Improvements in Fasteners for Doors, Windows, and the like.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Feb., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 25th Nov., 1895-Accepted, 26th Feb., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fasteners for Doors, Windows, and the like.
I JOHN WHITFIELD, of 24 The Avenue, Wallsend County of Northumberland
Agent &c., do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The application of the principle contained in a hinge, combined with a spike to
penetrate a yielding surface, which I substantially describe as follows:-I take two
pieces of brass (or other suitable metal) and form them into a hinged contrivance
as shown in the accompanying drawing.
I find it necessary for some purposes to make that portion indicated by the
letters A. B. shorter than the part indicated by the letters C. D. and I also form a
projection at B so as to form when placed in position a good resistance to the
opening of a door, window, or other arrangement to which it has been applied.
This projecting part or knob may be made with a flat surface so as to fit closely
and securely against the edge of the door when placed in its proper position. The
part C. D. is also provided with a projection or spike on that end and that
particular side indicated by the letter E, or two or more spikes may be used placed
in any convenient position, but for all ordinary purposes one will be found
sufficient. This spike is intended to penetrate the frame of the door or other
yielding surface by the pressure of closing the door upon it when placed in
position.
It will thus be seen that when the part C D has been placed in position and the
door &c. closed upon it and the portion A B brought into position so as to overlap
the edge of the door, it will have formed a complete and sufficient check or
fastening giving the person inside the room &c. complete control of the opening of
the same, preventing anyone opening the door &c. from the outside by any
ordinary means. It is intended to be used either in a temporary or permanent
When it is to be used as a
way according to the requirements of the user.
permanent fixture it will of course be screwed into position in the usual way.
Dated 23rd February 1895.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fasteners for Doors, Windows, and the like.
I JOHN WHITFIELD of 24 The Avenue, Wallsend in the County of
Northumberland Agent, 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 :-
The application of the principle contained in a hinge combined with a spike
(projection) to penetrate a yielding surface, in the construction of door fasteners
and window sash fasteners.
For the general construction of the fasteners I take two pieces of brass or other
suitable metal and form them into a hinged contrivance or contrivances as shown
in the accompanying drawings.

page_text: For some purposes (notably the door fastener) I find it necessary to make that
portion indicated by the letters A B, Fig. 1, shorter than the under part C D.
I also form a projection at B, to form when placed in position a good and sufficient
resistance to the opening of a door, window, or other arrangement within the
meaning of this Specification, to which it may be applied. This projecting part or
knob may be made with a flat surface (it may be corrugated where necessary, or
have a slight projection near or at the heel, or an angle to suit requirements) to fit
closely and securely against that part of the door near to or at the edge of the door
or window sash or whatever it is intended to overlap when placed in position. The
under piece C D is also provided with a projection or spike (when a base is used for
a window fastener this spike may or may not be omitted, if retained the base will
be easier fitted in a correct position) on that end indicated by the letter E, or two
or more spikes may be used placed in any convenient position, but for all ordinary
purposes one will be found sufficient. This spike is intended to penetrate the frame
of the door (or window sash) by the pressure of closing the door (or window sash)
upon it. The flap or hinged projection can then be brought over against the
surface of the door (or window sash), which will of necessity be at the edge,
where it is intended to overlap thus causing a strong resistance to the opening of
the same.
Place the part C D in position against the door frame (or window sash) close
the door or sash upon it, bring the flap A B over so as to overlap the edge of the
door or sash in the position as shown in Fig. 1 and the act of a temporary fastening.
of either has been accomplished.
It will be obvious that in using the above device (Fig. 1) as a temporary fastener
for a window (in the particular form shown in Fig. 1) that it will not be applicable
to window sashes of every variety.
Fig. 1 is the first method of carrying out the temporary arrangement of the
principle as foreshadowed in my Provisional Specification.
To make a permanent fastener of even the crude arrangement it would only
need to be screwed properly into position.
I have now to describe the evolution of the idea or improvements as mentioned
in the title and Provisional Specification, but with special reference as a window
fastener. A permanent fastener.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation and Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same.
A B, Fig. 2 is the flap, which will I think be quite obvious to even a superficial
observer. It is simply modified, changed, or evolved in sympathy and accord with
the Provisional Specification, which distinctly says, that "for some purposes
A B, Fig. 1 may be made shorter than C D, Fig. 1" thus clearly pointing out that
for another purpose within the meaning of the Specification the parts A B and C D
will be the same length as in Fig. 2 which I am now considering. In constructing
the flap A B Fig. 2 I form angle as shown L, A, C, which projects sharply at A
and declines or falls back towards L so that when the flap A B is taken hold of
and forced back in the direction indicated by S. Fig. 2 as far as the spring N will
conveniently allow the said flap A B will be held by the spring N in an inclined
position towards S. by the spring N resting on the surface A L being one side of
the angle LA C which has already been described.
The bolding of the flap in the above position is not at all essential to the
securing or fastening of the window but simply as a precautionary measure to
prevent the flap from giving trouble or annoyance to any user by falling forward
with any sudden jerk of the window sash before fastening.
Similarly as an extra precaution a corresponding angle may be formed on the
opposite side (or back) where is shown the spring N for the said spring N to rest
against, which would have the effect of keeping the flap A B from moving on
badly constructed or ill fitting sashes (these are as far as I know the only
conditions under which it would be liable to move and then I believe only under
very exagerated conditions, which may never be met with).
But again in the event of a badly worn, badly made, or very old sashes, the use

page_text: The
of a screw (or cam) may be brought into requisition as shown at P Fig. 2.
screw or cam is old and has been used for window fasteners before but never to my
knowledge in the manner here indicated. When the flap A B has been closed and
in the position as shown in Fig. 2 and the screw (or cam) brought up securely
against the projection B, it not only makes it quite impossible to open the fastener
from the outside but takes up the rattle or looseness in badly fitted sashes; but
where in any case the sashes have been made in a workmanlike manner and are a
proper fit, neither of the precautions cited would be absolutely necessary (although
for general purposes it would probably be best to retain them), since in placing the-
pieces (after being hinged as shown Fig. 2) A B, C D, on the base T (a base is used
for most of all or all permanent window fasteners within my knowledge) a projection
or ledge V. Fig. 2 is formed making an angle with C D at the base for the flap.
(the heel of) A B to rest in; it will then be readily understood that nothing can.
be introduced between the sashes to raise the flap and from the nature or principle
on which the fastener is constructed it cannot be pushed to one side. Having now
constructed a permaneut window fastener in the sense indicated by the Provisional
Specification, the only thing to do now is to fit it in its place on the window sashes-
by screws passed through the base into the window sashes as shown in Figures 2
and 3. To operate the fastener I release the flap A B and push it back in the
direction indicated by S Fig. 2, this done the sashes can be freely moved up or
down in any position for which the sashes were originally made.
I disclaim all old parts ordinarily used in the construction of window or door
fasteners except and so far as they may be used differently in combination in the
above contrivances.
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 :-
(1) The door and window sash fastener or fasteners (which embody the improve-
ments referred to in the title) with the various modifications or mechanical
equivalents.
(2) The application of the principle contained in a hinge worked out and.
adapted to the end in view on the lines indicated in the above Specification.
(3) I claim the hinge as specially constructed and referred to in the above-
Specification.
(4) I claim the special construction of the flap, also the back of hinge.
Dated this Twenty-third day of November 1895.
JOHN WHITFIELD,.
Applicant.