Year: 1897

page_text: I, WALTER FREER, of City Hall, 29, Albion Street, in the County of the City
of Glasgow, North Britain, Curator, Glasgow Corporation Public Halls, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved means of locking or closing and unlocking
or opening of doors, so that while being able to be opened from the inside, in the
case of emergency, by pressure being applied thereto, it cannot be opened from the
outside unless by a key provided for the purpose.
In carrying out my invention, I provide a plate which is fixed towards the middle
or centre of the door. On this plate there is a double rack, each end of which is
connected to a bar or tube running lengthwise with the door, and at the extreme
end of each bar there is a slip bolt which, when the door is closed, engages with
the upper sash of the door and the floor. These racks work in a pinion in connec-
tion with a lock. Carried on these bars or tubes there is a spiral or other spring,
the object of which shall be hereafter described. The whole is enclosed within a
suitable casing.
When the door is closed the slip bolts slip into their recesses and from their con-
struction, the door becomes locked' from the outside, and it cannot be opened
unless by the key provided for the purpose. In the case however of an alarm of
fire, or any other emergency, and a rush is made for the door, the pressure on the
door lifts the bolts out of their nests and so the door opens out. The spring, which
by this action has been compressed, is then released and the bolt shoots out again
so that the door cannot possibly close from the outside again until the key is
applied.
From my improvements it will be obvious that not only would many catastrophes
be averted, but in the case of large public halls, theatres, and the like, where it
is necessary to have an attendant at each exit door in the case of any emergency,
there would be a great saving of expense as it would not be necessary to have so
many attendants, as the doors although closed would at all times be in a position
to be opened from the inside with the slightest push.
*Dated this 25th day of June 1897

page_text: declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following state-
ment:
i
My-invention relates to an improved means of locking or closing and unlocking
or opening of doors, so that while being able to be opened from the inside, in the
case of emergency, by pressure being applied thereto, they cannot be opened from
the outside unless by a key provided for the purpose.
In order that my invention may be properly understood and readily carried into
effect, I have hereunto appended one sheet of drawings of which,
Figure 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section shewing my
improvements.
"
Figure 2 is a similar view of a modification.
Figure 3 is an end view of Figure 2.
1. '
Figure 4 is an enlarged detached front view shewing the spring and slip bolt.
Figure 5 is an end view shewing more clearly the construction of the bolt.
Figure 6 is an enlarged detached view shewing the rack and pinion arrangement.
Figure 7 is a view shewing my improvements applied to an ordinary bolt.
In carrying out my invention I provide a plate A which consists of a front and
rear member, fixed towards the middle or centre of the door B. Slidably; between
the front and rear member of this plate A there is a rack C, and rack C, each end
of which is connected to or may form part of a bar or tube 1), D', running length-
wise with the door B, and at the extreme end of each bar D, DI, there is a slip
bolt E, E, which, when the door B is closed, engages with nests or recesses J, Ji,
in the upper sash. of the door B and the floor G. Carried on these bolts I may
have little rollers L to prevent any friction. These racks C, C, work in a pinion H
in connection with a lock. Carried on these bars or tubes D, D', there is a spiral
or other spring I, I', the object of which shall be hereafter described. The springs
are enclosed within a suitable casing fixed to the framework of the door.
When the door is closed the slip-bolts E, E', slip into their respective
recesses J, J, and from their construction, the curved portion being inclined to
the outside as shown more particularly in Figures 3 and 5, the door B becomes
locked from the outside, and it cannot be opened unless by the key provided for
the purpose. In the case however of an alarm of fire, or any other emergency,
and a rush is made for the door, the pressure on the door lifts the bolts E, E,
out of their nests J, J, and so the door opens out. The springs I, I, which by
this action have been compressed by the bolts E and E, being forced together by
the pressure of the door-frame-acting upon their roller ends L remain so until tho
door is closed again when the bolts E, E. being opposite their respective
recesses J and J, are by the reaction of the springs I & I, shot out again and enter
into their said respective nests or recesses J, J, so that the door cannot possibly
open from the outside again until the key is applied.
As a modification, in place of the racks and pinions as described, I might have
each end of the bars D, D', connected to a little cross-bar K pivoted at so that
as pressure was put on the door the bolts would slip out of their recesses thereby
lowering the bar D and raising the bar D¹, and the crossbar K turning on its pivot; 4
the door is forced open. The locking is similar to that already described but I
may provide an additional means of locking which consists of a projecting pin M
connected to the rod D, and which rests in one of the slots of a double bayonet
jointed piece N according to whether the door is locked or unlocked, the projecting
pin being operated by hand.
Of course it is to be understood that there are many other ways of locking and
unlocking the door other than those described and shown without deviating from
the principle of my invention.
In applying my improvements to ordinary bolts; I'employ a spiral spring I
which encircles the shank or bolt extension. Le said spring being retained between 5
projections and. The said spiral spring always excrts sufficient pressure to
.

page_text: cause it to be self locking after the manner of the bolts already described! The
bolt may be locked and so resist pressure to open the door from the inside. This
position is illustrated in Figure 7. Or it may be rendered inoperative by being
placed in position indicated.in dotted lines in said Figure 7.
From my improvements it will be obvious that not only would many catastrophes
be averted, but in the case of large public halls, theatres, and the like, where it
is necessary to have an attendant at each exit door in the case of any emergency,
there would be a great saving of expense as it would not be necessary to have so
many attendants, as the doors, although closed, would at all times be in a position
to be opened from the inside with the slightest push.
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. The general arrangement, combination, and operation of the parts for locking
or closing and unlocking or opening doors, so that while being able to be opened
from the inside by pressure being applied thereto, they cannot be opened from
the outside unless by a key provided for the purpose, substantially as and for the
purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated on the accompanying sheet of
drawings.
2. The improvements in bolts, substantially as described and illustrated on the
accompanying sheet of drawings.
Dated this 25th day of March 1898
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Patent Agents.