IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS AND KEYS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Christian Franz Otto, of Zerbst, in the Empire of Germany,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS AND KEYS."
Sealed the 14th October 1879, and dated the 18th April 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Christian Franz Otto at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th April 1879.
"
CHRISTIAN FRANZ OTTO, of Zerbst, in the Empire of Germany. IMPROVEMENTS
IN LOCKS AND KEYS."
My Invention relates to an improved safety-lock with a key having a bit with
two or more parts, of which one or more are moveable.
My improved safety-lock differs from ordinary safety-locks by its particular
construction in relation to that of the key-bit.
My lock consists of the well known parts of every lock, with the addition of a
particular catch opposite to the common catches.
When this new catch is lifted by the fixed part of the key-bit, and only at that
precise moment, the moveable part of the key-bit hitherto arrested by a small pin
or stop in the key-shaft or barrel corresponding with a pin or stop in the moveable
part of the key-bit lifts the other catch and moves the bolt then freed from the tin
catches.
My Invention may be applied to all kinds of locks, and it admits of a great
variety of changes or mutations of the keys and locks by altering the pins or stops
by increasing the number of catches on one or both sides by different lengths of the
parts of the key-bit and otherwise.

page_text: K, ordinary catch.
I. to V., notches in bolt; I., II., notches for key bits; III., IV., V., notches in
bolt for tooth X; I. to III. (Fig. 5) notches in bolt for catch K. The action is as
follows:-
When my new catch C is lifted by the fixed part or bit J of the key, and only
at that precise moment, the moveable part or bit H of the key, hitherto arrested by
the small stop Y, on the key-barrel corresponding with a pin or stop in the move-
able part of the key, lifts the other catch and moves the bolt B then freed from the
two catches.
I have shown my improvements in their simplest construction, but I would have
it understood that my Invention may be applied to all kinds of locks; it admits of
a great variety of changes or mutations of the keys and locks by altering the pins
or stops by increasing the number of catches on one or both sides by varying the
lengths of the key bits and by other modifications not affecting the principle of
construction and operation of the lock and key as above specified.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is or may be performed,--
I claim as secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent,—
Firstly. The use in a lock of any kind of the catch C, or of more than one such
catch, constructed and arranged to operate substantially as and for the purpose
herein before specified.
Secondly. The use in combination with a lock having one or more catches C of a
key having one or more moveable parts or bits H, and one or more fixed parts or
bits J, operating substantially as and for the purpose herein before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Christian Franz Otto, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
CHRISTIAN, FRANZ OTTO.. (LS.)