GB1574925A - Box for the conveyance by post of valuable articles - Google Patents

Description

(54) A BOX FOR THE CONVEYANCE BY POST OF VALUABLE ARTICLES (71) We, SEPAL S.A., of 2-4 Rue des Dardanelles, 75017 Paris, France, a Societe Anonyme organised under the of France, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: For the conveyance by post of valuable articles such as ingots of gold, jewellery or the like, there have generally speaking hitherto been used wooden boxes whose security was ensured by surrounding the generally parallelepipedal box with string which was crossed so as to surround the box both longitudinally and transversely, with the free ends beyond a tight knot being sealed by sealing wax.

Such a box, accepted by the postal authorities as "value declared" only provides some guarantee when it arrives at the addressee in good condition, but because of its nature, constructional material and the type of security provided it is obviously subjected to many risks in the course of transit, since the wooden box can break or burn, the string may come off, and the wax seal is especially fragile.

The object of this invention is to provide a box which is simple and inexpensive to make, of low weight, and free of the defects mentioned above, while being easy to handle and capable of use over a considerable period.

According to the present invention we provide a box for the conveyance by post of valuable articles, comprising a drawer and a case of generally parallelepipedal form open at the front face thereof for reception of the drawer, the drawer being open at the top and the rear wall of the drawer being provided with external projecting tabs which, when the drawer is inserted into the case, extend through openings in the rear wall of the case so as to co-operate with external members provided on the rear wall of the case, locking means being provided for engagement with said tabs and external members to prevent withdrawal of the drawer from the case, security being ensured by one or more metal wires which pass through apertures in the external members of the case and the tabs of the drawer and are secured by a seal or seals.

Conveniently the tabs and the external members are formed integrally with the drawer and the case respectively. The base and the top of the case preferably extend beyond the rear wall of the case so that said external members and said tabs are disposed in the space between the extending portions of the top and the base of the case thereby reducing the risk of damage to the tabs and the external members during transportation of the case.

The top of the case preferably has an external recess closed by a transparent plate to form between said plate and the top of the case a housing for a destination label, said housing being open at the front end ob the case and the front wall of the drawer having a portion which closes the open end of said housing when said drawer is in the closed position within the case. Thus, prior to closure of the drawer, the destination label showing in particular the declared value and the addresses of both sender and recipient can be inserted into said recess and when the drawer is closed, the label will be securely retained within the housing.The front edge of the top of the case which receives the label preferably has, below the edge of the transparent plate, a small notch which when the drawer is open permits access below the edge of the label in order to extract it from the recess and, if necessary, replace it with another label.

The top or base of the case is conveniently provided with a horizontal extension which has a hole therein engaged by a ring which also passes through a hole in an external plate for postal franking.

One of the drawer tabs preferably snap engages with the edge of the respective opening in the case rear wall when the drawer is inserted into the case so as to resist withdrawal of the drawer, said one tab being resiliently displaceable to disable such snap engagement. Thus, for example, said one tab may be formed with a shoulder and the arrangement may be such that as that tab passes through the respective opening in the case rear wall during insertion of the drawer, the tab undergoes resilient deflection until the shoulder thereon passes beyond the case rear wall whereupon the tab can restore resiliently so as to bring said shoulder into abutting relation with the marginal edge of the respective opening.

To open the box, i.e. for extraction of the drawer, the shoulder in question must be resiliently disengaged from the wall of the case and this is effected by slightly displacing the associated tab to enable the shoulder to pass back through the respective opening.

The locking means preferably comprises a shaft which is engageable transversely through apertures in the external members and tabs of the drawer and the case and carries a flap or latch which can be pivoted so as to engage between one of the external members on the case and said one drawer tab so as to resist deformation or displacement of said resiliently displaceable tab whereby the snap engagement cannot be disabled until said flap or latch has been pivoted out of engagement with said one tab and said external member.

Security is preferably provided by two fine metal strands or wires each retainable by a lead seal. One of these wires can engage in an axial channel in the locking shaft and the other can extend through registering apertures in said external members and said tabs.

For better understanding of the invention, one preferred embodiment thereof will now be described in greater detail, with reference to the attached schematic drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows at the left an end view of the box from the side where the drawer engages, and at the right a vertical transverse section of the box with a drawer; Figure 2 shows at the left a vertical section of the box taken longitudinally i.e. parallel to the direction of movement of the drawer, along the lines 11-I I in Figures 1 and 6, while at the right it shows an external lateral view of the box, towards its front face; Figure 3 is an external view of the vertical rear wall of the drawer; Figure 4 is an external view of the vertical rear wall of the case;; Figure 5 is an external view of the vertical rear wall of the complete box, closed, locked and lead-sealed; and Figure 6 is a partial horizontal section, along the line VI-VI in Figures 2 and 5, of the box in its closed position but unlocked.

In the embodiment shown schematically in the attached drawings, the case, integrally moulded of a breakage-resistant and fire resistant plastics material, is of generally parallelepipedal shape open at a small vertical side to be described below as the front face of the case, since it is at this side that the drawer is engaged. The five walls of the case therefore comprise a horizontal base 1, a horizontal top 2, two vertical walls 3 forming the large sides, and a vertical rear wall 4 opposite the front face aperture.

The drawer has a shape corresponding generally to that of the case and open at the top, so that its five walls comprise a horizontal base 5, a front face wall 6, a vertical rear wall 7 and two lateral walls 8. The front face wall 6 of the drawer is extended laterally on the lower portions of its two vertical edges by flanges 9 disposed on the outside of the lateral walls 8 so that in closed position they lie against the front edges of the lateral walls 3 of the case, whose base 1 has at the front an extension 10 on which lies the base of the drawer front wall 6. Towards the front of their upper portions the lateral drawer walls 3 also have extensions 11 below which engage the flanges 9 of the drawer when in closed position.

It will be understood that the particular method of engaging the drawer in the case is merely described by way of example, with no limitative effect, and that a differently obtained engagement could easily be provided; however it is desirable for a regular external surface with no projections to be finally obtained in the closed position.

In addition the front wall 6 of the drawer is upwardly extended at 12 above the lateral drawer walls 8, to lie against the front edge of the case top 2, hence masking the slot wherein the destination label is inserted, as will now be described.

The outer surface of the case top 2 has a rectangular recess 13 closed at the top by a transparent plate 14 which can rest on the raised edges 15 of the recess 13 to form between itself and the top 2 a low space capable of receiving a label 16 showing for instance the declared value and the addresses of sender and consignee. It will be understood that this space opens at the front of the case via the slot formed between the wall of top 2 and the transparent plate 14, but that as noted earlier this slot is masked by the upper edge 12 of the drawer face wall 6 when the drawer is closed. To permit ready removal of the label when the drawer is removed, the front edge of the case top 2 may have at its front an opening 47 (Figure 2) enabling the bottom of the label being removed to be reached by a finger.

The members for closing the box will now be described, together with those for locking in closed position and those for keeping said locking secured. These three functions are provided at the exterior of the box along the rear wall 4 of the case, between a horizontal extension from the base 1 of the case and a similar horizontal extension 18 from the case top 2. Towards a corner of the case the extension 18 may have a hole 19 for passage of a closed ring 20 also passing through a hole 21 formed near one corner of an external plate 22 adapted to receive the postal franking imprints and preferably made of breakageresistant and fire-resistant plastics material identical with or closely resembling that of which the case and drawer are moulded.

At the outside the vertical rear wall 4 of the case has in its upper part and below extension 18 two external members in the form of small parallel vertical walls 23, 24 on either side of a pair of vertical slots 25, 26.

In its lower part, the rear wall 4 again has externally two similar parallel vertical elements 27, 28 on either side of a slot 29; since all the members concerned are moulded, it will be understood that the members 24, 28 shown in the drawings may only comprise a single external projection on the rear wall 4, but separate reference numbers have been used to facilitate the description since the members shown at 23, 24, 27, 28 have different functions. It may now be observed that the members 23, 24 act to some extent as a closure catch in conjunction with the section of wall 30 between the slots 25, 26, while the members 27, 28 act as bearings for a pivoting locking member 31.For this reason these members 27, 28 are pierced by holes 31' located on the same axis and forming bearings for the passage of the shaft 31 of the pivoting locking member which carries a flap or latch 32 which can thus be brought against the face of the member 23 located at the side of slot 25.

The vertical rear wall 7 of the drawer carries three projecting external members 33, 34, 35 adapted in the closed position to pass respectively through the slots 25, 26, 29 in the rear wall 4 of the case. The member 35 is thus located between members 27, 28 and like them is pierced by a hole for the passage of shaft 31 which, when engaged, thus provides a lock for the closure which will be completed by the pivoting of shaft 31, as will be explained below.

Pushing the drawer completely in ensures engagement of the automatic closure since towards the rear wall 7 and on its lateral face opposite member 34 the member 33 has a shoulder 36 (Figure 6) adapted to engage outside the edge of the slot 25 opposite the portion 23 of the case rear wall 4. Beyond the shoulder 36 the face 37 of member 33 opposite the member 34 is obliquely directed to permit its passage through the slot 25 during engagement of the drawer by resilient deformation of that part of the drawer rear wall carrying member 33, while the return of this part to its natural position when shoulder 36 has cleared the rear wall 4 of the case ensures automatic engagement of the drawer in the closed position.To permit reopening, the member 33 must be pressed towards member 23 by squeezing these members between two fingers so that shoulder 36 returns to face slot 25 without abutting against the edge of said slot on the wall 30.

To ensure adequate resilience in member 33, two slots 38, 39, for instance of L shape as shown, may be formed in the drawer rear wall 7 at either side of that member.

With the box closure in position, after automatic engagement of the drawer through the action of shoulder 36 outside the wall 30 as referred to above, the shaft 31 can be taken through the members 27, 28, 35 which will lock the closure as already mentioned; the shaft can then be pivoted to bring its flap or latch 32 between the members 23, 33, thereby preventing the deformation of the member 33 needed for opening. This completes the locking of the closure. It will be understood that to improve the clarity of the drawings Figure 5 shows a slight gap between flap 32 and the members 23, 33, which does not exist in practice.

The method of ensuring security will now be described. Through an axial channel in the shaft 31 can be engaged a metal strand or wire 40 whose one end will be turned back and sealed inside a lead seal 41 provided on the other end. In addition the parallel members 23, 33, 34, 24 together with the flap 32 are pierced by holes 42 (Figure 2) on the same horizontal axis for the passage of another metal strand or wire 43 which will be sealed by a lead plug 44 in the same manner as for the wire 40.To facilitate the return of one end of each of the two wires 40, 43 towards the lead seals 41, 44 and to aid the guidance o these two wires, small horizontal slots 45 have been provided in alignment on the end faces of the members 23, 33, 34, 24 and similar slots 46 on the ends 27, 35, 28, and it will be understood that the two wires 43, 40 will be guided and held at the bases of these two series of slots.

The locking member 31, 32 carrying its security wire 40 with the lead seal 41 may be intended for throwing away after each use and replacement for further use by a similar member with its new lead seal.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A box for the conveyance by post of valuable articles, comprising a drawer and a case of generally parallelepipedal form open at the front face thereof for reception of the drawer, the drawer being open at the top and the rear wall of the drawer being provided with external projecting tabs which, when the drawer is inserted into the case extend through openings in the rear wall of the case so as to co-operate with external members provided on the rear wall of the case, locking means being provided for engagement with said tabs and external members to prevent

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (11)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. top 2. Towards a corner of the case the extension 18 may have a hole 19 for passage of a closed ring 20 also passing through a hole 21 formed near one corner of an external plate 22 adapted to receive the postal franking imprints and preferably made of breakageresistant and fire-resistant plastics material identical with or closely resembling that of which the case and drawer are moulded. At the outside the vertical rear wall 4 of the case has in its upper part and below extension 18 two external members in the form of small parallel vertical walls 23, 24 on either side of a pair of vertical slots 25, 26. In its lower part, the rear wall 4 again has externally two similar parallel vertical elements 27, 28 on either side of a slot 29; since all the members concerned are moulded, it will be understood that the members 24, 28 shown in the drawings may only comprise a single external projection on the rear wall 4, but separate reference numbers have been used to facilitate the description since the members shown at 23, 24, 27, 28 have different functions. It may now be observed that the members 23, 24 act to some extent as a closure catch in conjunction with the section of wall 30 between the slots 25, 26, while the members 27, 28 act as bearings for a pivoting locking member 31.For this reason these members 27, 28 are pierced by holes 31' located on the same axis and forming bearings for the passage of the shaft 31 of the pivoting locking member which carries a flap or latch 32 which can thus be brought against the face of the member 23 located at the side of slot 25. The vertical rear wall 7 of the drawer carries three projecting external members 33, 34, 35 adapted in the closed position to pass respectively through the slots 25, 26, 29 in the rear wall 4 of the case. The member 35 is thus located between members 27, 28 and like them is pierced by a hole for the passage of shaft 31 which, when engaged, thus provides a lock for the closure which will be completed by the pivoting of shaft 31, as will be explained below. Pushing the drawer completely in ensures engagement of the automatic closure since towards the rear wall 7 and on its lateral face opposite member 34 the member 33 has a shoulder 36 (Figure 6) adapted to engage outside the edge of the slot 25 opposite the portion 23 of the case rear wall 4. Beyond the shoulder 36 the face 37 of member 33 opposite the member 34 is obliquely directed to permit its passage through the slot 25 during engagement of the drawer by resilient deformation of that part of the drawer rear wall carrying member 33, while the return of this part to its natural position when shoulder 36 has cleared the rear wall 4 of the case ensures automatic engagement of the drawer in the closed position.To permit reopening, the member 33 must be pressed towards member 23 by squeezing these members between two fingers so that shoulder 36 returns to face slot 25 without abutting against the edge of said slot on the wall 30. To ensure adequate resilience in member 33, two slots 38, 39, for instance of L shape as shown, may be formed in the drawer rear wall 7 at either side of that member. With the box closure in position, after automatic engagement of the drawer through the action of shoulder 36 outside the wall 30 as referred to above, the shaft 31 can be taken through the members 27, 28, 35 which will lock the closure as already mentioned; the shaft can then be pivoted to bring its flap or latch 32 between the members 23, 33, thereby preventing the deformation of the member 33 needed for opening. This completes the locking of the closure. It will be understood that to improve the clarity of the drawings Figure 5 shows a slight gap between flap 32 and the members 23, 33, which does not exist in practice. The method of ensuring security will now be described. Through an axial channel in the shaft 31 can be engaged a metal strand or wire 40 whose one end will be turned back and sealed inside a lead seal 41 provided on the other end. In addition the parallel members 23, 33, 34, 24 together with the flap 32 are pierced by holes 42 (Figure 2) on the same horizontal axis for the passage of another metal strand or wire 43 which will be sealed by a lead plug 44 in the same manner as for the wire 40.To facilitate the return of one end of each of the two wires 40, 43 towards the lead seals 41, 44 and to aid the guidance o these two wires, small horizontal slots 45 have been provided in alignment on the end faces of the members 23, 33, 34, 24 and similar slots 46 on the ends 27, 35, 28, and it will be understood that the two wires 43, 40 will be guided and held at the bases of these two series of slots. The locking member 31, 32 carrying its security wire 40 with the lead seal 41 may be intended for throwing away after each use and replacement for further use by a similar member with its new lead seal. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A box for the conveyance by post of valuable articles, comprising a drawer and a case of generally parallelepipedal form open at the front face thereof for reception of the drawer, the drawer being open at the top and the rear wall of the drawer being provided with external projecting tabs which, when the drawer is inserted into the case extend through openings in the rear wall of the case so as to co-operate with external members provided on the rear wall of the case, locking means being provided for engagement with said tabs and external members to prevent

withdrawal of the drawer from the case, security being ensured by one or more metal wires which pass through apertures in the external members of the case and the tabs of the drawer and are secured by a seal or seals.

2. A box as daimed in Claim 1, wherein said tabs and said external members are formed integrally with the drawer and the case respectively.

3. A box as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the base and the top of the case extend beyond the rear wall of the case so that said external members and said tabs are disposed in the space between the extended portions of the top and base of the case.

4. A box as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top of the case has an external recess closed by a transparent plate to form between said plate and the top of the case a housing for a destination label, said housing being open at the front end of the case and the front wall of the drawer having a portion which closes the open end of said housing when said drawer is in the closed position within the case.

5. A box as claimed in Claim 3, in which a horizontal extension of the top or base of the case has a hole engaged by a ring which also passes through a hole in an external plate for postal franking.

6. A box as claimed in any one of the preceding claimed, wherein the locking means comprises a shaft which is engageable transversely through said apertures in the external members and tabs of the drawer and the case, and carries a flap or latch which pivots to engage between one of the external members on the case and one of the drawer tabs.

7. A box as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which one of said drawer tabs snap engages with the edge of the respective opening in the case rear wall when the drawer is inserted into the case so as to resist withdrawal of the drawer, said one tab being resiliently displaceable to disable such snap engagement.

8. A box as claimed in Claim 7 when appendant to Claim 6 in which said flap or latch prevents displacement of said resiliently displaceable tab when engaged between said one tab and said one external member whereby said snap engagement cannot be disabled until said flap or latch is pivoted out of engagement with said one tab and said one external member.

9. A box as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 8 in which said case and drawer are made of a plastics material which is resistant to breakage and is fire-resistant.

10. A box as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the terminal faces of said external members and tabs have slots to receive and guide the security wire or wires.

11. A box substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.