IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS AND LATCHES, CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR AMMUNI- TION-BOXES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Matthew Matthews, of Baker's Row, Whitechapel,
in the County of Middlesex, Engineer and Machinist, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS AND LATCHES, CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR AMMUNI-
TION-BOXES."
"
Sealed the 27th May 1879, and dated the 2nd December 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Matthew. Matthews
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd December 1878.
JAMES MATTHEW MATTHEWS, of Baker's Row, Whitechapel, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer and Machinist. IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS AND LATCHES,
CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR AMMUNITION-BOXES."
"
My Invention relates to locks and latches of novel construction and which operate
in a peculiar manner, as hereinafter specified. The said Jocks and latches may be
used on doors, lids, or covers for any purpose where a secure lock or fastening is
required, but the main object of my Invention is to provide a strong, secure, and
convenient lock or latch for ammunition boxes or lockers such as are employed for
military and naval purposes..
My said Invention comprises a peculiar construction and arrangement of the parts
of the lock or latch whereby the same will operate automatically by the closing of
the said door or lid and fasten the same, and may be readily adjusted by turning a
handle to move automatically into the position in which the said lock or latch per-
mits the door or cover to open freely, in which position it will remain until the
door is again closed. It also comprises the combination with the above described
lock or latch mechanism of a locking bolt or piece which can be adjusted by a key
to permit or prevent the working of the said latch or lock so that the box or other
article secured thereby may either be securely locked so that only the person
possessing the key can open it, or the lock may be so adjusted that any person can
open and close the door by simply manipulating the aforesaid handle.
This arrangement will be found highly advantageous for artillery ammunition
boxes, which during an action must be accessible to the soldiers to permit them to

page_text: take quickly from the same the ammunition they require, but when the action is
over the officer in command or any other authorised person can immediately lock
the box and prevent any further removal of its contents.
The said improved lock or latch mechanism is constructed as follows, that is to
say It has a latch bolt which is fitted on the axis of the handle of the lock or
latch and is arranged in combination with a lever which is fitted to work on a
fulcrum pin or axis parallel with that of the bandle. This lever has on it a shoulder
or projection arranged to engage with a shoulder on the tumbler of the aforesaid
latch bolt when the latter is turned back to unlatch or unlock the door. To the
hub or central portion of the said latch bolt I connect one end of a coiled spring,
whose other end is secured to a stud or pin on the lever, and which spring is so
arranged as to tend always to shoot or force the bolt forward into its locking
position.
The end of the aforesaid lever projecting out of or above the lock is arranged to
work in combination with inclined or cam surfaces on the door or lid in such a
manner that in the closing of the latter the said lever is thereby moved, as herein-
after described.
When the door is unlatched the latch bolt is turned into such a position that its
shoulder engages with the projection on the aforesaid lever, and while the lever
remains in this position the said bolt cannot turn or move forward. But on closing
the door or lid the upper end of the said lever is acted upon by one of the aforesaid
cam surfaces and the lever is thereby forced away from the said shoulder, thereby
leaving the bolt free to be moved by the action of the spring, which immediately.
produces a partial rotation of the axis of the bolt and thereby effects the engage-
ment of the same with the socket or staple in the door or lid.
One peculiar feature of my Invention is the arrangement whereby after closing
the door or lid the same may be readily opened, and the act of opening the door
will cause the automatic engagement of the lever with the shoulder on the tumbler,
so that the latch will after opening the door require no further adjustment of the
latch previous to again closing the door. This result is obtained by the arrange-
ment of the said cam surfaces in combination with the lever and other parts in such
a manner that by a slight movement of the handle the said lever will be allowed to
move outwardly in the space between the said can surfaces, and on leaving this
space its projection will be caused to engage with the shoulder of the tumbler, and
it will thereby hold the latch bolt in this position, as above described, until the door
is again closed.
In combination with the aforesaid latch bolt I employ the locking bolt plate or
piece for locking and preventing the action of the said latch bolt, as herein above
specified.
For this purpose the back edge of the said latch bolt is made straight, and the
said locking bolt ór piece is arranged to slide against the same. The said locking
bolt or piece is properly formed and arranged to he actuated by a key of any
approved pattern provided for the purpose, and a key hole is formed in a suitable
position to permit the insertion of the said key. When the latch bolt is to be locked
the key is turned to bring the locking bolt up so that it lies against the straight
edge on the back of the latch bolt, and will therefore prevent the turning back of
the same to open the box. But by turning the said key in the opposite direction
the said locking bolt or plate will be moved down or away from the back of the
latch bolt, leaving the latter free to act as above described. This locking bolt is
properly guided and supported in or between the plates of the lock, and is provided
with a small spring to facilitate its action.
Instead of the sliding lock bolt, operating as above described, I may use any
other suitable locking device in combination with my improved latch mechanism
for the purpose specified.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Matthew Matthews in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
2nd June 1879.
JAMES MATTHEW MATTHEWS, of Baker's Row, Whitechapel, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer and Machinist. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS AND LATCHES,
CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR AMMUNITION-BOXES."
My Invention relates to locks and latches of novel construction which operate in
a peculiar manner, as hereinafter specified. The said locks and latches may be used
on doors, lids, or covers for any purpose where a secure lock or fastening is required,
but the main object of my Invention is to provide a strong, secure, and convenient
lock or latch for ammunition boxes or lockers such as are employed for military
and naval purposes.
My said Invention comprises a peculiar construction and arrangement of the
parts of the lock or latch whereby the same will operate automatically by the closing
of the door or lid of the box or locker to fasten the same, and may be readily
adjusted by turning a handle to move automatically into the position in which the
said lock or latch permits the door or cover to open freely, in which position it will
remain until the door is again closed. It also comprises the combination with the
above described lock or latch mechanism of a locking bolt or piece which can be
adjusted by a key to permit or prevent the working of the said latch or lock, so that
the box or other article secured thereby may either be securely locked so that only
the person possessing the key can open it; or the lock may be so adjusted that
any person can open and close the same by simply manipulating the aforesaid
handle.
This arrangement will be found highly advantageous for artillery ammunition
boxes, which during an action must be accessible to the soldiers to permit them to
take quickly from the same the ammunition they require, but after the action the
officer in command or some other authorized person can immediately lock the box
and prevent any further removal of its contents.
The said Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, which I will
now proceed to describe.
Figures 1 and 2 are rear elevations of my improved lock and latch with the back
plate removed, and shewing the parts in different positions.
Figure 3 is a transverse section of the said lock on the line x, x, Figure 2, and
Figure 4 is a plan or top view thereof with the parts in the same position as in
Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a plan or top view of a plate which is secured to the box or case, and
shewing the inclined or cam surfaces with which a portion of the said latch engages
when the door or cover is closed, as hereinafter described.
Figure 6 is a front elevation of the said lock and plate shewing the position of
the parts when the door of the box is closed.
Figures 7 and 8 are rear elevations of a modified arrangement of the parts of my
improved lock and latch with the back plate removed and shewing the parts in
different positions, and
Figure 9 is a transverse section of the said lock on the line y, y, Figure 8.
Figure 10 is a plan or top view partly in section of the said lock.
Figure 11 is an end view of the said lock, and the top plate with which it
engages, secured to the box and shewing the relative position of these parts when
the cover or door is closed.
Figure 12 is a front view of the same with the parts in the same position as in
Figure 11, and
Figure 13 shews the key to be employed for locking the said box when the door
or cover is closed.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawings.

page_text: My improved lock or latch mechanism, as shewn in Figures 1 to 6 of the
Drawings, is constructed as follows, that is to say :-It has a latch bolt a which is
fitted on the axis of the handle 6 of the lock or latch, and is arranged in combina-
tion with a lever c which is fitted to work on a fulcrum pin or axis c*. This lever
has on it a shoulder or projection e' arranged to engage with a shoulder a' on the
tumbler of the aforesaid latch bolt when the latter is turned back to unlatch or
unlock the door. To the hub or central portion of the said latch bolt a I connect
one end d' of a coiled spring d whose other end d² is secured to a stud or pin c² on
the lever c, which spring is so arranged as to tend always to shoot or force the bolt a
forward into its locking position, as shewn in Figure 2. The end c³ of the aforesaid
lever projecting out of or above the lock casing his arranged to work in combination
with inclined or cam surfaces e¹ formed on the plate e which is attached to the door
or lid in such a manner that in the closing of the latter the said lever is thereby
moved, as hereinafter described.
When the door is unlatched the latch bolt a is turned into the position shewn in
Figure 1, so that its shoulder a¹ engages with the aforesaid projection c¹ on the
lever c, and while the lever remains in this position the said bolt cannot turn or
move forward, but on closing the door or lid the upper end c³ of the said lever is
acted upon by one of the aforesaid cam surfaces e', and the lever is thereby forced
away from the said shoulder a², thereby leaving the bolt a free to be moved by the
action of the spring d, which immediately produces a partial rotation of the axis of
the said bolt and thereby causes the outer end of the said bolt to pass through the
aperture or socket e2 in the aforesaid plate e' or into a staple, and effects the engage-
ment of the same with the said plate on the door or lid.
One peculiar feature of my Invention is the arrangement whereby after closing
the door or lid the same may be readily opened, and the act of opening the door
will cause the automatic engagement of the lever c with the shoulder a¹ on the
tumbler of the latch bolt a so that the said latch will after opening the door require
no further adjustment of the latch previous to again closing the said door. This
result is obtained by the arrangement of the said cam surfaces in combination
with the lever c and other parts in such a manner that by a slight movement
of the handle the said lever will be allowed to move outwardly in the space
between the said cam surfaces, and on leaving this space its projection c¹ will
be caused to engage with the shoulder a¹ of the tumbler, and it will thereby
hold the latch bolt a in this position, as above described, until the door is again
closed.
In combination with the aforesaid latch bolt a I employ the locking bolt
plate or piece f for locking and preventing the action of the said latch bolt, as
hereinabove specified.
For this purpose the back edge a² of the said latch bolt is made straight, and
the said locking bolt or piece f is arranged to slide against the same. The said
locking bolt or piece is properly formed and arranged to be actuated by a key of
any approved pattern provided for the purpose, and a key hole is formed in a suit-
able position, as shewn, to permit the insertion of the said key. When the latch
bolt is to be locked the key is turned to bring the locking bolt or piece f up so that
it lies against the straight edge on the back of the latch bolt, and between the same,
and a raised portion of the frame of the lock, as shewn in Figure 2, and will
therefore prevent the turning back of the said latch bolt to open the box. But
by turning the said key in the opposite direction the said locking bolt or plate f
will be moved down or away from the back of the latch bolt into the position
shewn in Figure 1, leaving the said bolt free to act, as above described. This locking
bolt is properly guided and supported, in or between the plates of the lock and a
small spring, as shewn at f¹ in Figure 3, is arranged in connection with the said
locking piece to facilitate its action.
In the modified arrangement of my Invention, shown in Figures 7 to 12, instead
of arranging the latch bolt a to rock upon the axis of the handle or lever b employed

page_text: for opening the said door or cover, I arrange the same to slide endwise, the spring d
tending always to throw the same forward to engage with the hook e³ upon the
plate e which is secured to the box, as shewn in Figures 11 and 12. To prevent
the forward movement of the said latch bolt a when the lid or door of the box is
opened I employ a stop or stop piece g which is free to slide in suitable guide
ways h¹ formed on the box or case h, the said stop being preferably made hollow for
the reception of a spiral or other spring i which bears at one end against a pro-
jection on the case h, and at the other end upon the aforesaid piece g, and tends
to constantly force the said stop forward. This stop piece is provided with lugs g*
which are arranged to rest behind a lug or projection h² formed on the front plate
of the said lock, as shewn in Figure 9, which lugs limit the movement of the said
stop piece so that it cannot be forced forwards by the said spring to such an extent
as to be detached from the lock.
Or instead of forming lugs upon the said stop arranged to come in contact with a
projection on the case, as above described, I in some instances provide the same with
a lateral projection or flange 73, as shewn in Figure 8ª, which flange slides in con-
tact with one of the guide ways h¹, and in its forward movement comes in contact
with one of the screws h* for securing the two parts of the casing together, thereby
preventing the said stop from becoming detached from the lock. By this arrange-
ment the said stop may be readily removed when desired by taking out the said
screw without disengaging the other portions of the lock. This stop piece, when the
door or lid-is opened, occupies-tle position shown in Figures 8 and 9, that is to say,
its front or curved end g' rests in front of the latch bolt a and prevents any forward
movement of the same, but in the act of closing the said door or lid the curved
end g of the said stop piece comes in contact with the curved outer or front surface
of the hook e on the plate e and is thereby pushed inward, thus permitting the said
latch bolt to be forced forward by the spring d into or behind the said hook es,
thereby securely holding the said door in its closed position. To open the said door
or cover it is only necessary to operate the handle 6 which turns the arm or lever b*
upon its axis; this arm engages with a lug or projection a* on the latch bolt a and
thereby retracts the said latch bolt. When the said latch bolt is drawn back to its
rearmost position the stop or stop piece g is caused to move forward by the spring i
into the position shown in Figures 8 and 9, in which position it again holds the
said latch bolt back until the door is again closed.
In order to effect the locking of the said lid or cover when the same is closed to
prevent the opening of the box or locker except by the officer or other person having
control of the same, as above described, I employ a locking bolt plate or piece f,
the said piece being so arranged that when operated by the key, shown in
Figure 13, it will pass behind the lug as on the latch bolt, as shewn in dotted lines
in Figure 7.
Instead of the sliding lock bolt, operating as above described, I may use any other
suitable locking device in combination with the above described improved latch
mechanism, for the purpose specified.
Although I have shewn my improved locks as adapted to a box whose lid or
cover opens from the front, I wish it understood that by a slight modification in
the details of construction the same may be equally well applied to boxes opening
from the top or otherwise.
Having thus fully described my said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it understood that I claim,—
First. The improved latch mechanism, substantially as illustrated in and described
with reference to Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying Drawings, and operating as
and for the purposes specified.
Second. The modification of the said mechanism, as illustrated in and described
with reference to Figures 7 to 12 of the accompanying Drawings, for the purpose
specified.
Third. The combination with the said mechanism of the sliding piece or other

page_text: device for locking the same, so that the box or locker cannot be opened except by
the officer in command or other authorized person, as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Matthew Matthews, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirty first day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
JAB. M. MATTHEWS. (L.S.)