Improvements in Locks and Latches.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 15th July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 15th Apr., 1891-Accepted, 30th May, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Locks and Latches.
I, JOSEPH BAKER of Burnaby Terrace, Walsall Road, Willenhall in the
County of Staffordshire Lock Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in locks and latches, and consists of a latch
bolt constructed in such a manner that the lock or latch to which it is fitted can be
used upon a door or lid having a right or left handed opening.
In carrying out my invention I construct a latch or lock provided with a latch
bolt having a longitudinal slot in the end thereof intended to be enclosed within the
lock, through which passes a projecting pin or stud fixed upon the interior of the
surface plate of the lock, the said slot and pin being to regulate the travel of
the bolt. The object of my invention being, that, a latch or lock having a bolt
constructed in the manner described can be used either for a right or left handed
purpose, as by turning the bolt over it can be adapted for use upon a door, cupboard
or lid opening either way. The said bolt may be so constructed that a cross head
is formed upon the end thereof intended to be within the lock, said cross head
extending beyond the width of the bolt at each side so that whichever side of the
bolt is in use, one or the other of the ends of the cross head engages with the usual
projecting piece upon the handle spindle within the lock or latch which operates the
bolt against the tension of a spring in the usual way.
Dated this 15th day of July 1890.
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
4, Moorfields, Fore Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Locks and Latches.
I, JOSEPH BAKER of Burnaby Terrace, Walsall Road, Willenhall, in the
County of Staffordshire, Lock Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to certain improvements in locks and latches, and more
particularly latches, or to such locks as are provided with latches that automatically
engage with the frame of the door, or lid when the same is closed, and consists of a
latch bolt so constructed as to be available for use with, or upon a lock latch, or
latch, that may be employed when fitted therewith, upon either a right, or left hand
opening door, without having to turn the lock or latch, and consequently the key
hole thereof, upside down to render it adaptable for the duplex purpose, as is the
case with such latches, or lock-latches hitherto made and used, hence the object of
my invention.
In order that my invention and the manner of its operation may be clearly
understood I have provided a sheet of drawings appended hereunto.
Figs. 1, and 2, are views of said latch bolt, by which the particular formation
thereof is clearly defined.
Fig. 3 is an internal view of an ordinary rim lock, with latch bolt constructed
according to my invention fitted thereto.
Fig. 4 is a repetition of Fig. 3 minus the lock bolt, which forms no part of my
invention, with my improved latch bolt reversed relatively to Fig. 3, shewing how
it can be adapted for right or left handed doors, or lids.

page_text: In carrying my invention into effect I construct a latch bolt A having a longi-
tudinal slot a in the end thereof enclosed within the lock, through which passes a
projecting pin, or stud b fixed upon the internal surface of one of the plates of the
lock B, said slot and pin being to regulate the horizontal travel of A. Upon the
same end of A within B1 form a cross head, described in the drawings by C and D
that the reversal of A in Fig. 4 relatively to Fig. 3 may be more clearly under-
stood. Said cross head being at right angles with the plane of A is easily operated
by the ordinary cam c, lever d and spring e peculiar to such lock latches, or latches
generally. The exposed end of A is provided with a bevelled head E in the usual
way, so that my said latch bolt may be easily adapted to almost any type of latch,
or lock latch in general use.
The difficulty in such latches, or lock latches as hitherto made and used, has been
that the latch or lock latch must be made to suit a door or cupboard opening from
the right, or made to suit the same opening from the left, but not adaptable for
either, or both, except by the troublesome alternative of turning said lock, or latch
upside down, which often occasions much inconvenience, in consequence of the keyhole
being also upside down, especially when the key is presented to the hole in the dark.
According to my invention this obstacle is permanently overcome.
In Fig. 3 the lock shewn is adaptable for use upon a door, or lid opening from
the right to the left, the bevel upon E is unseen in this view, the bolt A being
placed within the lock so that said bevel would first meet the frame when said door,
or lid was closed, and so automatically fasten the door, or lid in the usual way.
When said latch, or lock latch is needed for a door, or lid opening from left to
right, all that is necessary is to remove the plate and turn the bolt A over, so
that C and D and consequently the bevel on E, are reversed, relatively to their
position in Fig. 3, as in Fig. 4, the bevel upon E is then seen, and the latch, or
lock latch would then be adapted for use upon a door or lid opening in the direction
last mentioned.
Although I have shewn in Figs. 3 and 4 my said reversible latch bolt in position
within, or upon a lock, I wish it understood that my invention does not apply to
the construction of locks generally, nor do I claim such, but
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, what I do claim, and
desire to secure by Letters Patent is
In latches, or lock latches for use upon doors, or lids, the construction and use of
a reversible latch bolt A with slot a and cross head C, D, capable of being adapted
for use in converting right, into left handed locks, and vice versa, combined and
operating in conjunction with a cam c, lever d, and spring e, in the manner set forth
and for the purposes specified, substantially as herein described and shewn by the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 14th 1
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1 1001
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
4, Moorfields, Fore Street, London, E.C., Agent for the Applicant.