US1094932A - Metallic envelop-seal. - Google Patents

Description

UNITED STATES PA ENT OFFICE.

some 13. Rmssre, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

Emma-1o mIv'aiLoP-sEA-IL.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN B. REIssIc, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the countyo'f Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metallic Envelop-Seals, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in metallic envelop seals, the object of the invention being to provide a seal which will prevent any possibility of the fraudulent opening of an envelop without detection.

A further object is to provide a simple inexpensive device of the character stated which may be attached to any ordinary envelop, and which will occupy but relatively small space when in use.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts as will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a view in rear elevation illustrating my improvements in position on an envelop. Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the seal removed. Fig. 3 is a view in section on the line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one member of my improved seal,

and Fig. 5 is an inverted perspective view of the casing 9. j

1 represents an ordinary envelop having end flaps 2, 2, to which a bottom fla 3 is mucilaged, and 4 represents the or inary covering flap.

To the inner face of the back of the envelop, formed by the end flaps 2 and the bottom flap 3, I secure the member 5 of my improved seal. This member 5 consists of a fiat thin metallic late having tubular studs 6 pressed from tiieir end portions, and a similar tubular stud 7 pressed from the intermediate portion of the plate midway its ends. These tubular studs 6 are forced through the flaps of the envelop and when positioned through washers 8, are upset so,

that the washers, studs and plate constitute rivets which permanently attach the member 5 to the envelop.

It will be noted particularly by reference to Fig. 1, that the plate is secured by the three rivets to the three flaps constitutin the back of the envelop, so that none 0 these flaps can be moved without tearing the specification'of Letters Patent.

Application filed Qctpber 15, 1913.

Patented Apr. 28, 1914.

Serial No. 7, 95,188.

same. An oblong casing 9 also of metal is secured to the plate intermediate its ends, and this casing is provided at opposite sides with flanges 10 which are preferably soldered and also secured by rivets 11 to the plate to prevent possibility of fraudulent removal. The sides of the casing 9 are stamped forming inwardly projecting shoulders 12 which securely hold the other member 13 of the seal in locked position as will now be described. The member 13 also consists of a relatively thin blank or sheet of metal having a tubular stud 14 stamped from the same at one end and projected through the covering flap 4, then through a washer 8, and upset against the same to secure the member 13 to the coverin flap. It is to be understood that this mem er 13 is against the inner face of the covering flap and at its free end projects beyond the covering flap and is provided with a central longitudinal recess 15 forming a spring fork having recesses 16 in the side edges thereofinto which the spring tongues 14 project and hold the member 13 against withdrawal when once positioned in the casing. The ends of the forked member 13 are be"- eled as shown at 17 to facilitate its entrance into the end of the casing. When the covering flap 4 of the envelop is moved into closed position, the member 13 must be manipulated to find an entrance into the easing 9, and when forced into the casing will be contracted transversely until the member 13 is in its extreme position, when the shoulders 12 will enter the recesses 16 and effectually lock the members together, preventing any possibility of opening the envelop without destroying the same.

Various slight changes might be made in the general form and arrangement of parts described without departing from my in vention, and hence I do not limit myself to the precise details set forth, but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters. Patent is:

The combination with an envelop having end flaps, a bottom flap and a closing flap, of a metal seal comprising two members, one member consisting of an elongated flat ack of the envelop and having three tubular studs, a stud projected through each end flap, Washers on the outside of said end and 5 bottom flaps through which said studs are projected and upset, an oblong casing secured to the plate at the center thereof and hating inwardly projecting shoulders at opposite sides, the other member comprising a flat metal plate having a tubular stud adjacent one end projected through the clos- 1 ing flap of the envelop and upset against 1 noneeaa a washer on the outside of said closing flap, said last-mentioned member having a-longitudinal recess in its tree end, and having recesses in the side edges thereof to receive the shoulder when said last-mentioned member is moved into the casing, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof TL have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

. JUHN n. nnrssre.

Witnesses M. E. Drrros, Grams, E. .lPo'rrs.

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