Year: 1886

page_text: DOLOD
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature
of invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The purpose of my invention is to provide an electro-magnetic permutation or
combination lock so arranged and constructed that the tumblers and bolts in
ordinary use may be manipulated thereby from without the safe when the safe
door to which the same is attached is closed, and said safe locked or unlocked
without the aid of the usual spindle or any direct and positive mechanical
connection through the door.
A further object is to so construct said mechanism that the dial may be placed
either directly upon the safe door in the usual position, or in any place and at
any distance therefrom so that the lock mechanism may be manipulated by one
knowing the combination, however distantly he may be removed therefrom at
the time.
A still further object is to enable said dial to be detached at any time if
desired; thus removing all possible and intelligible means of operating said
tumblers from without.
I accomplish said object by means preferably of a revolving armature surrounded
by a series of electro magnets arranged concentrically to its axis and having their
respective poles upon opposite sides of the same, said magnets numbering three or
more, but preferably not more than four, the size and shape of the same being
varied as may be found expedient, consistent with economy of space;--one end of
each of the wires forming the helix of said magnets respectively being alternately
connected by suitable wires with a series of segments upon a stationary plate
outside of the safe-said segments being disconnected from each other and
properly insulated, while a circuit wire with a battery connection unites the
opposite poles of said magnets with a knob or spindle adapted to revolve upon
Paine 821

page_text: said plate, and provided with a hand thereon, which, by the revolution of the
spindle, alternately makes and breaks the circuit of the respective magnets and
revolves the armature accordingly, a reverse movement of said dial producing a
corresponding movement of said armature.
=
I prefer to connect said armature by means of a pinion to a secondary gear
having its axis upon the end of a crank the axis of which is common with that of
the armature; said secondary gear engaging in turn with an annular wheel which
is rigid with the first of a series of revolving tumblers, operating in the usual
manner, said secondary gear having its axis temporarily retained in a fixed
position while revolving said tumblers, by means of a stud extending therefrom,
which engages with a notch in an angle-bar or a dog forming a part or extension
of the usual gravity "fence," the stud being released from said engagement when
the notches of all the tumblers are brought into allignment, and the "fence" shall
have fallen therein. This movement in turn, locks the tumblers; and the secondary
gear, having its axis upon the end of the crank which is no longer held in a fixed
position as described, the armature pinion acting thereon, the secondary wheel forms
a leverage upon the end of the crank, with the teeth of the annular gear for a
fulcrum, which causes the crank to revolve upon its axis, and said projecting stud,
engaging in a slot in the bolt-bar, the latter is thereby "shot" or retracted as may
be desired, all of which is hereinafter described.
In the accompanying drawing,
Figure 1 is a front elevation of said lock with the face plate removed showing
the respective parts in the various positions assumed thereby when the same is
locked; the connections being made by suitable wires and binding posts with
a dial.
:
Figure 2 is a rear view of the revolving armature used therein.
Figure 3 is a central horizontal longitudinal sectional view of said lock.
Figure 4 is a back view of the dial plate showing the spindle connection with
the various circuits.
Figure 5 is a central vertical sectional view of said lock.
Figure 6 is a front view in detail of a part of said lock showing the parts in
position assumed thereby when the same is unlocked.
Figure 7 is a side view of the crank and pinion interposed between the armature
and tumblers for operating the latter.
Figure 8 is a view of the inside of a safe door showing said lock attached thereto,
and its connection with the bolt-work.
Figure 9 is a central vertical sectional view of said door showing the manner of
connecting the magnets with the dial for manipulating the armature and tumblers.
Figure 10 represents a modification of Figure 11 and is a rear view, the back-
plate and part of the tumblers being removed, and the remaining mechanisın being
viewed upon the line x-x Figure 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow there
shown.
Figure 11 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the construction shown in
Figure 10, taken upon the line y-y and viewed in the direction indicated by the
arrow there shown, and
Figure 12 is a modification of the construction shown in Figure 4.
Like letters of reference indicate like parts in the different figures.
- A represents the case of the lock which may be constructed of brass or other
metal in the usual manner. Enclosed within said lock, arranged preferably in a
circular form, and secured to said case by any suitable means; are three or more,
.but preferably from electro-magnets A¹ A B B¹ C C, and D D₁ the two letters
being used in each case to designate the two poles of the respective magnets.
I prefer to connect said magnets with each other by means of a ring E Figures 3
and 5, of soft iron, said ring serving as a means of securely attaching said magnets
to the case A, while, at the same time, it forms the base of said magnets.
Said magnets respectively, are provided with pole extensions a a¹ b b¹ c c
and d d hereinafter more fully described. Extending across from the opposite

page_text: poles of a magnet as DB, and rigidly secured thereto by screws fj 1 place a
suitable bar F of brass or other non-magnetizable metal which serves as a support
for one end of a screw G Figures 3, 5, and 6. Said screw G is inserted from the
rear, and is further supported by having its head introduced into a sleeve or'
socket h of a hollow stud H Figures 3 and 5 rigidly secured to and forming a part
of a circular screw-plate H¹ which is adjusted by means of a screw-thread to the
plate A as clearly shown in the drawing. Said sleeve his intended to form a
bearing or axis for the usual permutation tumblers, and may be made longer or
shorter according to the number employed, a shoulder being formed on said stud to
retain them in place. I J and K represent three of said tumblers, while the fourth
consists preferably of an annular ring L formed upon or secured rigidly to the back
of an annular gear M, which is provided with and rigidly secured to a sleeve m
within the sleeve h, forming a part of the stud H and having its bearing upon a
third sleeve N Figure 5 which is fitted directly to and has its bearing upon that
portion of the body of the screw G contained within the sleeve h, upon the front.
or outer end of the sleeve N, and rigidly secured thereto, is a crank N¹ Figures 3,
5, 6 and 7, to the end of which is loosely secured by means of a suitable wrist pin
a gear wheel O adapted to engage the teeth of the annular gear-wheel M. Upon
that part of the screw G, between the bar F and the sleeve N, better shown in
Figure 5, I place à fourth sleeve P, to which is rigidly attached a small pinion Q.
(better shown in Figures 2, 3 and 6,) which, in turn, engages with the wheel O.
Each of said sleeves m N and P are loose and adapted to revolve independently of
each other with the body of the screw G for a primary bearing. Upon the opposite
or outer end of the sleeve P, and rigidly secured thereto I place a revolving
armature R preferably provided with segmental arms or cross-bars r r; in the form
clearly shown in Figure 2 so as to conform to the shape and enable them to be
.brought into close proximity to the ends of the pole extensions a, a¹ bbc c' and d d²,
which latter should be made concentric, as shown, with the axis of said armature.
I prefer to have the ends 71 71 of said armature extend somewhat over said polo
extensions as shown in the drawings. Secured by a rivet or otherwise to one of
the arms is a spring R' Figure 2, the normal position of which is even with or
within the arc of the circle described by said arm, a notch or recess being
provided for the reception of said spring. When said armature is attracted by the.
magnet, said spring is drawn outwardly as shown, and the same being brought into.
direct contact with the pole or tension of said magnet, it acts as a break upon said
armature and thus prevents the former from wavering. The circuit being broken,
said break or shoe resumes its normal position, and the armature is again free to
revolve without friction.
Extending across lengthwise of the lock between the cross-bar F, and the
magnets AA and outside of the wheel O I place a bolt-bar S, constructed as
shown with slots 8 8¹ Figure 6 therein; the former of which is made to permit said
bar to reciprocate without being obstructed by the sleeve P or screw G, while a
pin or stud o Figure 6 which is an extension of the wrist-pin or axial bearing of
the wheel O, is extended through the slot 81, and, by its movement, when the
crank-arm N¹ is rotated, serves to actuate the bolt-bar S, which, in turn shoots or
retracts the bolt S₁ which is attached thereto by means of a screw 8 Figure
otherwise.
or
Figure 8 represents the usual bolt-work upon the safe door U;-S³ S being the
bolts S S³ the cross-bars connecting the same, while 8* s* represent the ordinary
shears or crank-levers pivotted at 83 83 between the free ends of which the bolt S¹
is interposed as shown, when the safe is locked; said shears having their opposite
ends pivotted at 8* 8ª to linkṣ 8 which in turn are rigidly secured to the
cross-bar S
Pivotted to the pole extension d Figure 1 at t is an angle-bar T-an arm t¹,
Figure 3, of which is extended back across and above the tumblers I J K and L
forming the usual "fence" which is so adjusted as to drop into the usual notches in
'
•
1

page_text: the periphery of said tumblers when the same are brought into proper alignment
therewith, three of said notches ik and being shown in Figure 3, while the
dotted lines in Figure 6, indicate all in alignment. Said angle-bar T has a
downwardly curved extension T¹, formed as clearly shown in Figure 6, and
provided with a lug or shoulder t and a notch & Figures 1 and 6. An extension of
of the stud o Figure 7, made to conform in shape to said notch 3 is caused to
project outwardly to a sufficient extent to engage said notch as hereinafter shown,
Figure 1 representing the same in engagement therewith. Projecting laterally
from the stud H, Figure 3, and rigidly attached thereto, is a stud or projection h¹
in close proximity to the tumbler I. A screw which is intended to abut against
said stud h in the usual manner, is secured to the tumbler F, thus forming an
initial point from which to calculate the permulation of the tumblers. Other
screws, the heads of which project in the usual way from the tumblers J K and L
as clearly shown in Figures 3 and 5 enable the tumblers I J and K to be
manipulated through the revolution of the annular wheel M. and its tumbler 14,
thus completing the permulation.
A Figures 1, 3, and 8 represents a plate of vulcanite or other insulating material
secured to one end of the case A, to which binding-posts a b c and d² are secured
the same being insulated by said plate from the lock-case A. A fifth binding
post a Figure 1 passes through the plate A' and is screwed, as shown, into the
case A. One end of each helix-wires a³ ³ ³ and d³ respectively is connected with
one of the binding-posts a b c 6* in the order named, while one end of all of the
helix-wires as b c d Figure 1; the respective coils of which are designated by the
letters A B¹ C¹ and D is secured to the case A, by means of the screws a b c d³,
thus enabling a circuit to be formed between any one of the binding posts a² 63 c
or d', through the magnet with which the same is connected, the lock case, and the
binding post a*. Connected with the binding-posts a³ 63 o d² and a are
insulated wires A B C D' and A', four of which are carried through the door U,
Figures 8 and 9, of the safe, in the manner clearly shown in said last named
figure, to prevent the plates of said door from being drilled or otherwise penetrated.
In practice I prefer not to use the wire As shown in Figure 1, as it is obvious
that an electric circuit may be completed with equal facility through the walls of
the safe and lock-case A. Figure 9 shows such a construction, the binding post a
therein corresponding to a in Figure 1 (the latter of which is used in said figure
merely to show an operative construction) in that it connects directly with the
metallic plate of the door U. V Figures 1 and 9 is a battery-cup which is pre-
ferably placed outside of the safe. Upon the outside of the safe also, and secured
either to the door of the same or detached therefrom as may be desired, is a
plate W, Figures 1, and 9, of vulcanite or like insulating material, provided with
binding-posts a' a b c d to the opposite side of which is rigidly secured by means
of screws or rivets w Figure 1 a series of metallic blocks or segments w¹ Figure 4,
arranged in circular form, an equal number of which are alternately connected with
the wires connecting with the binding-posts a b c and d and, for the purpose of
designating said connection and the various circuits which may be formed thereby,
said segments or blocks w' are also marked with the respective letters used to
indicate the wires with which they connect viz, A B C and D³.
A metallic knob X provided with the usual graduated dial X Figure 1 is
attached to the opposite side of said insulated plate W, by means of a spindle x,
Figure 4, extending through the same. Rigidly attached to the spindle x in any
well known manner so as to revolve therewith is a hand Y the end of which is so
adjusted as to brought into metallic contact with the plate was said spindle
is rotated; said blocks or segments w₁ being arranged concentrically with the
spindle. The wire A' is connected directly with said spindle, so that an electric
circuit may be completed through said wire A' the spindle x and metallic hand Y
with any one of the four other wires described, accordingly as said hand is brought
in contact with any one of the six termini of each of said wires. Thus, it is obvious

page_text: that the revolution of the knob X would alternately make and break the circuit
four times with each of said series of magnets, in regular succession, while a
change in the movement of said dial would produce a corresponding change in the
order of said currents. It is obvious that the number of said segments or blocks
may be increased or diminished at will; but it should be some multiple of the
number of magnets employed in order to calculate the various permutations or
combinations therefrom. A number of segments corresponding to that of the
magnets would serve to rotate the armature equally as well as a greater number;
the increase tending only to affect the complexity of the permulations.
I have described a circular dial with a rotating switch mechanism or circuit
breaker in connection therewith as the method most approved by me for manipu-
lating the tumblers by electro-magnetic influence; but I do not confine myself to
said method for the reason that I should regard any switch mechanism or circuit
breaker whereby one would be enabled to excite said magnets in a definite or
determined order as a mere variation and inferior substitute for said device.
For convenience in actual practice I prefer to secure an insulating plate W¹,
Figure 9 to the outside of the safe door, to which is attached in the usual way,
binding poste a³ a¹0 b c d thus permitting the wires A' A' B³ C* D' to be
attached when desired.
Having described the various parts of said mechanism in detail I will now
proceed to describe the operation of the same. It is obvious that the armature R
may be caused to revolve in either direction by the revolution of the knob X; and
assuming the parts to be in a locked position as shown in Figure 1 the "angle
bar" T is raised thereby causing the pin o' to engage with the notch ta by which
it is held in a stationary position until the tumbler notches are brought into such
allignment as to permit the "fence" to fall therein. The axial bearing of the
wheel O being thus temporarily held in a fixed position, and said wheel at the
same time being revolved by the pinion Qattached to the armature F the annular
wheel M is thereby caused to rotate, which, in turn, actuates the tumblers I, J, K
and L, according to the direction and extent of its movement. As stated, the stud h¹
is the initial point from which the permutation is calculated; and hence it follows
that said tumblers may be "set up by revolving said knob a sufficient number of.
times in one direction to bring the screw i in contact with the stud h¹ and the
remaining tumbler screws into engagement with each other in their respective
order allowance being made for the direction of movement of the stud o¹ in order
to finally actuate the bolt-bar S. The tumblers being thus "set up" they are then
manipulated by the dial in the usual manner according to the permutation or com-
bination fixed upon; it being understood that in the device as shown, a greater
number of revolutions of the dial would be required to effect the same result by
reason of the interposed gears O, Q, than if the armature were connected directly
to and made to revolve in unison with the driving tumbler which may be
accomplished for providing a different mechanism for actuating the bolt-bar S.
When the manipulation of the tumblers is completed, and their notches brought
into allignment, the dropping of the "fence" ( therein at the same time causes
the stud of to be released from the notch t³ by the falling of the lower extension T¹
of said angle bar T. The fence t¹ being in the notches of said tumblers the first
or "driving tumbler " L of which is rigid with the wheel M, the latter is thus held
in a fixed position, thus causing the axis of the wheel O, to move; said wheel
exerting a leverage upon the wrist pin at the end of the crank N being impelled
by the rotation of the pinion Q, and having its fulcrum upon the teeth of the
annular wheel M, it is caused to assume the position shewn in Figure 6 while the
pin o' bearing in the slot 8¹ of the bolt-bar S, retracts the latter as shewn in said
Figure; at the same time, being in positive contact with the extension T¹ of the
angle bar T, the "fence" t¹ is, for the time being, held securely within the tumbler
notches. Said extension also tends by its gravity, to insure the dropping of said
fence when desired. A reversal of this movement "shoots" the bolt S₁ when the

page_text: stud o engages with the lug tand, after raising the fence out of the notches,
is arrested in its progress, while the wheel O, continuing to revolve rotates the
tumblers thus preventing the fence from again falling-and locks the safe.
I do not confine myself to the specific arrangement of said magnets, nor to the
use of a revolving armature for rotating said tumblers; as the same may be
accomplished by means of a reciprocating armature R. Figures 10 and 11 said
armature being sustained in a pendant position as shewn in said Figure 10 by
means of a stirrup Figure 11 and shewn in dotted lines in Figure 10 said
stirrup being loosely secured to the axis formed by the pin or screw G by means
of a loose sleeve In addition to the action of gravity of the armature R
which is loosely hinged to said stirrup at 5, the latter is normally held in an
upright position by means of a spring (better shewn in dotted lines in Figure 10)
which bears upon a notch or flat surface upon the sleeve r A cross arın is
attached to said armature R near the extremities of which are projecting teeth or
pawls adapted to engage with a disc M¹ rigidly attached to the tumbler L-
said disc being in lieu of the annular wheel M. The periphery of the disc M' may
be notched or smooth, but I prefer it as shewn, and in lieu of said edged teeth
reversible pawls may be employed. A¹ B are electro magnets connected by means
of wires AB to insulated plates a' b attached to the plate W Figure 12. The
terminal or opposite poles of said magnets are connected with the lock case by
wires a band screws a b³ respectively, Figures 10 and 11. Instead of placing
the segmental blocks w¹ close together as shewn in Figure 4, I separate them
substantially as shewn in Figure 12 and connect them all to the circuit wire A
which is connected with the lock case at a³. The spindle x is connected by a wire x¹
to an insulated plate adjacent to the plates a' be and adapted to be connected
with one or the other in turn by means of an ordinary switch pin which may be
inserted in one or the other of the perforations xx; thus completing the circuit
with one or the other of the magnets, the lock-case, battery V, blocks w¹ and
hand Y. When the hand Y is in contact with any one of the blocks w and the pin ¹
is inserted as shewn, the magnet A¹ is excited and the armature attracted thereto.
As said armature is pivotally connected with the end of the stirrup ³, the former
is first moved upon the axis of said pivot, as offering the least resistance, until
the tooth upon the side nearest the magnet A¹ bears upon the periphery of the.
disc M¹ when the axial movement is transferred to the stirrup axis-thus actuating
the disc M¹. As the hand Y (which is this construction may be revolved continu-
ously in the same direction, if desired) passes from one block w¹ to another, the
circuit is broken, and the spring as well as the gravity of the armature, causes
it to resume its normal position until the circuit is again made, when it is moved
as before. Thus, as long as the pin a remains in one position the moving of the
hand Y serves to reciprocate the armature and thus revolve the disc M₁ in one
direction said direction being reversed upon removing the pin to the other perfora-
tion and completing the circuit with the opposite magnet, thereby enabling one to
manipulate said tumblers at will according to the number of revolutions of the
hand Y and the position of the pin ³.
Moreover I do not regard myself as confined to the particular mode described
for throwing or retracting the bolt bar as it may sometimes be found desirable
to connect the fence t directly therewith by means of the link t¹ Figure 11, in
which case the movement of the tumbler L after said fence shall have engaged
with the notches in the several tumblers will shoot or retract said bolt as desired-
a guard being preferably attached to the lock case to prevent said fence from
falling out of the notches in the event of the safe being overturned while locked :-
or said result may be accomplished in various other ways which would suggest
themselves to one skilled in the art after having familiarized himself with my
invention.
It is apparent from the foregoing that said tumblers may be manipulated and
the safe locked or unlocked by a person at any distance therefrom; while the dial

page_text: may be removed and disposed of as desired-thus preventing any intelligible means
of operating the combination (even were it known) by others than those having
custody of the dial.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is :—
First: The combination with a permutation or combination lock of a series of
electro-magnets arranged therein, having suitable electrical connections from
without, a battery-cup and switching device whereby said magnets may be excited
from without the safe, and an armature actuated thereby for imparting motion to
the tumblers of said lock substantially as described.
Second-An electro-magnetic permutation or combination lock provided with
a series of electro-magnets arranged therein, suitable electrical connection from
without and a battery cup, whereby said magnets may be excited in regular order
from without the safe, and a revolving armature actuated thereby for imparting
motion through suitable gearing to a series of tumblers in said lock substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
Third: A permutation lock in which are arranged a series of electro magnets
which serve to actuate an arinature connected by intermediate gears or equivalent
means with the driver of a series of tumblers said magnets being electrically con-
nected with a circuit breaking mechanism outside of the safe and a battery cup
whereby motion may be imparted to said tumblers as desired by successively
manipulating currents of electricity in regular successive order through said
magnets respectively, substantially as described.
Fourth An electro magnetic permutation lock consisting of suitable magnets
arranged therein an armature in position to be actuated thereby and connected
with the driving tumbler a dial hand and battery electrically connected with said
magnets from without the safe, the revolution of said dial serving to alternately
bring said hand into electrical contact with the terminal wires of said magnets in
regular order successively, substantially in the manner and for the purposes
specified.
Fifth-An electro magnetic permutation lock provided with suitable electro
magnets arranged in a circular form therein having their pole extensions concentric
with a revolving armature geared to the driving tumbler, electrical connections
with said magnets a battery cup and revolving dial outside of the safe, said dial
being provided with a hand upon its spindle connected with the circuit-wire,
whereby the circuit may be opened and closed with said-circuit-wire and either of
said magnets in an order to correspond with and be determined by the numbers
upon said dial, substantially as described.
Sixth-An electro magnetic combination or permutation lock provided with a
series of revolving tumblers, a revolving armature connected therewith, electro
magnets in electrical proximity thereto, means for connecting the same with a
battery and dial outside of the safe, and a system of segments representing the
termini of the helix-wires from one pole of said magnets respectively-said dial
being provided with a hand adapted to revolve therewith, the revolution of which
serves to make and break the circuit in a regular successive order accordingly
as the same is brought into contact with said segments respectively, substantially
as described.
Seventh-In an electro magnetic permutation lock, the revolving armature R,
provided with a spring R¹, constructed and arranged as and for the purposes
specified.
Eighth-The combination is an electro magnetic permutation lock, of a series
of electro magnets arranged therein, a revolving armature in electrical proximity
thereto, means for connecting said armature to the driver of a series of rotating
tumblers, a crank connection with the bolt bar, a dial and segmental switch outside
of the safe, with suitable connecting wires and a battery cup, whereby the blocking

page_text: "
device of multiple bolt work, may be manipulated from without the safe, substan-
tially as described.
Ninth-The combination in a safe provided with the usual multiple bolt work
of a lock having the usual rotating tumblers and a series of electro magnets whose
respective poles are electrically connected with the outside of the safe, a battery
cup and rotary switch dial of a revolving armature having a pinion rigidly secured
to its axis, said pinion engaging a gear wheel upon the end of a crank having
a common axis with said armature, said gear, wheel engaging in turn with an
annular gear attached to the driving tumbler, a notched angle-bar T fence" t¹
extension stud o o' and bolt-bar S with a suitable bolt, all constructed and arranged
substantially as specified.
"
Tenth The combination in a permutation lock of the usual rotating tumblers,
electro magnets arranged concentrically with the axis thereof, a revolving armature
gears Q. O. and M crank N¹ bar S and crank-pin extension with angle-bar T
fence" wires A* A³ B³ D' C³ a battery cup and a rotating dial and switch,
substantially as described.
Eleventh-In an electro magnetic permutation lock the rotating dial X', suitably
numbered or lettered and provided with hand Y in combination with a series of
segmental blocks forming the electrical termini of a number of electro magnets
within said lock, and a battery cup, substantially as described.
:-
Twelfth The combination with an electro magnetic permutation lock, of the
segmental blocks w¹, the metallic hand Y, revolving dial plate X¹ and a battery
substantially as described.