Improvements in or relating to Lifting Latches.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 9th Dec., 1889-Accepted, 11th Jan., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Lifting Latches.
1, GEORGE WILLIAM GREEN, of 7 Alexandra Street, Wolverhampton in the County
of Stafford, latch manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
This invention has for its object improved means whereby the latching bar of a
lifting latch, such for instance as a "Norfolk," "Suffolk," or "Lancashire" latch may
be securely fastened down in its latched position from the inside of an apartment to
which it may be applied so that the door cannot be opened from the outside, and be
readily unfastened when it is desired that the latch may be capable of being lifted and
the door opened from the outside.
According to this invention a bolt which is capable of being turned on a vertical
axis is employed in combination with the lifting latch and operates so that when turned
in one direction axially a portion thereof passes immediately over the top of the
latching bar and thus securely prevents the bar from being raised, and so that when
turned in the opposite direction such part of the bolt is moved clear of the top of the
latching bar and allows of the latter being readily raised when desired; or such bolt
may be of the construction usually employed for doors and operate so that when shot
downwards its lower end is immediately over the latching bar and prevents it from
being raised, but when drawn upwards again such end is clear of the latching bar and
allows the latter to be raised as desired.
A convenient application of this invention consists in carrying a vertical bolt
within the keep of the latch The lower end of such bolt is cut away, or formed as if
cut away, on one side so that when the bolt is in one position axially the latching bar
may be lifted within the space left by such formation, but when the bolt is turned
such end, which previously stood back clear of the bar, is brought round over the top
thereof and securely prevents it from being raised. The bolt is provided with a short
lever on the upper end thereof which projects through the top of the keep, and the
axial movement is. imparted to the bolt by the aid of such lever which may
conveniently terminate as a knob for facility of handling. The bolt is securely
prevented from being pushed upwards by means of a collar thereon which bears up
against the top of the keep, or by other convenient means. Two flats are formed,
namely one on the front and one on the back of the portion of the bolt which is above
that part from which a portion has been cut away, or which is formed as if a portion
had been cut away; and a spring within the keep, by pressing against one or the
other of such flats, securely retains the bolt in either axial position above described
into which it may have been turned, against any tendency which it might otherwise
have to be jarred out of position as the door to which it is applied is slammed to, but
permits of the bolt being readily turned by hand. Suitable journals are formed upon
the bolt which are carried within suitable bearings within the keep so as to maintain
the bolt in proper central position, and the bolt is prevented from falling by means of
a collar on its outer end or by means of the short lever. aforesaid. The keep is, of
course, made of such size and shape as will enable the bolt to be applied thereto in the
manner described, and it is preferred to enclose the sides, except for openings through
which the latching bar passes and in which it is lifted. The keep may be conveniently
made of malleable cast iron or brass and be rivetted to the plate by which it is fixed to
the door.
When a bolt of the description usually employed for doors is used for the purpose
of fastening down the latching bar it is fixed vertically against the door and over the
latching bar with its nose end downwards, and the sheath or holder in which the bolt
is mounted is provided with the usual means which permit of the short lever on the

page_text: end of the bolt being turned sideways between shoulders or projections which securely
retain the bolt in any position into which it may have been moved end ways.
A bolt used for the purpose above stated has been described as capable of turning
on a vertical axis, but when a vertical bolt which is moved end ways is employed it is
not essential that it should be capable of turning on a vertical axis, as any means now
employed or other convenient means may be used for the purpose of retaining the bolt
in any desired position endways.
Dated this 8th day of March 1889
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton and Walsall, Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Lifting Latches.
1, GEORGE WILLIAM GREEN, of 7 Alexandra Street, Wolverhampton in the County
of Stafford, latch manufacturer, 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:—
{
This invention has for its object improved means whereby the latching bar of a
lifting latch, such for instance as a Norfolk,' 'Suffolk," or "Lancashire" latch,
may be securely fastened down in its latched position from the inside of an apartment
to which it may be applied so that the door cannot be opened from the outside, and be
readily unfastened when it is desired that the latch be lifted and the door opened from
the outside.
According to this invention, a bolt which is capable of being turned on a vertical
axis is employed in combination with the lifting latch and operates so that when
turned in one direction axially a portion thereof passes immediately over the top of
the latching bar and thus securely prevents the bar from being raised, and so that
when turned in the opposite direction such part of the bolt is moved clear of the top
of the latching bar and allows of the latter being readily raised when desired; or such
bolt may be of the construction usually employed with doors and operate so that when
shot downwards its lower end is immediately over the latching bar and prevents it
from being raised, but when drawn upwards again such end is clear of the latching
bar and allows the latter to be raised as desired. When, however, a vertical bolt
which is moved endways is employed for the purpose it is not essential that it should
be capable of turning on a vertical axis, as any means now employed or other
convenient means may be used for the purpose of retaining the bolt in any desired
positions endways.
A convenient application of this invention is illustrated by the views on sheet 1 of
the drawings here with, of which figure 1 is a front elevation of a lifting latch in
combination with a bolt by which it may be fastened down, the bolt case, (which
forms also the keep of the latch) being shewn in section; figure 2 is a section taken
on line of figure 1. and shews the latch to be fastened down by the bolt; figure 3
is a corresponding section to figure 2, but shews the bolt to be turned clear of the
latching bar so that the latch may be raised; figure 4 is a front elevation of the sole
plate or back plate of the bolt case, shewing the spring, hereinafter described, and
also the rivet and screw holes formed through the plate; figure 5 is a detached view
of the bolt as seen from the lower end; and figure 6 is a section through the bolt
taken on line y y of figure 1; the usual thumb-bit or other appliance by which the
latching-bar is raised from the outside (and by which it may usually be raised from
the inside also, if desired) is omitted from the drawings. The latching bar A passes
through slots formed in the sides of the bolt case B which thus answers the purpose
of the keep usually employed with a lifting latch. The bolt C is provided with a
handle a by which it may be turned, and is mounted vertically in bearings b formed
in the case B, and is provided with suitable collars or shoulders, as shewn, to keep it
in. position endways and withstand the upward thrust of the latching bar if an attempt

page_text: C
is made to force it up against the bolt. The head of the bolt is cut away, or formed
as if cut away, on one side as shewn, and when the bolt is in one position axially (that
is to say, in the illustration given, in the position shewn by figure 3) the latching bar
may be lifted within the space left by such formation, but when the bolt is turned into
the opposite position the head c, which previously stood back clear of the bar, is
brought round over the top thereof (as shewn by figure 2) and securely prevents it
from being raised. Flats d d are formed on opposite sides of a deep collar formed
upon the bolt immediately above the lower bearing b, and a spring e fixed to the sole
plate D of the bolt case, or otherwise carried within the case, presses alternatively
against one or other of such flats and thus securely retains the bolt, in either axial
position above described into which it may have been turned, against any tendency
which it might otherwise have to be jarred out of position, but permits of the bolt
being readily turned by hand. It is preferred to entirely close in the sides of the
case or keep B, as shewn, except for the slots through which the latching bar passes
and in which it is lifted. The front, sides, and ends, of the case or keep may be.
conveniently made in one piece in malleable cast iron or brass, and be rivetted to the
plate D by which it is fixed to the door.
The combination, according to this invention, of an ondway moved bolt with a lifting
latch is illustrated by figure 7 on sheet 2 of the drawings herewith, which is a
corresponding view to figure 1. The sheath, case, or holder, B of the bolt C is shown
in this modification, also, as forming also the keep for the latch. When the bolt is
raised the latch may be raised, but when the bolt is shot down and the handle turned
sideways beneath one of the cheeks as shewn the latch is securely fastened down.
In this modification also a spring may bear against flats on the bolt, if desired, to
prevent the bolt turning otherwise than when turned by means of the handle.
In the case of a latch fixed outside the door a part formed with or fixed to the
latching bar may project through a slot in the door, and a bolt be fixed on the inside
of the door so as to be capable of being moved into position immediately over such
part to fasten down the latch.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. The combination of bolt and lifting latch substantially as described, for the
purpose set forth.
2. The combination with a lifting latch of a bolt capable of being turned on a
vertical axis and provided with a head or part which is turned either clear from or
over the latching bar (or part formed with or fixed thereto) according to the direction
in which it is turned, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.
3. A lifting latch keep formed also as a case or holder for a bolt by which the
latch may be fastened down when required, substantially as described.
4. The combined latches and bolts substantially as shewn by the drawings herewith,
for the purpose set forth.
5. The combination of flats and spring for use with axially turned bolts employed
in fastening down the bars of lifting latches, substantially as described and shewn, for
the purpose set forth.
Dated this Sixth day of December 1990
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.