Improvements in Transparent Show Cases.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 26th May, 1896-Accepted, 27th June, 1896
Improvements in Transparent Show Cases.
I JOSEPH THEODORE ROBIN, Manufacturer of 210-212 Canal Street, in the
City County and State of New York U.S A. 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 improvements in transparent show cases; and has for
its object to provide an article of this character which will be inexpensive, durable
and ornamental.
The invention will be hereinafter fully described and specifically set forth in the
annexed claims.
In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the disassembled parts of one wall of my
show case.
Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the said parts assembled.
Fig. 3 is an end view of a show case complete.
Fig. 4 is a plan view thereof.
Fig. 5 is a rear view.
Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional elevation taken on a line x-x of Fig. 3, and
Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing one corner of the show case.
In the practice of my invention, the several transparent walls comprising the
show case are composed of transparent glass panels A, and metal binding strips B
and B. The binding strips B are slightly dove-tailed in cross section whereby
inwardly projecting flanges b, are provided and they are adapted to clamp over two
parallel edges of the panels A.
The outer edges of these strips B, are perfectly level throughout their entire
length and should the edges of the glass panel be rough and uneven, such rough
and uneven edges will be entirely covered and the clamping action of the said
strips B, will maintain them upon the panels A.
Having properly placed the strips B, upon two parallel edges of the panel or
sheet A, the binding strips B', which are provided with flanges b', and tongues b',
are placed upon the other parallel edges of the panels A, the tongues b³, being
placed between the outer wall of the strips B, and the edges of the panels A.
Solder is then applied at the joints and a well constructed panel or wall adapted to
form part of a show case, is produced, the said panel being provided with four
perfectly straight and level edges.
When the binding strips B and B₁, are soldered together at their points of
juncture, that is, at the four corners of the glass plate A, said glass sheet will be
encased in a rigidly constructed metal frame, and should the edges of the said glass
plate be uneven, such uneven edges will be entirely covered and the several panels
forming part of a show case will have perfectly smooth edges adapted to be readily
soldered to each other; further should the edges of the plates A, extend beyond
the ends of the binding strips B, the tongues, of the binding strips B', will
connect the binding strips B, and maintain a solid framework when the said binding
strips B and B₁, are soldered to each other.
To insure that the strips B', will always bear against two parallel edges of the
sheets A, strips B, will be made slightly shorter than the given length of the
parallel edges upon which they are clamped.
To assenible the show case, these walls are all soldered together as illustrated by
Figures 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
A sheet metal bottom C, is then soldered to the two side walls and the front wall

page_text: This said
of the show case by means of flanges c. This said bottom is provided at its rear
end with a loop c', which is adapted to receive a rod D, which rod passes through
loops e, of an opaque:door E, and also through loops a, which are soldered to the
lower rear edges of the two side walls of the show case, besides passing through
the loop c¹, whereby the door E, is securely hinged to the show case.
door is maintained in a closed position by means of spiral springs d. These said
springs are coiled around the rod D, and their ends bear respectively upon the rear
face of the door E, and upon a strengthening rod a', which is secured to the
bottom C, of the show case. This said rod strengthens the general structure. and
prevents the ends of the springs from bending the bottom C.
The show case is further provided with legs F, which are preferably composed of
wood and they are secured to the bottom C, by means of pins f, which are driven
through said bottom into the said legs.
The upper wall of the show case projects slightly beyond the edge of the two
side walls in order to form a bearing for the upper edge of the door E, which said
door is provided with a suitable handle e'.
To further strengthen the show case and add an ornamental feature thereto,
I provide corner pieces G, and g, which are securely soldered to the corners of the
show case as illustrated in Fig. 7.
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 show case comprising a series of transparent walls, a sheet metal bottom
having flanges formed thereon and an opaque back door, which door is hinged to a
loop formed integrally with the said bottom and is maintained in a closed position
by means of spiral springs; the said transparent walls of the show case comprising
sheets of glass which are bound upon their four edges by strips of sheet metal and
soldered to each other and to the flanges of the said bottom, the metal binding of
the said panels comprising four pieces for each respective panel, two of which
pieces are provided with inwardly projecting flanges which are clamped upon
parallel edges of the panels, the other two being provided with flanges and tongues
which engage with the remaining two parallel edges of the panel and which are
soldered to the other two strips at the corners thereof; substantially as shown and
described.
2. In a show case, the combination of the transparent walls which are soldered
to each other and which are bound upon their four edges by flanged and tongued
strips which are soldered to each other at their points of intersection; with the
sheet metal flanged bottom having a loop formed integrally therewith, legs nailed
thereon and a door hinged thereto, said door being hinged by means of a rod and
other locps, which loops are secured respectively to the door and to the two end
walls of the show case, the door being maintained in a normally closed position by
means of spiral springs which are coiled around the said rod; substantially as
shown and described.
3. A panel or wall for show cases comprising a sheet of transparent glass having
its four edges bound by strips of sheet metal, two of which strips are in engagement
with parallel edges of the said glass sheet and are clamped thereon by means of
inwardly projecting flanges, the other two being provided with parallel flanges,
which flanges engage with the other two parallel edges of the said plates, and
tongues which engage at the corners with the above mentioned strips, all of the
strips being soldered together at their corners or points of juncture; substantially
as shown and described.
Dated this 26th day of May 1896.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.