An Improved Construction of Fastener with Locking Action for Window Sashes.
Year: 1884

page_text: An Improved Construction of Fastener with Locking Action for
Window Sashes.
I WALLACE JOHN REYNOLDS of 2 Heath Street Commercial Road East,
Middlesex, Nautical Instrument Maker, do hereby declare the nature of my
said invention for "AN IMPROVED CONSTRUCTION OF FASTENER WITH LOCKING
ACTION FOR WINDOW SASHES" to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is an improved fastener for window sashes whereby
the sash is securely fastened either in a closed or partially closed state by the
simple operation of closing the sash more or less completely.
For the purpose of my invention I form ratchet teeth on a vertical stem of the
back plate and I make the front plate with a box into which the vertical stem can
enter or leave according to the movement of say the lower sash.
The box is composed of two side cheeks and a rear piece against the inner
surface of which the back surface of the vertical stem which is slightly curved is
caused to impinge and slide to bring the meeting rails of the two sashes close
together and to prevent them rattling during high wind.
Between the two side cheeks I fit a tongue and a spring which acts upon the
tongue to force it into the teeth of the ratchet on the vertical stem.
The tongue has a plate by which it can be operated by hand.
H. GARDNER, .
166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for W. J. Reynolds,

page_text: An Improved Construction of Fastener with Locking Action for
Window Sashes.
I WALLACE JOHN REYNOLDS of 2 Heath Street, Commercial Road East,
Middlesex, Nautical Instrument Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of this invention is an improved fastener for window sashes whereby
the sash is securely fastened either in a closed or partially closed state, by the
simple operation of closing the sash more or less completely.
For the purpose of my invention I form ratchet teeth on a vertical stem of the
back plate and I make the front plate with a box into which the vertical stem can
enter or leave according to the movement of say the lower sash. The box is
composed of two side cheeks and a rear piece against the inner surface of which
the back surface of the vertical stem which is slightly curved is caused to impinge
and slide to bring the meeting rails of the two sashes close together and to prevent
them rattling during high wind.
Between the two side cheeks I fit a tongue and a spring, which acts upon the
tongue to force it into the teeth of the ratchet on the vertical stem.
The tongue has a plate by which it can be operated by hand.
My invention will be well understood by reference to the annexed drawings in
which at Figure 1 I show the vertical stem A inside elevation and Figure 2
in perspective. This stem A has teeth B in one of its faces and forms part of the
base plate C which can be secured by screws or otherwise to the bottom rail D of
the upper sash as is seen more particularly in Figure 3 which is a part elevation of
the upper and lower sash of an ordinary window.
Figure 1 also shows the box E or appliance fitted on the upper rail F of the
lower sash by its base plate G (Figure 3) this box is composed of two side
cheeks H, I, as at Figure and 5 connected by a rear piece Jagainst which the
vertical stem A impinges when the fastening is secure.
Pivotted between the two side cheeks H, I, is a tongue K the upper end of which
is compelled to engage in the teeth B of the vertical stem A under the action of a
spring L fitted as seen at Figure 1 or in some other convenient manner which upper
end or catch K can be released from the teeth B of the stem A by a pressure on
the plate M.
The plate M may be of any convenient shape to be pressed upon by the fingers
to release the tongue or a cord and tassel N may be fitted for the purpose.
In the views shown the back of the stem is thickened to form an incline at P to
enable the rear plate J to ride down it and in the act of closing the window to
bring the two meeting rails D, F close together to prevent rattling.
If the fastener should be so set as not to bring the two meeting rails D, F,
together I prevent tampering with the tongue from the outside by the blade of a
knife or other instrument by forming a bulge or lip piece Q which is arranged in
the path of any article inserted between the meeting rails.

page_text: The fastener shown is only for securing the windows when the two sashes are
closed but by making the stem A longer it may be used in conjunction with the
appliance on the lower sash to fix the lower sash open at any convenient height
and prevent its being raised to a greater extent except from the inside and when
the tongue is operated.
At Figure 6 I show a similar apparatus to that previously described but with the
box hinged to a shoe R attached to the upper rail. F of the lower sash so that
the box can be tilted on its pivot pin as shown in dotted lines to be clear of the
stem A to enable the window to be raised or lowered such as for cleaning or other
purposes. The box is prevented falling by a pin S which passes through two
lugs T formed on the base plate R which pin can also be passed through the box
to secure it in position as a catch for the purpose before explained.
The fastener hereinbefore described may be attached to the centre of the meeting
rails as at Figure 3 or at one side thereof and in some cases two of such fasteners
may be affixed one having a long stem to fix the window at any desired height and
the other as a means of securing the sashes when closed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
The apparatus hereinbefore described and shown in the annexed drawings
for the purpose of securing or fastening window sashes in a closed position and
also the modification referred to for fixing the lower sash in an open position as
set forth.