in the upper or first chamber until the hand is withdrawn from
the letter plate, when they pass immediately into the lower chamber or well of the
letter box. In the drawing "left with provisional Specification" shewing the two
sections or the different parts which are explained by the letters tbus:
a. a. being the hollow chambered sides in which are fixed the arms or quadrants
by which the letter plate on the door and the flap which divides the box into two
chambers are worked.
b. represents the metal arms or quadrants working in the hollow chambered sides
for opening & closing the flap & letter plate.
c. represents the metal studs or pins and collars that connect the arms or quadrants.
d. represents the quadrant grooves cut in the inside cheeks of the box for stud pins
to work in.
e. represents the flap or moveable part of letter plate at inlet of box.
f. represents the flap that divides the body of the box into two chambers.
g. represents a quadrant or pusher fixed on the inlet flap or moveable part of letter
plate which I shall use when it is not desirable to interfere with old external letter
plates.

page_text: h. represents the small door for clearing out letters from box.
I apply my safety letter box to all open or close framed wood or iron gates,
to recesses in Brick or Stone Walls, Doors of private houses, banks, Offices,
Shops & to all places of business, where letters, Books, or documents, of any
description delivered by postmen or messengers or any person whatever, where
safety or privacy is requisite.
I also propose to use the principle of the box for the present Post Office & Pillar
Boxes, and places wherever the present danger from thieves exist. When used for
Post Offices and Pillar boxes, I leave out the lower portion of the box which will
allow the letters to pass into the present nets or whatever chambers are used.
For wood doors and gates I provide all boxes with a projecting nozzle projecting
from the face of the box the thickness of the door and the full width of the letter
plate and flap at e. This nozzle forms a lining to the cutting in the rail of the
door making a clean vent and complete finish to the door when the letter plate is
fixed.
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-
1st. The arrangement of letter box with apparatus above described for the safe
keeping of letters, documents, or other matter placed therein.
2nd. The arrangement and shape of boxes and apparatus to suit any position
open or enclosed wherever letters, or documents, is required to be left for security.
3rd. The arrangement of apparatus in and the hollow chambered sides.
4th. The arrangement and fixing of the letter plate and flaps whether one or more.
5th. The arrangement of the box in either one or more chambers on the system
specified.
6th. The making of the boxes and also the apparatus in all its parts in any and
every description of metal, wood or composition.
7th. I claim the absolute safety of all letters, documents or other matter deposited
in my box until released in the legitimate way.
Dated this 20th day of May 1889.