Book deposit box

Abstract

A deposit or safekeeping box in the shape of a book useful for storing mementos such as note cards or slips of paper, photographs, autographs, cards, tickets, stamps, coins and other collectible items. The box has a flat rectangular case support structure and an internal clam shell box structure. The box has sufficient lateral stability to stand upright when placed on a piece of furniture such as a desk or bookshelf where it is readily accessible.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A book deposit box comprising: 
 (a) a flat rectangular case support structure having opposing, mutually parallel, laterally extending edges, said case support structure being folded longitudinally to form a plurality of stiff panels joined to each other in articulated fashion by linear hinge connections that extend between said opposing laterally extending edges, wherein said plurality of panels comprise a pair of cover panels disposed on opposing sides of a central spine, and    (b) an internal clam shell box structure having mating top, side and bottom flanges affixed perpendicular to said case support structure, said side flanges being located near the distal longitudinal edges of the case support structure and remote from the central spine, wherein the inner portion of the clam shell box structure further comprises (1) a side flange affixed perpendicular to the case support structure near the central spine, said side flange also being affixed to the adjacent top and bottom flanges, and (2) a panel affixed perpendicular to the top, side and bottom flanges of the inner portion of the clam shell box structure, thereby covering said flanges and forming an enclosed box, wherein said enclosed box has at least one opening therein for receiving items to be deposited in the box.    
     
     
         2 . The box of  claim 1  wherein the right side of the clam shell box structure comprises the enclosed box.  
     
     
         3 . The box of  claim 2  wherein the enclosed box has at least one slot opening therein for receiving items to be deposited in the box.  
     
     
         4 . The box of  claim 3  wherein the slot opening is located in the panel affixed perpendicular to the top, side and bottom flanges of the enclosed box.  
     
     
         5 . The box of  claim 4  wherein the slot opening is rectangular in shape.  
     
     
         6 . The box of  claim 4  wherein the slot opening is in the shape of a cross.  
     
     
         7 . The box of  claim 4  wherein the width of the mating top, side, and bottom flanges is less than the width of the central spine.  
     
     
         8 . The box of  claim 1  wherein the opening is located in the panel affixed perpendicular to the top, side and bottom flanges of the enclosed box.  
     
     
         9 . The box of  claim 8  wherein the opening is a slot opening that is rectangular in shape.  
     
     
         10 . The box of  claim 9  wherein the opening is from about 1 to about 10 mm in width and from about 20 to about 100 mm in length.  
     
     
         11 . The box of  claim 10  wherein the width of the mating top, side, and bottom flanges is less than the width of the central spine.  
     
     
         12 . The box of  claim 1  wherein the pair of cover panels and the central spine are constructed using thin sheets of paper, plastic, fabric or leather, or combinations thereof, to encapsulate therewithin flat, rectangular core sections that provide rigidity to the cover panels and the spine.  
     
     
         13 . The box of  claim 12  wherein the mating top, side and bottom flanges of the clam shell box structure are constructed using thin sheets of paper, plastic, fabric or leather, or combinations thereof, to encapsulate therewithin flat, rectangular core sections that provide rigidity to the flanges.  
     
     
         14 . The box of  claim 13  wherein the core sections are formed of fiberboard.  
     
     
         15 . The box of  claim 14  wherein the panel affixed perpendicular to the top, side and bottom flanges of the inner portion of the clam shell box structure is constructed using thin sheets of paper, plastic, fabric or leather, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The box of  claim 15  wherein the right side of the clam shell box structure comprises the enclosed box.  
     
     
         17 . The box of  claim 16  wherein the enclosed box has at least one slot opening located in the panel affixed perpendicular to the top, side and bottom flanges of the enclosed box.  
     
     
         18 . The box of  claim 17  wherein the width of the mating top, side, and bottom flanges is less than the width of the central spine.  
     
     
         19 . A book deposit box comprising: 
 (a) a flat rectangular case support structure having opposing, mutually parallel, laterally extending edges, said case support structure being folded longitudinally to form a plurality of stiff panels joined to each other in articulated fashion by linear hinge connections that extend between said opposing laterally extending edges, wherein said plurality of panels comprise a pair of cover panels disposed on opposing sides of a central spine, and    (b) an internal clam shell box structure having mating top, side and bottom flanges affixed perpendicular to said case support structure, said side flanges being located near the distal longitudinal edges of the case support structure and remote from the central spine, wherein the inner portion of the clam shell box structure further comprises (1) a side flange affixed perpendicular to the case support structure near the central spine, said side flange also being affixed to the adjacent top and bottom flanges, and (2) a panel affixed perpendicular to the top, side and bottom flanges of the inner portion of the clam shell box structure, thereby covering said flanges and forming an enclosed box, wherein said enclosed box has at least one opening therein for receiving items to be deposited in the box, said opening being located in the panel affixed perpendicular to the top, side and bottom flanges of the enclosed box.    
     
     
         20 . The box of  claim 19  wherein the right side of the clam shell box structure comprises the enclosed box.