Patent GB-477160-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to locks and keys, also applicable to electric switches
IPC: E05B21/06
Filed: 1936-06-24
Abstract: 477,160. Locks. WOLLASTON, H. J. BUCHANAN-. June 24, 1936, Nos. 17495, 19500, 26353, 28682, 31883, 32466, and 33130. [Class 44] In a barrel lock with rotary tumblers set by a key to permit axial motion of a bolt or actuator, either the key is rotated with the tumblers and the relative axial motion is between the tumblers and the casing, or the key and casing are stationary and the tumblers are rotated by an axial rod which then moves axially through the tumblers, the tumblers being in both cases again rotated to control further axial motion. In the first form, Figs. 1 to 3, the key may consist of a thin flexible sheet of metal, vulcanized fibre, &c., carried by a holder comprising two metal leaves 5 shouldered to form a handle 6 and slotted to receive the tumblers 7. The holder fits inside the separating- washers 8 which are notched at 1C to engage feathers 2A and studs 9 within the barrel 2. The tumblers have portions 1A, 1B, fitting the band 2 and notched to pass the studs 9, and are apertured to receive the holder 5, forming stepped projections 5A, 5B which engage the key at diametrically-opposite and equidistant points ; the tumblers have differently spaced notches corresponding to different degrees of rotation caused by the key. When the tumblers have been rotated by the key, the notches align with the studs and the pile, comprising key, holder, tumblers, washers, and a spring between washer 11 and backplate 10, is moved axially to its other position or to one of several other positions and the holder and tumblers rotated to secure this position, when the key may be withdrawn. Some of the washers may have smaller openings to engage notches in the key and act as wards, so that the key cannot be rotated until fully inserted, and the lock may be so designed that the key cannot be withdrawn except when the lock is in locked position. The holder 5 carries a non-circular rod 13 engaging a similar hole in the rotary disc 14 of the latch, the rod having a circular groove engaging the disc in the locked position so that rotation of the holder will not actuate the latch. The steps may be on the outside of the projections 5A, 5B, or on the inside as shown, and the projections and notches may be omitted in one tumbler so that it is freed by the complete quadrantal rotation of the holder. With rigid keys, the steps may be replaced by continuously curved edges and the holder omitted, the pile being maintained by front and back springs or by a frame sliding in keyways in the barrel 2, and taking the place of the feathers 2A, the frame carrying the axial rod 13. The barrel may form the handle of a vehicle door and the rod 13 when extended engage a similar recess in the door to prevent rotation of the handle. In a " Suffolk " thumb latch, the rod 13 when extended prevents the latch lifting. In an ignition switch, the rod 13 actuates a push-pull or a rotary contactor. The key may be inserted from either end, using the same or different keys, by omitting the rod 13 and providing the pile frame with studs which project through slits in the barrel and serve as actuators or bolts. The key may be long enough to enable the pile to be moved axially beyond the studs and feathers so that it may be rotated through an unlimited arc. In the second form of lock, Figs. 13, 17, the axial rod 13 of square or other section has circular grooves 15 rotatable within square holes in tumblers 17, the rod sliding through non-rotatable washers 18. The key may be flexible and used in a holder, or rigid and used with a guide to zeroise the tumblers. The key slit may be in the front or back plates of the barrel or in the curved parts. The end 19 of the rod is circular but cannot be pulled through the innermost washer. The tumblers have a single projection similar to that in the first form of lock and a zero edge 2E, and the annular space 1F is omitted when the key is cut on its lower edge instead of being perforated. A master key may be formed by using a long key with a long series of apertures or notches so arranged that any adjacent set of notches will work one of the locks, lines or slots marking the correct distance for insertion; or the tumblers may have a small shouldered or tapered projection, Fig. 22, varying in angular and radial position and used with a key shown in Fig. 23, in which case the key of Fig. 24 will be a master key. The rotation of the rod may be limited by the use of a rotatable washer with an extension having a sector equal to the desired angle of rotation and engaged by the key-holder. The front or back plate may be shaped to prevent axial motion of the rod until a certain rotation has been given to it. The axial rod when used with a latch may have three positions, viz. an inner and an outer position with the latch operable from one or both sides, and a central position for deadlocking, the rod carrying a non circular sleeve to lock or free the parts of the latch. The lock may replace the outer handle of rim latches, the axial rod when extended entering the latch follower. The lock may be added to rim locks by pinning the original key in the lock and causing the axial rod to engage the lock bolt, or the end of the original key may be secured to the axial rod. Fig. 29 shows a mortice lock or latch in which the bolt 33 sliding in a tube 34 is actuated by a cord or chain 35 with handle ring 40. The barrel look 36 has an extension tube 37 secured by nut 38, while the outer barrel has teeth 39 driven into the door. Boxes or drawers may be locked by a pin fixed to an adjustable arm rotatable on the axial rod but sliding with it. The lock may be used in a padlock of the " letter-lock " or other type. The Provisional Specifications describe slight modifications and refer to Specification 447,913.