Improvements in Latches.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Latches.
I, FREDERICK WILLIAM LOCKLEY, of Midland Road, King's Norton, in the County
of Worcester, Managing Clerk, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:
-
This invention is especially applicable to the latch mechanism of upright or
"French" locks but may be if desired applied to other forms of locks.
The improvements consist in constructing and arranging the parts in the way
hereinafter described so that they may be easily changed from right hand to left
hand or visa versa.
To accomplish this I use a spring bearing upon the head of and controlling
the latch bolt in the top of the case and another spring in the bottom of the
case bearing upon a guide piece lying across the case below the follower, and thus
keeping the guide and follower always up in position and only brought into
action by the turning of the handles. The action is as follows; turning the
handles brings a horn on the follower in contact with the latch bolt and draws it
back, at the same time depressing the guide, and when the handle is released the
one spring forces up the guide piece and brings the follower and handes back
into position, the spring at the back of the bolt being at the same time free to
throw the bolt out.
Instead of the guide piece I may use one or two "back followers" to take
the pressure of the spring.
By constructing and arranging the parts as above described, doors fitted with
these latches will close with greater ease than ordinarily, and much wear is
taken off the follower and handles.
11.
1
הד
1000
HENRY F. TALBOT,
30, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agent for the Applicant.
I, FREDERICK WILLIAM LOCKLEY, of Midland Road, King's Norton, in the County
of Worcester, Managing Clerk, 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 is especially applicable to the latch mechanism of upright or
French locks but may be if desired applied to other forms of locks.
The improvements consist in constructing and arranging the parts in the
Paine R71

page_text: way hereinafter described so that they may be easily changed from right hand
to left hand or vice versa.
The accompanying sheet of drawings illustrate my invention.
Fig. 1, is an interior view of a latch case shewing the mechanism in elevation.
Fig. 2, is an exterior view of the same with the latch reversed.
Fig. 3, illustrates the use of back-followers in place of guide piece.
I use a coil, spiral, or other suitable spring A bearing upon and controlling
the latch bolt B, and another spring C in the bottom of the case, bearing upon
a guide piece D, lying across the case below the follower E, and thus keeping
the guidé D and follower E always up in position and only brought into action
by the turning of the spindle by the handles K.
The action is as follows; turning the handles K brings a horn G which is on
the follower E in contact with the latch bolt B'and draws it back, at the same
time depressing the guide D, and when the handle K is released the bottom
spring forces up the guide piece D and brings the follower E and handles K
back into position, the spring A at the back of the bolt 13 being at the same
time free to throw the bolt B out.
When closing the door the spring A only is brought into action, thereby allow-
ing the door to close easily and avoiding unnecessary wear and tear on the
follower E and guide D and keeping the handles K in their normal position.
To change the "hand" of the latch the spring A is removed, the bolt B
reversed, and the spring placed on the other side at S, the bolt B being con-
structed of a similar outline top and bottom, so that when reversed a similar
recess to the recess 6' is correctly situated to receive the spring A.
Instead of the guide piece D I may use one or two
to take the pressure of the spring C.
**
back-followers" H Fig. 3
In applying my invention to other forms of locks such as ordinary mortice
locks the only variation of construction in my improvements is the addition of
two side pieces to receive the guide 1 in place of the sides I of the case.
An advantage in this construction of latch is that they may be made exceed-
ingly narrow and thus suitable to doors having narrow styles.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my saiú
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. Constructing latches substantially as herein set forth and illustrated so
that they can be readily reversed from right to left hand.
2. Controlling the bolt by the spring A independent of the other mechanism
substantially as and for the purposes described.
Dated this 3rd day of November 1899.
HENRY F. TALBOT,
30, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agent for the Applicant.
HENRY F. TALBOT,
30, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agent for the Applicant.