Improvements in or in connection with String Boxes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 31st May, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 26th Feb., 1894-Accepted, 7th Apr., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or in connection with String Boxes.
GEORG BURGHARDT 94 Devonshire Road Holloway London N. Clerk do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The improved string box has the quality to wind up again, after use, the
superfluous string, which in the ordinary way cannot be put back & generally gets
wasted.
It consists of a round, square or polygon shaped box "A" with a round
plate
"B & B 1." each at top & bottom and a lid "C" at the side; this box is
fixed longways & movable in a stand "D" as shown in sketch No. 1 & is held
by means of a spring "E" (or weight or any other power) in a certain position.
This box may be hung down from the ceiling or fixed against the wall.
To put in the string & adjust it properly, take the distance from the box to the
counter or packing table; turn the box to the right as many times as the distance
measures in feet (the circumference of the box being about one foot), open the
lid "C" put the ball of string inside and pass the end of the string under the
clasp "F through the aperture "G" over the box through the hole "H" as
shown in sketch No. 2; pull out about a foot more string than the distance
measures, then let it go, when the box will be forced back by the spring (or any
other power) in its original position and at the same time wind the loose string
round itself as shown in sketch No. 1.
In the accompanying sketches the motive power is a "spiral spring" & is in
this case the box prevented from turning back too far & thus breaking the spring
by the screw "I" & the stop "K"; but this power may be as already mentioned
above, a weight or spring of a different shape, which would alter the shape of
the box & stand somewhat, but the principal feature would remain the same.
Dated this Thirty-first day of May 1893.
GEORG BURGHARDT.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or in connection with String Boxes.
1. GEORG BURghardt, 94 Devonshire Road, Holloway, London N., Clerk,
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:-
My invention has reference to boxes for containing string or the like which
boxes are hung or secured in positions convenient for use over a counter or in any
other place desired. The boxes are so constructed that when the desired amount
of string has been taken out and cut off, the end of the string ascends to a position
clear of the counter or other place and remains just within reach. By this means
the superfluous string is saved because under ordinary circumstances, as it cannot
be put back in the string box, it is in the way and in many instances, cut off and
so wasted.
Figure 1 of the accompanying sheet of drawings is an elevation of a string box
constructed according to my invention.

page_text: Figure 3 is an elevation of a modified form of string box and
Figures 4 and 5 are details in plan.
Figure 6 is a modification in which the box itself serves as the weight to wind
up the string.
Figure 7 is another modification and
Figures 8 and 9 are side views of details.
The string box as shown on Figures 1 and 2 consists of a round square or
polygonal box A with or without a circular plate or flange B at each end and a
lid or two doors CC at the side hinged at L L and L' L' and secured by
fastenings M. The box A is provided with gudgeons a a' so as to permit of freely
revolving in its supporting frame or stand D and is further by means of a spring E
held normally in a certain position. The spring E may at one end be mounted
direct on to the gudgeon and at the other end secured to the frame D as indicated
in Figure 1 accompanying my Provisional Specification, but I now prefer to use a
shorter spring and multiplying gear. The spring E is here shown as being
mounted on the boss of a pulley e recessed at the side to take the spring and the
other end of the latter is secured to the framework. A single or (for safety's sake
a double) string or band is attached to some part of the periphery of the pulley e
and the drum e on the gudgeon a¹ of the box. The end of the ball of string in
the box is led through the aperture G which latter is made sufficiently large
to allow of the passage of any ordinary knot or kink in the string s.
The string s
is then passed under a jointed clasp or catch F actuated by a spring f' and over a
fair lead fin such manner that the string can only be pulled out of the box when
a certain amount of force is employed and for the purpose of preventing the string
from coming out unless desired. The string is finally passed through the hole H
in the frame D and hangs down within reach of the user.
This box may either be suspended from the ceiling by its eye
fashioned to be secured to the wall or a shelf.
d or it may be
To put in the strings and adjust it properly, the box is turned to the right a
certain number of times according to the length of string to be wound up on the
release of the string when used. The lids CC' are then opened and the ball of
string inserted, whereupon the end thereof is passed through the aperture G and
under the spring catch or brake F over the box and through the hole H. About
a foot more string than is necessary is pulled out, then let go, whereupon the box
will be forced by the spring E into its original position and at same time winds
the loose string round itself as shown. I is a spring clip shown in section in
Figure 1 which is pushed up the string by hand every time a bit is cut off for the
purpose of preventing the box from over-winding and taking the end of the string
out of reach. In the example shown it consists of a ball with a hole right through
and-a spring 1 so fastened that one end presses on the string.
Referring to Figure 3 the spring E in the previous construction is suppressed
and instead thereof two weights E are used which for steadiness sake are con-
nected by a light frame h, see also Figure 5 which is made so as to slide up and
down the lower vertical members of the frame D. dare stops on the frame
for preventing over-winding and to limit the ascent of the weights E. d³, see
also Figure 4, is a light frame to bind together the vertical members of the
frame D at the bottom and to prevent the weights from falling in case the cords b
gave way. The strings is wound round the box A as the weights descend and
revolve the said box, but as soon as the string is pulled the box begins to revolve
and draws up the weights. The hole or opening H in the frame is made
sufficiently large to admit of the ball I rising through it in the example shown but
this is not essential.
The construction shown in Figure 6 is a modification of that shown in Figure 3.
In this case the separate weights E are dispensed with and the box A itself serves
as the weight. The string is wound round the box when it is in its lowest
position. On pulling the string, it immediately begins to unwind from the box and
in unwinding the box is revolved and ascends by winding up the cords or bands b

page_text: on the drums e². The ends of the drums are provided with gudgeons which serve
as guides to slide in grooves or slots in the sides of the vertical members of the
frame D.
Figure 7 is a modified alternative of the last described construction in which
racks are used instead of the bands and pinions el travel up and down the racks
according as the string is unwound from or wound upon the box A.
Figure 8 is a detail view of one form of rack which has an extension at its
lower end so that if the box should roll down too suddenly it will when it reaches
the bottom of the rack commence to ascend on the extension b' and thus will not
jar the apparatus.
Figure 9 shows a plain rack with a spring stop 6' at the bottom for the same
purpose. The grooves or slots 62 in this and the preceding figure are for the
gudgeons of the drums e¹ to slide in.
The shape of the box may be altered so as to take two or more balls at a time
which may be tied together to form as it were one ball and thus save refilling so
often.
I have described various modifications in which the string is wound up round the
box by means of weights or springs, but it is evident that other modifications may
be constructed in which the weights or springs would be made of other forms and
the shapes of the frames and of the box would have to be altered to correspond
under such conditions.
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. A box for string or the like mounted in a frame and capable, by means of a
spring or weight of revolving and winding up a determined part of the free end of
the string after a portion of the string is detached, and provided with a spring
catch or brake substantially as described and shown.
2. A box A for string or the like having a lid or doors C C₁ and hole G, and
capable, by means of a spring E and multiplying gear, of revolving and winding
round it a part of the free end of the string substantially as described and shown
with reference to Figures 1 and 2.
3. A box A for string or the like having a lid or doors C C', hole G, and spring
catch F mounted in a frame D and capable by means of weights E of revolving
and winding round it a part of the free end of the string substantially as described
and shown with reference to Figures 3, 4 and 5.
4. A box A for string or the like having a lid or doors C C', hole G, and spring
catch F suspended by bands or cords which when the box is revolved wind up
round the drums e and cause the box to ascend, the descent of the box by its own
weight being also accompanied by the revolving of same and consequent winding
round it of a part of the free end of the string substantially as described and
shown with reference to Figure 6.
5. A box A for string or the like having a lid or doors C C', hole G, and
spring catch F mounted in a frame D having racks b on which run the pinions e¹
which when the box is revolved in one direction cause the same to ascend, the
descent of the box by its own weight being also accompanied by the revolving of
same and consequent winding round it of a part of the free end of the string
substantially as described and shown with reference to Figures 7, 8 and 9.
6. The constructions of string boxes as shown on the drawings.
Dated this
day of Februar 1901
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.