US519057A - Mail-box - Google Patents

Description

NTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES` G. CUTLER, OF ROCIIESTER, NEW YORK.

MAIL-Box.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 519,057, dated May 1, 1894.

Application filed December 23, 1891. SerialNo. 415,989. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES G. CUTLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rochester, in the county of Monroe, in the State of New York, have invented an Improved Mail-Box, of which the following is a speciication, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. a

My invention relates to certain improvements inthe constructionof mail-boxes, which improvements are fully described and illustrated in the following specification and the accompanying drawings,-the novel features thereof being specified in the claims annexed to the said specification. In the accompanying drawings, representing a mail-box embodying my improvements, Figure l is a front elevation. Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2 2, Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3-3, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a partial side-view of the swinging-box. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the same.

In the mail-box represented in the accompanying drawings, A is the outer casing, which is closed at the top by the head or cover C, and open at the lower end to permit the movement of the inner mail-receptacle or holder B, which slides lengthwise or. downward to the requisite degree out of the box, as indicated at B', to permit ythe removal of the mail-matter through an opening J in its front or side. An orifice b in the outer case, closed bythe swinging flap L, permits the introduction ofV mail-matter into the box. The box is locked by securing the inner mailholder in the outer case by means of the hasp and staple, F H, and any ordinary fasteningy device such as t-he padlock I.

It is designed to make the Whole structure of sheet-metal, thereby securing strength, lightness and cheapness. In this case the outer shell A is bent into shape and formed with a riveted joint e, Figs. 2 and 3. The head C is lianged and riveted, as shown. The upper edge of the inner holder is beaded or bent outward as represented at a, Fig. 2, and the lower edge of the outer case is beaded or bent inward, as shown at c, so as to prevent the inner holder from slippin g or being drawn entirely out of the box. In the assembling of the parts of the box, the head C is iirst riveted in, and then, the inner holder B, provided with the flange a, but Without its lower head D, is inserted in the case, the iange c Hanging or riveting as may be preferred,- A

the opening J permitting access to the interior of the holder `for this purpose. It will be observed that the holder is somewhat smaller than the interior of the case and one or more springs, R, are employed in this space to press the holder against the front of the case, and prevent a thin letter or postal card from sticking in the joint around the edges of the opening J. These springs are secured to the holder on its rear side, near its upper end, and bear against the interior of the case. They also serve by the friction they cause to retard the downward movement of the holder.

In order to provide for attaching the box while-the holder is withdrawn sufficiently from the case. The head D may be provided with the handle E. It will be observed that the opening J does not extend entirely down to the head D,but that a wall K projects upward from the head a suitable distance, serving toprevent the mail-matter from falling out of the box when opened.

In FigsA: and 5 I have represented a modified manner of supporting a mail-box, on a pivot at its upper end, so that it can be swung into the horizontal or nearly horizontal position, for convenience of access to the contents.

Y, Figs. 4 and k5, is an arm projecting outward from any suitable support, and carrying the pivot U, to which the box is attached by Ameans of the armT and disk U. In order to provide for holding the box in an approximately horizontal position, I form anotch in ICO the disk U, in which a pin or catch on the spring V engages, to hold the box in the p0- sition A if desired. The spring may also be employed to secure the box in the vertical position.

I claiml. The combination, in a mail box, of the outer case A, permanently closed at its upper end, and having mailing orifice b, and the inner sliding holder B closed at its lower end and provided with opening J on the side next the mailing orifice, and means for preventing the entire withdrawal of the holder from the case, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the outer case A having head C, inwardly turned flange c at its lower end, and mail-orifice b, of the inner sliding holder B having fiange a and opening J 0n the side next the mail-orifice, said opening J being normally in direct communication with the mail-orifice and adapted to be exposed by lowering the sliding holder B, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination in a Ymail box of the outer case closed at one end and the inner holder arranged to slide within the case and provided with an opening adapted to receive the mail when the box is closed and to expose it when the box is open, and a fastening for said case concealed by the inner holder when closed, said holder being adapted to be suspended from the case, substantially as set forth.

4.-. The combination, in a mail box, of an outer case closed at its upper end, an inner sliding holder provided with an opening on one side, means for supporting the holder from the casewhen in its lowest position, and a spring arranged within the case and adapted to keep the holder on its apertured side in contact with the interior of the holder, substantially as described.

5. A swinging mail-box pivoted at or near its upper end, and provided with means for securing it in an approximately horizontal position, for convenience of access to its contents, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with a swinging mailbox, consisting of an outer case and an inner sliding holder, of means for securing it in an approximately horizontal position, substantially as described.

7. The combination, with the mail-box A, of the arm Y carrying spring V, the pivot X and notched disk U, substantially as described.

JAMES G. (BUTLER. Witnesses:

J. H. GILMORE, Jr., J. WARREN CUTLER.

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