Improvements in the Construction of Padlocks
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Apr., 1889-Accepted, 22nd June, 1889
COBI LEID DI MUIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Padlocks,
1, SÜN KAM SHING of Honghom, near Hong Kong, in the Empire of China,
Schoolmaster, at present residing at 8 Quality Court Chancery Lane in the County
of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
The object of my invention is to manufacture improved safety padlocks.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and ascertained,
reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters of
reference indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal elevation of the padlock. Fig. 2, is an elevation of the
front end of the lock. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the back end of the lock fitted with
a revolving plato d. Fig. 4 is a plan of the underside of the lock, showing the
bottom plato f and the false key hole n. Fig. 5. is an elevation illustrating one stage
in the opening of the lock. Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate a further stage in the opening
process. Figs. 8 and 9 show the method of uncovering the real key hole o. Fig. 10
is a longitudinal section of the lock when locked. Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section
of the lock when partly opened and ready to receive the key. Fig. 12 is an elevation
showing details of the working parts. Fig. 13 is a section on the line y of Fig. 11,
but showing the key in the lock. Fig. 14 is a view of the front end of the lock with
the front plate c and its attachments, removed, and Fig. 15. shows the form of key
for the lock.
a a are the permanent and immovable parts of the lock, is the sliding bar, to
which articles to be locked are secured. c is the front plate to which the bar is
permanently fixed. d is a plate fitted to the back end of the lock and pivotted at e
so as to revolve upon e when the bar bis withdrawn as shown in Figs. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
11. and 14. fis an external plate, sliding upon the internal fixed bottom plate a.
g is the bolt of the lock firmly fixed to the front plate c. hi are bridge pieces, formed
as shown, to retain the bolt g in the lock, by blocking the five spring tongues attached
to the bolt g. kis the key pin of the lock.
The bolt is forked so as to pass freely on each side of the key. 1. 2. 3. 4 and 5.
are the five spring tongues fitted to the bolt g. The tongue 1 is fitted to the bolt g.
and bent over the same-passing through a slot in the plate c, the front end being
fitted with the nut 1. The front end of the tongue 1 passes through the space h¹
(when locked). It also has two shoulders which abut against the bridge h, on each
side of the space (when locked). The lever i is released by lowering the nut /
until the shoulders of the lever 1 are clear of the bridge. The spring tongues 2
and 3 are made longer than those marked 4 and 5. m is a stop to prevent the key
being turned round too far usually limited to about 130° in each direction. n is a
false key hole. o is the real key hole. p is a block attached to the spring tongue 3,
and g is a similar block attached to the spring tongue 5. is the key, which is
formed with two bits s and t.
The operation of opening the lock is as follows:-
The lock being in the position shown in Figs. 1. 2. 3. and 4., the nut / is pressed
downwards. This operation carries down the spring tongue 1 whereby the shoulders
of the tongue are moved down below the opening. The end of the bar b is then
pressed inwards out of the hole 62 in the plate d, as shown in Fig. 5. This movement
also pushes out the plate c as shown. The plate d is then rotated upon the centre e,
as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The plate f is then moved backwards to the position
shown in Figs. 8. 9 and 11.
The real key way o is then uncovered, and the key inserted with the bits turned

page_text: towards the end d. The key
then turned partly round so as to compress the spring
tongues 2 and 3 between the bits s and t, whereby the tongues 2 and 3 are able to
pass between the bridge pieces, and i, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, and the bolt g
and plate c are moved outwards. The key is then turned in the opposite direction,
whereby the tongues 4 and 5 are compressed between the bits s and t, and the
tongues 4 and 5 can pass between the bridge pieces 7 and i. The bolt g and plate c
are then moved further outwards and released from the lock. The plate c, bar b and
bolt 9, with their attachments can then be entirely withdrawn from the lock.
The lock is restored to its original state without the aid of the key. The lower
plate, and the plate d are restored to their original position, and the bar b and bolt
are inserted, the plate c being pressed home, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4.
It is obvious that the various parts of the lock may be varied in form, relative
dimensions, and other particulars. Also that the length and number of the spring
tongues may be varied and arranged so that no two locks would be alike in con-
struction, and the keys for the locks would be varied, in order to prevent one key
fitting more than one lock.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the saine is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1. The manufacture and use of safety padlocks constructed arranged and operating
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawings.
2. In the construction of padlocks of the character aforesaid, the combination of a
case a fitted with a bar band bolt g; the bolt g being locked and secured by a series
of spring tongues, capable of being successively released by various movements and
operations, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawings.
3. In the construction of padlocks of the character aforesaid, the combination of
the sliding nut 1, or any equivalent device, attached to a spring tongue, whereby the
front plate e is released, and the bar is withdrawn from the back plate d the latter
being thereby made capable of revolving and releasing the bottom plate, and thus
exposing the key hole for the entrance of the key, substantially as herein before
described and illustrated by the drawings.
4. The general construction, combination, and arrangement of the several and
respective parts, together forming my invention of improvements in the construction
of safety padlocks substantially as herein before described and illustrated by the
drawings.
D11 L A1 1000
GEO. DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.