AN IMPROVED LOCK
Year: 1839

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
COCHRANE, of Arundel Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Third day of July, One thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Alexander Cochrane, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial licence,
full power, sole privilege, and authority, that I, the said Alexander Cochrane,
my exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alexander
Cochrane, my exors, admors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and
no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
of years therein mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed,
and also in all Her said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my
Invention of "AN IMPROVED LOCK;" in which said Letters Patent is contained
a proviso that I, the said Alexander Cochrane, shall, by an instrument in
writing under my hand and seal, particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of my said Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be
performed, and cause the same to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High
Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after
the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same,
reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.

page_text: That in pursuance with the said proviso, I declare that the nature of my
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully
shewn and ascertained by the following description thereof, reference being
had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, that is to say:-
The Drawing number 1, Figures 1 to 10 inclusive, represent the manner of
constructing a lock of my improved description when made of an oblong form.
Figure 1 is a front view or elevation of the lock; Figure 2 is a back view,
with the back plate removed, and showing part of the interior of the lock;
Figure 3 is the back sliding plate, shown separately. This plate slides in a
groove, so that it may be readily taken out when it is desired to change the
suit or disposition of the interior parts, as herein-after explained; Figure 4A is
a separate front view of one of a series of sliding wards, which, when combined
together in any determined rotation, from the bolt of the lock. The side ward
here shewn is that nearest to the back of the lock. The other or inner side of
this slide ward is shewn in Figure 2; Figure 5 B is a front view of the second
sliding ward counting from the back of the lock; Figure 6 C is the front of
the third sliding ward, that is, the sliding ward next the front of the lock.
Each of these slide wards is provided with a number of holes or perforations,
which may either be square, as shewn in the Drawings, or round, or tapped
with a female screw or not, and each plate is provided with a pin or stud,
which may either be square, round, or be tapped with a screw or not, as the
case may be, with the holes or perforations in the slide wards, and into which
holes or perforations the said pins or studs are to fit sufficiently tight to be
removeable by the hand without difficulty. The form of these slide wards is
clearly shown in the Figures, a long slot or opening passing down the middle,
and the parts E, E, being those which take into the hasp, and it is only when
the three openings between these parts are coincident that the hasp D will be
allowed to enter or be released when any one, two, or the whole three of
them are drawn backwards or forwards; the parts E will pass into the hasp,
and forming the complete bolt as aforesaid, catch and hold the said hoop;
F, F, square pins holding the three slide wards in their proper lateral position.
The slide wards A, B, and C, are shewn in different relative positions in
Figures 9 and 10. Figure 7 is a thin plate or strip of metal placed before the
holes or perforations in each of the sliding wards A, B, C. This plate is held
by the studs or pins before mentioned to the said slide ward, and covers the
holes therein; Figure 8 is a separate view of one of the studs or pins before
mentioned; Figure 9 is a separate view of the three slide wards combined,
and forming the bolt of the lock, and placed in such relative positions that
supposing them to pass through the hasp the lock would be closed. This bolt,

page_text: formed by the slide wards, when placed in its proper situation in the lock case,
is wholly concealed, but the studs or pins, Figure 8, and the strips or plates of
metal, Figure 7, attached thereto, only are seen through the oblong opening
in the face plate of the lock, as exhibited in Figure 1. The oblong opening in
the face plate is separated into three longitudinal divisions corresponding with
the parts of the three perforated slide wards by the two slips of metal A, A.
The strips of metal are divided into the same number of divisions as there are
holes in the slide wards, by nicks or notches cut in the said strips, and corre-
sponding with the positions of the Figures shewn below or above the said
opening on the top and bottom edge of the frame thereof. Figure Z³, Z²,
and Z shew the sectional shape of each of the said slide wards, and also each
with its stud or pin, and plate or strip of metal covering its holes. The action
of the lock is as follows:-I put the pin or stud of each sliding ward in its
hole opposite the Figures 1 on the top and bottom edges of the opening
in the face of the lock, supposing the said slide wards to be in such a
position that the hasp can be removed or released. Then by pushing by
means of the studs the slide wards out of this relative position, the
slides will pass through the hasp or link, and the same will be thereby
fastened or secured. To unfasten the same or release the hasp or link,
the three slide wards must be brought to their first relative positions, that
is to say, opposite the Figures II., when the hasp will be free. It is evident
that only the person cognizant of this position can open the lock or release
the hasp, and an immense variety of relative positions can be made use of
by means of the combination of the three slides and the 10 Figures. For
another instance: supposing the slides to be in the position in which the lock
shall open, the studs may be taken out and removed respectively to opposite
the Figures 2, 3, 4, (or any other Figures.) Upon destroying this relative
position, the hasp is held or fastened; upon reforming it, the hasp may be
released.
Another modification of my improved lock is shewn in the Sheet of Draw-
ings Number II., in which concentric circular wards are used instead of
oblong-shaped ones, as in the lock first described. Figure 1 is a front view
of the lock, with the face plate removed; Figure 2 is a transverse section of
the lock; Figure 3, a view of the face plate. In Figures 1 and 2 each
circular ward a, b, c, is represented by a different colour; each of these cir-
cular wards has on its front surface a series of holes to receive pieces or
studs d, d, d, which correspond in position with the letters marked on the
divided arc at the bottom of the segmental opening or slot in the face plate.
Each circular ward has a circular slot passing nearly all the way round, except

page_text: a sufficient piece to connect it with the centre part, and each of the parts e, e,
corresponding in their action, as regards the hasp f, with the parts of the
ward plates E, E, as described in the firstly-described modification. The
action of this lock is similar in principle to that also described of the said
firstly-described modification, taking into account the difference in shape of
the parts.
A third modification of my improved lock, with the face plate removed, is
shewn separately at Figure 2, having the rosettes herein-after described
inserted in their proper places therein. Figure 3 is a back view of the lock;
Figure 4 is a side elevation of the rosettes, with their respective discs con-
nected to them, with the flat rings removed, the front disc having a flange on
the edge thereof; Figure 5 is a front elevation of the rosettes, and Figure 6
is a longitudinal section, shewing the construction and connection of the
discs; Figure 7 is an edge view of the discs, which are provided with teeth
for the studs on the ends of the springs to work therein; Figures 8, 9, and 10
are the flat rings which fit upon the dises, separately shewn. In all these
Figures similar letters refer to similar parts. A is the keyhole; B, the bolt;
C, the pin projecting from the back plate upon which the discs D, D, D, are
placed. The situation of the discs and rosettes are shewn by the dotted lines
in Figure 1. E, E, E, are the rosettes; F, F, F, are the flat rings
which are placed upon the discs D, D, D, which discs have each one
small stud or tooth of steel on the outer periphery, which fit into a
corresponding deep notch in the inner periphery of the flat rings E, E, E;
G is a spring attached to the under side of the bolt, the return end of
which takes into the notches on the peripheries of the flat rings F; H is
another spring divided into three divisions, each division being provided
with a stud, which presses on the periphery of its flat ring, and as the
flat ring is turned, falling into the notches therein; I is the piu going into
the pipe of the key; K is a lever, turning on a pivot and held down by a
spring L. The oblong plate M holds down the bolts, and is screwed to the
back plate, as represented. N is the spring pressing the bolt forward; O is a
sliding catch to hold on the three flat rings, and to allow them to be removed
on its being raised in the slot, by means of the rosette P on the back plate of
the lock; Q is a rosette, attached by a pin working through the segmental
slot in the back of the lock, Figure 3; R, R, the hasps or links. The action
of the lock is as follows:-
To set the lock.-The portions of the lock represented in the Figures
4, 8, 9, and 10, connected together, are removed from the body of the lock by
raising the sliding catch O from off the edge of the rings, by means of the

page_text: rosette Q on the back of the lock. I then place the studs a¹, a¹, a¹, which are
on the rosettes E, E, E, on a line with the studs 61, 6, 61, on the discs D, D, D;
I then take one of the flat rings F, F, F, (which are figured or lettered against
each of the notches,) and place it on the disc, one of the notches going over
the stud ; and the letter which is against that notch corresponds with the
same letter on the circle S on the face plate, shewn in Figure 2, with letters
or figures marked thereon. Supposing I wish to make the lock to open at the
combination of the letters d, e, w, I take one of the flat rings and place the d
notch on the stud of the disc nearest to the largest rosette; then I take
another flat ring and place the e notch on the stud of the second disc on the
second rosette; the w notch of the third flat ring I place on the stud of the
disc of the third rosette. It is to be observed, that as the letters are placed
on the flat rings in the Drawings, the sides having the letters should be placed
opposite the rosettes E, E, E, in putting the said rings on the discs. The
lettered flat rings being thus placed on the discs of the rosettes, the combined
parts, consisting of Figures 4, 8, 9, and 10, are placed in their proper position
in the body of the lock on the pin C. The sliding catch O is pressed down
until it comes between the flange T and the largest rosette, whereby the
moveable parts are secured in their places. The catch spring G now rests on
the peripheries of the flat rings.
To open the lock without a key.-The stud on the rosette nearest to
the face plate is placed opposite d, when one of the portions of the divided
spring pressing into one of the notches on the periphery of the first flat ring,
retains it in this position. The stud of the second rosette is next placed opposite
e, the second division of the spring H pressing into one of the notches on the
periphery of the second flat ring, and retaining it in its place. The stud on the
smallest rosette is lastly placed opposite w, the third division of the spring
H retaining the third flat ring by falling into a notch in the outer rim. Each
of the flat rings has one deep notch, and these deep notches are now coinci-
dent, so that the return end of the spring G falls into them. All the notches
on the outer rims of the rings (except one on each) are so made that the
return end of the spring G will slip over them, and hold fast only in the
deep notches. The rosettes are now to be turned in the direction of a to c,
whereby the bolt B will be withdrawn from the hasps or links R, R. This
lock may be opened without the use of index letters, by the aid of the divided
spring H passing over the rims of the flat rings. The studs of the rosettes E
are to be brought to a point, say that point marked with an asterisk, which
may be a projection, and thus may be felt in the dark. This point shall be
mentally called a.
In turning the stud of the rosette from left to right, one

page_text: division of the spring H will be heard or felt to fall into the small notches, and
each notch is to be presumed to be a letter of the alphabet, until the fourth
notch is reached, which will correspond with d; the same is done with the
second rosette, until the fifth notch or e is arrived at, and the like with the
smallest rosette, until the eighteenth notch or w is reached. The spring G will
then fall into the deep notches, which now coincide, and the bolt may be
withdrawn from the links or basps, as described of the lettered modification.
A fourth modification of my lock is shewn in Drawing number IV.
Figure 1 is a similar combination of rings and discs as described in Drawing
number III., and is used to prevent the bolt of the lock A from being with-
drawn by a key, until the three deep notches in the rings coincide and allow
of the entrance of the projection B at the back of the bolt. Figure 2 is a
plan in which a series of sliding wards (similar to those described in the first
modification of my improved lock, with small notches, similar to those in the
rings. These sliding wards are moved and placed in the same manner as is
adopted in the sliding wards above mentioned, and until the studs or letters
are brought to their proper letters or figures, a spring catch, as in the third
modification, or a bolt, as in Figure 1, cannot be drawn back.
And having now fully described my said Invention, I declare that I do not
confine myself to three or any other number of slides, or rings, or discs, but
that any convenient number may be used. I declare further that I do not
claim any of the parts of which my improved locks is composed, as in them-
selves separately new or otherwise than as they are therein newly arranged,
combined, and applied; but that what I claim as new and of my Invention is,
the improved lock in its entirety herein-before described, and the three several
modifications thereof, also herein-before described; and such my said Invention
being to the best of my knowledge and belief entirely new, and never before
used within that part of Her said Majesty's United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland called England, Her Dominion of Wales, Town of Berwick-
upon-Tweed, and also in all Her said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations
abroad, I do hereby declare this to be my Specification of the same; and that I
do verily believe this my said Specification doth comply in all respects fully
and without reserve or disguise with the proviso in the said herein-before
in part recited Letters Patent contained. Wherefore I do hereby claim to
maintain exclusive right and privilege to my said Invention.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Third
day of January. One thousand eight hundred and forty.
:
ALEXANDER (L.s.) COCHRANE.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Third day of January, in the
year of our Lord 1840, the aforesaid Alexander Cochrane came before our said
Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification afore-
said, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form above
written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the
tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
JO
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