US283938A - Trunk-fastener - Google Patents

Description

'UNITED STATES PATENT OFEICE.

SAMUEL J. WELLS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TRUNK-FASTENER.

sPEcIFrcATIoN forming part ef Lettere Patent Ne.`2s3,9se, dated August es, '1883.

Application filed March 22, 1883. (No model.) v

To all whom, it may concern,.-

Be it known that I, SAMUEL J. VVELLs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Trunk- Fastener, of which the following is a speciiication, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. Y

This invention relates to fasteners for trunks, boxes, chests, and the like, and has for its object to provide simple, durable, inexpensive, Vand efficient means for securely binding and locking the cover and body of the trunk or box together.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a trunk provided with my improved fastening. Fig. 2 is a detail view, in perspeetive, of the fastening in locked position. Fig. 3 is adetail view, in perspective, of the locking mechanism thrown up out of operation.

Fig. 4L is a vertical transverse sectional view taken through the trunk and fastening mechanism. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view on the line x x, Fig. 2. Fig. Gis a detail top view ofthe locking mechanism. Fig. 7 is a detail crosssection on the line y y, Fig. 2. Fig. Sis adetail crosssection on the line z z, Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a detail rear view of the locking mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, A designates the trunk, which may be of any ordinary construction, having the body B and the cover C hinged thereto. At the front edge of the top or cover C is arranged a plate or casting, D, formed with slots E E, through which pass the bolts or pins F F, by which it is secured to the cover C. This plate D is capable of a sliding in ovement on the pins F F, and is provided witha downwardly-projecting tongue or extension, G, the purpose of which will be presently described. To the front top edge of the body B is arranged a similar plate or casting, H, disposed directly under the plate D. This plate H has slots I I, through which the pins .I J, by which it is secured to the body, pass, and it is capable of a sliding movement on these pins. At its top edge the plate H is formed with loops or eyes K K, and at its lower end with an eye, L, adapted to receive the end M of a rope or band, N, that is passed through lugs O, arranged around the outside of the trunk, and extends around the trunk to the plate D, to which latter its end P is securedin any suitable manner. The rope N is secured in the eyeL by means of a set-screw, Q, so that the end of the rope can be adjusted in the said eye to take up any slack that might ensue from long use. y

R designates thelocking-plate, which is pivoted on the extension, as shown at S, and is provided with lugs or hooks T T at its top, which latter are arranged to be inserted under and in the eyes K K, when these lugs provide a fulcrum, on which the plate R acts as a lever when it is brought down against the body of the trunk to stretch the rope N and bring the cover C and body B together, during which movement the plates D and H will slide toward each other. The plateRis provided with suitable locking mechanism at its lower end,which engages the lower portion of the plate H when the said plate R is brought down as a lever to effect the stretching of the rope and the locking of the parts together. This locking mechanism preferably consists of two spring-actuated latch-arms, U U, which engage a projection, V, on the plate H, the said projection being provided with beveled edges WV WV, to provide for the automatic action of the lockingarms U U. These arms are adapted to be forced apart to effect unlocking by projections X X on a suitable key, Y, such as shown in the drawings. Then the plate R is unlocked, it can be turned up on its pivot to the position shown in Fig. 3 ofthe drawings, when its arms U U will engage ar projection or knob,A Z, on

the plate D and serve to retain the plate H up out of the way. lt will be observed that the plate R, when it is in locked position, will inclose the screw Q, so thatit cannot be tampered with to loosen the rope N.

The operation and advantages of my invention are obvious. By simply operating the locking-plate R as a lever, it serves to stretch the rope N to bring the cover and body of the trunk together and securely bind the same. The simple movement of the lever lockingplate R thus brings the cover or top down to the body of the trunkto compress the contents, if desired, and automatically locks the parts together.

I claim' as my inventionl, In a fastening for trunks and the like,

.6.5.AN f,

IOO

the combination, with a plate arranged on the cover and a plate arranged on the body, one of the plates being provided With an eye into which works a set-screw, of a band or rope adapted to be arranged around the trunk, and

,f having one end secured to one of the said plates, and the other end passing through the said eye, and adjustable therein by means of the set-screW to take up slack, as set forth.

2. In a fastening for trunks and the like, the combination, with a plate having a tongue or extension, and a plate provided with loops or eyes, the ends of a band or rope being secured to the said plates, of a lever-plate pivoted on the said extension, and provided with lugs or hooks for engaging the said eyes, and providing a fulcrum for the plate, as set forth.

3. In a fastening for trunks and the like,

the combination of the plate arranged to slide 2o on the cover, and provided with a downwardlyprojecting lug or extension, the plate arranged to slide on the body, and provided with the eyes or loops, a band or rope attached at its ends to the said sliding plates and adapted to be arranged around the trunk, and the locking lever-plate pivoted on the said extension, and provided with the fulcruni lugs or hooks, and with locking mechanism for engaging the plate on the body, as set forth. 3o

Intestimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL J. WELLS.

Witnesses:

HENRY XV. MAGEE, ALBERT J. NORTON.

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