IMPROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR THE LIDS OR COVERS OF PACKING CASES AND OTHER CASES AND BOXES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Stanton Ollard of Handsworth in the County
of Stafford Manager of Works for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
FASTENINGS FOR THE LIDS OR COVERS OF PACKING CASES AND OTHER CASES
AND BOXES
»
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Stanton Ollard
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th October 1883.
FREDERICK STANTON OLLARD of Handsworth in the County of Stafford Manager
of Works "IMPROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR THE LIDS OR COVERS OF PACKING
CASES AND OTHER CASES AND BOXES "
My invention consists of fastenings for the lids or covers of packing cases and
other cases and boxes the parts of the said fastenings being constructed and
combined and used substantially in the manner herein after described.
By my invention the use of the ordinary nails or screws and cordage for fastening
down the lids or covers of packing and other cases and boxes is superseded and
the injury to the lids or covers and cases or boxes which is occasioned by the use
of the ordinary nails and screws is prevented
I will describe my invention as applied to a packing case
In constructing a fastening according to my invention I fix to each of the inner
sides of the body of the packing case and near the top thereof and at opposite
points two or more screw boxes in which strong screws work the said screws being
prevented from being wholly withdrawn from the screw boxes and lost or mislaid
by means of shoulders or stops inside the screw boxes against which shoulders or
stops the expanded bottoms of the screws bear when the screws are raised in the
screw boxes to their full extent. The heads of the screws are nicked for driving
them home by means of a screw driver and under the heads strong collars are made
of greater diameter than the stems of the screws.
In the lid or cover of the packing case I make a series of holes corresponding in
number and general position with the screws in the body of the case. Each hole
consists of a straight slot having at one end a circular enlargement of a size
Bomewhat greater than the head of the screw and at the other end a circular
[Price 8d1

page_text: enlargement of a size somewhat greater than the collars under the heads of the
screws. The straight slot is of a size somewhat larger than the stems of the screws
A plate having a perforation of the same size and shape as the holes in the lid or
cover is screwed over each hole for strengthening the lid or cover at that part and
to this strengthening plate is jointed a horizontal flap having a hooked end for i
covering and uncovering the straight slot and the larger end of the slot.
In fastening the lid or cover to the packing case according to my invention the
screws described are raised to their full extent in their screw boxes and the larger
ends of the several holes in the lid or cover are depressed over the heads of the
screws and the lid seated on the top of the case as usual. By now giving the lid :
or cover a sliding motion the straight slots of the holes pass over the stems of
the screws and the ends of the holes of least diameter are brought under the collars
of the screws. The horizontal flaps are now turned on their joints so as to cover
the larger ends and slots of the holes the hooked ends of the said flaps engaging
with the collars on the screws. The screws are next driven home and their collars
made to enter the smaller ends of the holes in the lid the heads of the said screws
bearing upon the flaps and holding them firmly in their places. The lid is in this
way securely fastened down.
In order to unfasten and remove the lid or cover the screws are turned until
their collars are raised out of the smaller ends of the holes. The horizontal flaps
having been turned aside a sliding motion is given to the lid so as to bring the
larger ends of the holes under the heads of the screws when the lid can be lifted
from the case and removed.
I apply my improvements to cases other than packing cases and to boxes
substantially in the manner described with respect to packing cases.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Frederick Stanton Ollard in the Patent Office on the 8th April
1884.
FREDERICK STANTON OLLARD of Handsworth in the County of Stafford, Manager
of Works. "IMPROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR THE LIDS OR COVERS OF PACKING
CASES AND OTHER CASES AND BOXES
1
My invention consists of fastenings for the lids or covers of packing cases and
other cases and boxes, the parts of the said fastenings being constructed and
combined and used substantially in the manner herein after described.
By my invention the use of the ordinary pails or screws and cordage for fastening
down the lids or covers of packing and other cases and boxes is superseded and
the injury to the lids or covers and cases or boxes which is occasioned by the use
of the ordinary nails and screws is prevented.
I will describe my invention as applied to a packing case.
In constructing a fastening according to my invention I fix to each of the inner
sides of the body of the packing case and near the top thereof and at opposite
points, two or more screw boxes in which strong screws work the said screws being
prevented from being wholly withdrawn from the screw boxes and lost or mislaid
by means of shoulders or stops inside the screw boxes against which shoulders or
stops the expanded bottoms of the screws bear when the screws are raised in the
screw boxes to their full extent. The heads of the screws are nicked for driving
them home by means of a screw driver and under the heads, strong collars are
made of greater diameter than the stems of the screws.
In the lid or cover of the packing case I make a series of holes corresponding in
number and general position with the screws in the body of the case. Each hole
consists of a straight slot having at one end a circular enlargement of a size
somewhat greater than the head of the screw and at the other end a circular
enlargement of a size somewhat greater than the collar under the head of the
BCrew. The straight slot is of a size somewhat larger than the stems of the screws.
A plate having a perforation of the same size and shape as the holes in the lid or
cover is screwed over each hole for strengthening the lid or cover at that part and
to this strengthening plate is jointed a horizontal flap having a hooked end for
covering and uncovering the straight slot and the larger end of the slot
In fastening the lid or cover to the packing case according to my invention the
screws described are raised to their full extent in their screw boxes and the larger
ends of the several holes in the lid or cover are depressed over the heads of the
screws and the lid seated on the top of the case as usual.
By now giving the lid or cover a sliding motion the straight slots of the holes
pass over the stems of the screws and the ends of the holes of least diameter are
brought under the collars of the screws. The horizontal flaps are now turned on
their joints so as to cover the larger ends and slots of the holes, the hooked ends
of the said flaps engaging with the collars on the screws. The screws are next
driven home and their collars made to enter the smaller ends of the holes in the
lid, the heads of the said screws bearing upon the flaps and holding them firmly in
their places. The lid is in this way securely fastened down.
In order to unfasten and remove the lid or cover, the screws are turned until
their collars are raised out of the smaller ends of the holes. The horizontal flaps
having been turned aside a sliding motion is given to the lid so as to bring the
larger ends of the holes under the heads of the screws when the lid can be lifted
from the case and removed.

page_text: •
I will now proceed to described with reference to the accompanying Drawings the
manner in which my invention is to be performed.
Figures 1 and 2 represent in plan a packing case having a removeable lid or
cover to which case and lid fastenings constructed according to my invention are
applied, Figure 1 showing the lid fastened to the body and Figure 2 showing the
lid unfastened and ready to be lifted; Figure 3 represents in plan and Figure 4 in
vertical section one of the fastenings of the case in the same position as in
Figure 1 drawn of the full size and Figure 5 represents in vertical section one
of the fastenings of the case in the same position as in Figure 2 drawn of the full
size; Figure 6 represents in plan a portion of the packing case and one of the
screw boxes and Figures 7 and 8 represent plans of parts of the fastening drawn of
the full size.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in Figures 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7
and 8.
a is the body of the packing case and b is the lid or cover of the same. To the
two opposite inner sides of the body a and at opposite points two (or more) screw
boxes c. c are fixed by the screw plates carrying them. In each screw box c &
strong screw & works which screw is prevented from being wholly withdrawn
from its screw box and lost or mislaid by a shoulder or stop e inside the screw box
against which shoulder or stop the expanded bottom d³ of the screw & bears when
raised to its full extent in the screw box as shown in Figure 5. The heads of the
screws d are nicked for driving them home by means of a screw driver and under
the heads strong collars d³ are made of the diameter represented. In the lid or
cover b, holes, of the kind herein after described, corresponding in number and
general position with the screws d in the body a are made and over each hole a
plate (shown separately in Figure 7) is screwed the said plate having a perforation
in it of the same size and shape as the hole in the lid or cover as represented in the
Drawing. Each of the said holes in the lid or cover b consists of a straight slot h
having at one end a circular enlargement h³ of a size somewhat greater than the
head of the screw d and at the other end a circular enlargement h³ of a size
somewhat greater than the collar d³ under the head of the screw. The shape of
each of the holes in the lid will be best seen by reference to the corresponding
shaped opening in the strengthening plate f Figure 7. To one end of the said
strengthening plate fa horizontal flap g (shown separately in Figure 8) is jointed.
This flap g is for the purpose of covering and uncovering the straight part h and
the larger end h of the hole in the lid, the hooked part g³ of the flap being of a size
proper to engage with the collar d' of the screw d.
In fastening the lid or cover b the several screws d, d are raised to the full
extent in their screw boxes c (see Figure 5) and the larger ends h³ of the several
holes in the lid are brought over the heads of the screws d and the lid is then 4
depressed and made to seat itself on the top of the body a as illustrated in
Figures 2 and 5. A sliding motion is now given to the lid or cover b so as to
cause the straight parts h of the holes to pass over the stems of the screws and the
smaller circular ends h³ of the holes to be brought under the collars d³ of the
screws (see Figure 4). The flaps g, g are next turned on their joints; the larger 4
ends h² and the straight parts h of the holes are thereby covered by them and their
hooked ends made to engage with the collars d³ of the screws. The screws & are
finally driven home and their collars d³ made to enter the smaller ends h³ of the
holes and the heads of the screws made to bear upon the flaps g. The said flaps
are thereby held down and the lid securely fastened in its place as illustrated in 5
Figures 1, 3 and 4.
To prevent tampering with or gaining surreptitious access to the contents of the
packing case, the jointed flaps g are furnished with small eyes g³ through which
string is passed and the ends of the string sealed to the lid of the packing case
as illustrated in Figure 4 and at the lower right hand corner of the packing case 5
Figure 1.
J.
"

page_text: To unfasten the lid or cover b the seal strings i are cut and the screws d, d are
turned or unscrewed until their collars d³, d³ are raised out of the smaller ends h³, h³
of the holes in the lid. The horizontal flaps g having been turned aside, the lid b
is moved into the position represented in Figures 2 and 5 so as to bring the larger
ends h of the holes in the lid under the heads of the screws, when the lid can be
lifted from the body of the case and. removed.
Instead of making the screw box c-in one piece with its carrying plate it may be.
made separate from the carrying plate and be situated in a small chamber in the
carrying plate.
This modification is represented in Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the Drawings,
Figure 9 representing an inside elevation partly in section of a portion of the
packing case with the modified screw box.applied to it; Figure 10 a plan of the
same; Figure 11 a cross section of the same and Figure 12 the separate screw box
detached. In the said Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12, the separate screw box in which
the screw d works is marked c, the said screw box being situated in the chamber c
of the carrying plate.
•
Figures 13 and 14 represent my invention applied to a packing case having a
hinged lid or cover, Figure 13 showing the lid closed and fastened and Figure 14:
the lid unfastened and partly raised; Figure 15 represents in plan a portion of the-
packing case and one of my improved fastenings and Figure 16 represents the same
in vertical section with the lid removed drawn of the full size; Figure 17
represents in elevation and Figure 18 in plan the fastening screw, together with its
screw box and the carrying plate of the same; Figure 19 represents the screw box
separately; Figure 20 represents the strengthening plate separately and Figure 21
the jointed covering plate separately.
In this arrangement the straight slot in the jointed lid b³ has a circular
enlargement h² at one end only for the head of the screw d to pass through, the said
hole in the lid having the same shape as that in the strengthening plate represented
in Figure 20. The screw d is without the enlarged collar under the head and the
said screw besides working in its screw box c is capable of an angular motion as seen
in Figures 14 and 16 for the purpose of permitting of the hinged lid 6* in its
curvilinear motion to pass over the said screw. This is effected by giving the
screw box c the semi cylindrical form represented in Figures 16, 17 and 19 and
causing it to work in the curved seat or socket k in the carrying plate / the
parts c, k somewhat resembling a ball and socket joint. When the screw dis
raised into a vertical position and turned in a direction proper to drive it home the
end of the said screw passes through the opening in the bottom of the curved seat k
(see Figure 17) and the screw can no longer rock upon the seat, that is, it can be
screwed into or out of the screw box c but cannot have an angular motion.
A collar on the end of the screw & prevents its withdrawal from the screw box c.
When the screw d is in the inclined position represented in Figures 14 and 16,
the hinged lid 6' may be shut down the circular enlargement h³ of the slot passing
over the head of the screw. After the lid has been closed the screw d is raised into
a vertical position, its shank passing into the slot h. The jointed flap g having
been turned onto the strengthening plate f and the hook of the flap engaged with
the shank of the screw, the said screw is driven home as illustrated in Figures 13
and 15 and the fastening of the packing case completed.
To unfasten the lid 6 it is first necessary to raise the screw d so that its end is
within the seat or socket k when it may be moved into the oblique position
Figures 14 and 16, the flap ghaving previously been turned aside. The lid b³ is
thereby unfastened and may be raised.
To prevent tampering with the contents of the packing case a tubular or
perforated snug m is made on the side of the strengthening plate fand a tubular
or perforated snug n on the flap g. When the flap g is in its covering position
Figure 15 the holes in the two snugs m, n coincide and a string may be passed
through them and its ends sealed.
i

page_text: Two or more of the fastenings and appliances may be used with the packing
case.
I apply my improved fastenings to cases other than packing cases and to boxes
substantially in the manner herein before described and illustrated in the
accompanying Drawings.
Having now described the nature of my invention and the manner in which the
same is to be performed I wish it to be understood that I claim as my invention;--
First The improvements in fastenings for the detachable lids or covers of
packing cases and other cases and boxes herein before described and illustrated in
Figures 1 to 12 both inclusive of the accompanying Drawings; that is to say, the
combination of the screws d, d³, d³ and screw boxes c, c at the inner sides of the
body of the case or box with the holes h. h³, h³ made in the lid or cover of the case
or box, in conjunction with the perforated strengthening plates f and jointed
hooked flaps g, the several parts of the fastenings being constructed, arranged and
used substantially as described and illustrated.
Secondly The modification of the parts of the fastenings hereinbefore described
and illustrated in Figures 13 to 21 both inclusive of the accompanying Drawings
for adapting the said fastenings to packing cases and other cases and boxes having
hinged lids or covers.
In witness whereof I the said Frederick Stanton Ollard have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Third day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and eighty four.
Witness,
RICHARD SKERRETT
37 Temple Street
Birmingham
FREDERICK STANTON OLLARD. (L.S.)