What could this be?

[jgas]

Patd June 13 82 it looks like to me. Not sure if it’s used for electrical purpose or what. Any clues?
Thanks. Jgas.

 

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[bowwinkles]

Rich mans money clip

 

[Oddjob]

My money clip looks nothing like that.

 

[ToddsPoint]

I'm guessing electrical. It would have to be EARLY electrical in '82. I would work though as a money clip I think. Gary

 

[Caryl]

Glass panel piece to hinge it.

 

[Anduril]

Maybe: US Patent 259,558 ?



Link: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.d0003602471;view=1up;seq=69

 

[Duckshot]

Patented June 13 1982-

https://patents.google.com/patent/US20130227764

Is it magnetic, or are the buttons steel so that they would stick to a magnet? If so its a good chance you found a "portable pocket to encase an auto injector", whatever the hell that is.

Edit- oh wait, that's the wrong date. I am wrong. But try Google Patents. It's gotta be in there someplace.

 

[DCMatt]

Possibly part of a belt clip for a watch chain or a chatelaine purse.

 

[Plug N Play]

This might be it. A hinge for crates that allows the lid to be slipped off of the box.

 

[Johncoho]

Looks like part of an old electrical knife switch. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[A2coins]

A whats it

 

[Anduril]

This might be it. A hinge for crates that allows the lid to be slipped off of the box.

View attachment 1666493

Close, but I think 259,558 is closer. (The '558 patent drawing is shown 90-deg opposite from the photo.)
"Jgas'" photo is missing the c' pin of the '318 patent, and has what looks to be the electrical contacts of '558, instead of the screw holes shown on '318.

That said -- to me, it's not conclusive either way.
Having the patent mark on the clip itself would seem to make more sense for the '318 patent (as THAT is the essential part), whereas on the '558 it is less clear that the contacts are the essential part of the invention (i.e, the clip itself and not the panelboard arrangement of said clips).

And just to fully flush it out, we're all assuming the year is 1882, and patented in the United States.
Reasonable assumptions, yes - but not necessarily so.

 

[jgas]

Thanks for all the replies. It was found in northern Indiana. So I would assume it’s patented in the US. But who knows. These are all good suggestions on it. Jgas.

 

[huntsman53]

My money clip looks nothing like that.

Well hell, maybe they had more money that you!

 

[bradyboy]

grounding clip?