US2373380A - Clasp for envelopes and the like - Google Patents

Description

April' l0, 1945. w. P. CAMERON CLASP FOR ENVELOPES AND THE LIKE Filed March 5, 1943 11 llllll '.lllll "D" llllllllll mu -A\\ Patented Apr. 10, 1945 r-izgATENT"A O'FFIcE' CLASP FOR ENVELOPES LIKE Winamp. cameron, Washihgtqido. c.

Application March 5, 1943, Serial No.f478,1,4l

2 claims. (ci. 22a-Jrs)` This invention relates to a clasp for envelopes and like closures and it consistsv in the constructions, arrangements and combinations herein described and claimed.

' It is a particular object of the invention to provide a clasp device which may be repeatedly actuated to permit opening and closing of an envelope nap, without liability of breakage of the clasp.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a clasp which will effectively secure the envelope ilap against accidental opening and maintain the flap in proper closed relation with respect to the envelope per Se.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a clasp which may be stamped from sheet metal and which may be readily incorporated upon an envelope, portfolio or the like with but slight change in the envelope, etc.

Additional objects, advantages and features of invention will be apparent from the following description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary rear plan view of an envelope having my clasp installed thereon, in closed position.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary'plan View of an envelope illustrating the clasp in open position, the closed position being indicated in dotted lines.

Figure 3 is a cross section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a top plan View of an anchor plate employed in the clasp.

Figure 5 is a vertical section on the line 5--5 of Figure 4.

There is illustrated a fragmentary portion of an envelope II! of usual construction, embodying a closure iiap I I, at one end, although this construction is not arbitrary, since the clasp may be readily installed upon portfolios in which oppositely swinging closures are employed, and since these are well known and widely used, detailed showing is not believed necessary.

The flap II, in the present instance, is pro-v tion with the back of the envelope.

The clasp I-B consists of an anchor member I'I, which as clearly 'shown in Figures 4 and 5, comanchor plate Il.

prises a metallic plate substantially circular in plan from which radially extended prongs I9 are extended. The prongs are arranged in diametrically opposite pairs and are bent at right angles to the plate, so .that the prongs may be readily inserted through the back portion I5 of the envelope. After insertion inthe back portion, the prongs I9 are bent inwardly so as to extend parallel with the back portion and beneath the ln the clinched position of the prongs, the anchor member will be securely xed to the back portion.

Medially of the anchor plate Il there is formed an integral annular collar 2i! adapted to rotatably mount a resilient clasp arm 2i, which is formed with a hub 22 to receive the collar therethrough. The upper end ofthe collar is peened or otherwise upset as indicated at 23 so as to retain the arm thereon. It should be noted that the plate Il is of the same thickness as the material forming' e the flap I I so that the clasp arm 2l may clear the latter, yet lie in snug engagement therewith when in closed position.

The anchor plate Il is positioned medially of 9b the arcuate-shaped opening I2, and the arm 2| is of a length slightly less than that of the slots Ill so that the flap II- may be readily-moved into position over the arm 2 I.

The arm 2| in the present instance, is formed in the general shape of an aeroplane propeller, respective blade members 24 being integrally formed with the hub. Extending longitudinally of each blade there is a raised rib 25 which will permit ready grasp for effecting rotation of the arm to secure or release the closure flap.

In order that the arm 2| may be retained in its desired position, the anchor plate is provided with four circular recesses 25 equally spaced between arranged so as to register and engage with a similarly shaped nib 2l formed in each arm 2l.

The closure of an envelope or the like may be quickly effected by merely turning the arm 2| so as to extend across the opening I2 and when one of the nibs 21 engages within respective recesses 26 it will be firmly held against accidental movement. However, due to the resilience of the arm, it may be readily sprung to release the nibs so that the arm may be moved as desired.

The present showing of the clasp has been greatly enlarged for the sake of clearness, and obviously the parts may be manufactured in such proportions as to avoid any undue thickness and weight.

While I have shown and described my clasp respective pairs of prongs, and circumferentially medial opening and lateral elongated slots, am

anchor plate having prong elements for secure? ment to the body, an annular collarionitheaazrchor; y

plate, an arm rotatably mounted on the collar.t said arm being of a length lessthan that-ofthe* lateral slots for reception thenewithinggandthavsing raised ribs adjacent respective ends, a plurality of spaced recesses being formed= in' 'tiieigo 'anchor plate, and saidlarm having a pair of nibs complemental to said recesses when the arm is moved to a position within the slots or transversely of the medial arcuate opening.

2. A closure fastener for envelopes and the like comprising in combination with a body and closure flap, said closure nap having an arcuate medial opening and lateral elongated slots, an anchor plate having prong elements for securement. to.. the body.. an arm rotatably mounted on the ancliorfzplata` said arm being olf. a; length less than that of the I'ateral sTots for reception therewithin, and having raised ribs adjacent respective ends, a plurality of spaced recesses beiner formed lizrtdei anchor: plate, and said arm having a pair of nibs complemental to said recesses when the armiemovedto a position within the slot or transverselufotthemedial arcuate opening.

P. CAMERON.

Images