Improvements in or relating to Letter and other Collecting Boxes and in the Means for Controlling the Use of such Boxes.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 14th July, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 13th Apr., 1899-Accepted, 10th June, 1899
Improvements in or relating to Letter and other Collecting Boxes and
in the Means for Controlling the Use of such Boxes.
I, CHARLES SMITH, of 25, Montpelier Street, Brompton Road, South Kensington,
in the County of Middlesex, Cabinetmaker, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
-
This invention relates to an improved method of constructing a box or recep-
tacle in which to deposit letters or other documents relating to transactions
executed by a person acting as agent for another at a distance; and where it
is essential to know that such documents are therein deposited and locked up
before a certain time, or before the occurrence of any particular event, such as
the result of a race, the arrival of a homing pigeon, changes in prices on the Stock
Exchange and the like, thus acting as a check.
In order that my invention may be fully understood reference is hereinafter
made to the accompanying drawings of which:-
:―
Fig. 1 is a view of box with lid closed but with aperture A open.
Fig. 2 shows plan of undertop of box, and underside of lid when open.
Fig. 3 is a sectional view cut through upper part of box when closed.
Fig. 4 shows metal spring catch H and notched locking plate I.
Fig. 5 shows leather pad D and metal double staple EE.
In constructing my apparatus I make a box of polished hardwood or other suit-
able material, with hinged lid as Fig. 1.
A is an aperture cut through the lid to allow for the documents to be dropped
through into the box. AA is an aperture in tray G, its position when the lid is
closed being under and opposite aperture A, and its purpose the same. B is a metal
stud or pin fixed to slide which passes through and projects above the lid, thus
enabling it to be moved along with the thumb and finger until the aperture A
is closed by the slide F. C is a glass panel in the lid through which what is written
on the tablet CC (Fig. 2) becomes visible when, but not before the aperture A
is closed and locked by moving the pin B until the catch in H comes in contact
with the notch in plate I. CC is a ground opal tablet sunk in slide on which
may be written previous to closing the lid and sealing up, any instructions, word,
or number; such writing being unknown to the agent until he has pushed the
slide far enough to close aperture A, and become locked; when the said tablet
appears opposite the glass panel C and the writing thereon visible. D) is a block
of leather slightly sunk into front of box. E is a metal clasp or fastener fixed
to the under edge of the lid. E E is a metal double staple over which the clasp E
fits in such a manner as to allow of a slip of paper being passed through the ends
of the staple above the clasp E and over the leather block D so that it provides an
effective means whereby it may be sealed. F is a moveable slide which works
in the tray or frame G. G is a tray or frame fitted loosely within the upper part
of box and resting on the slip K, in such position as to keep the upper edges of
the said tray and upper side of slide F (such being flush) close to underside of

page_text: lid when closed. H is a metal spring catch fixed to left hand edge of tray G,
the said edge cut away underneath to allow for the working of the spring. I is
a notched locking plate fixed in slide F in such a position as to allow the slide to
completely close aperture A before the spring in H catches in the first notch,
the second notch is provided to lock the slide when pushed to its full extent
thereby more completely closing aperture A. K is a rebated slip fixed round
the inside of the box to support tray G and slide F. The two latter can be lifted
out when the lid is open for the purpose of gaining access to interior of box.
Having described the particular parts of my invention I will now explain the
manner in which it is to be performed as follows:-
-
With the lid open and slide F close up to the front edge of tray G thus allow-
ing aperture AA to be open, I write upon the tablet CC a word or number as
before stated. For instance I write the word "Windsor"; I now close the lid
pull the fastener E over the staple E E and seal with wax either over the fastener E,
or for more security over a slip of paper passed through the ends of the staple EE
the ends of the paper laying on the leather pad D. My agent (who is ignorant
of the word written on tablet CC) now proceeds to whatever destination he is
required to transact my business; taking with him the apparatus. The documents
relating to the said transactions he drops through apertures A and AA into the
box, then pushes pin B along until the slide F becomes locked. He will then
see the word "Windsor" written on the tablet, through glass panel C.
Now by
telegraphing from the nearest telegraph office the aforesaid word Windsor" to
my address, I shall know that he has closed the box before the time stated on the
telegraph form that the message was handed in.
It will be seen that my apparatus may vary in size and in the number of
compartments.
Dated this the 14th day of July 1898
Improvements in or relating to Letter and other Collecting Boxes and
in the Means for Controlling the Use of such Boxes.
I, CHARLES SMITH, of 25, Montpelier Street, Brompton Road, South Kensington,
in the County of Middlesex, Cabinet-Maker, 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 relates to an improved method of constructing a box or recep-
tacle in which to deposit letters or other documents relating to transactions
executed by a person acting as agent for another at a distance; and where it
is essential to know that such documents are therein deposited and locked up
before a certain time, or before the occurrence of any particular event, such as
the result of a race, changes in prices on the Stock Exchange and the like, thus
acting as a check.
In order that my invention may be fully understood reference is hereinafter
made to the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification, in which
Figure 1 is a view of box with lid closed but with aperture A open.
Figure 2 shews plan of under-top of box and underside of lid when open.
Figure is a sectional view cut through upper part of box when closed.
Figure 4 shews metal spring catch H and notched locking plate I.
Figure 5 shows leather pad D and metal double staple EE.

page_text: In constructing my apparatus I make a box of polished hard-wood or other
suitable material, with hinged lid as Figure 1, in which
a is an aperture cut through the lid to allow for the documents to be dropped
through into the box; aa is an aperture in tray G, its position when the lid is
closed being under and opposite aperture a, and its purpose the same.
B is a
metal stud or pin fixed to slide which passes through and projects above the
lid, thus enabling it to be moved along with the thumb and finger until the
aperture a is closed by the slide F. C is a glass panel in the lid through which
what is written on the tablet CC (Fig. 2) becomes visible when, but not before,
the aperture a is closed and locked by moving the pin B until the catch in H
comes in contact with the notch in plate I. CC is a ground opal or the like tablet
sunk in slide F on which may be written previous to closing the lid and sealing
up, any instructions, word, or number; such writing being unknown to the
agent until he has put the slide far enough to close aperture a and become
locked; when the said tablet appears opposite the glass panel C and the writing
thereon visible. D is a block of leather slightly sunk into front of box. E is a
metal clasp or fastener fixed to the under edge of the lid. EE is a metal double
staple over which the clasp E fits in such a manner as to allow of a slip of paper
being passed through the end of the staple above the clasp E and over the leather
block D so that it provides an effective means whereby it may be sealed. Fis
a movable slide which works in the tray or frame G. G is a tray or frame fitted
loosely within the upper part of box and resting on the slip K, in such position
as to keep the upper edges of the said tray and upper side of slide F (such being
flushed) close to under side of lid when closed. I may also arrange the end of F
with a dovetail to engage in a corresponding dovetail beyond the aperture a for
the purpose of preventing any possibility of inserting a paper after the same is
closed. H is a metal spring catch fixed to left hand edge of tray G. the said edge
cut away underneath to allow for the working of the spring. I is a notched
locking plate fixed in slide F in such a position as to allow the slide to completely
close aperture a, before the spring in H catches in the first notch, the second notch
is provided to lock the slide when pushed to its full extent thereby more com-
pletely closing aperture a. K is a rebated slip fixed round the inside of the box to
support tray G and slide F. The two latter can be lifted out when the lid is open
for the purpose of gaining access to interior of box.
Having described the particular parts of my invention I will now explain the
manner in which it is to be performed as follows:-
With the lid open and slide F close up to the front edge of tray G thus allowing
aperture a a to be opened I write upon the tablet CC a word or number as before
stated. For instance I write the word "Windsor"; I now close the lid pull
the fastener E over the staple EE and seal with wax either over the fastener E
or for more security over a slip of paper passed through the end of the staple E E
the ends of the paper lying on the leather pad D. My agent (who is ignorant of
the word written on tablet CC) now proceeds to whatever destination he is required
to transact my business; taking with him the apparatus. The documents relating
to the said transactions he drops through apertures A and AA into the box,
then pushes pin B along until the slide F becomes locked. He will then see a
word, say
"Windsor" written on the tablet through glass panel C. Now by
telegraphing from the nearest telegraph office the aforesaid word "Windsor "
to my address I shall know that he has closed the box before the time stated on the
telegraph form that the message was handed in.
It will be seen that my apparatus may vary in size and in the number of com-
partments.
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. In apparatus for receiving messages and supplying a code word or signal

page_text: which can be telegraphed, thus affording an indication of the time of such receipt,
the combination with the receiving mechanism of a panel or slide inscribed with
a pass-word or other distinctive device, arranged to be invisible as long as the
apparatus is open, and to become visible when it is closed, for the purpose specified.
2. In combination, a receiver for messages, a closing device for said receiver,
a concealed distinctive mark or inscription connected to said closing device, and
revealed when said closing device is operated, and means for sealing the said
receptacle, substantially as described.
3. The improved apparatus for receiving messages and delivering a pass-word.
constructed and operating substantially as and for the purposes described, with
reference to the drawings filed with the Provisional Specification.
Dated the 13th day of Anril 1890
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of London, Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of London, Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham.