Improvements in Safes, Cash Boxes, Jewel Boxes, and the like.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd July, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 27th Feb., 1895-Accepted, 27th Apr., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Safes, Cash Boxes, Jewel Boxes, and the like.
I, ARTHUR ALEXANDER CROZIer, of 43, Gibson Square, Islington, in the
County of London, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved method or means of fixing or securing a
safe, cash box, jewel box or the like, (hereinafter referred to as "safe") to the
floor, wall, a shelf or other support or bearing, in such a manner that it can only
be removed or released by the person having the proper key or keys belonging to
the same; no trouble, adjustment or sliding motion whatever being required, but
simply by placing it on a flat plate adapted to receive the same, and locking the
door, which will cause the same to be secured.
The invention is specially applicable to small safes, cash boxes, jewel boxes and
the like, either with their door opening in the top as in a small cash or jewel box,
which if made in a very strong manner of stout iron or steel will protect any
valuable articles contained therein equally as well as if they were enclosed in a
large safe, perhaps weighing tons, and costing a great deal of money, perhaps a
hundred pounds or more, whereas, by my improved arrangement those having a small
amount of jewellery or other valuable property which they wished to secure and
did not care to have or could not well afford, or had no convenience for a large
safe, would find the present improvements of a great advantage, as they would be
able to secure their property against theft or fire with but little expense, and have
the advantage of always having their valuables in their own possession without
having the trouble to run backwards and forwards to a safe deposit every time
they were required.
In carrying out the invention, I arrange 2 pairs, or any convenient number of
pairs, according to the size of the safe, of clutch or hook-like spring-controlled
lever holding devices, (hereinafter called "clutch levers") each pair arranged
between the inner and outer casings of the two longest sides of the safe, each clutch
lever being loosely mounted on a pivot or spindle on their upper ends, so as to be
adapted to turn thereon, and formed or provided with two extending arms on their
upper ends, one thereof formed vertically, or at a convenient angle above the pivot
or spindle, and the other thereof, projecting from the side in alignment with said
pivot or spindle, at right angles with the upper vertical arm or at any other
convenient angle; and formed on their lower depending ends (which depend
vertically, or at a convenient angle below the upper vertical arms) of a clutch or
hook-like formation. To each pair of the aforesaid clutch levers, I arrange a
closely coiled spring, of a helical formation, each end thereof being connected to
the ends of the upper vertical arms, which draws them together and turns the
clutch levers on their pivots or spindles which cause their lower clutch or hook-like
ends to be turned or drawn in an upward direction, and may be fitted with followers
or slides, so as to keep the holes or slots formed in the bottom of the safe (through
which the depending ends of the clutch levers pass) continually closed.
I then arrange inside of the safe, a corresponding number to that of the clutch
levers of vertically disposed rods or bolts, preferably of a round formation in cross
section, of any suitable diameter, said bolts or rods passing through a corresponding
number of holes formed in the edges of the inner casing, and passing between the
inner and outer casings of the safe. When the safe door is open the upper ends of
said vertically disposed rods or bolts project to a suitable distance through said

page_text: holes in the edges of the inner casing, determined by stops thereon and the lower
ends thereof, rest on the upper surfaces of the side arms formed on the upper ends
of the clutch levers.
The bottom of the safe is formed with a corresponding number of holes or slots,
so as to allow of the lower depending ends of the clutch levers passing therethrough,
and is provided with four or more short legs or feet, of a round or other formation
in cross section.
I Dext form a flat base-plate, the same size as the bottom of the safe, of a
suitable thickness, of mild steel or other suitable metal. Said base-plate is formed
with a corresponding number of holes or slots, in the same position and of the same
size as those in the bottom of the safe, through which the lower depending ends of
the clutch levers pass, and is formed with four or more holes, so as to allow of the
feet or legs on the bottom of the safe passing therethrough. Said base-plate is
secured to the floor, wall table, shelf or other support or bearing in the manner
hereinafter described, or it may be simply screwed onto the floor with stout screws,
the screws preferably passing into the joist. This mode may be adopted when it is
only desired to prevent the safe from being readily removed or stolen.
I prefer to secure the aforesaid base plate in the following manner (when it is
desired to fix the safe to the floor) as the security and resistance of the safe against
attempted theft or mechanical force being applied to remove same entirely depends
upon the manner in which the aforesaid base plate is secured.
I slide two or more flat iron bars of suitable width and thickness into holes
formed in the centre of the side of each joist of the floor, these may be made by
removing one board of the floor, said bars may be half the width of the room in
length, but not more, or they could not be slid in said holes in the joist. I then
rivet or bolt said base-plate onto the floor, the rivets or bolts passing through the
floor and through holes formed in said bars under the floor; thereupon, it will be
impossible to slide or remove the bars from the joist, or remove the plate secured
thereto, without pulling up the entire floor, which would be next to impossible, as
the ends of the joists pass into the walls of the building. If it is desired to fix the
safe to the wall, I simply pass two or more bolts through holes formed in said plate
and through corresponding holes drilled through the wall, the ends of said bolts
being screw threaded at their ends and project on the other side of the wall, and
adapted to receive nuts, these being screwed on, the ends of the bolts are tapped or
rivetted over, so that the nuts cannot be unscrewed, and furthermore, they could
not be readily got at if the safe were secured on the wall of an upper room.
I will now describe the action of the apparatus.
When it is desired to secure the safe, the door or lid thereof is opened, so as not
to compress the projecting ends of said vertically disposed rods or bolts; it is then
simply placed on said fixed base plate, the feet or legs and the lower depending
ends of the clutch levers passing into their respective holes formed in said base-
plate; the lower ends of said rods or bolts resting on the ends of the upper
surfaces of the side arms formed on the upper ends of the clutch levers, which
are preferably flattened on their upper surfaces, upper ends of said rods or bolt:
projecting through their respective holes formed in the edges of the inner casing
by reason of the ends of the closely coiled spring between each pair of clutch
levers being connected to the ends of the arms formed on their upper ends,
vertically, or at a suitable angle above their pivots or spindles drawing them
together, and causing said side arms to rise in an upward direction, and cause said
vertically disposed rods or bolts resting thereon to rise also, and their upper ends
to project to a suitable distance, determined by stops thereon, through said holes
formed in the edges of the inner casing and to remain in that position until com-
pressed or pushed down. The door or lid is then closed, which simultaneously
forces the projecting ends of said rods or bolts down, forcing said side arms of the
clutch levers in a downward direction, causing them to turn on their pivots or
spindles and to extend said coiled springs, and forcing their lower depending ends
butt against the extreme sides of the holes or slots formed in said base plate; the

page_text: clutches or hooks formed on their depending ends engaging with the underside of
said base plate; the door is then locked, and the safe cannot be removed except by
the person having the proper key or keys.
When it is desired to remove the safe, the door or lid is unlocked and opened
whereupon the aforesaid rods or bolts simultaneously and automatically rise out of
their respective holes, and the side arms of the clutch levers being free from
compression, rise in an upward direction, and release their clutch or hook-like ends
from engagement with the underside of said base plate, whereupon, the safe can be
lifted up and removed.
It will thus be seen that the safe is secured and released respectively, simul-
taneously and automatically with the closing and opening of the door or lid, and
cannot be removed except by the person having the proper key or keys; no sliding
motion being required, but simply by placing it down and closing and locking the
door, neither is there anything unsightly to be seen, as the base plate to which it is
secured being simply a flat plate, and may be let into the floor flush with the surface
thereof, so that when the safe is placed thereon no one can see by what means it is
fixed, and when it is not fixed thereto the carpet may be placed over same and
there will be nothing to be seen, and no projection to fall or stumble over.
legs or feet on the bottom of the safe serve for two purposes, firstly, they allow
the depending ends of the clutch-levers to act, so that the safe door may be closed
and locked when is not on the base plate, and secondly, they take a great strain
of the clutch levers in the event of lateral force or leverage being used to remove
the safe.
The
The safe may be made with any number of base plates, so that they may be
fixed in several different rooms or places, and the safe secured thereto, and may be
made with two independent doors, with independent locks and keys, the outer one
thereof actuating said vertical bolts or rods and the clutch levers when closed, and
the inner one thereof being formed with holes allowing the upper projecting ends
of the rods or bolts to pass therethrough so as not to compress or actuate them, or
in any other suitable manner; so that when the outer door is opened the safe is
released but the contents therein still remain secure.
By this arrangement, when it is desired to send a servant, or others for the safe
without their having access or being able to see the contents, it is only necessary
to give them the key or keys of the outer door, which when opened will release
the safe, and may then be removed. This arrangement would be found of advantage
when applied to despatch boxes and the like.
The hereinbefore described arrangement is suitable for a cash or jewel box with
its lid opening in the top, but may be applied with equal advantage to safes with
their door opening in the front as in ordinary safes, in which case no side arms will
be required on the upper ends of the clutch levers, each pair of clutch levers
being actuated by a horizontally disposed rod or bolt adapted with a forked end,
the upper fork thereof being longer than the lower, and acting on the ends of the
vertical arms formed on the upper ends of the clutch levers, one arm thereof being
longer than the other, viz.-the foremost one of each pair having a shorter arm
than the rearward one, the short fork on the end of said rod or bolt acting on the
short arm of the foremost clutch lever; and the long fork thereof, acting on the
long arm of the rearward one; the clutch levers being spring controlled, and
acting automatically with the closing and opening of the door, as hereinbefore
described.
I wish it to be understood that I do not bind myself to the exact construction
herein before described, as the same object may be attained in several modified
arrangements, for instance, the clutch levers may be caused to rise out of sight
through the bottom of the safe.
The safe may be made fireproof or otherwise.

page_text: Improvements in Safes, Cash Boxes, Jewel Boxes, and the like.
I, ARTHUR ALEXANDER Crozier, of 43, Gibson Square, Islington, in the
County of London, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said 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 relates to an improved method or means of fixing or securing a
safe, cash box, jewel box or the like (hereinafter referred to as "safe") to the
floor, wall, a shelf or other support or bearing, in such a manner that it can only
be removed or released by the person having the proper key or keys belonging to
the same, no trouble adjustment, or sliding motion whatever being required to
secure or fix the same, it only being necessary to simply place the safe on a flat
plate adapted to receive the same and close and lock the door or lid, which will
cause the safe to be secured, and to be immediately released upon the opening of
the door or lid.
The invention is especially applicable to small safes, cash boxes, jewel boxes or
the like, either with their door or lid opening in the top, as in small cash or jewel
boxes, or with equal advantage, to those with their door opening in the front, as in
ordinary safes, which if made in a very strong manner of stout iron or steel will
protect any valuable articles contained therein equally as well as if they were
enclosed in a large safe, perhaps weighing several tons, and costing a great deal of
money, perhaps a hundred pounds or more, whereas, by my improved arrangement,
those having a small amount of jewellery or other valuable property which they
wished to secure, and did not care to have, or could not well afford, or had no
convenience for a large safe, would find the present improvements of great
advantage, as they would be able to secure their property against theft or fire with
but little expense, and have the advantage of always having their valuables in their
own possession, without having the trouble to run backwards and forwards to a
safe deposit or bank every time they were required.
The invention is illustrated on the accompanying drawings in which :-
Fig. 1 represents a longitudinal sectional elevation of a cash or jewel box with
the lid opening in the top showing the improved arrangement in its locked
position.
Fig. 2 represents a like view showing the improved arrangement in its unlocked
position and the lid removed.
Fig. 3. represents a plan of a base-plate on which the safe is placed when it is
desired to secure it, showing the ends of the clutching or holding devices in their
locked position.
Fig. 4. represents a like view independent of the clutching or holding devices.
Fig. 5. represents a sectional side elevation of a safe with the door opening in
the front, showing the improved arrangement in its locked position.
Fig. 6. represents a like view, showing the improved arrangement in its unlocked
position and the door removed.
Fig. 7. represents a sectional end elevation of a modification, representing a
cash or jewel box similar to that represented in Figs. 1 and 2, showing the improved
arrangement in its locked position.
Fig. 8. represents a like view, showing the improved arrangement in its unlocked
position and the lid removed.
Fig. 9. represents a plan view of a base plate, on which the safe is placed when
it is desired to secure it, showing the ends of the securing devices in their locked
position.
Fig. 10. represents a like view, independent of the securing devices.
In carrying out the invention, (when applied to cash or jewel boxes with their

page_text: lid opening in the top, Figs. 1 and 2.) I arrange 2 pairs, or any convenient number
of pairs, according to the size of the safe, of clutch or hook-like spring-controlled
lever holding devices a, (hereinafter called "clutch levers") each pair arranged
between the inner and outer casings of the two longest sides of the safe, each
clutch lever a, being loosely mounted on a pivot or spindle b, on their upper ends,
so as to be adapted to turn thereon, and formed or provided with two extending
arms c, d, one thereof c, formed vertically or at a convenient angle above the pivot
or spindle b, and the other thereof, d, projecting from the side, in alignment with
said pivot or spindle b, at right angles with the upper vertical arm c, or at any
other convenient angle, and formed on their lower depending ends a', (which
depend vertically, or at a convenient angle below the upper vertical arm c,) of a
clutch or hook-like formation. To each pair of the aforesaid clutch-levers I
arrange a closely coiled spring e, of a helical formation, each end e¹ thereof being
connected to the ends of the upper vertical arms c, which draw them together, and
turns the clutch-levers on their pivots or spindles, when the door or lid is opened,
which cause their lower depending clutch or hook-like ends to be turned or drawn
in an upward direction, and may be fitted with followers or slides f, so as to keep
the holes or slots g, formed in the bottom of the safe (through which the depending
ends of the clutch levers pass) continually closed.
I then arrange inside of the safe, a corresponding number to that of the clutch-
levers, of vertically disposed rods or bolts h, preferably of a round formatiou in
cross section, of any suitable diameter, said bolts or rods passing through a
corresponding number of holes i, formed in the edges of the inner casing, and
passing between the inner and outer casings of the safe. When the safe door is
open, the upper ends h', of said vertically disposed rods or bolts, project to a
suitable distance through said holes in the edges of the inner casing, determined
by stops, thereon, and the lower ends h³, thereof, rest on the upper surfaces of
the side arms d, formed on the upper ends of the clutch-levers.
The bottom of the safe is formed with a corresponding number of holes or slots g,
to that of the clutch-levers, so as to allow of their lower depending ends passing
therethrough, and is provided with four or more short legs or feet j, of a round or
other formation in cross section.
I next form a flat base-plate k, the same size as the bottom of the safe of a
suitable thickness, of mild steel or other suitable metal. Said base plate being
formed with a corresponding number of holes or slots 1, in the same position and
of the same size, or nearly so, as those in the bottom of the safe, through which
the lower depending ends of the clutch levers pass, and is formed with four or
more holes, mn, so as to allow of the legs or feet on the bottom of the safe passing
therethrough. Said base-plate is secured to the floor, wall, table, shelf or other
support or bearing in the manner hereinafter described, or may be simply screwed
on to the floor with stout screws preferably passing into the joist. This mode may
he adopted when it is only desired to prevent the safe from being readily removed
or stolen.
I prefer to secure the aforesaid base-plate in the following manner; (when it is
desired to fix the safe to the floor,) as the security and resistance of the same
against attempted theft and mechanical force being applied to remove same,
entirely depends upon the manner in which the aforesaid base-plate is secured.
I slide two or more flat iron bars of a suitable width and thickness into holes
formed in the centre of the side of each joist of the floor. These may be made
by removing one board of the floor, said bars may be half the width of the room
in length, but not more or they could not be slid into said holes in the joist.
I then rivet, bolt, or otherwise rigidly secure said base plate on to the floor, the
rivets or bolts passing through the floor and through holes formed in said bars
under the floor, thereupon it will be impossible to slide or remove the bars from
the joists, or remove the base plate secured thereto, without pulling up the entire
floor, which would be next to impossible, as the ends of the joists pass into the
walls of the building. If it is desired to fix the safe to the wall, I simply pass

page_text: two or more bolts through holes formed in said base-plate and through corresponding
holes drilled through the wall, the ends of said bolts being screw threaded at their
ends and project on the other side of the wall, and adapted to receive nuts, these
being screwed on, the ends of the bolts are tapped or rivetted over so that the nuts
cannot be unscrewed, and furthermore, they could not be readily got at if the safe
were secured on the wall of an upper room.
I will now describe the action of the apparatus :-
When it is desired to secure the safe, the door or lid thereof is opened, so as not
to compress the projecting ends h², of said vertically disposed rods or bolts, it is
then simply placed on said fixed base-plate, the feet or legs j, and the lower
depending ends a', of the clutch-levers passing into the respective holes m, formed
in said base-plate; the lower ends ³, of said rods or bolts resting on the ends of
the upper surfaces of the side arms d, formed on the upper ends of the clutch-lovers
which are preferably flattened on their upper surfaces, the upper ends /', of said
rods or bolts projecting through their respective holes i, formed in the edges of the
inuer casing, by reason of the ends of the closely coiled spring arranged between
each pair of clutch-levers being connected to the ends of the arms c, formed on
their upper ends, vertically or at a suitable angle above their pivots or spindles,
drawing said arms c, together, and causing said side arms d, to rise in an upward
direction, and cause said vertically disposed rods or bolts resting thereon to rise
also, and cause their upper ends h¹, to project to a suitable distance determined by
stops, thereon through said holes i, formed in the edges of the inuer casing, and
to remain in that position until compressed or pushed down. The door or lid is
then closed, which simultaneously forces the projecting ends 1, of said rods or bolts
down, forcing said side arms d, of the clutch-levers in a downward direction, causing
the clutch-levers to turn on their pivots or spindles b, and to extend said coiled
spring e, and forcing their lower depending ends a', butt against the extreme sides
of the holes or slots l, formed in said base plate, the clutches or hooks formed on
their depending ends a', engaging with the underside of said base-plate; the door
is then locked, and the safe cannot be removed except by the person having the
proper key or keys.
When it is desired to remove the safe, the door or lid is unlocked and opened,
whereupon, the aforesaid rods or bolts h, simultaneously and automatically rise out
of their respective holes , and the side arms d, of the clutch levers being free from
compression, rise in an upward direction, and release their clutch or hook-like
ends a', from engagement with the underside of said base-plate, whereupon the safe
can be lifted up and removed.
It will thus be seen that the safe is secured and released respectively, simul-
taneously and automatically with the closing and opening of the door or lid, and
cannot be removed except by the person having the proper key or key's, no sliding
motion being required to locate it in position for securing or removing same, it only
being necessary to place it on the aforesaid base-plate and lock the door or lid,
neither is there anything unsightly to be seen, as the base plate to which it is
secured being simply a flat plate, and may be let into the floor flush with the surface
thereof, so that when the safe is placed thereon no one can see by what means it is
secured and when it is not secured thereto, the carpet may be placed over same and
there will be nothing to be seen, and no projection to fall or stumble over; the use
of this flat plate being a special feature of the invention, as it does away with
projecting dovetails, and the like, which have been used, and also all sliding motion
being necessary, when it is desired to secure the safe. The legs or feet i, on the
bottom of the safe, serve for three purposes, firstly, they allow the depending ends
of the clutch levers to act, so that the safe door may be closed and locked when it
is not on the base plate, as they prevent the safe from resting on the depending
ends of the clutch-levers,-secondly, they take a great strain off the clutch-levers
in the event of lateral force or leverage being applied to remove or steal the safe;
and thirdly, they instantly adjust the safe in its proper position when placed on
the base plate ready for locking.

page_text: The safe may be made with any number of base plates, so that they may be fixed
in several different rooms or places, and the safe secured thereto, and may be made
with two independent doors or lids, each door being fitted with independent locks.
and keys, the outer door thereof actuating said vertical bolts, or rods h, and the
clutch levers, when closed, and the inner one thereof, being formed with holes
allowing the upper projecting ends of the rods or bolts to pass therethrough, so as
not to compress or actuate them, or in any other suitable manner, so that when the
outer door is opened, the safe will be released, but the contents therein still remain
secure.
By this arrangement, when it is desired to send a servant or others for the safe
without their having access or being able to see the contents, it is only necessary to
give them the key or keys of the outer door, which when opened, will release
the safe, and may then be removed. This arrangement would be found of
advantage when applied to despatch boxes and the like.
The herein before described arrangement is suitable for a cash or jewel box with
its lid opening in the top as illustrated in Figs. 1. and 2. but may be applied, with
equal advantage, to safes with their door opening in the front, as in ordinary safes
illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. in which case the arrangement of the apparatus is
slightly altered, no side arms d, to the clutch levers shown in Figs. 1. and 2. are
required on their upper ends; each pair of clutch levers being actuated by
horizontally disposed rods or bolts h, the upper bolt thereof being longer than the
lower, the longer one thereof acting on the ends of the vertical arms c, formed on
the upper ends of the clutch levers, and the shorter one acting on the side of the
clutch levers in any convenient position below the pivots or spindles 6, and being
controlled by helically coiled springs e, and acting automatically with the closing
and opening of the door as herein before described.
I wish it to be understood that I do not bind myself to the exact constructions
hereinbefore described and illustrated on the accompanying drawings, as the same
object may be attained in several modified arrangements viz. without any sliding
motion being required, or no projection on the floor or support, when the safe is
removed. For instance, the clutch-levers may be caused to rise out of sight through
the bottom of the safe. In a modification represented in Figs. 7 and 8. representing
a sectional end elevation of a cash or jewel box similar to that represented in
Figs. 1. and 2. I arrange vertically disposed rods or bolts n formed with clutched
ends n', and with radial grooves n³, on their upper ends n², said ends n², projecting
to a suitable distance through the edges of the inner casing of the safe and being
formed with collars or stops r, and fitted around with tubes or casings to prevent
the filling from getting into the working parts, the door or lid being formed with
holes o, so as to allow of the projecting upper ends of the vertically disposed bolts
passing thereinto when the door is closed; said holes being fitted with pins p,
adapted to engage with said radial grooves n³, formed in the upper ends of the
vertical bolts or rods, said bolts or rods being turned when the door is closed by
reason of the pins p, engaging with said radial grooves, and being returned on the
opening of the door. The safe is fitted with legs or feet, and a base plate or plates,
as in the other arrangements shown. The projecting upper ends of said bolts or
rods may be wormed (not shown) and the underside of the door being formed with
corresponding wormed holes, or in any other suitable manner, to effect the turning
motion when the door is closed or opened. In these arrangements it is not
necessary to have springs.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The improved method or means of securing a safe, cash box, jewel box, or the
like to the floor or other support, in such a manner that it can only be removed or
released by the person having the proper key or keys and without any sliding
motion being required either to locate the same in position for locking or when

page_text: required to remove same, it only being necessary simply to place the safe on the
base plate adapted to receive it, and being simultaneously and automatically
secured with the closing of the door or lid, and simultaneously and automatically
released upon the opening of the door or lid substantially as herein before shown
and described.
2. The clutch levers a, mounted on pivots or spindles b, actuated by rods or
bolts h, with the closing and opening of the door, and serving as means for securing
the safe to the base plate substantially as described.
3. The combination of the clutch-levers a, with coiled springs or other shaped
springs, serving as means for rendering the clutch-levers automatic in their
action.
4. The combination of the clutch levers with the rods or bolts h, formed with
stops, actuating the clutch levers with the closing and opening of the door or lid,
substantially as herein before described.
5. A flat base plate k, to which the safe is secured substantially as described and
illustrated.
6. The legs or feet j, on the bottom of the safe, which adjust the safe in its proper
locking position immediately it is placed on the base-plate, and take a great amount
of lateral or side strain off the clutch levers.
7. The slides or followers f, which keep the holes or slots in the bottom of the
safe continually closed.
8. The modified arrangement represented in Figs. 7, 8, 9, and 10, of the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 27th day of February 1895.