Year: 1886

page_text: I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of the firm of A. M. and Wm. Clark, of
58, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent
Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention a communication to me from
abroad by Andrew Jackson Calhoun of Watrous, County of Mora, Territory of
New-Mexico, United States of America, to be as follows:
This Invention relates to combination locks designed more especially for vault,
or safe, doors; and has for its object to provide a lock which may easily be operated
and will afford ample security against the opening of the door by unauthorized
persons.
The Invention consists in a fock comprising a key frame slotted lengthwise to
receive one, or more, notched bolts and slotted transversely to receive notched keys
which remain in the lock, and are adapted to slide through the notches of the bolts,
together with a suitable casing enclosing the key frame and key stems fitted in the
vault, or safe, door to which the lock is applied; and adapted to be engaged with,
and disconnected from, the keys.
J
The Invention consists also in particular constructions, and combinations, of
parts of the lock whereby the keys may, with facility be connected with, and:
disconnected from, the key-stems, and the key-frame may be removed for access
to the keys for changing the combinations, all as hereinafter fully described.
I, first, will describe the construction of the lock; next, its operation, and, finally,
its relative arrangement with the boltworks of the vault doors.
The working parts of the lock consist mainly of one, or more, bolts comprising
preferably a series of three aligned pairs of bolts which, are fitted to slide in
longitudinal slots, or grooves, of a frame, and a series of keys working beneath
the bolts and at about right-angles thereto in transversely ranging grooves of the
Pain L 031

page_text: «
"
frame. The bolts have a series of transverse notches in their under faces or sides,
and the keys have transverse notches in their upper faces or sides. The keys are
divided into three classes, which I call respectively "bolt" keys, combination
keys, and "blank" keys. The "bolt" keys are those by which the bolts are
shifted lengthwise, and are connected.respectively to the aligned pairs of bolts by
pairs of toggle links respectively, which are connected, one of each pair, by separate
pins, with the inner ends of the aligned pairs of bolts; and at their other ends each
pair of toggle links are connected by a pin with the bolt-key operating the pair of
bolts with which the links are connected. The "combination" keys are those
which have to be set, or drawn, out from, or in, their grooves of the frame a certain
distance to bring their notches, or rather, certain of the tongues between the
notches into positions to allow the bolts to be moved freely along the frame grooves
by the "bolt"-keys connected to them. The "blank" keys are those which do not
enter into the combination at which the lock may at any time be set to open; and
said "blank" keys are not to be moved endwise while setting the lock for allowing
the bolts to be moved endwise in, or out, as hereinafter more fully explained.
Each of the keys has a notch formed near its outer end at the upper side, which
notch is to be engaged with, or by, a tongue at the end of an extension key-stem or
bar, which stems project through the vault or safe-door, and may be grasped from
the outside of the door by their end-knobs for moving the lock keys as may be
required, and the stems have enlargements, or collars, which travel in a slot formed
by recessing or cutting away parts of the vault-door, the contact of the collars
with the opposite end shoulders formed around the key stem bearings by the slots,
limiting the outward movement of the key stems to prevent their withdrawal, and
also limiting the inward movement of the key-stems so their tongues will come
into line along the lock for engaging the notches of the keys when the key-frame,
with its keys, is placed in the lock case after being removed therefrom to change
the combination as hereinafter more fully explained. Along the rear edge of the
key frame is secured a bar which is rabetted at the underside to receive the inner
ends of the keys, and overlap the keys to hold them down to place, a part of this
bar preventing the keys from dropping from the back of the key-frame when it is
removed from the lock casing. Over the top of the key frame are secured plates,
the inner ends of which are separated and shaped suitably to give space between
them for the bolt-operating toggle-links. The key-frame, its keys, the bar, and
the plates, constitute the movable portion, or body, of the lock, which is contained.
in a sectional casing consisting of a bottom plate which is flanged so that screws
may be passed through the flange into the vault, or safe, door; an upper, or top,
plate flanged so that screws may be passed through the flange into the vault, or
safe, door, and a back plate which is held by screws to the top, and bottom, plates
so as to be removed therefrom to allow the key and bolt frame to be taken out.
I prefer to make the back plate in angular cross-sectional form, so that one part
forms the back proper, and another part forms part of the bottom of the lock
casing; so that when the said plate is removed the fingers may be passed into holes
of the key disconnecting-plate which is placed in the lock case under the key
frame to withdraw said plate from under the key frame and permit the frame
to drop on to the bottom plate of the lock-case, which movement will withdraw,
or disconnect the keys from the key stems, and the key frame and keys may then
be drawn out from the casing. The forward edge of the disconnecting plate is
bevelled, and the back edge of the bottom plate is bevelled to facilitate the
insertion of the disconnecting plate between the key frame, and casing plate,
when the key-frame and disconnecting plate are to be replaced in the casing.
A bar is secured to the inner-plate, or face, of the vault, or safe, door and is of such
size that its upper edge is level with the bottom or lower faces of the keys and
their stems, and its rear face will line with the front extremities of the keys. This
bar serves to guide the keys so that they will all simultaneously interlock with
their respective key-stems; as it is obvious that when the key frame is slipped

page_text: into the lock casing the forward ends of the keys will strike the bar to line the
keys endwise, and when the disconnecting plate is fully pushed in, the keys will
be lifted so as to engage the stems which had previously been aligned endwise by
pushing them back as far as they would go. The bottom plate of the lock casing
has an upwardly projecting lug at each end, which lugs form stops to limit the
forward movement of the key-frame in the case, and the inner corners of the
disconnecting plate are cut away to fit around these lugs when the plate is fully
pushed in. The bottom, top, and back, plates have end parts between which the
key frame fits snugly endwise, and the casing fits the key-frame edgewise, and
the key frame and disconnecting plate flatwise, so that the key frame will have
little, or no, looseness, or play, in any way in the casing. The ends of the casing
are cut away to form openings into and through which the ends of the three
aligned pairs of bolts may pass. All parts of the lock above described, will be
made of metal, and the shifting parts will be neatly fitted for exactness of.
movement.
-
The operation of the lock is as follows;-When the bolts are either projected, or
drawn back, the notches of all the bolts will come into line with the grooves in the
koy frame, so that all the keys, except the "bolt" keys, which are held to the
bolts by the toggle-links, will be free to move along their respective-grooves, as
the teeth, or partitions, between the notches of the bolts then will stand in line
transversely of the lock with the teeth, or tongues, between the key-slots of the
key-frame. The lock herein described has twenty-seven keys, the key stems of
which I will designate by the letters of the alphabet. At the left-hand side there
are twelve keys lettered from A to L. inclusive ;-then come the key stems of the
"bolt" keys, and, following these, twelve key stems lettered from M. to X. inclusive.
The lock is set to open by a very simple combination of the keys, that is to say,-
but two keys enter into the combination for each aligned pair of bolts, or one key
for each bolt, but it is evident that two, three, or more, of the keys may comprise
the combination for each separate bolt of the lock. By way of illustration, I have
chosen the two keys, whose stems are lettered A. N., as the " combination" keys
for the first pair of bolts, and the keys, whose stems are lettered C. P., as the
"combination" keys for the second pair of bolts, and the keys, whose stems are
lettered E. R., as the "combination" keys for the third pair of bolts. All the
other keys, excepting the "bolt" keys, are "blank" keys, the equi-distant notches
of which, when the keys are pushed fully inward, or backward, will align all along
the lock with all the bolt grooves, and will not then prevent free movement of the
bolts; but if, at any time, any one, or more, of the "blank" keys should be drawn
out, even a trifling distance, the tongues between the notches of said withdrawn
keys will be moved more or less across the bolt grooves so as to enter the notches
of the bolts more or less, and prevent end wise movement of the bolts either way,
hence it follows that if all the "blank" keys are not fully pushed in the bolts
cannot be moved even if the "combination keys be properly worked, and as any
one, or more, of the "blank" keys are likely to be drawn out by persons not
knowing the combination of the lock, it would be very difficult for them to open the
vault, or safe, even if but a single bolt, or one aligned pair of said bolts, be used in
the lock; and with two, three, or more, bolts, or aligned pairs of bolts, set to varied
combinations of the keys, the opening of the vault, by an unauthorized person,
would be quite impossible.
"
I now will describe the working of the combinations of the lock ;-We will
suppose the bolts are projected, and it is desired to withdraw the bolts to allow.
the bolt-works of the vault, or safe, door to be operated for drawing the main
locking bolts of the door from its casing to permit opening of the door. It must be
remembered that all the "combination" and "blank" keys are free to move
through the notches of either, or all, of the bolts when the bolts are either fully
projected, or fully drawn back; hence, all the key-stems and keys will be free to
move outward, and inward, except the stems and the "bolt" keys connected to

page_text: .
"
these stems. To withdraw the bolts the stems A. N. are first pulled out until
marks on them come into line with the outer face of the vault-door, which move-
ments will draw out the "combination" keys connected to stems A. N. so that the
inner parts of their forward tongues,-which parts, before withdrawal of the keys,
had stood within their respective notches of the corresponding bolts,-will be
drawn out of the said bolt-notches, whereupon the stem may be pulled out to
withdraw bolt key, and draw on the toggle-links to draw back both corresponding
bolts. By pulling out the "combination" keys by stems A. N. as above described,
the two back, or inner, sets of tongues of said keys had been set across the notches
of the other two pairs of bolts, hence, before either of these pairs of bolts can be
moved, the key-stems A N must be pushed fully inward again, which is. done.
The key-stems C. P. next are to be drawn outward to marks on them, which will
draw out the "combination" keys respectively, so that the inner parts of the
central tongues of these keys will then be drawn out of the bolt notches to allow
the bolts to be drawn back by pulling out the key stem which is connected by
links to the corresponding bolt-key, and the key stems O. P., and "combination
keys then will be pushed fully inward, to allow the second pair of bolts to be
moved. The key-stems, and corresponding "combination" keys will now be
drawn out so that the parts of their rear, or inner, tongues which stand across the
notches of the third pair of bolts in which these keys slide will be clear of the
notches to allow these bolts to be drawn back by pulling out the key-stem which
is connected by toggle-links to the bolt-key, and the "combination" keys then will
be pushed fully inward. When all the bolts have been withdrawn from the lugs
fixed to the bars of the bolt works, the bolt-works on both doors may be operated to
draw the main-bolts from the vault or safe door casing, as presently explained. The
two keys forming the combination for each aligned pair of bolts will be drawn out-
ward a like distance to allow the bolts to be shifted end wise, but the arrangement of
the key-tongues and notches may be varied for every separate key entering into the
combination for any one of the bolts, the key stems being marked to indicate the
extent to which the keys are to be drawn out to carry their tongues clear of the
bolt-notches. To throw the bolts outward to prevent shifting of the bolt-works for
drawing the main bolts from the door-casing it is preferred to operate the "combi-
nation" keys, and bolts, in the reverse order to that above described for with-
drawing the bolts,-vizt.-first pull key stems E. R. and then push in the key stem
for projecting the third pair of bolts, and then push in stems E. R; next pull key
stems O. P. and then push in the key stem for projecting the second pair of bolts,
and then push in stems C. P.; and finally pull key stems A N and then push in the
key stem for projecting. the first pair of bolts, and then push in stems A N; it
being understood that the "combination" keys are pulled out until their respective
marks line, as before, with the outer face of the vault, or safe, door. It is quite
impossible to set the "combination" keys by the senses of feeling or hearing. It
is evident that the lengths and positions of the notches of the "combination" keys
may vary so as to require varied extent of movement of the keys to allow the
bolts to pass by them, and it will be understood that all of the key-stems will have
a series of marks, or notches to indicate the varying distances they are to be drawn
outward to set the "combination" keys which may be connected to the stems
according to the location of the notches of the keys. In changing the combination
for either one or all of the bolts, it is only necessary to change the relative
positions of the "combination" keys and "blank" keys so as to connect the same
"combination" keys to different stems or differently notched "combination" keys
may be substituted in the same places. The keys are changed by sliding them in,
or out of, grooves from the front of the key-frame, when the frame is removed from
the casing.
The person, or persons, operating the lock is, or are, to remember
which marks of the key-stems connecting with the several "combination" keys
are to be brought into line with the front face of the safe door, in order properly
to position the "combination" keys to allow movement of the bolt,. or bolts, with

page_text: which these keys connect. The keys may easily be set, by persons knowing the
combinations, but it will be quite impossible for others to set them, for drawing
the bolts to open the safe door. It is obvious that the combinations at which the
lock may be set, are, or may be, quite unlimited; and more particularly is this the
case when a series of two, three, or more, of the key-frames having bolts and keys,
as above described, are fitted in a suitable frame-work or support on the inside of
the vault, or safe, door so that the bolts of each key-frame will act against stop-lugs
on the bolt-works, as may be done; but ordinarily a single key frame, with three
sets of bolts as above described, and with the great variety of combinations possible
with it, will afford good security against opening of the vault, or safe, by un-
authorized persons, and with this "three-bolt" key frame, each of three individuals
may hold one of the combinations unknown to the other two persons, thus
preventing the opening of the safe, or vault, except by concurrence of the three
persons, which, at times, may be desirable. The key-stems may be lengthened,
or shortened, to correspond with thicker, or thinner, safe, or vault, doors to
which the lock may be applied, and the length of the, toggle-links connecting
the bolt-keys with the bolts and also their point of connection with the bolts
may be varied to suit any desired throw, or endwise movement of the bolts, a
bolt movement of one quarter of an inch being preferred in practice.
I describe the bolt works as follows;-The two bars to which the opposite lugs
are attached range vertically at the inside of the one door. The one bar has pin
and slot connections with links pivoted respectively to the door, and these links
have pin and slot connections respectively with the upper and lower bolt-bars
which are fitted to slide in eyes fixed to the door. The other bar has pin and
slot connections with similar links pivoted to the door and have pin and slot
connections with the said bolt-bars respectively. Angle levers are pivoted to the
door, and have pin and slot connections at opposite ends with the bolt bars, and
opposite upper and lower main bolts which are guided in eyes fixed to door, and
in the door is fitted a shaft, on one end of which the handle is fixed, and at its
other end is fixed a link, or bar, which has pin and slot connection with the first
mentioned vertical bar. With this construction, and when the bolts of the lock
are withdrawn to allow it; if the handle is turned outward, the vertical bars will
be moved toward each other, and the bolt bars will be moved back toward the
hinges of the door, and the angle-levers will be swung to draw the bolts from the
door-casing, and at the same time the ends of bolt bars will be carried back, so as
to allow the bolt-works of the other door to be operated. The bolt-works of the
other door consist of a vertically ranging bar which is connected to upper and
lower horizontal bars aligned with the bolt-bars of the first door, when the doors
are closed, and having pin and slot connections with the one end of links which
are pivoted centrally to the door, and at their other ends have pin and slot
connections to bolt bars which are fitted to slide in eyes fixed to the door, and
have pin and slot connections with the one end of angle levers which are pivoted
to the door, and have pin and slot connections at their other ends with the.
opposite bolts which slide in eyes fixed to the door. With this construction,
when the vertical bar is moved outward by means of its handle and link, the
horizontal bars will be moved outward, and the bolt bars will be moved inward,
and the levers will be operated to draw the bolts from the door casing. As the
horizontal bars cannot be moved outward until the bolt-bars of the other door are
moved back, and as this cannot be done until the bolts of the lock are withdrawn
from the lugs of the vertical bars it is evident that when the lock bolts are
projected, the vault, or safe, doors cannot be opened.
"
I do not limit myself to the use of the toggle-links for moving the bolts of lock
by the aid of the bolt" keys and their stems; as other devices, such as, for
example, a plate having diverging slots engaged by pins on the aligned bolts, and
connected to the bolt-key, may be used, but the toggle links
are, at present,
preferred for the purpose. As hereinbefore intimated, the lock may have one or

page_text: more notched bolts, and a series of "combination" and " blank" keys, and
"bolt" keys connecting to the bolts, which are adapted to be projected from
one end of the lock casing; in other words, each bolt-key may be connected to
operate a single bolt, instead of a pair of aligned bolts, and the lock may be
applied to single, as well as double, doors of vaults, or safes, provided with bolt
works controlled by the bolts of the lock. When the bolts work in and out of one
end of the lock casing, the bolts may, of course, be arranged directly to enter the
casing of the door, for locking the door without the intervention of separate
bolt-works, and main-looking bolts, as will readily be understood.

page_text: I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of the firm of A. M. and Wm. Clark, of
53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent
Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention (a communication to me
from abroad by Andrew Jackson Calhoun of Watrous, County of Mora, Territory
of New Mexico, United States of America) and in what manner the same is to he
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This Invention relates to combination locks designed more especially for vault or
safe doors; and has for its object to provide a lock which may easily be operated,
and will afford ample security against the opening of the door by unauthorized
persons.
The Invention consists in a lock comprising a key frame slotted lengthwise to
receive one or more notched bolts and slotted transversely to receive notched keys
which remain in the lock and are adapted to slide through the notches of the bolts,
together with a suitable casing enclosing the key-frame, and key stems fitted in the
vault or safe door to which the lock is applied, and adapted to be engaged with and
disconnected from the keys.
The Invention consists also in particular constructions and combinations of parts
of the lock, whereby the keys may with facility be connected with and disconnected
from the key-stems and the key-frame may be removed for access to the keys for
changing the combination all as hereinafter fully described and claimed..
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this
specification; in which figure 1 is an inside view of a pair of vault doors with the
improved combination lock applied to one of the doors, and adjusted to hold the
bolt works for locking the doors. Figure 2 is an enlarged horizontal section, taken
on the line a figure 1, through the vault door and bolt works, and with the top
plate of the lock removed. Figure 3 is a front view of the lock and adjacent parts
of the bolt works removed from the vault door. Figure 4 is a front vertical
sectional elevation of the lock and bolt works taken on the line ¹ x figure 2.
Figure 5 is a vertical sectional side elevation of the lock and vault door, taken on
the line figure 2. Figure 6 is an end view of the lock with the vault door
in vertical section. Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10 are detail views of parts of the lock.
Figure 11 is a diagram illustrative of the action of the lock bolts, the bolt keys,
and some of the combination keys, and with the vault door plates indicated in
dotted lines; and figures 12, 13, 14, and 15, are detail side views of a few of the
lock keys. The letter A indicates the lock, which is represented in some of the
drawings as attached to a vault door A' which, with the adjoining door A', closes
the end of a vault, the top and side walls of which are shewn at A³ in figure 1. -
I first will describe the construction of the lock, next its operation, and finally
its relative arrangement with the bolt-works of the vault doors. The working
parts of the lock consist mainly of one or more bolts designated generally by the
letter B and comprising preferably a series of three aligned pairs of bolts B', B³, B*,
which are fitted to slide in longitudinal slots or grooves c² of a frame C, and a

page_text: series of keys designated generally by the letter D and working beneath the
bolts B and at about right angles thereto in transversely ranging grooves c³ of the
frame C (see figures 3 and 7). The bolts B have a series of transverse notches b in
their under faces or sides (as in figures 4, 5, and 8,) and the keys D have transverse
notches d in their upper faces or sides (see Figures 2, 4, 5, and 11 to 15 inclusive).
The keys D are divided into three classes, which I call respectively "bolt" keys,
"combination" keys, and "blank" keys.
The "bolt" keys are those by which the bolts are shifted lengthwise, and which I
shall specially refer to by the letters D¹, D³, D' which three bolt keys, as shewn, are
connected respectively to the aligned pairs of bolts B¹, B³, B*, by pairs of toggle
links d, d, d respectively, which are connected, one of each pair, by separate
pins 6, 6, 6 with the inner ends of the aligned pairs of bolts, and at their other
ends each pair of toggle links are connected by a pin 6' with the bolt key operating
the pair of bolts with which the links are connected (see Figures 2, 4, and 11).
The "combination" keys are those which have to be set or drawn out from or in
the grooves c³ of frame Ċ a certain distance to bring their notches d, or rather,
certain of the tongues between the notches into positions to allow the bolts B to
be moved freely along the frame-grooves o' by the bolt-keys connected to them.
The "blank" keys are those which do not enter into the combination at which
the lock may at any time be set to open, and said "blank" keys are not to be
moved endwise while setting the lock for allowing the bolts to be moved endwise
in or out, as hereinafter more fully explained.
Each of the keys D has a notch e formed near its outer end at the upper side
which notch is to be engaged with or by a tongue el at the end of an extension
key stem or bar, the said key-stems being herein generally referred to by the
letter E, and which stems project through the vault or safe door and may be
grasped from the outside of the door by their end knobs for moving the lock keys
as may be required, and the stems E have enlargements or collars which travel
in a slot e³ formed by recessing or cutting away parts of the vault door, the contact
of the collars e' with the opposite end shoulders formed around the key-stem
bearings by the slots limiting the outward movement of the key-stems to prevent
their withdrawal, and also limiting the inward movement of the key stems, so that
their tongues e¹ will come into line along the lock for engaging the notches e of the
keys D when the key-frame, with its keys, is placed in the lock case after being
removed therefrom to change the combination, as hereinafter more fully explained.
Along the rear edge of the key frame C is secured, by screws ff the bar F which
is rabbeted at the under-side to receive the inner ends of the keys, D and overlap
the keys to hold them down to place, the part fl of bar F preventing the keys
from dropping from the back of the key-frame when it is removed from the lock-
casing. Over the top of the key-frame C are secured, by screws g, the plates G G,
the inner ends g¹ of which are separated and shaped suitably to give space between
them for the bolt operating toggle links d' d' d³, said plates G G being shewn in
figure 10, and their ends g¹ are indicated in dotted lines in figure 2.
The key-frame C, its keys D, the bar F, and the plates G G, constitute the
movable portion or body of the lock which is contained in a sectional casing con-
sisting of a bottom plate H which is flanged at h, so that screws h¹ may be passed
through the flange h into the vault or safe door A'; an upper or top plate I flanged
at i so that screws i¹ may be passed through the flange into the vault or safe
door A¹; and a back plate J which is held by screws ¹ to the top and bottom
plates H I¹ so as to be removed therefrom to allow the key and bolt frame C to be
taken out.
I prefer to make the plate J in angular cross-sectional form so that its part *
forms the back proper and its part 3 forms part of the bottom of the lock-casing,
so that when the plate J is removed the fingers may be passed into the holes k of
the key disconnecting plate K which is placed in the lock case under the key
frame C to withdraw said plate K from under the key frame and permit the frame
to drop on to the bottom plate H of the lock case, which movement will withdraw

page_text: or disconnect the keys D from the key stems E³, and the key frame and keys may
then be drawn out from the casing. The forward edge of the disconnecting
plate K is beveled at k¹ and the back edge of the bottom plate H is bevelled at h¹
to facilitate the insertion of the disconnecting plate between the key-frame C and
casing plate H when the key frame and plate K are to be replaced in the casing.
The letter L indicates a bar which is secured to the inner plate or face of the
vault or safe door A¹ and is of such size that its upper edge is level with the
bottom or lower faces of the keys D and their stems E and its rear face will line
with the front extremities of the keys D. This bar L serves. to guide the keys D,
so they will all simultaneously interlock with their respective key stems E, as it is
obvious that when the key frame is slipped into the lock-casing the forward ends
of the keys D will strike the bar L to line the keys end wise, and when the plate K
is fully pushed in, the keys will be lifted so as to engage the stems E, which had
previously been aligned end wise, by pushing them back as far as they would go,
and as will be understood from figure 5 of the drawings.
The bottom plate H of the lock casing has an upwardly projecting lug H' at
each end, which lugs form stops to limit the forward movement of the key frame
in the case, and the inner corners of plate K are cut away, as at ³, Figure 9, to fit
around these lugs when the plate is fully pushed in. The bottom, top, and back
plates H, I, J, have end parts between which the key-frame fits snugly endwise,
and the casing fits the key frame edgewise, and the key frame and disconnecting
plate flatwise; so that the key frame will have little or no looseness or play in
any way in the casing. The ends of the casing are cut away to form openings, as
at M, into and through which the ends of the bolts B₁ B' B³ may pass.
All parts of the lock above described will be made of metal, and the shifting
parts will be neatly fitted for exactness of movement.
+
V
The operation of the lock is as follows;-When the bolts B¹, B³, B³ are either
projected, as represented in Figures 2, 3, and 4, or drawn back, as represented for
bolt B' in figure 11, the notches b of all the bolts B will come into line with the
grooves in the key frame C, so that all the keys except the bolt keys D¹, D³, D³,
which are held to the bolts by the links d³, d, d³-will be free to move along their
respective grooves c', as the teeth or partitions 6 between the notches b of bolts B
then will stand in line transversely of the lock, with the teeth or tongues c³
between the key slots c³ of the key frame.
The lock shewn has twenty-seven keys D, the key stems of which I have lettered
in figure 8, beginning at the left hand side as follows;-From letters A to L
inclusive, then come the key-stems E, E³, E³, of the bolt keys D₁, D', D³, respec-
tively; and following these the key stems are lettered from M to X inclusive.
The lock is set to open by a very simple combination of the keys D, that is to
say, but two keys D enter into the combination for each aligned pair of bolts B, or
one key for each bolt; but it is evident that two, three, or more of the keys may
comprise the combination for each separate bolt of the lock.
By way of illustration, I have chosen the two keys whose stems are lettered A N,
as the "combination" keys for the first pair of bolts B¹ B', and the keys whose
stems are lettered C P, as the "combination" keys for the second pair of bolts B' B³,
and the keys whose stems are lettered E R, as the "combination" keys for the
third pair of bolts B³ B³. All the other keys D excepting the "bolt" keys D'D' D³
having stems E¹ E' E', are "blank" keys (see figure 12) the equi-distant notches &
of which, when the keys are pushed fully inward or backward will align all along
the lock with all the bolt grooves c¹, and will not then prevent free movement of
the bolts, but if at any time any one or more of the
"
blank keys should be
drawn out even a trifling distance, the tongues between the notches d of said
withdrawn keys will be moved more or less across the bolt grooves c¹ so as to enter
the notches b of the bolts more or less, and prevent end wise movement of the bolts
either way, hence it follows that if all the "blank" keys are not fully pushed in,
the bolts cannot be moved, even if the "combination" keys be properly worked,
and as any one or more of the "blank" keys are likely to be drawn out by persons
"

page_text: not knowing the combination of the lock, it would be very difficult for them to
open the vault or safe, even if but a single bolt B, or one aligned pair of said bolts
be used in the lock; and with two, three, or more bolts or aligned pairs of bolts
set to varied combinations of the keys, the opening of the vault by an unauthorized
person would be quite impossible.
I now will describe the working of the combinations of the lock, with particular
reference to figure 2, which shews the combination keys in proper relative positions,
and to the diagram figure 11, wherein the bolts, bolt-keys, and combination keys
are grouped together.
We will suppose the bolts B1, B2, B3, are projected, as in figures 2, 3, and 4, and
it is desired to withdraw the bolts, to allow the bolt works of the vault or safe door
to be operated for drawing the main locking bolts of the door from its casing to
permit opening of the door.
It must be remembered that all the "combination" and "blank" keys are free
to move through the notches b of either or all of the bolts B1, B3, B³, when the
bolts are either fully projected, or fully drawn back, hence, (as shewn in figure 2,)
all the key-stems E and keys D will be free to move outward and inward except
the stems E¹, E³, Es, and the "bolt" keys D¹, D³, D³, connected to these stems.
To withdraw the bolts, the stems A N are first pulled out until marks a* n* on
them come into line with the outer face of the vault door, which novements will
draw out the "combination "keys" D* D* connected to stems A N, so that the inner
parts d' d' of their forward tongues, indicated in dotted lines in figures 11 and 13,
which parts, before withdrawal of the keys had stood within their respective
notches b of the bolts B' will be drawn out of the said bolt-notches, whereupon
the stem E¹ may be pulled out to withdraw bolt-key D¹ and draw on links d¹ ď
to draw back both bolts B1 B1, as shewn in figure 11. By pulling out the keys D D³
by stems A N, as above) described, the two back or inner sets of tongues of said
keys have been set across the notches b of the other two pairs of bolts B³, B³,
hence before either of these pairs of bolts can be moved the key stems A. N must
be pushed fully inward again, which is done.
The key stems C P next are to be drawn outward to marks cp on them
which will draw out the "combination" keys D* D' respectively, so that the inner
parts de d' of the central tongues of these keys, which in figure 11 stand across
the notches b of bolts B' B' in which these keys slide, will then be drawn out of
the bolt notches to allow the bolts to be drawn back by pulling out the key-stem E
which is connected by links ď ď to the bolt key D and the key-stems CP, and
keys D D7 then will be pushed fully inward to allow bolts B³, B³, to be inoved.
The key-stems E R, now will be drawn out to marks e on them, which will
draw out the combination keys D' D°, so that the parts d d of their rear or inner
tongues which in figure 11 stand across the notches b of bolts B3 B3 in which
these keys slide-will be clear of the notches b, to allow these bolts to be drawn
back by pulling out the key stem E³ which is connected by links d³ d³ to the
bolt-key D and the key-stems E R and keys D8 D9 then will be pushed fully
inward..
:
When all the bolts B have been withdrawn from the lugs N N¹ fixed to the
bars O O¹ of the bolt works, the bolt works on both doors may be operated to draw
the main bolta R S from the vault or safe door casing, as presently explained.
Figures 13, 14, and 15, shew respectively the combination keys D D D with
their tongue portions d* de de respectively indicated by dotted lines, and the tongue
portions d d dº of keys D D7 D° have the same relative positions lengthwise of
the keys, so that the two keys forming the combination for each aligned pair of
bolts B will be drawn outward a like distance to allow the bolts to be shifted
endwise; but the arrangement of the key tongues and notches may be varied for
every separate key entering into the combination for any one of the bolts, the key
stems being marked to indicate the extent to which the keys are to be drawn out
to carry their tongues clear of the bolt notches.
:

page_text: وز
com-
To throw the bolts outward to prevent shifting of the bolt works for drawing
the main bolts R S from the door casing, it is preferred to operate the "
bination keys D and bolts B in the reverse order to that above described for
withdrawing the bolts; vizt-first pull key stems E R and then push in key
stem E for projecting the bolts B³ B³ and then push in stems E R; next pull
key-stems CP, and then push in key stem E' for projecting bolts B' B³ and then
push in stems CP; and finally pull key stems A N and then push in key stem E¹
for projecting bolts B¹ B¹ and then push in stems A N; it being understood that
the "combination" keys are pulled out until their respective marks eª 2*, c* 2*,
and a n line as before with the outer face of the vault or safe door.
It is quite impossible to set the "combination" keys by the senses of feeling or
hearing.
It is evident that the lengths and positions of the notches d of the "com-
bination" keys may vary so as to require varied extent of movement of the keys
to allow the bolts B to pass by them, and it will be understood that all of the key
stems will have a series of marks or notches to indicate the varying distances they
are to be drawn outward to set the "combination" keys which may be connected
to the stems according to the location of the notches d of the keys, said marks
for the combinations above described being indicated at y on the key stems in
figures 2 and 11.
In changing the combination for either one or all of the bolts B. it is only
necessary to change the relative positions of the "combination" keys and "blank"
keys so as to connect the same " combination" keys to different stems E, or
differently notched "combination" keys may be substituted in the same places.
The keys are changed by sliding them in or out of grooves c³ from the front of the
key frame when the key frame is removed from the casing.
The person or persons operating the lock should remember which marks of the
key stems connecting with the several "combination" keys are to be brought into
line with the front face of the safe door, in order properly to position the "com-
bination" keys 'to allow movement of the bolt or bolts with which these keys
connect. The keys may easily be set by persons knowing the combinations, but it
will be quite impossible for others to set them for drawing the bolts B to open the
safe door.
It is obvious that the combinations at which the lock may be set, are or may be
quite unlimited; and more particularly is this the case when a series of two, three,
or more, of the key frames C, having bolts and keys as above described, are fitted
in a suitable framework or support on the inside of the vault or safe door, so that
the bolts of each key frame will act against stop-lugs on the bolt works, as may be
done; but ordinarily a single key frame C with three sets of bolts. B, as shewn
and above described, and with the great variety of combinations possible with it,
will afford good security against opening of the vault or safe by unauthorized
persons; and with this "three bolt" key frame, each of three individuals may hold.
one of the combinations unknown to the other two persons; thus preventing the
opening of the safe or vault except by concurrence of the three persons, which at
times may be desirable.
The key stems E may be lengthened or shortened to correspond with thicker or
thinner vault or safe doors, to which the lock may be applied, and the length of
the toggle links connecting the bolt keys, with the bolts and also their point of
connection with the bolts may be varied to suit any desired throw or end wise
movement of the bolts B, a bolt movement of one quarter of an inch being
preferred in practice.
I describe the bolt works as follows;-The bars 0 0¹, to which the opposite
lugs N N¹, are attached, range vertically at the inside of the door A'. The bar O
has pin and slot connections at p p¹ with the links P P¹ respectively (dotted) which
links are pivoted at p³ p³ respectively to the door A¹ and these links have pin and
Blot connections at p* p³ respectively with the upper and lower bolt bars TT¹
which are fitted to slide in eyes o fixed to the door A¹. The bar Ọ¹ has pin and

page_text: slot connections at q q' with the links Q Q¹. respectively, and these links are
pivoted to the door A¹ at q² q³ and have pin and slot connections at 9 g with the
bolt bars T T respectively. At 0, 0, are shewn angle levers which are pivoted
to the door A¹ at o' o' and have pin and slot connections at opposite ends with the
bolt bars T T¹ and opposite upper and lower main bolts R which are guided in
eyes fixed to door A', and in the door is fitted the shaft o' on one end of which
the handle O* is fixed, and at its other end is fixed the link or bar O' which has a
pin and slot connection at o' with the bar O.
With this construction, and when the bolts B of the lock A are withdrawn to
allow it if the handle O is turned outward, the bars O O¹ will be moved toward
each other, and the bolt-bars T. T will be moved back toward the hinges of the
door, and the angle levers 0 0³ will be swung to draw the bolts R R from the
door casing and at the same time the ends t t of bolt bars T T will be carried
back, so as to allow the bolt works of door A* to be operated. The bolt works of
the door A consist of a vertically ranging bar U which is connected at u u to
upper and lower bolt bars U¹ U aligned with the bolt bars T T of door A¹ when
the doors are closed; and the bars U U' have pin and slot connections with the
one end of links VV which are pivoted centrally at v¹ to the door A³, and at
their other ends have pin and slot connections to bars W W₁ which are fitted to
slide in eyes w fixed to door A' and the bars W W¹ have pin and slot connections
at wwwith the one end of angle levers X X' which are pivoted at ³ to the
door A and the levers have pin and slot connections at their other ends with the
opposite bolts S S which slide in eyes 8 fixed to door A'. The bars U¹ U slide in
eyes u' u also fixed to the door A
With this construction, when the bar U is moved outward by means of its
handle Us and link U the bars U¹ U will be moved outward and the bars W W₁
will be moved inward and the levers XX¹ will be operated to draw the bolts S S
from the door casing. As the. bars U₁ U cannot be moved outward until the
bars T T are moved back, and as this cannot be done until the bolts B of lock A
are withdrawn from the lugs N N¹ of bars 0 0¹, it is evident that when the lock
bolts B are projected, the vault or safe doors cannot be opened.
"
I do not limit myself to the use of the toggle links ď ď ď for moving the
bolts B of lock A by the aid of the "bolt" keys and their stems; as other
devices, such as, for example, a plate having diverging slots engaged by pins on
the aligned bolts and connected to the bolt key, may be used; but the toggle-
links are at present preferred for the purpose. As hereinbefore intimated the lock
may have one or more bolts B notched at b and a series of " "combination and
'blank" keys D, and "bolt" keys connecting to the bolts which are adapted to be
projected from one end of the lock casing; in other words, each bolt key may be
connected to operate a single bolt B instead of a pair of aligned bolts, and the lock
may be applied to single, as well as double doors of vaults or safes, provided with
.bolt works controlled by the bolts of the lock.
"
When the bolts B work in and out of one end of of the lock casing, the bolts may
of course be arranged directly to enter the casing of the door for locking the door
without the intervention of separate bolt works and main locking bolts, as will
readily be understood.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. A lock comprising a bolt and key frame grooved lengthwise and transversely,
a bolt or series of bolts fitted to slide in the lengthwise grooves and having trans-
verse notches adapted to line with the transverse grooves of the frame, a series of
series of keys fitted to slide in the transverse grooves of the frame and in the bolt
notches, and said keys having notches adapted to be lined with the lengthwise bolt
grooves of the frame, connections from the bolt or bolts to a key or keys, and
means for moving the keys lengthwise, substantially as herein set forth.

page_text: 2. A lock comprising a bolt and key frame grooved lengthwise and transversely,"
one or more bolts fitted to slide in the lengthwise grooves and having transverse
notches adapted to line with the transverse grooves of the frame, a series of
"blank" and "combination" keys fitted to slide in the transverse grooves of the
frame and in the bolt notches, and said keys having notches adapted to be lined with
the lengthwise bolt grooves of the frame, connections from the bolt or bolts to a
sliding notched "bolt" key or keys, and means for moving the keys, substantially
as herein set forth.
3. A lock comprising a bolt and key frame grooved lengthwise and transversely,.
one or more aligned pairs of bolts fitted to slide in the lengthwise grooves and
having transverse potches adapted to line with the transverse grooves of the frame,
a series of keys fitted to slide in the transverse grooves of the frame and in the
bolt notches, and said keys having notches adapted to be lined with the lengthwise
bolt grooves of the frame, connections from each aligned pair of bolts to one of the
sliding keys, and means for moving the keys lengthwise substantially as herein
Bet forth.
.
4. A lock comprising a bolt and key frame grooved lengthwise and transversely,
one or more aligned pairs of bolts fitted to slide in the lengthwise grooves and
having transverse notches adapted to line with the transverse grooves of the frame,
a series of "blank" and "combination" keys fitted to slide in the transverse
grooves of the frame and in the bolt notches, and said keys having notches adapted
to be lined with the lengthwise bolt grooves of the frame, connections from each
aligned pair of bolts to a notched "bolt" key sliding in the frame, and ineans for
moving the keys lengthwise, substantially as herein set forth.
5. A lock comprising a bolt and key frame C.grooved at c³ ³, one or more bolts
or aligned pairs of bolts B notched at 6 and fitted in a groove or grooves c¹, a series
of keys D fitted in grooves c³, and comprising "blank" keys whose notches d
correspond with the bolt grooves c³, when said keys are fully pushed in or drawn
out; one or more "combination" keys having notches d positioned to locate the
tongues between them in the path of the bolt or bolts when said keys are fully
pushed in, and a "bolt" key connected to each bolt for projecting the bolt or bolts ;
a series of key stems E, fitted to slide in the door to which the lock is applied and
connected to the keys for operating them, and said key stems having a series of
marks or notches to indicate at the face of the door the extent of withdrawal of
the "
'combination" key to permit the bolts to slide, substantially as herein
set forth.
"
6. In a lock, the combination with the grooved key frame C, a series of "blank"
and "combination" keys D notched at d, and a pair or pairs of aligned bolts B,
notched at b substantially as specified, of toggle levers connecting each pair of
aligned bolts to one notched "bolt-key," substantially as herein set forth.
7. In a lock, the combination with the grooved key frame C, a series of keys D,
notched at d, one or more bolts B, notched at b and connections from the bolts to
the "bolt" keys, of the cap plates G. G. substantially as herein set forth.
8. In a lock, the bolt and key frame C, made, with length-wise grooves c¹, and
with transverse grooves c¹ opening along one side of the frame, and the bar F
rabetted at the underside and forming a stop f¹, in combination with the bolts and
keys B, D, placed in grooves c c respectively, and means for connecting the bolts
and keys substantially as herein set forth.
9. A lock constructed with a key-frame C, grooved at c³, c³ one or more bolts B,
notched at band placed in a groove or grooves c¹, a series of keys D notched as
at d and placed in grooves cand a casing for the key frame, bolts, and keys, in
combination with key stems E, held to slide in the door to which the lock is
applied, and adapted to connect detachably with the forward ends of the keys D,
substantially as herein set forth.
10. A lock constructed with a key frame C, grooved at c¹, c³ one or more
bolts B, notched at b, and placed in a groove or grooves cl, a series of keys D
notched as at d, and placed in grooves c³, and a casing for the key frame, bolts and

page_text: keys, in combination with key stems E, held to slide to a stop in the door to which
the lock is applied and adapted to connect detachably with the forward ends of the
keys D, and a key connecting and disconnecting plate K, substantially as herein
set forth.
11. In a lock, the combination of the key frame C, grooved at c¹³, the notched
bolts B, and keys D fitted to slide therein, a casing for the key frame, bolts and
keys, the key stems E held to slide to a stop in the door to which the lock is
applied and adapted to connect detachably with the keys D, the key connecting
and disconnecting plate K, and the key connecting guide-bar L substantially as
herein set forth.
12. In a lock, the combination with the notched key frame C, notched bolts B,
and keys D fitted to slide therein, of a casing for the key frame and its bolts and
keys, said casing consisting of a bottom plate H, having front end lugs H¹, an
upper plate I, and a back plate J, secured detachably to plates H, I, to permit
removal of the key frame, substantially as herein set forth.
>