IMPROVEMENTS IN Locks AND LATCHES AND IN PARTS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Matthias Hart of the firm of Hobbs Hart and
Company of 76 Cheapside in the City of London for an Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN Locks AND LATCHES AND IN PARTS CONNECTED
THEREWITH
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Matthias Hart at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd January 1883.
JOHN MATTHIAS HART of the firm of Hobbs Hart and Company of 76 Cheapside
in the City of London. IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS AND LATCHES AND IN PARTS
CONNECTED THEREWITH
The object of one part of the invention is to facilitate the withdrawal of the
latch bolt of Locks and Latches by arranging the parts thereof so that such
withdrawal may be readily effected not only, as now by the partial rotation of the
handles in one or the other direction but also by pressure exerted on either or both
handles in any of several directions.
For this purpose the latch bolt is capable of being acted upon for its withdrawal
by one end of a double ended lever the other end of which supports a link of a
curved or other suitable form, adapted to be acted upon by the horns of the
"follower" so that by turning the handle in either direction the link will be acted
upon to cause the double ended lever to turn upon its axis of motion and thereby
withdraw the latch bolt so as to admit of the opening of the door, or other part to
which the lock or latch is attached.
Springs aid in keeping the parts in their correct relations
By simple pressure without necessary partial rotation on either or both of the
handles in any of various directions the link or lever referred to will be caused to
act on the double or it may be a single ended lever to cause a like withdrawal of
the latch bolt.
The parts of the lock or latch are formed to admit of these various movements
being readily given by the spindle and the necks or parts of its follower On
releasing the handle or handles the knobs spindle and parts return to their normal
position.
In order to withdraw the latch bolt by simply pressing on the knob or handle
or a part or parts thereof the handles or part or parts thereof are formed and

page_text: applied so as to be capable of the desired endway or side motion and the inner
end or operating part of each knob or handle is provided with a pin adjustable as
to its length and the ends of these pins bear on buttons or suitable parts carried by
arms or levers with inclined or wedge shaped ends to act on a friction roller
carried by a lever to withdraw the latch bolt.
In order to afford facility for withdrawing the latch bolt by a pulling or pushing
action on the knob or handle as well as by a partial rotary action the spindle
operates corresponding leverage or a sort of crank movement working over the
follower.
I further connect the handles of the locks or latches to the door or other place
by plates each of which is passed onto a neck formed for it on the stem of the knob
or-handle and which is there held so as to admit of its free rotation by a nut
screwed onto the stem of this neck and there made fast in position by a screw or
other suitable fixing. This plate may be applied to the door or other part by
screws. One end of the spindle or part spindle is fixed in such stem or portion of
the one knob and the other end of the spindle or other part spindle is fixed in the
stem or portion of the other knob or handle and the spindle is made fast to the
lock by being screwed to the follower. I also for the purpose of facilitating the
adjustment of the handles to the thickness of the door or part to which the lock or
latch is applied form one end or part of the spindle with a slot or opening through
it for the passage of a screw through that slot or opening and the neck or boss of
the handle or knob and the spindle at this end is also formed with a thread or
with part threads adapted to screw into the neck of one of the handles or knobs
and thereby adjust the position of that handle in relation to the length of the
spindle
When this adjustment has been obtained then by passing a screw where desired
through the parts of the neck of the knob or handle and the slot or opening in the
spindle the knob or handle will be prevented from becoming unscrewed The
screw is prevented from coming undone by a collar from the rose covering it.
I form the spindles of steel.
I also form the latch bolt adjustable as to the extent of its projection from the
edge of the door or face of the lock or latch so as the better to obtain secure
fastening when the door is closed notwithstanding variations caused by bad fitting
or alterations in the fitting of the edge of the door to its jamb or frame.
For this purpose according to one arrangement the extent of shoot or projection
of the latch bolt is adjustable by a regulation screw or cam or other suitable means
to the space between the edge of the door and the jamb or frame of it, so that the
latch bolt may be adjusted to project farther to the extent desired for its required
holding in the striking or receiving plate or box staple
On the contrary if this space diminishes the extent of projection of the latch
bolt may be diminished to suit.
'
By these means the amount of incline or angle or other surface presented to the
striking or receiving plate or box staple may be adjustable as required.
I also provide for the adjustment of the parts of the striking or receiving plate
to variations in height of the position of the end of the outer or catching end of
the latch bolt and of the locking bolt as such variations may be caused by
variations in the rise or fall of the door through settling of the building or
shrinkage of material.
For this purpose the parts of the striking or receiving plate are capable of
sliding one on the other and of being held by tension or by screwing or otherwise
as desired.
The striking plate may also be adjustable to the projection of the bolt or bolts as
in the case of the bolts just referred to

page_text: 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
20th July 1883.
JOHN MATTHIAS HART of the firm of Hobbs Hart and Company of 76 Cheapside
in the City of London "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS AND LATCHES AND IN PARTS
CONNECTED THEREWITH."
The object of one part of the invention is to facilitate the withdrawal of the
.latch bolt of locks and latches by arranging the parts thereof so that such
withdrawal may be readily effected not only as now by the partial rotation
of the handles in one or the other direction but also by pressure exerted on either
or both handles in any of several directions.
66
For this purpose the latch bolt is capable of being acted upon for its withdrawal
by one end of a double ended lever the other end of which supports a link of a
curved or other suitable forin adapted to be acted upon by the horns of the
follower" so that by turning the handle in either direction the link will be acted
upon to cause the double ended lever to turn upon its axis of motion and thereby
withdraw the latch bolt so as to admit of the opening of the door or other part
to which the lock or latch is attached.
Springs aid in keeping the parts in their correct relations.
By simple pressure without necessary partial rotation on either or both of the
handles in any of various directions the link or lever referred to will be caused to
act on the double or it may be a single ended lever to cause a like withdrawal of
the lateli bolt.
The parts of the lock or latch are formed to admit of these various movements
being readily given by the spindle and the necks or parts of its follower. On.
releasing the handle or handles the knobs spindle and parts return to their normal
position.
In order to withdraw the latch bolt by simply pressing on the knob or handle
or a part or parts thereof the handles or part or parts thereof are formed and '
applied so as to be capable of the desired endway or side motion and the inner
end or operating part of each knob or handle is provided with a pin adjustable
as to its length and the ends of these pins bear on buttons or suitable parts carried
by arms or levers with inclined or wedge shaped ends to act on a friction roller
carried by a lever to withdraw the latch bolt.
In order to afford facility for withdrawing the latch bolt by a pulling or pushing.
action on the knob or handle, as well as by a partial rotary action the spindle
operates corresponding leverage or a sort of crank movement working over, the
follower.
I further connect the handles of the locks or latches to the door or other placê
by plates each of which is passed onto a neck formed for it on the stem of the
knob or handle and which is there held so as to admit of its free rotation by a nut,
screwed on to the stem of this neck and there made fast in position by a screw
or other suitable fixing. This plate may be applied to the door or other part by
screws, one end of the spindle or part spindle is fixed in such stem or portion of.
the one knob and the other end of the spindle or other part spindle is fixed in the
stem or portion of the other knob or handle and the spindle is made fast to the
lock by being screwed to the follower. I also for the purpose of facilitating the
adjustment of the handles to the thickness of the door or part to which the lock,
or latch is applied form one end or part of the spindle with a slot or opening
through it for the passage of a screw through that slot or opening and the neck
:
:
:

page_text: or boss of the handle or knob and the spindle at this end is also formed with a
thread or with part threads adapted to screw into the neck of one of the handles
or knobs and thereby adjust the position of that handle in relation to the length
of the spindle. When this adjustment has been obtained then by passing a screw
where desired through the part of the neck of the knob or handle and the slot
or opening in the spindle the knob or handle will be prevented from becoming
unscrewed. The screw is prevented from coming undone by a collar from the rose
covering it.
I form the spindles of steel.
I also form the latch bolt adjustable as to the extent of its projection from the
edge of the door or face of the lock or latch so as the better to obtain secure
fastening when the door is closed notwithstanding variations caused by bad
fitting or alterations in the fitting of the edge of the door to its jamb or frame.
For this purpose according to one arrangement the extent of shoot or projection
of the latch bolt is adjustable by a regulation screw or cam or other suitable means
to the space between the edge of the door and the jamb or frame of it so that the
latch bolt may be adjusted to project farther to the extent desired for its required
holding in the striking or receiving plate or box staple.
On the contrary if this space diminishes the extent of projection of the latch
bolt may be diminished to suit.
By these means the amount of incline or angle or other surface presented to the.
striking or receiving plate or box staple may be adjustable as required.
I also provide for the adjustment of the parts of the striking or receiving plate
to variations in height of the position of the end of the outer or catching end of
the latch bolt and of the locking bolt as such variations may be caused by variations
in the rise or fall of the door through settling of the building or shrinkage of
material.
For this purpose the parts of the striking or receiving plate are capable of
sliding one on the other and of being held by tension or by screwing or otherwise
as desired,
The striking plate may also be adjustable to the projection of the bolt or bolts
as in the case of the bolts just referred to.
But that the invention may be the better understood I will by the aid of the
accompanying drawings proceed to describe means pursued by me in carrying the
same into effect.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shews an external view of a lock with parts thereof arranged according
to my invention.
Figure 2 shews an edge or front view of the lock. Figure 3 an external view
and Figures 4 and 5 parts separately.
In each of these figures the same letters are used to indicate corresponding
parts.
a. a. indicates the case or frame of the lock. b part of the locking bolt and
the latch bolt. d is the follower which is formed with necks as usual to pass into
This follower
and turn in the side or top and bottom plates of the case a. a.
also as usual formed with a square hole d' through it to receive a suitable spindle
for the operating handles. The follower d is formed with horns d². d. which
according to my improvements in the turning of the handle or handles in eithe
direction act upon to depress the curved end e¹ of the link e which at its upper
end is connected by pin joint e² to one end f1 of the double ended lever fand this
lever is capable of motion on the fixed stud f2 and at its lower end the lever
is capable of acting on to move the latch bolt c and thereby release the outer end
of that latch bolt from its box or staple so that when by the turning of the
follower d in either direction to cause a depression of the link e that link will b
caused to draw.down the upper end f' of the lever f and by the lower end fo

page_text: that lever to withdraw the latch bolt c. The springs g and h act upon the parts
to preserve their correct relations.
The holes in the two. outside or top and bottom plates a¹ of the body of the
lock to receive the necks of the follower d in place of being simply circular for
the partial rotation of the spindle d' and its follower & may be elongated as shewn
at a³ (Figure 3) so as to admit of the necks of the follower being depressed by
the handles when a corresponding downward action on the link e' will at the
same time be effected to withdraw the latch bolt c.
On releasing the handles the tendency of the action of the springs g and his to
restore the parts of the lock to their normal condition..
Figure 4 shows a side and edge view of a link e and Figure 5 a side and edge
view of a lever f.
Although I have only shown the parts to be operated by the depression of the
handle or handles in a downward direction it is clear that they may readily be
arranged to act correspondingly in side or other directions.
Figure 6 shows an internal view and Figure 7 a horizontal section of parts of
a lock in which the withdrawal of the latch bolt c for the opening of the door
or other place to which such lock is applied is effected by simply pressing inwards
either of the handles or a portion thereof. According to the arrangement as shown
the lock is provided with a hanging lever i which is capable of rocking on the fixed
stud carried by the frame or case of the lock whilst the lower end of this lever i
is capable of acting on the bolt c to withdraw it and this withdrawal is effected by
the action of either of two levers ; each of which is formed to turn on a fixed centre j'
and each lever at its outer end is formed with a sort of button which when pressed
inwards causes these levers to approach each other and the inner surface of each
lever at j³ being wedge shaped the tendency of such movement is by acting on a
roller carried by the lever i to cause that lever i at its lower end to draw the
latch bolt c inwards.
For facility of operation on the outer end of either of the levers; for the desired
pressure each of the handles k is formed with an internal stem and an adjustable
screw thereto by pressing either of these stems inwardly the desired withdrawal
of the latch and opening of the lock will be readily effected. 12 is a set screw
by which to fix the screw when the proper length of its projection has been
adjusted.
It will however be understood that I do not confine myself to this method of
operating on the outer ends of the levers ; as such may be greatly varied.
Fig 7 shows a plan and side view of parts separately.
Figure 8 shows an internal side view, Figures 9 and 10 shew opposite external
side views. Figure 11 an edge view of a lock with the parts arranged for the latch
bolt to be operated by a pulling or pushing action on the knobs or handles as well
as by a partial rotation of the spindle of those haudles.
Figures 12. 13. 14 and 15 show parts separately.
According to this arrangement the spindle m of the knobs is provided with a
fixed collar m' to bear on the outer end n¹ of the lever n and this lever n on one
side of it is provided with a projection n² adapted to be received into a hole na
formed for it in one of the side plates a' of the lock to act as a fulcrum whilst the
opposite side of the lever n is provided with a projection n' and this projection n
is adapted to bear against the lever n³ and into the opening nº provided for it in
the opposite side plate a' of the case of the lock. The upper end of this lever n³ is
suspended to move on the fixed stud n7 whilst the lower end of this lever n³ bears
against a projection from the inside of the latch bolt c so that by pressing on the
one handle m² or pulling on the other handle m³ to move the spindle m in the
direction of the arrow thereon the latch bolt will be withdrawn.
The spindle m of the knobs also passes through a follower o which by its necks
o'o' is supported to turn one of them in a hole o³ in one of the side plates a¹ of the
case of the lock and the other in a hole of in the bracket o³ and the follower is
provided with horns.o², o² to. act. on the projections n³.n³ from the lever n so that

page_text: when by action upon the handles m³ m³ to turn the spindle m in either direction
one or other of the horns o² of the follower o will act on one or other of the
projections ns to the lever n³ to cause the latch bolt to be withdrawn for the opening
of the door or place to which it is applied.
Figure 16 shews a side view and Figure 17 a sectional view of an arrangement
of parts for connecting the knob or handle of a lock or latch to a door or other
place according to another part of my improvements. In this case the stem 8 of
the knob or handle is formed with a neck 8' to receive the rose or plate 8² and this
neck is also formed with a thread to receive a nut or collar 83 with a corresponding
thread on the hole through it..
The rose or plate s² is then applied on the neck s and when the nut or collar 8ª
is applied on the threaded portion 8¹ of the neck it will retain the rose or plate
freely on the neck and the knob or handle may turn freely within the rose or plate.
The nut or collar 8 is then by a separate screw or by burring or otherwise inade
fast to the neck 8' and the rose or plate 82 may then be screwed by ordinary wood
screws or otherwise to the door or other place to which such knob or handle is
desired to be applied. The interior of the neck of the knob or handle is formed
with a square or other suitable opening in it to receive and have affixed to it a
portion of the stem of the handle. By these means and by the stem being made
fast by set screw to the "follower" of the lock a double holding of the knobs is
effected.
Figures 18 and 19 show an arrangement of parts for facilitating the adjustment of
the knobs or handles to the thickness of the door or part to which the lock or latch
is applied. Figures 20, 21, 22 and 23 shew parts separately. In this case one end
of the spindle p of the handles p' is formed with a slotted opening p² through it for
the passage of a screw pin p³ through that slot as well as through the neck or boss
of the handle or knob p' and the spindle p is at this end of it formed with thread
or part threads and the knob or handle is correspondingly threaded to receive that
portion of the spindle by which when the position of the knob or handle is adjusted
by screwing the one on the other to the extent desired their correct relation may
be maintained by the application of the screw pin p³ as stated. The rose q is also
provided with a collar q¹ adapted to enclose the neck or part of the neck of the.
knob or handle and this collar q' is provided with a hole q² through. it for the
passage of the screw pin p³ into the neck of the handle p¹ and through the slotted.
opening p² in the spindle p and when the spindle p and knob or handle p' have
been duly connected by turning the collar q¹ partially round a distance sufficient to,
prevent the head of the screw pin p³ from being brought in the partial rotation
of the handle opposite the hole q² then by screwing the rose q to the door by
ordinary wood screws the collar q¹ will serve to preserve the screw pin p³ in its
place.
I form the spindles p of steel.
A side and end view of the parts q q' are shown at Figure 21.
The parts are shewn as of metal but will be somewhat varied when the handles
are formed of other material..
According to another part of my improvements I form the parts in connection
with the latch bolt adjustable as to the extent of its prolongation from the edge of
the door or face of the lock or latch so as to obtain a secure fastening when the
door is closed notwithstanding variations in the relations of the lock and the jamb
or frame of the door.
One arrangement of parts according to this part of my invention is shown in
Figure 1 with the parts separately at Figures 24 and 25.
For this purpose the latch bolt c Figure 1 is provided with a projection c¹ to
rest against the stop r and this stop r is tapped to receive the screw thread r
formed on the spindle 2 which is guided in position to admit of its free rotary
motion by the face plate a² of the lock and by the bearing r
-1
The spindle is formed with a slot in its head ³ to facilitate its rotation for
the adjustment desired and the outer end of it is, formed square so as to be held

page_text: correctly as turned to a quarter of a turn, by a correspondingly square formed
opening in the outer face plate a' of the lock.
In Figures 26 and 27 this facility for adjustment is shown obtainable by the
employment of a cam surface or series of steps t formed on the end of the short
shaft t which as in the last case is capable of being turned in the parts a³ and
and of being held when partially turned by its square head t' in the corresponding
square opening in the plate at. Of these steps, although I have shown only four
depths 1, 2, 3, 4 this number and the depths or character of them may be varied.
Figure 28 shows such step surface opened out Each step is capable of acting on
the projection c¹ of a bolt c. Figure 29 shows a front view. Figure 30 an edge
view. Figure 31 a longitudinal section and Figure 32 a transverse section of parts
arranged according to another portion of the invention adapted to provide for the
adjustment of the striking or receiving plate to variations in the height of the
position of the end of the outer or catching end of the bolts.
u is the face or striking plate, u¹ the opening therein for receiving the end of the
locking bolt, and u³ that for the latch bolt, u³ represents the partition between
these two openings; and this partition according to these improvements is formed
moveable for the adjustment of any desired variation between the two openings.
For this purpose the piece u³ is formed with horns ut, and to slide in grooves u
formed for receiving the parts and when the piece u³ has been adjusted the same
may be set as for the time desired by set screws or otherwise.
Figures 33 and 34 show an arrangement by which the distance of projection of
parts of the striking or receiving plate inay be adjusted as required. For this
purpose the part v is connected by hinge joint v¹ with the body u of the face plate
and its position is adjustable by set screws v².
Figures 35 and 36 show a modification of this last arrangement by the plate w
being adjustable to recede or project from the general face of the plate u by set
screws w¹.
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 arranging or combining parts of locks and latches so that the
withdrawal of the latch bolt for the opening of the door or other part to which
the lock or latch is applied may be effected not only by the partial rotation of tho
handle or handles in one or the other direction but also by pressure exerted in
other direction on either or both handles substantially as described in relation to
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Secondly I claim the arranging or combining parts whereby the withdrawal
of the latch bolt may be effected by simply pressing on a knob or handle or
part or parts thereof in manner as described in respect of Figures 6 and 7.
Thirdly. I claim the arranging or combining parts of locks or latches whereby
the latch bolt may be withdrawn sufficiently to admit of the opening of the door
or part to which such lock or latch is applied by a pushing action on one of the
knobs or handles or by a pulling action on the other knob or handle or by the
ordinary partial rotation of such handles as described in respect of Figures 8, 9, 10,
11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.
Fourthly. I claim the arranging or combining parts for connecting the knobs
or handles of locks or latches to doors or other places substantially as described in
respect of Figures 16 and 17.
Fifthly. I claim the arranging or combining parts by which to facilitate the
adjustment of handles with their spindles to varying thickness of doors or parts
to which the locks or latches are applied substantially as described in respect of
Figures 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23.
Sixthly. I claim the arranging or combining parts of locks and latches to
admit of the extent of projection of the latch bolt from the face plate being
adjustable substantially as described in respect of Figures 1, 24 and 25-and 26
27 and 28.
Seventhly. I claim the arranging or combining parts for the adjustment of the

page_text: striking or receiving plate used with locks and latches substantially as described
in respect of Figures 29, 30, 31, 32 and 32*.
Eighthly. I claim the arranging or combining parts of the striking or receiving
plate used with locks or latches substantially as described in respect to Figures 33,
34, 35 and 36.
In witness whereof I the said John Matthias Hart have hereunto set my hand
and seal this seventeenth day of July One thousand eight hundred and eighty
three.
J. MATTHIAS HART (L.S.)