US392028A - James s - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

J. S. HAGERTY.

LETTER BOX.

Patented Oct. 30, 1888.

7. wi'ig 2.

-\/\/:T NEEEE am/EMT UF1- JAMES S. HAGERTY, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

LETTER -BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 392,028, dated October 30, 1888.

Application filed June 1, 1888.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES S. I-IAGER'IY, of the city of Baltimore, and State of Maryland, have invented certain Improvementsin Letter- Boxes,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved letterbox specially designed for application to a streetcar, but which may be employed in various other positions, after the manner of ordinary letter-boxes, as will hereinafter fully appear.

In the description of the said invention which follows reference is made to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, and in which- Figure l is an exterior side elevation of the improved letter-box together with a portion of the platform of a street-car, to which the box is shown as attached. Fig. 2 is an exterior end View of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of Fig. 2, taken on the dotted linemc.

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

In the said drawings, A represents a segmental hood having open sides made of any suitable material, adapted for attachment to the platformguard of a streetcar or any other support. This hood, which is formed of the segmental front and back plates, a and b, and the top 0, has an opening in the top for the reception of letters, protected from the weather by means of a hinged door, a.

Bis a box, of cast or sheet metal, pivoted within the hood A at b, and so arranged that its edges 0 are closely in contact with the inner side of the hood, in order that letters cannot become wedged between the adjacent surfaces of the two parts of the device. lhe bottom of the box is preferably rounded, as" shown in the drawings, and in each lateral face of the box there is an opening, (Z, for the reception of letters, which openings are situated as near as possible to the upper edge of the box, so as to give it the greatest practicable capacity.

The box, when not held in a vertical position by means of fastening devices hereinafter described, is free to fall in either lateral direction, as shown by its dotted delineation in Fig. 3, in order that the contents of the box may be transferred to a mail-pouch or other Serial No. 275,732. (No model.)

receptacle provided by the collector of letters for the purpose.

D is a hinged hasp, secured to the hood, and provided with a slot, 6, near to its bot tom, through which a staple, f, projecting from the box is passed. An ordinary padlock, g, is used to hold the hinged hasp to the staple, and prevent unauthorized discharge of the contents of the box.

WVhen the improved box is to be attached to the platformrguard of a streetcar, the preferred means of forming the attachment consists of a pair of hooked bars, h, which are placed over the upper edge of the guard (represented by E) and a staple, 70, which passes through the said guard and is made fast by means of a padlock, Z. I do not, however, restrict myself to the means of securing the letter-box to the car or to any other support, as numerous other contrivances could be de vised which would answer the purpose of the devices shown in the drawings.

By reference to Figs. 1 and 2 it will be seen that the hood projects somewhat over the sides of the box. This hood therefore forms a shelter for the openings d, to keep out rain, while it does not interfere with the depositing of letters.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a letter-box, a segmental hood open at its sides, combined with a box pivoted within the said hood, provided with an opening for the reception of letters, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a letter-box, a segmental hood, combined with a box pivoted in the said hood, the said box having openings for the reception of letters and locking devices whereby the said box may be held in a central position in the said hood, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a letter-box, a segmental hood combined with a box pivoted within the said hood, a hinge-hasp secured .to the said hood, and a staple fastened to the said box, adapted to pass through the said hasp, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

J AS. S. HAGER'IY.

W itnesses:

WM. 1'. HOWARD, DANL. FIsnER.

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