Improvements in Folding Sample Cases.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Nov., 1897-Accepted, 24th Dec., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Folding Sample Cases.
I, CHARLES HENRY MERSEREAU, of 679 East 24th. Street, in the City of Pater-
son, County of Passaic, and State of New Jersey, U.S.A., Contractor, 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 state-
ment:-
(..
The object of this invention is to provide a folding sample case or box especially
adapted for the use of salesmen, which sample case can be quickly and readily opened
and closed, and when closed will occupy very little space and can be conveniently
carried around, and when fully opened each and every section of the sample case
will be completely exposed to view.
The invention consists in the improved folding sample case combining a series
of separate but connected trays or compartments, in the means for connecting and
supporting said compartments, in the sectional cover, and in the combination and
arrangement of the various parts, substantially as will be hereinafter more fully
described, and finally embodied in the clauses of the claims.
In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1, represents an end elevation of my im-
proved sample case-when closed; Fig. 2, a top plan view of Fig. 1,-the right
hand section of the cover being opened and the compartments on that side exposed;.
and Fig. 3, an end elevation of my improved sample case, illustrating the same in
fully opened position.
In said drawing, a represents a hollow base compartment or box, adapted ta
receive a tray b, supporting, in a manner hereinafter described, two series of trays
or compartments c, c, c, and d, d, d, respectively, the height of each compart
ment being substantially equal to the height of the tray b, while its area is equal
to one half of the area of the latter.
A
The compartments of each series are pivotally connected between each other
and with the tray b-and on each side thereof by a series of parallel links or
arins, e, e, and f, f, respectively-in a manner shown in Fig. 3.
For that purpose each compartment or tray is provided on each of its sides with
a horizontal brace or strengthening strip g (h), to which said links or arms are
pivotally secured by screws or rivets.
The cover i consists of two halves or sections m, n, pivotally connected at their
lower outer edges as at o and p with the base compartment or box a, in such a
manner that when said sections of the cover are fully opened, and the trays are
extended, one of said trays will rest upon the edge of its respective section of the
cover and thus receive an additional support, whereby tilting or up-setting of said
compartments or trays is fully avoided.
On the inner portions of the sections of the cover i are arranged the metallic
frames Գ and r, adapted to over lap each other-when in closed position and
adapted to be held in said closed position by locks s, s, secured to the base compart-
ment or box a and adapted to engage pins or studs-arranged on one of said
metallic frames.
Any suitable locks and catches are arranged on the metallic frames of the

page_text: sections m and n of the cover i, for conveniently locking said sections in their
closed position, whilst a handle t is secured to one of said sections for conveniently
carrying the sample case, as will be manifest.
The locks s, s, also serve to strengthen the case and to relieve the hinges from
the greater part of the strain exerted when the sample case is being carried
around.
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:
1: A folding sample case consisting of a base compartment, series of compart-
ments carried by said base compartment and pivotally connected with and between
each other, and a cover comprising two sections or halves pivotally connected with
said base compartment, substantially as and for the purposes described.
2: A folding sample case consisting of a base compartment, a tray in said base
compartment, series of trays carried by said tray and pivotally connected there-
with, and a cover comprising two halves or sections pivotally connected with the
base compartment, substantially as and for the purposes described.
3: A folding sample case consisting of a base compartment, a tray arranged
in said base compartment, two series of separate compartments of uniform size
but of half the area of said tray-arranged on said tray and on each side of the
center thereof and pivotally connected therewith, means for pivotally connecting
the separate compartments of each series, and a cover carried by the base compart-
ment, substantially as and for the purposes described.
4: A folding sample case consiting of a base compartment, a tray removably
arranged in said base compartment, two series of separate compartments of
uniform size but of half the area of the-tray-arranged on said tray and on
each side of the center thereof and pivotally connected therewith, means for
pivotally connecting the separate compartments of each series, and a cover com
prising two halves or sections pivotally connected with the base compartment,
substantially as and for the purposes described.
TY
1
241. 1. Vavambar 1807
J. P. BAYLY,
18 Fulham Place W, Agent for the Applicant.