Improvements in or relating to Key Locks.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 25th July, 1898-Accepted, 10th Sept., 1898
Improvements in or relating to Key Locks.
I, THOMAS J. DICKINSON, of 529, North Larel Street, in the City of Hazleton,
County of Luzerne, State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Machinist,
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 :-
My invention relates to key guards or holders, and is designed to prevent the key
from being turne: and displaced from the key hole of a lock, by an unauthorized
party on the outside of the door.
The essential features of my invention consist in providing a hinge leaf at one edge of
the escutcheon plate generally used upon a door provided with the usual mortised lock,
the said hinge leaf adapted to fold over the escutcheon plate and close the key hole,
and further provided with a transverse slot for engagement with the shank of the
key, whereby the same is prevented from turning in the lock, means being provided
for locking the hinged leaf, when the device is placed in position for use comprising
a gravity latch pivoted to the hinged plate, and adapted to engage a catch provided
upon the face of the door.
These and further objects and advantages will be hereinafter more fully shown and
described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
In the drawings,
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a door, having my invention
applied thereon.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view thereof.
Figure 3 is an elevation of my device with the hinged member open.
Figure 4 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the gravity latch and guiding
stud detached.
Referring to the accompanying drawing, 1 designates an ordinary escutcheon plate,
having the usual key hole slot 2. Hinged to one side of this escutcheon plate in
any suitable manner, is a separate plate 3, provided with a transverse slot 4, arranged
directly across the circular opening 5, of the key hole slut 2. This transverse slot
preferably extends from the outer edge of the plate 3, and exposes the entire width
of the key hole slot. By this arrangement, it will be readily understood how, after the
key 6 has been inserted into the lock and turned to operate the same, the hinged
leaf 3 is folded over upon the escutcheon plate, the key shank 7 fitting within the
slot 4, the key cannot then be turned, as either of the faces of the shank of the
key will contact with the edge of the slot, and thus effectually prevent the turning
of the key. The leaf 3 can be hinged to the escutcheon plate upon either edge, and
I preferably form the escutcheon plate with lateral flanges or ribs 8, at the top and
bottom thereof, respectively, for the purpose of forming a substantial bearing for the
hinged leaf, to prevent the same from being prised or forced from its hinges, and
thus release the key.
As my invention is designed to engage with the shank of the key, as close as
possible to the face of the door, it is not essential that the locking member be formed
upon the escutcheon plate, for it may be mounted directly upon the door itself.

page_text: To prevent the key from being pushed out of the key hole, I provide suitable
means for locking the hinged leaf, after being folded upon the escutcheon plate, con-
sisting of a suitable gravity latch 9, pivoted upon the outer face of the hinged leaf
at 10, and provided with a slot 11. This slot is adapted to engage with a headed
stud or pin 12, which forms a suitable guide for the latch, and ensures the positive
locking of the gravity latch, with a suitable catch or keeper 13, provided upon the
face of the door. This keeper consists of a main body 14 suitably secured to the face
of the door and having an arm 15 bent or formed at right angles thereto and provided
upon its upper edge with a slot or notch 16, into which the gravity latch 9 is
adapted to fall, and thus securely lock the hinged leaf against pressure of the key
from the outside.
By this arrangement of parts, I have provided a device as herein described, which
presents a neat and attractive appearance upon the door, is composed of few parts,
can be easily and quickly operated, and cannot possibly get out of order and further
have produced a key guard or holder in which the one hinged member engages the
shank of the key to effectually prevent the same from being turned in the lock, as
well as prevents the key from being forced out of the lock, by an unauthorized party
on the outside of the door.
Therefore I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise con-
struction and arrangement as herein shown and described, as various changes may be
made in the form, proportion and minor details without departing from the spirit
and scope or sacrificing any of the advantages 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
In a device of the class described, the combination with an escutcheon plate and a
locking plate, the latter being hinged to one side of and adapted to be folded over
upon the escutcheon plate and be seated between the out turned edges thereof, and
provided with a slot extending from the outer edge of the hinged plate a sufficient
distance to expose the width of the key hole slot, of means for locking the hinged
plate, comprising a gravity latch pivoted thereto, arranged transversely of and ex-
tending beyond the free edge of the hinged plate, and provided with a slot near
its free end, receiving a stud carried by the hinged plate, and a catch engaging
the gravity latch, mounted upon the face of the door and arranged to one side of
the escutcheon plate opposite the hinge thereon, substantially as shown and
described.
Tlated this 2nd ...
1000
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.