IM- PROVEMENTS IN KEYS FOR LOCKS, LATCHES, WATCHES, CLOCKS, AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES, APPLICABLE ALSO TO COCKS OR TAPS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Albert Barker, of New Bond Street, in the County of
Middlesex, Dressing Case Maker and Silversmith, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN KEYS FOR LOCKS, LATCHES, WATCHES, CLOCKS, AND OTHER LIKE
ARTICLES, APPLICABLE ALSO TO COCKS OR TAPS."
Sealed the 8th September 1877, and dated the 18th April 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Albert Barker at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th April 1877.
ALBERT BARKER, of New Bond Street, in the County of Middlesex, Dressing
Case Maker and Silversmith. "IMPROVEMENTS IN KEYS FOR LOCKS, LATCHES,
WATCHES, CLOCKS, AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES, APPLICABLE ALSO TO COCKS OR
TAPS."
This Invention relates to all keys having a hollow cylindrical pipe or shank, and
has for object the prevention of dust or other impurities from entering therein.
According to my Invention and in one arrangement I fit or insert in the hollow
shank or pipe of the key a plug or stopple, which is kept in place by a spiral spring
beneath it. When the key is inserted in the lock, this plug is depressed, and on
being withdrawn therefrom this plug is immediately driven forward by the spring
to its normal position, which is always flush with the mouth of. the pipe or shank,
thus preventing the entry of dust.
In another arrangement the spiral spring is dispensed with and the hollow
cylindrical pipe or shank is slotted to permit the travel of a sliding stud or pin
attached to the plug or stopple to work it.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Albert Barker in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 3rd October
1877.
ALBERT BARKER, of New Bond Street, in the County of Middlesex, Dressing
Case Maker and Silversmith. "IMPROVEMENTS IN KEYS FOR LOCKS, LATCHES,
ID...nli

page_text: WATCHES, CLOCKS, AND OTHER LIKE ARTICLES, APPLICABLE ALSO TO COCKS OR
TAPS."
This Invention has for object to prevent dust or other impurities from entering
the hollow shank or pipe of keys, which is now often the case, whereby considerable
trouble is experienced in opening a lock. It is applicable to all keys having a
hollow cylindrical or otherwise shaped shank or pipe, and whether used for the
locks of doors, boxes, cabinets, desks, drawers, iron safes, and like articles, or for
clocks, watches, and other similar instruments, or for taps or cocks, and it is
especially applicable to latch keys.
Now in accordance with my Invention and in one arrangement I insert in the
hollow pipe or shank of the key a plug or stopple in such manner that it shall
always, when in its normal position, be flush with the mouth or opening of the
key. It is capable of being depressed on the key being inserted into the lock and
of instantly resuming its normal position on its being withdrawn therefrom, and I
effect this by fitting or placing a spiral spring in the hollow portion of the key
between the plug and the solid part or end of the shank.
In a second modification or arrangement I dispense with the spiral spring and
operate the plug or stopple by means of a stud or pin secured thereto and worked
by hand, and which is capable of sliding in a slot in the shank or pipe of the
key.
I now proceed to describe, with reference to the accompanying Drawings, in what
manner the Invention may be carried into practical effect.
The same letters of reference indicate similar parts in all the Figures.
Figure 1 is an elevation partly in section of a key used for a door, iron safe,
box, or cabinet; Figure 2 is a section of the same, taken on the line x, y, of
Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a key having longitudinal slots cut round its
edge, and being what is known as a "Bramah key." It is especially adapted for the
lock of a jewel case, dressing case, dispatch box, and other similar articles.
A is the hollow cylindrical shank or pipe of the key, and B the plug or stopple
which is inserted therein; C is the spiral spring of which presses against the bottom
of the shank and the other end against the plug. As the key is inserted in the lock
the central pin depresses the plug and the spiral spring becomes compressed while
it is kept therein, but as soon as it is withdrawn the spiral spring expands and
shoots forward the plug; by these means it will be readily seen that the entry of
all impurities into the shank of the key is prevented.
The plug or stopple B is kept in its proper position and also from falling out of
the shank A by means of a stud or pin 6 which is secured thereto, and which travels
at each movement of the plug in a groove a contrived in the interior of the shank
for such purpose.
Figure 4 is an elevation of a key partly in section, showing an arrangement in
which the spiral spring is dispensed with, and a stud worked by hand is employed
to actuate the plug. c is the stud or pin which is fixed to the plug B and travels in
the slot cx cut in the hollow shank of the key; this slot is by preference placed in
a line with the "bit," in order that the stud c may not interfere with the ready
entrance of the key into the lock, and also that it may be less liable to be
broken off.
Figure 5 shows my first or spring arrangement applied to a watch or clock key,
and Figure 6 is a section of the same taken on the line y, z, of Figure 5; Figure 7
shows the same arrangement applied to a key for tuning pianos, harps, guitars,
zithers, and other like stringed instruments, or for opening or closing cocks or taps
for water, gas, or other liquids and fluids, but in these arrangements the plug is shown
square instead of circular.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same may be performed, I declare that I claim, inserting or fitting a moveable plug
or stopple into the hollow shank or pipe of keys, for preventing the entry of dust

page_text: or other impurities therein, such plug or stopple being restored to position by &
spring or other means, as herein described and shewn
In witness whereof, I, the said Albert Barker, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
Witness,
ERNEST DE PASS,
Patent Office,
68, Fleet St.,
London.
A. BARKER. (L.S.)