US779551A - Mail collecting and distributing pouch. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED JAN, 10, 1905.

I E. M. LETTS. MAIL COLLECTING AND DISTRIBUTING POUOH.-

APPLICATION FILED MAY 25, 1904.

- JLVJ/ Witnesses:

UNITED STATES Patented January 10, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

MAIL COLLECTING AND DISTRIBUTING POUCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 779,551, dated January 10, 1905.

Application filed May 25, 1904. Serial No. 209,813.

To all 11/72/0171, it nuty concern:

Be it known that I, EVERT MoNTvILLE LETTS, a citizen of the United States, residing in Fox township, in the county of Sullivan, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Mail Collecting and Distributing Pouch, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a combined mail collecting and distributing pouch.

The object of the invention is to facilitate the collecting and distributing of mail, more particularly in rural districts; to present in a single structure means for keeping the mail collected and the mail to be distributed separate and distinct; to enable the letter-carrier to arrange his mail-matter before leaving the post-office in such manner as to allow him to distribute it without the necessity of the employment of straps or bands, which have to be removed in order to release the letter or other mail-matter, and generally to improve existing devices of this character.

With the above and other objects in view, as will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in'the novel construction and combination of parts of a mail collecting and distributing pouch, as will be hereinafter fullydescribed and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts, there are illustrated two forms of embodiment of the invention, each capable of carrying the same into practical operation, it being understood that the elements therein exhibited may be varied or changed. as to shape, proportion, and exact manner of assemblage without departing from the spirit thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a form of embodiment of the invention adapted for use in the collection and delivery of rural mail-routes and is designed to be placed in a vehicle. Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of a second form of embodiment of the invention designed to be carried by the letter-carrier. Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view of a part of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view of a part of Fig. 2.

- The device illustrated in Fig. 1 embodies a frame comprising four legs 1, connected and braced by cross-pieces 2, of which there are shown in this instance two, although it will be understood that, if preferred, this number may be increased and still be within the scope of the invention. Combined with the legs are four rods 3, one end of each of which is rigidly secured in two of the legs and the opposite ends of which project through the other legs and carry on their free ends detachable knobs or stops 4:, which serve to prevent the rods from becoming disconnected from the legs. Strung upon these rods is a series of leaves or partitions 5, which are preferably made of canvas or some other heavy textile material and are provided with eyelets 6 at the points where the rods pass through them.

These leaves carry on each side pockets 7, as

clearly shown in Fig. 3, which are designed to receive the mail-matter collected and to be distributed, and these pockets may be alphabetically or numerically indicated to inform the carrier as to the person or persons to receive the mail in a certain pocket. Thus, for example, if a letter-carrier in a rural district has fifty houses to which he delivers mail the pouch may be provided with a suflicient number of leaves or partitions to contain fifty pockets, and these will be numbered, say, from l to or otherwise indicated. The mail-matter may be distributed at the postoflice and placed in these pockets, and when the carrier comes to the different houses it will only be necessary to remove the mail from the pocket and deliver it, thereby saving time andgreatly facilitating the work, especially in cold weather. The pockets on one side will be reserved for matter to be distributed and those on the opposite side for matter to be collected.

In the form of embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 2 there is a frame provided consisting of side pieces 8 and top and bottom cross-pieces 9 for securing these together, and these side pieces will be spaced apart a sufficient distance to cause them to bear against the sides of the letter-carrier, and the device as a whole will be secured in position by straps and buckles 11. Secured to the side pieces 8 in any preferred manner is one end of each of four rods 12, which, as shown in Fig. 2, are disposed on a slight upward angle, the outer ends of these rods being provided with detachable knobs or stops 13, Which operate to prevent the leaves or partitions 14 from becoming disconnected and also to permit of the leaves being removed when necessary, as-in case of repairs. These leaves 14 are substantially of the same construction as those shown in Fig. 1 and are provided on opposite sides with pockets 15 and 16, which are covered by flaps 17 and 18. The pockets on the outer side of the leaves are larger than those on the inner side and are designed to receive collected mail-matter, while those on the inner side of the leaves are of smaller size and are adapted to receive mail-matter to be distributed and are numerically or otherwise indicated, as shown in Fig. 2, in which the pockets are shown as numbered from 1 to 10 consecutively. In the use of this form of pouch the mail-matter will be distributed at the post-oi'iice and placed in the appropriate pockets, and it will be delivered from house to house in the manner described in connection with the device shown in Fig. 1, While the matter collected will be placed in the pockets 15. The portable form of pouch just described is light and can be worn by letter-carriers Without any greater discomfort than that attending the ordinary mail-pouch in general use.

The object for having the rods 12 disposed on an incline is to cause the leaves always to press toward the body of the carrier, thus to bring the pockets within easy reach to collect or distribute the mail-matter.

The devices as a whole are exceedingly simple of construction, may be readily manufactured, and easily repaired when necessary. In their use the labor incident to the collection and distribution of mail-matter in rural districts will be materially lessened, and accuracy will also be secured With a minimum of danger of loss of mail-matter, which frequently is caused by the letter-carriers hands being stiff with cold. The mail-matter being inclosed in pockets covered by flaps Will be protected from the elements, and the mail in each pocket may be secured by a string or rubber band. and thus obviate the necessity of hunting through a number of packages of mail to find a desired letter.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed is 1. A mail collecting and distributing pouch embodyinga supporting-frame, and means for securing the same in position,'a plurality of rods carried by the frame and provided at their free ends with detachable knobs or stops, and leaves or partitions carried by the rods and provided on opposite sides With pockets.

2. A mail collecting and distributing pouch embodying a supporting-frame, and means for securing the same in position, a plurality of rods carried by the frame and provided at their free ends with detachable knobs or stops, and leaves or partitions carried by the rods and provided on one side With relatively large pockets to receive collected mail, and on the opposite side with relatively small pockets to receive mail to be distributed.

3. A portable mail collecting and distributing pouch embodying a supporting-frame and means for securing the same in position, a plurality of upwardly-inclined rods carried by the frame and provided at their free ends with detachable knobs or stops, and leaves or partitions carried by the rods and provided on opposite sides with pockets.

EVERT MONTVILLE LETTS.

l/Vitnesses:

WILLIAM L. WVILLIAMs, ANNIE Ln'rrs.

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