Improvements in Letter Boxes and the like for Hotels and other Places
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Feb., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 4th Nov., 1897-Accepted, 18th Dec.,
1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
"Improvements in Letter Boxes and the like for Hotels and other
Places,"
I, ADOLPHE CHARLES SEGHERS, of 56 Rue de la Victoire Paris, in the Republic of
France, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
Hotel proprietors have for some years, endeavoured in all possible ways to increase
the comfort of their establishments, thereby increasing their businesses as a result of
the facilities and comfort afforded to travellers.
There is however one branch of this business which has undergone no improvement,
remaining in just the same position that it occupied a century ago; this is the
distribution of the post to the rooms of the visitors.
Such distribution is usually effected by passing the letters under the door of the
room, at the risk of either dirtying crumpling or even losing them altogether, which
frequently happens, either because the occupant neglects to pick them up or because
they are pushed under the carpeting of the room, where they may remain for a very
long time.
The apparatus which I term a secret box allows of introducing all correspondence
within the room, without any of the inconvenience which has hitherto existed. It is
absolutely impossible to see inside the room, and no more sound is transmitted than
if the door were solid. In addition to this, directly the letters are passed into the
box, a special bell announces the fact to the occupant. If however the latter does not
desire to be awakened by the sound of the bell in the morning, it is only necessary
for him to turn a special button over night, in order that no sound at all shall be
produced when the correspondence is introduced..
This apparatus may likewise be used for any similar purpose, that is to say,
whenever it is desired to pass an object of small dimensions through any partition
whatever, without the possibility of either seeing or hearing what is taking place in
either of the compartments or places separated by the said partition.
The apparatus comprises a rectangular metal frame, the parts of which are
introduced within an opening of the same shape made in the panel of the door, or in
a wall or partition, at the height of say 6 feet from the floor. This frame is kept in
place upon the inside by means of screws.
In the frame are supported the axes of two flaps or shutters, which are covered with
felt upon their inner face and serve to close the openings in the said frame upon each
side of the door.
b
Upon the axes are fixed small bevel wheels which respectively gear with one of
the pinions carried upon each of the extremities of a transverse rod. Owing to this
arrangement and to the difference in the diameters of the pinions used, when the
outer flap is raised through an angle of 90°, by means of a knob for instance, this
flap turning with its axis also causes the pinion to rotate; this latter in its turn
transmits the motion to the transverse rod and consequently to the pinion at the
opposite side of the door, in such a manner that the inside flap is raised and occupies
a position inclined at an angle of about 45°.

page_text: When the outside flap is open, the opening in the frame is completely concealed
by two superposed and parallel rollers mounted upon loose axes, which latter are
supported in the frame, the surface of the rollers being covered with felt or some
similar material; the space comprised between these roll-rs and the frame is likewise
covered with felt or the like. The object of this arrangement is to prevent any
communication either by the eye or ear between the two sides of the panel. The
elasticity of the felt covering the rollers allows bodies of small dimensions such as
letters newspapers or the like to be passed between them for the occupant of the
apartment.
The correspondence or other object which is introduced falls upon a sort of tray
consisting of a frame provided with a net. Under ordinary circumstances the tray
is kept against the inside of the panel by means of a balance weight, which may be
replaced by a spring, when however the outside flap is raised, the said tray is caused
to occupy a position at an incline to the panel or door, in order that it may receive
the correspondence, by means of a vertical rod provided at its two extremities with
bevel pinions, the upper of which gears with the pinion fixed upon the axis of the
inside flap whilst the lower gears with a pinion fixed upon the axis of the tray.
The pinion is connected with its spindle, which is also that of the tray, by means
of a ratchet device which permits the said tray to remain in the lower position until
the letter or other object has been removed, whereupon the tray is again brought into
its first position by means of the balance weight.
Upon the inside of the door may be arranged a bell intended to notify the opening
of the outside flap; it is the inside flap which in opening acts upon the shank of
the bell hammer and so causes the bell to ring:
This hammer may be adapted to be put out of gear in any suitable manner, in
case the occupant of the room should wish to prevent the bell from acting.
The apparatus may be variously modified with respect to the details of
construction, the object of such modification being to simplify the apparatus whilst
at the same time increasing its tightness or fit.
The modified forms of apparatus also comprises a frame which is fitted into an
opening formed in a partition upon the surfaces of the said partition and fixed in
place by means of screws.
In one form or arrangement the interior of the frame is made circular in shape;
it receives a hollow cylinder which is capable of turning around its axis; with this
object, its extremities are guided by the lateral walls of the frame. This latter may
be provided on the outside with lids or protecting portions projecting from the
frame.
The cylinder comprises rectangular openings arranged opposite each other, which
are intended for the passage of the letters or other objects of small dimensions which
it is desired to pass through the partition.
Within the cylinder are located a small cylinder and flaps formed from small
metal plates which may be either covered with felt or not, which are capable of moving
around a red and which bear against the small cylinder. The rod as well as the axis
of the small cylinder is supported by the lateral walls of the frame.
In this arrangement the flaps are intended to replace the cylinder described in the
preceding arrangement; in the same manner the solid part of the cylinder, which
part is provided with a projection, replaces the external flap or shutter of this same
arrangement.
Upon the inside of the partition are arranged, mounted upon a spindle, on the one
hand the inside shutter and on the other hand two parts or net carriers one at each
end of the spindle, upon which are fixed the rods actuating a net as will be explained.
later.
Ordinarily, that is to say when the apparatus is closed, the said net carriers enter
the cylinder which is for this purpose formed with slots or openings.
This device acts in the following manner: When the apparatus is closed and it is
desired to introduce an object into the room separated from the outside by the
partition, the cylinder is caused to rotate by acting upon the projecting portion..

page_text: As a result of this movement of the cylinder, the extremity of the slots with
which it is provided opposite the net carriers pushes these latter until they occupy
the open position; by their motion the net carriers move the rods which spread the
net and at the same time raise the shutter which is supported upon projections
they carry.
.
The apparatus is then in a position for the object to be introduced, it only
remains to slide this object, which it is desired to pass to the inside of the partition
by way of the opening, between the small cylinder and the flaps and to push it in
such a manner that it will leave the apparatus by the opening and fall upon
the net.
Should the object not pass readily, its passage may be facilitated by turning
the button placed inside upon the frame; this button on being turned causes
its spindle to rotate, this latter being connected by a spiral spring to the spindle of
the small cylinder which is also caused to rotate.
The introduction of the article having been effected, the large cylinder is
again displaced in order to bring it back to its original position; the net carriers
engage in the grooves or slots in the said cylinder, and the shutter and the net
being released resume their normal position.
It will readily be seen that the arrangement which has just been described offers
the same advantages as that previously described, the flaps preventing any
communication by the eye or ear between the compartments separated by the
partition, whilst on the other hand its construction is very much simpler as is
likewise its action.
In a further modification the arrangement is yet more simple. In this arrangement
in fact, that portion only of the large cylinder of the foregoing arrangement which is
strictly necessary for the passage of the articles is utilised, and the small cylinder is
suppressed.
The frame receives such a shape that it can accommodate, when the apparatus
is closed, a sort of rocker or hollowed out prism, which replaces the large cylinder
previously referred to. This rocker comprises parts formed by the prolongation of its
vertical faces, the apparatus being closed; the said rocker turns around a spindle
supported by the lateral walls of the frame. A part forming the outside shutter is
hinged upon the one face of the rocker.
Within this movable part or rocker are, arranged plates or flaps similar to those
already mentioned; these flaps are respectively movable around rods, their object is
to replace the cylinders of the other arrangements.
It should be noticed that the
face of the rocker does not exist or is cut away opposite the flaps.
Upon the inside face of the partition are arranged, mounted upon a spindle, the
inside shutter and the rods actuating the net. These rods rest upon the said shutter;
their lower extremity is connected hinge fashion to the net which is formed in two
jointed portions; the first portion opposite to that connected with the rods is hinged
upon the partition.
In order to bring the apparatus into the position for passing objects, the front
shutter is pulled, in such a inanner as to disengage its lower portion which may carry
a projection engaging in the rocker this rocker is then caused to turn upon its axis
in order to bring it into the open position.
As a result of this movement, the one face of the rocker raises the inside shutter
which in its turn actuates the rods, which latter spread the net.
After having introduced the articles by causing them to traverse the rocker, and
when these articles have fallen upon the net, the whole is brought back to its original
position by causing the rocker to turn in the opposite direction and by lodging the
shutter in the recess provided for it upon the outer surface of the frame.
It should be noticed that in the last two arrangements which have been described,
the inner shutter and the rods actuating the net are completely independent one of
the other and also of the rest of the apparatus, so that, the apparatus being closed
after the introduction of the articles, the said net inay remain either wholly or partly

page_text: open according to the nature and the weight of these articles, as was the case in the
first arrangement.
These last two arrangements may likewise be combined in the same way as the
first with a bell acting in the manner above explained.
In all cases the inner shutter might be provided with lateral walls which rest,
normally, in the partition on each side of the lateral walls of the frame.
Dated this 9th day of February 1807
"Improvements in Letter Boxes and the like for Hotels and other
Places."
I, ADOLPHE CHARLES SEGHERS, of 56 Rue de la Victoire, Paris, in the Republic of
France, 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 :-
Hotel proprietors have for some years, endeavoured in all possible ways to increase
the confort of their establishments, thereby increasing their businesses as a result of
the facilities and comfort afforded to travellers
There is however one branch of this business which has undergone no improve-
ment, remaining in just the same position that it occupied a century ago; this is
the distribution of the post to the rooms of the visitors.
Such distribution is usually effected by passing the letters under the door of the
room, at the risk of either soiling crumpling or even losing them altogether, which
frequently happens, either because the occupant neglects to pick them up or because
they are pushed under the carpeting of the room, where they may remain for a very
long time.
The apparatus which I term a secret box allows of introducing all correspondence
within the room, without any of the inconvenience which has hitherto existed. It
is absolutely impossible to see inside the room, and no more sound is transmitted
than if the door were solid. In addition to this, directly the letters are passed into
the box, a special bell announces the fact to the occupant. If however the latter
does not desire to be awakened by the sound of the bell in the morning, it is only
necessary for him to turn a special. button over night, in order that no sound at all
shall be produced when the correspondence is inserted.
This apparatus may likewise be used for any similar purpose, that is to say, when-
ever it is desired to pass an object of small dimensions through any partition
whatever, without the possibility of either seeing or hearing what is taking place in
either of the compartments or places separated by the said partition.
In order to render my invention perfectly clear, I have represented the same in
the accompanying drawings, in which-
Figure 1 represents a transverse section through the device when in a closed
condition.
Figure 2 is a similar view to that in Figure 1 but with the device open.
Figures 3 and 4 are front and plan views respectively of the plate or shutter within
the rooin.
Figures 5 and 6 represent a transverse section of a modification of the above
device, the said device being shewn closed in Figure 5 and open in Figure 6.
Figures 7, 8 and 9 also represent a modification the apparatus being shewn closed

page_text: in Figure 7 and open in Figure 8; Figure 9 is an external front elevation of the
apparatus within the room or the like into which the correspondence is to be
introduced.
The apparatus comprises a rectangular metal frame A the parts of which are
introduced within an opening of the same shape made in the panel B of the door, or
in a wall or partition, at the height of say 6 feet from the floor. This frame is kept
in place upon the inside by means of screws.
In the frame are supported the axes c and d of two flaps or shutters C and D
which are covered with felt upon their inner face and serve to close the openings in
the said frame upon each side of the door.
Upon the axes c and d are fixed small bevel wheels a and b which respectively gear
with one of the bevel wheels carried upon each of the extremities of a transverse
rod e. Owing to this arrangement and to the difference in the diameters of the
pinions used, when the outer flap is raised through an angle of 90°, by means of a
knob for instance, this flap turning with its axis c also causes the pinion a to rotate;
this latter in its turn transmits the motion of the transverse rod e and consequently
to the pinion 6, in such a manner that the inside flap D is raised and occupies a
position inclined at an angle of about 45°, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings.
The
When the outside flap C is open, the opening in the frame is completely concealed
by two superposed and parallel rollers F and G mounted upon loose axes, which
latter are supported in the frame A, the surface of the rollers being covered with felt
or some similar material; the.space comprised between these rollers and the frame A
is likewise covered with felt or the like as indicated by the letters fl and g.
object of this arrangement is to prevent any communication either by the eye or
ear between the two sides of the panel B. The elasticity of the felt covering the
rollers F and G, allow bodies of small dimensions such as letters newspapers or the
like to be passed between them for the occupant or the apartment.
The correspondence or other object which is introduced falls upon a sort of tray H,
consisting of a frame provided with a net. Under ordinary circumstances the tray is
kept against the inside of the panel B by means of a balance weight has shewn in
Figure 1 which weight may is desired, be replaced by a spring; when however the
outside flap C is raised, the said tray is caused to occupy the position indicated in
Figure 2, in order that it may receive the correspondence, by means of a vertical
rod k provided at its two extremities with bevel pinions, the upper of which k¹ gears
with the pinion 6 fixed upon the axis d of the flap D, whilst the lower one k² gears
with a pinion h' fixed upon the axis of the tray H.
The pinion h¹ is connected with its spindle, which is also that of the tray H, by
means of a ratchet device which permits the said tray to remain in the position
indicated in Figure 2 until the letter or other object had been removed, whereupon
the tray H is again brought into its first position by means of the balance weight H.
Upon the inside of the door may be arranged a bell I intended to notify the opening
of the flap C, this being effected by the flap D which in opening acts upon the
shank i of the bell hammer and so causes the bell to ring.
This hammer may be adapted to be put out of gear in any suitable manner, in
case the occupant of the room should wish to prevent the hell from acting.
The arrangements shewn in Figures 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 only differ from that above
described in details of construction, the object of such modification being to simplify
the apparatus whilst at the same time increasing its tightness or fit.
As shown in the drawings the apparatus in this case also comprises a frame A
which is fitted into an opening formed in a partition or panel B upon the surfaces of
the said partition and fixed in place by means of screws.
In the arrangement shown in Figures 5 and 6, the interior of the frame A is made
circular in shape; it receives a hollow cylinder C which is capable of turning around
its axis; with this object, its extremities are guided by the lateral walls of the frame A.
This latter may be provided on the outside with lids or protecting portions P, P1
projecting from the frame.
The cylinder C comprises rectangular openings and
arranged opposite each

page_text: other which are intended for the passage of the letters or other objects of small
dimensions which it is desired to pass through the partition B.
Within the cylinder C are located a small roller G and flaps F formed from small
metal plates which may be either covered with felt or not, which are capable of
moving around a rod f and which bear against the small cylinder G. The rod f² as
well as the axis of the small cylinder G is supported by the lateral walls of the
frame A.
In this arrangement the flaps F are intended to replace the cylinder designated by
the same letter in Figures 1 and 2; in the same manner the solid part 2 of the
cylinder C, which part is provided with a projection 13, replaces the external flap or
shutter C of the previously described arrangement.
Upon the inside of the partition B are arranged, mounted upon a spindle d, on the
one hand the inside shutter D and on the other hand two parts or net carriers K one
at each end of the spindle d, upon which are fixed the rods H¹ actuating a net H, as
will be hereinafter explained with reference to the Figures 7, 8 and 9 representing
the second modification.
Ordinarily, that is to say when the apparatus is closed, the parts K enter the
cylinder C, which is for this purpose formed with slots or openings, which terminate
at 14.
This device acts in the following manner :- When the apparatus is closed, that is
to say under ordinary conditions, the different parts of which it consists occupy the
position indicated in Figure 5. In order to introduce an object into the room
separated from the outside by the partition B, the cylinder C is caused to rotate by
acting upon the projecting portion (³, so as to cause it to assume the position in
which it is shewn in Figure 6.
As a result of this movement of the cylinder C, the extremity 14 of the slots with
which it is provided opposite the net carriers K pushes these latter until they occupy
the open position indicated in Figure 6; by their motion the net carriers K move
the rods H¹ which spread the net H (see Figure 8) and at the same time raise the
shutter D which is supported upon projections they carry.
The apparatus is then in a position for the letter or other object to be introduced,
it only remains to slide this object, which it is desired to pass to the inside of the
partition B by way of the opening 1, between the small roller G and the flap F and to
push it in such a manner that it will leave the apparatus by the opening and fall
upon the net H.
Should the object not pass readily, its passage may be facilitated by turning the
buttom M placed outside upon the frame A; this button on being turned causes its
spindle m to rotate and the latter being connected in a suitable manner to the spindle
of the small roller G also affects the rotation of the said roller.
The introduction of the article having been effected, the large cylinder C is again
displaced in order to bring it back to its original position; the net carrier K engage
in the groove or slots in the said cylinder, and the shutter D and the net H being
released resume their normal position.
It will readily be seen that the arrangement which has just been described offers
the same advantages as that previously described, the flaps F preventing any
communication by the eye or ear between the compartments separated by the
partition B, whilst on the other hand its construction is very much simpler as is
likewise its action.
The arrangement shewn in Figures 7, 8 and 9 is yet more simple. In this
arrangement in fact, that portion only of the large cylinder C of the foregoing
arrangement which is strictly necessary for the passage of the articles is utilised, and
the small roller G is dispensed with.
The frame A receives such a shape that it can accommodate, when the apparatus is
closed, a sort of rocker or hollowed out prism C³, which replaces the large cylinder C
previously referred to. This rocker C¹ comprises parts n n¹ formed by the prolonga-
tion of its vertical faces, the apparatus being closed; the said rocker turns around a

page_text: spindle 2 supported by the lateral walls of the frame A.
outside shutter is hinged upon the part n of the rocker C¹.
A part C forming the
Within this movable part or rocker C¹ are arranged plates or flaps F and F similar
to those already mentioned; these flaps are respectively movable around rods ƒ³
and g', their object is to replace the cylinders F and G of the other arrangements.
It should be noticed that the part h¹ of the rocker C¹ does not exist or is cut away
opposite the flaps F¹
Upon the inside face of the partition B are arranged, mounted upon a spindle d,
the inside shutter D and the rods H³ actuating the net H.
These rods K¹ rest upon
the said shutter D; their lower extremity is connected hinge fashion to the nut H
which is formed in two jointed portions H2 H3, the portion H opposite to that
connected with the rods H¹ is hinged at H* upon the partition B.
In order to bring the apparatus into the position for passing objects, the front
shutter C is pulled, in such a manner as to disengage its lower portion which may
carry a projection engaging in the rocker C¹ as shewn in Figure 7, this rocker is
then caused to turn upon its axis n² in order to bring it into the position
represented in Figure 8.
As a result of this movement, the part n¹ of the rocker C¹ raises the inside
shutter D which in its turn actuates the rod H¹, which latter spread the net as shewn
in Figure 8.
After having introduced the articles by causing them to traverse the rocker C¹
and when these articles have fallen upon the net H, the whole is brought back to
its original position by causing the rocker C to turn in the opposite direction and
by lodging the shutter C in the recess provided for it upon the outer surface of the
frame A.
It should be noticed that in the last two arrangements which have been described,
the inner shutter D and the rods H₁ actuating the net H are completely independent*
one of the other and also of the rest of the apparatus, so that, the apparatus being
closed after the introduction of the articles, the said net 11 may remain either wholly
or partly open according to the nature and the weight of the articles, as was the case
in the first arrangement.
These last two arrangements may likewise be combined in the same way as the
first with a bell I acting in the manner above explained.
In all cases the inner shutter D might be provided with lateral walls d which rest,
normally, in the partition on each side of the lateral walls of the frame A.
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. An apparatus intended to admit of the passage of articles of small dimensions
through partitions of every description such as doors for example, without its being
possible either to see or hear what is taking place in the room or the like to which
the apparatus is applied, this apparatus being characterised by the combination of a
frame (A) embedded in the partition (B), two rollers (F and G) between which the
articles are passed, and two shutters (C and D) one of which actuates the other,
closing the openings in the said frame.
2. In combination with the apparatus described in the first claim, a tray or
receptacle (H) actuated by the shutters closing the openings in the frame of the
said apparatus, which receptacle is intended to receive the articles introduced; the
said receptacle being adapted to be set in motion by one of the methods above
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
3. In combination with the apparatus described in claims one and two, the
arrangement of a bell (I) for notifying the fact that the apparatus has acted.
4. In an apparatus as described in the first claim, the substitution for one of the
rollers (F) or for the two rollers (F and G) of plates or flaps movable around a
spindle these flaps being either combined or not with one of the rollers (G), as above
described with reference to Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings.

page_text: 5. In an apparatus as described in the first claim, the substitution for the outer
shutter (C) of a shutter forming portion of a part capable of displacement within the
frame (A), which movable part may be actuated from without, as above described
with reference to Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the drawings.
6. The arrangement as a whole and the constructional details of the devices above
described with reference to the drawings.
HASELTINE LAKE & Co.
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C. Agents for the Applicant.