IMPROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR DOORS, WINDOWS, DRAWERS, AND OTHER LIKE PURPOSES
Year: 1865

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Edward Meek
and William Howes Howes at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents, with their Petition, on the 9th June 1865.
We, GEORGE EDWARD MEEK, of Crane Court, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Stationer, and WILLIAM HOWES HOWES, of Curtain Road, Shoreditch,
in the County of Middlesex, Looking-glass Maker, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR DOORS,
WINDOWS, DRAWERS, AND OTHER LIKE PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in bolts, locks, latches, and
similar fastenings suitable for securing doors, windows, drawers, and applicable
generally to cabinet furniture in which doors or drawers are used, whereby such
fastenings are rendered more efficient, simple, and compact than heretofore,
and are less liable to get out of order than the usual fastenings of this class.
In constructing spring bolts according to this Invention intended for
; large doors, it is proposed to enclose the bolt itself within a cylindrical case,

page_text: and to insert into such case a helical spring for forcing the bolt out. To the
inner end of the bolt is attached a long stem or handle, which passes through
and slides freely in the rear end of the cylindrical bolt case; this stem or
handle is notched, and passes through a fixed staple, into which one or other
of the notches is engaged, thereby securing or locking the bolt for the time 5
being in its place.
According to another form of spring bolt the notched stem or handle
and fixed staple are dispensed with, and a double bayonet slot is made
in the cylindrical casing, in which slot a lateral handle or stud pro-
jecting from the side of the bolt works, and is locked by engaging into the 1
notched ends of the slot. It is also proposed to fit a roller or caster in the
lower end of a spring bolt of the construction last referred to, and to secure
such spring bolt to the bottom of a door, so that it may run along the floor
when the door is opened to a slight extent, and then be forced by its spring
into a socket let into the floor in a convenient position so as thereby to prevent
farther opening of the door. This arrangement is intended as a substitute
for the common door chain at present employed. It is proposed to provide
the sockets for our improved spring bolts and for ordinary bolts when situate
on the the floor with a sliding metal plug fitted inside the socket, which plug
is forced upwards by a helical spring contained within the socket, and is a
maintained flush with the top of such socket, so as to close the entrance to
the same when the bolt is withdrawn, and thereby to prevent any accumula-
tion of dirt therein.
Another form of socket which may be used either for ordinary or
spring bolts, or for the bolts of locks or latches whether of the ordinary
kind or constructed as herein-after described, is so arranged that on
shooting the bolt into the socket hole the end of such bolt will press against
a spring lever attached to the socket plate and connected at its opposite end
with a supplementary bolt, which is shot out of the socket plate into a corre-
sponding notch or recess in the door or lock plate, the shooting of the one
bolt being thus made to shoot an additional bolt, and so afford greater
security and strength of fastening for a given size of bolt or lock.
One of the essential features of the locks and latches constructed according to
this Invention is, that the works or mechanism employed for actuating the bolts
thereof, whether by the aid of handles or knobs or by a key, are contained
within the bolts themselves, which are chambered out or made hollow for
that purpose; and we prefer to make the cases for such locks and latches of a
tubular or cylindrical form, so that they may be inserted into a hole made by
a proper sized bit or auger, in lieu of having to mortice a hole in the door, as

page_text: The bolts of these
is the case with the locks and latches in ordinary use.
locks and latches are also made cylindrical at that portion which is contained
within the interior of the cylindrical case, and are acted upon by helical
springs. According to one form of our combined lock and latch we make
5 two openings in the side of the tubular lock case, in which openings one or
One of
more small spring bolts carried by the main bolt of the lock enters.
these openings is of sufficient length to allow of the usual play of the main
bolt when snecking or unsnecking the same by the ordinary knobs or handles,
but the other opening is only just large enough to receive the spring bolt or
0 bolts, so that when they enter therein on the main bolt being shot out
farther by a key for that purpose, it will be secured for the time being in
that position, and will not be capable of being acted upon by the handles.
The actual lock mechanism, which is wholly contained within the main bolt,
is intended to operate upon these spring bolts, and consists of one or more
levers which act upon corresponding projections on the spring bolt or bolts,
such bolt or bolts being forced outwards by springs secured to the main bolt,
and drawn inwards by the action of the key, which also shoots out the bolt to
the further extent desired. When several levers are employed a slotted pro-
tecting plate or grating is adjusted over them, and the "bit" of the key is
notched or split in accordance with the grating and with the number of levers
to be acted upon; or in lieu of having levers and separate spring bolts and
springs, the spring bolts may be fixed directly to the ends of blade springs,
which springs are acted upon by the "bit" of the key. The unsnecking of
the bolt by the handles is effected by a small lever or arm fixed to the lock
spindle, and provided at its extremity with an antifriction roller, which works
either upwards or downwards against inclined surfaces formed on the inner
end of the main bolt in the interior thereof; this mode of unsnecking a bolt
is applicable either to combined locks and latches, or the latches only. If
desired the ordinary tappets may be used for unsnecking the bolt of a lock or
latch constructed otherwise in accordance with our said Invention.
According to another form of latch suitable for outer doors, the bolt, which
is cylindrical and fits into a tubular cylindrical case, is unsnecked on the inside
by a knob passing through a slot in the case, and is opened from the outside
by a peculiar key and lock action of a simple construction. The key is made
hollow and without any lateral projection or "bit," but its extreme inner end
is formed with any desired number of slits made longitudinally from the
extremity thereof. The hollow portion of the key fits on to a pin secured in
the lock case, and passing transversely through slots or openings left for that
purpose in the bolt; on this pin, and situate in the interior of the bolt

page_text: itself, there is fitted so as to turn freely a tubular boss, one end of which is
slotted to correspond to the slits in the end of the key, so that when the latter
is introduced into the lock case through the circular keyhole for that purpose
it will engage with the tubular boss and impart a partial rotatory motion
thereto on turning the key. On this tubular boss there is fitted or formed a
"bit" or lateral projection, which on being turned acts against a stud or
projection secured to the interior of the bolt and unsnecks it. In front of the
projection in the bolt there is fixed a guard piece which protects it from being
tampered with from outside the lock by a pick; a disc or flange, also secured
with the "bit" to the tubular boss, serves as a guide by working against one
side of the projection in the bolt, which is acted on by the "bit." It will
thus be seen that one portion of the latch key, namely, the "bit," always
remains inside the lock, and as the key itself is perfectly cylindrical without any
lateral projections whatever, it may be made to fill entirely the keyhole when
introduced, thereby preventing the introduction of picks or feelers when a key
is inserted.
The window fastenings constructed according to our Invention are intended
to allow of the sash being opened more or less, but to prevent the further
opening of the sash until the bolts of the fastenings are withdrawn. These
fastenings consist of small spring bolts forced out by helical springs contained
within tubular cases which are let into the window sash. The outer ends of
the spring bolts are bevelled and fit into rack teeth formed on the inner sides
of the frame in which the window slides. A small knob or handle passing
through a slot in the tubular casing serves to withdraw the bolt when the
window is to be opened.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said George Edward Meek and William Howes Howes, in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th December 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, GEORGE
EDWARD MEEK, of Crane Court, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Stationer,
and WILLIAM HOWES HOWES, of Curtain Road, Shoreditch, in the County of
Middlesex, Looking-glass Maker, sond greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing dato the Ninth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-eighth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto

page_text: us, the said George Edward Meek and William Howes Howes, Her special
license that we, the said George Edward Meek and William Howes Howes,
our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said
George Edward Meek and William Howes Howes, our executors, adminis-
5 trators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time
to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should
and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of
Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR DOORS, WINDOWS,
O DRAWERS, AND OTHER LIKE PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst others) that
we, the said George Edward Meek and William Howes Howes, our executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under our hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same
to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said George Edward Meek and William
Howes Howes, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement, reference being had to the
accompanying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say:-
Our said Invention has for its object improvements in bolts, locks, latches,
and similar fastenings suitable for securing doors, windows, drawers, and
applicable generally to cabinet furniture in which doors or drawers are used,
whereby such fastenings are rendered more efficient, simple, and compact than
heretofore, and are less liable to get out of order than the usual fastenings of
this class.
In constructing spring bolts according to our said Invention intended for
large doors, we enclose the bolt itself within a cylindrical case, and insert into
such case a helical spring for forcing the bolt out. To the inner end of the
bolt we attach a long stem or handle, which passes through and slides freely
in the rear end of the cylindrical bolt case; this stem or handle is notched,
and passes through a fixed staple, into which one or other of the notches is
engaged, thereby securing or locking the bolt for the time being in its place.
According to another form of spring bolt the notched stem or handle and
fixed staple are dispensed with, and a double bayonet slot is made in the
cylindrical casing, in which slot a lateral handle or stud projecting from the
side of the bolt works, and is locked by engaging into the notched ends of the

page_text: slot. We also propose to fit a roller or caster in the lower end of a spring
bolt of the construction last referred to, and to secure such spring bolt to the
bottom of a door, so that it may run along the floor when the door is opened
to a slight extent, and then be forced by its spring into a socket let into the
floor in a convenient position, so as thereby to prevent further opening of the
door. This arrangement is intended as a substitute for the common door
chain at present employed. We provide the sockets for our improved spring
bolts and for ordinary bolts when situate on the floor with a sliding metal plug
fitted inside the socket, which plug is forced upwards by a helical spring con-
tained within the socket, and is maintained flush with the top of such socket,
so as to close the entrance to the same when the bolt is withdrawn, and
thereby to prevent any accumulation of dirt therein.
i
Another form of socket which may be used either for ordinary or spring
bolts, or for the bolts of locks or latches, whether of the ordinary kind or con-
structed as herein-after described, is so arranged that on shooting the bolt into
the socket hole the end of such bolt will press against a spring lever attached
to the socket plate and connected at its opposite end with a supplementary
bolt, which is shot out of the socket plate into a corresponding notch or recess in
the door or lock plate, the shooting of the one bolt being thus made to shoot
an additional bolt, and so afford greater security and strength of fastening
for a given size of bolt or lock.
One of the essential features of the locks and latches constructed according
to our said Invention is, that the works or mechanism employed for actuating
the bolts thereof, whether by the aid of handles or knobs, or by a key are con-
tained within the bolts themselves, which are chambered out or made hollow
for that purpose; and we prefer to make the cases for such locks and latches
of a tubular or cylindrical form (but we make no separate claim to the use of
tubular or cylindrical cases), so that they may be inserted into a hole made by
a proper sized bit or auger, in lieu of having to mortice a hole in a door,
as is the case with the mortice locks and latches in ordinary use. The
bolts of these locks and latches are also made cylindrical at that portion
which is contained within the interior of the cylindrical case, and are acted
upon by helical springs. According to one form of our combined mortice
lock and latch we make two openings in the side of the tubular lock case, in
which openings one or more small spring bolts carried by the main bolt of
the lock enter. One of these openings is of sufficient length to allow of the
usual play of the main bolt when snecking or unsnecking the same by the
ordinary knobs or handles, but the other opening is only just large enough to
receive the spring bolt or bolts, so that when they enter therein on the main

page_text: bolt being shot out further by a key for that purpose, it will be secured for the
time being in that position, and will not be capable of being acted upon by
the handles. The actual lock mechanism, which is wholly contained within
the main bolt, is intended to operate upon these spring bolts, and consists of
5 one or more levers which act upon corresponding projections on the spring
bolt or bolts, such bolt or bolts being forced outwards by springs secured to
the main bolt, and drawn inwards by the action of the key, which also shoots
out the bolt to the further extent desired. When several levers are employed
a slotted projecting plate or grating is adjusted under them, and the "bit" of
0 the key is notched or split in accordance with the grating and with the
number of levers to be acted upon; or in lieu of having levers and separate
spring bolts and springs, the spring bolts may be fixed directly to the ends of
blade springs, which springs are acted upon by the "bit" of the key. The
unsnecking of the bolt by the handles is effected by a small lever or arm fixed
5 to the lock spindle, and provided at its extremity with an antifriction roller,
which works either upwards or downwards against inclined surfaces formed on
the inner end of the main bolt in the interior thereof; this mode of unsneck-
ing a bolt is applicable either to combined locks and latches or to latches
only. If desired the ordinary tappets may be used for unsnecking the bolt of
a lock or latch constructed otherwise in accordance with our said Invention.
According to another form of latch suitable for outer doors, the bolt, which is
cylindrical and fits into a tubular cylindrical case, is unsnecked on the inside
by a knob passing through a slot in the case and is opened from the outside
by a peculiar key and lock action of a simple construction. The key is made
hollow and without any lateral projection or "bit," but its extreme inner end
is formed with any desired number of slits made longitudinally from the
extremity thereof. The hollow portion of the key fits on to a pin which is
secured in the lock case, and which passes transversely through slots or
openings left for that purpose in the bolt; on this pin, and situate in the
interior of the bolt itself, there is fitted so as to turn freely a tubular boss, one
end of which is slotted to correspond to the slits in the end of the key, so that
when the latter is introduced into the lock case through the circular keyhole
for that purpose, it will engage with the tubular boss and impart a partial
rotatory motion thereto on turning the key. On this tubular boss there is
fitted or formed a "bit" or lateral projection, which on being turned acts
against a stud or projection secured to the interior of the bolt and unsnecks it.
In front of the projection in the bolt there is fixed a guard piece, which protects
it from being tampered with from outside the lock by a pick. A disc or
flange, also secured with the "bit" to the tubular boss, serves to keep the

page_text: tubular boss in its place on the pin. It will thus be seen that one portion of the
latch key, namely, the "bit," always remains inside the lock, and as the key
itself is perfectly cylindrical without any lateral projections whatever, it may
be made to fill entirely the keyhole when introduced, thereby preventing the
introduction of picks or feelers when a key is inserted.
5
The window fastenings constructed according to our said Invention are in-
tended to allow of the sash being closed more or less, but to prevent the opening
of the sash until the bolts of the fastenings are withdrawn. These fastenings
consist of small spring bolts forced out by helical springs contained within
tubular or other cases, which are let into or screwed on to the top part of the 1
Jower window sash. The outer ends of the spring bolts are bevelled and fit
into rack teeth formed on the inner sides of the frame in which the window
slides. A small knob or handle passing through a slot in the tubular or other
casing or plate serves to withdraw the bolt when the window is to be opened,
and to lock the bolt when the window is to be left partly open or entirely closed.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood, we shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall
refer to the several Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the same
letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the corresponding
Figures.
Figure 1 of our Drawings represents a side elevation, and Figure 2 a
sectional elevation at right angles to Figure 1 of our improved spring bolt
as adapted for warehouse and other heavy doors or gates. A is the wood
work of the door, to the top of which the cylindrical case B of the bolt C is
attached, the case being provided with flanges D for the facility of attaching
it to the door. A stem E is screwed into the inner end of the bolt, and
passes through an opening made for that purpose in the end of the cylindrical
case; F is a helical spring surrounding the stem E, and confined between the
closed end of the case and the rear end of the bolt, so as to tend to force the
bolt out when released; G is a rod coupled to the stem E and of sufficient
length to enable the knob or handle H on its lower end to be within easy
reach. This rod passes through the fixed guide or staple I screwed to the
door, and is provided with two notches a, b, which are engaged with the
staple by the pressure of the blade spring K; according as one or the other of
these notches are engaged the bolt will be maintained either within its case
or shot out as may be required; L is the socket for the bolt, which socket
bo of the ordinary or other construction.
et may
Figures 3 and 4 represent respectively an elevation and plan of a simila
spring bolt intended for ordinary doors. The stem E, rod G, and staple 1

page_text: are here dispensed with, and a double bayonet slot c made in the cylindrical
casing for the locking of the bolt either in or out by turning the knob or
handle d into the lower or upper horizontal slot, as the case may be.
Figures 5 and 6 represent in side elevation and plan another modification
5 of spring bolt, which is similarly constructed to the one last described with
the exception of the flanges D, which are here dispensed with, the case being
intended to be let into a cylindrical hole or socket made in the door itself.
A flange D¹ is formed on the top of the case for the purpose of securing it
to the door, the edge of which should be slightly recessed to receive the said
o flange; any of the spring bolts above described may be fitted to the bottom of
a door in a vertical position, and in that case an antifriction roller or caster
may be attached to the end of the bolt, which will enable the bolt when
released to travel easily over but in contact with the floor, and to drop into
a socket let into the floor at any convenient place according to the amount
to which it is desired the door shall open. On dropping into the socket the
bolt will prevent the door from opening further, and will thus serve the
purpose of an ordinary door chain. In this case care should be taken to
place the bolt sufficiently far from the edge of the door to prevent it being
reached from the outside.
Figures 7 and 8 represent two modifications of our improved sockets for
bolts. These sockets are intended for being let into the floor, and in order
to prevent them from clogging up with dirt, they are each provided with an
internal plug A, which is forced upwards by a helical spring B inside the
body of the socket C¹. In the arrangement Figure 7 the plug is packed so
as to fit the socket accurately, and prevent water from entering and becoming
frozen underneath the plug. The plug is also guided by means of a stem a,
fitting an internal guiding socket 6 inside the main socket, a nut c on the
stem serving to check the rising of the plug beyond the end of the main
socket, so that it may remain flush with the top of the socket when the bolt
is out. In the more simple arrangement shewn in Figure S the plug is
guided simply by two slots 6 made longitudinally along the socket on opposite
sides thereof; a pin in each side of the plug sliding along the slots above
referred to, and preventing the plug from being expelled from its socket.
Figure 9 represents a sectional elevation of a double-action socket for
ordinary or spring bolts, or for the bolts of locks or latches either of the usual
or of our improved construction. A is a box which is let into the door cheek
or frame, and is provided with a socket hole B for the reception of the end of
the bolt which forms part of the fastening attached to the door. Immediately
behind this hole, and sufficiently far back to allow the latch bolt to enter

page_text: freely, there is situate the end of a lever C, working on a fulcrum D, and
pressed forward by a blade or other spring E. The opposite end of this
lever engages with a supplementary bolt F, sliding freely through a second
hole in the socket plate. This bolt is maintained within the socket by the
action of the spring E when the lever C is not acted upon, but when the bolt 5
of the door fastening is shot forward into the socket hole B, as shewn by the
dotted lines, it forces back the free end of the spring lever and simultaneously
shoots the supplementary bolt F which enters a corresponding socket hole
in the door itself. By this arrangement the door is secured by two bolts in
lieu of one when locked or bolted.
Figure 10 represents a longitudinal sectional elevevation of one arrangement
of our improved mortice lock and latch combined; and Figure 11 is a sectional
under side plan of the same, corresponding to Figure 10. A is the lock case,
by preference of a cylindrical form, in one side of which are made two openings
a, b, into which enter one or more spring bolts c, fitted into and carried by
the main bolt B of the lock, which is made hollow to receive within it the lock
mechanism. This lock mechanism consists of one or more levers d (we have
represented 4 in our Drawings), working on a fulcrum pin e, and guided at
their free ends in slots in the inner solid end f of the main bolt; under
these levers is fixed a grid or grating 9, a portion of which only is shown in
Figure 11. The openings in this grating coincide with the levers d, and the
key, which is shown at Figure 12 has a slotted "bit" formed upon it to
enable it to play freely between the openings in the grating and act upon the
levers d. The short arms of these levers each bear against a projection on
each of the spring bolts c, such bolts being forced outwards by blade springs
i fixed inside the main bolt. Two forked projections are fitted inside the
main bolt of the lock for the "bit" of the key to engage into for the purpose
of shooting or withdrawing the bolt. The latch action of the bolt is produced
by the ordinary spindle and handles C, the spindle carrying an arm / having
an antifriction roller m, on the end thereof which presses when the handles are
turned in one direction or the other against the upper or under surface of the
hollow cone n, n¹, formed in the rear end of the bolt, the withdrawal or
inward movement of the bolt in the sneck action being due solely to the
action of the roller m upon the inclined surfaces n or n¹ of the hollow cone.
A helical spring D, in the rear end of the case, by pressing against the rear
end of the bolt tends to force the bolt outwards. The slot or opening b is of
sufficient length to allow the ends of the small spring bolts c to travel freely to
and fro with the main bolt when the latter is simply snecked or unsnecked;
but when it is desired to lock the bolt by shooting it out still further by

page_text: 0
turning the key, the latter, by depressing the levers d, withdraws the spring
bolts c, and allows the main bolt to advance until the spring bolts c enter the
second slot a in the outer casing, as shewn in Figure 13, in which position the
main bolt cannot be shot back excepting by the action of the key; the slot
5 a being only just large enough to admit the ends of the spring bolts, and
consequently no movement of the main bolt can take place till the spring
bolts are withdrawn from the said slot or opening. The sneck action of the
lock may also be obtained from the key alone if desired, and the presence of
the key in the lock in nowise impedes the snecking of the bolt by the handles.
Figures 14, 15, and 16 represent other modifications of this lock action,
wherein the levers d and spring bolts c are made in one piece.
In Figure
and plan another form
;
14 the springs i, which force outwards the spring bolts c, are disposed as in
Figures 10, 11, and 13. In Figure 15 they form continuations of the respective
levers d, and are bent backwards above those levers to obtain a bearing against
the upper side of the interior of the main bolt. In Figure 16 the levers d
consist of springs secured at one end to the solid portion of the bolt, whilst
their free ends have formed upon them the bolts c.
Figures 17 and 18 represent in sectional elevation
of lock intended as a latch for street or outer doors. A is a cylindrical case
containing the latch bolt B, which is made hollow at one part to receive the lock
action, and is forced outwards by a helical spring C. The latch is moved
back on the inner side of the door by a knob D, the spindle of which works
through a slot in the case A, but on the outside of the door the key E (Figures
19 and 20) is employed. The lock mechanism consists of a pin a screwed
into the case, and having a tubular boss 6 (Figure 21) turning freely thereon
this boss has a "bit" c formed upon it, which engages with a projection d,
formed on one side of a plate e, shewn detached in elevation and plan at
Figures 22 and 23. Secured to the interior of the bolt f is a disc, also formed
on the tubular boss, andbearing against the end of the projections d, thereby
serving to keep the tubular boss in its proper position on the pin. The key
E, when inserted into the lock, completely closes the circular keyhole, thus
leaving no room for the introduction of picks or feelers when the key is in;
whilst when the key is withdrawn a very small opening only is exposed, as the
pin a fills up the greater portion of the keyhole. It will thus be seen that
access to the lock mechanism is rendered extremely difficult excepting by the
proper key. On inserting the key the slits in the end of it (shewn in Figures
19 and 20) engage with corresponding projections or teeth formed on the near
end of the boss, which may then be readily turned and the "bit" formed
thereon made to push back the bolt.

page_text: Figure 24 is a sectional elevation of a simple latch lock for inner doors,
the bolt of which is actuated solely by the ordinary spindle and handles. A is
the tubular case; B, the latch bolt; C, a helical spring for forcing the bolt out ;
and D, the usual double-acting tumbler for unsnecking the latch fitted on to
the ordinary spindle E, and operating against the rear end of the bolt when
lowered in either direction.
of Figure 25 is a vertical section showing the application of a modified form
of spring bolt to the fastening of removeable shutters for glazed doors and
similar purposes.
A is the lower part of the removeable shutter, which fits
into a recess in the door B in front of the glass window; C is a metal socke
let into the bottom of the shutter, into which socket enters the spring bolt D.
This bolt is connected to a stem E, which is free to turn or swivel therein,
and is guided by the cylindrical socket F. G is a helical spring situate
beneath the stem E inside the socket F, and tending to shoot the bolt D out-
wards. A small handle H, the spindle of which is screwed into the swivel
stem E, serves to withdraw the spring bolt and release the shutter. The
spindle of this handle passes through the double bayonet slot a, made in the
Plate I. (Figure 26), which is screwed to the inside of the door, as shewn in
Figure 25. By turning the handle laterally into the upper or lower horizontal
portions of the slot a, the spring bolt will be locked in its extended position, as
shewn in the Drawing, or maintained within the case, as required. When the
shutter has been adjusted in its place the bolt is shot out, so as to secure the
shutter by simply pushing the spindle of the handle H out of the lower
horizontal slot, when the pressure of the helical spring will force out the bolt.
Figure 27 represents in vertical section our improved window fastener and
the mode of applying the same to a sash. A is a spring sneck bolt fitted to
the under side of a plate B, which is screwed on to the top bar of the lower sash
of a window. To this bolt is connected a swivel stem working through a
guiding lug a, and surrounded by a helical spring b, which tends to force the
bolt outwards. The spindle of a knob or handle c is screwed into the swivel
stem and passes through a double bayonet slot in the plate B, precisely similar
to that shewn at a in Figure 26. On the front face of each side of the top
sash there is screwed a rack C (shewn in detail at Figure 28), the teeth d of
which are bevelled on their upper front edges to admit of the spring sneck
bolt A passing freely over them when drawn downwards in the act of closing
the lower sash. On attempting to open the window by raising the lower sash
or lowering the upper one, the spring sneck bolts by engaging into the racks
on each side act as stops, and thus prevent the opening of either sash until
the bolts are withdrawn and held back by engaging the knobs or handles c

page_text: 0
into the rear end of the bayonet slots in the plates B.
If preferred, the spring
sneck bolts may be contained within tubular cases let into the woodwork of
the sashes in lieu of being attached to a flat plate B, screwed on to the surface
of the sash bar.
5 Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of our said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, we would observe in conclusion that what we consider to be novel
and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to us by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First, the general construction and arrangement of the several fastenings as
herein-before described and illustrated by our Drawings.
Second, the combination of the spring E, notched rod G, staple I, and
spring K in bolts for heavy doors or gates, substantially as herein-before
described and illustrated by Figures 1 and 2 of our Drawings.
Third, the combination of the helical spring E, double bayonet slot c, and
bolt C, as herein-before described and illustrated by Figures 3, 5, and 6 of
our Drawings.
Fourth, the constructing of sockets for bolts with sliding plugs substantially
as and for the purpose herein-before described.
Fifth, the application of a caster or antifriction roller to the outer end of a
spring bolt, and its use in conjunction with a socket let into the floor as a
substitute for door chains as herein-before described.
Sixth, the application and use to and in sockets for the bolts of locks,
latches, and similar fastenings of a supplementary bolt, which is shot out into
the door by the act of shooting the bolt of the lock or latch, substantially as
herein-before described.
Seventh, the enclosing the lock or latch, or lock and latch mechanism of
locks and latches entirely within the bolt itself substantially as herein-before
described.
Eighth, the application and use in latch locks of an arm and antifriction
roller in combination with inclines inside the bolt for the purpose of unsnecking
the same as herein-before described.
Ninth, the combination of one or more levers or spring levers d, bolts or
projections c, and grid or grating g, arranged and operating substantially as
herein-before described and illustrated by Figures 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, and 16
of our Drawings.
Tenth, the combination of the pin a, tubular boss b, "bit" c, and projection
d, arranged and operating substantially as herein-before described and illus-
trated by Figures 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 of our Drawings.