US561384A

US561384A - fletcher

Info

Publication number: US561384A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1896-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 1913-06-02

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

E. J. FLETCHER.' GASBOB, BOX FUR SILVERWARB, 6m.

`Patented June 2, 1896.

ANDREW B GRAHAM.PHOTO-LITHQWASNINGTDN D C (No Model.) 2 Sheets-She'ejt 2. E. J. FLETCHER.

OASE 0B BOX FOR SILVERWARE, &c. No; 561,384. Patented June 2, 1896.Y

NTTnD STATES PATENT union.

EDVIN J. FLETCHER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSICNOR TO THE XVIHTING MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

CASE OR BOX FOR SILVERWARE, 84.0.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 561,384, dated J une 2, 1896.

Application filed October l, 1895.

To @ZZ whom z5 may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN J. FLETCHER, a citizen ofthe United States, residing in the city of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Cases or Boxes for Silverware and the Like, of which the following is a specification.

It is usual to inclose articles of silverware, jewelry, out glass, the., especially the larger individual pieces, in nicely-finished cases or boxes. Those now generally used are expensive to manufacture and their cost adds considerably to the price of articles sold in boxes.

The object of my invention is to greatly cheapen the cost of manufacture and to produce boxes which shall be light, strong, and durable and in all respects as rich and attractive in appearance as the more expensive boxes'made by the old methods.

The principal portions of my box are of thin wood. The body is rectangular with rounded corners, formed by bending the wood at those points. The bed-frame inclosing the padded surface upon which the article rests is formed like the body, but is smaller and is secured to the base. The body is attached to the base by a hinge-jointalong one edge and forms a cover. The whole is nicely iinished by covering with leather, leatherette, paper, or other material so applied and joined as to conceal the edges of the covering and produce a peculiarly rich and tasty appearance. j

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional View of a box constructed according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a corresponding end view. Fig. 8 is a section of a portion showing the joint between the top and body. Fig. et is a similar View showing the base. Fig. 5 shows the hinge connection. Figs. 3, et, and 5 are on a larger scale. Fig. 6 is a transverse section showing a modification. Fig. 7 shows a modified forni of the hinge. Figs. S and 9 are views of the body and bed-frame as seen from above before the covering is applied. Fig. l0 is an edge view, on a small scale, showing the board before bending. Fig. ll is a simi- Serial No. 564,298. (No model.)

lar view of a portion on a larger scale. 12 is a face view of a base-piece.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts in all the figures.

A* is a thin strip of any suitable wood, having its ends beveled or scarfed to match together to form a smooth joint, and having groups of parallel transverse grooves cut partly through at points where the strip is to be bent in forming it into a rectangle with rounded corners. The grooves may be produced by passing the strip over 4projecting Vshaped cutters or saws arranged in a suitable table in corresponding groups on a revolving shaft. The V-grooves so formed are filled with glue and the scarfed ends similarly coated. The strip is then bent in a suitable mold or around a former or otherwise into a hollow rectangle. The scarfed ends are nicely fitted together and the whole firmly held until the glue has set. The number of V-grooves in each group and the angles of the sides of the grooves are so proportioned that the act of bending brings the sides together and results in a nearly smooth and uniform interior surface. Vhen sufficiently dry, the hollow rectangle, intended to serve as the body portion of a case, is treated by a suitable tool to form the rounded upper edge of the body A and leave the extreme upper face iiat, as at ct. The sharp angle at the outer corner of the lower edge, is removed by similar treatment and the body is ready to be covered.

The top B is a piece of thin board having the proper dimensions and rounded corners to match to the bodies A. The edges are worked by hand or machinery to remove the sharp corner from the face which is to lie uppermost and smoothly round it off on an oval curve. is longer and wider to project a little on all sides and has both upper and lower edges rounded.

The bed-frame D is made from a strip having the cross-section shown, and is V-grooved, scarfed, and formed into rectangular framesA of the proper size in a manner similar to that described in treating bodies A.l

l will describe thecovering material and Fig.

The base C is similarly formed, but

IOO

lining as paper, unless otherwise stated; but it will be understood that leather, leatherette, plush, velvet, silk, or other materials may be used singly or combined, if preferred.

The body A is coated with paste on the exterior and upper and lower edges and extending a short distance upward on the interior. A strip E of paper wider than the height of the body is similarly coated on one side and smoothly applied around the body A, with its upper edge nearly coinciding with the upper edge of the body and its lower edge extending under and up a short distance on the interior. A lining-strip G of strawboard of a width a little less than the height of the body is cut to a length to match closely within the latter when bent to shape and its ends abutted. It is covered on the interior face and both edges by a strip G of the same or different paper extending over the edge and lapping a little upon the interior surface and is pasted to the inner surface of the body A with its lower edge iush therewith and forming at the upper edge an offset G2. The top B receives a pasted sheet l on its upper face,

the edges e' being turned under slightly on all sides.

A piece of strawboard G3, having a length and width a little less than the top, receives a covering-piece G4 on its under face and is then pasted or glued securely upon the under face of the top B, forming an offset G5 all around. Glue is then applied to the offset G2 and the top placed in position upon the body A, the offset G5 matching to and nearly filling the offset G2 and forcing the glue upward under the overhung edge of the top and securing the latter to the Hat portion a, formed on the upper surface of the rounded edge to receive it. Thus put together the edges of the covering material are completely concealed, excepting the overlapping end of the strip E, which is made to come at the back. The edges e and g5 at the top lie in that joint and the edges g4 g lie in the offset, while the lower edge e of the outer covering and the lower edge g of the lining-piece G lie against each other in the joint between the liningpiece and body.

The base() is coated on the under side with paste and receives a sheet H sufficiently large to cover it and be turned over the edges a little distance and be secured upon the upper surface along the margins. The raw edge h is hidden by a piece of strawboard J, having a strip J of gilt or other paper folded over and pasted upon its edges to form an ornamental piping' pasted to lthe upper surface of the base C, and is in turn covered by a similar but smaller piece K of strawboard with its edges covered by a strip K and glued upon the piece J.

The bed-frame D has a strip L pasted upon its outer surface and turned under below and over the upper edge. A strawboard strip L', matching to the interior of the bed-frame, carries the bed-covering L2, of silk or other rich fabric, secured to the outer face of the strip L. The latter is then coated with paste and applied within the bed-frame, which, having received the cotton padding L2, covered by the silk, is ready to be glued upon the piece K, and thus secured to the base C. The raw edge Z2 of the silk and the upper edge Z of the strip L are concealed between the strip L and the bed-frame D, and the lower edge Z of the strip L lies under the frame.

The outer face of the bed-frame is curved, as shown, from the narrow upper edge to a perpendicular near the lower edge to allow the body to swing clear in lifting and also to be held in the closed condition by the slight friction between the straight portion and the inner surface of the body when forced to place. The hinging of the body A to the base is effected, as shown in Figs. 5 and 7, by a strip of strong fabric M, glued to the under face of the body at the rear and to the under surface of the bed-frame, the fold lying at the eXtreme rear edge. A strip of similar material is strongly glued between the interior face of the body and its lining-piece G to form a stop M' to prevent the body swinging too far backward and endangering the hinge. The free edges of the strips M and M are joined by gluing or they maybe in one piece folded, as shown in Fig. 7, and are secured in' proper position upon the under side of the bed-frame D. The whole lower face of the latter and that portion of the fabric strips are then coated with glue and fastened to the piece K and the box set away to thoroughly dry.

I have shown an ornamental cord R lying in the joint between the top and body and secured by gluing. It covers the joint, and may in solne eases be preferable, but is not essential.

It will be observed that the lower edge of the strip E at the back is not turned in to lie between the body A and strip G, but is extended upon the piece K beneath the hinge, forming part of the latter and concealing the fabric from view. The strip E maybe turned in, as at the front, or may be pasted to the back edges of the pieces J and K and turned under and be secured beneath the base.

lt is important that the salient angles of the body, top, base, and bed-frame be smoothly rounded, for the reason that such rounding adds greatly to the richness of the appearance by producing an effect of increased thickness in the covering material. Invorder that this effect be not dispelled by showing the real thickness of the covering, the edges of the latter are carefully concealed in the joints between the members.

Various modifications may be made in the forms and proportions and in the details of construction. Fig. G shows a boX in which the strip G is carried to the upper edge of the body A and the piece G3 dispensed with. This form also shows an ornamental strip lying within the bed-frame D, between the latter IOO IIO

and the silk covering L2, and the piping .I is omitted. The piece K may also be dispensed with and the bedr-frame be secured directly upon the base C.

The outline of the body and other portions may be varied from the rectangular form with rounded corners here shown.

The straight sides may be hollowed or swelled and the base correspondingly curved.

The covering and lining may be varied or dispensed with in part and the box finished by painting or varnishing the natural wood. The paper :referred to in the foregoing is preferably what is known as embossed or figured paper having a rich finish and well adapted forl this purpose. In more expensive Vboxes the outer covering may be fine kidleather with an inner covering of the same or different material.

Metal hinges may be used, if preferred, or they may be of leather or paper reinforced with strong muslin. Any suitable lock or catch may be used to hold the body to the base at the front in addition to the friction between the surfaces.

Boxes made in accordance with my invention may be manufactured in quantities at small cost. The main parts are machineworked and do not require skilled labor. The covering and assembling may be facilitated by using properly-shaped forms and other appliances and require only the skill and care usually exercised by ordinary paper-box makers.

As constructed,there is little danger of glue exudin g from the joints and defacing the coverin g. The glue joining the top B to the body A is applied in the offset G2 andv is not liable to extend beyond the joint. The base C and the pieces J and K thereon need not be coated to the extreme edges, and the bedframe D may be fastened by a line of glue not extend ing to the outer face.

, be any suitable cement.

The tops and bases may be formed from sheets of wood or strawboard laid face to face and shaped by a cutter or suitable die.

Other material than wood may be used for the bodies.

The strawboard strip shown in Fig. G between the bed-frame and silk may, if preferred, be placed outside the bed-frame, the proportions of the parts being changed to cor respond.

The joint at the base may be concealed by a cord similar to the cord R at the top.

That I have described as paste or glue may It may be applied to the stiff surfaces only and the thin previously-dampened paper be secured thereto without being coated.

I claim as my inventionl. In a case orboxfor silverware or the like, a base, abcd-frame secured to the base, a body matching to the bed-frame and a top secured to the body, each of said members having the salient angles thereof smoothly rounded, and a thin covering of 'Iiexible material applied on the exterior faces of each of such members, the edges of the said covering material being concealed in the joints between the sev eral members, all combined and arranged to serve substantially as herein specified.

2. In a case or box for silverware and the like, the bodyhaving rounded corners formed by grooving transversely and bending at those points, and having the ends fastened, in combination with a top matching to the body, a base to which the body is secured, and a bedframe attached to the base and matching thereto and lying within the body, all substantially as herein specified.

3. In a case or box for silverware and the like, the bed-frame having rounded corners formed by groovin g transversely and bending at those points and having the ends joined and fastened, and a strip covering the outer surface and upper and lower edges, in combination with a base to which the said bedframe is secured and a body matching to and inclosing the bed-frame, all substantially as herein specified.

4. In a case or box for silverware and the like, the body having rounded upper edges, and rounded corners formed by grooving transversely and bending at those points, and having the ends joined and fastened, in combination with a top matching to the body, a base to which the body is attached and a bedframe secured to the base and lying within the body and having its corners rounded by grooving transversely and bending to match to and be inclosed by the body, all substantially as herein specified.

5. In a case or box, the body A, strip E cov ering its exterior and upper and lower edges, and the liningstrip G matching to and in closed by the body, in combination with the top B, sheet E' covering its upper surface and edges, all substantially as herein specified.

6. In a case or box, the body A, strip E covering its exterior and upper and lower edges, and the lining-strip G matching to and inclosed by the body, the covering-strip G on the inner face and edges of said lining-strip,

the height of the latter being less than the body, to form an offset G2, in combination with the top B sheet E covering its upper surface IOO IIO

andu edges, and the piece G3 and its covering v G4, secured to the under face of the top and smaller than the latter to form an offset G5 matching to the said offset G2, all substantially as herein specified.

7. In a case or box, the body A and the strip E covering its exterior and upper and lower edges, and the lining-strip G matching to and inclosed by the body, the strip G covering the inner face and upper and lower edges of said lining-strip, the height of the latter being less than the body to form an offset G2, in combination with the top B and sheet E covering its upper surface and edges, and the piece G3 and its covering G4, secured to the under face of the top and smaller than the latter to form an offset G5 matching to the IZO said offset G2, and the oord R covering the joint between the top and body, all substantially as herein specified.

S. The base C and its covering-sheet, and the piece K having its edges covered by strip K and secured to the base, in combination with the bed-frame D and its covering-strip L, secured to said piece K, all substantially as herein specified.

9. The base C and the sheet Il ooveringits under surface and edges, the piece J having its edges covered by the strip J secured to the base, and the piece K and strip K eovering the edges of the latter, in combination with the bed-frame D and its covering-strip L and bed-Covering L2, all substantially as herein specified.

10. The body A and covering E therefor, lining-piece G and its covering G', top B, covering-sheet E', piece G3 and its covering-sheet G, seoured'to the under face of said top, in combination with the base C Covering-sheet H therefor, pieces J and K having their edges covered by the strips J and K, the bed-frame D covering L and bed-Covering L2, and the hinge M connecting the body and base, all substantially as herein speoied.

1l. In a oase or boX for silverware and the like, the body A and base G in combination With a oonneetinghinge Consisting of the strip M secured to the body and folded as shown the strip M attached to the inner surface of the body, the strips being joined at their unattaehed edges and secured thereby to the base, the said strip M extending across the joint to forni a stop, all substantially as herein specified.

In testimony that I elaiin the invention above set forth I at'ix my signature in presenee of tWo Witnesses.

- EDVIN J FLETCHER.

/Vitnesses:

Roer.` CONNOR, WM. B. JAMES.