Improvements in and connected with Keys and Locks.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Oct., 1889-Accepted, 11th Jan., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Keys and Locks.
I, CLARENCE M. STINER, of the Times Buildings in city, County and State of
New York, United States of America, Clerk, 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 :-
This Invention relates to locks and it has for its object to ensure the performance
of an act such as the turning off of water in a building at night. This object is
secured by making the conditions such that it is impossible to perform another act,
such as the locking of the front door of the same building, until, for example, the
water has been turned off.
The devices used according to these Improvements and for the purposes of this
Invention consist of a key fitting two different locks. One of the locks is arranged
so that when not in use as a seal it may be carried about or removed from its normal
condition and its construction is such that it cannot be thus removed without first
inserting the key and turning it. This act locks the key within the lock so that
when the lock is removed the key cannot be used in another lock until it has been
released. To release the key necessitates the replacement of the lock and the throwing
of the bolt. This having been accomplished the key may be removed from the lock
and be used on the second lock.
My Invention is illustrated in two of its forms in the accompanying drawings, in
which Figures 1 to 5 inclusive refer to one form, and Figs. 6 to 13 inclusive refer
to another form.
Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of a valve or cock shewn "cut-off" and
locked, the key being removed;
Fig. 2 is a plan of the lock and its case with the retaining plate removed, the
keeper, the key and a part of the frame being in section.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the lock, case and keeper.
Fig. 4 is an elevation of the lock removed from the casing the key being retained
by the same.
Fig. 5 is a plan of the lock, the key being shewn in section.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the lock holder with the lock and key inserted
therein.
Fig. 7 is a similar view of the lock.
Fig. 8 is a similar view of the inner walls of the lock.
Fig. 9 is a vertical section of the lock taken on planer, a of Fig. 12.
Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the lock with one side wall removed.
Fig. 11 is a vertical section taken on line y, y of Fig. 12.
Fig. 12 is a plan of the lock and holder, and
Fig. 13 is a view of the key.
The devices which are to be described herein are simply two forms, out of many,
which may be used in carrying out my Invention, I therefore do not confine myself
to these particular forms, nor to the particular manner of handling them.
The central idea is to force the performance of an act or duty by rendering the
performance of another act or duty dependent upon the performance of the
first act.
I will now proceed to describe one method of carrying out this idea.
Referring to the drawings, A represents a cock, valve or switch controlling
the admission or supply of water, gas, electricity or the like for consumption or
utilization in a building. B represents a lock casing or shell, and C a lock fitting
into the saine.
D is a key which is made to fit lock C and also some other lock
located in any desired place and acting as a seal for any passage, path, enclosure, or

page_text: cover. In this instance, we will regard the other lock as being attached to the
front door or main entrance of the building in which the valve A or switch A is
located.
The lock C consists of a cylindrical shell c, having an opening co in its side. Two
horizontal diaphragms c' and 2 are fitted into the shell c¹ being stationary and
rigidly secured in place while e³ is adapted to rotate on its seat. c² is provided
with an opening in one side corresponding to opening e, the purpose of which
will be hereinafter described. This diaphragm is also cut in the manner shewn at c¹
so as to form a bolt which will be thrown across the opening c³ when the diaphragm
is rotated. The key socket is in the centre. The toe of the key shaft fits into an
opening in the diaphragm and the wing d lies between two lugs c, c, attached to
the diaphragm. When the key is turned it is obvious that the bolt will be thrown
across the opening. I have, however, provided means for preventing the turning
of the key unless certain conditions exist. The rotating diaphragm has attached to it
a spring hook e, which is adapted to spring into engagement with a lug or pin el
fixed to the shell. When these two devices are engaged it is obvious that the bolt
cannot be thrown. The head of the spring hook extends up close to the opening e
and the shell is provided with an opening or slit e adjacent to the head of the
spring. The stationary diaphragm c is provided with a key hole e, through which
the key is passed to reach the cocket in diaphragm . It is obvious that the key
can be removed from the lock only when the wing is in the same plave with the
key hole, and this condition exists only when the bolt is thrown across the
opening c³.
In carrying out the Invention I provide the shell socket or casing B, which is
permanently mounted adjacent to the cock valve or switch to be operated upon.
This shell has an opening which coincides with the opening in the lock casing
when the latter is properly inserted in the shell. It also has a slit or opening b²
which coincides with the slit e. Upon the operating handle of the cock, valve or
switch is securely fastened the keeper K consisting of two strong metallic loops. As
an attachment to the keeper, a blade or lug k is provided.
When the valve presents an open passage the handle occupies the position shewn
in dotted lines but when the passage is completely cut off, the handle must of
necessity occupy the position shewn in full lines; that is the keeper K must have
entered opening and blade k must have entered slit c. The keeper, however,
cannot enter the opening fully without the blade forcing the spring book e out of
engagement with lug el, thus putting the lock into condition to be turned.
Having described the construction of one form of the apparatus I will now proceed
to describe its operation.
Let us suppose that the porter, or clerk having charge of the keys and the closing
and opening of a business house uses the key in the morning to open the front door.
After doing this he proceeds to the valve to admit water, gas or electricity to the
building for use during the day. On finding the valve locked he inserts the front
door key into the lock C, throws the bolt and turns the valve handle into the position
shewn in dotted lines. This act allows spring hook e to engage with lug e¹ thus
locking the diaphragm and making it impossible to release the key. The whole
lock C, together with the key however, may be removed and hung up in the office
or in any other safe place.
When the building is to be closed for the night, it is found that the front door
cannot be locked until the key is freed from lock C, and the only way to accomplish
this is to place the lock into shell B, turn off the valve and throw the bolt. The key
may then be removed and used to lock the front door.
It will be obvious that other forms and types of locks than that hereinbefore
described and represented in the drawings may be employed. I may for example,
use a "Yale" lock and key or any other form of lock wherein it is impossible to
withdraw the key except it be turned to a certain point.
It is obvious also as before stated, that the Invention may be used in many
instances, among which may be mentioned in couples, a front and back floor or for

page_text: any two doors, such as a stable door and a house door, a safe or vault and main door
of a bank, and many other instances which it is not necessary to mention herein.
Apparatus based upon the same general idea may also be used to compel the
performance of a number or series of acts. In Figs. 6 to 13 I have shewn a
modification of my Invention for carrying out this idea. In these Figures
M represents the lock casing or shell, in this instance made of a different shape from
shell B. This casing may be placed adjacent to a cock or valve in the same manner
as illustrated in Fig. 1. The shell B is provided with an opening m corresponding
with the large opening in shell B, and with a small hole m¹ corresponding with the
slit c. The lock itself is made of a shape to fit within the shell and is provided with
a key shaft o the upper end of which is adapted to receive the key X. To this shaft
is pivoted three tumblers o¹, 02, 03, whilst the fourth tumbler o is tight on the key
shaft and is provided with a bolt or projection o, which when the said tumbler is
thrown extends across the opening o³. Each tumbler is provided with a spring bolt p
which when the tumblers are in the position or plane indicated in Fig. 12 extend
into and engage with cavities in the front wall of the lock, as shewn in Fig. 11.
The tumblers are therefore locked in that position. The front wall of the lock is
perforated as shewn in Fig. 7 so that by means of a key shewn in Fig. 13 the spring
bolts may be thrown back to release the tumblers. One of the side walls of the
lock is fitted with four springs 9, 9, 9, 9, as shewn in Figures 8 and 12 which bear
against the four tumblers and tend to swing them on their pivots. On the opposite
sides of the tumblers and connected therewith are placed a series of lugs r, r, r
and s, s, s.
The lugs are rather in the form of brackets. The lower one is secured
to the lower tumbler and extends upwards into the line of movement of the second
tumbler. The next lug is connected to the second tumbler and extends up into the
line of movement of the third tumbler and so on. The series of lugs 8, 8, s, are
arranged in exactly the same way as the lugs r, r, r, but the lugs r, r, r, as before
stated are slightly off-set or formed like brackets so that each of them may have a
slight limited motion with respect to the others. The springs 4, 7, 9, 9, bear against
the side of the tumblers carrying the lugs r, r, r.
As before stated the upper
tumbler is tight on the key shaft. When the key is inserted in the lock, and the
upper tumbler is turned thereby in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 12 all of the
tumblers will be carried with it until they are brought up against the springs q and
the spring bolts P, P, P, P, drop into the notches on the front wall of the casing.
This locks all of the tumblers and prevents them from moving back until they have
been released, and also locks the key in place. Owing to the position of the
in exact
lugs s, s, s, it will be observed that it is necessary to release the bolts
succession beginning with the lower one. When the lower bolt p is released the
spring 9 hearing upon the tumbler swings the tumbler a slight distance on its pivot
until the bolt is out of the notch. This slight movement of the tumbler is permitted
on account of the construction of the lugs r, r, r. The next tumbler may now be
released and moved in the same manner, and so on throughout the series of tumblers
it being necessary to release the lower one first and the others successively as before
observed.
In describing the operation of this apparatus let it be considered for example that
the operations to be enforced are the locking of three window shutters, turning off
the water and the locking of the front door. One of the keys shown in Fig. 13
must be attached to or connected in some manner with each of the shutters or window
frames. Then the lock with the key X held in it, is carried to one of the windows
and placed in the proper position to receive the key Fig. 13, in the lower perforation
of the lock when the shutter is closed. The act of closing the shutters therefore
releases the lower tumbler. The lock may then be removed and carried to the next
shutter and the same operation performed to release the second tumbler and so on
till all three of the shutters have been locked and the three tumblers released. The
lock is then carried to the lock holder m and inserted therein. The water is then
turned off and the cock handle carrying the keeper carried into the opening m. At
the same time a key shewn in Fig. 13 connected with the cock handle also penetrates

page_text: perforation m¹ in the front wall of the lock and releases the upper tumbler. All
four tumblers are now released and the key may be turned this throwing over
bolt of, locking the valve. Key X may now be removed and used to lock the
front door.
I have mentioned the shutters and valve simply as an instance but it is quite
obvious that the locking of any combination or number of doors, windows, gates,
safes, hatchways, handles, levers, etc., may be assured by simply fitting them with the
proper keys, lock holders, etc., in accordance with the principle hercin set forth.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
--
1. In combination with a lock holder, a lock which may be embraced by the said
holder but which is removable therefrom, a keeper and a key adapted to operate said
lock to lock the keeper, holder and lock together, for the purpose described.
2. A lock provided with a bolt and with a catch to prevent the movement of the
holt, in combination with a lock holder in which the lock is placed and a keeper
provided with an attachment for releasing the bolt, substantially as described.
3. A lock provided with a bolt and with a catch to prevent the movement of the
bolt, in combination with a lock holder embracing a lock, and provided with an
opening a keeper adapted to pass through or into said opening to become engaged
with the lock and an attachment upon said keeper for releasing the bolt, substantially
as described.
4. A lock in combination with a lock holder which embraces the lock, said opening
being provided with an opening and a keeper adapted to pass through or into said
opening to become engaged with the lock substantially as hereinbefore described.
5. The combination with a lock and key of a holder for the lock, a keeper engaging
with the lock bolt to hold the lock, holder and keeper together, and mechanism
operating on the withdrawal of the keeper when it is unlocked to prevent the removal
of the key from the lock, substantially as described.
6. A portable lock constructed to retain or hold the key while the bolt is withdrawn
in combination with the key a stationary lock holder and a keeper adapted to be
locked to the lock when the bolt is thrown by the turning of the key, substantially
as described.
7. A lock provided with a bolt and a latch for holding the bolt in its withdrawn
position in combination with a keeper provided with a releasing device for releasing
said bolt and allowing it to be turned when the keeper is brought into position to
be locked to the lock substantially as described.
8. The combination with a key of a lock or means to prevent the removal of the
key from the lock while the bolt is in the withdrawing position, a catch for holding
the bolt in its withdrawn position and a keeper provided with a device for releasing
the bolt when the keeper is brought into position to be locked to the lock, substantially
as hereinbefore described.
9. In a lock a plurality of tumblers in combination with two series of lugs the lugs
being connected with the tumblers in such a manner that one of the tumblers cannot
move without carrying all the others with it, substantially as hereinbefore described.
10. In a lock a plurality of tumblers, latches to prevent the movement of the
tumblers, devices or keys connected with a plurality of gates or bars for releasing
the respective latches for the purpose set forth substantially as described.
11. In a lock a key shaft in combination with a plurality of tumblers all but one
of which are loosely pivoted thereto, latches to prevent the movement of the tumblers,
lugs to ensure the movement of the loose tumblers, when the tight one is thrown
and keys or other devices connected with a plurality of gates or bars for releasing
successively and respectively the latches for the purpose described.
12. In a lock the combination with a series of pivoted tumblers and a corresponding
series of springs bearing against the same, of latches for locking said tumblers and

page_text: means connected with a plurality of gates or bars for releasing respectively and
successively the said latches substantially as described.
13. In a lock the combination with a series of pivoted tumblers, and a corre-
sponding series of springs bearing against the same, of latches for locking said
tumblers, lugs constructed and arranged to permit of a limited movement of the
tumblers under the action of the springs, and means connected with a plurality of
gates or bars for releasing respectively and successively the said latches substantially
as described.
Dated this 28th day of October A.D. 1889.
WILLIAM E. HEYS,
Agent for the Applicant.