Improvements in and in connection with Combined Locks and Latches for Doors and the like.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Mar., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 30th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 2nd Jan., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and in connection with Combined Locks and
Latches for Doors and the like.
I, THOMAS GOODE MESSENGER, of 20 Burton Street, Loughborough, in the
County of Leicester, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
The design and construction of the lock is to make it answer the purpose of a
draw-back lock, mortice-lock, rim-lock, rim-latch, or night-latch etc. having one
main bolt only, and very few working parts, occupying a small space, and con-
sequently manufactured at little cost. I dispense with the spindle and knobs
attached to it on either side of door as usually employed, and substitute for it a
key specially constructed, which actuates the lock or latch-bolt from the outside,
and if desired from inside also when used as a latch. By the use of a very simple
shield when the key is inserted into the door and brought to act upon the lock-
lever, the key itself becomes locked, and though free to act upon lock and
latch-bolt, it cannot be removed from door when it is closed, it being necessary to
release it on the inside. If it be desired to prevent the door being opened from
outside, it can be so secured inside that though the key be in the lock the door
cannot be opened nor the key itself removed. The key can be made in great
variety to prevent duplicates, and it would be very difficult if not impossible to
pick the lock; in attempting to do it the picker itself would become locked. By
a very slight alteration the lock can be fixed either right or left hand. It is not
at all likely to get out of order. The lever and shield are both counterbalanced
by weights or sometimes by springs, or a combination of both. When it is desired
to prevent the door being opened from inside as well as outside, I construct the
lock with an additional lever and bolt, so that when the key is removed from lock
the door cannot be opened from either side.
I would now describe my invention more particularly as follows:-
I construct of cast or wrought iron, brass, or other metal or material, a lock and
latch-case of any desired size or shape of a plain or ornamental character, suited in
strength and design for architectural and other requirements, one side of which
case is removable to give access to internal works in the usual way. In one end
and near to the bottom of case I make an aperture to receive the lock and latch-
bolt, and through which it works into lock-staple or striking-plate in usual way.
This lock and latch-bolt which may be of iron or brass or a combination of both
for a portion of its length, corresponds with size and shape of aperture; the other
end of lock and latch-bolt is of less dimensions and provided with a slot, pins, or
their equivalents, to be actuated by lever, spindle or other appliance.
I construct a lever with two arms of about equal length, the junction of which
describes about a right angle working on pin or axle near its angle, which pin or
axle is secured to or carried by both sides of lock-case; this lever being similar to
a crank in shape I fix or construct a portion of space formed by the arms, a weight,
in order to restore the lever into position when released.
The end of one arm of this lever is formed in a fork shape, between the sides
or prongs of which fork the lock and latch-bolt passes.
In the bolt is fixed or constructed paps, pins, studs or their equivalents at such
distance from each other as to just give space for the forked prongs of arm to pass
between then, so that the lever when moved actuates the lock and latch-bolt; or
instead of the lock and latch-bolt and lever being separate, I sometimes make the
bolt in conjunction with lever, so that the lever and bolt are in one piece. The

page_text: end of other arm of lever is specially constructed to be operated upon by the key,
and is so cut or fitted as to leave a small nib only, to suit the particular design of key,
and as this nib may occupy any position in the thickness of the lock the key inay
be varied to such an extent that it would be very difficult to unlock the lock with
a key not made for it.
In order to make it most difficult to pick the lock, and there being no friction
or wear upon either key or nib, I reduce this nib to the smallest dimension, and it
may consist of iron, brass, or an insertion of steel, agate, or other material.
The key, being constructed with wards fitting counterpart wards in lock in the
usual way, is also provided with one or more projections corresponding with the
position of nib made in the lever-arm, and when slightly turned is brought in
contact therewith, lifting arm out of resting position and moving horizontally the other
arm, which operating upon the paps, pins, or their equivalents before described
actuates the lock and latch-bolt. On releasing the key the lever-arm falls back
into position by its own weight, or may be forced back by springs, or both may be
employed. As in my invention the key is used as a substitute for the ordinary
spindle and knobs for actuating the latch, and more frequently required on the
outside of door, I construct a shield or guard, which, when the key is inserted and
turned partly round, removes from its resting position, allowing the key to come
in contact with nib of lever-arm.
When this is effected the shield or guard is carried back by a weight attached
thereto, or part of same, spring or its equivalent, and the key itself becomes locked
so that it cannot be removed until the shield or guard is brought into a given
position from the inside of door, so as to release the key.
This is effected by moving and holding in one hand a lever, thumb-bit, stud, or its
equivalent attached to or part of the shield, while the key is removed with other
hand. I also construct the shield or guard with a flange or projection on its upper
edge having in it a small gap directly opposite to nib on lever-arm, and through
which the projection or projections of key made for the lock is allowed to pass,
but through which no other key can pass even though it passes the wards in lock,
and is consequently prevented from acting upon lever-arm; the shield or guard
being thus constructed, also effectually prevents the lock being picked. For
operating the lock inside I provide a pin or spindle to pass through slot of lock or
latch-bolt before described, and secured or carried by both or one side of case, but
preferable both sides; this pin thus acts as guide to bolt. I sometimes attach
knob, handle or its equivalent to this pin or spindle on the inside or one side of
door only, and construct slots in lock-case and fit to pin sliding-plates etc. whereby
I unlock the door from inside without in any way affecting the key on the outside;
or the key may be constructed so that it may actuate the lock from the inside as
well as outside; or 1 substitute for this a pin, knob, handle or its equivalent
attached to lever, which, being drawn back or lifted, actuates the lock and latch-
bolt in the same way as if acted upon by the key, and it is virtually the same if
lever and lock and latch-bolt be in one piece as before described. I sometimes
provide a fall-stop, bolt, lever, slide or its equivalent, so as to lock or fix the said
knob, handle, or its equivalent, or to so fix the lever that it cannot be acted upon
by key, or unlocked or opened from outside by any means, nor the key removed
from lock.
When it is desired to secure the door that by removing the key it cannot be
opened from either side, I construct the key with a small additional wing with
wards, or cut to any desired design, and also construct in lock-case, working on
guides, a small bolt consisting of one or more parts or gills, and a simple lever
carried by pin secured to lock-case, one end of which actuates the small bolt and
the other end is actuated by the removal of key from lock, so that when the key
is released and turned opposite key-hole, the small bolt is shot over main lever and
thus secured till key is again brought into operation.
I construct the lock so that a very slight adjustment makes it suitable for a door
opening right or left hand

page_text: I so construct the lock that when the key is removed the door only requires
closing to lock it, and for this purpose in conjunction with or separate from lock, a
knob, pull, or its equivalent made of brass, iron, wood or other material, or a com-
bination of materials may be fixed on centre or other desired position of door, and
may be of plain or ornamental character, or if desired the door may be closed by
means of the key itself.
I sometimes construct in connection with this lock a frictionless revolving catch,
bolt-box or drum, having four chambers to receive the lock and latch-bolt so
arranged and fixed that when the door is closed it strikes one side of one of the
four chambers carrying it forward into position, when the other side of chamber,
as the drum revolves, encloses the bolt. The bolt-box or drum is constructed on
the ratchet principle, and the box containing same fitted with a stop working on a
pin and spring, so as to allow drum to revolve freely one way till it gets into
position, but is prevented by the stop from turning back, so that the revolving
catch or bolt-box becomes as rigid and fixed as an ordinary lock-staple or striking-
plate. This revolving catch is also applicable to ordinary locks or latches, and I
sometimes use in connection with my invention the ordinary lock-staple, striking-
plate, or their equivalent.
When it is desired to use my invention as a latch to be secured on one side only,
as for bed-rooms, w.c. etc. I fix a screw or cover over the lever or stud connected
with shield, in order to prevent children or mischievous persons removing the key.
If desired this screw or cover may be removed at pleasure, and the lock used as
before described; or the latch may be fitted with spindle and knobs or other
appliances to actuate the latch and dispense with key, but retain bolt, lever or its
equivalent to secure the door inside.
When it is desired to use my invention as a lock to be secured on outside only
as for cupboards, closets etc. I sometimes dispense with shield or guard as before
described, thereby enabling me to construct a lock of less dimensions, and at much
less cost.
I consider the following to be important points in this invention:-
First It being a combination of lock and latch, one of the two bolts usually
employed is dispensed with, likewise the ordinary latch-spindle, knobs, and con-
sequent internal works usually employed.
Second-The key being so fixed in position that though it may be outside door
it cannot be removed from lock till it be released from the inside.
Third Being able to lock or unlock the door on the inside whether the key be
in the lock on the outside or not; or if so desired to not be able to unlock the
door from either side without key.
Fourth-The great difficulty in substituting another key or picking the lock.
Fifth With slight modifications it can be adapted for various purposes for which
locks are used, and for either right or left hand doors.
Sixth It can be constructed either with springs or weights, the latter
preferred.
Seventh-There are very few working parts; is very strong, and not liable to
get out of order, and produced at small cost.
Eighth It occupies but small space compared with locks generally in use.
Ninth It is suitable for all doors hung vertically or as ordinary room or outer
doors.
Dated this 28th day of February 1891.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and in connection with Combined Locks and
Latches for Doors and the like.
I, THOMAS GOODE MESSENGER, of 20 Burton Street, Loughborough, in the
County of Leicester, Engineer, 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 accompanying drawings
Fig. 1, Sheet 1 is vertical section shewing weight-action.
Fig. 1, Sheet 2 is vertical section shewing spring-action.
Fig. 2, Sheet 2 plan section shewing key and lever action.
Fig. 2, Sheet 1 plan section shewing bolt and lever action.
Fig. 3, Sheet 1 plan section shewing appliances when used as a mortice lock-
latch.
The letters of reference placed on the figures, and as referred to in foregoing
description are the same for the same parts in all these figures.
The design and construction of the lock-latch is to make, it suitable for and
answer the purpose of a draw-back, mortice, rim, or cottage lock-latch etc. having
one main bolt only very few working parts, occupying a small space, and not likely
to get out of order.
I construct of cast or wrought iron, brass, or other metal or material, a lock-
latch case A Fig. 1, 2, 3, Sheet 1, Fig. 1, 2, Sheet 2 of any desired size or shape,
of a plain or ornamental character, suited in strength and design for architectural
and other requirements, one side or other portion of which case is removable to
give access to internal works. In one end make an aperture B, Fig. 1, Sheet 1
Fig. 1, Sheet 2 to receive the lock-latch bolt C Fig. 1, 2 Sheet 1, Fig. 1, Sheet 2
and through which it works into lock-staple or striking-plate in usual way. This
lock-latch bolt which may be bevel, square, or shaped at end, and may be of iron
or brass, or a combination of both, for a portion of its length corresponding with
size and shape of aperture the other end of lock-latch bolt may be of less
dimensions, and provided with a slot, guide-pins, or their equivalents E Fig. 1, 2,
Sheet 1, Fig. 1, Sheet 2 to be actuated by lever or other appliance. I construct a
lever F Fig. 1, 2, 3, Sheet 1, Fig. 1, 2, Sheet 2, with two arms of almost equal
length, the junction of which describes about a right angle which swivels on pin,
pivots, or axle G Fig. 1, Sheet 1, Fig. 1, 2, Sheet 2, near its angle, which pin or
pivots, or axle is secured to or carried by both or one side of lock-latch case; this
lever being similar to a crank in shape I fix or construct in a portion of space
formed by the arms, a weight H Fig. 1, Sheet 1 in order (on being operated upon)
to restore the lever into position when released, or I sometimes employ one spiral
spring O Fig. 2, Sheet 2 for restoring the two main working parts into position.
The end of one arm of this lever is formed in a fork or slot shape as shewn at F
Fig. 2, Sheet 1, between the sides or prongs of which fork the lock-latch bolt
passes. In the bolt is fixed or constructed paps, pins, studs, or their equivalents at
such distance from each other as to just give space for the forked prongs of arm to
pass between them, or I sometimes fix a pin J Fig. 1, 2, Sheet 1 Fig. 1, Sheet 2 in
both sides of fork passing through bolt so that the lever when moved actuates the
lock and lateh-bolt; or the bolt may be of larger dimensions, and have slot in it, or
its equivalent, in which the end of lever would work (in this case not forked) and
operate the same, guided by pins, studs, or their equivalent, or instead of the lock-
latch bolt and lever being separate parts, I sometimes make the bolt in conjunction
with lever so that the lever and bolt are in one piece. The end of other arm of
lever is specially constructed to be operated upon directly by the key K Fig. 1,
Sheet 1, Fig. 1, 2, Sheet 2, or indirectly by knob or its equivalent, acting upon key,
the arm end so cut or fitted so as to leave a small nib only, V Fig. 1, Sheet 1,

page_text: Fig. 1, 2, Sheet 2 to suit the particular design of key, and as this nib may occupy
any position in the thickness of the lock-latch, the key may be varied to such an
extent; and there being next to no friction or wear, I reduce the nib to the
smallest dimensions in order to make it most difficult to pick the lock-latch or open
with any key not made for it. The nib may consist of iron, brass, or an insertion
of steel or other material. The key being constructed with wards fitting counter-
part wards in key box L Fig. 1, Sheet 1, Fig. 1, 2, Sheet 2 is also provided with
one or more projections or wards corresponding with the position of nib or nibs
intended to be acted upon in the lever-arm, (and when desired to also operate baffle-
cranks, levers, tumblers, or their equivalents N Fig. 1, Sheet 2,) and when it is
slightly turned is brought in contact therewith, lifting horizontal arm out of resting
position, and moving horizontally the perpendicular arm, which operating upon the
paps, pins, slots, or their equivalents before described, actuates the lock-latch bolt.
On releasing the key the lever-arm is restored into position by the weight, or
spring, or springs as before described, or both may be employed. As in my
invention I dispense with the spindle and knobs as usually employed, and construct
the key to be used as a substitute for actuating the latch, and being more frequently
required on the outside of door, I construct a key-retainer M Fig. 1, Sheet 1,
Fig. 1, Sheet 2 which also serves as a baffle-shield or guard to protect nib-end of
lever, which, when the key is inserted and turned partly round, removes from its
resting position, allowing the key to come in contact with nib of lever-arm. When
this is effected the shield or guard is carried back by a weight attached thereto, or
forming part of same, spring, or its equivalent, and the key itself becomes locked
so that it cannot be removed until the shield or guard is brought into a given
position from the inside of door so as to release the key. I construct this shield
or guard in one solid piece or in two or more parts or sections, and either allow the
key to act upon the whole, or only any desired portion of same; the whole or any
portion thereof may be of any desired form and varied to any extent, so as to
increase the difficulty of unlocking or picking lock-latch with any key or instru-
ment, except the key made to operate the levers, bafile-cranks, etc. as described for
the key. release the key by moving a lever, thumb-bit stud, P Fig. 1, 3, Sheet 1,
Fig. 1, Sheet 2 or its equivalent attached to or forming part of the shield guard, or
key-retainer. For operating the lock-latch inside, I extend, first, guide-pin or
spindle F Fig. 1, 2, Sheet 1, Fig. 1, Sheet 2, passing through slot of lock-latch
bolt before described, and secured or carried by both or one side of case, but
preferable both sides; this pin thus acts as guide to bolt and for operating the
latch. I then attach knob, handle or its equivalent to this pin or spindle on the
inside or one side of door only, and construct slots in lock-case and fit to pin sliding-
plates etc. whereby 1 unlatch the door from inside without in any way affecting the
key on the outside; or, second, the key may be constructed so that it may actuate
the lock-latch from the inside as well as outside as shewn Fig. 2, Sheet 2, or I
substitute for this, third, a pin, knob, handle S Fig. 3. Sheet 1, or its equivalent
attached to lever, which being drawn back or lifted actuates the lock-latch bolt in
the same way as if operated by the key, and it is virtually the same if the lever
and lock-latch bolt be in one piece as before described. I sometimes provide a
fall-stop, lever, slide, or its equivalent, so as to lock or fix the said knob S Fig. 3,
Sheet 1, handle or its equivalent; or a bolt is constructed of one or more parts T
Fig. 1, Sheet 1 to be operated by hand to so fix the lever that it cannot be acted
upon by key, or unlocked or opened from outside by any means, nor the key
removed from lock. When it is desired to secure the door, that by removing the
key it cannot be opened from either side, I construct the key with or without a
small additional wing, with wards, or cut to any desired design as before described,
and also (to be operated therewith) I construct in lock-case working on or through
guides, baffle-bolts, cranks, slides, levers, tumblers or their equivalent N Fig. 1,
Sheet 2, each consisting of one or more parts or gills carried by pins, pivots, or
guides secured to lock-case or kept in position by other parts of lock-latch, the
cranks or slides as the case may be, (the construction varying slightly if applied to

page_text: 3
lock-latches in which weights are used instead of springs) by this arrangement, on
removing key, the key-retainer becomes fixed and the small bolt T Fig. 1, Sheet 2
is shot over main lever, and thus secured or locked till key is again brought into
operation. I construct the lock-latch so that a very slight adjustment makes it
suitable for a door opening right or left hand. I so construct the lock-latch that
when the key is removed the door only requires closing to lock it, and for this
purpose in connection with or separate from lock a knob, pull, or its equivalent
inade of brass, iron, wood, or other material, or a combination of materials, and
such as are in regular use, may be fixed on centre or other desired position of door,
and may be of plain or ornamental character; or if desired the door may be closed
by means of the key itself. I sometimes construct in connection with the lock-
latch, a frictionless revolving catch, bolt-box, or drum D Fig. 1, 2, Sheet 1 having
four chambers to receive the lock-latch bolt, so arranged and fixed that when the
door is closed it strikes one side of one of the four chambers, carrying it forward
into position, when the other side of chamber (as the drum, or bolt-box, or catch
revolves) encloses the bolt. The bolt-box or drum is constructed on the ratchet
principle, and the box or case containing same fitted with a stop or pall, working on
a pin, and controlled by spring so as to allow drum to revolve freely one way till it
gets into position, but is prevented by the stop or pall from turning back, so that
the revolving catch or bolt-box becomes as rigid and fixed as an ordinary lock-
staple or striking plate.
This revolving catch is also applicable to ordinary locks or latches, and 1 some-
times use in connection with my invention, the ordinary lock-staple, striking-plate,
or their equivalent. When it is desired to use my invention as a latch to be secured
or locked on one side only, as for bed-room etc. the lever or stud connected with
shield or key-retainer P Fig. 1, 3, Sheet 1, Fig. 1, Sheet 2 may be protected, in order
to prevent children or mischievous persons removing the key, or the latch may be
fitted with a permanent lever-key, knobs or other appliances to actuate the latch,
or the latch may be operated by simple cottage handle and thumb or other lever,
in any case retaining bolt, lever, or its equivalent to secure the door inside as before.
described. When it is desired to use my invention as a lock-latch to be secured on
outside only, as for cupboards, closets etc. I sometimes dispense with key-retainer,
shield, or guard, as before described, thereby enabling me to construct a lock-latch
of less dimensions, and at less cost.
I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise details, as the
same may be varied without departing from the nature of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. Simplicity of working parts.
Second. The actuating of latch by a simple lever-action key, removable at
pleasure, but unremovable till released.
Third. A novel self-adjusting key-retainer and lever-protector, with gap, ward
or gills.
Fourth. The revolving chambered bolt-catch.
Dated this Twenty-seventh day of November 1891.
THOS. GOODE MESSENGER.