IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF LOCKS, LATCHES, AND BOLTS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William East, of 82, Besson Street, New Cross Road,
London, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
LOCKS, LATCHES, AND BOLTS."
Sealed the 22nd February 1878, and dated the 19th September 1877.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William East at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th September 1877.
WILLIAM EAST, of 82, Besson Street, New Cross Road, London.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF LOCKS, LATCHES, AND BOLTS."
66
IMPROVEMENTS
This Invention has for its object improvements in the manufacture of locks,
latches, and bolts; it consists,―
1st. In constructing those parts of a lock which effect the withdrawal of the
latch bolt of such a form as will ensure to the latch an easy elastic motion, and so
that the lock spindle may be placed at the extreme rear end of the lock case,
increasing to the greatest possible extent the distance between the knob and
the key.
2nd. In arranging the mechanism of a lock to work in a case of small dimensions
in the style of the door, while the rear end may be extended into the rail
for the lock spindle to be placed at any desired distance from the keyhole or edge
of the door.
3rd. An improved method of securely attaching the follower to the lever for
withdrawing the latch bolt, each separate part being connected by hinge joints or
pivots, so that whichever way the handle is turned an equalised smooth direct
drawing, instead of pushing action, is obtained; and the heavy friction and conse-
quent wear and tear of the rubbing or so-called rolling actions hitherto in use
is entirely avoided, while the simplicity of construction prevents any liability to
become deranged by wear or accident.
4th. In constructing the latch bolt to stand excessive wear, and so that it can be
reversed in a simple, easy manner, to suit either right or left hand doors; also so
that in closing the door the bolt is relieved from contact action with the stem
. 077

page_text: of the handle, and cannot give way or become damaged by any slamming of
doors.
5th. Introducing a separate spring (independent of the latch bolt spring) of any
required strength to act direct on the lever connected with the follower, to overcome
the tendency of various kinds of door handles and heavy knobs to bind in the door,
or otherwise prevent the free action of the latch bolt.
Having thus stated the nature of my Invention, I will proceed more fully to
describe the manner of performing the same, reference being bad to the figures and
letters on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings; the same letters indicate the same
parts in all the Drawings.
Fig. 1. The Victoria Mortice Latch (6-inch).-A represents my improved follower
attached direct to the latch bolt D by the connecting rod C.
In my Invention the heavy friction usual in other locks is entirely avoided, the
only points in contact being the centres or pivots a, a.
Fig. 2. The Victoria Cottage Mortice Lock (5-inch).-A represents my improved
follower attached direct to the lever B by the connecting rod C, the follower being
placed behind the lever B, the slightest movement of the handle in either
direction withdraws the latch bolt D by an easy drawing instead of heavy pushing
action.
Fig. 3. The Victoria Mortice Bolt (6-inch).-A represents my improved follower
attached direct to the bolt D by the connecting rod C; the follower is here intended
to turn one way only to withdraw the bolt, and when the bolt is shot out
to form a complete stop, so as to prevent the possibility of the bolt being forced
back.
Fig. 4. The Victoria Villa Mortice Lock (6-inch) represents the outline of a
lock of larger dimensions than the cottage lock, shewn in Figure 2, the keyhole and
spindle both being farther from the edge of the door.
Fig. 5. The Victoria Palace Mortice Lock (8-inch).-A represents my improved
follower attached direct to the lever B by the connecting rod C; E represents a
spring that may be used in addition to the spring which actuates the latch bolt D ;
it will act direct on the lever B, but quite independent of the latch bolt spring; it
may be of any required strength, and will overcome the tendency of various kinds
of door handles, and heavy knobs to bind in the door or otherwise prevent the free
action of the latch bolt.
The Drawing shews the position of the separate parts when the latch is with-
drawn, and it will be seen that the mechanism is of so simple and perfect a nature
that it cannot become deranged by wear or accident, that by simply lengthening
the connecting rod the handles may be placed as far as desired from the keyhole or
edge of the door, that the body of the lock may be made large enough to take either
the smallest or most massive fittings, while the rear end may be of very small
dimensions, so as to be readily inserted any distance into the rail of the door, that an
easy equalised action is obtained by turning the handle up or down, the amount
of force required being precisely the same in either direction, that each separate
part being connected by the hinge joints or pivots a, a; the heavy friction and con-
sequent wear and tear of the usual rubbing or so-called rolling actions hitherto in
use is entirely avoided.
Fig. 6. The Victoria Mansion Mortice Lock (7-inch) represents the outline of
a lock rather larger than the villa lock, shewn in Fig, 4, but smaller than the
palace lock, shewn in Fig. 5.
Fig. 7. The Victoria Upright Mortice Lock (3-inch).-A represents my improved
follower attached direct to the lever B by the connecting rod C, and shews the
lever B as made to withdraw the latch bolt D by working against the fore end
instead of the rear end of the latch.
The dotted lines projecting beyond the rear end of the cases in Figures 2, 4, 6,
and 7, shew how the lock spindle may be carried farther back into the door.
Fig. 8 represents the form and construction of a common mortice lock, and shews
how the follower A rubs against or pushes the crank B, causing great friction and

page_text: consequent great wear and deterioration in these parts, the latch itself being
frequently wedged and held back by the follower.
Fig. 9 represents Hobbs' Patent Mortice Lock (6-inch).-The object of this
Invention was to lessen friction by producing a rolling instead of rubbing action
at the points of contact a, a. In this lock and in Figure 8 the follower is not
connected with the crank or lever B, but is placed in front of it, and should
the crank from any cause bind or hang back, the turning the handle does not
release it.
My improved follower being directly attached to the crank, it is moved in
either direction by the slightest movement of the handle.
Mortice locks only are shewn in the Drawings, but my improvements are equally
applicable to other descriptions of locks, latches, and bolts.
Having now described my Invention, and the manner in which it is to be per-
formed, what I claim is,-
The follower to work at the extreme rear end of the lock case.
Attaching the follower direct to the bolt or lever by a connecting rod of any
length, and of the form shewn in the Drawings, or any other substantially the
same.
Connecting each separate part by hinged joints or pivots to produce an equalised
easy direct frictionless action.
Introducing a separate spring, as shewn, to overcome the tendency of various kinds
of door handles, and heavy knobs to bind in the door, or otherwise prevent the free
action of the latch bolt.
Constructing the body of the lock, latch, or bolt, of a size to take either the smallest
or most massive bolts and fittings, but so that the rear end may be of small dimensions
to allow of the case being readily inserted any distance into the rail of the door, as
all such improvements are herein described and illustrated in the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William East, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
TTTTTTARE TAST
14 דחזנחו
(ST) LOVE VITHA
(2.5.)