Improvements in Spring Catches for Doors and the like.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 12th June, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 11th Mar., 1895-1ccepted, 13th Apr., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Spring Catches for Doors and the like.
I, JOHN PITT BAYLY, of 18 Fulham Place, Paddington, in the County, of
London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a com-
munication to me from abroad by Charles H. Paxson, of Springfield, State of
Ohio, U.S.A., Pattern Maker) to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in spring door catches, which consists of
a metallic case or box containing a spiral spring fixed thereto by a plate and set
screw, and a lever arm with the usual knob.
The knob and lever arm is fixed to the door, and the case with the spiral spring
to the door frame or the like. The lever arm engages itself between the coils of
the spiral spring.
These catches may be fixed inside or outside of door.
This invention is a novel device for effectually fasteuing all kinds of doors:
screen doors, cupboard doors, dresser doors, closet doors, bath-room doors,
refrigerator doors, show case doors, cabinet doors, garden and other gates; and
everywhere else where it is required to keep the door closed but not locked. It is
also a capital device for holding doors and shutters open. Inside doors can be held
open to admit pure air, or for any other purpose. It will prevent doors from
rebounding. It will adjust itself to all shrinkages, sags and warpings in screen
cupboard and other doors. It is a positive catch. One is not compelled to bang
the door several times, as in ordinary catches, in order to effect a sure fastening.
There is no necessity, with this catch, to distract the head and lacerate the nerves,
and break locks and split doors by loud and repeated slams. My spring catch will
to a large extent prevent the noise of slamming.
Dated this 12th day of June 1894.
J. P. BAYLY,
18, Fulham Place, W., Agent for the Applicant.
Improvements in Spring Catches for Doors and the like.
1, JOHN PITT BAYLY, of 18 Fulham Place, Paddington, in the County of
London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a com
munication to me from abroad by Charles H. Paxson, of Springfield, State
of Ohio, U.S.A.., Pattern Maker), and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My invention relates to improvements in door catches; and the object of my
invention is to provide a simple device adapted to be used with doors, windows,
window-shutters, and various other similar devices, for holding them open or
closed the device being of such construction as will enable it to readily adjust
itself to the door or other object with which it is used, and compensate for
changes therein by shrinkage or the settling of one part with reference to the
other.
;

page_text: Diy invention consists in the various constructions and combinations or parts
hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1, is an elevation showing a door to which my invention has been applied.
Fig. 2, is an elevation of the device on an enlarged scale, showing the parts in
position for use.
Fig. 3, is a sectional elevation of the same.
Figs. 4, 5, and 6, are details of portions of the same, Fig. 6, showing a slight
modification.
Fig. 7, is a sectional elevation showing a modified form.
Fig. 8, is a modification.
Like parts are represented by similar letters of reference in the several views.
In the various door catches which have heretofore béen devised, trouble has
been experienced in their operation, owing to the fact that the different parts on
which the catch is to be applied change position, owing to uneven settling of the
building, or shrinkage of the parts, or for other reasons. I overcome this by
employing, as one element of the door catch, a simple coiled spring, arranged in a
novel manner and adapted to operate in connection with an extending finger, which
closes against said spring at right angles to the axis thereof.
In the accompanying drawings, a' represents an ordinary door hinged to one
side of a suitable frame, a', in the usual manner. Secured to the door frame or
jamb is a casing or housing, b, provided at each end with a curved extended
portion, &, and between said extended portions with a recess, . This housing is
preferably made hollow and is adapted to receive a coiled spring, c, which may be
pressed into the same from the rear so that the ends thereof will fit in the curved
portions, b, at one end of said housing, and provided with an adjusting screw, c',
carrying at its inner end a plate, c, which rests against one end of said spring;
the other end of said spring being adapted to rest directly against one end of the
housing, b. This constitutes one element of the catch.
The other consists essentially of a projecting finger, d, preferably formed
integral with a plate, d', from which it extends upwardly and outwardly, as shown
in Fig. 4. The finger, d, is made slightly bevelled in cross-section, and is made of
a width slightly greater than the distance between the coils of the spring, and is
secured to the door in such position that when the door is closed it lies across the
axis of said spring and between the coils thereof. The plate, d', may be further
provided with a knob, d, which may be formed integral therewith or screwed
thereon, as desired.
Any well-known means of securing the respective parts to the door and jamb
may be employed, ordinary screws being generally employed. In Fig. 6, I have
shown the housing, b, provided with a screwthreaded stud, 63, adapted to screw
directly into the jamb a' or other part to which the device is to be applied.
A device as thus constructed, it will be seen, is extremely simple and is
especially adapted for holding screen doors, window shutters, and for similar
purposes where a simple catch is desired. By employing two of the spring
housings and springs secured on opposite sides of the door a', as shown at 1 and 2
in Fig. 1, the door may be held either open or closed, the finger being adapted to
engage with the catch 1 when the door is shut, and catch 2 when it is open, the
back of the finger being adapted to enter the coils of the spring of catch 2, and
the front of the finger in catch 1.
It will be seen that any shrinking of the door or uneven settling of the parts
will not influence the operation of this catch, as the projecting portion will engage
with the coils of the spring equally well at any point between the respective curved
portions, 6, of the housing.
In Fig. 7, instead of having the curved portions, b', at each end formed in the
nature of sockets, I provide at the lower end a projecting stud, b, over which one
end of the spring is adapted to fit; the other being placed in the curved socket
portion, b, as before, with the adjusting screw, c', and the plate, c³, arranged in

page_text: said housing. This construction is considered preferable for the device when used
in an exposed position, as it permits any water or moisture which would collect
about the spring to readily pass off from the housing, which would not be the case
if the curved socket portions, 61, were employed at the top and bottom.
In Fig. 8, the spring is modified, the metal from which the spring is formed
being flat and the coils extended back and forth one above the other. The
housing is also dispensed with and the ends of the spring itself provided with
projections through which the fastening devices are inserted.
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. A door catch consisting essentially of a coiled spring secured to one member
of a door, and a projecting finger secured to the other in such position that when
the door is closed the finger shall engage the coils of said spring at right angles to
the axis, substantially as specified.
2. A catch for doors and similar purposes consisting essentially of a housing
having a coiled spring therein, and a projecting finger adapted to engage the coils
of said spring at right angles to the axis thereof, substantially as specified.
3. The combination with a housing, a spring therein, and a projecting finger
extending across the spring and adapted to engage with the coils thereof at right
angles to its axis, and means, substantially as described, for adjusting the tension
of said spring, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
4. A door catch consisting essentially of a housing, a coiled spring arranged in
said housing so as to project laterally therefrom, a projecting finger formed integral
with a plate, said finger being adapted to enter the coils of said spring at
right angles to the axis thereof, and a knob on said plate, substantially as
specified.
5. A door catch consisting essentially of a housing having at one end a pro-
jecting stud and at the other an open socket, a spring arranged. in said housing
so as to fit over said stud at one end, with the other end resting in said socket,
an adjusting plate and screw in said socket, and a projecting finger adapted to
enter the coils of said spring at right angles to the axis thereof, substantially as
specified.
Dated this 11th day of March 1895.
J. P. BAYLY,
Applicant.