US2963063A - Purse frame and method of making same - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 6, 1960 D. J. BROUGHTON 2,963,063

PURSE FRAME AND METHOD OF' MAKING SAME Filed May 6, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet l WIQZ- IN V EN TOR.

DOUGLAS J- BPOUGf/TO/V- 1960 D. J. BROUGHTON 2,963,063

V PURSE FRAME AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed May 6, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN T OR. 00L/GLA5 I BPOl/Gh 7'0/V Dec. 6, 1960 D. J. BROUGHTON 2,963,063

PURSE FRAME AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed MayS, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR.

00061 A 5 .L BPOUGH 7'0/V ATTOENEY5 United States Patent PURSE FRAME AND METHOD OF -MAKING SAME Douglas J. Broughton, Springfield, Mass., assignor to Buxton, Incorporated, Agawam, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed May 6, 1958, Ser. No. 733,315"

7 Claims. Cl. 150-29 This invention relates to improvements in closure frames for gusseted purses and similar receptacles, and the methods of making such frames.

These frames comprise two generally U-shaped channeled frame members, the free ends of the arms of the U-frames being pivoted or otherwise hinged together, the edges of the side walls and the gusset edges of the purse being clamped within the channels of the arms and cross bars of the frame members.

It has heretofore been a common practice to construct these frames from preformed lengths of metal having a cross-sectional channel form, the lengths being bent into the desired U-shape, and the free ends formed to receive the rivet or other means by which the opposed U members are pivoted together to complete the frame.

These prior structures and methods have resulted in relatively high costs in the manufacture of such frames, particularly under quality product controls, and have required substantial skill and care in their application to purses, purse-billfold combinations and the similar receptacles towhich these frames are applied.

It is an object of the invention to overcome the above restrictive difficulties in the manufacture and use of purse closure frames.

A more specific object is to provide a frame which can be manufactured more economically and with greater ease of product control and a resulting greater assurance of uniform quality.

A further object is to provide a construction which can, for the most part, be made by economical die-.

press procedures.

A further object is to provide a purse closure frame which can be more economically incorporated in or applied to the purse or other receptacle it serves, and which provides greater capacity in gusseted purses.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent in the following specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which disclose one embodiment of the invention and the methods of forming the frame and applying it to the purse:

Fig. l is a plan view, parts being broken away, of a completed frame embodying the invention, showing the outer face of the frame;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view, similar to Fig. 1, showing the inner face of the frame, that is the faces of the frame halves which engage when the halves are swung to superposed, receptacle closing position;

Fig. 4 is an edge view of the frame, looking from the right in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is aview of a frame half as the latter is blanked out in flat form from a suitable sheet of metal;

Fig. 6 is afragmentary view showing the first step in shaping the frame half;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary View looking from the left in Fig. 6;

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Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the frame half completely shaped;

Fig. 9 is a side view showing the initial step of assembling the frame with a purse billfold combination;

Fig. 10 is a front view, parts broken away, showing the assembly further advanced;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10, with parts broken away, showing the frame in fully assembled position on the receptacle;

Fig. 12 is a detail fragmentary view illustrating the manner in which the bar portion of the frames are secured to the receptacle;

Fig. 13 is a detail fragmentary view showing a position of the frame preparatory to securing the side members of the frame to the outer edges of the purse gusset members;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view substantially on line 14l4 of Fig. 13 showing the side member in secured position; and

Fig. 15 is a view of the purse-billfold with the frame completely applied and secured.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing, the frame, generally indicated at 1, is shown as comprising two U-shaped frame units 2, each comprising a right line bar or cross member 3 and spaced side or arm members 4, the latter extending from the bar member symmetrically in the same direction. In the form shown the side members 4 are parallel to each other and at right angles to the bar member. The bar member includes opposed portions 5 and 6 forming a channel 7 between them and the side members each include opposed portions 3 and 9 forming channels 10 between them. The portions 6 have extensions 12 which are bent to close the ends of channel 7 to enhance appearance and impart rigidity to the cross bar. Each side member is provided with an extension or tab 13 provided with an aperture 13' by which the frame units are pivoted together, by means of rivets 14, to permit the units to be swung toward each other, in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 2, to bring the inner faces of the frame units into purse closing engagement. Each bar member of the frame is provided, as by soldering, brazing or welding, with interfering clasp members 15, of any usual or desired form which releasably interengage to hold the frames releasably closed in a known manner.

The particular relationship of the various elements and their function are best described and understood from the following description of the manner in which the frame units 2 are formed.

The frame units are substantially identical in structure and a description of one will serve for both. Referring to Fig. 5 the frame units are formed from a flat blank generally indicated at 16, economically die cut from a sheet of suitable metal. The portions of the blank which will form the previously mentioned elements of the finished frame are designated by the reference characters above applied to those elements. The flat blank 16 thus comprises a cross bar forming portion A, made up of the portions 5, 6 and 12, from which the cross member 3 is formed, and side members B made up of portions 8, 9 and 13 from which the side members 4 are formed. Cuts 17 extend inwardly from the inner edge of portion 6, the portion of 6 between cuts 17 forming an independently bendable lip. In the blank, portions 12 are end extensions of portion 6 and the portions 8 are side extensions of portions 9, the cuts 18.terminating portions 8 short of the line of the inner edge of cross member A.

By the initial forming'operation the extending portion 5 is bent arcuately over portion 6 as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, forming the channel 7 therebetween. The extending portions 12, 8, and 13 are then bent into a plane at right angles to the original plane of the blank, portions 12 being thus positioned beneath the already bent portion 5, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 8. In the initial bending operation the portion 5 is slightly overbent so that as portions 12 are brought to vertical position they engage tightly and snugly beneath the ends of portion 5. The portions 8 which are separated from portions 12 by the cuts 18, are then further bent to a position overlying portion 9, forming the channel 10 therebetween, the portions 12 and 13 being left in a plane at right angles to the plane of portions 9 and 6 which remain in the original plane of the blank. Preferably, for reasons later explained, the channels 10 are formed to taper slightly from the end adjacent portion 13 toward the bar member 3 as best shown in Fig. 9.

While for purposes of clarity the forming steps above described have been described successively it will be understood that the forming will ordinarily be carried out as a continuous operation, and with the timing of the steps overlapping so far as their nature permits.

Prior to the initial bending of portion 5, or at any other convenient time during the forming operation one or more small dents, or points, are formed in the portions 8 as indicated at 19, to extend inwardly of the channels 10 to more securely grip the material clamped in the channel as later described.

At the end of the described forming operations the blank 16 has been brought to the form shown in Fig. 8, comprising one unit 2 of the complete frame. Two units as shown in Fig. 8 are then positioned in opposed relation, with the portions 13 overlapping and with the apertures 13 in said portions in register, and the frames hinged together by rivets 14 extending through the apertures and with the side members of the opposing units in alignment, this alignment being effected by a slight offsetting of one of the overlapping members 13. Prior to, or after, this connection of the two units the bar of each unit is provided with its clasp member 15, previously described. The frame is thus completed to the form shown in Figs. 1 to 4.

The frame may be conveniently and advantageously applied to a purse structure as shown in Figs. 9 to 14 inclusive. For purposes of illustration the frame is shown in the latter figures as being applied to a purse-billfold combination generally indicated at 20. The elements of the combination 20 which are pertinent to the following description include opposed purse side Walls 21 and 22 connected along their side edges by purse end walls, shown in the form of triangular gusset pieces 23, an outer billfold wall 24 in the form of a continuous strip, an inner billfold wall including the innertpurse Wall 22 and a section 26 connected by 'a flexible element 27 to the purse walls 2122 at the closed bottom of the purse, and a closure flap 28 secured along the outer end edge of section 25, flap 28 and the outer wall member 24 being respectively shown as provided with interengaging members 29 of a conventional snap fastener, by which the billfold is releasably held closed in the usual manner.

With the frame halves 2 swung closely together and with gusset pieces, folded inwardly, in the usual manner as at 25, to bring the halves 30 of their free edges into similar close proximity as shown in Fig. 9, the edges 30 are introduced into the channels 10 of the adjacent frame halves as indicated in Fig. 9, the adjacent edges of wall members 21, 22 and 24 and of flap 28 being kept outwardly of members 8 of the frame; as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. Fig. 10 shows the frame slid along the edges 30 to bring the end edges 31 of the several purse-billfold members into close proximity to cross member 3 of the frame. Further movement of the frame seats the edges 31 in channel 7 of the cross member 3 as indicated in Fig. 11. The introduction of edges 30 into channels 10 is facilitated by the previously mentioned flare of the channels 10 at their ends which are adjacent the rivets 14.

With the frame thus in place the bar portions 3 may then be successively placed between suitable press members as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 12 to bend the lip portions of frame member 6 which lies between cuts 17, inwardly of channel 7 and toward member 5, to firmly clamp the portions of the purse-billfold members adjacent edge 31 in the channels 7. Thereafter the frame halves may be brought into alignment, as in Fig. 13, and frame members 8 bent into tight clamping engagement with the edge portions 30 of the gusset pieces 23, as indicated in Fig. 14 (members 9 remaining unbent), by presser members, not shown. In the position of Fig. 13 the adjacent members 8 may be simultaneously bent to gusset clamping position but obviously, if desired, the frame members 8 may be successively bent to clamping position without bringing the frame half into complete alignment.

The frame member may thus be easily and quickly applied to a purse, purse-billfold or other gusseted receptacle which has otherwise been completed.

It will be seen that by the described construction the members 5 of the frame are not displaced from their position in Figs. 1 and 2 by the clamping of edges 31, the cuts 17 permitting the intervening portions of members 6 to move to clamping position independently and without any tendency to distort any other portion of the frame. Also that, following clamping of edges 30 of the gussets, the members 9, which engage in face to face relation when the purse is closed, remain in their original plane thus presenting a neat appearance and a secure closure of the purse-the member 3, due to cuts 18, moving to clamping position independently and without any tendency to distort any other portion of the frame.

Furthermore since no part of the gusset members 23 are clamped to the cross bar, any gathers at the corners of the purse opening are avoided without sacrificing any width or depth of the purse, thus increasing purse capacity. The linear engagement of all the receptacle side walls in the cross members 3 and the position of frame portions 8 within the gusset folds, gives neat, clean, characterizing, parallel outlines to the receptacle as a whole, as is apparent from Fig. 1.

It will be understood that the members of the purse or purse combination may take any usual or desired form and that while in the form illustrated and above described the frame side members are at right angles to the right line cross bar, the side members may extend at an angle departing from a right angle and may extend from points inwardly of the bar, so long as the symmetry of the unit is preserved. Also while the channel in the cross bar is shown substantially as a quadrant in cross-section, the cross-section of the bar and its channel may be given a rectangular or other cross-sectional configuration as desired.

What is claimed is:

1. A closure frame for application to purses and the like which comprises two symmetrical, opposed, generally U-shaped frame units each including a right line cross member and side members extending symmetrically from the ends thereof, the free ends of the side members of one unit being pivotally connected to the free ends of the side members of the other unit to permit swinging movement of said units to and from a contacting position, said members being channeled, the open sides of the channels opening inwardly of the units and the ends of the channels in the cross members opening outwardly at the sides of the units, a wall of the channel in each cross member including portions extending from the ends thereof and closing the ends of the channel in the cross member, the respective channel walls of the cross members which engage when the frame units are in said contacting position being provided with cuts which extend inwardly from the edge thereof, the portions of the channel walls intermediate said cuts forming elongated lips which are independently bendable inwardly of the channel toward the opposite wall thereof.

2. A closure frame as in claim 1 the channels in the side members tapering from their pivotally connected ends.

3. A closure frame as in claim 2 the said portions which close the ends of the channel in the cross member being extensions of that channel wall in which said lip forming cuts are formed.

4. A closure frame for application to purses and the like which comprises two opposed U-shaped frame units each unit including a right line cross member and parallel side members extending in the same direction from the ends of the cross member at right angles thereto, the units being hinged together at the ends of the side members for swinging movement to and from engagement with each other, the said members being channeled, the open side of the channels opening inwardly of the units and the ends of the channels in the cross members opening outwardly of the units at the sides thereof, the walls of cross members and side members of each unit which engage upon said swinging movement lying in common planes and the engaging walls of the cross members being provided with two cuts extending inwardly from the edge thereof, said cuts being positioned one adjacent each end of the cross member inwardly of the adjacent side member, the portion of the wall member intermediate said cuts forming an elongated lip bendable inwardly of the channel towards the opposite wall thereof.

5. A closure frame as in claim 4 the ends of that channel wall of each cross member in which the cuts are formed being provided with an extension extending at right angles thereto inwardly of the channel and con- 6. forming in shape to the cross-section of the channel to close the ends thereof and to maintain the spacing of the channel walls outwardly of the lip upon bending of the latter.

6. A closure frame as in claim 4 the channels in the side members tapering in cross-section from their hinged ends.

7. The method of making a U-shaped frame unit adapted to form half of a closure frame for purses and the like which comprises cutting from a flat, die formable sheet of metal a fiat blank having a right line bar member and spaced side members extending symmetrically from one side of the bar member, the side member including side extensions extending outwardly therefrom, said side extensions stopping short of the line of the inner edge of the bar member, said side members having apertured tabs extending from the ends thereof, the bar member having cuts extending inwardly thereof adjacent the inner edges of the side members to provide an independently bendable lip between the cuts, bending the outer portion of the bar member and said side extensions of the side members upwardly and over the adjacent portions of said members while maintaining the latter portions in the original plane of the blank to form channels between said adjacent portions and the bent portions and bring said apertured tabs into planes substantially at right angles to the original plane of the blank.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 655,029 Spier July 31, 1900 1,114,607 Greenbaum Oct. 20, 1914 1,232,526 Fuller July 10, 1917

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