IMPROVEMENTS IN LATCHES FOR DOORS AND GATES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Post Lawrence, of London, in the County of
Middlesex, Merchant, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LATCHES
FOR DOORS AND GATES." A communication from abroad by Coates Walton,
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States of America.
Sealed the 9th July 1878, and dated the 10th January 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Post Lawrence at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th January 1878.
JOHN POST LAWRENCE, of London, in the County of Middlesex, Merchant.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LATCHES FOR DOORS AND GATES.' [A communication from
abroad by Coates Walton, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States of
America.]
This Invention refers to certain improvements in latches for doors and gates by
which they may be at will converted into locks, and it consists in employing a
lever or drop piece pivotted at one end at a point above the latch in such manner
that when not required in action the other end rests on the latch, and by its weight
assists the maintenance of the latch in its position in the catch.
When required to lock the latch and prevent its being raised, this lever or drop
piece is to be raised into a vertical position, when an excentric formed on the
pivotted end is brought to bear upon the upper side of the beak of the latch, con-
fining it within the loop, and thus preventing its being raised out of the catch.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Post Lawrence in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th
July 1878.
JOHN POST LAWRENCE, of London, in the County of Middlesex, Merchant.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LATCHES FOR DOORS AND GATES." A communication from
abroad by Coates Walton, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States of
America.
This Invention refers to certain improvements in latches for doors and gates by
which they may be at will converted into locks, and it consists in employing a
lever or drop piece pivotted at one end at a point above the latch in such manner
that when not required in action the other end rests on the latch and by its weight
assists the maintenance of the latch in its position in the catch.
When required to lock the latch and prevent its being raised, this lever or drop
piece is to be raised into a vertical position, when an excentric formed on the
pivotted end is brought to bear upon the upper side of the beak of the latch, con-
fining it within the loop, and thus preventing its being raised out of the catch.
The annexed Drawing represents in strong lines the article in use as a latch only,
the dotted lines showing the traverse and position of the drop piece which con-
verts the whole into a lock.
(a) is the latch; (b) the loop; (c) the catch; (d) the drop piece, which when
turned over, as seen in the dotted lines, brings the excentric (e) down upon the
latch (a) and prevents its being raised out of the catch (c) until the drop piece (d)
has been again thrown back.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner in which
the same is to be performed, I claim the improvements in latches for doors and
gates by which such latches may be locked, substantially as herein more fully set
forth and specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Post Lawrence, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
JOHN POST LAWRENCE