IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SAFES OR DEPOSITORIES FOR SECURITY, AND IN SECURING THE DOORS OF SAFES CR DEPOSITORIES, STRONG ROOMS, AND SUCH LIKE PLACES, ALSO IN FIREPROOFING THE SAME, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTS OF Locks
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Matthias Hart. of the Firm of Hobbs, Hart,
and Company, of 76, Cheapside, in the City of London, Lock and
Fire and Burglar-proof Safe Manufacturers, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SAFES OR DEPOSITORIES FOR
SECURITY, AND IN SECURING THE DOORS OF SAFES CR DEPOSITORIES, STRONG
ROOMS, AND SUCH LIKE PLACES, ALSO IN FIREPROOFING THE SAME, PART OF
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTS OF
Locks."
Sealed the 2nd November 1869, and dated the 6th May 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Matthias. Hart
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 6th May 1869.
I, JOHN MATTHIAS HART, of the Firm of Hobbs, Hart, and Company,
of 76, Cheapside, in the City of London, Lock and Fire and Burglar-
proof Safe Manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SAFES OR DEPOSITORIES
FOR SECURITY, AND IN SECURING THE DOORS OF SAFES OR DEPOSITORIES, STRONG

page_text: ROOMS, AND SUCH LIKE PLACES, ALSO IN FIREPROOFING THE SAME, PART OF WHICH
IMPROVEMENTS IS ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTS OF LOCKS," to
be as follows:-
In constructing safes and such like depositories by bending a sheet of
plate metal into form for the back, sides, and parts of the fronts, or
otherwise to form the body of the safe, I form the tops and bottoms to
them by plates with the edges thereof turned up by bending or stamping,
so that such turned up parts or flanges may just fit within or over the
edges of the plate or plates constituting the back, and sides, or body, and
I secure the flanges of these top and bottom plates to the body by
rivetting or screwing and then hammering on the outer edges thereof.
The edges of the body and top and bottom plates left at the place for
the door or cover are secured by being received each into a groove or
channel formed for them in plates or a frame, which with such edges
are then secured to other plates, or a frame forming the frame or jam
of the door, or such edges may be secured to internal plates or a frame
by means of angle iron, one angle of which is formed with tenons to
pass through holes in such internal plates or frame to be there held by
rivetting or by keys, whilst the other angle of such angle iron clips the
edges. Rivets or screws may be used to aid the holding, or these front
edges may be secured by being enclosed in angle iron, which may also
partly embrace the sides of the body and be secured to an internal frame
by screwing or otherwise. By these means the metal surrounding the
edge of the door in place of standing edgewise or with the thickness of
it to the front as is customary, will have such thickness towards the
edge or thickness of the door, and the broad or side surface thereof to
the front of the safe or depository.
Another part of my improvements in safes consists in means for
securing the door to the frame when locked and of resisting the tendency
to warping of the parts under extreme heat. To accomplish this I
employ bolts with hooked or turned ends, one end of which clasp into
the surrounding frame by working on centres. These clasp bolts may
be moved simultaneously in any required number by means of a con-
necting bar working by means of studs, or by toothed connections
actuated and secured by locking in the usual manner.
In fire-proofing safes or depositories or parts thereof in place of
. combining the non-conducting and the solvent matters previous to
placing them in their chambers, I apply them in separate layers, using

page_text: by preference, first, a layer of an earthy matter such as chalf, lime,
clay, or such like material; second a layer of aqueous crystals, as alum
or such like salts, and then, third, a layer composed of a combination of
such earthy matter and of such aqueous crystals. This succession may
be repeated and the order varied. The alum I prefer to use is that called
ammonia alum.
The method of applying the tops and bottoms of safes is also ap-
plicable in the construction of the cases of locks the parts of which I
form by stamping to produce flanges, the flanged part of one surface
being adapted to be received and fit one within the other, and be there
held by screws.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Matthias Hart in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 5th November 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
MATTHIAS HART, of the Firm of Hobbs, Hart, and Company, of 76,
Cheapside, in the City of London, Lock and Fire and Burglar-proof Safe
Manufacturers, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of May, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-second
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said John Matthias Hart, Her special licence
that I, the said John Matthias Hart, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said John Matthias Hart, my 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, 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
THE CONSTRUCTION OF SAFES OR DEPOSITORIES FOR SECURITY, AND IN SECURING
THE DOORS OF SAFES OR DEPOSITORIES, STRONG Rooms,
SUCH-LIKE PLACES
ALSO IN FIREPROOFING THE SAME, PART OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS IS ALSO APPLICABLE
ΤΟ THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTS OF LOCK:," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said John Matthias Hart, my executors or adminis-

page_text: trators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their
hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, 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, 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, first, to means of constructing safes or depo-
sitories for security, and to the construction of parts of locks.
Secondly. The Invention relates to means for securing the door to
the frame of safes or depositories, strong rooms, and such like places
when locked, and for resisting the tendency to warping of the parts
under extreme heat or otherwise.
Thirdly. The Invention relates to fireproofing safes or depositories.
But that the nature of the Invention may be fully understood I will,
by the aid of the accompanying Drawings, proceed to describe means
pursued by me in carrying the same info effect.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
When constructing safes and such like depositories of sheet metal,
and a sheet of metal has been bent so as to form the back, the sides,
and parts of the front thereof, or otherwise to form the body of such
safe or depository, as shewn by the sectional plan view of parts of a
safe at Figure 1, I, according to my Invention, connect the top and
bottom plates to the back and side plates by forming them with flanges
or edges turned up by bending or stamping, as indicated by Figures 2
and 3.
In each of these Figures a shews a portion of the side and back plate,
and b a top or bottom plate, as the case may be, formed with a flange b¹
all round it to fit closely into the plate a, where these top and bottom
plates are first secured by rivetting, as shewn by Figure 2, and then the
edge a¹ of the plate a is hammered down on to the cavity formed at the
junction of the edge of the plate a with the bent portion of the plates b,
somewhat as indicated by Figure 3. The edges of the body plate a,
and of the flanges of the top and bottom plates at the place for the

page_text: door, or other cover used to obtain access to the interior of the safe or
depository are secured, as shewn in Figure 1, by being received each
into a groove or channel c' formed for them in a plate or frame C, which
with such edges of the plates or frames a, b, is then secured to other
plates, or a frame d forming the frame or jamb of the door.
"
Figure 4 shews a section and front view of part of the frame c
separately.
Figure 5 shews a modification of the means of securing the edges of
the plates a and b at the door or such like opening. In this case there
is an outer frame or plate e, separate views of a portion of which are
given at Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9, by which it will be seen that whilst the
part (1) thereof is that which is external of the safe or depository the
part (2) thereof is that next the edge of the outer plate f of the door or
cover, and this part (2) is formed with tenons (3) to pass through holes
formed for them in the internal plates g, where they are made secure
by keys h. By this arrangement it will be seen that the edges of the
plates a or b will be securely held by the clipping of the angular portion
(1) of the plate or frame c. Screws or rivets may be used in place of
the keys h if desired.
Figure 10 shews another modification of means for securing the edges
of the plate a or the. plates 6 by enclosing them in a plate or frame
formed as shewn in this Figure at i, partly to embrace by the part i¹
thereof the side of the body, and by the part is the edges of such plates,
and then be secured to an internal frame ; by rivets k, or by screwing
or otherwise. By employing means such as described for securing the
edges of the plates forming the body of the safe or depository, or form-
ing portions thereof at the parts of them next the opening for the door
or cover greatly increased strength to resist violence or otherwise will
be obtained to such parts.
In applying the first part of the Invention to forming the cases of
locks, the top and bottom plates have the required form given to them,
as shown by Figure 11, Figure 11*, Figure 11b, and Figure 12, Figure 12"
and Figure 12. Figure 11, Figure 11, and Figure 11b show one of
these plates separately; Figure 12, Figure 12, and Figure 12b show
the other plates m separately.
Figures 13, 14, 15, and 15* show separate views of the parts of the
lock case together, and it will be seen by these several Figures that both

page_text: the plates and m are formed with flanges, and that the flanges l' of
the plate are adapted just to fit within and are covered by the
flanges m¹ of the plate m, and they are secured together by screws or
otherwise. For mortice locks one of the plates may be fixed in the
ordinary way to the face plate n. For "rim," "flange," and other locks
the "face" or "head" plate and flanges may be formed with one or
other of the plates or m. The form of the plates and m will be
adapted to the form or character of the lock of which they are to form
parts.
Figures 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 show them applied to form the case
of another form of lock. In this instance the same letters are applied
to corresponding parts described in the last Figures.
I will now proceed to describe the second portion of my Invention
an arrangement according to which is shown applied by side view at
Figure 22, and a portion of an edge view at Figure 23; Figures 24, 25,
and 26 show three views of one of the parts separately.
In carrying out this portion of the Invention I employ bolts o, which
are capable of turning each on centres o', and they have hooked or
turnéd ends os adapted when shot for locking to clasp into the open-
ings p of the frame p of the door jamb or frame as shown. When
not thrown forwards these clasp bolts o turn back on their centres o¹
into the edge of the door, as shown by Figure 27. According to the
arrangement shown by these Figures several of these clasp bolts are
operated simultaneously by means of the bar q, which is capable of
being operated by a handle applied to the spindle s carrying an arm s¹
or otherwise, and then of being locked in position when desired. The
bar is formed with slotted openings q', which receive pins q³ from
the frame of the door to act as guides to the bar q in the movements
given to it. This bar q is also formed with other slots q³ to receive
pins or projections o³ from the bolts o, so that movement given to the
bar in the direction of its length may simultaneously cause the respec
tive bolts o to turn on their centres o' for locking or unlocking, as the
case may be. The bar g may be held in position for the locking of the
clasp bolts by the bolt r of a separate lock, or otherwise as desired.
In place of a bar 9 aided by pins or projections, acting as shown, tooth
gear or a series of bars or connecting rods acting from a central wheel or
other motion upon clasp bolts, such as described, arranged at the edges
of the door or cover may be employed to act on a series of such clasp

page_text: bolts simultaneously, the same being secured when desired by a separate
locking bolt or otherwise.
Figures 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 show a modification of this part of
the Invention particularly adapted to locking small hand fireproof
depositories, as well as glass and other cases used as safes or depo-
sitories for valuables. In these illustrations the bolts o are first turned
on their spindles or centres of motion o' by a handle or key applied
thereto, and then a further locking if required may be effected by
another key acting on locking parts, as is shown at t, or otherwise. The
same letters are employed in this instance to indicate corresponding
parts as in the last Figures.
Figures 28, 29, and 30 show another form of bolt o; Figure 31 shows
several views of one of the bolts o according to this modification
separately, by which it will be seen that each bolt o has projections o*
to it, which may be formed on either or both sides of it to aid in more
securely holding the door to the frame, p, p', being the holes in the
plate p to receive the bolt o.
Figures 32, 33, and 34 show a modification of this last arrangement,
in which the bolts o are provided with only one side piece o' to act in
like manner to what was described above in respect of Figures 28, 29,
30, and 31.
I will now describe the third part of the Invention. In fireproofing
safes or depositories or parts thereof in place of combining the non-
conducting and the solvent matters previous to placing them in their
chambers I apply them in separate layers, using by preference, first, a
layer of an earthy matter, such as chalk, lime, clay, or such like material;
second, a layer of aqueous crystals, as alum or such like salts; and then,
third, a layer composed of a combination of such earthy matter and of
such aqueous crystals. This succession may be repeated and the order
varied. The alum I prefer to use is that called ammonia alum.
Having thus described my Invention, and means which I adopt in
carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that what I
claim is,-
First. The adaptation or combination of means employed in the
construction of safes or depositories, substantially as described under
the first head of Invention. Also I claim the method of forming
the cases of locks, substantially as described under this head of
Invention.

page_text: Secondly. I claim the means of securing the doors to the frames of
safes or depositories, strong rooms, and such like places, substantially as
described under this second head of Invention.
And, thirdly. I claim the means of fireproofing safes and depositories,
as described under this third head of Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Matthias Hart, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fifth day of November, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.
J. MATTHIAS HART. (L.S.)