US2484682A - Flexible pocket receptacle - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 11, 1949. D. J. BROUGHTON 2,484,682

FLEXIBLE POCKET RECEPTACLE Filed Aug. 9, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVEN TOR Jam .14: JfikW/Gl/IW Oct. 11, 1949. D. .1. BROUGHTON FLEXIBLE POCKET RECEPTACLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 9, 1945 INVENTOR M w w. m OIVR R o w I A m M 0Y In.

Oct. 11, 1949.

Filed Aug. 9, 1945 D- J. BROUGHTON FLEXIBLE POCKET RECEPTACLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Joya/m J'fiwmarm BY 9L ATTOR EYS Oct. 11, 1949. J BROUGHTON 2,484,682

FLEXIBLE POCKET RECEPTACLE Filed Aug. 9, 1945 4 Shets -Sheet 4 INVENTOR v Jo a/w Jfiidaawrow BY #2241;

' ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 11, 1949 2,4&4,682

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Douglas J. Broughton,

. to Buxton,

Springfield, Mass, assignor Incorporated, Springfield, Mass., a

corporation of Massachusetts Application August 9, 1945, Serial No. 609,817 l '1 Claims. (Cl. 150-30) This invention relates to an improvement in the construction of billfolds formed of leather or other flexible materials.

Such billfolds customarily comprise front and rear walls variously connected along their bottom and end edges to provide a bill {compartment open along its upper. edge; The end sections of the billfold are foldable one on, the, other about a substantially central line offold. One or both end sections of the front wall are customarily provided with auxiliary pockets'opening toward the fold line for the receptionpf cards and the like. Since the inner wall tends to'jbuckle at the line of fold when the endsections of the. billfold arefolded together it is desirable to construct the front wall to permit a limited lengthwise expansion and contraction. One customary and desirable way of providing such expansion and contraction is to include as one element of the front Wall an intermediate wall, member at least one end .of which is telescopically slidable in the members making up the end sectionsgof the front wall. When the bill compartment of thegbillfold, or.

the auxiliary pockets, or both, are filled to, or approximating, their capacity there is a tendency to bind the intermediate wallv member thereby preventing or interfering with its freedom of sliding movement with respect to the other members of the front wall. This is particularly true with respect to the stuflingof the auxiliary pockets, which has for some time-been a growing habit of billfold users. a 1

The principal objec of'myinvention isto overcome these difficulties and at the same time increase the capacity ,of the :billfold particularly with respect to the auxiliary pockets. This object is accomplished by a particular inclusion and arrangement of gusset :members in the construction of the billfold. I am of course aware that gussets have been variously applied topockets generally" to increase their capacity and that attempts'have been made to apply'them for increased capacity to billfold pockets, but as far as I am aware such attempts have tended to increase the difliculties mentioned and I know of noprevious suggestion that gussets could be used in .a manner to overcome these difficulties or of any gusset arrangement which secured that effect.

The application of gussetsto billfold pockets having in View merely an increase in pocket capacity have heretofore proved unsatisfactory as a practical matter. I believe one reasonfor this failure to be that when gussets are applied in the conventional manner the result is to stiffen and tighten the whole'structure whereas acertain t degree of looseness and flexibility permitting self adjustments between the several parts of the billfold are essential if the billfold is to function properly. a I

It is therefore a further object and advantage of my invention to provide a gusset construction for billfold pockets which will function to increase the pocket, capacity per se, at the same time that increased freedom ,is aiforded the intermediate wall member.

Other and further objects and advantages residing in the details of the construction will be made apparent in the following specification and claims. 1

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. '1- shows the form of a blank from which the body of a billfold embodying my invention may be constructed;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the intermediate Wall member which with the elements of the blank shown in Fig. 1 complete-the members of a billfold embodying my invention;

Figs. 3 and 4 are fragmentary views on a larger scale'showing certain of the folding and assembling 'steps in constructing thebillfold from the parts shown in Figs. 1 and.2;

Fig. 5 is a front elevational view, on the scale of'Fig. 1, showing the completed billfold, parts being broken away;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, generally perspective View of the billfold of Fig. 5 on a larger scale;

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing the bill compartment gusset omitted;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view ofa blank similar to Fig. 1 but showing a modified arrangement;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary generally perspective view, on a larger scale, partsbeing broken away, showing the arrangement of the parts in the billfold made up from the blank of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view of a blank similar to Fig. 8 but showing a further modification;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary generally perspective View, on 'a larger scale, parts being broken away, showing the arrangement of'the parts in the billfold made up from the blank of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view substantially on the line |2I2 of Fig. 11;

Figs; 13 to 17 inclusive showthe several of the elements of a billfold embodying my invention formed as separate pieces arranged for blind stitching;

Figs. 18 and 19 are'fragmentary generally per spective views, on a larger scale, showing steps in the construction of a. billfold using the blanks shown in Figs. 13 to 17; and

Fig. 20 is a sectional View substantially on line 20-40 of Fig. 19- butshowing the elements in completed position. a,

It will be understood that'the drawings are not to scale and that the relative thickness of the material has been exaggerated in the interest of clearness. 1

.Inthe illustrative embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and the other figures the billfold includes a .rearwall I, spaced panel. members 2, flap members 3, and closure members 4, and an intermediate wall member 5 (Fig. 2). As shown the billfold preferablyg'ifidli ides part i'tioh members .6 which carry closure caper.

Each panel member 2 is connected to the lower or bottom edge of the rear wall by a gusset member 8 comprising inner and outerelements 9 and it. Flap member 3 is connected tetheepposite edge (in the finished 'bill'fql'd i'sfth e upper edge) of its panel 2 by a gi'isst I'l c'din prising inner and outer elements I2 and I3 respectively. As shown in Fig. 1-, for .example,;end closure members 4 are connected to the ends of rear wall I by gussets I 4, comprising inner and outer elements I5 and I6."

. For reasons later discussed in connection with Fig. 6; the gussetsi m-me i'riin anyw case's beo'mitted without substantial detriment to achieving certain objects of the invention.

The partition member 6 is connected,.integrally in Fig. 1, .directlyto the outer 'end'e'dge of panel Preferably. the upper aarfd lower .edges of the rear wall I are provided with tabs I1 and IB -respectively which are folded over and cemented or otherwise secured to the. rear wall; to finish the exposed edges of the' wall, ina well known man'- ner.

The flaps a3.are each provided at their outer ends with lock tabs I 9 adapted to engage,- as later described, in"slots 20: formediin panels 2. The end members 4 are each provided with lock tabs ZI .engageable. in -slotszi22 .:al"so formed in "the panels 2. Flaps 3.=are fdrme'd. with :slots '23 in which tabs .24,rermea onith'e upper ed'geof inte'rmediate wall member Y5 "(Fig 2) 'a'reien'gaged all as later described,

.As shown .the .billfold is symmetrical and a description of the folding and assembly of one end will serve to describe. both, it being .understood that the folding and assembly 'of bhthiend's' will preferably 'proc'eeditoge'ther.

Referring toFig.... 3, the partition member 6 is shown folded over. on the adjacent "panel 7 2 and the gussets 8 and II;'are'folde'd onto'p bf the-partition member. Astalso 'showniini said figure the gussetiis folded :ontothe, rear. wall I.

The panel I 2 .is then folded :onto the rear wall as shown inFig. 4,.th'e intermediatewall member E'being placed'between't'he gussets 8-II.an'd the rear wallwith its .lower edge .en'gagdin the bight between the;:inner igusset. element 59 .and wall I. Flap f3. isthentfolded downwardly between wall and-:theiin-tennediate wall m'emb'er'i with the upper. ed'geiiof jthe-intermediate member engaging in the big-ht I between the inner gusset element I2 and flap 3. The tabs-J24 on the memher 5 are insertedi'tl'n'oiigh'slots =23. (as-shown in Figs. 6 and 9) andt'the; lock talas'illil; seeFig. 4, are

folded over on ,panel Zcan'd, inserted in slots 20.

The end members 4 are then folded over onto panel 2 and'lock'tabs .221 engage .inslo'ts 22"t'o complete the-Lsettingxup of the lbillfOld as 'shownin Fig. 5, which shows both ends .of the billfold completed. It will be understoodfthat en other suitable means for connecting the ends of the rear wall to'the'panelmernb'ers may'ibe'empl'oyed in place of the end members 4 an'dlock tabs 2'I.

"Any suitable means may be employe'd'forholding the closure 'flaps I closed, that shown "comprising tongues 25 ferigaigeable in SIotS-ZB which are provided with entrance pieces 21 inaccuraance with the 'disclosi'ire (if Buxto'n Patent 2,318,750.

A's best'shown in'Fig' 'fi the-structure userited and panel member 2, which pocket is expansible at thetop and bottom by reason of gussets 8 and II which extend into the pocket. Restricting pressure of cards,"or-the like, which may be "la edin space :29, against the intermediate wall member tis' relieved by the gussets a and II.

" The outer enfd of pocket 29 is closed by the lock member I 9 but since the intermediate member dosfiiot extend to the end of the billfold the binding action on the intermediate member is not ordinarily substantial atthat "point, In practice it "has been :rouridthdt usually the side gussets are sufficient for the purpose of freeing the intermediate-wall"member from restraint.

For 'a s'im'i'lar'reason the end gussets I4 may frequently be omitted; asshown 'i'n'Fig. '7, particularly if the flaps "3 'do hot 'ei'itend'substant'ial- 1y below the longitud nal center "of the intermediate wall member 5- as shown in the various figures and as taught in 'prior Buxton Patent 2,'0 1',846. 'In either case the fact that thebights of the gussets, 'which"for'm-' the runways for the upper and lower edgesfo'f the intermediate member, widen in" eerie "as "the"'pbcket"fills further tends to increase the"freeddmdfmovement of the intermediate member. Also the-presence of the intermediate weir "member "inthe' bight of the gussettendsto hold the glfsset' in'sli'ape-- and 'prevent the pocket'fr'oin sa'gg'iiig-it 'acts to "stiffen and reenfor'ce theedge or the gusset.

The partition mriib'r 6, when used, divides the space 29 'ir'i-to *two compartments. the outer compartment 30 being closed "bythe fia'ps "I carried by the partitions; As shown 'inFigs. '6 and '7 the partition members-ere normally positioned inthe outer bigh'ts of"the gussets' 8' and I I Pref erably" as is evident in the' 'several figures the par titionmembers: are made: sli'ghtly na'rrower than the panel members 'with which theyf'are associa'ted. -As"perhaps b'st'shbwn in Figs. '6 and 7 the partition '6 whilenarrow'er"than'its panel 2 I is wider than the distance between theinwardly extending folds bf "tl'ie f'giissets' '8 and "H and its edges are normally fconfined between the 'bight of the outer gusset elements 'I'IJ andfI3 and the panel 2. By narrowing the partition, the latter is per'niitted a limited 'swi' iig tow'ard and from the panelmember so that depending 'on'the extent to "which the partition is narrowed, the comartment "3 0 shares'the "exeemsien "resulting from the dlltr'gli st 'el'lfii'its lfl' all'id I13. The Coinbir'ied'capacities "of'the compartments 2; and30 are limited by the expansion bf the gussets" and if the ibad piaeed or desl r'ed' tb be placed'in corn- Dartment '30 "exceeds half d'f the combined capacity of the two pocktsfthe partition member will-be, or can be forced-hast the inwardly extending foldof tl'i'eigiisset'sdthat 'them'ajor portion of *the guss'et 'will operate in "compartment 30. In whatever *posi'tioiith'e partition is placed the gussets actto relieve thejpires'sureo'f the con tents of the pdekets against the intermediate wall member and do this withoiit' interfering with the flXibi-lity'df the billfOld "ais a whblej The partition member 'm'ay of course 'be made sufficiently narrow to swing -freely between the opposite ets.

The structuressofar described will "forordinary purposes aiford adequate relief to the intermediate wall memberil In's"omeinstances,

however, it is desirable to provide a gussetat the 1 When this is desired the flap 3 cannot satisfactorily be secured to the panel 2-by the lock-mem-' ber I9 as previously described except by gusseting the member [9 which would result in an undesirable thickening at the end of the billfold as well Y as an undesirable degree of looseness between flap 3 and the other elements of the billfold. These difficulties are overcome in the preferred construction of Figs. 8 and 9 where flap 3 is shown provided with a tongue-3i adapted, when the parts are set up as shown in Fig. 9, to extend through a slot 32 formed substantially at the juncture of inner gusset element I5 and wall I. The tongue 3! is formed with shoulders'33 which prevent inward movement of the tongue. The tongue 3! is provided with one element of a snap fastener 34 adapted to engage another fastener element, not shown, on the opposite end portion of wall I, to hold the billfold in folded condition. As will be apparent from Fig. 9 the tongue 3! holds flap 3 in desired position while all three gusset members 8, H, and M operate in the space between member 5 and panel2."

Figs. 10, 11, and 12 show a modification of the 0 structure of Figs. 8 and .9 to provide maximum relief of the intermediate'wall member in a billfold of maximum capacity. As shown in Fig. an additional gusset member 35 comprising e1ements 35 and 37, is inserted between the end of wall member I and element l5 of gusset M and slot 32 is positioned at the juncture of element 31 of gusset 35 With'element E5 of gusset I4; An additional gusset member 38 comprising elements 39 and 40 is also inserted between .rear wall 1 and element 9 of gussett. The parts are-set up, in substantially the manner previously described, to position gusset 38 and gusset 35 (together with the corresponding gussets at the other end of the billfold, not shown) in bill compartment 28, as will be apparent from Figs. 11' and-12.- Gussets 8, H, and H! are positioned in space'29 as shown in the latter figures.

tween gusset elements-I5 and 31 with'the upper edge of the intermediate wall member 5 riding in the bight between inner. gusset element [2 and flap 3 and its lower edge riding in the bight between gusset elements 9-and"40fi(Fig. 12).

The pressure on both faces of the intermediate wall member, from the'load in" the bill compartment as well as from the load inpocketspace 29. is thus relieved.

It will be understood that the depth of the gusset member may be varied, depending on the degree to which the billfold is to be loaded, andthat the several arrangements shown may be variously combined with each other and with conventional billfold structures to meet particular needs.

In the forms so far described the billfoldelements, with the exception of the intermediate wall member 5, are integrally connected together and in the finished billfold the parts are interlocked so as to avoid the need forstitching-in holding billfold parts in operative relation. My invention i not to be understood as limited to such a construction and lends-itself to the use of stitching and in a manner in'which the stitches are hidden, In Figs. 13 to;'2Q,in clusive :Ihave As willlbeseen the ends of flaps 3 are held by tongue 31' in the bight be- 6. illustrated one form of astitclied embodiment of my'invention. y

Figs-13 to 16 inclusive show the same elements which make up one end of the' previously described billfold as separat pieces,*the elements between which the gussets are positioned carry-' ing one half of the adjacent gusset. Thus, rear wall'member l carries element 9, panel 2 carries elements I0 and I3 and flap "3 carries element l2. End closure member 4 and partition mem-- ber-6 are formed as separate pieces. The several edges that are to be stitched together are pro-' vided with narrow extensions '55 to receive the stitching.

:The rear wall 1, panel 2 andfiap'3 are stitchedtogether as shown at 56 in Fig. 18. The flap 3 and panel 2 are then folded up as shown in Fig. 19'bringing the extended edge'portions 55 of the rear' wall and flap 3 into superposed relation. As clearly shown in Fig. 19 the sewing edge 55 ofpartition member 6. is placed over'the super-- posed sewing edges. of wall I and flap 3 and the sewing edge of member 4 is placed beneath the sewing edge of the rear wall and all are stitched together by a single line of stitching-51. The partition member 6 is then inserted through the tube formed between the rear wall 1 and panel Zto draw the stitched connection into' the tube as shown in Fig; 20. End member 4 is then folded-- onto panel 2 as shown in the latter figure and interlocked as previously described. Intermediate member 5 may be inserted at any convenient step in setting up the billfold as-when the parts are in the condition shown in Fig.19:or after the billfold is otherwise completed. As Will be obvious" all of the stitches lie within the space: between the panel member 2 and the intermediatewall member 5 and are thereby completely hidden.

It will be understood that the several arrangements shown may be variouslytcombined .to meet:

specific needs. In each casethepositioningof the" upper and lower edges of the intermediate member in bights of the gussets provide expansible guideways for said member which guideways expand to decrease the grip of the guideways as the pocket space between the intermediatewall member and the panel is loaded. Also in each case the positioning of inwardly extending gusset elements in the space between the intermediate member and the panel, whether a partition member is present or not, acts to release the direct pressure of the load inthe pocket against the outer face of the intermediate member. These desired objectives and advantages together with an increase in the capacity of the billfold are obtained without substantially impairing the general flexibility of the structure as a whole."

I claim:

1. In a billfold having a rear Wall and a-front 1 wall assembly providing a bill compartment be outer end edge of saidflap and the adjacent end edge of the rear wall being respectively providedwith sewing extensions superposed one on the other, an end closure member having a sewing: extension, said last named extension being super posed on the sewing extension of the rear wall on the opposite side from the sewing extension of-the flap, the free edges of the three extensions substantially coinciding, stitches connecting the-so superposed sewing'extensions, said stitches passing through the sewing extensions only, and

means connecting the end closure member to the buterf-facepf tthepanel member to elese :the:

end of the billfold and position the sewing-extensions;; and theqstitches connecting Y. them,= inwardlyz-of the bil-lfold,

1. 2 the billfoldhaying a rear wall'and-a front wallassembly-providing' a bill compartment between them, the front wall assembly including appa-nel member having a flap said flap extending downwardly: into the bill compartment, and an intermediate wall member the outerend edge ofe-said flap andtheadjacent end edge of the rearv wa-l-l being respectWely-fprovided-withsewing extensions superposedsone on the other, an end. closure member having a sewing extension,"said last :n'amed :extensionpbeing superposed on the sewing-extension of the rear wall'on the opposite sidefromvthe sewingextension of the flap, the free" edges :of the :three extensions substantially coinciding, "a partition member having an .edge superposedon'the said extensions on'the side opposite the end closure member withthe body ofith'eopartitidnumember extending away from the "free-z'ed'gesmf :Jsaid extensions, stitches con necting said 1' extensions and the. superposed edge of 'the partition member together, said stitches I passing: through:the "sewing extensions only, and means con-netting the end "closure member to the outer -face' o'f the-panel'fm'emberto close the end oftherbillfold=andposition the sewing extensions, and: the stitcheszcohnecting. them'inward'ly of the bil'lfold 'with'fthe partition member extendin inward-1y fbetween the intermediate wall member and the panel "member. y

-3 Inzra): bill f'oldr hating a rear wall and a t eat wall i'as'semblyiprovidingfa bill compartment be tween'i-them, "said asse'mbly including a panel member and 'a.--membe'r inter m'edia'te the --panel member and the "rear wall, the panel member havinga' flap-extending downwardly into "the bill compartment between the rear wall and said intermediate member; an inwardly extending gusset :conn ctin'g the upper "edge of the panel member to sa/id nap, an inulardl'y extending gus-' set connectingfthe l'owe'r edge of the panel-member .to "1 the rear wall, 'the intermediate member bein'gfliriterloeke'd *tliith said flap to s'li'dably i hold the 'upp'er and lower edges of the intermediate member, respeetively; in the'bight between the firstfgusset'andthe fiap and the bi'g'ht between the second gusset and the'rea'r wall, and an end member iexterfding 'frdm the I end edge' of the rear wall and folded ever onto thepa'nel member'and interlo'ckedthe'rewith to close the outer-end of the bill Compartmeht and the outewma f the pocket:- formed-between the intermediate member and th'eqi ahel aindtb hbld the guSs'ets --in -"Sai"cl"last-- namedvpocket -and limiting the dg'ree of expansion allowed the outer ends of the gus's'et's.

a liil'lfdtd having a. rear wall and a f'ront wall a'ssenribh iproviding. a bill compar'tn'ient be tween ithe'm' "said .r'assembly including a panel member :and; a %member intermediate the panel member'and thefrear wall;rthe panel member having afiap extending downwardly into the 'bill' compartment'between the 'r'ea'rwall and said intermediate member; :an inwardly extending 'gusserreonnecting the upper edge of 'the panel memher :to said -flap, an inwardly extending "gusset connecting the loweredgeiofthe panel member to -the rear :wall, the intermediate member beingvinterlocked 'withsaid flapto slidably hold "the upper. and-lowerwedges ofzthe-inte'rmediate member, rrespectively inwthe :bight between the first gusset and :the r-flap and the bight between the sec'ond lgusset and the rear wall, 'arpartition member -extending strom -the- .-outer end edge-of the panelimembertand.folded over the inner face of the, panel member with its :long-itudinal edges engaged in the bights between the gussets and the panel member, and an end member extending from the end edge of therear wall and folded over onto the panel -member and interlocked therewith to close the outer end'of the bill compartment and the *outerend of the pocket formed between the intermediate member and the panel and to, hold the ,gussets in said last-named pocket and limiting the degree of expansion allowed the outer ends of the gusset.

"5., In a billfold having-a rearwall and a front wall assembly providing a bill compartment between them, said 'assembly'in'cluding a :panel member and a member-intermediate the panel member-and the rear wall, the panel member having a flapext'endi-ng downwardly into the bill compartment between the rearwall and said intermediate member; an inwardly extending gusset connecting-the upper edge of-the panel member to said flap; an inwardly exten'ding gusset connecting thello'wer edgeof the panel member to the rear wall, the intermediate member being interlocked with said flap to-Jslidably hold the upper and lower edgesof the intermediate member, respectively, inlth'e =bight between the first gusset and the flap and the *bight between the second gusset and the rear wall, an end. member extending from the end edge of the rear wall and folded over ontoi'the 'panel "member and interlocked'there'with to close the 'outerend-of the bill compartment and theiouter end of the pocket formed "between the intermedi'atem'ember and the panel, said endimeniber'being connected to therear wall by an inwardly-extending gusset and means including an interlocking-tongue extending from the and edge of "said flap for holding the fiap'and the intermediate'member in a'bight of the lastt-namedgusset.

6. A billfold as in claim 5 in which said tongue is interlocked-to the'outer face of the panel memher to position-the flap and' intermediate member in that bight'of 1 the ejnd'g'usset" which is adjacent fthe "panel member, and position the end gusset in" the 'bill compartment.

'7. Abillfoldas'in olaimb inwh'ich said tongue is interlocked in that big-htof the end gusset which isadja'cent'tI'Ie rearwall to position the flap andiritermediate 'merrlber in the last-named bight and position theend gusset in the pocket between the intermediate member and the panel member."

DOUGLAS J. BROUGI-ITON.

REFERENCES 'CITED' The f'llowi'ng 'rferenoe's are of record in the file of this patent:

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