Improvements in Locks and in the Keys to be used therewith.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Aug., 1892-Accepted 10th Sept., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Locks and in the Keys to be used therewith.
1, FRANZ MEINKE, of Cösliner-strasse, 58, Coerlin . P., in the Kingdom of
Prussia and Empire of Germany, Master Locksmith, 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 :-
This invention has for its object certain improvements in locks and in the keys
to be used in connection therewith, and is particularly applicable in cases where a
number of similar locks (but provided with separate keys) are in use, and where
it may be desirable to have a master-key which shall be capable of locking and
unlocking the whole.
In the accompanying drawings I have-as an example-illustrated the improve-
ments according to my invention applied to a pad-lock and key, but I would have
it understood that my improvements are also applicable to other descriptions of
locks, such as safe locks, trunk locks, and the like.
With reference to the drawings
1
Figures 1, 2 and 3 illustrate a key constructed according to my invention.
Figure 4 illustrates two forms of key-bit, that on the left hand side of the figure
being for ordinary use, and that on the right hand side being the bit of a master-
key.
Figure 5 illustrates the key-pin of my improved lock.
'
Figures 6 and 7 represent a padlock according to my invention in its unlocked
and locked positions respectively, one side of the case being removed.
Figure 8 is a section at a. a. Figure 6.
Figure 9 is a section at y. y. Figure 7.
Figure 10 illustrates the introduction of the key into the lock.
Figures 11 and 12 illustrate a portion of the lock mechanism.
Upon referring to the drawings it will be seen that the key A consists mainly of
the pipe a, provided with a slot in which is accommodated the bit c of the key.
The bit is pivotted at one end to the key-pipe, a spring e being provided to
press it outwardly against the stopf. The free end of the bit c is provided on its
outward side with a projection, and on its inward side with the projections d.
These projections d and the spaces between them correspond, when the key is
turned in the lock, with the wards and the spaces between them of the key-
pin A, as will be understood. A slot i is formed in the key-pin h for the reception
of the bit c on the insertion of the key into the lock and its withdrawal therefrom.
Inside the lock and arranged concentrically with the pin h is the hollow boss B,
the neck of which projects through and is free to revolve in the side of the lock-
case, such neck being provided with an outer plate or flange which forms the
key-hole escutcheon. On the periphery of the boss B there is formed a shoulder
whose function it is to engage with and shoot the bolt of the lock, such bolt and
accessory parts being of the usual formation as shewn. On the inner surface of
the hollow boss B there is provided an indent n, for the reception of the projection c³
of the bit c.
g
Upon introducing the key A into the lock, the piece c¹ comes into contact with
the key-hole escutcheon and is forced inwardly, as is shewn in Figure 10, the bit c
being received by the groove i of the pin h. As soon as the key A has arrived in
the correct position for operating the lock, the bit c is forced out of the slot i by
the spring e, and the projection c¹ engages with the indent n of the boss B. The
projections d of the bit c are now in line with the grooves formed in the pin h, so
that the key can be turned in the lock, and as the projection c¹ is now lying in the
indent it follows that upon turning the key either to the right or left hand the

page_text: boss B will be rotated, and as the shoulder g engages with the bolt of the lock,
the latter will be locked and unlocked respectively, as will be understood.
As a means of rendering my improved lock more secure against fraudulent
misuse, the device shewn in Figure. 12 is provided. This consists in forming a
hole m in the end plate of the boss B into which takes the pin of the key A
when the key is inserted into the lock. Unless the hole m is thus occupied by the
pin b, a stop o carried by a flat spring 1, which lies in the path of the hole m as
the boss B revolves, will engage with it and arrest the boss B. Thus a key to
be operative must be provided with the requisite pin b.
In a set of locks constructed as above described, the grooves and wards upon the
key pins would be arranged differently in each lock, and to provide a master-
key with which to open the whole it is only necessary to place in the key A. a bit
such as shewn on the right hand side of Figure 4. This bit, it will be seen, is
devoid of projections d on its inner side, and it is therefore free to revolve
round the key-pin independently of the particular wards and grooves which
may be formed thereon, the projection e engaging with the boss B as before
.described.
It will be seen that by my invention the bit of a key is carried within and is
protected by the key-pipe a, and is therefore not exposed to view, whereby it is
impossible for the configuration of such bit to be ascertained from without, or for
a waxen cast to be taken of it for fraudulent purposes, as is possible with the keys
now commonly used.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what I
claim is:
1. In a lock such as herein described, the combination of a key-pin such as h, a
bolt actuating boss such as B arranged concentrically therewith, and a key such
as A provided with an internal pivotted bit such as c formed with a projection
adapted to engage with and rotate the boss B and with or without projections
adapted to engage with wards formed upon the key-pin h; substantially as and for
the purposes herein described with reference to the drawings.
2. In a lock such as herein described, the device consisting of the spring 1, stop o,
hole 777, and pin b; operating substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein
described with reference to the drawings.
Dated this 6th day of Å vœust. 1892
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON, Fels. Chart. Inst. P.A.
15, Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.