IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-PROOF BUILDINGS, VAULTS AND SAFES, AND IN THE COMBINATION OF DOORS THEREWITH, AND IN MEANS FOR LOCKING AND MAKING TIGHT THE JOINTS OF DOORS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William .Corliss, Manufacturer of Safes, of Providence, in
the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island, one of the United
States of America, for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-PROOF
BUILDINGS, VAULTS AND SAFES, AND IN THE COMBINATION OF DOORS
THEREWITH, AND IN MEANS FOR LOCKING AND MAKING TIGHT THE JOINTS
OF DOORS
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Corliss at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th June 1883.
WILLIAM CORLISS, of Providence, in the County of Providence and State of
Rhode Island, one of the United States of America, "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE
PROOF BUILDINGS, VAULTS AND SAFES AND IN THE COMBINATION OF DOORS
THEREWITH AND IN MEANS FOR LOCKING AND MAKING TIGHT THE JOINTS OF
DOORS"
The invention applies to the doors and windows of fire-proof buildings and of
fire-proof vaults and safes, and in general to structures of whatever name which
are intended to defend against fire. The doors and immediately adjacent parts are
made of metal.
My improvements produce tight joints around the entire doors. so that no
amount of heat with its tendency to warp the metal shall open any appreciable
joint.
The walls and doors may contain any desired quantity of clay, alum, plaster or
other heat-resisting materials or combination of materials. They may also be
formed with any quantity of wrought-iron, Franklinite, chilled-iron, hardened
steel or other materials adapted to resist burglars and to impart great strength.
I will describe the walls as simple masonry and the doors as hollow shells of iron,
the air space within being divided into two separate spaces, the one exterior to the
other, by interposing a thin sheet of iron.
I provide the door with what I term locking plates and suitable operating
mechanism, which, after the door is shut, are moved so as to extend across the

page_text: joints. These plates are bevelled and engage in bevelled recesses, so that their
movement across the joint causes the door to be very tightly closed against its seat.
The locking plates also themselves make tight joints against their casings. These
are important both as lock bolts to prevent the door from being opened surrep-
titiously and as means for preventing the access of air to support combustion in
the interior in case of fire.-They are also useful in excluding water when the safe
shall be flooded with water from engines or from other source.
I arrange these locking plates in the fixed parts or casing and cause them to
stop the joint by a movement inward or towards the center of the door aperture.
This allows the joints at the corners to be very tightly closed when the door is
locked.
In what I esteem the most complete form of the invention the locking plates are
tongued together at the corners. This maintains a reliable connection when they
are drawn apart to allow the door to be opened.
The mechanism by which these locking plates are operated acts through the
medium of double toggles. The arrangement gives great force to complete the
terminal or latest stages of the movement.
The connections are adjustable so that the terminal positions of the several
locking plates may be adjusted from time to time, to allow for wear or settling or
warping or other derangement of the form of the parts. All are connected together
Bo that they may be operated from a single shaft. In the complete form of the
invention I employ two of these strong and tightly secured doors, one exterior to
the other with a considerable space between. This space which I term the
vestibule, is lined with metal.
2
To accommodate the mechanism I provide a chamber or series of chambers in the
body of the safe adjacent to the door frame, having hand holes with easily
removable covers, accessible from the interior of the safe, or preferably from the
vestibule. The operating mechanism may be easily adjusted or repaired by
operating through these hand-holes.
I provide what I term a day-door, preferably of open-work-metal-which-stands-
across the aperture and guards the interior of the safe during the day while the
main door is open. This day door is hung on an axis which is supported on the
main door and is so arranged that it is moved inward or towards the centre of the
aperture by the act of opening the main door. This arrangement allows a day
door to serve which is of less width than the main door.
I provide means for locking the strong tight door on which. the day door is
carried not only in the shut position to make it secure at night, but also in the
open position for day service. By locking this door in the open position I avoid
the liability which would otherwise obtain, that an evil-disposed person might forco.
open the door by violently closing the main door on which its axis is carried.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Corliss in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
24th December 1883.
WILLIAM CORLISS, of Providence, in the County of Providence and State of
Rhode Island, one of the United States of America, IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-
PROOF BUILDINGS, VAULTS AND SAFES, AND IN THE COMBINATION OF DOORS
THEREWITH, AND IN MEANS FOR LOCKING AND MAKING TIGHT THE JOINTS OF
DOORS,
The invention applies to the doors and windows of fire-proof buildings and of
fire-proof vaults and safes, and in general to structures of whatever name which are
intended to defend against fire. The doors and the immediately adjacent parts are
made of metal.
My improvements produce tight joints around the entire doors so that no
amount of heat with its tendency to warp the metal shall open any appreciablo
joint.
The walls and doors may contain any desired quantity of clay, alum, plaster, or
other heat resisting materials or combinations of materials. They may also be
formed with any quantity of wrought iron, Franklinite, chilled iron, hardened steel
or other materials adapted to resist burglars and to impart great strength. I will
describe the walls as simple masonry and the doors as hollow shells of iron, the air
space within being divided into two separate spaces, the one exterior to the other,
by interposing a thin sheet of iron.
I provide the door with what I term locking-plates and suitable operating
mechanism, which after the door is shut, are moved so as to extend across the
joints. These plates are bevelled and engage in bevelled recesses so that their
movement across the joint causes the door to be very tightly closed against its
seat. The locking-plates also themselves make tight joints against their casings.
These are important both as lock-bolts to prevent the door from being opened
surreptitiously, and as a means of preventing the access of air to support combus-
tion in the interior in case of fire. They are also useful in excluding wator when
the safe shall be flooded with water from engines or from other sources.
I arrango these locking-plates in the fixed parts or casing and cause them to stop.
the joint by a movement inward or towards the centre of the door aperture. This
allows the joints at the corners to be very tightly closed when the door is locked.
In what I esteem the most complete form of the invention the locking plates are
tongued together at the corners, This maintains a reliable connection when they
are drawn apart to allow the door to be opened.
The mechanism by which these locking plates are operated acts through the
medium of double toggles. The arrangement gives great force to complete the
terminal or latest stages of the movement.
The connections are adjustable so that the terminal positions of the several
locking plates may be adjusted from time to time to allow for wear, or settling or,
warping or other derangement of the form of the parts. All are connected together
so that they may be operated from a single shaft. In the complete form of the
invention I employ two of these strong and tightly secured doors, one exterior to
the other with a considerable space between. This space which I term the vestibule,
is lined with metal.
To accommodate the mechanism I provide a chamber or series of chambers in
the body of the safe adjacent to the door frame, having hand-holes with easily
removable covers, accessible from the interior of the safe, or preferably from the

page_text: vestibule. The operating mechanism may be easily adjusted or repaired by operating
through these hand-holes.
I provide what I term a day-door, preferably of open-work metal which stands
across the aperture and guards the interior of the safe during the day while the
main door is open. This day door is hung on an axis which is supported on the
main door and is so arranged that it is moved inward or towards the centre of
the aperture by the act of opening the main door. This arrangement allows a day
door to serve which is of less width than the main door. I provide means for
locking the strong tight door on which the day door is carried not only in the shut
position to make it secure at night but also in the open position for day service.
By locking this door in the open position I avoid the liability which would other-
wise obtain, that an evil disposed person might force open the day door by violently
closing the main door on which its axis is carried.
I believe that air spaces directed so as to prevent circulation of air, form a very
efficient heat resisting wall or door. It will be understood that my invention may
be applied to any ordinary or suitable construction in these respects.
I have devised and reduced to a practical form, means for moving inward from
all sides of the door, sufficiently stout strips of metal which form movable tongues
or locking-plates. They severally extend continuously along the whole line of
the joint; that is to say, up and down each side and across the top and bottom.
These bolts or locking-plates may be carried in the door and thrust outward so as
to serve usefully, but I prefer for obvious reasons to hold the strips or locking-
plates in the casing and to thrust them inward to effect the locking by engaging
them in a suitable groove formed in the door.
The groove and the locking metal being bevelled insures that the door shall be
drawn properly to its seat by the act of locking, but I do not deem it practicablo
to make and maintain an absolutely tight joint between the door and its casing.
I rely for the perfect tightness desired on the joint between the locking-plates and
the adjacent metal which is effected by the locking-plates being bevelled on both
sides and entering-into correspondingly beveled grooves of the door, making an
absolutely tight fit therewith.
The corners of the locking-plates are tongued together so as to allow the required
movement for locking and so as to insure tight joints at the corners as well as at
the other portions when the plates are thrust inward.
"
The tightness of the corners cannot be obtained in this way if the strips or
locking-plates are carried in the door and operated outward.
I have devised means for operating the locking-plates with facility and with
great force. In what I esteem the most complete form of the invention, the four
locking-plates for a door are operated from a single point. Provisions are made
for adjusting the parts so that all shall be brought to a bearing at the same
time. In cases of bank vaults or other structures where the utmost degree of
security is desired, I prefer to employ two doors thus secured around the edges
mounted one within the other to secure the entrance to the vault or large safe.
I provide a third door of openwork-metal, mounted on the innermost of the two
doors arranged to serve as a day door. This door secures the contents of the
vault by a simple lock during the business hours while the main-doors stand open,
and thus allow the interior of the safe to be dry and well ventilated. My day
door opens outward like the others. The day door lies ordinarily parallel to and
close along the inner main door. The opening of the latter brings the axis or line
of centre of the day door into position to allow it to serve.
The following is a description of what I consider the best means of carrying
out the invention. The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.
Figure 1, is a horizontal section of a part of the wall of a vault with a door-
way provided with my invention.
Figure 2, is a vertical section of a portion of the door casing showing the locking
plates and the means for operating them

page_text: with the casing and the adjacent parts.
Figure 4, is a perspective view of a detail.
Figuros 5, 6 & 7 represent a modification.
Figure 5, is an elevation of certain parts.
Figure 6, an edge view, and
Figure 7, a horizontal section.
Referring to Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, similar letters of reference indicate corre-
sponding parts in all these figures.
A A, are walls of brick or other suitable fire proof-material. B is a door casing
of cast metal, certain portions being designated when necessary by additional
marks of reference as B¹ B'. The casing B as also the masonry A, is constructed
so as to allow room for the locking-plates and for mechanism to operate them
forcibly.
D is the outer door certain portions being designated by additional marks of
reference, as D¹ when necessary.
E is the inner door.
P is the day-door turning on lugs formed on the inner face of the inner door E.
The outer door D is made with stout edge frames D¹ D', and with three parallel
plates D³, D', D, extending over its whole surface; these parts being permanently
secured together by screws or other suitable means.
The portion D' of the door and the adjacent portion B' of the door frame are
bevelled as shown, suitable hinges D* perform their ordinary functions.
A deep recess is accurately formed in the door frame B', and being nicely finished
of uniform width quite around the door receives the four locking-plates m. Tho
adjacent exterior of the door frame D' is grooved. When the door is unlocked the
locking-plates m, are drawn outward by the mechanism so as to leave the door
free to be opened. When the door is closed and it is desired to lock it the
several plates m, are drawn outward by the mechanism so as to leave the door
free to be opened. When the door is closed and it is desired to lock it, the
several platos m are thrown simultaneonsly inward and forced home until their
bovelled surfaces engaging with the corresponding surfaces of the grooves draw the
door inward and make a tight joint between it and the door frame.
As means for working these locking-plates, I employ toggle joints with efficient
connections for operating them. The toggles are distributed so that there shall
bo two for each locking plate. They are connected by bars which are thrown by a
single crank so as to operate the whole simultaneously. The fixed fulcrums of
these toggles are formed on arms projecting from the door frame. I profer to cast
theso arms in one with the casting that constitutes the door frame.
The several pairs of link connections denominated toggle-levers are marked G G.
All may be exactly alike.
His a lever provided with a convenient handle and adapted to rotate or
partially rotate a shaft h, carrying a pinion H¹. This engages with rack-toeth I',
on a sliding bar I, which extends up and down in the casing and is connected to
the upper and lower toggles respectively for that edge of the door. The extremo
upper and lower ends of the bars I, connect to the mechanisms for operating_the
locking plates on the upper and lower edges and at the farther vertical odge. The
bottom and top are counterparts of each other. A description of one will suffice
for both.
The upper end I, connects through an adjustable link 1, with a bell crank
lever J, turning on [fixed centres j, cast on the door frame. The other arm of
each of these levers J, connects by a link K¹ to the nearest adjacent toggle for the
upper part of the door. Another link K', connects from this to the farthest toggle
of the upper edge. Another link K³, connects from this to a bell-crank L, which
in turn operates an adjustable link connected, to the nearest adjacent toggle on
the opposite vertical side of the door....
'

page_text: Each of the four plates m is provided with two or more guide pins m³,
extending at right angles from its edge and playing casily through guide holes
produced within the door framing.
The ends of the several locking plates m, are engaged together by tongues and
grooves as indicated at m* the parts being so finished and applied together that
they form a tight contact when the several locking-plates are forced inward into
the door, to the fullest extent to strongly and tightly secure the door.
The casing B is extended, as shown by B2, so as to form a strong and close
lining to the vestibule and also to unite the casings for the doors D and E in a
single rigid structure. Another portion B³ constitutes a chamber to accommodate
the mechanism. I prefer to make these plates which serve for the frame of each
door, of cast iron, and to use wrought iron for the vestibule proper, or rectangular
casing connecting such frames and also for the casings which enclose, the operating
mechanism. But the materials may be varied according to the special requirements
of each case, their dimensions, &c.
A movable panel B', secured by screws or otherwise allows access from tho
vestibule to adjust the several adjustable parts so as to ensure that all the toggles
work equally and also to change the combination or otherwise give attention to
the lock.
-
The adjustments of the rods 12, L, are made by right and left screw threads and
correspondingly threaded nuts or short sleeves i³, and l, or by any other ordinary
or suitable means.
N is the casing of a combination lock. It is operated by the knob O, through
the shafts o', o, and the bevel gear wheels 03, 03. The bolt n of the lock engages
with the lock arm or lever H³, fixed on-the shaft h, and prevents the working of
the latter and consequently the withdrawal of the locking plates m, from the door
until the lock is properly opened..
There may be a similar locking mechanism and a similar train of connections for
securing the inner door E, except that the operating shaft used, of course opens into
the vestibule. I have shown a simple.mechanism which-may-be.controlled by any
--lock not shown.
The shaft of the pinion H³, carries a bevel wheel H, which meshes into a
corresponding wheel H³, on the shaft H. The latter extends outward into the
vestibule and carries on its over-hanging end a hand lever H. The turning of
this lever, in one direction or the other, causes the rack-bar Is, to move up and
down, as will be casily understood, thus operating the toggles G G, that control the
bars or plates m², in a manner exactly corresponding to the operation of the locking
mechanism of the outer door.
The day door P lies alongside of the inner door E, when the latter is closed. It
also lies in a precisely similar relative position when both are open. But ordinarily,
when the inner door E is open, and the centre of motion on line of hinges PL, of the
day door is brought well inward, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1, the day
door will be turned on such hinges cach time access to the safe is required during
the day, being opened outward against E to allow the proper parties to walk in
and out, and at all other times during the day it will be extended across the
passage, and secured by any suitable lock not shown. The arrangement of tho
hinges allows a narrower day door to serve than would be otherwise practicable.
Qis a lock which secures the inner door E in the open position. I consider
such lock an important feature in its combination with the peculiarly hinged day
door as it prevents the latter from being forced open, when in the locked position,
by simply turning the fire-proof door, and thus moving that edge of the day door
which is opposite its hinges away from the corresponding side of the casing or
vestibule.
An air space a in the wall A, aids in retarding the transmission of heat through
the masonry, and also retards the passage of dampness, when for any reason, there
is a tendency to absorb moisture from surrounding earth..

page_text: Modifications may be made in the forms and proportions without departing from
the principle, or sacrificing the advantages of the invention. Parts of the invention
may be used without the whole.
Figures 5 to 7 show an arrangement in which the toggles are dispensed with,
The several locking plates m may be operated independently of cach other, instead
of being all worked at once from a single point.
In this construction the plates are worked from two points. There is a shaft on
each side of the door, each capable of being turned about a half revolution. One
works the vertical locking-plate on one side, and the adjacent ends of the top and
locking plates. The other correspondingly works the other side. Each shaft
carries three eccentrics, connected one to the vertical plate, another to the top
plate, and another to the bottom plate. Various other modifications may be
suggested by any good mechanic. I prefer the construction shown in Figures 1
to 4.
I have, in Letters Patent of the United States granted to me dated January 13.
1874, No. 146. 382 shown a means of securing the joint around a circular door by
a ring capable of expansion and contraction, but such left a space between the ends
which was not secured. My present invention differs by the use of rigid and
straight plates which may have any thickness and stiffness without interfering
with the action and by applying the rectangular doors meets a want which is
felt in connection with a widely different class of structures.
Having thus described my invention I would have it understood that I do not
confine myself to the exact details as shown and described, so long as the peculiar
characteristics of my invention be retained substantially as shown and described.
But what I do claim is :-
1st: A fire-proof structure having a rectangular door with bevelled locking-
plates m arranged on the several sides, ongaging grooves so as to secure the door
continuously to the framing so that any contortion or warping shall cause both
the framing and the door to yield alike and in the same direction and thus
maintain a close and tight joint all around the door substantially as herein
specified.
2nd: The continuous locking-plates m, adapted to be projected from the outside
into the door, and extending quite around the door, substantially as herein
specified.
3rd: The series of locking plates m, tongued together, as indicated by m®, in
combination with each other, and with a vault or safe A, containing the same,
and with a door D, as hercin specified.
4th: The double toggles G, locking plates m, and operating means I, in com-
bination with each other, and with the door D, and vault or safe A, as herein
specified.
5th Tho box I I¹, links 1ª, K¹, K², K³, L³, and bell-crank levers J, L, in
combination with each other, and the toggles G G, and locking strips or plates m,
and with the vault or safe A, and door D, as herein specified.
6: In a fire-proof structure having a thick wall A, and door-frame B³, with
locking mechanism for operating locking-plates m, the chamber or recessed
casings B³, formed in the door frame, and provided with hand holes, and easily
removable covers or panels B' arranged to allow easy access to the mechanism for
any purposes, as herein specified.
7th In a fire-proof structure having one or moro tight doors, the movable
axis P¹, carried on the face of the innermost door, and arranged as shown, so that
the opening of the door moves said axis inward, in combination with a day, door P,
mounted on said axis P¹, and arranged to serve as herein specified.
8th: In a vault or safe, having a tight-joint door E, a lock Q serving to hold said
door locked in the open position, in combination with said door and with a day
door turning on an axis which is movable with the tight door, and with means for

page_text: locking the day door when the tight door E is open, substantially as herein
specified.
In witness whereof I, the said William Corliss have hereunto set my hand and
seal this twelfth day of November AD 1883.
Witnesses :-
W. WARD FULLER
WILLIAM G. RICHARDS.
WILLIAM COKLISS (L.S.)