Improvements in Locks.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 17th July, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Jan., 1890-Accepted, 1st Mar., 1890
TROTUAAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Locks.
1 ROBERT MAIN DOUGLAS, 2 Gorst Road, Wandsworth Common, London, S.W.
Inspector of Inland Revenue, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention consists of a new method of constructing such locks as are sealed
by means of fixing a paper label so that the label must be fractured when the lock is
opened.
The improved lock has a label box of the ordinary form, and my plan is to secure
the label box cover by means of two springs placed parallel to the label box and
in an enclosed recess underneath it. The springs are placed apart and parallel
to each other and are attached by means of two studs to the main bolt of
the lock.
The label box cover has a V shaped pap on its under side near its free end
and the pap is grooved on both its sides; the grooves being of sufficient width to freely
admit the springs.
In use a label is placed in the label box after locking. On closing the label box
cover its pap passes between the springs at their free end and presses them apart.
When the cover is pressed close down on the label the springs rebound into
the grooves of the pap and secure the cover from being opened until they are
withdrawn.
When the lock is opened the springs are withdrawn longitudinally from the grooves
by the movement of the bolt.
Dated this Seventeenth day of tube. 10vn
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Locks.
I ROBERT MAIN DOUGLAS, 2 Gorst Road, Wandsworth Common, London, S.W.
Inspector of Inland Revenue, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
My Invention relates to improvements in locks and it consists of a new method of
constructing such locks as are sealed by means of fixing a paper label so that the
label must be fractured when the lock is opened; the characteristic feature of my
Invention being that the paper label cannot be removed and another substituted without
operating the lock bolt.
The improved lock has a label box of the ordinary form and my plan is to secure
the label box cover by means of two springs, or their equivalent, placed parallel to
the label box and in an enclosed recess underneath it. The springs are placed apart
and parallel to each other and are attached by means of two studs to the main bolt
of the lock.
The label box cover has a V shaped pap, or other suitably shaped tongue or catch
on its under side near its free end, and this pap, tongue or catch
sides; the grooves being of sufficient width to freely admit the springs or their
grooved on both
equivalent.
On the accompanying Sheet of Drawing I have shown a padlock embodying my
Invention.
Figure 1 representing a front view of the padlock.

page_text: Figure za smr view Due
the position of the springs securing the label box cover when the padlock is locked,
Figure 3 a cross section through the hinged plate or label box cover, showing the
pap, projecting tongue or catch, and
Figure 4 a longitudinal section through the label box showing position of the
various parts when the lock bolted and the hinged plate secured down by the sliding
springs.
A indicates the lock,
B the hinged plate or cover for closing label box,
Cthe pap, tongue or catch, or projecting stud secured to underside of hinged plate
and furnished with recesses c, c,
D, D, the springs for securing hinged plate in position when lock is closed; d, d, eyes
on same,
E, E, studs on main bolt of lock and in the eyes d, d, of springs D D,
F main bolt of lock,
G front plate of label box,
H paper
label.
In use, a label (H) is placed in the label box after locking (see Fig. 4).
On closing the label box cover B, its pap, tongue or catch C, passes between the
When the cover B is pressed
springs D, D, at their free end and presses them apart.
close down on the label H, the springs D, D, rebound into the grooves c, c,
of the tongue C, and secure the cover B from being opened until they are with-
drawn.
When the lock is opened (see Fig. 2) the springs D, D, are withdrawn longi-
tudinally from the grooves c, c, by the movement of the bolt F in unlocking
bringing the studs E, E, down to the position shown Fig. 2, carrying the springs D, D,
with thein.
I have shown my Invention as applied to a padlock but I would have it understood
that it may be equally well applied to the locks of safes and locks generally; that I
do not limit myself to any particular form of springs or of pap, tongue or catch,
or mode of connecting them with bolt and hinged plate, as such may be varied
to suit particular forms of lock while retaining the essential features of my
Invention.
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. In a lock having a paper label or cover to be fractured when the key or other
instrument. is inserted into the keyhole, the combination with the lock-bolt of the
means of securing the label box cover so that after being closed it cannot be opened
and another paper or label inserted without operating the said bolt, substantially as
described.
2. In a lock having a label box, the tongue, pap, or catch C, on the plate B, with
recesses c, c for the reception of the springs D, D, these latter being in combination
with the lock-bolt F, so as to be operated by the studs E, E, substantially as described
for the purpose specified.
3. A lock constructed, combined, and arranged to operate as regards the fixing and
removal of a protecting paper label or keyhole cover to be fractured in opening the
lock substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated on the accompanying Sheet
of Drawing.
Dated this Twenty second day of January 1890.