US1182692A - Mail-pouch. - Google Patents

Description

p11/711158858; wwf/w01? 4 Pam/cfr J H1/MER..

Wm By P. J. L-AWLER.

MAIL POUCH.

APPLICATION F1110 001.111,1915.

l; l 2,692. Patented Mayu@ v19161.

Kaum

11mm i* A TTUH/VEVS T@ @Edd FA MAIL-P OUCH.

Application led October 14, 1915.

0 all wim/m it may concern Be it known that 1, PATRICK J. LAwLur., a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Jackson township, in the countyr of Crawford and State of lowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Pouches, of which the following is a speciiication.

My invention is an improvement in mail pouches, and the invention has for itsobject to provide a pouch of the character speciiied, of a collapsible character, especially adapted for use in the collection and delivery of mail matter on rural free delivery routes, wherein each patron is provided with two pouches, one for containing mail matter to be left at the place of delivery by the carrier, the other for containing mail to be carried away by the carrier to be mailed from the local postoffice, wherein the pouches may be arranged in the same manner as boxes, during the distribution of mail at the central office, and wherein each pouch is adapted to contain the name of the patron, the number of the boX and route, and having a receptacle for money sent for stamps and the like.

1n the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved pouch, and Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section.

The improved pouch as shown consists of two portions or sections, one of the sections or portions being the bottom and the other the top or cover. The improved pouch is composed of upper and lower sheets 1 and 2, of leather or like suitable material, of suitable area, and a pair of U-shaped or yokeshaped frames connected to the sheets by flxible sides and ends. The upper U-shaped frame comprises a body 3 and arms 4 eX- tending laterally from the body and provided at their outer ends with eyes 5. The bottom frame is similar to the top frame and comprises a body G and arms 7 extending laterally from the body, each arm having an eye 8 at its outer end.

A shaft 9 is provided for connecting the U-shaped frames, and the eyes at the ends of the arms 4 and 7 engage the ends of the shaft 9. The frames 3 4 and 6-7 are connected to the sheets 1 and 2, by front and rear sides 10 and 10a and ends 11 of flexible material` as for instance, leather or the like, and each of the strips is secured at one side edge to the adjacent sheet 1 or 2, as the case may be, by means of stitching 12 or the like.

Specification of Letters Patent,

Patented May 13, 1915.

Serial'NO. 55,837.

rlhe strip 10a at the rear side is continuous from the sheet 1 to the sheet 2, one side edge of the strip 101 being secured to the sheet 1 by stitching 12 and the other side edge to the sheet by similar stitching 12. i tubular portion 10" is formed at the shaft 9 which encircles the said shaft, and the said portions is termed by doubling the material around the shaft and stitching it, as indicated at 12". The outer edge of each of these strips 10 and 105L and 11 is provided with a. tubular portion 13, formed by bench ing the material of the strip over onto the body and securing it to the body by means of stitching 14, and the bodies and arms of the U-shaped frames are passed through the tubular portions.

Spring mechanism is provided for holding the pouch open or closed. The said mechanism comprises a coil spring 15, which is connected at each of its ends with an endless loop 16, Yintermediate the ends of the loop. Each of the loops engages the adjacent arms of the U-shaped frames 3 4 and 6 7, each loop engaging at one end an arm 4 and at the other end an arm 7.

Suitable openings are provided through the strips 11 for preventing displacement of the arms, and it will be evident that whenever the pouch is opened or closed, the spring 15 will be put under tension during the opening or closing, and the retraction of the spring when the pouch is open or closed will hold the pouch in this position. Latch mechanism is also provided for holding the pouch closed. r1`his mechanism comprises a resilient metal strap 17, secured at one end to the strip 10 of the lower or body section by means of a rivet 1S. and adapted to enover the body 6 of the 1J-shaped frame of the upper section to hold the pouch closed. Stops 19 in the form of washers are provided on the ends of the shaft, at the inner sides of the eyes 5 and 8, for prevent ing longitudinal movement of the shaft in the eyes.

A small pouch or compartment is provided on the inner face of the sheet 1 for containing stamps, money or the like. This pouch is formed of leather, or of the same material as the pouch, and comprises a compartment 20, and a ilap 21 is provided for closing the compartment. This flap is adapted to close over the compartment and to be passed down beneath a cross iap 22 secured to the face of the compartment.

In use, the pouches will be approximately the same size as the rural free delivery boxes used, but being collapsible their size will depend upon the amount of mail matter in them. Each patron will be provided With tWo pouches. The carrier Will deliver the pouches at the central postoffice, and during the distribution of the mail the postmaster will distribute the same With the pouches open before him, so that each pouch Will receive the mail intended for the same. The pouches Will then be closed and delivered to the carrier, Who, when he reaches the destination of each' po-uch, Will deliver the said pouch to the patron, receiving the pouch containing the outgoing mail in return. f the patron desires stamps or the like, he Will place the money in the compartment 20, and When the stamps are purchased, they Will be placed in the compartment 2O of the outgoing pouch. Thus there will always be a pouch in the possession of the carrier or at the postoflice, and a second pouch in possession of the patron, and these pouches Will be exchanged from day to day. It will be understood that the pouches may be of any desired size and capacity, and may be of any desired material. lf thought necessary, a lock may be provided for each pouch.

I claim:

l. A mail pouch comprising a body and a cover, said body and cover being similar, and each being composed of a sheet of flexible material and a substantially U-shaped frame comprising a body and arms extending laterally from the body, each arm having an eye at its outer end, collapsible strips of flexible material connecting each sheet to the body and arms of the adjacent frame, a

shaft engaging the eyes for'permitting the cover to swing With respect to the body, spring mechanism for holding the pouch in ble material and a substantially U-shaped` frame comprising a body and arms extending laterally from the body, each arm having an eye atv its outer end, collapsible strips of flexible material connecting each sheet to the body and arms of the adjacent frame, a shaft engaging the eyes for permitting the cover to swing With respect to the body, spring mechanism for holding the pouch in open or closed position, and releasable latch mechanism for holding the pouch in open or closed position, and a compartment having a cover on the inner face of the cover section.

3. A mail pouch comprising a body and a cover, said body and cover being similar, and each being composed of a sheet of'liexible material and a substantially U-shaped frame comprising a body, and arms extending laterally from the body, each arm having an eye at its outer end', collapsible strips of flexible material co-nnecting each sheetto the body and arms of the adjacent frame, a shaft engaging the eyes for permittingV the cover to swing With respect to the ibody,

spring mechanism for holding the pouchrin open or closed position, and releasable latch.

mechanism for holding the ouch closed. Y

PATRCK J OH LAW'LER.` l/Vitnesses:

FRANCIS D. SHERIDAN, LEWIS E. MoLAoED.

Copies o this patent may be obtained. for iive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patenti, A

' Washngtonj. i Y I

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