CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN BOLTS, LOCKS, AND OTHER FASTENINGS
Year: 1847

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
HANCOCK, of Pentonville, in the County of Middlesex, Gentleman, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Sixteenth day of
September, One thousand eight hundred and forty-seven, in the eleventh year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said William Hancock, my exors, adñors, and assigns, Her
especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said
William Hancock, my exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said William Hancock, my exors, admors, or assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times 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, and
in the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in
all Her said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN BOLTS, LOCKS, AND OTHER FASTENINGS;" in which
said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the said William Hancock,
shall cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention, and

page_text: in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court
of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference
being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
William Hancock, hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, are fully described and ascertained
in and by the present Specification thereof, reference being had to the Drawings
hereunto annexed, that is to say:-
My Invention has, firstly, relation to door and other bolts, and has for its
object to make such bolts doubly secure by locking, which I accomplish in the
manner following:-The bolt may be either flat, as represented in Figure 1
and Figure 2, or of the ordinary round form, as represented in Figures 3 and 4.
In Figures 1 and 2, A is the bolt, which is bevilled on both sides, and made
to slide in chases B1, B2, bevilled to correspond, which are sunk in the wood
of the door and door post; C is a small lock, which is inserted into a recess
cut away from the under side of the bolt, so as to come flush with the side
of the bolt; D is a keyhole to the lock; E, E, recesses in one of the edges
of the chase B', into which, the bolts of the lock C take when shot. On the
bolt A being slid to the end of the door-post chase B³, if it be desired to
make still more secure, a key made to fit is inserted in the lock (C), and the
bolts, shot, which, taking into the recesses E, E, render it impossible to
withdraw the bolt A till the lock (C) is unlocked. In the case of the round
bolt (Figures 3 and 4), I affix the lock (C) to the door-post, and form at one
end of it a socket E, for the reception of the end of the bolt, which near to
its extremity has a circular recess E2 cut out in it to receive the bolts of the
lock (C). A lock may be applied, in the same way to any kind of shutter
fastening, or any kind of latch, lock, or door bar, for the sake of obtaining
greater security.
:
Secondly, my Invention consists in applying the preceding mode of double
fastening to mortice and other locks, and also to spring catches, in the manner
exemplified in Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8. B₁ is a flat dovetailed bolt, which
slidės within a chase B² formed on the under or inner face of the mortice
lock L; C3 is a lock let into the upper or outer face of the bolt B¹, which
lock bolts up or down into the outer frame of the principal lock L; A is a
tumbler affixed to the axis or spindle of the door handle, by which the bolt
B' is moved out. and in; D is the keyhole.
have a short groove F in the front plate, for
In many cases it is desirable to
the key when left in to travel

page_text: backward and forward in along with the sliding bolt. I sometimes also make
a second mortice hole H in the outer frame to fasten back the bolt flush at
the end.
Thirdly, my Invention consists in making locks for iron and other safe
doors, in the manner exemplified in Figures 9 and 10. A, A, A, A, are four
bolts which travel simultaneously on the face of a plate B, and slide in four
dovetail grooves C, C, C, C; D is a lever attached to the spindle or axis of
the handle of the lock, which lever turns three tumblers E¹, E³, E³, which
throw out the four bolts simultaneously. In one of these bolts I form a lock,
as before described in Figures 1, 2, 5, and 7, by locking which the four bolts
are at once secured, or for greater security there may be a separate lock to
each bolt and each lock different from the others.
Fourthly, I make locks in the manner exemplified in Figures 11, 12, 13,
14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19. A is the body of the lock; B, the bolt; C, a
bosshead, to which a small check lock D is affixed. When the bolt B of the
principal lock has been thrust into the bosshead, the check lock is then locked,
the bolt of which takes into a hole E formed in the bolt B for that purpose.
A check lock of this description may be added to the bosshead of any of the
improved locks herein described, or to the bossheads of the locks now in
common use. The mode of double fastening shewn in Figures 11 and 12
will be found also very suitable for shutters, bars, and other like parts of houses
and buildings.
Fifthly, my Invention consists of a dovetail, represented in Figures 20, 21,
and 22, which is so constructed as to be applicable to any kind of framing,
whether in metal or in wood, which may require the convenience of being
easily fixed and as easily detached. I insert a screw A (which I call a lever
screw) through the male part B of the dovetail, and to such a depth as that
it shall merely press on the female dovetail C, or just enter a slight indenta-
tion made in the face of it, so that by tightening the screw you raise the
dovetail, and so tighten it to any degree which may be required. In order to
draw the shoulder of the male dovetail close up to its joint I make a V-shaped
hole only a small part of the way into the female dovetail, so that the bottom
end of the screw, which is of the same V-shape, may enter it. The V-shaped
hole must, however, be made a little farther back from the shoulder or joint
than the screw itself, so that the screw as it enters may keep drawing the
shoulder up to its joint as tightly as possible, or as it is technically called in
framing "drawboring."
Sixthly, my Invention consists of a fastening for windows of the improved
construction, represented in Figures 23 and 24. A brass frame or box is

page_text: divided in two parts A and B, according to the width of bars of the window-
sash; and within this box or frame there is a dovetail bolt C, similar to that
represented in Figure 5, which slides backwards and forwards over the joint
D, which divides the sash bars. To this bolt I apply a lever screw, such as
shewn in Figure 22, having a suitable small rose knob or T-handle E on the
top; and this either in front or behind, in order to tighten the fastening and
to prevent the shaking of the window. To the front or any other convenient
part of the box or frame A, a lock F may be added to take into the front bar
of the sash and serve as an additional security.
"
Seventhly, my Invention consists of the improved fastening for bedsteads,
represented in Figures 25 and 26. Instead of screwing a bedstead together
in the ordinary way, I dispense with screws altogether, and also with all the
mortices and tenons used in framing bedsteads, and substitute for the same a
dovetail bracket arrangement, by means whereof any bedstead can be fixed
up or taken down in much less time than usual with a simple turnscrew.
Another advantage attending this new arrangement is that the joints are all
of metal, which prevents the harboring of bugs in the framing.
In the Figures 25 and 26 A represents the bracket or box of metal. At
the front of this bracket or box there is fixed by rivets or otherwise a tapered
male projecting dovetail slide B, which together with the box to which it is
attached is fitted on to the end of the bed rails (at the place where the
tenon is usually formed), by means of one or two iron pins passed through the
rails and fastened with a nut and screw. A female dovetail plate is firmly
screwed on to the bed-post to receive the projected male dovetail slide B.
And at the top of the male dovetail a lever screw, such as shewn in Figure 22,
is applied, which screws against an iron plate at the back of the female dovetail,
which serves very much to tighten the whole fastening.
Eighthly, my Invention consists of an improved bed testor fastening, repre-
sented in Figures 27, 28, and 29, which may be also usefully applied to many
other similar frames or structures. It does away with all the ordinary mortices
and tenons, and being all of metal affords no harbour for bugs. A is a male
dovetail slide which is screwed into the place where the mortice is usually
made in a testor rail; and B is a female dovetail on the rail where the tenon
is generally formed; C is a lever screw, by means of which, as before explained
in describing Figure 22, the joint is tightened or loosened, as may be required.
This testor fastening may be either made to project beyond the surface of the
rail or kept flush with it.
Ninthly, my Invention consists in the application of the dovetail joint
before described to any kind of supporting bracket, as exemplified in Figures

page_text: 30, 31, and 32, .and in the application also of the lever screw. shewn in
Figure 22, to tighten or loosen such bracket fastening, as may be required.
Tenthly, my Invention consists of an improved fastening or rod for stair
carpets, represented in Figures 33 and 34. Such rods are usually made
round, but I make mine triangular, whereby they are enabled to fit more
exactly into the angles of the stairs, and to keep the carpet more regularly
into its place. The face of the rod may be made either plain or ornamented
The eyes to hold the ends of these rods should of course be of the same shape.
A screw may be passed through one eye to fix the rod.
Eleventhly, my Invention consists of a new button fastening, represented
in Figure 35, which is more particularly applicable wherever there is a great
strain to be withstood and much strength required, as in the case of. braces
and trowser straps. I make the buttons with the usual face, preferring for
strength sake to have them of metal. A small short shank a is cast on the
centre of the back of the face b. In turning the button after casting I form
a pin at the back end of the shank, leaving a shoulder c at a proper distance
from the back of the face to form a base to rivet on. Or, I sometimes put
a small thin plate on the shoulder for the like purpose. I then take a piece
of strong cloth, to which I unite by solution of india rubber or any other
suitable cement, a piece of linen or sheet india rubber, and with a cutting
punch I cut a piece out of this cloth of about the size of the face of the
button. I pierce a hole in the centre of the cut out piece, and
pass it on to
the shoulder formed in the shank of the button. I then put a small metal
plate d, or a small bit of sheet india rubber over the back of the cloth, and
rivit the shank firmly to it. Formed in this way the button will be found to
be both flexible and strong when sewn to the garment. The button is attached
to the garment by passing the face of the button edgewise through a small
slit or eyelet hole in the garment from the back to the front. The cloth
which is attached to the back of the button is. then sewn with strong thread
through and through to the garment, which both closes the eylet hole and
fastens the button firmly to the garment.
Lastly, my Invention consists of an improved catch or fastening for card,
loo, and other tables. It is well known that the present catches often allow the
top of the table to become loose from the pillar block, after which the least
pressure at any side causes it to jerk up and down. I avoid this incon-
venience by introducing a flat dovetail slide, of the kind before described,
into the handle that draws the catch from the pillar block, and by using the
lever screw, also before described, as the handle of the male sliding dovetail,
or applying the lever screw to any suitable part of the catch, I can at all

page_text: times, by turning the lever screw, fix the top of the table so as to prevent the
inconvenience above stated; I apply a spring at the end of the sliding
dovetail, to cause the catch to spring backwards and forwards into the pillar
block.
And having how described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that the improvements which I
claim as constituting the said Invention, are as follows:-
First, I claim the double fastening bolts, represented in Figures 1, 2, 3,
and 4, and before described.
Second, I claim the combination of a double fastening lock for mortise
and other locks, as exemplified in Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8, and before
described.
Third, I claim the improved iron safe lock, represented in Figures 9 and 10,
and before described.
Fourth, I claim the mode or modes of constructing locks, represented in
Figures 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19, and before described.
Fifth, I claim the dovetail fastening, represented in Figures 20, 21, and 22,
and before described. .
Sixth, I claim the improved window fastening, represented in Figures 23
and 24, and before described.
Seventh, I claim the improved bedstead fastening, represented in Figures
25 and 26, and before described, in so far as regards the combination of the
dovetail joint with the lever screw, but without meaning to claim the dovetail
joint by itself.
Eighth, I claim the bed tester fastening, represented in Figures 27, 28,
and 29, and before described.
Ninth, I claim the bracket fastening, represented in Figures 30, 31, and 32,
and before described.
Tenth, I claim the triangular stair carpet rod, represented in Figures 33
and 34, and before described.
Eleventh, I claim the improved button fastening, represented in Figure 35,
and before described.
Twelfth, I claim the improved catch or fastening for card, loo, and other
tables, before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Hancock, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.
WILLIAM (L.s.) HANCOCK.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Sixteenth day of March, in
the year of our Lord 1848, the aforesaid William Hancock came before our
said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to
the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Sixteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord One