US1843934A - Letter scale and paper cutter - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 9, 1932.

P. W. STEPHENS LETTER SCALE AND PAPER CUTTER Filed March 15, 1950 Patented Feb. 9, 1932 UNITED STATES PERCY W. STEPHENS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS LETTER SCALE AND PAPER CUTTER Application filed March 15, 1930. Serial No. 436,044.

This invention relates to improvements in combined letter scale and letter opener,

and has for its principal object to provide a simple and improved device of the character described.

The invention may best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a perspective view showing my 1 improved device in use in weighing a letter.

Figure 2 is a side View of the device arranged as in Figure 1, but showing in greater detail the arrangement of the fulcrums adapted to be selectively utilized for variations in weight limits.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the handle end of the device showing a modified form of letter holding clip.

Referring to details of the embodiment of my invention shown in the drawings, the

scale is indicated generally at 10 and comprises an elongated relatively straight piece herein shown in the form of a letter opener including a pointed cutting blade portion 11 and a handle portion 12. The blade portion may be provided with a series of calibrations 13 to provide a ruler along one edge, while the handle portion may also include a chp 14 formed by striking up an elongated tongue from the interior of the handle, as shown.

Referring now more particularly to the features forming the subject matter of my invention, it Will-be seen that I provide a suitable quick detachable letter holding device, herein consisting of an aperture 15 formed at the extreme end of the handle portion 12 and including a cross member 16 bent inwardly or upset so as to form a yieldable clamp adapted to receive a corner of a letter 49 17 or the like, and retain the same under tension of said cross member as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2. The cross mem er 16 preferably formed by cutting the aperture 15 in the fiat stock of the handle portion 12,

and bending the same inwardly against the opposite margin of said aperture, as shown.

The arrangement is such that when the device is to be used as a scale, the letter is clamped in the aperture 15, as shown, and

the device placed with its handle end overhanging the ed e of a desk 18 or the like. A plurality of ulcrum'points are provided for determining the effective length of the weighing scale, herein, said fulcrum points consisting. of several spaced pairs of points 20 20, 21-21, 22-22 and 23-23, preferably formed by embossing said points in the flat stock of the handle portion 12. The points of each pair are disposed adjacent opposite sides of said handle, as shown.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, it will be observed that the pairs of fulcrum points are formed at progressively increased depths toward the handle end of the device, as is best shown in Figure 2. This arrangement is particularly advantageous in selecting the proper fulcrum point during the operation of the device, as will now be described.

It will be observed from the drawings that when one of the pairs of fulcrum points are engaged adjacent the edge of the desk, as for instance the points 2222, the device will lie parallel with the table top, unless the weight of the letter 17 is sufficient to overbalance the longer blade portion 11 of the device. The several pairs of fulcrum points are spaced at predetermined distances from each other so as to represent certain limits of letter weight which will overbalance the device at each of said fulcrum points. For convenience, these distances may be chosen to correspond with the amount of postage necessary to carry a given letter, it being understood, of course, that in operation a letter to be weighed is placed in the clip 16, and the device is moved along the edge of the desk, with the several fulcrum points in engagement therewith, until the fulcrum point is found which produces the nearest point of equilibrium. This point then indicates the postage which is required for the letter.

While I have illustrated and described one particular embodiment of my invention, it

will be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the exact construction shown and described, but that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. 10.

I claim: A letter scale of the character described, comprising an elongated flat member having a plurality of longitudinally spaced fulcrum 5 points formed thereupon adjacent one end thereof, said end also having an aperture therein, a portion of the Wall of which is bent toward the opposite Wall to form an elongated tension clip for detachably securing a letter, 1 or the like.

Signed at Chicago, 111., this 13th day of March, 1930.

PERCY \V. STEPHENS.

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