IMPROVEMENTS IN LATCHES FOR GATES AND DOORS to be as follows:
Year: 1884

page_text: I, WILLIAM MORGAN of Cannon Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN LATCHES FOR GATES AND DOORS to be as follows:-
"
The object of my invention is to construct latches for gates and doors as herein-
after described by dispensing with the long latch commonly employed, and by
substituting therefor, a frictionless cross latch instead of the ordinary one lying flat
upon or inside the frame of the gate.
Working upon the fixed framing of the gate, is a long horizontal lever jointed
out of its centre, and turning upon an axis supported by a bracket fixed to the
framing of the gate. The outside portion of this horizontal lever constitutes the
handle by which the latch is raised. The other or counterpoised end of this lever
takes into the front of the cross latch, which is jointed at its back end, the joint
being supported by a bracket or plate running parallel to the latch. The front end
of the cross latch is turned at right angles so as to present a broad front to the
staple catch affixed to the gate post. A suitable stop on the latch plate limits the
upward movement of the latch, on pressure being applied to the handle end of
the lever. The said staple catch is made double notched or with notches placed one
behind the other for the purpose hereinafter described. That in consequence of the
cross latch being centred on one side, the whole pressure is sustained by the screw
pin or centre upon which it turns or moves thereby under all conditions, the latch
preserves its anti-friction character. The cross latch is kept down by the counter-
poise handle or lever, which takes into the cross latch, so that on pressing the
handle or lever when the gate is to be opened it turns upon its joint or centre
raising the cross latch from the notch in the staple, which allows the gate to be
horizontally opened upon its joint. On again closing the gate, the cross latch
travels up the inclines of the notches, and falls at the back of one of them. The
counterpoise handle lever ensures the falling of the cross latch.
The double notched staple is to ensure the certain engagement or fixing of the
latch, should the gate not be fully closed.

page_text: The latch herein-before. described, may work within a morticed recess in the
wood-work of the gate or in another form inside the metal casing for an outside
latch.
•
When the gate to which the latch is applied requires to swing both ways, the
latch engages in a notch in the centre of its path.
The latch is made right or left handed by turning over the whole of the outside
latch, the lever acting in either way. In a mortice latch, the latch is unscrewed
and turned over, its axis taking into the screw hole provided on the opposite side.
The handle for the outside reversable latch is made double sided.
Dated this thirteenth day of June 1884.
WILLIAM MORGAN.
By Henry Skerrett,
6, Livery Street, Birmingham,
Agent to the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SIEVITICE
"I, WILLIAM MORGAN of Cannon Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN LATCHES FOR GATES AND DOORS" and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
The object of my invention is to construct latches for gates and doors as
hereinafter described by dispensing with the long latch commonly employed, and
by substituting therefor, a frictionless cross latch instead of the ordinary one lying
flat upon or inside the frame of the gate.
Working upon the fixed framing of the gate, is a long horizontal lever jointed
out of its centre and turning upon an axis supported by a bracket fixed to the
framing of the gate. The outside portion of this horizontal lever constitutes the
handle by which the latch is raised. The other or counterpoised end of this lever
takes into the front of the cross latch, which is jointed at its back end, the joint
being supported by a bracket or plate running parallel to the latch. The front end
of the cross latch is turned at right angles so as to present a broad front to the
staple catch affixed to the gate post. A suitable stop on the latch plate limits the
upward movement of the latch on pressure being applied to the handle end of
the lever. The said staple catch is made double notched or with notches placed one
behind the other for the purpose hereinafter described. That in consequence of
the cross latch being centred on one side, the whole pressure is sustained by the
screw pin or centre upon which it turns or moves, thereby under all conditions
the latch preserves its antifriction character. The cross latch is kept down by the
counterpoise handle or lever, which takes into the cross latch, so that on pressing
the handle or lever when the gate is to be opened it turns upon its joint or centre,
raising the cross latch from the notch in the staple, which allows the gate to be
horizontally opened upon its joint. On again closing the gate, the cross latch.
travels up the inclines of the notches and falls at the back of one of them. The
counterpoise handle lever ensures the falling of the cross latch.
The double notched staple is to ensure the certain engagement or fixing of the
Latch should the gate not be fully closed.
The latch herein before described, may work within a morticed recess in the
woodwork of the gate or in another form inside the metal casing for an outside
latch.
When the gate to which the latch is applied requires to swing both ways, the
latch engages in a notch in the centre of its path.
The latch is made right or left handed by turning over the whole of the outside
latch, the lever acting in either way. In a mortice latch, the latch is unscrewed
and turned over, its axis taking into the screw hole provided on the opposite side.
The handle for the outside reversable latch is made double sided.
I will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying Drawings, the".
manner in which my invention is to be performed.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a latch and parts connected therewith, constructed
according to my invention, the latch being in its normal position. Figure 2 shows

page_text: -
the same, with the latch raised, ready for the opening of a gate or door, the cross
latch being shown in section, so as to better exhibit its connection with the end of
the opening lever. Figure 3 is a cross section on the dotted lines A B. Figure 4
is a plan of figure 1, and figure 4ª are front and side elevations of the cross latch
separately.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 44
of the accompanying Drawings.
a is a long horizontal lever turning upon the fulcrum b. This lever constitutes
the handle by which the cross latch c is raised; the said lever is counterpoised on
the side a² to assist in bringing back the latch c with which the spindle like
end a³ takes or engages within a hole c² made to receive it. The latch c turns
upon a fulcrum c³ supported by a bracket or plate running parallel to the jointed
side of the latch. The front end of the cross latch is turned at right angles to the
other part, so as to present a broad front. to the staple catch d with which it
engages. The said catch is affixed to the gate post e. f is a screw acting as a stop
for limiting the upward movement of the latch on pressure being applied to the
handle end of the lever. g is the lever bracket affixed to the gate or door h. The
staple plate d is double notched, as best seen in figure 3. de is the first notch,
and d³ is the second notch, lying one behind the other. That in consequence of
the cross latch being pivoted at c, the whole pressure of its movement is sustained
by the fulcrum upon which it turns, so that under all conditions, the latch
preserves its anti-friction character.
To open the gate or door, press the handle of the lever which turns upon its
joint or centre, raising the cross latch from one or other of the notches in the staple
plate, which allows the gate to be opened. On again closing the gate, the latch
travels up the inclines of the notches d³ d and falls at the back of one of them.
The counterpoise of the handle lever a always ensures the prompt and certain
falling of the latch.
The double notched staple d³ ³ is to ensure the certain engagement or fixing of
the latch, should the gate not be fully closed.
The latch and parts connected therewith, are capable of being reversed from a
right to a left handed door or vice-versa by simply reversing or turning round the
parts. Figure 5 represents a modification or another form of latch partially
enclosed within a box or case or the lever of the latch may be made to work in
a mortice recess. Figure 6 shows the same latch as figure 5 with the casing
reinoved, so-as-to-better exhibit the parts. The latch in this modification is shown
on the side of a gate.
a is the lever, a² the counterpoised end, and a³ is a stud or spindle like end
which works between snugs 22 on the inside face of the latch i; so that to
unfasten the gate or door, the turning of the lever upon its fulcrum, raises the latch
out of one or other of the notches in the staple. Figure 7 is an end view of the
latch part, showing, the acting end of the lever between the snugs. Figure 8 is
the reversable staple catch provided with double notches top and bottom for right
or left handed gates or doors. Figure 9 shows a staple to be used where a gate
swinging both ways. Figure 10 represents my invention applied for the lifting of
the latch by a knob or handle, through the intervention of a follower or tongue;
the turning of a knob or handle. turns a fulcrumed counterpoised lever, the end of
which moves between snugs on the face of the latch. In figure 11 the counter-
poise lever is acted upon directly by the spindle of the knob or handle, and
constitutes the fulcrum upon which the lever turns. Figure 12 is the knob, handle
and spindle showing the follower between them, as in figure 10. Figure 13 is a
counterpoise knob for assisting in bringing back the follower as in figure 10.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
First The improvements in latches for gates and doors consisting essentially of
a counterpoised lever handle, which raises a cross anti-friction latch turning upon a

page_text: pivot or centre. The front end of the said latch engaging with one or more notches
of a notched staple; the parts being constructed, arranged and combined, and
operated in the way and for the purpose as described and illustrated in figures 1, 2
3, 4 and 5 of the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly-The improvements in latches for gates and doors hereinbefore
described and illustrated in figures 5, 6 and 7 of the accompanying Drawings,
also the modifications represented in figures 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13, for the
purposes as described.