Improvements in Locks for Trunks, Doors, Railway Switches and other Articles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Apr., 1899-Accepted, 26th Aug., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Locks for Trunks, Doors, Railway Switches
and other Articles.
I, FRANCIS GALLANT, of Tignish, County of Prince, Province of Prince Edward
Island, Dominion of Canada, Postmaster, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained, in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to improvements in locks.
The object of my invention is to provide a device of this character which in
its ordinary position is unlocked, is locked by means independent of a key, and
which can then only be unlocked by the use of a key. A further object is to
provide a construction which is neat and attractive in appearance, durable in
construction, simple and efficient in operation and which can be made at small
cost.
To these and other ends my invention consists in the improved construction
and combination of parts hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out
in the appended claims.
In the drawings in which similar numerals of reference indicate similar parts
in all of the Figures.
Figure 1 is a front elevation showing my improved lock in position.
Figure 2 is an enlarged view with the front plate removed showing the
operating parts.
"
Locks, as at present constructed are arranged in several classes, namely:-
those which are normally unlocked, but which require a key to lock and unlock
them; those in which the parts are in locked position when closed, which are
unlocked by a key, this class of lock being known as the "snap" or spring"
lock, while a third comprises the class known as "bolts," in which the lock is
moved entirely by means secured to the locking bolt. The present invention
differs from these, in that the lock, although closed, is not locked, the locking
being done by the movement of a lever which becomes and can only be released
by the insertion of a key. This makes the lock especially useful for trunks,
satchels, etc., mail bags, car doors, sliding doors, railway switches, etc., and
the mechanism can be placed in locks of any suitable configuration and use.
To explain the general construction of my improved lock, I refer to the accom-
panying drawings.
1 designates the back plate, having forwardly extending flanges 2, 3 designating
the top plate, the space within these parts forming the receptacle for the
mechanism hereinafter described. The afore mentioned parts may be made in
any suitable size and shape or they may be portions of other locks.
4 designates the locking bolt which is slidably mounted at the lower end of
said receptacle, said bolt being formed substantially as shown in Figure 2,
having its rear end provided with an angular face 5, the front end being adapted
to be moved through an opening 6 formed in the flange 2, as shown. The bolt
is held normally in its enclosed or inoperative position, by means of a spring 7.

page_text: 8 designates the locking lever, having a configuration substantially as shown
in Figure 2, the lower end being inclined as at 9, to co-operate with the angular
face, 5. The lever is also provided with stops 10, between which and the inclined
face 9 is formed a curved recess 11, for a purpose hereinafter set forth. The
opposite end of the lever is provided with a notch 12 and lug 13, the latter
being adapted to normally pass within a recess 14 formed in the flange 2 at
the top said lug forming a stop to limit the upward movement of the lever. The
upper end of the lever is adapted to pass through an opening 15 formed in the
flange 2, as shown. The lever 8 is held normally in its upper or inoperative
position by means of a spring 16 secured to the casing and extending into the
notch 12.
17 designates the locking catch which is slidably mounted between the
studs 18 formed on the back plate 1, said catch having mounted on one end a
spring 19, as shown, the opposite end of the spring being connected to the casing,
the front end of the catch being rounded as shown to allow of its ready passage
over the face of the curved recess 11, within which the catch normally rests.
The catch is provided with a suitable key engaging portion 20, against which
the key operates to open the catch, the key being centred over the stud 21, formed
on the back-plate 1. Any suitable tumbler arrangement may be used instead
of the portion 20, in order that the picking of the lock may be prevented.
22 designates the key hole formed in the top plate 3.
The operation of the lock is as follows:
The parts being in the position shown in full lines in Figure 2, which is the
normal or unlocked position, the lever 8 is pushed downwardly, causing the face 9
to ride against the face and force the bolt 4 outwardly through the opening 6,
into the keeper 23. This downward movement of the lever 8 is continued until
the stop 10 has passed below the plane of the catch 17, whereupon the spring 19
will force the catch into position above the stop 10, locking the lever 8 against
return, the parts being then in the position shown by dotted lines in Figure 2.
This position of the lever S prevents the bolt from being forced back, it being
impossible to apply sufficient pressure against the outer end of the bolt to force
the lever 8 upward. This movement of the lever 8 also brings the upper end
flush with the casing of the lock and prevents any tampering with the lock in
the attempt to force the lever into its unlocked position.
To unlock the parts, it is necessary only that the key be inserted and operated
to push the portion 20 backward, carrying the catch out of engagement with the
stop 10 and allowing the springs 16 and 7 to force the lever 8 and bolt 4 into
their normal positions.
By reason of the placing of the lever 8 and bolt 4, along the flanges, 2 it will
be apparent that the lock may be made exceedingly narrow, although not so
shown in the drawings, in which a greater width was made in order that a
clearer conception of the construction and operation may be given.
The advantage of this construction are many, including the fact that the
parts are normally in an unlocked position, even though in position for locking,
and can only be locked by forcing the lever into its enclosed
position, locking the bolt by positive action and not depending
on a spring to accomplish the locking, and as it requires no key to lock it, it is
especially useful in the closing of mail bags, trunks, switches, etc., where the
time required to unlock the lock prior to its passing to a position ready for
locking, is an important matter.
While I have herein shown a preferred form of carrying my invention into
effect, yet I do not desire to limit myself to such preferred details of construction,
but claim the right to use any and all modifications thereof which will serve to
carry into effect the objects to be attained by this invention in so far as such
modifications and changes may fall within the spirit and scope of
invention.
my said

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is: -
1. A lock, comprising a locking bolt normally held in unlocked position, means
independent of a key for moving said bolt to its locked position; and a key for
releasing said locking means, whereby said bolt will be returned to its unlocked
position, substantially as described.
2. A lock, comprising, a locking bolt normally held in unlocked position;
and means, independent of a key, for moving said bolt to its locking position,
said means being released only by the insertion of a key, substantially as
described.
3. A lock, comprising a locking bolt, normally held in unlocked position; a
locking lever, mounted to move said locking bolt, said lever being normally in
inoperative position and movable into operative position solely by the application
of pressure from without, means for locking said lever in its operative position;
and a key for releasing said locking means, substantially as described.
Dated this 18th day of April 1899
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.