IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS AND LATCHES AND IN THE MEANS FOR ADJUSTING AND SECURING KNOBS AND HANDLES TO THE SPINDLES THEREOF
Year: 1884

page_text: 1
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
I CHARLES DOHRN DOUGLAS of 15. Queenhithe, Upper Thames Street in the
City of London, Lock Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of my invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS AND LATCHES AND IN THE MEANS FOR ADJUSTING
AND SECURING KNOBS AND HANDLES TO THE SPINDLES THEREOF," to be as
follows:
This invention relates to improvements in the latch action of door locks and
latches, and in the means for adjusting and securing the knobs or handles to the
spindles. thereof, the objects in view being to provide increased facilities for
operating the latch from either side of the door to open it, and for enabling the
locks and latches to be more easily fitted to doors of different thicknesses and to
avoid the use of small external screws and working parts in securing knobs or
handles to spindles.
•
The invention is more particularly applicable to springless door locks and latches
such as are described in the specification of a patent granted to Horatio Kelson
Bromhead, and dated 15th October 1880 N° 4188.
In that specification locks are described in which a weighted lever serves to
retain the latch bolt in its shot position and a two-armed "follower" operated by
the rotation of the spindle in one direction or the other is employed to raise the
said lever and withdraw the latch bolt.
I propose to improve upon this construction of lock by constructing the follower
or its equivalent and spindle in such a way as will enable the weighted lever to be
lifted and the withdrawal of the latch bolt to be effected by a direct pull or push of
the spindle from either side of the door, as well as by a partial rotation of said
spindle to right or left.
This I may effect by forming a doubly inclined key way or cam groove on one or
more faces of a square or round spindle where it passes through the follower, or
through the weight itself as its fulcrum, and by forming on or attaching to the
follower, a stud, feather, or its equivalent, adapted to enter the said inclined
keyway or groove in the spindle or vice versa.
Or I may form grooves in adjacent faces of both the follower and the spindle, or
of the weight itself and the spindle, or I may form a groove in the internal face of
Price er
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page_text: the follower or weight itself and a hole in the spindle and insert a steel ball or
runner so as to lie partly within the adjacent grooves, or groove and hole. When
the parts are thus connected, the follower may be partially rotated on its axis by
simply pulling or pushing the spindle, as well as by turning it to the right or left,
and this from either side of the door. The above means are given by way of
example but other means may be devised for attaining the object in view.
To avoid weakening the spindle by cutting or grooving I may koy upon it a
bevelled disc or block adapted to engage with corresponding projections in or on
the follower upon which the weight rests, or when the spindle passes through the
weight itself with projections formed thereon or secured thereto.
To enable the spindle by which the latch bolt is operated to be properly fitted to
doors of various thicknesses and to enable the knobs or handles to be rapidly and
securely attached to such spindles I make a longitudinal cut in the spindle and
thread the outside edges of the yielding metal strips thus obtained.
The knob or handle I form in two parts secured together by screwing, and I
attach the knob or handle to the spindle by an internally situate locking device
which is entirely hidden from sight and touch when the two parts of the knob or
handle are socured together.
This concealed locking device consists of a metal or other socket adapted to
engage with the screw threads on the yielding halves of the divided spindle end,
and securely grip the samo when the said ends are rigidly distended, but which
may be readily slipped on and off the said divided spindle when the halves thereof
are not kept distended.
The distension of the two halves of the divided spindle is effected by a strip of
metal or a pin passed between them, and in order that this locking strip or pin shall
securely hold the spindle from turning within the knob or handle the ends of the
said strip or pin are adapted' to fit into or engage with recesses formed in one half
of the knob or handlo, and to be securely held in the said recesses between the two
parts of the knob when properly screwed together; the locking strip or pin being
thus entirely concealed from sight and touch and lying completely within the knob
or handle. The knob or handle is formed with a neck, which fits and is free to
move within a cylindrical extension forming part of a rose of wood, metal or other
material attached to the door, and this arrangement allows of the spindle being
pushed or pulled to the extent required to open the door without being exposed to
view,
To remove the knob, the two parts thereof must be separated by unscrewing
until the metal locking pin is accessible and can be withdrawn from its position in
the recesses in the centre of the knob and between the halves of the divided
spindle. When the pin is extracted both parts of the knob can be freely slipped off.
DALAR Oth Jase of Sataimbre 1001

page_text: Improvements in Locks and Latches, and in the Means for
Adjusting and Securing Knobs and Handles to the
Spindles thereof.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION,
Lf
I, CHARLES DOHRN DOUGLAS of 15 Queenbithe Upper Thames Street in the
City of London, Lock Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of my invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS AND LATCHES AND IN THE MEANS FOR ADJUSTING
AND SECURING KNOBS AND HANDLES TO THE SPINDLES THEREOF and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in the latch action of door locks and
latches, and in the means for adjusting and securing the knobs or handles to the
spindles thereof, the object in view being to provide increased facilities for operating
the latch from either side of the door to open it, and for enabling the locks and
latches to be more easily fitted to doors of different, thicknesses, and to avoid the
use of small external screws and working parts in securing knobs or handles to
spindles.
The invention is more particularly applicable to springless door locks and latches
in which a.weighted lever serves to retain the latch bolt in its shot position, and
a two-armed "follower" operated by the rotation of the spindle in one direction or
the other is employed to raise the said lever and withdraw the latch bolt, as
described in the specification of a patent granted to Horatio Kelson Bromhead
and dated 15 October 1880, N° 4188.
I propose to improve upon this well-known construction of lock by constructing
the "follower" or its equivalent and spindle in such a way as will enable the
weighted lever to be lifted and the withdrawal of the latch bolt to be effected by
a direct pull or push of the spindle from either side of the door, as well as by a
partial rotation of said spindle to right or left.
The invention is also applicable to spring locks in which the follower acts
directly on the latch bolt, or on a lever arm connected therewith, and in which a
spring is used to retain the latch in its locking position.
For ordinary doors which open only one way it is unnecessary to arrange the
spindle to operate on the follower by pushing as well as by pulling, on the.
same side of the door; and in some cases therefore I arrange the spindle so that it
shall operate on the "follower" and the weight be raised to open the door by.
pulling from that side towards which the door opens, and by pushing from that
side towards which the door shuts, as well as by turning the spindle in one direc-
tion or the other from either. side of the door.
The nature of my improvements will be understood on reference to the accom-
panying Drawing in which
Fig. 1 is a face view of the interior of a mortice lock the covering plate being
removed.

page_text: Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the lock in position with the knobs attached
to the spindle and adjusted to suit the thickness of the door according to my
invention.
Figs. 3 illustrate the construction of the adjustable door knob.
Fig. 4 is a face view of the left hand portion of the knob shown in figures 3.
Fig. 5 is a detail view.
Fig. 6 is a sido view of one form of spindle used in connection with mỹ
invention.
Fig. 6 represents another construction of spindle used by ma
Fig. 7 shows the interior of a lock with a grooved "follower" for use with a
spirally grooved spindle.
Fig. 8 is a vertical section of this lock in position.
Fig. 9 is a detail view of the rose or covering plate attached to the door and
acting as a guide and scroen for the spindle.
Fig. 10 illustrates a modification of my invention.
Fig. 11 is a section on the line 1. 2 of Fig. 10 with a portion of the spindle
shown in place.
°
Fig. 12 is a diagram view illustrating the applicability of my invention to spring
locks.
Figs. 13 to 16 inclusive, illustrate a modification in the means employed for
guiding the spindle in its several movements, Fig. 13 showing the parts slightly
separated, in section.
Fig. 14 the parts properly assembled, and
Figs. 15 and 16 being detail views of two of the parts detached.
Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures.
A is the lock case, B the weight pivotted to the case at 6 and which serves
instead of a spring; C the latch bolt pivotted to the weight or to an arm of the
weight at c, and D is the two-armed follower constructed and arranged to bo
operated by the spindle E in the manner hereinafter set forth.
FF are the knobs secured upon the spindle E in such a manner that they can
be adjusted to suit doors of various thicknesses and cannot work loose from the
spindle.
Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2 it will be seen that the spindle E is formed
with inclines or bevelled pieces e e¹ upon it, and that the top of the follower is cut
off or left open so that the spindle can be passed through or inserted in place
within the said follower. To enable this to be done when the weight B is in
position the apex of one of the inclines. e' is cut off or rounded as shown in figures 2
and 6, and when the spindle is in its proper position the weight B rests thereon
between the two inclines o o¹.
в
It will thus be seen that on pushing or pulling the knob F attached to the
spindle E towards or from the door G, the one or other of the inclines o c¹ will not
upon the underside of the weight B, which is slightly rounded or bevolled at this
part to give smoothness of action, and will raise the weight causing it to rock on
its fulcrum pin b and withdraw the latch bolt C, whilo a rotation of the spindle
to right or left will raise the weight through the follower. In lieu of the weight B
a spring-actuated lover or bar connected with the latch bolt might be used, and be
- similarly operated by pulling, pushing or turning the spindle.
HH, are roses provided with sleeves or guides for holding the spindle E steady,
and for scroening it from view.
The necks of the knobs F F fit accurately within these roses or tubular guides
and can be freely moved in or out, or rotated therein.
I will now explain how the knobs F F are secured to the spindle E so as to be
readily adjustable to doors of various thicknesses.
Referring to Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 it will be seen that the knob F is divisible into
two halves along the line ff and that the spindle E is divided by longitudinal
cuts in such a manner that a pair of spring tongues c' e is formed at each end

page_text: thereof, and the outside edges of these spring tongues or yielding metal strips are
threaded to engage with an internally threaded socket or bush within the outer
half of the knob F, and to be locked thereto when the parts are properly adjusted.'
The two parts of the knob F are secured together by screwing the outer part
having an externally threaded neck or stem f¹ and the inner part having an
internally threaded socket f' adapted to receive the said neck.
In the edge or rim of the neck f¹ I form grooves f³ cutting the centre line or
axis of the knob and having inserted the split end of the spindle E in the threaded
socket or bush in the outer part of the knob and adjusted the position of the said
outer part thereon, I insert a metal pin or key through the cut in the spindle and
within the grooves f³ and thus hold the spring end or tongues e³ e² forcibly
distended. The grooves fs, when the pin or key is in position prevent the spindle
from turning, so that this part of the knob is immovable on the spindle so long as
the pin or key remains within the grooves f³. I ensure the pin or key remaining
in this position by screwing the inner part of the knob onto the outer part and
forcing a metal washer f (see Fig. 5) which fits within and at the base of the
socket f³ in the said inner part, close against the metal pin as it lies within the
grooves. This metal washer is used when the knob is made of wood. When
the knob is of metal a diaphragm in one with the inner half of the knob takes
the place of the washer f
•
When both halves of the knob are screwed together their line of junction ff is
barely perceptible and the knob is held securely on the spindle by the locking
device above described which is entirely concealed from sight and touch within
the said knob,
The locking pin or key which serves to retain the knob upon its spindle may be
passed through holes in a threaded portion of one part of the knob, as well as
through the spindle, and be held in place by screwing the other part of the knob
upon the said threaded portion so as to cover the two ends of the pin or key, such
an arrangement being illustrated in Fig. 13.
To detach the knob or shift its position on the spindle the key or pin must be
removed, and to do this the two parts of the knob must be separated by unscrewing
and the pin thrust out from the spindle and the grooves f³ or holes in the knob
whereupon the tongues ee will be free to yield, and the outer part of the knob
may then be either drawn straight off, or be unscrewed from the spindle.
The pin or key is of a size to fit closely within the space between the spring.
tongues e e² and therefore to hold these two tongues rigidly distended when in place.
To securely hold this pin or key in place within or between the parts of the
divided spindle, I prefer to evenly corrugated the opposite inner faces of the said
parts of the spindle, so that when the parts are properly distended by the pin or
key, a pair of such corrugations shall fit closely upon and around the said pin, as
shown in Fig. 6*. Similarly to prevent rattling, the pin when passed through a
hole in a solid spindle as indicated in Fig. 13, should be of a size to fit accurately
within the said hole as well as in the hole in the threaded portion of the knob.
In some cases it is not required that the weight should be raised and the latch
withdrawn by pushing and pulling the spindle on each side of the door, as well as
by rotating the spindle, but that the weight should be operated by pushing the
spindle in on one side, or by pulling it out on the other, as well as by rotating it
on either side to right or left, and in that case I construct the follower D with a
spirally ribbed or grooved centre, and I make the central portion of the spindle E
ribbed, grooved or twisted to correspond therewith, as shown in Figa. 6° 7, 8, 10 11
and 14.
In this arrangement I slot or groove the cylindrical extension of one of the
roses H as shown in Fig. 9 to guide the knob F and through it the spindle E, in
its several movements, or I employ the alternative arrangements illustrated in
Figs. 13 to 16, in which similar parts are correspondingly lettered.
Thus on pushing the right hand knob in, the spindle will be prevented from
rotating by a stud pin h (which is by preference immovably fixed and will not

page_text: drop out or work loose) engaging with the longitudinal slot in the rose H, or
other fixed surface and the follower D will consequently receive, an axial motion
which will bring one of its arms d d to bear against the weight B, and will lift or
rock it on its fulcrum and withdraw the latch.C as already explained.
t
The same result precisely will be obtained by pulling the loft hand knob; but
from either side of the door the weight may be lifted or, rocked by simply turning
the knobs FF to right or left.
In this case the stud pin h engaging with the transverse groove h³ in the rose H.
will prevent the end way movement of the spindle which will therefore remain
locked to the follower and will compel the follower to move round on its axis when
the spindle is turned.. A similar arrangement of pin and guides or grooves may,
be adapted to the inside of the lock, if preferred. To prevent noise from the
working parts I preferably buff the weight and follower by drilling holes in the
weight or follower and inserting therein a small plug or piece of stick or cord
rubber, or other suitable substance.
The elastic cushions thus interposed between the follower, and weight are
arranged so that when at reat the weight does not touch the metal arms of the
follower, but so soon as the follower is turned the tips of its arms engage quietly
with the weight and take all wear. off from the said cushions:
In order to bring the spindle on a level with the keyhole without detracting from
the efficiency of the weight or altering the shape of the case, I may make the
weight hollow as shown in Fig. 10 and fit the, follower to work within its hollow.
centre, operating it by the spindle after the manner above explained, that is by
pushing or pulling and by rotation to right or left from each side of the door, or
by pushing from one aide, by pulling from the other side, and by rotation to right
or left from each side.
The above described method of operating the weights in springless locks it is
obvious may be applied direct to the weights themselves and without the inter-
vention of a "follower," the spindle itself forming the fulcrum for the weight and
the means for adjustably and securely attaching the knobs to the spindle are also
applicable to other forms of locks, and to all ordinary constructions of spindles.
When applying my invention to spring locks I preferably employ the arrange-
ment of spindle and follower shown in Figs. 7, 8, 10, 11. This arrangement as
applied to a spring lock of ordinary and well known construction is illustrated in
the diagram view Fig. 12 by way of example, the spindle being omitted for the
sake of clearness.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1. The improvement in locks and latches herein above set forth whereby I am
enabled to actuate the latch bolt by pushing, pulling or turning the spindle..
2. In a springless lock the combination with the weight B, latch bolt C and two-
armed follower D, of a spindle E having double inclines adapted to be sliddon.
through the follower and made to bear directly against the weight B and lift the
same by pushing or pulling from either aide of the door, or to engage with the
follower and by rotation to right or left to raise the weight through the said
follower.
3. In a lock the combination with a weight B or spring-actuated lever arm, and
latch bolt C, of a spirally grooved or ribbed follower D, and spirally grooved or
ribbed spindle E, and a guide or guides such as h h h for preventing endway
motion of the spindle through the follower when the spindle is rotated to right or
left, and for preventing axial motion of the spindle when it is thrust or pulled
through the follower, as and for, the purpose described.
L
4. In a door lock the combination with a spring arm or weight B, latch bolt O,
follower D and spindle such as E, adapted to act directly or indirectly upon the
spring arm or weight and lift or rock the same by pushing, pulling or turning, of

page_text: the adjustable knob or knobs F and guide roses H, having cylindrical extensions
for holding the spindle steady while permitting it to be freely moved as required.
5. The means described with reference to the Drawings for adjustably Becuring
door knobs to their spindles.
•
6. The combination with a divided or perforated spindle such as E of a divisible
knob F one part thereof having a hollow externally threaded neck or stem adapted
to be adjustably secured to and upon the spindle. by a pin or key in the manner
hereinabove set forth, and the other part thereof being provided with a hole for
the passage of the spindle and with an internally threaded socket adapted to screw
upon the threaded neck or stem on the other part and thereby to conceal and
securely hold the locking pin or key in place between and within the two parts of
the knob, substantially as set forth.