IMPROVEMENTS IN SAFES AND OTHER DEPOSITORIES FOR PROPERTY AND OTHER ARTICLES OF VALUE, AND IN DOORS FOR SUCH AND OTHER PLACES, AND IN LOCKS OR FASTENINGS FOR THE BAME, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS APPLICABLE TO OTHER STRUCTURES."
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Charles Hobbs, of Bridgeport, Connec-
ticutt, in the United States of America, but now residing at the
Queen's Hotel, St. Martin's-le-Grand, in the City of London, Lock
Engineer and Manufacturer of Machinery, and John Matthias
Hart, of 76, Cheapside, in the said City of London, Lock and
Safe Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SAFES AND
OTHER DEPOSITORIES FOR PROPERTY AND OTHER ARTICLES OF VALUE, AND IN
DOORS FOR SUCH AND OTHER PLACES, AND IN LOCKS OR FASTENINGS FOR THE
BAME, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS APPLICABLE TO OTHER STRUCTURES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Charles Hobbs
and John Matthias Hart at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents, with their Petition, on the 28th May 1872.
We, ALFRED CHARLES HOBBS, of Bridgeport, Connecticutt, in the
United States of America, but now residing at the Queen's Hotel, St.
Martin's-le-Grand, in the City of London, Lock Engineer and Manu-
facturer of Machinery, and JoHN MATTHIAS HART, of 76, Cheapside, in
the said City of London, Lock and Safe Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SAPES AND OTHER

page_text: DEPOSITORIES FOR PROPERTY AND OTHER ARTICLES OF VALUE, AND IN DOORS FOR
SUCH AND OTHER PLACES, AND IN LOCKS OR FASTENINGS FOR THE SAME, PART OF
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS APPLICABLE TO OTHER STRUCTURES," to be as follows:-
The Invention relates to improved means of constructing safes and
other depositories for property and other articles of value, also to the
construction of the doors of such and other places, so as to render the
same capable of resisting the action of fire or of gunpowder, or other.
explosive or chemical compounds, and to the locks or fastenings
thereof; also to means for ventilating such safes or depositories. We
form the body of the safe or depository of a series of layers or plates of
annealed steel, steel welded to iron, or hardened steel. The edges of
these layers or plates are connected together by double-channelled or
HH shaped iron. The end angles are connected by angle iron or steel
formed with the three angles in one plate. We encase such safes or
depositories with non-metallic, non-combustible material, such as slabs,
bricks, or blocks formed from clay, clay earth, cement, or compositions
such as for which Letters Patent were granted to Charles Holland,
dated September 7th, 1868, No. 2759, soft stone, known as steatite or
soapstone, or such like material, to aid resistance to extreme external
heat. The connection of such material to the metal body of the safe is
aided when required by projections, hooks, or loops.
We in like manner protect the doors of such safes or depositories and
doors for other places of iron or other metal by an external casing
of blocks or slabs formed from non-metallic, non-combustible material,
such as referred to, the separate blocks or slabs being dovetailed,
dowelled, or otherwise connected by interlocking one with the other,
and with corresponding projections, hooks, or loops from the metal, so
as thereby to form a solid, compact, and united mass.
For sliding doors the surrounding metal frame will be protected by
blocks or slabs of corresponding non-metallic, non-combustible material.
Such method of protecting iron or other metal from heat by the appli-
cation theron of non-metallic, non-combustible material of the character
referred to is applicable to iron or steel used used in other structures.
The depositories are arranged so that spaces are left to admit of a free
traverse around and under them, or around and under series of them for
inspection or otherwise; they are also divided into separate compart-
ments or chambers with separate access to each adapted for separate use
as depositories for bonds or other securities or valuables. These and

page_text: other of the doors are provided with locks so constructed that any person
of ordinary ability may set the works of the lock to the keys of any
combination within the range of the levers; or he may himself, without
the aid of a mechanic, alter by filing his key into any other combination
5 within such range, and reset the works of the lock to the key as altered.
These locks have "retaining" plates acting as main stumps constructed
in as many parts as there are levers in the lock; these levers have
recesses to receive the stumps, which are both raised into the position
corresponding to the key to be used; the retaining stump is bound fast
when set to the key by means of a pin, screw, or clamp to the com-
bination of the key to be used.
5
When any change of key is desired the binding means that holds
the retaining plates or stumps is released, and has to be reset to the key
that is to be used.
The form of the retaining plates or stumps is varied, so that they may
have vertical action or circular motion; they may be placed next to
the bolt heads, or at the heels of the bolts fitted with projections or
recesses to receive projections from the levers.
Access to the key-setting part of the lock is kept inviolate by means
) of a recess for the purpose of sealing up. All locks thus constructed are
so formed that the key cannot be withdrawn until the bolt or bolts
are shot. When any door is open, and the key is out of it, the bolt
is thrown so that it cannot be closed except by the introduction of a
proper key; or if the door is closed, and the key out of it, it must
of necessity be locked.
66
The locks are protected from damage or from the insertion of a
spurious key by means of a sliding plate lock" applied so as to be
capable of sliding in or over the keyhole of the door, or the main lock of
it, to effect the closing of the main keyhole or keyholes; and in some
cases also to effect the locking of itself. This "plate lock" cannot be
opened except by its own key or means of opening. These "
"
plate
locks are in some cases formed each with a receiving eye or loop,
which when moved to the locking position is brought in a line with a
corresponding fixed eye or loop attached to the lock, or door, or frame
to receive a separate portable pad or other lock.
A recess is formed in the door or its lock, or parts thereof, to receive
soft metal (such as that called "composition metal" answers well), so that

page_text: on the application of heat to such part for the purpose of removing or
reducing the temper of the hardened steel plate cover to the lock, and
of thereby obtaining better access to the interior of the lock, such soft
metal may become melted, and by running in amongst the parts of the
lock set the whole fast.
Also by forming a slide of hard steel to close the keyhole, and thereby
prevent the introduction of chemical compounds, and the sudden
blowing up or bursting of the door or lock, or otherwise, it prolongs the
means of defence in such cases.
We in some case ventilate such safes or depositories by forming
channels or passages in them by which to introduce fresh or warm air at
a part or parts thereof by means of fans or other blowers or means, and
exhausting air therefrom at another part or other parts thereof, in
order thereby to aid in preserving the contents thereof from decom-
position, and from the deleterious action of noxious gases or vapors.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alfred Charles Hobbs and John Matthias Hart
in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th November 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, ALFRED
CHARLES HOBBS, of Bridgeport, Connecticutt, in the United States of
America, but now residing at the Queen's Hotel, St. Martin's-le-Grand,
in the City of London, Lock Engineer and Manufacturer of Machinery,
and JOHN MATTHIAS HART, of 76, Cheapside, in the said City of
London, Lock and Safe Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of May, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the thirty-
fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto us, the said Alfred Charles Hobbs and John Matthias
Hart, Her special license that we, the said Alfred Charles Hobbs and
John Matthias Hart, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
'others as we, the said Alfred Charles Hobbs and John Matthias Hart,
our executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,

page_text: use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SAFES AND OTHER DEPOSITORIES FOR PROPERTY AND OTHER
ARTICLES OF VALUE, AND IN DOORS FOR SUCH AND OTHER PLACES, AND IN LOCKS OR
FASTENINGS FOR THE SAME, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS APPLICABLE TO OTHER
STRUCTURES," upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said Alfred
Charles Hobbs and John Matthias Hart, our executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under our or their hands and
seals, or under the hand and seal of one of us or them, should particu-
larly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Matthias Hart, on behalf of
myself and the said Alfred Charles Hobbs, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, that is to say :-
The Invention relates to improved means of constructing safes and
other depositories for property and other articles of value, also to the
construction of the doors of such and other places so as to render the
same capable of resisting the action of fire or of gunpowder or other
explosive or chemical compounds, and also to locks or fastenings thereof,
also to means for ventilating such safes.
But that the Invention may be more fully understood we will by the
aid of the accompanying Drawings proceed to describe means pursued by
us in carrying the same into effect.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 shews a portion of a side view, and Figure 2 a portion of a
front view of the body of a safe or strong room or depository: Figure 3

page_text: In the illustrations thus given only three layers or plates of metal, A,
B, and C, are indicated, but in a corresponding manner may other series
or layers be applied; and it will be seen that the outer layer A is formed
by the angular pieces A' and A2, which are filled in at the one side by
means of the plates A³, whilst for the other side, or as we have called
it the front portion, the plates A', A', which for that side or surface are
bent over, some in part to form the top, and others in a corresponding
manner to form the bottom outer surface, such surfaces being completed
where necessary by other filling-in plates. The layer B, which in these
illustrations is the middle one, is formed of angle pieces B¹, B², and
other pieces B', B³, whilst the layer C is composed of angle pieces C³, C²,
filled in on the one side or surface by sheets or plates C³, and on the
other side or surface together with the top and bottom by plates C.
In like manner will other of the plates for each layer be filled in, and
other layers if necessary to the extent of layers desired; care being
taken as much as possible in every case to avoid the joints of any one
layer being immediately over those of any other layer, and also that the
direction of the plates of succeeding layers cross those on either side or
surface thereof. The respective layers are rivetted or screwed together
at various parts of their surface as may be found most convenient, but
such means of connection we have not thought it necessary to shew.
It will be seen that the angular parts A¹, B, and C are formed by
three angles 1, 2, and 3 in each of those plates, as more clearly seen by
the separate side and sectional views of one of each of these plates at
Figures 6, 7, and 8. Figures 9 and 10 shew separate side and end views
of the angular plates A² and B². The plates C² are similar in form only
differently placed to B3. The edges of the plates forming these respective
layers may simply abut closely upon each other, or the plates of soveral
of such layers may be connected and held together by double channelled
or shaped metal, as represented at a, Figure 11, where the layers of
plates will be not only secured to each other, but also to the metal a, by
which facility in some cases will be afforded for breaking joint, but such
method of connecting the parts may be varied, and we would have it
understood that we do not claim the use of metal formed as represented
at a in this Figure 11 as a means for connecting such plates together.
The plates of metal forming the different layers or series A, B, C, above
referred to, or other of such layers, we form of plates of steel welded to
iron or hardened steel, together with in some cases the outer layer or

page_text: coating of annealed steel, and the contact edges are all planed or made
true so as to effect clean, tight joints between them. Plates of metal
thus combined and fitted in the formation of safes or other depositories
by the close contact of all the parts and the consequent absence of
channels, chambers, or recesses, in which gunpowder or other explosive
compounds may be inserted, renders injury to them by the action of
such explosive matters very difficult. When circumstances admit of our
doing so, we encase such safes or depositories with non-metallic, non-
combustible material, such as slabs, bricks, or blocks, formed from clay,
clay earth, cement, or composition such as for which Letters Patent
were granted to Charles Holland, dated September 7th, 1868, No. 2759,
soft stone known as steatite or soapstone, or such like material adapted
to aid resistance to extreme external heat and applied to the metal by
projections, hooks, or loops.
Figures 12, 13, 14, and 15 shew several forms of angular or hooked
pieces of metal d, which would be affixed to the metal portion of the
safe e by screws or rivets; and f, f, shew portions of the non-combustible
casing held to the metal body by such means. In all cases we form the
parts adjacent to such holding surfaces with sufficient space to admit of
the application between the parts of cement in a plastic state, to fill up
such parts and aid in holding them correctly in position and in close
contact.
Figure 16 shews one form of dowelling adopted by us in connecting
parts or blocks of such non-combustible casing material one to another;
g is the dowel.
In some cases such non-metallic non-combustible material may be
further secured to the body of such safes or depositories by means of
external metallic bands, which in the case of small safes may also serve,
by being passed through an adjoining wall, to secure such safe to the
building.
In like manner we protect the doors of such safes or depositories and
doors of other places formed of iron or other metal by an external casing
of blocks or slabs formed from non-metallic non-combustible material,
such as referred to, the separate blocks or slabs being dovetailed,
dowelled, or otherwise connected together by interlocking one with the
other and to the metal portion by hooks or loops from such metal of the
character referred to, or in other corresponding suitable way so as thereby

page_text: to form a sond, compact, and united mass of metal and non-com
material.
In the case of sliding doors the surrounding metal frame thereof
will be protected by blocks or slabs of corresponding non-metallic non-
combustible material applied in a similar manner.
Such method of protecting iron or other metal from heat by the
application thereon of non-metallic non-combustible material of the
character referred to and applied thereto as herein stated is applicable
to iron or steel, such as the columns or girders, and other metallic fittings
or parts of other structures.
We would however have it understood that we do not claim as of our
Invention the use of non-metallic non-combustible substances as a coating
in any of the cases referred to apart from the employment of projecting
hooking or looping means by which such non-metallic non-combustible
substances are secured to the metal body of the safe or depository.
Figure 17 shews by plan view, and Figure 18 by sectional end view an
arrangement of depositories with spaces left to admit of a free traverse
around and under them for inspection or otherwise. f, f, represents
several layers of iron or steel or such like plates combined as above
referred to, or otherwise, so as to form a general depository with entrance
thereto by the doorways 9, 9, the whole of the part f, f, being encased
by non-metallic non-combustible material h, such as above referred to,
and with sliding doors i of the like material to slide over the iron doors
to the doorways 9. The chamber f, f, is supported on arches h¹, h³, so as
to afford means of inspecting beneath the chamber f, and on the respective
sides and top there are other passages j, j, and k for facility of inspection
of those surrounding parts, or otherwise, within the enclosing wall l.
This general chamber or depository is also internally divided into
separate compartments or chambers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, for
series of separate safes S, with separate access to each compartment or
chamber, which may be by the use of simple iron openwork gates as at
m, m, or by solid metal doors. These doors or gates are shewn as applied
at both ends of these compartments for facility of access thereto, if
desired, at either end.
In cases where safes or depositories may require ventilation we apply
small channels or passages to them to connect their upper and lower
parts, or such other parts of them as may be desired, with fans or other

page_text: suitable means by which to exhaust any foul air which may have a
tendency to generate in such places, and to introduce fresh or warm air
therein, and thereby to obtain a circulation of fresh, or it may be warm
air therethrough, and thereby tend to promote the preservation of the
contents of such safes or depositories from the deleterious action of
various noxious gases or vapours.
Chambers may be formed in or applied to the internal surface of the
metal body of the safe or depository, to receive fire-resisting composition,
or solid or liquid matter, adapted to keep the parts cool or to prevent
the free effect of heat externally, applied as an additional protection to
meet extraordinary circumstances, and the ventilating channels may be
formed between these chambers.
Figures 19 and 20 shew two opposite side views of a lock for the doors
of safes, or depositories, or other places with improvements therein,
according to another part of our Invention; Figure 21 is a transvere
section of the same, taken through the lines 1, 1, of Figures 19 and 20;
Figure 22 is a similar view to Figure 19, but with the parts in a slightly
different position; Figure 23 shews a sectional view of the case of
the lock with the bolt and other of the parts therein; Figures 24, 25,
26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31, shew various views of some of the parts
separately.
This lock is so constructed that persons of ordinary ability may at
pleasure, without the aid of other instruments, vary the setting of the
works of it to keys of different combinations, or so that without the aid
of a person versed in lock making the key of the lock may be readily
altered by filing the steps of it or those parts which in use act on the
"levers" of the lock, thereby forming what is called in the lock trade a
different "combination," and the works may be placed in a condition
which will admit of an almost infinite number of changes being effected
in the parts of it; or the works may be, as it is called, "reset," so that
until any fresh "setting" is effected that altered key, or one exactly like
it as altered, will alone serve to operate the bolt, and an endless variety
of changes or "combinations" may be thus effected.
a is the inside or cap plate of the lock, or that plate which when the
lock is applied comes next the inside of the door; b is the outside or bed
plate, or that which may be exposed to view on looking at the inner
surface of the door; c is the surrounding wall of the lock, enclosing the

page_text: works; d is the bolt; & is the stud which at once forms an axis on
which the "levers" turn, and also as a guide for one end of the bolt by
passing through the slotted opening d' formed in that bolt in the usual
way. e, e, e, and fare a series of plates with projections or stumps e¹ on
each of the plates e, and a projection or stump f¹ to the plate f, adapted
as is well understood to pass into and from openings gland h¹ formed
for them in levers g and h. The number of these levers 9, g, corresponds
exactly with that of the retaining plates e, e, whilst the "lever" h acts
alone with the retaining plate f. In order that the lock may be capable
of the changes referred to, the relative position of the retaining plates e
is capable of being changed so that their stumps may be brought into
the desired position to be received into the recesses g¹ formed in the
ends of the levers g when they are operated by the key, and of being
there securely held during the ordinary use of the lock, until it be
may
necessary or desirable to change the relative parts of the lock to another
key or combination of parts. In order to any of such changes in
the arrangement of locks shewn the bolt d has affixed in and so as to
stand out from it pins d², d, which pass through the vertical slots g³
formed in each of the retaining plates e, so as to admit of those retaining
plates moving freely in a vertical direction only. The plates è are borne
against by the ends f³, f², of the plate f, which is formed of steel slightly
elastic and somewhat arched for this purpose. This plate f does not
slide in the direction of its length on the pins d², d², but those pins
simply pass through it, and thereby hold it in correct relative position,
and admit of its being drawn more or less tightly towards the plates e, e,
so as when required to hold the plates e, e, in a relative position to which
they may have been set.
In order to effect the binding of the plate fon the plates e, or the
releasing of it therefrom, as may be required, there is affixed to the
plate fa stud f³, the outer end of which is tapped with a very fine
thread, which is taken into by a corresponding thread formed in the
socket or boss of the plate i, by turning which in one or other
direction the desired tightening, binding, or slackening of the plate fis
effected. The plate i is formed with a pointer, and two projections
or stops ³, i, as well as with projections i, i, for the thumb and finger
to act upon in turning it.
In Figure 19 this plate i is shown in the position of it when it has

page_text: against the plates e, e, to hold them in a selected relative position, and
when with the bolt it has been moved forwards so that its stop i* rests
on the stop 6' projecting from the plate b. In that position of the parts
the pointer is in the direction indicated by Figure 19.
In this relative position of the parts a key corresponding with the
combination previously made may be freely introduced by the keyhole j,
and having raised the levers to a position relative to the retaining plates
such that the recesses of one will correspond with the projections or
stumps of the other, it will also act to withdraw the bolt, but the key
cannot be withdrawn from the lock until the bolt has been again shot,
so that when any door having such lock on it is open, and the key is
out of that lock the bolt projects, or is what is called "thrown," con-
sequently such door cannot be closed except by the withdrawal or
unlocking of that bolt by the proper key, or if such door is closed and
the key out of the lock the bolt must be shot and the door locked. The
key is passed into the lock down the tube 1, so that its end may rest
against the plate A formed thereon. This tube turns with the key,
and on the under side of the plate is formed or applied the projection 1,
which in the turning of the key to unlock or withdraw the bolt & comes
against the stop m², to necessitate the shooting out again of the bolt d.
As stated before, the key can be withdrawn, or if desired the end of the
key may act on the bolt and against the stop m², in place of this
additional piece ². This stop m² passes through the slotted opening 6³
formed for it in the plate b, and it is applied to so as to stand out
from the plate m, which acts as a lever by being supported to turn
on the stud m² in the plate m, and at the other end m³ it rests on the
periphery of the plate i to which it is borne by the spring m⭑.
When it may be desired to change the combination of the lock to
another key, or to alterations of the same key, the bolt must be partially
withdrawn by the key corresponding with the existing combination,
until the pointer is pointing on the line m³ across the end m³ of the
plate m, when the stud b' will be free of the notch therein, and that
plate i may then be turned partly round in the direction of the arrow
in Figure 22, by the finger and thumb acting on the projections, until
the projection from that plate comes against the under side of the
stud b', and the plate i then assumes the position indicated in that
Figure 22, the effect of which will be to release the platef from the
tight binding hold upon the retaining plates e, and by the end m³ of
•

page_text: the plate m coming on to the part of the periphery of the plate i,
the stop m¹ will be moved out of the way of the piece 1, and the key
in the lock may be turned the remainder of its rotation, so as to take
the bolt fully back and withdraw the key. The key may then have
the rises or steps of it which act on the levers g altered, or any other
key with rises for different combinations within the range of the
"levers" may be introduced when in the shooting of the bolt to the
position indicated by Figure 22 the new key or new combination of
key will have lifted the tumbler levers 9, and they will have acted
by their recesses g¹ on the stumps e¹ of the plates e, to place them in
correct relative position for the new combination, the plate i must then
be turned back again in a direction opposite to that of the arrow in
Figure 22, until the pointer is again on the upper side as in Figure 19,
when the plate ƒ will be again tightened to bind on the plates e, e, to
hold them to the bolt d in the newly selected relative position. The
bolt d may then be fully shot, the new or altered key removed and
used in operating the lock, and so on. The back of the plate i is
recessed at 8, 8, for the passage of the stud 6. Both of the studs b₁
and ³ serve as guides to the motions of the plate i. The slotted
opening 6 receives and admits of the motion therein of the boss i¹ to
the extent of the motion of the bolt d.
The form of the retaining plates and their stumps and parts acting
therewith may be varied, as may also the position in which they are
placed.
The stumps may be formed on the levers, and the recesses for them
in the retaining plates and the relative parts may also be otherwise
varied. This key setting part of the lock may be enclosed in a recess
covered by a door or otherwise, so that the parts may be sealed against
playful or mischievous tampering with, if desired.
We, according to another part of our Invention, in some cases protect
the keyholes of locks from damage or from the insertion of a spurious
key by means of a sliding plate lock, applied so as to be capable of
sliding in or over the keyhole of the main lock.
Figure 32 shews an external view, and Figure 33 an internal view,
with the cover removed of parts of a locking apparatus for sealing the
keyhole of a main lock according to this part of our Invention, with
the parts in the position for the key of the main lock freely passing
through the opening for that purpose.

page_text: Figures 34 and 35 show corresponding views of the same lock with
the opening o supposed to lead to the heyhole of the main lock closed
by the intervention of a plate p.
Figures 36 and 37 shew an edge view and a section of the parts in the
position corresponding with Figures 34 and 35. The plate p is capable
of sliding on the bed plate q, and it is guided in any motion given to it
by the pins 7, 8, which pass through slotted openings formed in that
plate. This plate p also carries a stump p', which stands out from it to
be acted upon by the ends of levers t, the number of which may be
varied so as to hold the plate p in the position indicated by Figures 34,
35, 36, and 37, or by the action of a suitable key passed through the
keyhole u to act on the levers t and the tail p² of the plate p, as on the
bolt of a lock the recesses t¹ in the levers t will be brought into position
to receive the stump p'as the sliding plate is withdrawn into the position
indicated by Figures 32 and 33, when the hole p³ therein will be coin-
cident with the holes o in the back plate q and that in the front plate x,
so that the free passage will be opened therethrough to a keyhole of a
main lock, over which these parts are placed. is a slide to cover the
keyhole u; p is a receiving eye applied to the plate p; and w is a corre-
sponding stationary eye applied to the covering plate x. When it is
desired to move the plate p into a position to close the passage through
the keyhole o, o, this may be effected by simply acting on the receiving
eye p', so as to raise it into a line with the stationary eye w, when the
locking of the parts will be effected by the tumblers, as indicated by
Figures 34, 35, 36, and 37, and in that position another separate portable
padlock may be applied to these receiving eyes to hold them in that
position.
In Figures 20 and 31, the levers g and are shewn with recesses g²,
², and the bolt of the lock is provided with a stump z formed of soft
metal (such as that called composition metal answers well), but such
soft metal may be otherwise formed in a recess in the door or other of
the parts of the lock, or may form a part or parts of the lock, so that on
the application of heat to such part or neighbouring parts for the purpose

page_text: Figure 39 shows by a sectional view a portion of the door of a safe or
depository with an arrangement of sliding picce to close the keyhole and
thereby prevent the introduction through such keyhole into the lock or
parts of the door of chemical compounds and the consequent sudden
blowing up or bursting of the door or lock thereof, or that in other cases
that such sliding piece closing these openings may serve to prolong or
increase the means of defence provided by the general arrangements for
security in the fastening of such doors. A represents the portion of
door; B, the keyhole therethrough for access by the key to the lock; and
C is a bar of hard steel which is formed to slide in a channel provided
for it in the door so that when lowered as indicated by the Drawing the
slide C closes the passage B, or when raised with its lower edge above
the passage B free access is allowed for the introduction of a suitable key
to a lock on such door. The lifting and lowering of such sliding pieces
C may be by any suitable connecting means, and generally we think it
better that communication with such connecting means to such slide be
only in a room some distance from the door to which the slide is applied.
We also form recesses or channels C¹ or other suitable channels in the
surfaces of the slide C, and others to correspond in the surfaces of the
channel in which such slide travels, in which we apply soft metal such
as above referred to, so that in the event of strong heat being applied to
that portion of the slide for the time closing the keyhole for the purpose
of softening the same and facilitating drilling through it, the effect of
the heat may be to cause the soft metal to melt, and by flowing in
amongst the parts only tend to further fix the slide and the works of the
lock; such sliding pieces may be otherwise applied between the lock and
the face of the door.
Having thus described our Invention, and means which we adopt in
carrying the same into effect, we would have it understood that we do
not confine ourselves to the precise arrangements of parts as shewn and
described; but what we claim is,-
First. The forming of safes and other depositories for property and
other articles of value by layers of plates of annealed steel, steel welded
to iron, or hardened steel applied or combined in manner substantially as
described.
Also we claim the incasing of such safes or depositories and the doors
thereof, and of other places, with non-metallic, non-combustible material
combined with or connected to the metal portion thereof, and the

page_text: application thereof to the protection of iron or steel used in other
structures in manner substantially as described.
Also we claim the arranging safes and other depositories for property
and other articles of value with spaces to admit of free traverse around,
over, and under them, and the dividing of such safes or depositions into
separate compartments or chambers with separate access to each adapted
for separate use, substantially as described.
Secondly. We claim the arranging and combining parts of locks for
doors of safes and other depositories for property and other articles of
value, and other places, with capability of variation in the combination of
the acting parts thereof to changes in the key or keys, and whereby the
key for the time in use is prevented from being withdrawn from the lock
except when the bolt thereof is shot or the parts have been placed in
position for effecting changes in their relative position, substantially as
described.
Also we claim the application of sliding plate self-locking protecting
means to the keyholes of locks, substantially as described.
Thirdly. We claim the application of soft metal in recesses or openings
of moving parts of locks, or otherwise to form parts of locks so that in
the event of heat being applied thereto such metal may have a tendency
to run into and fix the parts of such locks, substantially as described.
Fourthly. We claim the application of a sliding plate of hardened
steel and parts connected therewith to give increased protection to the
keyholes of locks, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Matthias Hart, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of November, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
two.
J. MATTHIAS HART. (L.S.)