IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Greenleaf Webb Appleton, of Brecknock Road, in the
County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS."
Sealed the 2nd April 1880, and dated the 7th October 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Greenleaf Webb Appleton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 7th October 1879.
GREENLEAF WEBB APPLETON, of Brecknock Road, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS."
The improvements relate to keyless locks and locks intended to be opened
secretly at the will of the operator, and consist in the combination with a spring
or slam lock of two concentric revolvable discs placed one over the other, the lower
remaining fixed until the upper disc, which is permanently attached to a central
pinion keyed in the lock plate and passing through the centre of the lower disc, is
turned to a certain indicated point, and on arrival at said point engages and moves
the lower disc, and causes both notches to coincide and operate the spring and
draw back the bolt; also of a changeable indicator or dial of any convenient kind.
The improvements are performed by cutting a notch in both discs, and furnishing
the upper with a keyed pinion which allows of the lower disc being turned or
remaining stationary, and by the shape of such key, combined with the position of
the notches in the discs, to cause, on the two notches of the discs coinciding, a spring
to fall and become engaged in and so draw the bolt.
The dial or indicator may be of any kind and serves to show the proper position
of the discs, that is, on their notches, coinciding and so becoming engaged with the
spring of the bolt, when by further turning of the keyed pinion which has a
convenient knob to it, the bolt will be withdrawn. By shifting the position of the
pin or pointer of the indicator, the indication of the position of the notches will be
varied accordingly.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Greenleaf Webb Appleton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th
April 1880.
GREENLEAF WEBB APPLETON, of Brecknock Road, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS,"
The improvements relate to keyless locks and locks intended to be opened
secretly at the will of the operator, and consist in the combination of a spring or
slam bolt of either two or three concentric revolvable discs placed one above the
other, as follows:-In the case of there being but two discs employed the lower
remains fixed until the upper one (which is permanently attached to a central
pinion keyed in the lock plate, and passing through the centre of the lower disc) is
turned to a certain indicated point, and on arrival at said point engages and moves
the lower disc, and causes both notches to coincide and operate the spring and draw
back the bolt.
To determine the position of the discs a changeable indicator or dial of any
convenient kind is employed, through the centre of which passes the keyed pinion
above mentioned, and which is furnished with a suitable handle or knob, thereby
serving the double office of key and handle to the lock.
The improvements are performed by cutting a notch in both discs, and furnishing
the upper with a keyed pinion which allows of the lower disc being turned or
remaining stationary, and by the shape of such key, combined with the position of
the notches in the discs, to cause, on the two notches in the discs coinciding, a spring
to fall, and become engaged in and so draw the bolt.
In the case of three discs being employed which further complicates the lock and
permits of many combinations and changes of the numbers upon the indicator, both
the lower and the upper discs remain as hereinbefore described; whilo upon and in
the upper or second disc a third, notched like the others, is permanently keyed, so as
to turn in a slot within the second or middle disc to the extent of one quarter or
more of its circumference.
To operate the lock when thus furnished with three discs, it will be necessary
first to press the key of the pinion into the lower disc, and turn the same to the
left to some designated number upon the dial or indicator, which will have the
effect of bringing the notch of the lower disc directly beneath the spring in the bolt.
By now withdrawing the pinion from the lower disc, the latter will remain
stationary, and the second and third discs may be turned still to the left to another
designated number upon the dial, bringing the notch of the second disc also
beneath the spring, which is still held up by the third disc. Now by turning the
latter slowly to the right within the slot of the middle disc, which remains
stationary through the pressure of a spring beneath it, the three discs at length
coincide, the spring falls, and the three discs now turning as one withdraw the
bolt.
The dial or indicator may be of any kind, and serves to show the proper position
of the notches beneath the spring of the bolt. By shifting the position of the pin or
pointer of the indicator, which may consist of one of any number of pins or pointers
arranged in the form of a star, or otherwise, or again of an inner dial turning with
the knob and furnished with a number of radiating lines, any one of which may be
selected to serve the purpose of a pin or pointer, the indicator of the position of the
notches may be varied at the will of the operator. And in order that my said
Invention may be better understood and readily carried into effect, I will now
proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
alevation of one of my

page_text: Figure 2 shews a sectional view of the same. In this Figure A is the lower disc
keyed in outer plate; B, the second disc; C, the third disc; D, the key central
pinion fitting into A; E, the key and slot permitting C to turn in B; F, the
permanent dial; G, the inner dial; H, the knob; I, the bolt; and J the spring
upon bolt as it appears when fallen into its proper position in the notches of all
the discs.
Figure 3 shews an independent view of my improved bolt. In this Figure A
is the spring fastened upon the bolt and passing through the opening at B, B,
into the notches of the wheels below, as hereinbefore described.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention and the manner of
carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that I claim, the
improved combined mechanical arrangement consisting of a spring or slam bolt
provided with either two or three revolving discs together with a changeable dial
or indicator, and a permanent fixed key and handle, the whole arranged and fitted
substantially in the manner hereinbefore described and illustrated, whereby
increased security and convenience together with great simplicity of construction
is obtained.
In witness whereof, I, the said Greenleaf Webb Appleton, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Sixth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
G. WEBB APPLETON. (LS.)