Improvements in Locks for Baskets, Postal Bags, and other Articles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 21st May, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 10th Feb., 1897-Accepted, 27th Mar., 1897
TRUVIDIONAL DE MOLTIVATION.
Improvements in Locks for Baskets, Postal Bags, and other
Articles.
We ALBERT STEPHENSON of George Street, Altofts near Normanton in the
County of York Mechanic, and WILLIAM BUTTERFIELD of Drury Lane Altofts
aforesaid, Locomotive Engine Driver, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
Our present invention relates to a combined pad-lock and seal and is arranged to
be especially applicable to pigeon baskets, hampers, packages or similar receptacles
which permit of a rod in the fastening of the covers or lids of the same. It may
also be applied to postal bags and wrappers or other coverings as desired.
The object is to so combine the pad-lock and seal that should the seal be broken
or withdrawn at any time by any but the authorised person it would be easily
detected as it is impossible to place the seal back in its original position excepting
by the use of an especial key.
To attain said object therefore we employ a pad-lock consisting preferably of a
cylindrical casing having one end formed with an eye in order to be hinged to the
basket's or other receptacle's strap and within said cylindrical casing we fit an
especially arranged lock-bolt or core which has a gap or gaps upon one side of it
whereby it may be moved by the action of the turning of a key.
Upon the side of the cylindrical casing ajoining the gap in the core aforesaid
we arrange a key-hole in the form of an ordinary lock case and containing any
suitable number of wards or other means for preventing any key except that made
for the purpose working within the same.
Near or about the centre of the core or lock-bolt and at right angles to the axis
of the same we form a hole preferably circular in form and having a tapered
portion near one side. A corresponding hole is also formed through the sides of
the cylindrical casing the hole through one side being covered by a suitable cap.
Within the holes aforesaid which only come opposite each other when the lock
is in closed or scaled position we place a seal preferably in the form of a metal
rod which has a chain connection to the usual fastening rod of the basket or other
receptacle which latter rod holds the cover in position by extending over the
hinged plate and passing through two or more staples secured to the side of
receptacle.
One end of the core or lock-bolt is made with a groove within which is arranged
a guide or pin fixed to the outer casing to prevent the core moving round.
A spiral or other suitable spring is fitted within the cylindrical casing one end
of which bears against the core or lock-bolt by which means as soon as the seal is
withdrawn or broken the core or lock-bolt is caused to move so as to immediately
close up the hole where the seal had been placed and it is thereby impossible
without the use of the especial key aforesaid for anyone to replace the seal, so
that should at any time the basket be opened by any but the authorised person
detection is at once obvious.
Where desired a gap or undercut may be formed in the seal or rod to fit on a
corresponding annular projection within the hole in the lock-bolt in order to lock
the seal in position in which case the lower part of the core would be separate
from the remainder of same.

page_text: Where desired the key hole may be at the spring end of the cylindrical casing
in which case wards may be made in the end of the core and it will be in this
arrangement necessary to pull by the aid of the key the core into locked position
as will be well understood.
Dated this 90th day of M-1900
H. F. BOUGHTON,
Barnsley, Patent Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Locks for Baskets, Postal Bags, and other
Articles.
We, ALBERT STEPHENSON, of George Street, Altofts near Normanton in the
County of York, Mechanic, and WILLIAM BUTTERFIELD, of Drury Lane,
Altofts aforesaid, Locomotive Engine Driver 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:-
Our present invention relates to a combined pad-lock, and seal, and is more
especially arranged to be applicable to pigeon-baskets, but may be employed where
desired for similarly sealing hampers, packages and other receptacles which
permit of a rod in the fastening of the covers or lids of the same in a well
known way.
Our invention may also be applied where desired to postal bags, wrappers or
other coverings.
The object is to so combine a pad-lock and seal that should the seal be broken
or withdrawn at any time by any but the authorised person it would be easily
detected, as it is impossible to place the seal back in its original position excepting.
by the use of an especial key.
To attain said object therefore we arrange a combined pad-lock and seal
substantially as described with reference to the accompanying sheet of drawings in
which
Fig. 1. is an isometric perspective view of one form of our improved pad-lock
and seal applied or fitted to a pigeon basket.
Fig. 2. is a front elevation and Fig. 3 a side view of a similar pad-lock and seal
showing a modified means of fixing it to a basket.
Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of our improved pad-lock with the seal removed
and the hole for the reception of the same closed and Fig. 5. is a similar elevation.
but with the seal in position and
Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on line a a of Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is an elevation of a key I employ for the pressing down of the lock-bolt
or core in order to insert the seal.
Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation of a modification of our improved-padlock with.
lock in position subsequent to removal of seal and showing position of seal when
in use by broken lines.
Fig. 9 is an inverted plan of Fig. 8. and Fig. 10 is a front view of same.
Similar letters of reference denote corresponding parts in each view.
We employ a casing A which may be either square as shown at Figs. 1 to 6, or
round as shown at Figs. 8 to 10, or any other desired shape in cross sectional plan
as will be well understood.
The top end of casing A may have an eye a¹ in order to be hinged to the basket
or other receptacle by the strap B in which arrangement a bracket O is secured to
the side of basket and has a hole for the reception of the seal and gaps for the

page_text: reception of the casing as shown at Fig. 1; or the casing A may have extended
parts or lugs a' which are fastened to the basket by a plate a³ and screws a* as
shown at Figs. 2 and 3. in which arrangement the hinged plate B is dispensed
with.
Within the casing A we fit an especially arranged lock-bolt or core C which has
a gap c formed on one side of it (see Figs. 4 and 5) whereby it may be moved by
the action of the turning of a key J.
Upon the side of the casing A adjoining the said gap c' we arrange a key-hole d
which is surrounded by the form of an ordinary lock-case a forming part of the
casing A and said case a³ contains any suitable number of wards a' or other known
means for preventing any key excepting that made for the purpose working within
the same.
Near or about the middle of the lock-bolt or core C and at right angles to the
axis of the same we form either a square or other shaped hole or recessed or reduced
part or ledge c² to correspond with the size and shape or the lower side of the
hereinafter described seal; and immediately opposite said hole or ledge c² when
the core C is in sealed position-we form corresponding holes a and a within the
casing A the hole a' being extended at right angles and covered by the extended
part as of casing A.
Within these holes c2 a and as which only come in line when lock is in sealed
position we place a seal D-see Fig. 5- which is in the form of a metal rod having
a slight locking gap d¹ or similar means for preventing it being removed in a lateral
direction from the casing unless pressed downward or in other direction as
arranged.
The said seal has a chain connection d2 which is coupled to the usual fastening
rod E of the basket H the rod E having bent parts e' at each ring or staple e to
prevent it moving laterally on the basket and securing lid of basket in closed
position.
The lower end of the core C has preferably a pin or projection surrounding
which is a suitable flat square or round spiral or other spring K the lower end of
which bears against the bottom of casing A and constantly presses the core C
upwards, which latter travels to position shown at Fig. 4. immediately the seal Dis
removed and so seals or closes up the holes at and a and the seal D can only be
again inserted subsequent to the turning of the especial key J within the part a³ of
casing so pressing the core C down in order to bring the hole or ledge into line
with the holes a and a.
It will be obvious therefore that as soon as the seal D is withdrawn the core
or lock-bolt C is caused to move so as to immediately close up the hole where the
seal had been placed and it is thereby impossible without the aid of the especial
key aforesaid to replace the seal, so that should at any time the basket be opened
by any but the authorised person detection is at once obvious.
Where preferred the spring K may be arranged at the top of core C and the
core C inverted as will be well understood.
Referring to Figs. 8, 9, and 10 the key-hole d' is situated at the end of casing A
and the key J passes between the spring K.
A corresponding key-hole and gap c is formed at lower end of core C so that the
key J after being inserted and turned. may be pulled downwards bringing with it
the core until the holes a' c2 and a come in line for the reception of the seal D.
In this arrangement the core and casing are shown circular a gap c and pin c
being employed to prevent the core turning round, but it will be obvious that
where preferred the casing and core may be square or other shape desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is:
1. The combination of a casing having arrangement for the reception of a key
and a hole or holes for the reception of a seal, with a core or lock-bolt having

page_text: a corresponding hole recess or ledge for reception of said seal and operated by
a spring and key substantially as described and for the attainment of the object
specified.
2. The combination with said casing core and spring of a seal, or seal chain
and fastening rod substantially as described and used for the purpose described.
Dated this 1st day of February 1807
H. F. BOUGHTON,
Barnsley, Registered Agent.