IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH LETTER BOXES
Year: 1880

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Phineas Lawrence at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 18th October 1880.
PHINEAS LAWRENCE, of Farringdon Road, in the County of Middlesex, Merchant.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH LETTER BOXES."
My Invention relates to improvements in and connected with letter-boxes, and it
has for object to expedite and secure the convenient delivery of letters, circulars,
and other like matter, thereby preventing the delays not attending the same by
reason of the postman or other official distributing them having to ascend and
descend the stairs of a number of offices, whereby a great amount of time is lost.
Now the first part of my Invention relates to an electric letter-box to be placed
at an entrance to an office, or to a building containing a number of offices or
chambers, or to a dwelling, for the reception of letters and like matter, and it is so
arranged that the opening the lid or door of the box for insertion of such matter
will operate to complete an electric circuit, and will strike and sound a bell or
alarum in the office, or at any desired point. This striking may if desired be
continuous until the box be opened for the withdrawal of the contents.
The second part of my Invention relates to the construction of the said letter
box, it being so arranged as to be composed of three parts or pieces, viz., the
box proper and two flaps or doors, one such flap or door being at the upper part of
the box for the insertion of the letters, the other at the bottom or lower part for
the removal of the same. This bottom door is so arranged that when opened it
gives free access to the interior of the box, and at the same time it forms a shelf,
thereby rendering the removal of the letters convenient; its limit of opening is
regulated by a lug or other suitable means.
Within the box proper a wooden block is secured to which is fixed the electric
action, the wood serving for the necessary insulation. A metal plate on which the
switch is swiveled is secured to the block by a screw and washer, which permit the
movement of the one upon the other, thus ensuring the more perfect contact of
the switch upon the plate, and at the same time preventing corrosion. To this plate
the circuit wire is connected. A second plate is also secured to the wooden block,
and on this plate the other circuit wire is so placed that the switch may be swung
on or off it by the opening of the flaps or doors, so as to make or break the electric
circuit.

page_text: Now when the upper flap or door is raised for the insertion of matter, a rod or
wire hinged thereto operates the electric switch by means of a hooked end, and by
swinging this switch to such a position that it will come into contact with the
second plate, thereby completes the electric circuit, and causes the alarum with
which it is in connection to sound. The closing or reopening of the flap or door
has now no further effect upon the alarum, as the switch must next be operated on
by opening the lower flap or door. This lower flap or door has also a wire or rod
with a hooked end, which operates to break the electric circuit by drawing the
switch from over the point or plate, and restoring it to its normal position ready to
be again operated upon by opening the upper flap or door.
Any electric alarm is applicable to this letter-box, and it as well as its battery
may be carried in a case attached to the box, or the alarm and battery may be
located at certain places as required.