US1072356A - Mail-receptacle. - Google Patents

Description

J. W. NORMAN.

MAIL REOEPTAOLE.

APPLIOATION FILED DEO.14, 1012.

Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

wi/tmcooeo a W m UNITE STATEggTENT OFFIQE.

JOHN W. NORMAN, OF CARUTHERSVILLE, MISSOURI.

MAIL-RECEITACLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

Application filed December 14, 1912. Serial No. 736,770.

To all whom '1' i may concern.

Be it known that I, J 01m 1V. NORMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Caruthersville, in the county of Pemiscot and State of Missouri, have invented new and useful Improvements in Maildteceptacles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in receptacles such as baskets or boxes and has particular application to a receptacle (lesigned for use by carriers in the rural free delivery service.

In carrying out the present invention, it is my purpose to provide a receptacle of the class described which may be readily suspended from the rear of a vehicle and whercin the cover of such receptacle will be socurely and effectively held in closed position so as to prevent loss of the mail within the receptacle.

It is also my purpose to provide a device of the class set forth which will embrace the desired features of simplicity, efficiency, durability and convenience coupled with cheapness of cost in manufacture and marketing and which may be readily applied to and removed from a vehicle.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter set forth in and falling within the scope of the claim.

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a receptacle constructed in accordance with my present invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the receptacle, showing the cover locked in closed position. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the cover relieved of the influence of the holding means.

Referring now to the accompanying drawing in detail, the numeral 1 indicates the body of the receptacle which may be constructed of any suitable material, such, for instance, as wicker and is provided with a removable cover 2 having an outwardly extending depending marginal flange 3 de signed to embrace the adjacent edge of the body. The body 1 of the receptacle is preferably bound by means of hoops 4L and has suitably secured to one end wall thereof in spaced parallel relation straps 5, 5 extended upwardly beyond the cover 2 and terminating in hooks 6 whereby the receptacle may be suspended from an appropriate part of a vehicle, as for instance, the rear wall of the body of such vehicle.

Formed on each strap 5 at an appropriate distance above the upper wall of the cover 2 is a pivot ear or lug 7 in which is secured by means of a pivot pin 8 a holding lever 9 of a length approximately equal to the width of the receptacle and adapted to lie in a plane above that of the cover 2.

Suitably fastened to the front wall of the body 1 of the receptacle, that is the wall opposite from the straps 5, are string strips 10 each disposed contiguous the free end of one of the holding lovers 9 and provided with an outwardly or laterally projecting nose 11 above the cover 2 and designed to contact with the upper surface of the adjacent end of the respective holding lever whereby such lever will be held in looking position.

011 the upper surface of the cover 2 below each holding lever 9 is a wear strip 12 and interposed between such wear strip and the respective holding lever are a number of coiled springs 13 each having one end rigidly secured to the respective wear strip and the opposite end adapted to be contacted by the holding lever 9 when the latter is swung to locking position.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the construction and manner of employing my invention will be readily apparent. After the mail has been deposited within the body 1 of the receptacle, the cover 2 is applied thereto to close the same and the flange 3 of such cover embraces the upper marginal edge of the body to prevent lateral displacement of the cover as will be readily understood. The holding levers 9, 9 are now swung about the pivot pins 8 and contact with the upper ends of the springs 13 whereby the lattcr are put under tension to hold the cover 2 securely upon the body of the receptacle. The spring strips 10, 10 are now pulled outwardly or away from the recep tacle so that the respective ends of the holding lovers 9, 9 may pass the noses 11, 11. As soon as the free ends of the holding levers have passed the noses, the spring strips are released and fly back into latching position thereby securing the holding levers in position. The receptacle may now be applied to the vehicle by means of the hooks 6, 6 of the straps 5, 5.

It will be seen that I have provided a receptacle which will be found especially useful in the rural free delivery mail service and wherein the contents of the receptacle are at all times insured against loss.

While I have herein shown and described one preferred form of my invention by way of illustration, I desire to have it understood that I do not limit or confine myself to the precise details of construction, herein described and delineated, as modification and variation may be made Within the scope of the claim and without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

In a receptacle, a body and a removable cover therefor, straps secured to the rear wall of said body and extending upwardly beyond the cover thereof, holding levers each pivoted at one end to one of said straps and disposed in a plane above that of said cover, a wear plate secured to said cover and disposed below each holding lever, springs interposed between said levers and Wear strips and adapted to be compressed by said levers to hold the cover in applied position, and spring strips secured to the front wall of the body and each having a nose adapted to be engaged by the free end of one of said levers whereby the latter will be held in active position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN W. NORMAN. Witnesses:

C. S. LIGHT, E. E. WATSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 7

Images