IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS FOR DOORS, SAFES, AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS FOR DOORS, SAFES, AND OTHER
PURPOSES."A communication.
Sealed the 7th July 1857, and dated the 6th May 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
6th May 1857.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS FOR DOORS, SAFES, AND OTHER
PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
This Invention of improvements in locks for doors, safes, and other purposes,
has for its object to construct these articles in a simple and economical manner,
and at the same time produce a lock that cannot be easily tampered with. In.
the combination or permutation locks that have been heretofore made a series
of rotating tumblers are carried by the bolt in the direction of its line of
motion, so as to make the cogs on the said tumblers engage cogs on a series
of slides previously set by the key, but in such locks the engagement of the
tumblers with the key slides.can only take place at the end of the throw of
the bolt.

page_text: In the present Invention a series of rotating cogged tumblers are moved at
right angles to the line of motion of the bolt, by means of a slot in the bolt, or
any equivalent thereof, operating on the shaft or spindle of the tumblers,
whereby the cogs on the said tumblers can be made to engage the cogged
racks on the key slides previously set by the key before the stop pin on the
bolt leaves the slots in the tumbler, and will so remain engaged while the bolt
continues its movement to carry the said stop pin to some distance beyond the
periphery of the tumblers, so that in any attempt to pick the lock the said stop
pin shall not rest against the periphery of the tumblers to admit of feeling, as
it is termed, to bring the tumblers in succession to the required position to
allow the lock to be picked.
In combination with the method of operating the tumblers by the throw of
the bolt, and giving to the bolt the capacity to move after the tumblers have
been engaged with the key slides, to carry the stop pin some distance beyond
the periphery of the tumblers, a stop or holdfast is employed and operated
by the bolt to lock or hold fast the key slides or tumblers before the stop
pin on the bolt reaches the periphery of tumblers, whereby the slides and
tumblers, if not previously arranged by the proper key, will become locked in
their disarranged condition before the stop pin on the bolt can reach the
periphery of the tumblers to feel when the tumblers are brought to the required
position by a pick.
The bit of the key is formed of a series of sector pinions, which may be
shifted to change the combination or permutation, and is used in combination
with a series of cogged rack slides for operating the tumblers.
In combination with the arrangement for throwing the bolt or any equi-
valent therefor, there is a contrivance for holding the bolt, so that it cannot be
forced back.
The next improvement relates to the combination of the non-cogged sectors,
and the cogged sectors on the key bit, with the cogs and projections on the
tumbler slides, whereby the said slides are controlled by the key bit.
An intermittent motion is imparted to the key bit, and the same is stopped,
while the mechanism which imparts such motion continues to move by means
of the wheel and pinion, having their engaging peripheries constructed in a
peculiar manner, or cut away at parts for this purpose.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Edward Newton, in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 6th November 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twentieth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
William Edward Newton, Her special license that I, the said William
Edward Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said William Edward Newton, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS FOR DOORS, SAFES, AND OTHER PURPOSES,"
being a communication from abroad, upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said William Edward Newton, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Edward Newton, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the follow-
ing statement, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to
the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
This Invention, of "Improvements in Locks for Doors, Safes, and other
Purposes," relates to certain improvements in the combination or permutation
lock for doors, safes, or other purposes, and will be best understood by referring
to the accompanying Drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a view of the inner face
of the lock with the plate removed and with the bolt thrown out; Figures 2
and 3 are cross sections, taken at the lines A, a, and B, b, of Fig. 1, and
looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 4 is a section, taken in a plane
parallel with the face and at the line C, c, of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a view of the

page_text: front face with the outer plate removed; Fig. 6 is an inside face view of one
of the cheeks of the bolt and the mechanism by which it is operated; Fig. 7,
a plan of the upper edge of one of the tumbler slides; Fig. 8, an elevation of
the entire key; Figs. 9, separate views of the bit; Fig. 10, an end view of
the handle; and 'Figures 11 and 12 represent separate views of two of the
rings composing the key. The same letters indicate like parts in all the
Figures of the Drawings, in which a represents the case of the lock, which
may be of any suitable form and construction; and b is the bolt, which works
in a mortise in the end face of the case in the usual manner, and between
suitable guides, so that it may move in a straight line when thrown in
or out.
The rear part of the bolt has two parallel cheeks (c, c¹,) which may be
formed by attaching two plates to the solid part of the bolt, or
by cutting out
of the solid metal to form an open space, that the rotating tumblers, to be
presently described, may be embraced between the said cheeks, and admit of
the working of the bolt as it is thrown in and out. A pin d is secured to the
two cheeks and extends across from the one to the other, and is so located
relatively to the rotating tumblers that the bolt cannot be thrown back except
when the tumblers are in the required position.
The rotating tumblers e are composed each of a circular metallic disc, and
to one face of each is secured a cogged sector f. The whole series of tumblers
are mounted on a central shaft g, on which each one with its cogged sector
turns freely and independently of the others, and in each tumbler a slot h
is cut, extending from the periphery to within a short distance of the shaft,
and this slot must be of a width which will admit the pin d to slide in it
freely but accurately. The form of this slot in the direction of its length is
peculiar, and will be presently described.
The ends of the shaft g of the series of tumblers pass through slots i, one
in each cheek c, c¹, of the bolt, so that the bolt may slide longitudinally on
the shaft as it is thrown in and out without moving the tumblers longi-
tudinally. And to prevent the throw of the bolt from moving the tumblers
longitudinally, the ends of the shaft 9 are fitted to slots j, j, in two plates k, k,
one on each side of the bolt cheeks, and secured to or making part of the
lock case, and these slots are at right angles to the line of motion of the bolt.
The slots i, i, in the cheeks of the bolt are for a short distance at each end
straight and in the direction of the line of motion of the bolt, so as not to
move the tumblers, but the middle portion from the point 1 to 2 is oblique,
for the purpose of moving the series of tumblers down as the bolt is thrown
out, and to lift them up as the bolt is thrown in. This arrangement is for

page_text: the purpose of engaging the cogged sectors on the rotating tumblers with
a series of sliding cogged racks operated by the key and to disengage them
therefrom. As the slots in the cheek are partly oblique, for the purpose of
moving the series of tumblers up and down by the throw of the bolt, it follows
as a necessity that there must be a corresponding obliquity in the slots of the
tumblers in which the pin d of the bolt slides, that the said pin may slide
therein without turning the tumblers as they are carried up or down to
disengage or engage the cogged sectors f with the cogged racks.
Below the bolt and series of rotating tumblers there is a series of slides 7,
called the tumbler slides, corresponding in number with the cogged sectors on
the tumblers. They are slotted, as at m, to slide longitudinally between ways
n, n, attached to the lock case. The upper edge is provided with cogs to
form two cogged racks, one o towards the rear end to engage the cogged
sectors on the tumblers, and the other p to be engaged by the cogs of sector
pinions on the key, and the part o is made thinner than the rest to enter and
slide freely between the tumblers.
The key is composed of two series of rings 9 and r, fitted accurately on to
a spindle, and firmly held between a fixed shoulder s near one end, and the
flange t of a thimble u at the other, which thimble is secured in place by a
cross screw v, the head of which projects from the periphery of the thimble.
The two series of rings are feathered to a longitudinal pin w (see Fig. 9,
clevation), held at its ends by the shoulders and flange t, but they may be
prevented from turning on the spindle in any other way. The two series of
rings are all turned of the same diameter, and each ring of the series 9 is-
formed into a cogged sector extending about one-third the circumference, the
other two-thirds being cut down to a diameter not greater than the bottom
of the cogs, but the cogs on each sector must commence at a different distance
from the feather than on the other rings of the series. The cogs must match
the cogs on the racks p of the tumbler slides l, to be presently described.
The rings of the other series r are to be interposed between the cogged rings,
forming pairs, consisting of one cogged and one non-cogged ring, and a
segment of each ring r is cut down to the diameter corresponding with that
of the bottom of the cogs of the rings q, leaving on each a non-cogged
segment corresponding in extent with that portion of the corresponding cogged
ring which is not cogged, and including one cog at each end of the cogged
segment. As the position of the cogged and non-cogged sectors, relatively to
the feather, in any one pair differs from the other pairs, it will be seen that
the shifting of the pairs on the spindle will change the permutation or
combination. For the purpose of inserting the key, a section of the nou

page_text: 3
cogged sectors is cut out, and when the key is to be inserted that portion
of the key must be down, so as to pass freely over the cogs of the racks p on
the tumbler slides 1. The key is made attachable to and detachable from the
handle or shank y, and for this purpose the cylindrical part of the thimble u
fits in a socket in the end of the shank or handle, which socket is provided
with a helical spring (see Fig. 10), the tension of which tends to and does
force the key out when liberated. An inclined groove a¹ is cut in from the
forward end of the shank or key handle of sufficient width to receive tho.
projecting head of the screw on the key spindle, so that by placing
the socket of the key handle on to the end of the key spindle, and forcing it
forward, and turning the handle a quarter of a revolution, the head of the
screw enters and moves in the oblique groove until it reaches the bottom
thereof, where the front edge is slightly notched, as at .61 (see Fig. 8), to.
receive the head of the screw to act as a catch to hold the key in the handle.
The separation is effected by the reverse motion.
The keyhole within the lock is a hollow cylinder made in a solid block of
metal forming part of the lock case, and of such diameter and length as to
receive the entire key. The lower part of this block of metal is cut out that
the racks p of the series of tumbler slides 7 may extend therein to be acted
upon by the cogged and non-cogged sectors of the key bit. The object of
the rack p is to enable the cogged sector on the key to move the tumbler
slide back and forth to the required distance, and the opposite part p¹ (sec
Fig. 7) to enable the non-cogged sector to control the slide at the end of
each movement, and prevent it from being moved back, and yet enable the
cogged sector to move it in either direction at the required time. For this
purpose the edge of the slide at and beyond each end of the rack is cut down,
as at d, for a short distance at each end. The upper edge of the slide at
each end and beyond the parts d', d', will be above the lower part of the
periphery of the non-cogged sectors. From this it will be seen that the
moment the cogged sector has carried the tumbler slide to the required
distance the non-cogged sector comes into play, and while the key continues
to be turned it acts as a stop to prevent the movement of the tumbler slide,
because its periphery is below the line of the upper edge beyond the parts d¹.
Between the two front plates, that is, between an inner and an outer front
plate, there is mounted a cog wheel e¹, the eye of which constitutes the
entrance hole for the key, and of the size of the keyhole before described.
Two notches and g¹ are cut in the eye of the wheel at a quarter of a circle
from each other, the one f¹ to permit the free entrance of and the other to
receive and hold a spur h¹ (see Fig. 10) on the key shank, and this wheel

page_text: engages the cogs of another wheel, which in turn engages a third wheel j'
on a shaft k¹, fitted to turn in suitable boxes in the lock case. The shaft k¹
carries a plate with a hole near its periphery of the size of and cor-
responding with the keyhole when the parts are in a position for inserting
the key to unlock, but the moment the shaft is turned in either direction
the plate covers the inner keyhole to enclose the bit of the key. On the
periphery of the said plate, which may be termed the moveable escutcheon
plate, there is a spur m³ (see Fig. 5), which, as the plate is rotated in either
direction, strikes against the end of an arm n¹, which vibrates between two
fixed studs o¹, o¹, to stop the wheel in the required position.
After the key has been inserted, the handle is turned to the left a quarter of
a turn, which disengages it from the key bit, and then it is drawn back until
the spur h¹ enters the other notch g' in the eye of the wheel e¹, leaving the bit.
of the key in its place within the lock, and then by turning the key, motion
is imparted to the train of cog wheels above described, which causes the
escutcheon plate to pass between the key bit and its handle, closing up the
keyhole, and at the same time turning the shaft to impart the required
motions to the other parts of the lock.
The first succeeding motion in locking is to throw the bolt out. To effect
this, one of the cheeks c of the bolt is formed with a slot p² (see Fig. 6) cut in
from the lower edge, the sides of which slot are at right angles with the line of
motion of the bolt, and parallel with each other, except towards the lower edge,
where they are made to flare outward. On the shaft k¹ before described there
is a wheel q', provided with a cylindrical pin r¹ projecting from its inner face,
which pin fits accurately but freely the slot p² in the cheek of the bolt. When
the wheel is rotated in the direction of the arrow, (see Fig. 6,) by the means
before described, the pin enters the slot p², and acting on the back edge
thereof carries the bolt backward to the extent of its range of motion in that
direction, at which time the pin leaves the slot where the edge is rounded
or flared. When the bolt is thrown forward to lock, the same operation takes
place, but in the reverse direction.
In all permutation locks in which tumblers or like means are employed to
check the back movement of the bolt until the proper key is inserted, it is
important, to prevent picking, that the bolt be so held that by the application
5 of force it cannot be forced back against the tumblers, for unless that can be
prevented, the process of picking, by what is termed feeling the required
position of the tumblers, cannot be prevented.
To prevent the forcing back of the bolt on the shaft k¹, there is another
wheel s¹ at a sufficient distance from the wheel q' to permit a portion of the

page_text: cheek c of the bolt to slide freely between them. A segment of the said
wheel s¹ is cut out to an equal distance on each side of the pin r¹, (see Fig. 6,)
and on the inner face of the cheek c there are two projecting pins t¹, t, one on
each side of the slot p³, and at such heighth above the lower edge of the cheek
as to be in a line within the periphery of the wheel s¹. From this arrange-
ment or relation of the parts described, it will be seen that while the pin r¹ is
acting in the slot p² of the cheek to throw the bolt either in or out, the
pins t¹, t, on the cheek are free to pass by the wheel s¹ on account of the
segment which is cut out, and hence the bolt can be thrown in or out; but as
the pin passes out of the slot at the end of the throw of the bolt, the cut out
segment passes by, and then the periphery of the wheel s¹ intervenes and
prevents the pins t¹, t¹, from passing, and hence the bolt cannot be moved in
the opposite direction unless the cut out section of the wheel be brought back
to the required position. In this way the bolt is firmly held, so that it cannot
be forced against the tumblers to feel when they are brought to the required
position. An additional security against feeling the position of the tumblers
consists in the employment of a stop to hold the tumbler slides until the key-
hole is covered; this is effected by a plate u' adapted to slide in suitable
ways at right angles to the line of motion of the tumbler slides, the lower
edge of which plate is fitted to enter a notch w¹ cut in the upper edge of each
of the said slides. The plate is provided with a pin a¹, which is received in
and actuated by a cam groove y' in a wheel attached to the wheel s¹ on the
shaft k', before described, which cam groove is so formed, that in turning the
shaft to throw out the bolt the stop plate u¹ is first elevated to release the
tumbler slides, and after all the locking motions have been performed to force
it down again to hold the said slides while the keyhole is open. The same
effect is also produced in unlocking, so that the tumbler slides cannot be
moved when the bolt is in the unlocked or locked position, thereby avoiding
the possibility of taking an impression from which to make a false key.
And a still further protection against the picking, particularly by feeling,
consists of another holdfast plate 2¹, which is placed at right angles to the
bolt, and adapted to slide in suitable ways. This plate is made to embrace
the cheeks of the bolt, and the lower edge of the said plate is made of a shape
to enter between the cogs of the racks o of the tumbler slides. The upper
edge of the cheeks of the bolt are cut down, as at a³, to form a depression,
and an inclined plane at each end of the depression and the lower edge of the
cheeks are made parallel with the upper edge, so that at the beginning of the
operation of throwing the bolt either in or out, the stop or holdfast plate is
depressed, and its lower edge made to enter between the cogs of the tumbler

page_text: slides to hold them fast in position until towards the end of the motion of
the bolt, when it is again lifted to liberate the slides. In combination with
this, the pin d of the bolt, which enters the slot of the tumblers when the bolt
is thrown back, is so placed relatively to the periphery of the tumblers, that on
the back movement of the bolt the stop or holdfast plate z will be forced
down to secure the tumbler slides before the pin d on the bolt comes in contact
with the periphery of the tumblers. In this way, by the very act of forcing
back the bolt to press against the periphery of the tumblers with the view then
to bring the several tumblers to the right position, the tumbler slides, which
are then in connection with the tumblers, are locked and held fast, so that
neither they nor the tumblers can be moved. The slides and tumblers must
be brought to the required position before any attempt be made to throw back
the bolt, otherwise they are all fastened and held in position, which will not
admit of the back movement of the bolt.
In a former part of the description, the construction and manner of inserting
the key was described, as also the manner of separating the key handle from
the bit and putting in motion the train of wheels to turn the shaft k' and
throwing the bolt; but before the bolt is thrown out it is necessary to impress
the combination of the key bit on the tumbler slides, because the tumblers are
depressed, as already described, by throwing out the bolt to make the cogged
sectors on the tumblers engage the racks o of the slides while the pin d of
the bolt is yet in the slot of the tumblers, and hence the slides at the time of
this engagement must be put in the promiscuous positions due to the com-
bination adopted, so that when the bolt has been thrown out and the key
turned back and withdrawn, the slots in the several tumblers will be put out of
position and out of order to prevent the back movement of the bolt.
By inspection of the key it will be seen that the series of sector pinions
are so arranged on the stem of the key that they are all on the same side of
the axis, although the beginning of the range of cogs of no two of them are
in the same line; there is, however, a non-cogged space extending through
the whole length of the stem sufficient in width to admit of inserting and
withdrawing the key notwithstanding the cogs of the series of slides project
within the keyhole. Supposing the bolt to be thrown back, or in the
unlocked condition, and the series of rotating tumblers to be lifted up, so
that their cogged sectors are clear of the racks on the slides l, with the pin d
of the bolt inserted in the slots of the rotating tumblers so that they cannot
turn in that condition, the key is inserted and turned in the direction indicated
by the arrow (see Fig. 4) to the extent of half a revolution, and there held.
It will be observed, that if the sectors of cogs on the pinions of the key com-

page_text: menced in the same line, the semi-revolution of the key would have carried
all the tumbler slides to the same distance, and that if the series of tumblers
were then let down their cogged sectors would all become engaged with the
racks o of tho slides while in the same position, and then to open the lock it
would only be necessary to insert a pick to draw all the slides to the same
distance to bring the slots of the series of tumblers in the required position to
permit the bolt to move back, which could be readily done. But as the sectors
of cogs on the key begin at different points, the semi-revolution of the key
carries the tumbler slides each to a different distance. Each slide having
thus been moved to a different distance by the semi-revolution of the key,
the bolt is then thrown out by the means described. The continued outward
motion of the bolt by the form of the slots i, i, in the cheeks c, c', depresses
the series of rotating tumblers, and causes the cogs of the sectors f on the
tumblers to engage the racks o on the tumbler slides, whilst the pin d of the
bolt is still in the slots of the tumblers. In this way the rotating tumblers,
whilst their slots are all in line, become locked or engaged with the slides
which are out of line, that is, after each has been carried to a different
distance due to the position of the series of sector pinions on the key, and by
this means the peculiar arrangement of the key is transferred to the tumblers
in the act of throwing out the bolt, so that the combination or permutation,
however it may be varied, will be thus transferred to the tumblers by the act
of throwing out the bolt to lock. The further outward motion of the bolt
carries the pin d out of the slots of the tumblers to liberate and leave them.
entirely to the control of the rack slides, and at the same time the stop or
holdfast plate, if one be used, is drawn out of the cogs of the slides, so as to
liberate and leave them to the control of the key. As the slides have been
moved to different distances by the key at the time the tumblers became con-
nected with them, and as the slots of the tumblers at the same time were all
in line, it follows that after the slides are carried to the full extent of their
motion (or, if preferred, brought back to their original position,) the slots of
the several. tumblers will be all in different positions, so that if any attempt
be made to throw back the bolt, it will be prevented from moving back by
the pin d striking against the periphery of the tumblers, and the only way
in which it can be permitted to move back will be to bring the tumbler slides
to the relative position in which they were at the time the tumblers were
engaged with them, and hence the burglar is left entirely to the chances of
getting the combination or permutation of the key by which the bolt was
locked, and as the combination is on the key alone, that can be changed every
day if desired, which change would be attended with serious inconvenience if

page_text: it had to be made in the tumblers, also as in the generality of permutation
locks heretofore made.
To prevent all access to the stop or holdfast plate by means of a pick, the
keyhole is made in a solid block of metal, so that the only part of the
mechanism which controls the unlocking is the projection, of the cogs of the
slides within the keyhole.
It now becomes necessary to describe the manner in which the key bit is
turned within the lock after the handle has been withdrawn to impart motion
to the shaft k. The wheel q', before described, which carries the pin r¹ for
throwing the bolt, has its periphery formed with two nearly opposite smooth
segments ³ and c², and two nearly opposite cogged sectors d and e², to act
on the cogs of a pinion f² (see Fig. 1). This pinion is held in place by a
bracket g, shown by red lines in Fig. 1, leaving the eye free to receive within.
it the shoulders on the end of the key spindle, which is provided with a
feather to enter a corresponding notch in the eye of the pinion. Being thus
connected, the rotation of the pinion will turn the key bit. The pinion has
cogs upon its entire periphery on about one-half of its thickness, and on the
other half of its thickness the cogs extend only on two opposite segments, the
other two segments being cut out, as at h³, h², forming cavities to fit the
periphery of the two smooth segments b, c, of the wheel q', before described;
and one-half of the thickness of the said wheel q' along the smooth segments.
is also cut away, as at 23, (see Figures 2 and 6,) to allow the cogs on the parts
of the periphery of the pinion f opposite its cut out segments to pass freely.
The cut out segments of the pinion at each end extend over about one-half
of the first cog at each end of the cogged segments, for the purpose of aiding
the re-engagement of the cogs of the wheel and pinion. Now, from the
above construction it will be seen that the moment the shaft k¹ is turned to
throw out the bolt, one of the cogged segments on the wheel q¹ engages one
of the cogged segments of the pinion and turns it the required distance to
turn the key bit, and operate the slides to put them in the position required.
for the reception of the cogged sectors on the tumblers, when they are
depressed by throwing out the bolt, which immediately follows; but so soon
as the key bit has been turned to the required extent it is important to stop.
its further movement for the time being, and to do this by a positive motion,
which will not only stop its further motion, but prevent it from reacting,.
for accuracy of position is essential to avoid the use of springs which are
objectionable in locks. This accuracy of positive intermittent and stop motion
is secured by this arrangement, for the moment the pinion has been rotated to.
the required extent by one of the cogged segments of the wheel 2 one of the

page_text: smooth segments passes into one of the cut out segments of the pinion,
which it accurately fits, so that although the wheel continues to turn, the
pinion is positively held from turning in either direction.
In this way the wheel has perfect control of the pinion, the pinion of the
key bit, and the cogged and non-cogged segments of the key bit of the
tumbler slides, so that these latter are perfectly controlled in their movements
and positions without the necessity of using springs which are not reliable.
The continued rotation of the wheel effects the throwing out of the bolt by the
pin, before described, and then the tumblers having been thereby connected
with the tumbler slides, the next cogged segment of the wheel acts on the pinion
again to turn the key bit in the same direction to carry the tumbler slides to
the full extent of their range of motion in that direction. This latter motion is
not essential to the locking, but it becomes essential with the view to safety.
If carried only far enough to effect the locking, it will be perceived that no
two of the tumbler slides are carried to the same distance, because the several
cogged sectors of the key begin to act on the slides at different periods of the
motion of the key bit. If this course were pursued for any length of time
with the same combination on the key, which might occur from neglect or
overweening confidence in the safety of the lock, each slide would become
worn to the extent of its range of motion under the given combination, and
then by gently moving each slide with a pick until the motion became
slightly harder, which would be the case on reaching the part not worn, the
range of motion of each slide might be determined from which to make a false
key; but if the key bit be turned to a sufficient extent, every tumbler slide
will be carried to the full range of its motion, and hence each will receive an
equal amount of wear, which will cut off every clue to the combination used.
After the motions above described have been performed, the key handle is
again forced in to re-engage the key bit, which is effected by pushing and
turning the handle to the right, and after engaging the key bit it is drawn out,
the cut out portion of the key bit being at the bottom to admit of the
withdrawal.
The object of using a train of three wheels to communicate the required
motion to the mechanism, as before stated, is simply to reverse the movements
of the connecting parts, that the key handle may be turned in the same
direction during all the motions required for locking and restoring the tumbler
slides preparatory to withdrawing the key. If, but two wheels were used, the
key handle would have to be turned in a reverse direction to restore the tum-
blers, which by neglect might be overlooked to the injury of the mechanism.
To unlock, the key is inserted in the same manner as for locking, and

page_text: then the handle is disengaged from the key bit and engaged with the eye of
the wheel e'; the required motions are made to impress the key on to the
tumbler slides to bring the slots of the several tumblers in line that the bolt
may be thrown back.
It will be obvious that the construction of the several parts and their
relative position may be modified without changing their principle or mode of
operation; I therefore wish to be distinctly understood that I do not limit
myself to the special form or construction of the several parts, so long as the
same results are obtained by equivalent means.
I would also observe, that I am aware that locks have heretofore been made
in which a series of rotating tumblers are carried by the bolt in the direction
of its line of motion, so as to make the cogs on the said tumblers engage cogs
on a series of slides previously set by the key; but in such locks the engagement
of the tumblers with the key slides can only take place at the end of the throw
of the bolt, and therefore I do not intend to claim broadly the engagement of
rotating tumblers with key slides by the throw of the bolt; but that which I
consider to be new in the present improvements, and therefore desire to securo
by Letters Patent, is, moving a series of rotating cogged tumblers at right
angles to the line of motion of the bolt by means of a slot in the bolt, or any
equivalent contrivance operating on the shaft or spindle of the tumblers in a
similar manner, whereby the cogs on the said tumblers can be made to engage
in the cogged racks on the key slides previously set by the key before the stop
pin on the bolt leaves the slots in the tumbler, and will so remain engaged.
while the bolt continues its movement to carry the said stop pin to some
distance beyond the periphery of the tumblers, so that in any attempt to pick
the lock the said stop pin shall not rest against the periphery of the tumblers
to admit of "feeling," as it is termed, so as to bring the tumblers in succession
to the required position to allow the lock to be picked, as described.
And I also claim, in combination with the method of operating the tumblers
by the throw of the bolt, and giving to the bolt the capacity to move after the
tumblers have been engaged with the key slides to carry the stop pin some
distance beyond the periphery of the tumblers, the employment of a stop or
holdfast operated by the bolt to lock or hold fast the key slides or tumblers
before the stop pin on the bolt reaches the periphery of the tumblers, whereby
the slides and tumblers, if not previously arranged by the proper key, will
become locked in their disarranged condition before the stop pin on the bolt
can reach the periphery of the tumblers to feel when the tumblers are brought
to the required position by a pick.
I also claim forming the bit of the key of a series of sector pinions, which

page_text: may be shifted to change the combination or permutation, and employing the
same in combination with a series of cogged rack slides for operating the
tumblers, for the purpose above set forth.
I also claim, in combination with the mode of throwing the bolt, or any
equivalent therfor, the mode of holding the bolt, or any mere modification
thereof, so that it cannot be forced back, as above described.
I also claim the combination of the non-cogged sectors and the cogged
sectors on the key bit with the cogs and projections on the tumbler slides, or
any equivalent or analogous mechanical contrivance, whereby the said slides
are controlled by the key bit, as set forth.
And, finally, I claim imparting an intermittent motion to the key bit, and
stopping the same while the mechanism which imparts such motion continues
to move, by means of the wheel and pinion with their engaging peripheries,
constructed as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton, have hereunto 1
set my hand and seal, the Sixth day of November, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
1
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
W. E. NEWTON. (L.s.)