Improved Letter or "Post" Receptacle.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 13th June, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 6th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 28th Apr., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Letter or "Post" Receptacle.
THOMAS ARTHUR MASE, Hawthorn Cottage, 2 Havelock Road, Norwich,
Norfolk, Printseller &c. do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention is an improved receptacle into which postal and other deliveries
of letters, papers, &c. may be received through the "letter" opening usually found
in doors &c. The article consists of a bag made either of canvas, woollen leather
or any other suitable material. To the mouth of this bag I attach a metal rin
which rim is hinged to a metal plate having in its centre an opening of the same
shape and of nearly the same size as the aperture in bag so that the rim which
supports the bag shuts neatly over the opening in plate. The metal plate is
pierced so that it may readily be screwed behind the "letter" aperture which
usually exists in doors &c. The rim of bag then closes upon the plate and is kept
in position either by a small lock or simple fastening as may be desired, the whole.
thing forming a flexible receptacle (immediately behind the "letter" opening)
which can be opened at will, emptied of its contents, and closed again.
: The advantages claimed are :-(a) The receptacle can be used in the most limited
space seeing that when in position it hangs flat against the door. (b) Being flexible
it is more accommodating to what is required of it.. (c) It is more sightly and less
obtrusive than a box. (d) Letters and documents are safely protected from the
inquisitive examination of domestics and others.
Dated this 10th day of June 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
$6
Improved Letter or Post" Receptacle.
THOMAS ARTHUR MASE, Hawthorn Cottage, 2 Havelock Road, Norwich,
Printseller 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 is an improved receptacle into which postal and other deliveries
of letters and papers may be received through the aperture for "letters" usually
found in doors. The article consists of a bag made either of canvas, woollen,
leather or any other suitable material. I perforate the lower part of one side so
that when letters are dropped into the bag they may be seen through the perfora-
tions. To the mouth of this bag 1 attach a metal rim, which rim is hinged to a
metal plate the latter having in its centre an opening of a shape and size somewhat
corresponding with the "letter" aperture in door, so that the rim which supports
the bag shuts neatly over the opening in plate. The metal plate is pierced so that
it may readily be screwed to the door immediately behind the "letter" aperture;
the bag then closes upon the plate (leaving the perforated side outwards) thus
covering the aperture as described above, and is kept in position by a bolt which
by being fixed in a vertical position on the plate, drops over a slight projection
from the rim of bag. This bolt acts as a simple but effective fastener firmly
holding the rim of bag to the plate, and as a hole is drilled transversely through
the said bolt a small padlock can be inserted in such a manner as to stay its action,
Price 8dl

page_text: so that the receptacle is securely locked when the bolt is locked. Thus the whole
thing forms a flexible receptacle (perforated, at the lower part to admit of the
presence of letters being observed) which can be opened at will, emptied of its
contents, closed again and locked if desired.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood and more easily carried
into practice I have appended hereunto, a sheet of. drawings illustrating the mode
of effecting the object-the design of the parts and of the whole may be considerably
varied without departing from the nature of the invention :-
Figure 1. shows the invention without the bag, exposing the metal plate B, to
which the rim C is hinged at F, and is held in position- by the vertical bolt D.
The small piercings shewn in plate B are to enable it to be screwed to the door
behind "letter" aperture, the large opening A being placed immediately behind
the said "letter" aperture.
A
Figure 2. shows the receptacle complete, the bag E having been attached to
the rim C (in Figure 1); part of plate B is shewn as are also hinges F, and
bolt D.
The small holes at bottom of Figure 2 indicate the perforations in bag to admit
of letters being seen.
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 :-
--
The improved letter or post receptacle composed mainly of a flexible bag
attached to a frame which when fixed hangs flat against the door without projecting,
substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.
Dated this Third day of March 1894.