Improvements in Electrically Controlled Locking Mechanism for Collecting and other Boxes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 20th Jan., 1900
Communicated from abroad by FREDERICK WILLIAMS, of Revere, in the County
of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Gentleman.]
Improvements in Electrically Controlled Locking Mechanism for
Collecting and other Boxes.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
5, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the
ature 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 relates to an electrically controlled locking mechanism for
collecting or other boxes. It is adapted for use in connection with post-office
collecting boxes, and will be hereinafter described as applied to them, although I
do not mean by so doing to limit the invention to such use.
It consists in a series of boxes electrically connected with each other and
with a central station, whereby the opening of the boxes primarily, is in the
control of the central station, and also the opening of a box is noted at the
central station by a sound indicator and by a time indicator, and whereby further,
by suitable code or by telephone if desired, signals may be interchanged between
each box and the central station.
The invention further relates to means whereby the unlocking of one box and
the opening thereof puts the next box, and that only in the series, in a condition
to be unlocked and opened, while the remaining boxes of the series remain locked
and cannot be opened.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a view in enlarged elevation of the electrically controlled lock
which forms a part of the invention.
Figure 2 is a view in horizontal section upon the dotted line 2--2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a conventional diagrammatic view to illustrate the electric connec-
tion between the central station and the boxes, and the boxes with each other.
Referring to Figure 3 A represents the central station B the first of a series of
collecting boxes and C the second box of the series, which may have any desired
number. Each box has the following construction; first, a door or drawer D
which is adapted to be moved to open or close the box, and second an electrically
controlled lock E, the bolt e of which is adapted to be withdrawn and shut by a
key which is common to the locks upon all the boxes, as the locks are alike.
Each lock has in addition to some usual means for drawing and returning the
bolt, an electrically controlled latch which automatically engages the bolt when
closed and locks it, and which is not operated by the usual key of the lock, so
that the possession of the key does not afford a means for the opening of the box
unless the latch lock has been previously withdrawn. To permit this to be done
a magnet is employed in the lock which when energized withdraws the latch
from the bolt and permits the ordinary key to unlock the box, and in my inven-
tion the magnets of each lock are adapted to be energized, the magnet of the
first box in the series from the central office and the magnet of the second box

page_text: in the series from the first box, and so on, each box controlling the magnet of
the next box in order.
In the figures F represents the bolt latch. It is also preferably in an armature
and is arranged in front of the poles of the magnet F. It is pivoted at f to the
lock case, and is moved away from the magnet, and behind the bolt by a spring f
interposed between it and the magnet, bearing against the magnet and fastened
at to the latch. The energizing of the magnet draws the spring and the latch
towards it and the latch from behind the bolt, permitting it to be drawn back
by the operator's key. The latch upon being removed by the energizing of the
magnet is caught and held withdrawn by the spring catch F2 which is pivoted
at to the lock case and engages by its notch fat its outer end a section of the
latch. The latch is thus held back from the bolt after the magnet has become
inert and until the bolt has been drawn inward by the key to unlock the box.
This inward movement of the bolt brings its projection el into contact with the
outer end of the catch 1 and moves it downward sufficiently to disengage it
from the latch, and the latch is then moved by its closing spring against the
side of the bolt and remains in this position until the bolt has been moved
outward by the key, when it returns under the bolt to lock it or to the position
represented in Fig. 1.
To permit the use of a master key the latch F may have a laterally extending
arm f with which the end fe of a lever f7 pivoted at få moves when the said
lever is moved by contact of the master key therewith, the section fo on the said
lever being so shaped on its inner end as to be moved outward by contact of the
master key therewith, thereby moving upward the end f and causing the latch
to be moved from the bolt.
Before describing the lock magnet energizing circuit I would say that G
represents a main circuit which extends from battery G₁ through relay G,
switch G3, button G and box line G5. The main line G enters each box by
line and leaves it by line g¹ passing through a switch in the box which is
held closed by the drawer door or other movable part D of the box.
Normally the current passes from the battery through relay coils, button G
and all the boxes on the main line. The collector before leaving the main
office switches the current by means of the button G' from the main line to the
lock line H and this energizes the magnet F₁ of the first box, causing the bolt
latch of the lock to release the bolt and to be caught and held by its catch.
The current passes from the magnet F¹ by line H to the main return line.
The operator then proceeds to the first box and with his key withdraws the bolt,
unlocking the box. He then moves the drawer or cover D to open the box, and
this permits the switch to establish contact with the contact point M of the
local circuit m extending from box B through the magnet F' of box C and thence
to the main return line, thereby causing the magnet of the second box to with-
draw the latch of the locking bolt of said box. This permits the operator to
unlock, when he reaches it, the second box of the series. The returning of the
cover or drawer by the operator of the first box then breaks the circuit between g
and the local line m by moving back of the switch g² from the contact point M
and the circuit is re-established in the main line, and the local line circuit being
then broken the magnet F¹ of the second box demagnetized. The magnet F¹
of the first box is demagnetized upon the removal of pressure from the operating
button G, and the operator, upon moving the drawer or cover to close the box,
demagnetizes the magnet F1 of the second box, and the locking of the first box
which then follows, mechanically permits the bolt latch to move into a position
to lock it against the action of the key, and as the unlatching magnet cannot be
energized from a following box but only from the button, or in the case of a box
after the first, from the preceding box, it follows that the boxes cannot be opened
except in the order specified. The pressing of the button in the first instance, or
the movement of the switch g2 in each box, establishes a circuit from battery N
through the relay and linen and actuates the bell N¹ at the central station. It

page_text: As each box is opened
so, through the circuit n³, actuates a time recorder O.
bell or other alarm is sounded at the central office, and at the same time, the
me of the opening is indicated upon the automatic time recorder O at the central
ffice. Of course the alarm and time indicator may be located at other points
f desired, and it is not necessary to describe the construction of either specifically,
s it is well known.
The bell or other alarm may also be used to communicate messages from any
ox on the line by simply providing a code of sound signals and by operating
he switch to such code.
The bell and indicator circuits may be rendered inoperative by the switch N²
which is adapted to throw out the local circuit by being moved from the contact
point,
It will be seen that all the boxes of the series are under the control of the
central station; that the collector cannot begin to collect the contents of the
boxes until the magnet of the lock of the first box has been energized from
the central station; that the fact that he has opened said box and is removing
its contents is indicated by the alarm or stroke of the bell which is automatically
actuated from the box: that each box controls only the box in the series
immediately following it in order, and that therefore each box of the series must
be opened in order, and the opening of each is signalled back to the central
station, and that the time of the opening of each is indicated upon the time
recorder.
All the boxes are in the control of the central station, as by opening the
switch G³ the current ceases to flow through the main line and none of the boxes
can then be opened.
I would further say that the invention also indicates and registers, or either,
the duration of time in which the box remains open and also the duration of time
employed by the collector in going from box to box, as two signals are caused to
be sounded or indicated at the central office, one upon the opening of the box
and the other upon the closing of the box, and these signals may be made by the
alarm only or noted by the time indicated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. A series of receptacles or boxes each of which has a drawer, door or cover,
a lock for locking said drawer, door or cover in its closed position, the bolt of
which is adapted to be withdrawn and shut by a key, a bolt latch for locking the
bolt in its locking position, a magnet to remove, when energized, the bolt latch
from the bolt and means for energizing each magnet from a station or another
box immediately preceding it in order, as and for the purposes set forth.
2. A series of receptacles or boxes, each of which has a drawer, door or cover,
a lock for locking said drawer, door or cover in its closed position, the bolt of
which is adapted to be opened by a key, a bolt latch for locking the bolt in its
closed position, a magnet to remove, when energized, the bolt latch from the
bolt, means for energizing each magnet from a station or another preceding box,
and a catch to engage the latch after it has been removed from the bolt and to
hold it engaged until the bolt has been withdrawn.
3. The improved lock herein described having a bolt adapted to be withdrawn
and closed by a key, a bolt latch for locking the bolt in its closed position, a
magnet to remove, when energized, the bolt latch from the bolt, a catch to
engage and hold the latch when withdrawn and means for releasing the catch
and restoring the latch substantially as described.
4. A lock having a bolt adapted to be opened and closed by a key, a bolt latch
for locking the bolt in its closed position, a magnet to remove, when energized,
the bolt latch from the bolt, a catch to receive the latch and hold it removed
from the bolt and an extension upon the bolt adapted to come into contact with

page_text: the catch upon the opening of the bolt to remove it from the latch and means
for moving the latch upon the catch when thus released and for, closing it behind
the bolt or a projection thereof upon the movement of the bolt to locking
position...
5 A lock having a bolt adapted to be moved in both directions by a key, a
bolt latch for locking the bolt in its locked position, a magnet to remove, when
energized, the bolt latch from the bolt, and a lever adapted to be operated only
by a master key and connected with the latch, whereby the latch may be with-
drawn from the bolt either by the magnet or by the key, as and for the purposes
set forth.
6. A series of receptacles or boxes, each of which has a drawer, door or cover,
a lock for locking said drawer, door or cover in its closed position, the bolt of
which is adapted to be withdrawn and shut by a key, a bolt latch for locking the
bolt in its locking position, a magnet to remove, when energized, the bolt latch
from the bolt, means for energizing each magnet from a station or another box
immediately preceding it in order, and an indicator or alarm electrically
connected with each box to be automatically operated upon the opening of the
drawer, door or cover, as and for the purpose set forth.
-7. The combination of a series of receptacles or boxes, a main electric circuit
connecting all the boxes with a battery and central station, a lock in each box
electrically controlled, and a local circuit between each box and the one following
it and between the station and the first box closed by a switch at the station and
at each box and which when closed actuates the lock controlling mechanism of
the box following, as and for the purposes set forth.
8. The combination of a series of receptacles or boxes, a main electric circuit
connecting all the boxes with a battery and central station, a lock in each box
electrically controlled, a local circuit between each box and the one following it
and closed by a switch at each box for actuating the lock controlling mechanism
of the box following, as and for the purposes set forth.
9. The combination of a series of receptacles or boxes, a main electric circuit.
connecting all the boxes with a battery and central station, a lock in each box
electrically controlled, a local circuit between each box and the one following it
and closed by a switch at each box for actuating the lock controlling mechanism
of the box following, and means at each box such as a drawer, door or cover for
closing or opening said switch according as the said drawer, door or cover is
opened or closed, as and for the purposes set forth.
10. The combination of a series of receptacles or boxes, a main electric circuit
connecting all the boxes with a battery and central station, a lock in each box
electrically controlled, a local circuit between each box and the one following it,
and between the station and the first box closed by a switch at the station and
at each box, and which when closed actuates the lock controlling mechanism
of the box following, and an indicator at the central station connected with the
boxes to be actuated upon the opening of each.
11. The combination of a series of receptacles or boxes, a main electric circuit
connecting all the boxes with a battery and central station, a lock in each box
electrically controlled, a local circuit between each box and the one following it,
and between the station and the first box closed by a switch at the station and
at each box, and which when closed actuates the lock controlling mechanism
of the box following, and a time indicator at the central station connected with
the boxes to be actuated upon the opening of each.
12. The combination of a series of receptacles or boxes, a main electric circuit
connecting all the boxes with a battery and central station, a lock in each box
electrically controlled, a local circuit between each box and the one following it,
' and between the station and the first box closed by a switch at the station and
at each box, and which when closed actuates the lock controlling mechanism
of the box following, a sound indicator and a time indicator at the central station
connected with the boxes to be actuated upon the opening of each.

page_text: 13. The combination of a series of receptacles or boxes, a main electric circuit
connecting all the boxes with a battery and central station, a lock in each box
electrically controlled, a local circuit between each box and the one following it
and between the station and the first box closed by a switch at the station and
at each box which when closed actuates the lock controlling mechanism of the
box following, and means for opening and closing the main electric circuit, as
and for the purposes set forth.
14. The combination of a series of receptacles or boxes, the main electric circuit
connecting all the boxes with a battery and central station, a lock in each box
electrically controlled, a local circuit between each box and the one following it
and between the station and the first box closed by a switch at the station and
at cach box which when closed actuates the lock controlling mechanism of the
box following, and an alarm mechanism at the central station connected with and
independently operated by each box and also adapted to be used as a means for
signalling to the central station from each box, as and for the purposes set forth.
15. The combination of a series of boxes, their locks, lock magnets F¹, the
lock latches, the movable drawer, door or cover D, the switches g³, the main
circuit G, battery G¹ and the auxiliary box connecting circuits, as and for the
purposes set forth.
1
5th day of Nonamber 1899
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.