IMPROVEMENTS IN SASH FASTENERS FOR WINDOWS AND OTHER OBJECTS OPENING AND CLOSING WITH A SLIDING MOVEMENT VERTICALLY, OR OTHERWISE OPENED."
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Adams, of Nos. 7 and 216, Great Dover Street,
Southwark, in the County of Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN SASH FASTENERS FOR WINDOWS AND OTHER OBJECTS OPENING AND
CLOSING WITH A SLIDING MOVEMENT VERTICALLY, OR OTHERWISE OPENED."
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Robert Adams at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th April 1879.
ROBERT ADAMS, of Nos. 7 and 216, Great Dover Street, Southwark, in the
County of Surrey. 'IMPROVEMENTS IN SASH FASTENERS FOR WINDOWS AND
OTHER OBJECTS OPENING AND CLOSING WITH A SLIDING MOVEMENT VERTICALLY,
OR OTHERWISE OPENED."
This Invention has for its object the secure fastening of windows known as
sliding sashes and the like, to the meeting rails of which the fastener is usually
fixed, but the operation of fastening such windows and other sliding objects with
the fasteners generally used, is often rendered so difficult through the accumulation
of dirt and other obstructions which prevent the rails meeting properly to which
they are applied, and also by the upper sash dropping through the stretching of
the sash and weight cord that windows are often left open or unfastened in con-
sequence, especially where they cannot be conveniently reached. The construction
which I adopt to meet this great difficulty is as follows:-I make a plate to be
fixed to the bottom rail of the upper sash; this plate I mount with lugs, to which
I hinge a vibrating fulcrum lever, on which and near the said hinge I mount a
somewhat shaped projection, which I call a purchase clip or grip determining the
length of the fulcrum; the other end of the said lever is made suitable either by
mountings, or direct to catch into a suitable fitting to hold the window closed; this
fitting is mounted with a lug somewhat ▲ shaped, which I call a fulcrum clip or
grip on a plate to be secured to the top rail of the lower sash; but where Venetian
blinds are used, or from any other cause, it is inconvenient to have any projections
beyond the face of the lower sash. I make the lever with a joint by which I can
give it a lateral turn into an horizontal or other suitable catch. But I most prefer
to mount the rising and falling end of the vibrating fulcrum lever with an active

page_text: hinged pawl or sliding catch which engages itself with a rack of somewhat quadrant
form, or any other suitable shape, catches which for variety may be made at any
desired angle; the said pawl or catches may be readily disengaged by pull or
pressure. It will be seen by this Invention that a pair of sashes may be instantly
secured or fastened, although from the dropping of the upper sash from the
previously mentioned cause or other obstructions, should prevent their correct
closing, as by the downward pull of the fulcrum lever, the said fulcrum lever and
purchase clips coming into contact with each other combines to force the sashes as
far home as possible, and to pull them tightly together to prevent draught and
rattling at the same time the pawl or catch. is caught into the said rack or
corresponding catch holding the sashes fast against any external force, yet readily
and easily disengaged within, although the fastener may be nearly out of reach.
To make it self acting, I make the segment of a tooth wheel on the fulcrum lever,
and also on the top rail plate previously described, so that in closing the window,
one part of the gearing coming into contact with the other causes the fulcrum to
come down, and the instant engagement of the said sliding catch or pawl with the
said rack or other suitable catch. To ensure their proper gearing, I make suitable
male and female guides on the plates fixed to the meeting rails.
It will be evident
that this fastener may be applied to other objects than sashes provided with suitable
fixings, and that adhering to its principle modifications as to sizes, shapes, and
leverage, may be made according to requirements. Having now described the
nature of my said Invention, and the manner the same is to be performed, I would
have it understood that I claim the combined arrangement of the fulcrum lever,
active pawl, or catch-fulcrum and purchase clips or grips, quadrant, or other
suitable shape, rack or catch, and male and female guides as described, or as many
parts of which I deem it necessary to use, to make each of the descriptions of the
self and non selfacting invincible or secure fasteners for windows and other sliding
or folding objects.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Adams, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifteenth day of April, One thousand eight hundred and
seventy nine.
ROBERT ADAMS. (L.S.)