Patent GB-190219905-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Locks.
Inventor: GONCE JOHN WISDOM
Filed: 1902-09-11
Granted: 1903-09-10
Abstract: 19,905. Gonce, J. W. Sept. 11. Locks, keyless; latches.-Figs. 1 and 2 show a permutation lock arranged in connection with a door latch. The spring-controlled latch-bolt 2 is enclosed within a casing 1, and is operated by means of a spindle 4 provided with a knob or knobs 5. The latch-bolt is provided on both edges with a channel, so as to be reversible, and in one of these channels a block 6 is located. This block is connected to the bolt 2, when the locking-device is to be used, by means of a pin 7, which is passed through holes in the block and bolt. The block is recessed to receive a locking- ball 9 guided in a race-way 10. A spindle 11 capable of both longitudinal and rotary motions passes through the casing, and on it are looselymounted discs 12, 13, each provided with a recess on the periphery to receive the ball 9. The arm 16 on the spindle carries fingers adapted to engage perforations in the discs. The ball 9 is normally held in the notch in the block 6 by means of a spring 20 provided with an extension 21. A brake 23 has side arms arranged to press against the discs to prevent over running, the arms engaging ribs or corrugations on the discs to make a clicking sound to assist in operating the lock in the dark. On the outside of the door, a marked indicating-disc 26 is adjustably secured on the spindle, and is arranged to co-operate with a marked ring 27 fixed to the door. By adjusting the disc 26, different combinations are obtained. In order to unlock the door, the spindle is moved longitudinally until a finger on the arm 16 engages a disc. The disc is then turned until the recess in the periphery registers with the race-way 10, and this operation is then repeated with the other disc. By turning the knob 5, the ball 9 is forced against the spring 20 so as to depress the same and bring the extension 21 in the path of the arm 16. The arm is then turned to force back the spring and release the ball, which runs down the race-way and engages the recesses in the periphery of the discs, in which position it is free from the notch in the block 6. The bolt 2 can now be withdrawn by turning the knob 5. The spring 20 may be omitted. Upon releasing the spring, the ball is forced back into the locking position by turning the discs. The door can be released from the inside, even when the latch is locked, by removing the pin 7 and turning the knob. Fig. 3 shows the lock as applied to a drawer. An inclined block 23 is fixed to the wall of the drawer, and is provided with a notch 73 to receive the locking-ball 25. The discs 74, 75 are made of thin steel or other resilient material so that, upon closing the drawer, the ball engages the inclined block and is forced down between the discs. When the ball comes beneath the notch 73, it is expelled by the action of the discs, and the drawer cannot be opened until the discs are turned so that the peripheral recesses are brought beneath the ball. When the lock is applied to a safe or store door &c., as shown in Fig. 11, two locking-balls are adapted to engage notches in a block attached to the bolt 42 so that it is necessary to know two combinations in order to unlock the door. The discs are first turned until the ball 49 falls into the peripheral recesses, and the ball is then carried, by rotating the discs, into the recess 51 in the race-way. The discs are again turned until the recesses register with the ball 52, which drops into the recesses and permits the ball 48 to fall out of engagement with the block. The bolt can then be withdrawn by operating the knob spindle 45. Figs. 7 and 8 show a combination padlock. A recess 57 is formed in the free end of the shackle 56 to receive the ball 58. The lower end of the race-way 77 is formed by a thin plate, or it may be made of two thin pieces adapted to receive a spring, such as described by reference to Fig. 1, between them. The plate 77 may carry a small spring 78 to hold up the end of the shackle and raise the ball free from the discs. The lock is released by bringing the peripheral recesses in the tumbler into line with the race-way as before described. In closing the shackle, the ball is forced in between the discs, and springs out again into the notch 57 to lock the shackle. The pivoted end of the shackle may be hooked to take behind a rivet 80, when the shackle is closed, so that the shackle cannot be removed if the pivot pin 63 is detached. In place of two discs, three discs may be employed, the central disc taking over the arm 16. In order that the lock may be operated in the dark, a stop is pivoted on the casing, and is brought into the path of a projection 30 on the dial 26 when required. The arm 16 is forced into engagement with a tumbler disc, and rotated until the projection comes against the stop. Then, by turning it, to the right or left, a pre-determined number of clicks, it may be brought to the required position. In another arrangement, the stop 37 is mounted on the spindle 11, and is provided with a spring 38 to engage ribs on the ring 27 so as to make a clicking sound when moved over the same. This stop may be rotated to a pre-determined position by aid of the clicks, and the tumbler discs rotated until the projection 30 comes against the stops to bring them to the required position for unlocking. Projections 85 may be arranged around the ring or casing, so that the stop can be easily located between any two of them.