CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BOLTS AND LATCHES TO BE ATTACHED TO DOORS AND OTHER SITUATIONS WHERE A SECURE FASTENING MAY BE REQUIRED
Year: 1833

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSIAH
GILBERT PIERSON, of New York, in the United States of North America, but
now residing in Ludgate Hill, in the City of London, Merchant, send
greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Twentieth day of December, One thousand eight hundred
and thirty-three, and in the fourth year of His reign, did, for Himself, His
heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Josiah Gilbert Pierson,
His especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said
Josiah Gilbert Pierson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said Josiah Gilbert Pierson, my executors, administrators, 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 mentioned, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town
of Berwick-upon-Tweed, an Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF BOLTS AND LATCHES TO BE ATTACHED TO DOORS AND OTHER
SITUATIONS WHERE A SECURE FASTENING MAY BE REQUIRED," being a commu-
nication made to me from a Foreigner residing abroad; in which said Letters
Patent is contained a proviso obliging me, the said Josiah Gilbert Pierson, by
an instrument in writing under ny hand and seal, particularly 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 said Majesty's

page_text: 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
Josiah Gilbert Pierson, do hereby declare that that the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following description thereof, reference
being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures
marked thereon, that is to say:-
These " Improvements in the Construction of Bolts or Latches to be
attached to Doors and other Situations where a Secure Fastening may be
required," consist in several novel features to be adapted to such fastenings,
but principally in the employment of a series of peculiarly-formed sliding
pieces (which I propose to call the web of the lock), intended to constitute
checks as the wards of a lock, which pieces are to be used for confining and
securing the bolt or latch, and preventing its being moved back by any other
implement in the absence of the key which has been fitted and adapted to its
particular use.
In the accompanying Drawings the bolts and latches are represented in
several Figures, the parts being detached for the purpose of explaining their
particular constructions more perfectly.
Figure 1 exhibits the interior of a lock with the improvements adapted
thereto. a, a, a, is the frame or case of the lock; b, the tongue of the bolt,
and c, c, the forked tail of the bolt, with grooves or notches formed in its
edges at z, z, z, for the purpose of receiving the ends of the legs of the sliding
pieces d; one of these sliding pieces d is shewn detached at Figure 2, drawn
upon a larger scale. They are formed from plate metal, and are all made flat
so as to lay close together and coincide with each other. The central apertures
of these sliders may be made to correspond exactly in dimensions, but the legs:
in that case must vary in length; they are made to fit on to nibs e, e, fixed
upon the lock plate, which nibs guide the sliders as they are moved up and
down. Any number of these sliders may be combined; they may be of various
thicknesses, and their legs may be of different lengths, but the key which is to
move them must be furnished with tappets exactly corresponding with these
sliders, in order that the ends of their legs may be all brought into coincidence,
so that the bolt may be allowed to slide freely, for when any of the ends of the
legs project into the notches or grooves z, z, z, then the bolt will be prevented.
from moving. Figure 3 is the key, with the tappets affixed to a barrel or
square rod, and confined by a screw cap at the end. Figure 4 represents a

page_text: series of twenty-two of the sliding pieces combined, as they would appear in
section taken transversely. It will here be seen, that their legs being of
different lengths, some of them extend outwards beyond others. When the
sliders are placed in the lock, as shewn in Figure 1, these projecting legs will
fall into the notches or grooves z, z, in the tail of the bolt and confine it, but
on introducing the key, as in the section Figure 5, and turning the key round
its tappets will act against the edges of the sliders in the central aperture, and
by raising some and depressing others, bring the ends of the legs of all of them
into coincidence with the internal edges of the forked tails of the bolt, thereby
allowing the bolt to be freely slidden back, as in the act of unlocking a door.
It will be evident that if any of these sliders were shifted from their relative
situations and placed in other situations, that the tappets, as fixed upon the
key, would not then move the whole of them in such a way as to bring the
ends of all the legs into coincidence with the edges of the bolt, or if a key
were introduced, the tappets of which varied in the slightest degree either in
height or thickness from that which had been fitted to the sliders as arranged
in the lock, the legs of the sliders would then stand at different heights, some
of them remaining in the grooves or notches z, which would of course prevent
the bolt from being slidden. The tappets upon the key are all capable of
being shifted by unscrewing the cap piece, therefore, by altering the relative
situations of the sliders in the lock, and also of the tappets upon the key to
correspond, a great variety of changes may be produced in the security of the
lock; and this variety of changes may be increased almost ad infinitum by
slight alteration in the lengths of the several legs of the sliders, and in the
thicknesses or heights of the tappets, as will be evident upon considering the
principles upon which the security is founded. A plate or cap piece should be
screwed on to the nibs e, e, for the purpose of confining the sliders in their
places. I have thus explained the principle and operation of that part of the
improvement which refers to confining the bolt or latch, and preventing its
being moved by a piclock or false key. I have only to add that the tappet
key, having been applied as described, and the sliders all brought into their
proper situations, a tubulár key is then to be introduced for the purpose of
turning a tumbler f, by which the bolt inay be moved as a further security to
the bolts or latches of locks, or such other kind of fastenings. The face plate
of the case of the lock may be secured in its place by the bolt itself, and be
prevented from being removed, except when the bolt is brought into a particular
situation, which can only be done by first introducing the proper tappetted
key, and then moving the bolt to the precise place. The interior of the lock
may therefore by these means be rendered perfectly inaccessible. The modes of
doing this admit of many variations; it will, however, be sufficient if I only

page_text: manner.
shew one method of effecting this object. The box a, a, or case of the bolt or
lock, Figure 1, to be secured in the first instance on to the door by screws
passed through holes at the corners, the face plate, Figure 6, having been
removed to allow of the screws being introduced; after the lock has been thus
fastened to the door, the face plate is put on and secured in the following
g, g, are hook pieces projecting from the face plate, which hook
pieces are intended to pass through the notches y, y, in the tail of the bolt,
and catch under the flanges i, i, upon its edges. h is a dovetailed piece of
metal, also formed on and projecting from the face plate, which piece fits into
a corresponding dovetailed notch in the front edge of the box or frame k, k,
which piece h keeps the bolt down in its proper situation. A screw is then
The security.
passed through the face plate into the box of the lock, as at m.
of fastening, however, in no wise depends upon this screw, as the notches y, y,
having been slidden away from hooks g, g, the flanges i, i, on the edges of the
bolt hold the plate securely. It will be seen that by this arrangement the lock
or bolt cannot be removed from the door by any person without having posses-
sion of both keys. Fig. 7 represents the outside of the lock plate. As a still
further security to bolts or latches of door locks, or such other kind of fast-
enings, the staple or box which is to be fixed upon the door jamb to receive
the tongue of the bolt when locked is constructed as shewn in the several
Figures in Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings, and consists of two separate
parts, which are combined so as to form a box or staple, which cannot be re-
moved from the door jamb without the door being first unlocked. Figure 1 is a
perspective representation of the box as it would appear when put together;
Figure 2 is a detached view of the box apart; and Figure 3 is a similar view of
the plate, or that piece which is to be fastened on to the door jamb. a is a metal
plate, which is first secured on to the door jamb by screws passed through the
countersunk holes b, b, b; this plate has a dovetailed rib c, c, which forms a
groove at each end, and also at the back part, if necessary. The box part d
has corresponding dovetailed edges e, e, which fit into the grooves of the plate
at c, c, and when in its place, the box covers the heads of the screws used to
fasten the plate to the door jamb. This box may be fixed in its place by
screws passed through the holes f, f, and taking into the place, which screws
are merely to prevent the box slipping out of the groove when the door is
open. As it may be desirable to close the aperture through which the
tappeted key is inserted, a sliding shutter is adapted to the bolt, as shewn at
n in Figure 8, which represents the interior of a lock with the shutter, which
is to be slidden backwards or forwards before and after locking and unlocking
the door. This shutter may be moved by the second key, which turns the
tumbler f, for throwing the bolt in or out. Figure 9 is a similar view of the

page_text: sliding shutter
interior of the lock, the bolt being removed, and shewing the sliding shutter n
in its place. Figure 10 is a representation of the sliding shutter detached.
In this instance there is a second tongue o, placed upon the axis of the
tumbler f, at nearly right angles to the bit or tongue f which slides the bolt;
the former moves in the open rectangular space of the sliding shutter, and is
kept in its proper position by guide studs, and the bridle piece, which carries
the studs e; when the bolt is to be withdrawn, the tubular key is applied, and
turned round until the tongue o has withdrawn the sliding shutter n from over
the tappet key-hole in the plate of the box, then the tapetted key is to be
introduced, and turned so as to release the bolt, as before explained, and after
this is done, the tubular key is turned still further round, when the bit or
tongue of the tumbler f will move the bolt back, and unlock the door. After
the door has been locked, and the tapetted key has been withdrawn, the
tubular key is to be turned further round, so as to bring the
over the tappeted key hole, as shewn in Figures 8 and 9. As it may be
thought desirable to adapt one key which may be able to move both the
sliding web pieces, and also throw the bolt, a contrivance to effect this object
is represented at Figure 11, which shews the inside of the lock. Figure 12 is
the bolt detached, and Figure 13 represents the key. To the bolt is attached
or connected a piece p, which is to be acted upon by a tumbler q, mounted in
the back plate of the case. This tumbler is moved by the broad or double
tappet r upon the key. When the bolt of the lock is to be slidden, the key
must be introduced and turned one quarter of a revolution, that is, until the
bolt is released, and by continuing to turn the key, the tongue of the tumbler
will be brought into operation upon the piece p, and thereby slide the bolt.
In ordet to prevent the lock being injured in any attempt to force the bolts or
latches back by turning the tumbler when the bolt is confined by the sliders, a
contrivance may be introduced which shall allow of the axle of the tumbler
going round, when extraordinary force is applied, without the tumbler
moving; one mode of doing this is shewn in the detached Figure 14. a is
the axle of the key; b, the bit or tumbler, which is kept up against a collar c
en the axle by the spring d, acting between it and the plate of the lock. A
nib or sort of clutch e, locking into a corresponding notch in the cylindrical
part of the tumbler, holds the two together, but on any attempt being made to
turn the tumbler round when the bolt is not released, the spring d will give
way, and allow the nib of the axle to receed and come out of the notch, and
hence the axle will be enabled to turn round without acting upon the tumbler.
Another mode of performing this object is shewn at Figures 15, where the
same effect is produced by friction upon the axle of the tumbler or bit.
a is

page_text: the axle; b, the bit, which in this instance has a recess cut in its side at c. d is
a spring clip or piece which fits into this recess, and is screwed to the side of
the bit for the purpose of producing a sufficient friction upon the axle, so hold
the tongue or bit firmly upon the axle, excepting when any forcible attempt
should be made to unlock the door while the bolt is secured, by the extra-
ordinary force exerted the friction of the surface will be overcome, and the axle
slide round. The same effect may be produced with the tumbler or cam
which throws the bolt at the same time that it moves the sliders, as in
Figure 11. This mode of producing that object is shewn in Figures 16. a is
the tumbler or bit, which is confined between the friction plates b, b, which are
also intended to embrace the back plates of the lock. Should any attempt be
made to move the bolt when it is not released, the plates b, b, would turn
round, leaving the tumbler in a quiescent state.
Having now described the various improvements applicable to bolts, I have
only to show the adaptation of the sliding web pieces to spring latches for
doors. Figure 17 is a representation of the interior of a spring lock, in
which the sliding web pieces are shewn with only two projecting legs. When
this construction of fastening is used only as 'a spring latch, then the legs of
the sliders or web pieces. d are withdrawn from the notches z, z. The bolt
being now slidden back a short distance, the ends of the legs will stand in the
elongated notch a, a, by which means the bolt will be free to move backwards
and forwards without interfering with them. When it. is required to secure
this construction of latch, the sliding web pieces are to be withdrawn from the
elongated notch x, and the bolt be moved outwards, until the notches = come
opposite to the ends of the legs of the sliding web pieces, when they may be
turned into the notches by the tappet key, and the bolt thereby secured.
Having now described the particular construction of the several parts of the
improvements applicable to bolts and latches for fastenings which form the
subject of my Patent, I desire it to be understood that I claim particularly the
adaptation of the changeable sliding web pieces for locking or confining the
bolts or latches. Also in rendering the interior of the lock inaccessible by
securing the face plate through the agency of the bolt and key, and in the
manner of constructing the staple which receives the tongue of the bolt, and
in the general arrangement and construction of the other improved parts when
used in connection with the said sliding web pieces.
In witness whereof, I, the said Josiah Gilbert Pierson, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of June, One thousand
eight hundred and thirty-four.
.
JOSIAH GILBERT (L.s.) PIERSON.

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twentieth day of June, in the
fourth year of the reign of His Majesty King William the Fourth, the said
Josiah Gilbert Pierson came before our said Lord the King in His Chancery,
and acknowledged the Instrument aforesaid, and all and every thing therein
contained and specified, in form above written. And also the Instrument
aforesaid was stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made in the
fifty-fifth year of the reign of His late Majesty King George the Third.
Inrolled the Twentieth day of June, One thousand eight hundred and
thirty-four.