AN IMPROVE- MENT OR IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO LOCKS OF DIFFERENT DESCRIPTIONS
Year: 1818

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, T, ALBERT
Roux, of Yverdun, in the Canton of Vaud, in Switzerland, Doctor in Divinity,
send greeting.
WHEREAS His present Majesty King George the Third did, by His
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Thirtieth day of June, now last past, for Himself, His heirs
and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Albert Roux, His especial
licence that I, the said Albert Roux, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I or they should at any time agree with, and no
others, during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, an Invention communicated to me by a certain
Foreigner residing abroad out of His Majesty's Dominions, of "AN IMPROVE-
MENT OR IMPROVEMENTS APPLICABLE TO LOCKS OF DIFFERENT DESCRIPTIONS;" in
which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso obliging me, the said
Albert Roux, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, particularly

page_text: to describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, and to cause the same to be inrolled in
His Majesty's High Court of Chancery within two calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent, as in and by the same,
reference being thereto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Albert Roux, do hereby declare that the said Improvements in Locks
communicated to me, and the manner in which the same are to be
carried into effect, are fully shewn and described in the several Drawings
attached to this Specification and in the references thereto, as follows, that is
to say :-
The improvements extend to padlocks and locks of every description, and
which said locks may be made of any proper metal or combination of metals
not necessary to be herein particularly specified; and first, of padlocks and
locks with concentric circles and combinations. The padlock is composed of
a box with circular grooves and two sets of concentric circles, of a stopper, and
of a bow. The box contains the circular and concentric grooves, which are
traversed centrally by a tapering opening, intended to receive the longer arm of
the bow, and in the centre it has a short tube, in the interior of which is made
an horizontal groove, and two small vertical gaps diametrically opposite
to each other, which extend from the groove to the upper surface of the
tube. The stopper has two projecting pins, which, when it is introduced
within the tube, correspond with the vertical gaps, and on being turned round
it is retained by the pins lodging in the horizontal grooves. The box has at a
Figure 1, Drawing No. 1, a shoulder which serves to sustain the set of
directing circles, and a hole on its side to receive a stud on the end of the
short arm of the bow. The first set of concentric circles lie in the grooves in
the box; it is composed of an indeterminate number of small circles, which
we shall limit to four for the lock herein described: these circles fit exactly in
the grooves of the box, so that when placed therein their upper surfaces and
those of the grooves are in the same plane: cach of these circles has on its
under side a notch or gap, so that, when they are all placed in a line reaching
from the centre of the box to the hole in its side, the longer arm of the bow
can pass all the circles to the cylindrical tube in its centre; at b, Figure 2, is
one of these circles reversed, which shews the notch of which we have beer
speaking. There are also as many directing circles as there are directed ones
which have already been described; we have said four, these have all shoulder
exteriorly and interiorly, so that the first rests, by its outer shoulder, on the
shoulder in the box already described at a, Figure 1, Drawing No. 1; the

page_text: second rests upon the first, the third upon the second, the fourth upon the
third, and finally the shoulder of the stopper upon the fourth or last: when the
stopper is fixed in its place, none of the circles can be lifted out. The upper
surfaces of the circles are all in the same plane, as are also their lower ones.
Each circle has on its lower surface a small stud or pin, which enters into one
of the small holes made in the upper surface of the corresponding circle of the
set of rings first described, and serves to direct it: these holes are of the same
number and at the same distances as the divisions engraved on the exterior
surfaces of the directing circles; so that, if the divisions of the directing circles
are made to correspond when the notches give entrance to the longer arm of
the bow in whatever other hole the pin may be put, the divisions on the
directing circles may still correspond. The stopper is a solid cylinder which
fits exactly the cylindrical tube of the box above described; it has two pins or
studs diametrically opposite to each other, which correspond to the vertical
notches in the tube as before inentioned: these pins are at the same heighth as
the horizontal groove intended to receive them, so that when the stopper is in
its place, it's upper surface is in the plane of the directing circles, and its
lower one level with the bottom of the box; in the side of the stopper is a
hole intended to receive a pin or stud made at the end of the longer arm of
the bow, which in its turn fixes it and prevents it from being turned, so as to
bring the two pins into the opposite vertical notches in the tube of the box, so-
that it cannot be taken out, nor consequently any of the directing circles. The
bow is a curved metal bar, which has one arm longer than the other: this arm is
made rather tapering, and has notches, in which the first-described circles may
lic when the bow is introduced at the opening at the side of the box; that is
to say, that those notches become a continuation of the grooves in the box:
this longer arm is terminated by a pin or stud, which enters the hole in the
stopper, and prevents it from being turned, as before described; the other
stud at the end of the shorter arm enters the hole in the side of the box,
after having inclosed the staple or other object you wish to secure. The
lock is composed, as the padlock, of a box with two sets of concentric
circles, a metal bar serving as a bolt, a stopper, and also a small plate with
springs.
The box of the lock, Figure Six, Drawing No. 2, may be of any shape, as
square, round, oval, &c. Two contiguous squares form the surface of the one
we are now describing; the box has instead of a bow a bolt, and consequently
is pierced with only one opening, extending to its centre. The first, or lower
set of concentric circles, liffers from those in the padlock already described
only in this: that in lieu of the small holes intended to receive the pins or studs

page_text: of the directing circles, they have pins, Figure 7, Drawing No. 2, to enter
the notches made in the under sides of the directing circles.
The directing circles, Figure 8, Drawing No.. 2, have in. their interior
shoulders a certain number of gaps or notches intended to receive the pins.
just described. Their upper surfaces are divided into as many equal parts as
there are notches. in their shoulders, and have radial lines deeply cut. into
them to receive the conical points of small springs, which springs always press
om the upper surfaces of the directing circles,. and they are fixed on the under
side of a small metal plate a, Figures 6 & 11 of Drawing No. 2, which
springs make a noise in falling into those radial divisions, and afford the means
of counting the number of divisions which pass under the small metal plate
affixed to the box of the lock, as before described. The stopper is the same
as that of the padlock, only. that. it is pierced. throughout by a larger.
opening, and it is thick enough. to. retain a portion of the bolt when the
bolt is protruded. from the lock, see Figure 9, Drawing No. 2.. The bolt
has similar notches with those in the longer arm of the padlock, and has
besides a small knob screwed to it, with a small plate to cover the slit or
opening made: in that. part of the box of the lock, scc Figure 10, Drawing
No. 2. The small plate a, Figures. 6 and 11 of Drawing No. 2,. is fixed by
one of its extremities to the stopper. It carries, as is shewn in these Figures
small springs, whose conical points are thrust by the force of the arms
of the springs. into the radial. divisions cut in the upper surfaces of the
directing circles:
Figure 12, Drawing: No. 2, shews the bottom of the box, and the. manner
in which the bolt is fixed to the under side of the plate.. It is easy to under-
stand the manner of using the padlock and the lock. For the padlock, we
must place the first or lower set of circles so that they allow a free passage to
the longer arm of the bow, by the notches or gaps in them being all ranged
in a line with the hole in the side of the box in placing the directing circles.
We make the cyphers to correspond at pleasure to form a combination, which
in this system will alone permit the longer arm of the bow to be. inserted. or
withdrawn. It is enough even. to turn one of the circles to render it
impossible to be opened, the stopper having also previously been put into its
place and turned, so as to bring the hole in it into a line with the aperture in
the side of the lock to receive the longer arm of the bow. For the lock, we
begin in the same manner by placing the first or lower set of circles so that
the bolt may be put in. and withdrawn easily. We afterwards so place the
directing circles as to make the small studs upon the upper sides of them
correspond to one or several of the letters or other emblems on the top of the

page_text: box. The combination thus made will be the only one capable of opening or
shutting the lock. We must put in the stopper, push the bolt in a little, and
turn one or more of the circles, and the lock is shut or fastened. The origin
of the divisions being at the small plate with springs, as we have four circles,
if we had 'before placed the small studs so as to form the word John, to open
the lock we must bring all the small studs into a line with the side of the small
plate a, and beginning there, we must make the first stud run over as many
divisions as there are letters between A. and J, and the second as many divi-
sions as there are letters between A and O, &c., and we shall thus obtain the
combination which will allow us to open the lock. This lock may be applied
to all the ordinary uses, as to doors, closets, drawers, trunks, boxes, &c.; it
will be only necessary that in certain cases the loop or staple must have a
joint in it, as in the case of a box or trunk, so that it may enter perpendicu-
larly into the hole intended to receive it. The number of combinations
afforded by this contrivance is infinite. Let us for instance examine those
afforded by four circles with thirty-six divisions on each, which can be casily
effected without confusion; supposing that the directing circles be in any
position, the number of combinations we shall be able to make in that posi-
tion will be equal to the number of permutations afforded by thirty-six being
multiplied into itself four times, or equal to 1,679,616; but if we remove
the stopper, and change the position of one of the directing circles, we alter
the system which could enable us to open the lock, so that wo have 1,679,616
systems, affording each of them an equal number of chances against any
person attempting to open the lock without knowing the combination. A
lock or a padlock with four circles, each circle having thirty-six divisions, will
thus offer more than five trillions eight billions of combinations, and it is easy
to comprehend how much we might augment them by increasing the number
of circles, or of the divisions upon then, or of both.
References to Drawing No. 1.-Figure 1 is a front and edge view of the
ox of the padlock with the bow in it. a, the shoulder for the first directing
circle: the two gaps in the tube are also shewn.
Figure 2, a view of the upper and under sides of one of the smaller or
concentric circles; c, the holes for the pins or studs on the under side of the
corresponding directing circle to enter; b, the notch or gap on the under side
f one of the concentric circles for the lower arm of the bow to pass through.
Figure 3, a front and edge view of one of the directing circles, with pins or
tuds; the upper one to turn it by, and the under one to enter into the holes
f the smaller or concentric circle.
Figure 4, an edge view of the stopper, with its two pins or studs, which

page_text: enter into the two opposite vertical notches in the tube of the box, the
hole to receive the stud on the end of the shorter arm of the bow, and a shoulder
to lodge in the interior shoulder of the fourth or innermost directing circle.
Figure 5 represents the bow of the padlock, with the notches or gaps in the
longer arm of it for the smaller concentric circles to lodge in; a stud at the end
of it, to enter the hole in the stopper; and another at the end of the shorter
arm to enter another hole in the side of the box.
Figure 6 shews the padlock compleat, with the combination figures on each
of the four directing rings, and the pins or studs by which they are turned
round.
Figure 7, a section of the padlock on an enlarged stale, shewing the
.longer arm of the bow in its place, with the four smaller concentric circles
lodged in their respective grooves, and the four directing circles above them.
The pins or studs are also shewn screwed into the under sides of the latter, and
entering into the holes upon the upper sides of the smaller concentric circles.
The stopper is also shewn in its place.
References to Drawing No. 2.-Figure 6, a top view of the lock, with the
..four directing rings in their places, and the bar a affixed to the stopper. The
bolt with its knob and plate are also shewn.
Figure 11, an edge view of the lock, in which the studs of the four
springs under the bar a are also shown.
Figure 12, a bottom view of the lock.
Figure 13, an inside view of the lock, with the bolt in its place when shut.
Figure 7, a view of the upper side of one of the smaller or concentric
rings, with the pin or stud upon it which enters into the notches made in the
inner shoulder of the directing circle placed above it.
Figure 14, the under side of the same ring, shewing the notch for the arm
of the bolt to pass through.
Figure 8, a view of the upper side of one of the directing circles, with the
notches in its inner shoulder, and the divisions cut in its surface for the conical
point of one of the springs affixed to the bar a, to enter.
Figure 15, sections of one of the directing circles, and of one of the smaller
concentric rings, with a stud or pin in it to enter into the notches of the
directing circle.
Figure 9, an edge view of the stopper, with the two studs on the opposite
sides of it, and the hole for the arm of the bolt to pass through.
Figure 10, the bolt shewn edgewise, with its knob and plate.
Figure 16, an edge view of the bar a, and the springs underneath it affixed
to the stopper of the lock.

page_text: Figure 17, a view of the under side of the bar a, with the springs screwed
to it.
grooves.
The Lock with Sliders and Combinations.-This lock is composed of three
metal plates A, B, and C, Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, of Drawing No. 8. The
plate A forms the exterior and frame of the lock. To this plate is firmly
attached the plate B, on which the bolt G of the lock moves. The plate C is
moveable in a dovetail groove on the inside of the plate B. A set of sliders
D, D, D, D, are introduced between the exterior plate A and the fixed plate
B, and the sliding plate C, the two latter of which are in one plane. Each
slider is made rectangular one half of its length, and the remainder is. cylin-
drical. One face of the rectangular part of the slider has upon it letters,
figures, or any other emblems for forming the combinations, arranged at equal
distances along it. Or instead of the slider having letters, figures, &c., upon
it, the plate A, forming the face of the lock, may be extended, and contain
grooves, in which the indexes of the sliders may move; and the said letters,
figures, &c., may be engraved on the said plate, along the sides of the
The opposite face of each slider has grooves or notches made across it at equal
distances, to correspond with the aforesaid letters, figures, &c., on the other
side, or with those engraved upon the plate A, which notches are intended to
prevent the sliders from being drawn out when the lock is attempted to be
opened without forming the combination by means of pins m, m, &c.,
attached to the sliding plate C. The notches are also continued along one edge
of the rectangular part of each slider, into which the catches of the springs
n, n, &c., affixed to the inside of the plate, &c., enter, in order to retain the
slider. At each division the cylindral part of each slider has upon it an elastic
ring o, o, &c., made to fit it tightly and accurately, and to be capable of being
moved to and retained upon any part of the cylinder, according to the com-
bination. This is effected by means of forked projections p, p, &c., attached
to the inside of the moveable plate C, into which the rings are received, when
the combination is to be made, by sliding the plate C until the forks are
brought opposite to grooves q, q, &c., made between bars r, r, r, &c., affixed
upon the inside of the plate B, and in which grooves small rectangular plates
$, s, &c., affixed upon the ends of the cylindrical parts of the sliders, move
freely, to guide the sliders, and to prevent the clastic rings o, o, &c., upon
them from being displaced by rubbing against the sides of the grooves.
When the combination is effected, the rings o, o, &c., are all in a line with
the projecting points t, t, &c., of springs u, u, &c., which are affixed on the
outside of the moveable plate C, and pass through it, and, by moving this

page_text: plate, they are made to press upon the points t, t, &c., which raise the springs
u, u, &c., on the other side of the plate, and to which they are attached, and
cause them to pass over 'the heads of screws v, v, &c., which screws are
affixed on the outside of the plate B. The sides of the springs u, u, &c. have
knife edges w, w, &c. upon them, which catch under the counter-sunk heads
of the screws v, v, &c., when the springs are not raised, and prevent the
plate C from being moved. When the plate C has been moved the points
m, m, &c. have passed through and across the grooves or notches in the
faces of the sliders D, D, &c., and are now on the opposite sides of them,
and the forked projections p, p, &c., which before were in a line with the ribs
q, q, &c. of the grooves r, r, &c., are now in a line with the said grooves, and
the elastic rings o, o, &c. are caught in the forked projections, and can be
retained there whilst the combination is made or altered. The moveable
plate C may have a bolt E fixed to it occasionally, or it may move the crooked
lever F, which acts upon a pivot in its angle, and its hooked end catches into
a notch or gap in the side of the great bolt G of the lock. This bolt 'G can
be moved either by the handle H, having a pinion upon it acting in a toothed
rack made in the side of the bolt G, or it may have affixed to it a small 'lever
I, which may have an oval hole in its end to receive a pin or stud affixed to
the bolt G, to move it backwards and forwards. The moveable plate C has a
stud K passing through a slit in the outer plate A of the lock, with a plate 'to
cover that slit, by which stud the plate C is moved, 'to open or shut the lock.
To open the lock (being previously acquainted with the combination) it is
first necessary to examine whether the sliders will move; and if not, move the
stud K until they will; then the sliders must be drawn out more or less,
<according to the combination that has been previously formed, by placing the
"letters, figures, &c., in a 'line with each other, and close to the edge or rim of
the lock, and which may be done either by counting the number of divisions
by the ear or by the sight.
.
:.
Figure 5. D, one of the sliders shewn separately; s, the small rectangular
plate affixed to it; o, the elastic ring.
Figure 6. u, one of the springs shewn separately; t, the stud underneath
it; v, the knife edge of the spring.
In witness whereof, I, the said Albert Roux, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of August,. One thousand eight
hundred and eighteen.
ALBERT (L.s.) ROUX.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the same Twenty-ninth day of
August, in the year above mentioned, the aforesaid Albert Roux came before
our Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained, in form above written.
And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the
Statute in that case made and provided.
Inrolled the same Twenty-ninth day of August, in the year above
written.