Improvements in Tubular Locks.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 5th June., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 5th Mar.. 1891-Accepted, 18th Apr., 1891
PROVISIONAL SEMIFICA LIV
Improvements in Tubular Locks.
We, THE TUBULAR LOCK SYNDICATE, LIMITED. of Leadenhall Buildings,
Gracechurch Street, in the City of London, Manufacturers, and FREDERICK JAMES
BIGGS, of the same place, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
22
__
In the construction of tubular locks one great difficulty met with is the very
limited space in which the mechanism has to be contained. It is very desirable for
obvious reasons that when these locks are used as door locks the spindle holes of
the "follows of the locks should be adapted to receive that sized spindle which is
in common use throughout the world. The size, that is to say the sectional area
of this spindle is however so large in proportion to say a three-quarter inch tubular
lock that the space left above and below the spindle hole is very small. The
wings of the "follow" upon which the whole working of the lock depends
have thus a very restricted bearing upon the follow plate during the turning
movement.
One object of this invention is to give the follow a greater bearing than hereto-
fore upon the follow-plate. With this object the bolt plate is not as heretofore
extended between the follow plate and one of the side walls of the lock, the
follow is not made to ride as heretofore upon the bolt plate and the follow plate,
but upon the follow plate alone, and the follow plate is made as thin as is con-
sistent with the necessary strength at that part in which the follow turns while
the rear part of the follow plate is of the whole thickness or width of the
space between the two walls; the follow in turning has thus a bearing equal to
this thickness, less the thickness of the follow plate at that part in which the
follow turns.
Another difficulty met with in tubular locks is that the distance that the follow
plate is moved back in the turning movement of the follow by the action of the
follow wing against the follow plate is so short that the corresponding distance
through which the latch moves is insufficient to ensure that the latch will engage
properly with its striking plate; consequently when the lock is fitted to a door
which from shrinkage or other causes stands somewhat apart from the jamb the
latch is practically useless. It is a further object of the invention to overcome
this defect and for this purpose the follow is formed with three wings or pro-
jections, viz. with two wings at the top and bottom respectively, and with a
middle or central wing at the front, and the follow plate has two additional
projections with which the one or the other side of the middle wing (according to
the direction in which the spindle is turned) comes in contact or engages when the
follow has been turned a certain distance that is to say that just prior to the
follow in its turning movement reaching the point at which the top or bottom wing
(as the case may be) escapes the corresponding projection on the follow plate
against which it bears the central wing engages with the additional projection and
during the further or continued turning movement acts against this projection so
as to continue the backward movement of the follow plate after the top or bottom
wing has ceased to act thereon.
Another object of the invention is to prevent any wavering or unsteady motion
of the follow plate while sliding forwards or backwards and for this purpose a
longitudinal groove is formed in one or both of the side walls of the lock and one
or both of the stumps on the follow plate are elongated so as to slide in the
said groove or grooves.
Further a longitudinal rib is formed at the rear part

page_text: of one of the side walls and a groove is made in the follow plate to slide on
said rib.
Another object of this invention is to overcome the difficulty hitherto experienced
in getting into position the back spiral spring that acts on the follow plate and
through the intermediation of this upon the bolt plate. This spring in the ordinary
construction fits around a neck formed on the side walls of the lock and bears at
its inner-end against the rear end of the follow plate. According to this invention a
circular disc is employed having an internal catch piece formed integrally there-
with this catch piece enters between the side walls of the lock and by a partial
turn engages with corresponding catches in said walls while the circular disc comes
flush with the periphery of the tubular case of the lock. The spiral spring is first
placed with its first two or three turns upon the neck of the side walls which are
not formed with the usual flange at the rear for the spring to bear against, the
tubular case is next piat in position and then the disc is applied and forced inwards
so as to compress the spring until the internal catch piece on said disc comes
opposite the corresponding catches in or on the side walls; the disc is then given
partial turn so as to engage the catch piece in said corresponding catches. The
disc and spring are thus secured in position, the disc being flush with the periphery
of the tubular case and closing the end.
a
If, as in some tubular locks, the tubular case is made with its rear end closed
the catch is formed at the front end of the case and of the side wall; this is effected
by making an L-shaped or bayonet slot at the front edge of the tubular case, and
fitting a stud or stump on the exterior of the side wall to engage with the slot. Thus
when the first two or three turns of the spiral spring have been placed upon the
neck at the rear of the side walls it is only necessary to slip the tubular case on and
push it home so as to compress the spring and then to give the case a partial
turn so that the bayoriet slot and the stiid or stump engage and secure the case in
-position.
Dated this 5th day of June 1890.
J. C. MEWBURN,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tubular Locks.
We, THE TUBULAR LOCK SYNDICATE, LIMITED, of Leadenhall Buildings,
Gracechurch Street, in the City of London, Manufacturers, and FREDERICK JAMES
BIGGS, of the same place, Merchant, 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 :-
In the construction of tubular locks one great difficulty met with is the very
limited space in which the mechanism has to be contained. It is very desirable
'for obvious reasons that when these locks are used as door locks, the spindle holes
of the "follows" of the locks should be adapted to receive that sized spindle which
is in common use throughout the world. The size, that is to say the sectional area
of this spindle is, however, so large in proportion to say a three-quarter inch
tubular lock that the space left above and below the spindle hole is very small.
The wings of the "follow upon which the whole working of the lock depends
have thus a very restricted bearing upon the follow plate during the turning
¹movement.
#
One object of this invention is to give the follow a greater bearing than
theretofore upon the follow plate. With this object the bolt plate is not as
heretofore extended between the follow plate and one of the side walls of the
lock, the follow is not made to ride as heretofore upon the bolt plate and the follow
plate but upon the follow plate alone, and the follow plate is made as thin as is con-
sistent with the necessary strength at that part in which the follow turns, while the

page_text: rear part of the follow plate is of the whole thickness or width of the space
between the two walls; the follow in turning has thus a bearing equal to this
thickness less the thickness of the follow plate at that part in which the
follow turns.
Another difficulty met with in tubular-locks is that the distance that the follow
plate. is moved back in the turning movement of the follow by the action of the
follow wing against the follow plate is so short that the corresponding distance
through which the latch moves is insufficient to ensure that the latch will engage
properly with its striking plate; consequently when the lock is fitted to a door
which from shrinkage or other causes stands somewhat apart from the jamb the
latch is practically useless. It is a further object of the invention to overcome this
defect and for this purpose the follow is formed with three wings or projections,
riz. with two wings at the top and bottom respectively and with an intermediate
wing at the front, and the follow plate has two additional projections or bearing
points with which the one or the other side of the intermediate wing (according to
the direction in which the spindle is turned) comes in contact or engages when the
follow has been turned a certain distance; that is to say that just prior to the
follow in its turning movement reaching the point at which the top or bottom wing
(as the case may be) escapes the corresponding projection on the follow plate against
which it bears, the intermediate wing engages with the additional projection and
during the further or continued turning movement acts against this projection so as
to continue the backward movement of the follow plate after the top or bottom wing
has ceased to act thereon.
Another object of the invention is to prevent any wavering or unsteady motion
of the follow plate while sliding forwards or backwards and for this purpose a
longitudinal groove is formed in one or both of the side walls of the lock and one
or both of the stumps on the follow plate are elongated so as to slide in the said
groove or grooves. Further, a longitudinal rib is formed at the rear part
of one of the side walls and a groove is made in the follow plate to slide on
said rib.
Another object of this invention is to overcome the difficulty hitherto experienced
in getting into position the back spiral spring that acts on the follow plate, and
through the intermediation of this upon the bolt plate. This spring in the ordinary
construction fits around a neck formed on the side walls of the lock and bears at
its inner end against the rear end of the follow plate. According to this invention
a circular disc is employed-having an internal catch piece formed integrally
therewith; this catch piece enters between the side walls of the lock and
by a partial turn engages with corresponding catches in the said walls, while the
circular disc comes flush with the periphery of the tubular case of the lock. The
spiral spring is first placed with its first two or three turns upon the neck of
the side walls which are not formed with the usual flange at the rear for the spring to
bear against, the tubular case is next put in position and then the disc is applied*
and forced inwards so as to compress the spring until the internal catch piece on
the said disc comes opposite the corresponding catches in or on the side walls; the
disc is then given a partial turn so as to engage the catch piece in said correspond-
ing catches. The disc and spring are thus secured in position the disc being flush
with the periphery of the tubular case and closing the end.
The accompanying drawings represent a lock constructed in accordance with
this invention.
Figure 1 is a side view of the lock with, the tubular case, fore plate and spiral
spring in section and with one side wall removed; the parts being seen in the
norinal position, that is to say with the latching bolt projecting from the lock but
not shot forward by the key.
Figure 2 is a similar view but showing the parts in the positions they occupy when
the latch is drawn back by means of the spindle.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the lock on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, the
follow being in elevation.

page_text: .
Figures 4 and 5 are transverse sections of the lock on the lines 4-4 and 5-5
respectively of Figure 1.
Figure 6 is a transverse section on the line 6-6 of Figure 1 looking in the direction
of the arrow y but with the catch piece in elevation.
"
Figures 7 and 8 are views of the follow plate detached.
Figures 9, 10 and 11 represent a modification of the internal catch piece on the
circular disc which compresses the spiral spring and closes the end of the tubular
case, and of the corresponding catches in or on the side walls; Figure 9 being a
fragmentary side elevation with one of the side walls removed and the spring kin
section, Figure 10 a fragmentary plan partly in section and Figure 11 a transverse
section on line 11-11 of Figure 9.
e e are
a is the tubular case, the fore plate, cd the two side walls or "half rounds,”
being permanently attached to the fore-plate 6, while d is detachable, having pro-
jections or tenons at its front end to enter holes in the fore-plate as usual.
the levers, the latching bolt and the bolt plate, this plate does not extend
rearwards beyond the front edge of the follow plate. is the follow plate, i the
follow, the spindle hole in the follow; the spiral spring fitting round a
neck on the side walls and bearing at its front end against the rear of the follow
plate and at its rear end against the disc m. nnare stumps on the follow plate
which normally hold the catches of the levers but are free from these catches
when the bolt is shot forward by the key. it will be seen that the part of the
follow plate in which the follow i turns is made thin, while the part 2 to the rear
of the part, that is to say to the rear of the follow extends over the whole space
or thickness between the two side walls cd. The front edge of the follow plate is
bevelled as shown so as to prevent any liability of its fouling the rear ends of the
levers. The follow is formed with three wings riz.-two wings pat top and bottom
respectively and an intermediate wing 7 at front, and the follow plate has two
projections or additional bearing points at top and bottom respectively.
When the follow is turned in the ordinary manner by means of the spindle, the
one or the other of the wings pp (according to the direction in which the spindle
is turned) by pushing against the part of the follow plate, moves back the follow
plate and then just prior to the follow reaching the point where the projection p
escapes the part the wing engages with one of the projections a so that during
the further or continued turning movement of the follow the wing y acts against this
projection and thereby causes a continued backward movement of the follow plate
after the wing has ceased to act thereon (see Figure 2).
P
7 are longitudinal grooves in the walls ed in which the stumps on the
follow plate slide during the forward and backward movement of this plate, the
stumps being elongated for the purpose. s is a longitudinal rib on the side
wall and t a groove in the follow plate to slide on the said rib. The grooves r
in combination with the stumps and the ribs in combination with the groove t
ensure a steady motion of the follow plate.
is a central stud on the inner face of the disc mand v is a catch piece on the
inner end of said stud . wware notches on the inner faces of the side walls cd forming
corresponding catches to diametrically opposite portions of the catch piecer. When
the spiral spring & has been placed with its first two or three turns upon the neck /
of the side walls ed and the tubular case a has been put in position the disc m_is
applied against the rear of the spring & and forced inwards so as to compress the
spring until the catch piece comes opposite the notches ww, the disc m is then
given a partial turn so that the catch piece vengages with the notches w w
as seen in the figures, the disc m and spring are thus secured in position,
the disc being flush with the periphery of the tubular case a and closing
the end.
14
In the modification shown in Figures 9, 10 and 11 the catch piece is in the form
of a pin passed transversely through the stud u so as to project from each side of
same while the corresponding catches ww consist of notches cut in the edges of the
neck of the side walls A

page_text: If, as in some tubular locks, the tubular case is made with its rear end closed the
catch is formed at the front end of the case and of the side wall; this is effected
as shown in Figure 12 by making an L-shaped or bayonet slot y at the front edge
of the tubular case and fitting a stud or stump on the exterior of the side wall to
engage with the slot. Thus when the first two or three turns of the spiral spring k
have been placed upon the neck at the rear of the side walls it is only necessary
to slip the tubular case on and push it home so as to compress the spring and then
to give the case a partial turn so that the bayonet sloty and the stud or stump z
engage and secure the case in position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
:-
1. In a tubular lock, a follow plate having a thickness behind the follow equal to
the width or space between the side walls of the lock and being comparatively very
thin at the part in which the follow turns, whereby the follow has a large bearing
against the follow plate, substantially as set forth.
2. In a tubular lock, a follow having two wings at top and bottom respectively
and an intermediate wing or projection at front in combination with a follow
plate having a part against which the top or bottom wing acts during the
first portion of the turning movement of the follow and two projections or
parts against one of which the said intermediate wing acts during the latter
portion of the said turning movement, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
3. In a tubular lock, a longitudinal guide groove in one of the side walls in
combination with a stump on the follow plate to move in the said groove, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
4. In a tubular lock a longitudinal guide rib at the rear part of one of the side
walls in combination with a groove in the follow plate to slide on the said rib, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth.
5. In a tubular lock, the combination of a disc closing the end of the tubular case
and formed separately from the walls of the lock, a spiral spring having one bearing
against the inner face of the said disc and its other bearing against the rear of the
follow plate, an internal catch piece on the said disc or washer and corresponding
catches in the side walls, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
6. The improved tubular locks hereinbefore described and represented in the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 5th day of March 1891.
J. C. MEWBURN,
55 & 56; Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agent.