US1979774A

US1979774A - Mail dispenser

Info

Publication number: US1979774A
Application number: US707581A
Authority: US
Inventors: George L Scoville
Original assignee: FRED GRESCHEL
Current assignee: FRED GRESCHEL
Priority date: 1934-01-20
Filing date: 1934-01-20
Publication date: 1934-11-06
Anticipated expiration: 1951-11-06

Description

Nov. 6, 1934. G.V L. scovlLLE 4 3,979,774

MAIL DISPENSER Filed Jan. 20, 1934 Patented Nov. 6, 1934 [f UNITED "STATES MAIL DISPENSER kGeorge L, Scoville, Hamilton, Ohio, assignor to Fred Greschel,

Application January 20,

Lakeland, Fla.

1934, Serial No. 707,581

4 claims. (el. 12s- 32) This invention relates to a container designed primarily for use by mail carriers operating in rural districts, the primary object of the invention being to provide a dispenser which will secure the letters or contents thereof against displacement, and at the same time will support the letters and contents of the dispenser in such a way that the names and addresses thereof may be readily determined, and successive contents removed without disturbing or removing the remaining mail from the dispenser.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which will securely attend the mail held therein, the clamp- '15 ing means being automatic in its operation to the end that the person using the device is relieved of the responsibility of operating the letter clamping means.

A still further object of the invention is the j provision of a container which is stamped from sheet metal material, thereby providing a container which will be strong and durable but especially light in weight, to the end that the container may be easily handled and transported 25 from place to place.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan View of a container constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the container, taken on line 3--3 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the container comprises a box-like body portion indicated generally by the reference character 5, the body portion being constructed preferably of sheet metal material and provided with one vertical side wall 6, and a rear end wall '7, the front end of the box being preferably left open, so that the person using the container will have ready 5U access to the contained contents thereof.

Stamped from the bottom of the box-like body portion 5, are ribs or louvers 8, the ribs being disposed in parallel relation with respect to each other and arranged in pairs at opposite sides of a line drawn longitudinally through the center of the body portion. As clearly shown by Figure 3 of the drawing, these ribs 8 are inclined inwardly towards the center of the body portion, and provide supports for the follower which is indicated by the reference character 9.

This follower 9 comprises a length of sheet metal material having downwardly extended

flanges

10 and 13, the ends of the anges being dovetailed to fit between the adjacent inner ribs 8, which ribs provide a guide for the follower and insure the follower operating in a true plane, longitudinally of the body portion.

nwardly inclined fingers 11 form a part of the follower 9, which fingers are stamped from the main portion of the follower, the fingers being ltwisted at points near their lower ends, strength- 'ening the fingers, so that they will not bend under the action of the spring 12, forming a part of the device, and to be hereinafter more fully described. A flange 13 depends from the follower 9 and is 75, formed with a cut out portion, through which the forward end of the coiled spring l2 extends, the forward extremity of the coiled spring being secured to the flange 10, as clearly shown by Figure 2 of the drawing. 80

The rear end of the spring 12 is secured to the end wall 7 of the container, at 14, with the result that the spring, which is of the contractile type, will act to normally urge the follower towards the end wall of the container, securing the letters or articles held within the dispenser between the fingers 11 and inclined wall 15, which forms a part of the end wall 7.

At the forward end of the container is a stop 16 that extends upwardly from the bottom of the 90 container and lies in the path of travel of the follower, when the follower is moved towards the front end of the container, thereby insuring against the follower being pulled too far from the container when the follower is being moved to permit letters and mailing matter to be placed within the container.

It might be further stated that a receptacle such as indicated at 17 may be provided on the follower, for receiving stamps or change, for the convenience of the carrier.

In the use of the device, letters or similar mail matter may be arranged within the container, between the fingers 11 and rear wall 15 and side wall 6 thereof, the addresses of the mail matter being disposed in consecutive order towards the front of the container.

The ngers 11, pressing against the mail matter, will act to clamp the mail matter in such a iway as to prevent displacement thereof, but at the same time permit the fingers of the operator to be inserted between the mail matter to remove a particular letter or piece of mail and allow visibility of address.

The mail matter is also supported at such an angle that when the fingers of the operator are inserted to remove or spread the mail, the name and address on the contents of the dispenser may be readily viewed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A container of the class described, comprising a body portion, ribs rising from the bottom of the body portion, a follower resting on the ribs, a spring connected with the follower normally urging the follower towards one end of the body portion, and inclined ngers extending upwardly from the follower for engaging articles held in the container. 4

2. A container of the class described, comprising a body portion having an open side and end, a follower operating in the body portion, lingers rising from the follower for engaging the articles held in the container and means for urging the follower towards one end of the body portion.

3. A container of the class described, comprising a metallic bodyportion, a plurality of ribs stamped from the bottom of the body portion and extending upwardly from the bottom of the body portion, said ribs constituting a support for articles positioned in the container, a follower resting on the ribs, a contractile spring secured to the follower and having one end thereof secured to one end of the container and spaced fingers rising from the follower for engaging the articles held in the container.

4;. A container of the class described, comprising a body portion, a follower within the body portion, said follower comprising a plurality of spaced upwardly extended fingers, said lingers adapted to engage a pack of letters positioned in the body portion, clamping the letters, said follower operating in a horizontal plane and movable longitudinally of the body portion, and said follower being of a construction whereby the address on the letter engaged by the follower, will be visible while the letters are held clamped in the body portion.

GEORGE L. SCOVILLE.