IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED FOR FASTENING AND UNFASTENING DOORS, GATES, LIDS, OR WINDOWS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick William Atkinson, of Rothwell Haigh, near
Leeds, in the County of York, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED FOR FASTENING AND UNFASTENING DOORS,
GATES, LIDS, OR WINDOWS."
Sealed the 18th July 1879, and dated the 21st January 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick William Atkinson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st January 1879.
FREDERICK WILLIAM ATKINSON, of Rothwell Haigh, near Leeds, in the County
of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED FOR FASTEN-
ING OR UNFASTENING DOORS, GATES, LIDS, OR WINDOWS."
The object of my Invention is to produce a ready means whereby doors, gates,
lids, and windows, may be readily fastened or unfastened for the purpose of closing
and opening the samo.
The framework or shell is constructed by preference of metal, and formed in a
similar manner to that of a mortice lock.
Within the shell or framework the bolt or latch is fitted so as to work freely, and
in order to actuate this at or near the inner end of it I couple a flexible medium,
the other end of which is attached to some fixed part of the shell or frame. By
bending or depressing this flexible medium the bolt or latch is withdrawn from the
latch plate in the door jamb, but when it is relieved of the depression the bolt or
latch shoots out in the manner of an ordinary door fastener. This movement is
effected by means of a collared spindle, which operates on the flexible medium, and
on the ends of the spindle are provided knobs of ordinary construction, such spindle
being made to project on each side of the door in the manner of ordinary spindles
for door knobs or handles.
In this arrangement, by pulling the knob or handle at one end of the spindle
projecting from the door, gate, lid, or window, the latch is withdrawn, and the door,
gate, lid, or window may be opened, and by pushing at the knob or handle at the
other end of the spindle, the latch is also withdrawn, and the door, gate, or window
may be opened; that is to say, if the door, gate, lid, or window opens towards the
CD 031

page_text: person, by pulling the knob or handle, the bolt or latch is withdrawn from the
latch plate and the door opened; or if the door opens from the person, by pushing
the knob or handle in that direction, the door, gate, lid, or window may also bo
opened.
Door fasteners of a similar construction to the above may be employed also on
windows, cupboards, closets, boxes, and the like, but in these instances I prefer to
attach a knob or handle to the spindle on one side, and in some cases I secure the
fastener to the face of the door instead of using it as a mortice lock or latch.
The above described door fastener may be employed in combination with an
ordinary lock.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Frederick William Atkinson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
18th July 1879.
FREDERICK WILLIAM ATKINSON, of Rothwell Haigh, near Leeds, in the County
of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED FOR FASTEN-
ING AND UNFASTENING DOORS, GATES, LIDS, OR WINDOWS."
The object of my Invention is to produce a ready means whereby doors, gates,
lids, and windows may be readily fastened or unfastened for the purpose of closing
and opening the same.
The framework or shell is constructed by preference of metal, and formed in a
similar manner to that of a mortice lock.
Within the shell or framework, the bolt or latch is fitted so as to work freely,
and in order to actuate this at or near the inner end of it I couple a flexible medium,
the other end of which is attached to some fixed part of the shell or frame. By
bending or depressing this flexible medium, the bolt or latch is withdrawn from the
latch plate in the door jamb, but when it is relieved of the depression, the bolt or
latch shoots out in the manner of an ordinary door fastener.
This movement is
effected by means of a collared spindle, which operates on the flexible medium, and
on the ends of the spindle are provided knobs of ordinary construction, such spindle
being made to project on each side of the door in the manner of ordinary spindles
for door knobs or handles.
In this arrangement, by pulling the knob or handle at one end of the spindle
projecting from the door, gate, lid, or window, the latch is withdrawn, and the door,
gate, lid, or window may be opened, and by pushing at the knob or handle at the
other end of the spindle, the latch is also withdrawn, and the door, gate, lid, or
window may be opened; that is to say, if the door, gate, lid, or window opens
towards the person by pulling the knob or handle, the bolt or latch is withdrawn
from the latch plate and the door opened; or if the door opens from the person by
pushing the knob or handle in that direction, the door, gate, lid, or window may
also be opened.
Door fasteners of a similar construction to the above may be employed also on
windows, cupboards, closets, boxes, and the like, but in these instances I prefer to
attach a knob or handle to the spindle on one side, and in some cases I secure the
fastener to the face of the door instead of using it as a mortice lock or latch.
The above described door fastener may be employed in combination with an
ordinary lock.
And in order that my Invention may be more completely understood, reference is
given to the accompanying Drawings and to the letters and marks thereon.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1, an elevation of fastener, with lock combined with cover removed; Fig. 2
is a section through line A, B, Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a section through line C, D, Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a side elevation of another arrangement of my apparatus without lock
attachment; Fig. 5, a section through E, F, Fig. 4.
In Figs. 1, 2, and 3, a is the framework or shell constructed by preferenco of
metal, and formed in a similar manner to that of a mortice lock, although when
required its external shell or framework may be of a similar form to a "rim" door
fastener; b is the bolt or latch which is fitted in the bearing c so as to work freely.
At a convenient position, near the inner end d, the bolt or latch b is hung on a
radial arm e, which is carried on the pin f attached to the framework; g is the
flexible medium, which may be of a chain or link like form, or composed of other
equivalent flexible materials; this flexible medium g is coupled to the radial arm e
by means of the connecting piece in the manner shewn; i is a spring which is
amploved fax mntaining the halt on latch band the flavible madium a in the novition

page_text: shewn in Drawings when at rest. By bending or depressing the flexible medium g
in the direction shewn by arrow j, motion is imparted through the connecting piece
h to the radial arm e, and thence to the latch or bolt b, such motion being in the
direction of arrow k, whereby the projecting piece may be drawn within the plate
m in the manner of an ordinary door fastener. When pressure is taken off the
flexible medium, the bolt or latch b shoots back into the position shewn in Drawings,
this being caused by the spring i. For the purpose of actuating the door fastener I
provide the collared spindle n, to which are attached knobs or handles o of any
known or other convenient construction.
In Figs. 5 and 6 p is the shell or framework of a door fastener constructed in
accordance with my Invention, without a lock in combination therewith.
In this arrangement I apply the flexible medium g directly behind the bolt or
latch b, and dispense with the radial arm e, and couple the flexible medium g and
bolt or latch b together, as shown by means of the connecting piece h. The spring ?
is employed for retaining the latch or bolt b in position shewn in Drawing when at
rest, also to bring back the flexible medium g to the position as shown after depres-
sion has taken place and pressure taken therefrom. The spindle n is of a similar
construction to that shewn at Figs. 1, 2, and 3.
The flexible medium g is held in position at s in each arrangement, and is sup-
ported on flanges & through the medium of the pin u; this arrangement retains the
connecting pieces h in a direct line or parallel with the bolts or latches b, and in
order to reduce the friction in the movement of the bolts or latches b, I apply the
small roller shewn in all the Figures.
Other parts of the door fastener not described may bo of ordinary construction.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and described by the aid
of Drawings how the same may be carried into practice, I would have it under-
stood that I do not limit myself to the precise details or configuration of the parts
I have described and shewn, as the same may be varied or modified without
departing from the nature of my said Invention, but what I claim and desire to be
secured to me by Letters Patent is,-
First. The arrangement and application of flexible medium g and modifications
of the same, in combination with collared spindle n for withdrawing the bolt or
latch b, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
Second. The arrangement and combination of the various parts forming the
fastener, substantially as and for purposes herein set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederick William Atkinson, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
Witness to the signature of the said
Frederick William Atkinson,
J. W. HARDING,
Engineer and Patent Agent,
2, East Parade,
Leeds.
F. W. ATKINSON. (L.B.)