US440A - Clasp and lock fob mail-bags - Google Patents

Description

UNrrED STATES PATENT' OFFICE.

HENRY C. JONES, OF NEWVARIQNEW JERSEY.

CLASP. AND LOCK FORMAIL-BAGS.

f Specification of Letters Patent No. 440, datedi'October 23, 1837'.`

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY O. JONES, of Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Clasps and Bolts for Mail- Bags, which is described as follows, reference being had to the annexed drawings of the same, making part of this specification.

A, a, Figure l, represent the clasp plates, to which the bag is attached, made in the ordinary mode. B, b, the rims around the outer edge of the clasp plates. C', C, C", three rectangular loops or eyes fastened at right angles to the clasp plate c, each of which being beveled on the outer edge, and one of them C is used in the manner ofa cam acting on the inclined side of one of the hooks F in pushing back the bolts. These eyes receive the hooks of the bolts for securing the clasp. D, is a cam raised on the Same plate with the eyes c, and is used for disengaging a spring guard, hereafter described, from the bolt, in clasping the clasp.

E, Figs. 1 and 2, represents the bolt: this consists of a curved piece of metal of suitable length and thickness, on which are three hooks F, F, F, of a triangular shape for entering the eyes c, before described, the inclined side of hook F being acted on by the eye c', in pushing back the bolt. This bolt moves longitudinally in the angle of the plate and rim and is retained in its proper position by means of staples Gr inserted into the plate and rim, through which the bolt slides. Shoulders J are formed on the bolts, which strike against the staples, and govern its movement either way. Between these shoulders the bolt is reduced in size. Another shoulder H, is formed on the bolt, near the center, against which a cam L strikes, turned by the keys, for throw-y ing the bolt back, hereafter described.

I, Figs. l and 7, spiral spring at the end of the bolt for throwing it forward: One end of this spring is fastened to a pin inserted in the clasp plate: the other end bears against the end of the bolt.

K, Figs. 1 and 4, a cylinder on which are two cams, L, and M; one for moving the bolt E, the other M for moving the springguard S. One end of this cylinder turns in an aperture in the clasp plate, the other end turns in a brace O riveted to the clasp plate. In the center of this cylinder and attached to it at one end is a round spindle s, Fig. 5, which passes through the clasp plate and `figures alike.

brace The cam M, Figsfl, 4, 5,'for raisingthe spring guard and disengaging it from the bolt, is fastened on the end of the I spindle outside the brace. The cam L, for throwing back the bolt-is fastened to the cylinder between the clasp plate and brace and moves with the cylinder.

P, Fig. 6, the key, the stem of which is hollow to allow it to pass over the spindle in the center of the cylinder and is notched at the end O to slip over arms R projecting from the spindle at right angles for turning the Spindle, cylinder, and cams together.

S, Figs. l and'3,the spring guard. One end of this is fastened to a pin 79 inserted in the clasp plate; the other end, Vwhich is formed with a shoulder, rests againstthe vertical side of the center hook for preventing the bolt vbecoming disengaged from the other side of the clasp by a jar, or by any other accident.l v

T, Fig. l, spring for throwing open the clasp: One end of this spring is fastened to a pin inserted into the rim of the clasp; the other end bears against the clasp plate and contracts the spring when the clasp is closed. U, vJoints of the clasp. See Fig. l. When the clasp is to be closed the cam D pushes vup the spring guard S, contracts the spring,

and disengages it from the bolt E; eye C", which acts as a cam, passes upon the inclined side of hook F, and forces back the bolt, contracts the spring', and continues to advance until the outer sides of the eves have passed the points of the hooks when the spring I, drives the bolt forward, the hooks entering the eyes, which thus Secures the clasp. The spring T at the same time is contracted. I/Vhen the clasp is to be opened the key P is inserted over the spindle N, the arms R of which entering the notches of the key, the key is then turned. This turns the spindle with the cams, the outer vone M raises the spring guard S and disengages it from the bolt E. The inner cam L then comes in contact with the Shoulder H on the bolt and forces it back, contracting the spring I and disengagingthe hooks F from y the eyes C. The spring T fastened to the rim then throws open the clasp.

The letters of reference refer to all th The invention claimed by me, the said HENRY C. JoNEs, and which I desire to secure by Letters Patent, consistsl. In the bolt E for securing the clasp,

used in combination with said clasp, as before described.

2. The arrangement of the spring I for throwing forward the bolt, in combination 5 with said bolt and clasp.

3. The arrangement of the spring guard S, for securing the bolt, in combination with the bolt and clasp.

4. The combination and arrangement of f 10 the cams L, M, in comblnation' with said spring guard, bolt, and clasp, for raising the spring guardV and throwing back the bolt in the manner before described.

5; The cam D, for raising the spring guard to allow the bolt to recede, in closing 15 the clasp. HENRY C. JONES.

Witnesses JOHN S. DARM, RICHD. S. FARRAND.

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