AN IMPROVED INDICATING APPARATUS OR SLIDE-BOLT FOR THE DOORS OF WATERCLOSETS AND OTHER PLACES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Gedge, of No. 11, Wellington Street,
Strand, London, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for an Invention
of "AN IMPROVED INDICATING APPARATUS OR SLIDE-BOLT FOR THE DOORS
OF WATERCLOSETS AND OTHER PLACES." A communication from abroad by
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Gedge at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th April 1881.
WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of No. 11, Wellington Street, Strand, London, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent. "AN IMPROVED INDICATING APPARATUS
OR SLIDE-BOLT FOR THE DOORS OF WATER-CLOSETS AND OTHER PLACES."
communication from abroad by Jacques François, of Lyons, France.
A
In every dwelling occupied by several persons there are daily meetings at an
indespensable place (often indicated by a number). As regards delicacy these
meetings are always disagreable, in fact, when this place is sought under the
pressure of a natural law it is always a disappointment if the door does not at once
yield to the pressure of the hand, or if a voice cries from within "there's some-
body." This "somebody" is also disturbed in the legitimate possession of the place,
and betrays his discontent by the tone of his reply.
To put a stop to these two inconveniences is therefore to render a double
service.
This result is obtained by the apparatus, the object of this Invention.
This apparatus applied upon the outside of a door and set in motion by the
inside bolt indicates
When the bolt is pushed forward, and therefore that there is occupation of the
place, that there is "somebody."
When it is drawn back and the place is vacant, that there is "nobody,"
There is therefore perfect security for all.

page_text: Upon the accompanying Sheet of Drawing forming part of this Provisional
Specification,-
Figure 1 is a view of the apparatus placed outside the door.
Figure 2, a transverse section of the apparatus, and
Figure 3, a reversed view of the apparatuses inside the door.
Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in each of the Figures respec-
tively.
a indicates the slide-bolt carrying the rods or bars 6 and 6¹ of the alternate
longitudinal motion.
"
c, connecting rods screwed on the rods or bars b, b', and on the lever axles d.
e, indicating plate having at B the word "somebody," and at A the word
'nobody," or different marks or colors. This plate is connected by screws or studs
upon the axles of the levers so as to oscillate..
f. plate with central opening fixed outside the door, and concealing the
mechanism.
When the bolt is pushed back and the place is free the plate is raised and the
word "nobody" is seen; if the bolt is drawn on the inside the plate lowers, and
the word "somebody" or other distinctive sign appears.
It will be evident that the application of the above described apparatus is not
confined to water closets, and that it or apparatus substantially the same may be
applied to any kind of doors with plate having names or distinctive signs, whereby
it may be known that a place is free or occupied without seeking to open the
door.

page_text: Having now described and ascertained the nature of the said Invention, as com-
municated to me by my foreign correspondent, I claim the use of the above
described indicating apparatus or slide-bolt and any apparatus, substantially the
same as and for the purposes specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Gedge, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirtieth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
W. E. GEDGE. (L.S.)