Improvements in Envelope Openers.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Mar., 1898-Accepted, 20th May, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Envelope Openers.
I, CHARLES WILLIAM STEVENER, of Tarentum, in the County of Alleghany and
State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Foundry Worker, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in envelope
openers.
The invention has for its object the construction of a device for the above
described purpose that will be simple in construction and operation, strong,
durable and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.
With the above objects in new the invention finally consists of the novel
construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more
specifically described in detail.
In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying
drawings forming a part of this specification, and wherein like numerals designate
similar parts in which :-
Fig. 1 is a front view of the device.
Fig. 2 is a side view of the same.
Fig. 3 is a top new.
Fig. 4 is a back view.
To construct a device in accordance with my invention I provide a frame
consisting of the plates 1 and 2 which are hinged together upon the pin 3. The
upper plate 1 is formed in an angular shape as shown and the lower plate has the
spring looped portion 21 formed thereon and terminates in the flanged portion 4,
which is parallel with the body portion of the plate but sets at a lower
elevation. Loosely fitted upon the said pin 3 upon which the two plate sections are
hinged together is the spiral spring 5 having extended ends one of which engages
with the inner side of the upper plate section, and the other with the inner side of
the lower plate section in such manner that a spring tension is placed upon the
plates. An opening is formed within the lower plate section and into which is
loosely secured the key 6, having a loop formed upon its lower end and a hook
upon its upper end. An oblong opening 7 is formed within the upper plate,
through which the said hook end of the key is passed, after which it is turned
round at right angles as shown so as to hold the two sections in position and
prevent them from separating too far.
Secured to the outer free end of the said upper plate section and by the rivets 8,
is the shear knife 9, which is formed upon a line with the working point where the
two plates are joined together, and is formed at an angle upon its face or shearing
edge as shown at Fig. 1.
Secured upon the flanged portion 4 of the lower plate section and by the
screws 10, which are inserted through oblong openings 11 of the said flange portion
is the cutter bar 12 which engages with the edge of the cutter knife or shear
and is capable of being adjusted by the said screws 10 and oblong openings 11.

page_text: To the inner upper side of the lower plate section is secured, by the rivets 13, the
stop bar 14, having upwardly turned ends, which engage against the inner side of
the upper section, when the sections are pressed together to operate the shear, and
is adopted to form a stop to prevent the two sections from coming too closely
together.
In practice the end of the envelope is inserted over the cutter bar and beneath
the shear knife, thence by pressing the two sections together as shown by dotted
lines at (Fig. 2) the shear knife operates and shears the end from the envelope
and when the pressure is relieved it returns to its former position.
Should a longer cut be required the envelope is moved farther forward to the
cutting edge and the operation repeated.
Should it be desired to sharpen the shear knife, the locking key 6 is turned at
right angles so that the hook portion may be disengaged with the upper section
through the opening 7, the upper section may then be thrown back as indicated by
the small arrows and dotted lines showing the position when opened.
Slight variations may be made in the detail parts of the device without departing
from the general principle of the same.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. An envelope opener consisting of an upper plate having secured thereto a
depending cutter, an opening in said plate for the reception of a key, in combination
with a lower plate provided with a looped portion and a cutter bar, upon said
plate substantially as set forth.
2. An envelope opener consisting of an upper and a lower plate hinged together,
at one end a spiral spring provided with air extension located at the hinged
portion, said upper plate having secured thereto a cutter, an opening in said plate
for the reception of a key, the lower plate being provided with a spring looped
portion for the reception of the said cutter, the end of said looped portion
terminating in a flanged portion having adjustably attached thereto a cutter bar,
substantially as set forth.