Improvements in Means for Fastening the Covers of Books, Boxes, and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 24th May, 1898-Accepted, 27th Aug, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for Fastening the Covers of Books, Boxes,
and the like.
We, GEORGE NEAL and GEORGE ARTHUR NEAL, Manufacturing Silversmiths, and
WILLIAM CHARLES COLLETT, Silversmith, all of 35, Skinner Street, Clerkenwell, in
the County of London, 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:-
The invention relates to an improved method of fastening the covers of pocket
books, index cases, boxes and the like by means of a pencil, pen or other similar
instrument.
We will describe our invention as applied to a metal case for a pocket
book.
Fig. 1 is an edge view of the case or cover of a pocket book in its closed and
locked position showing the pencil in position and the leaves of the book.
Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the pencil removed and the case or cover in its
open position ready for use.
Fig. 3 is a side or face view of the case or cover closed.
One side of the case a for the pocket book is rigidly attached to a tube b which
may be made to represent the leather binding.
This tube bis cut away or slotted on the front side at 6' so that only about three
The other
quarters of the tube are connected to the fixed side a of the case.
side a¹ of the case is movable and is hinged to the fixed side a at a² in close
proximity to the tube b, the greater part of the movable side a projects
beyond the hinge a² in a forward direction and a shorter part as projects from the
hinge towards the tube b which it just meets when the case is closed. The shorter
part 3 of the movable side a¹ is preferably bevelled off so that its rear end helps
to complete the circle of the slotted tube b.
The movable side of the case is preferably provided with a spring hinge pin a²
of the character well known to silversmiths which tends to keep the same in its
open position with the shorter part 3 thereof projecting somewhat into the slotted
tube b. When the movable side of the case is closed and a pencil c fitting the
interior of the slotted tube bis placed therein it retains the movable side of the case
closed as shown in Fig. 1 and upon its withdrawal the spring binge pin a² causes the
movable side a¹ of the case to spring open. The leaves d are fixed to the cover
by any convenient method.
It will be understood that the fixed side a of the case may be provided on its
interior with pins or clips instead of leaves and then may act as a file for papers.
When the case is provided with flanges or sides it may form a box for the
reception of papers or for other purposes.
Having now particularly described. and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. The improved means for locking covers of books, boxes and the like

page_text: consisting of a fixed side attached to a slotted tube, a inovable side hinged to said
fixed side having a short portion or projection entering the tube when in its open
position and partly completing the tube in its closed position and a pencil or
other similar instrument fitting said tube, substantially as herein shown and
described and for the purpose stated.*
and a
2. In means for locking the covers of books, boxes and the like, the combination
with a fixed side «, slotted tube b and a hinged side having a longer part
shorter part a³ of. a pencil or other similar instrument c fitting the tube b,
substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose stated.
Dated this 24th day of May 1898.
HARRIS & MILLS,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.