Improvements in and relating to the Latching Mechanism of Locks and Latches.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Aug., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 25th May, 1891-Accepted, 25th July, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Latching Mechanism of Locks
and Latches.
I, JESSE BIRCH, of 5 Stringes Lane, Willenhall in the County of Stafford,
Lock Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has for its object more especially improved means of operating a
latch bolt pivoted within a lock or latch case so as to move vertically as it strikes
against a box staple within which it latches, but comprises improved means of
stopping the latch bolt at will from being operated from the opposite side of a
door to which the lock or latch may be fixed, and comprises also improvements in
box staples for use with locks or latches having pivoted latch bolts of the character
described, for the purpose of enabling them to be adjusted as to height from time
to time as may be required in consequence of the doors dropping somewhat after
being some time in use.
A latch bolt pivoted within a lock or latch case for the purpose described is
lifted, according to this invention, against the pressure of a spring which bears
upon it, by means of a knob or handle of which a portion passes through a slot
formed through the outer plate of the case and is screwed or otherwise fixed to the
bolt near its forward end; or by means of a knob or handle, of which a portion
passes through a slot formed through the outer plate of the case and is screwed or
otherwise fixed to the rear end of a short horizontal arm, which is pivoted at its
forward end within the case and is provided with an upward extension, of which
the upper end passes at the inner side of the latch bolt and bears against the
forward side of an ear or lug which stands upwards and inwards from the bolt a
short distance forward from its pivoted or rear end, and of which a stud passes
immediately under the lower edge of the bolt; or the latch bolt may be provided
If the first
with both means of operating it either of which may be used at will.
described means are employed, the knob or handle is, of course, merely lifted to
lift and unlatch the bolt; but if the latter described means are employed the
knob may be either raised or depressed or be turned in either direction, with the
result in any case of lifting the bolt. In this latter arrangement, if the knob is
depressed the upward extension of the arm presses against the ear or lug of the
bolt and turns the bolt backward on its pivot; if the knob is raised the stud on
the upward extension of the arm presses up against the underside of the bolt and
raises it; and if the knob is turned in either direction it turns, not on its own axis,
but on the axis of the pivoted arm and thus raises or depresses the arm, as the
case may be, and consequently in either case raises the bolt. In lieu of fixing the
hinder knob or handle direct to the arm, it may be fixed to a spindle passing
through a square hole in the arm, and a corresponding knob or handle be fixed on
the opposite end, so that the latch may be operated from either side of a door; but
in this case of course a slot for the spindle must be formed through both plates of
the case.
The above described means of operating the latch bolt are very easy in
action, and reduce to a minimum the noise occasioned in latching.
For the purpose of preventing at will the latch bolt from being raised from the
opposite side of a door to which it may be fixed, a lug is formed upon the bolt,
and a sliding-piece, having a plate or shoulder near its upper end and a finger
piece or handle, is passed through a slot in the rim of the case until the plate
bears on the top of such rim. A spring, formed as a bent plate and having a slot
through its middle, is passed up over the inner end of the sliding-piece until its
extremities bear against the inner side of the rim (the bend or bow being inverted),

page_text: and a cross pin is then screwed through the sliding piece below the spring but in
such position as to put some pressure on the inverted crown of the spring. The
sliding-piece is thus held against being readily moved accidentally, by the pressure
of the spring against the inside of the rim. To prevent the bolt being raised from
the opposite side of the door, the sliding-piece is simply moved over the lug on the
bolt. This lug may be conveniently used also to receive the screwed portion of
the knob or handle first described.
A box staple constructed according to this invention, for the purpose described,
consists of the ordinary boxed part, and of a plate by which it is fixed to the
joinery. The plate is fixed to the joinery by screws passing through its ends, of
which the heads bear against the plate; and the boxed part is fixed to the plate by
means of screws passing through holes in the box and screwed into the plate. The
holes through which the screws pass in the box are slotted vertically so that the
box may be adjusted as to height, from time to time, as may be necessary.
Dated this 22nd day of August 1890
STEPHEN
WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Latching Mechanism of Locks
and Latches.
I, JESSE BIRCH, of 5 Stringes Lane, Willenhall in the County of Stafford,
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 :-
This invention relates to the latching mechanism of locks and latches fitted with
a latching bolt pivoted to move vertically as it strikes against a staple or striking
plate within which it latches.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood, I will proceed to describe
it with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 is an elevation
of a lock fitted with a latching bolt of the character described and having my
improvements applied thereto; in this view the cap-plate is removed to shew the
interior mechanism. Figures 2 and 3 illustrate detached views of certain details
of the mechanism.
A is the latching bolt, pivoted within the case at b.
According to one method provided by this invention for raising the latching bolt,
a knob or handle e (shewn by broken circle) is fixed to the side of the bolt-head.
The shank or pin of this knob or handle passes through an enlarged or slotted hole
formed through the outer plate or front of the case, and the bolt is raised by
simply raising the knob or handle. If desired, a knob or handle may be fixed on
each side of the bolt head, so that the bolt may be raised from each side of a
door.
According to an alternative method provided by this invention, for raising the
latch-bolt, an arm fis pivoted within the case at g, and is formed at its hinder
end to receive a knob or handle spindle or the shank or pin of a knob or handle,
and is provided with an upward extension which passes at one side of the tail a
of the bolt and when the arm fƒ is depressed bears against the forward side of an
ear or lug which is formed with or fixed rigidly to the bolt tail a and projects
upwards therefrom a short distance forward from its pivot b. When therefore the
arm is depressed, by pressing down a knob or handle, fixed thereto or mounted on
a spindle passing therethrough, the upward extension presses back the ear k and
thus raises the bolt A. Figure 2 shews a view of the hinder end or edge of the
combined arm and upward extension i. A shoulder or projection 7 (shewn by
broken lines only Figure 1, but by full lines Figure 2), at the face of the upward

page_text: l
extension i, is normally in position immediately under the tail of the bolt, and
thus if the arm is raised such projection presses against the underside of the
bolt tail a and raises the bolt. The bolt will be raised also if force is exerted in a
direction to turn the knob or handle, because the effect will be to turn it, not on its
own axis, but on the axis of the pivoted arm f, and thus raise or depress the arm,
as the case may be, and consequently in either case raise the bolt. An enlarged or
slotted hole must, of course, be formed through one or both plates of the case,
accordingly as one or two knobs or handles are used.
This means of operating the latch bolt is very easy in action, and reduces to a
minimum the noise occasioned in latching.
A modification of the last described means of raising the latching bolt is shewn
by Figure 6, in which the arm f' for such purpose is pivoted on the axis of the
handle or handles. This arm is provided with a part which, as the arm is turned
forwards, bears against an inclined face formed on the bolt tail and thus raises the
bolt by a sliding action against such face, and with a sideway projection which,
as the arm is turned backwards, bears against a projection k¹ formed on the bolt,
and thus also raises the bolt. Figure 7 shews à detached view of the arm f¹
corresponding to the view of the arm f shewn by Figure 2.
A further improvement, according to this invention, consists in prolonging the
bolt tail a beyond the fulcrum b, as shewn in Figures I and 6, so that it passes
through a slotted hole e in the rim. The outer extremity of this prolongation of
the tail is provided with a knob d. The latch bolt A may thus be raised by
merely pressing on the knob d, which is a great convenience in the case, for
instance, of a servant having to unfasten a door while both hands are used in
carrying a large dish or tray. When this modification is employed with a mortise
lock or latch, the knob d or a finger piece in lieu thereof projects beyond the face
of the door against or into which a slotted metal plate is fixed, or into a recess
formed in the face and which is preferably lined with a suitable open metal
boxing.
This invention comprises, also, a modification, shewn by Figure 1, in which the
latch bolt may be raised by the key, when the locking bolt B is unlocked. For
this purpose, a double-armed lever m n is pivoted to the locking bolt tail, and
when the locking bolt B is in its unlocked position (as shewn) the shorter arm n is
in position to be pressed backwards by the key to raise the longer arm m.
The
outer end of the arm m is shewn detached in edge view, Figure 3. A lug or
projection o (shewn by broken lines only Figure 1, but by full lines Figure 3)
stands out from the face of the arm m and passes under the edge of the bolt tail a,
and thus as the arm m is raised in the manner described, the latch bolt is raised
by the lug o. A study, carried by the locking-bolt tail, prevents the arm from
falling out of its normal position. A lock fitted with this modification is very
convenient as a front door lock, as the latch bolt may be raised from inside the door
by any of the means above described, or other convenient means, and be raised
from the outside by means of the key in the manner described.
For the purpose of preventing, at will, the latch bolt from being raised from the
outside, a sliding-piece p, Figure 1, provided with an external knob or finger
piece q,
is mounted within a slot in the rim so as to be capable of being slid along
endways; and, when it is desired to prevent the latch being raised, the sliding-
piece is moved forwards so as to come immediately over the bolt head. A backward
lug or nib r may be formed to project from the upper edge of the bolt-head A, and
a corresponding notch s be formed in the forward edge of the sliding-piece p, as
shewn (or vice versa), so that the latch bolt may be held up, if desired, by simply
engaging the notch with the lug. In order to prevent the sliding-piece being
moved accidentally, and at the same time permit of its being readily moved
endways when such is required, it is held in position against the rim by an elastic
force; and this is conveniently effected by providing a long plate or collar t (shewn
by broken lines only) to bear against the outside of the rim and cover the slot
therethrough through which the part p passes and within which it is capable of

page_text: sliding, and by fixing a spring u inside the rim in position to bear against a cross-
pin v screwed through the portion of the sliding-piece which is within the case, or
against a washer w which bears against such cross-pin, and thus in either case
draw the plate or collar t against the rim, under an elastic pressure. When this
modification is used with a mortise lock or latch, a knob or finger piece for
operating the slide must of course project from the face of the door or into a recess
in the face thereof.
This invention also comprises means whereby, when the locking bolt is locked,
the latching bolt is securely held down so that it cannot be raised until the locking
bolt is unlocked. For this purpose, a lug or nib a¹, Figure 1, is formed to project
backwards from the lower edge of the bolt head A, and a hooked projection 61 is
formed on the edge of the locking-bolt tail in such position that when the locking-
bolt is shot out the hooked projection 6' passes over the lug or nib a¹ and securely
holds down the latching bolt.
I have shewn all the above described improvements (with the exception of one
described with reference to Figure 6) as applied, for convenience of illustration, to
a single lock, but it is not of course intended in practice to do so, as such would
obviously be unnecessary.
the rose.
Figure 8 illustrates, in longitudinal section, a convenient means of carrying the
handle spindle in one or both sides of a door, accordingly as the lock may be fixed
to the side thereof or sunk in a mortise, and of attaching the handles to the
spindle and Figure 9 is a transverse section taken on line x of Figure 8. . The
spindle d' is, preferably, square or of other section presenting exterior angles, and
a screw thread is run upon such angles for the required distance from the end. A
rose e¹, having a recess formed in its back face, is provided with screw holes m¹
through which it may be screwed to the side of the door (or one to each side of
the door) through which the spindle passes, and such rose is, preferably, let in
flush with the face of the door. A slot g¹ is formed through the spindle for a
distance necessary to give any required adjustment. A bush h¹ has an internal
screw formed therein, and is screwed upon the angles of the spindle into the
required position. This bush has a collar which fits within the recess in the back
face of the rose, and a part which fits within the central circular opening through
If the bush and rose are used in connection with the arm f described
with reference to Figure 1, the bush must fit within the rose with sufficient play
or slackness to allow of the necessary rise and fall of the spindle, as will be readily
understood. When the bush has been adjusted in position on the spindle, it is
prevented from turning and thus moving endways by a pin n¹ which passes through
the bush and slot g'. This pin is conveniently fixed by forming it with a screwed
head which is screwed into a corresponding hole in one side of the bush. Each
handle o' has an internal screw thread formed therein, and is screwed upon the
spindle and prevented from turning thereon in the manner described with reference
to the bush; and a slot is formed near each end of the spindle, whether a single
bush and rose or two bushes and roses are used, so that each handle may be
adjusted in position along the spindle as required, a greater range of adjustment
being thus provided for (to suit greatly varying thicknesses of doors) than when
only one handle can be adjusted in position along the spindle. The slot, however,
requires to be longer when a bush is used than when such is not the case, as both
the pin of the bush and of the adjacent handle pass, as shewn, through the same
slot. It is preferred to use cross-bar handles as shewn, but knobs or other handles
may be used if desired.
Figure 4 illustrates, in front elevation, a staple, for use with a pivoted latching
bolt, constructed to be fixed to the door case or frame by means of screws passing
through holes p¹ p¹ in the outer plate; and Figure 5 is a corresponding view of a
staple, for the same purpose, constructed to be fixed to the door case or frame by
means of screws passing through holes q¹ q' in a plate C to which the main portion
of the staple is fixed by screws c¹ c¹, or by rivets. According to this invention, the
holes p q are slotted, as shewn, in order that the staples may be adjusted as to

page_text: height from time to time, as may be necessary on account of the door dropping, as
it frequently does when in use. In the case of the staple illustrated by Figure 5,
the holes through which the screws c¹ pass may be slotted, as shewn, in addition to,
or in lieu of, slotting the holes q', so that the main portion of the staple may be
adjusted as to height in relation to the plate C. When a striking plate, for use
with a pivoted latching bolt, is used, as in the case of a mortise lock or latch, the
holes through which it is screwed to the joinery may be correspondingly slotted to
admit of vertical adjustment.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim, is:
1. The several means, substantially as described and shewn, by which a latch
bolt pivoted within a lock or latch case is or may be lifted to unlatch it.
2. The means, substantially as described and shewn, by which a latch bolt
pivoted within a lock or latch case is held down by an obstruction passed over it,
that is to say by the aid of a sliding-piece which is passed for such purpose
immediately over a portion of such bolt.
3. The means, substantially as described and shewn, by which the sliding-piece
referred to in Claim 2 may be employed alternatively to hold down the pivoted
latching bolt referred to in such claim and to retain it in its unlatched position.
4. The means, substantially as described and shewn, by which staples and
striking plates, for use with pivoted latching bolts, may be adjusted as to height,
for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 22nd day of May 1891.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.