US566663A - Telescopic valise - Google Patents

Description

G. T, GONINE. TBLESGOPIG VALISB.

2 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

No. 566,663. l Patented, Aug. 25, 1896.

Canine. l/ t (No Model.) v 2 Sheets--Sheet 2. G. T. GONINE.

TELESGOPIC VALISB.

No. 566,663. Patented Aug. 25, 1896.

UNITED STATES PATENT einen.

TELESCOPIC VALlSE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 566,663, dated August 25, 1896.

Application filed January 15,1896. Serial Nol 575,643. (No model.)

and analogous packing-cases in which the top or lid of the valise, trunk, or other case is constructed to slide telescopically upon the body of the case in opening orclosing the same and to increase or diminish its carrying capacity. In extension packing-cases of this character, Whether portable by hand or not, it is desirable to provide simple, inexpensive, and readily-adjustable props for supporting the lid or top of the case at varying heights, according to the bulk of contents placed in the valise or packingcase and so that none of the packed articles Will be subjected to crushing from Weight or pressure of the lid, especially when it is fastened down.

It is among the objects of my invention to arrange the vertically-adjustable lid props or supports in the corners of the packing-case body so that the lid Will be supported uniformly at each of these points also to provide for each corner-prop a guideway that will at the same time materially brace and strengthen the corners of the packing-case body, which body is often made altogether from light and somewhat flexible material.

Further, it is an object of my invention to furnish in direct connection with each adj ustable corner-prop and its guideway a very simple and inexpensive fastening that Will not be liable to get out of order; and, furthermore, it is another purpose of my improve ments to so locate and arrange the lid-props that they will be accessible for ready adjustment after the valise, trunk, or case is packed Without disturbing any of its contents.

In the annexed drawings, illustrating the invention, Figure lis a vertical longitudinal section of a telescopic valise or packing-case provided with my improvements. Fig. 2 is a plan of the packing-case with lid removed. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through one corner of the packing-oase. Fig. 4 is a vertical section through one corner of the valise-body,

lid-prop, guide, and adjustable propfastening. Fig. 5 is a view of an adjustable lidprop detached. Fig. G is a view of one of the plates to brace the corners of the valise-body and provide a guideway and keeper for the lid-prop. Fig. 7 is a viewillustrating a modification in the forni and attachment of a springfastening for an adjustable lid-prop. Fig. S illustrates another modification in the adjustment of the prop.

The valise-body l and its lid or cover 2 may be made from any suitable and, preferably, light material. ln telescopic or extensible articles of this character the body and lid are usually made of light material, such as pasteboard or the like, covered with canvas, or of light leather or other iiexible material not adapted to withstand external pressure, and consequently7 the valise and its contents are ordinarily liable to injury from crushing. It is one of the purposes of my invention to avoid this objection. To this end the vertically-adjustable lidprops 3 and their guide- Ways 4 are arranged in the corners ofthe valise or packing-case, Where they will materially assist in bracing and strengthening both the body and the lid of the case.

The lidprops 3 are preferably constructed as metal bars, though they maybe made from hard Wood. There is diagonally placed in each corner of the packing-case body 1 a vertically-elongated metal guide-plate 4, having along each vertical edge a lip or ilange 5, through which the said plate is secured by rivets 6 tothe end and side Walls of the packing-case or valise body.

As shown in Figs. 1,4, and 5, the verticallyadjustable lid-props 3 mayveach be provided with a series of portera-tions 7, adapted to engage a locking pin or stud 8, Figs. 3, 4, and G, carried by a spring 9, attached to one side of the corner-plate 4. In theconstruction illustrated by Figs. l to 6 the spring 9 is attached to the plate 4 by a rivet l0 at or near the lower end of the spring, and in the upper portion of the plate 4 there is provided a suitable opening for passage of the locking pin or stud 8 to permit its engagement in some one of the locking-perforations 7 of the vertically-adjustable prop.

For the purpose of holding the verticallymovable prop 3 close to the corner guide- IOO plate 4 there is provided on said plate ka keeper 12, Figs. 3, 4, and 6, which can be cheaply formed by stamping out a portion of the plate 4, as shown. By providing a keeper 12 the prop 3 will be maintained in vertical position close to the guide-plate 4, so that the by the fingers for lifting the prop to any elevation required within its appropriate range l To prevent a prop from being I drawn wholly vout of its guideway, the lower? end of each prop may be formed with a lug of movement.

or bend 15 to abut against the under edge of the keeper 12, which will thereby retain the prop and prevent its entire withdrawal when raised to its highest required elevation.

By reference to Fig. 4 it will be observed that the locking pin or stud 3 is beveled on its under portion, so that it will readily click back, with the yielding of the spring 9, to permit disengagement and upward movement of the prop 3 when it is desired to adj ust the Vprops Afor increasing the capacity of the valise In lifting aprop 3 the conor packing-case. stant pressure of the pin or stud 8 thereon, under tension of the spring 9, will cause immediate lockingrengagement of the prop and pin as soon -as the upward movement of. the prop is arrested with, one -of its perfora-` tions 7 opposite the 'spring-carried looking pin or stud. When the props 3 are at rest at Vany required degree of elevation with a perforation 7 of each prop in engagement with its appropriate locking pin or stud 8, each prop vwill aiord a firm support for one cornery ofthe telescopic lid or cover, so that its weight or pressure cannot come upon the articles contained in the packing-case or valise.

If desired, there may be fastened in each corner of the lid or cover 2 a metal wearplat'e or buffer 16, Fig. 1, each in position for bearing contact with the head 14 of a prop 3 to protect the corner of the lid from injury, especially 'if the lid is constructed of light or somewhat frail material, as usual.

When it is desired to lower the props 3 for the purpose of diminishing the capacity of the valise or packing-case, it will be necessary to withdraw the locking-pin 8 of each prop, and for this purpose there may be provided on each spring 9, near its upper end, a small handle or knob 17, Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, which will enable the springs 9 to be readily retracted a suflicient distance to disengage the several locking pins or studs 3 from the perforations 7 of the respective props, whereupon they can be easily pushed down to change their adjustment and decrease the shifting it slightly sidewise.

packing-space of the valise, as required. The knobs 17 are placed on the upper ends of the springs 9, so that they are readily accessible at the top of the packing-case body when the lid or cover is removed. Each spring 9 is of such tension or strength as to hold its attached locking pin or stud 8 firmly in one of the prop-perforations 7 without liability of being jolted or jarred out of place.

There is illustrated in Fig. 7 a modification in the form and attachment of the springs 9 for locking the vertically-adjustable props. In this construction the lower portion of each corner guide-plate4 is stamped out or otherwise formed with a pair of transverse slots 18 and an intermediate offsettingnportion 19, constituting, with said slots and adjacent body portions of the plate 4, a friction-clasp for firmly holding a narrowed lower portion or attaching-tongue 2O ofthe spring. The lower portion of the spring 9, in this case, may be formed with shoulders 21 to limit its insertion into the friction-clasp, and below said clasp it may have a transverse bend 22,

' that will prevent its withdrawal after proper attachment. The locking pin or stud 3 may be formed directly on the upper end of Vthe spring, and the knob or handle 17, before described, `may be omitted, as the upper portion of the spring will afford sufficient hold for the .fingers in effecting withdrawal of the pin or stud to permit lowering the prop.

In Fig. 8 is vshown a construction in which the perforations of the 4prop are dispensed with, and also the spring 'and locking-pin thereon. For the purpose of obtaining a vertical'adjustmentof the corner-props in this form of construction, each prop .may carry a headed pin or stud 23, normally engaged in a vertical slot 24, with which each corner guide-plate 4 may be provided. The verticallyelongated slot 24 communicates at intervals with a series of vnotches or short slots 25, with either of which the headed pin or stud 23 may be readily engaged by raising or lowering the vertically movable prop and Any required adjustment can be thus imparted'to the vertically-movable corner-props according to the height at which itis desired to support the lid or cover -to vary the capacity of the valise or packing-case.

To secure the lid of this Apacking-case or valise the 'usual straps may be provided or any other suitable fastenings.

In adjusting the vertically-movable props 3 to support the lid or cover 2 lat any required elevation for increasing or decreasing the capacity of ya valise or packing-case it will not be necessary to at all disturb whatever may have been already placed within vthe body portion of the case. By means of their heads 14 the props 3 are each readily accessible from the open top of the case to permit lifting each prop, and should 'it be required to manipulate the springs 9, for permitting a lowering of the props, the upper ends of said IIO springs, or their knobs 17, are also Within easy reach from the top. The location of the props 3 and their guide-plates 4 in the corners of the valise-body affords the important advantage of bracing' and strengthening the packing-case at the very points Where such additional strength is most required, and by this arrangement also the support for the elevated lid or cover 2 is more equally distributed. The props and their means for adjustment are of a very simple and inexpensive character, so that the cost of a valise provided with the described attachments Will not be greatly increased.

What I claim as my invention isl. In a telescopic valise or packing-case, the vertically-sliding and adjustable lid-props located in the corners of the valise or packing-case body, whereby they are adapted to also brace the corners of the packing-case and its lid or cover, in combination with means for locking said props at required elevations, substantially as described.

2. In a telescopic valise or packing-case, the combination with vertically-adjustable lid-props, of guide-plates for said props located in the corners of the packing-case body, and means for locking` said props at required elevations to vary the capacity of the packing-case, substantially as described.

3. In a telescopic valise or packing-case, the combination of guide-plates secured vertically in the corners of the valise or packingcase body and adapted to brace the same, ,verticallyadj ustable lid-props located in said corners adjacent to said guide plates and each provided With a series of perforations, and/springs attached to said guide-plates and provided with locking pins or studs to engage the periorations of said vertically-adjustable props and support them at required elevations to vary the capacity of the packingcase, substantially as described.

4. In a telescopic valise or packing-case, the combination with vertically-adjustable lid-props, of vertical guide-plates for said props located in the corners of the valise-body and adapted to brace the saine, means for locking said props at required elevations, and Wear-plates secured in the corners of the valise lid or cover for contact with the upper ends of said vertically-adjustable props, substantially as described.

5. In a telescopic valise or packing-case, the combination with vertically-adjustable lid-props each having` a series ot' perforations and each provided at its upper end with a head and at its lower end with a stoplug, of vertically-arranged guide-plates secured in the corners of the packing-case or valise-body and each provided with a keeper for one of said props, and springs having locking pins or studs to engage the perforations of the props to support the said props at required elevations, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

GAMALIEL T. CONINE. llfitnesses:

J. A. Connor, JAS. H. DE PUE.

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