A LOCK AND LATCH TO BE AFFIXED TO A DOOR, FOR THE PURPOSE OF RAISING THE SAME FROM THE FLOOR OVER A CARPET, OR TO GIVE AIR TO A ROOM WITHOUT OPENING THE DOOR
Year: 1774

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, GEORGE BLACK,.
of Berwick-upon-Tweed, Locksmith, sends greeting.
WHEREAS the said George Black did, in and by his Petition, humbly repre-
sent unto His present most Excellent Majesty King George the Third, that,
after great application and study, he had discovered, invented, and brought to
great perfection "A LOCK AND LATCH TO BE AFFIXED TO A DOOR, FOR THE PURPOSE
OF RAISING THE SAME FROM THE FLOOR OVER A CARPET, OR TO GIVE AIR TO A
ROOM WITHOUT OPENING THE DOOR," and he apprehended the same would be
of great publick utility; and in regard that the said Petitioner was the sole
Inventor thereof, he therefore most humbly prayed that His said Majesty
would be most graciously pleased to grant unto him His Majesty's Royal
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, for the making of the
said lock and latch, and the sole use and benefit of his said new Invention in
that part of Great Britain called England, His Dominion of Wales, and Town
of Berwick-upon-Tweed, for the term of fourteen years, under such restric-
tions as to His Majesty should seem meet; His said Majesty, being willing
to give encouragement to all useful arts and inventions, was graciously
pleased to condescend to his request, and therefore, by His grant or Letters
Patent, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-seventh day of May, in the
fourteenth year of His reign, of His especial grace, certain knowledge, and
meer motion, for Himself, His heirs and successors, did give and grant unto
him, the said George Black, his executors, adñiors, and assigns, His especial
license, full power, sole privilege and authority, that he, the said George Black,
his executors, adñiors, and assigns, and every of them, by himself and them-

page_text: selves, or by his and their deputy or deputies, servants or agents, or such others
as he, the said George Black, his executors, adññiors, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend his said Invention within that part of His said
Majesty's Kingdom of Great Britain called England, His Dominion of Wales,
and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, in such manner as to him, the said
George Black, his executors, adñors, or assigns, or any of them, should in
their discretion's seem meet, and that he, the said George Black, bis execu-
tors, admors, and assigns, should and lawfully might have and enjoy the whole
profit, benefit, commodity, and advantage from time to time coming, growing,
accruing, and arising by reason of the said Invention, for and during the term
of years therein mentioned, to have, hold, exercise, and enjoy the said licence,
powers, privileges, and advantages therein-before granted or mentioned to be
granted unto the said George Black, his executors, adññors, and assigns, for
and during and unto the full end and term of fourteen years from the date
of the said Letters Patent next and immediately ensuing, and fully to be
compleat and ended, according to the Statute in such case made and provided;
in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that if he, the said
George Black, his executors or admors; should not particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of his said Invention, and in what manner the same was
to be performed, by an instrument in writing under his hand and seal, and
cause the same to be inrolled in His said Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within four kalendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent, that then the said Letters Patent, and all liberties and advan-
tages whatsoever thereby granted, should utterly cease, determine, and become
void, anything therein-before contained to the contrary thereof in anywise
notwithstanding, as in and by the said Letters Patent (reference being there-
unto had) may more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, he, the said
George Black, doth hereby describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, lock and latch, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
as follows (that is to say):
A small part of the door at the bottom thereof is to be loose, and raised or
lowered as required, a rod of iron placed within the door extending from the
center rail of the door, and there one end thereof fixed to the bottom part of
the door. The other end of the rod is toothed like a rack, and worked by a
tumbler; then another rod of iron, which extends from the front edge of the
door to the center, the one end rackwork, as the other end worked by the same

page_text: tumbler. The front end of the rod may be made in 'the same manner as the
bolt of a lock, and about four inches from the end of the rod is racked'in
part, and another tumbler toothed likewise to work it. This tumbler hath a
square hole through it like the tumbler of a lock, that so a stalk of iron, fixed
to knobs or handles, may turn it (this tumbler and bolt are sett on a plate
of iron, and boxed close as a mortice lock), so that by turning the tumbler the.
part of the door may be raised, and by drawing back the bolt, the door may.
open, and by turning the other way, shut again close to the floor to prevent.
the piece of the door so raised from falling down.
When the door is open,;
there is a spring and a catch and latch bolt set upon the same plate which the:
tumbler and bolt are. The latch bolt, with the spring and catch to it, works.
in this
way: When the door is open, the catch will go into a nick or hole in
the large bolt, and prevent it from shutting untill the door is shut, and by.
shutting the door, the latch bolt is pushed back by the doorpost; then the
catch is loose from the bolt, so that, being then at liberty, the door will shut:
itself without assistance. Or this method may be used:-Take two rods of
iron, as before, one like a bolt of a lock on the one end, as that before men-
tioned, and toothed on the other end as before. The other rod may be fixed
to the part of the door raised, will be the same as the above, and worked by
a tumbler, with a square hole through it, so that a pair of knobs or handles
may be put to it for turning the same, as before. This tumbler being in the
center of the door, and the handles put to it, will answer the same end as
upon the side; and this tumbler will throw three bolts, if required, when
applied to a street door; and to prevent the bolt or bolts from opening with
the handle, there may be a lock made in the form of a cupboard lock, which
may be applied either in the center or front of the door, and by turning this
lock with a key, will make the door fast. For the purpose of fastening the
door in the inside, a shutt or slide bolt may go into a nick or hole in the large
bolt, and will prevent the door from being opened on the outside by key or
otherwise, or the door may be thus raised :-two rods of iron, so long as from.
the center rail of the door to the bottom part thereof; one on each end of that'
part of the door to be raised, and the other end toothed, as before, and must
go up each edge of the door, and two other rods, which may go up each side,
and be work'd by a tumbler in the center of the door, with a knob or handle,
as before, and a tumbler on each side of the door, which will work with the
other ends of the rods and bolts; and, by turning the handle in the center,
will shut the door, and open the door as before, and raises and falls the bottom
part also. Or the following method may be used to doors without taking off
the locks then on the doors-a rod of iron about three or four inches long,
and toothed as before on one end; the other end fixed to the part of the door

page_text: to be raised, then a tumbler which will play upon a center pin, and the end
of it toothed to work with the end of the rod, and a spring to the tumbler,
which will press at the center, and so lifts up the part of the door to be raised
without a handle. And to shut or place the door close to the floor again:
When the door is shut, there must be a rod of iron and a roller on the one
end of it, and may be fitted to a place and socket for a guide, and put upon
the edge of the door. This rod may go from the front edge of the door to
the center, and the other end, to which there is no roller, will push back the
tumbler, and so keep down the part of the door to be raised. This may be
applied to the bottom rail of the door, so that by shutting the door with the
lock upon it, the door will be close to the floor, for the door shutting will press
the roller at the end of the rod, and will push the rod back on the doorpost;
and when the door is open from the post, the spring will immediately lift up
the part of the door to be raised, so that by shutting the door, the bottom part
will go down, and by opening the door will be raised without a handle.
In witness whereof, the said George Black hath hereunto set his hand
and seal, the Sixth day of June, in the fourteenth year of the reign
of our Sovereign Lord King George the Third, by the grace of God
of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith,
and so forth, and in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred
and seventy-four.

page_text: WHEREAS the said George Black did. in and by his Petition, humbly repre-
sent unto His present most Excellent Majesty King George the Third, that,
after great application and study, he had discovered, invented, and brought to
great perfection "A LOCK AND LATCH TO BE AFFIXED TO A DOOR. FOR THE PURPOSE
OF RAISING THE SAME FROM THE FLOOR OVER A CARPET. OR TO GIVE AIR TO A
ROOM WITHOUT OPENING THE DOOR." and he apprehended the same would be
of great publick utility; and in regard that the said Petitioner was the sole
Inventor thereof. he therefore most humbly prayed that His said Majesty
would be most graciously pleased to grant unto him Dis Majesty's Royal
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, for the making of the
said lock and latch, and the sole use and benefit of his said new Invention in
that part of Great Britain called England. His Dominion of Wales, and Town
of Berwick-upon-Tweed, for the term of fourteen years. under such restric-
tions as to His Majesty should seem meet; His said Majesty, being willing
to give encouragement to all useful arts and inventions. was graciously
pleased to condescend to his request. and therefore, by His grant or Letters
Patent, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-seventh day of May, in the
fourteenth year of His reign, of His especial grace. certain knowledge. and
meer motion. for Himself, His heirs and successors. did give and grant unto
Lim. the said George Black, his executors, adiiors. and assigns. His especial
license, full power. sole privilege and authority, that he, the said George Black.
his executors, adiñiors, and assigns, and every of them, by himself and them-

page_text: selves, or by his and their deputy or deputies, servants or agents, or such others
as he, the said George Black. his executors. aditiors, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make.
use. exercise, and vend his said Invention within that part of His said
Majesty's Kingdom of Great Britain called England. His Dominion of Wales,
and Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, in such manner as to him. the said
George Black, his executors, aditiors. or assigns, or any of them. should in
their discretions seem meet. and that he. the said George Black. his execu-
tors. aditiors. and assigns. should and lawfully might have and enjoy the whole
profit. benefit. commodity, and advantage from time to time coming, growing,
accruing, and arising by reason of the said Invention, for and during the term
of years therein mentioned. to have. hold. exercise, and enjoy the said licence.
powers, privileges, and advantages therein-before granted or mentioned to be
granted unto the said George Black. his executors. adfuors. and assigns. for
and during and unto the full end and term of fourteen years from the date
of the said Letters Patent next and immediately ensuing, and fully to be
compleat and ended. according to the Statute in such case made and provided:
in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that if he, the said
George Black, his executors or adñiors, should not particularly describe and
ascertain the nature of his said Invention, and in what manner the same was
to be performed, by an instrument in writing under his hand and seal. and
cause the same to be inrolled in His said Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within four kalendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent, that then the said Letters Patent, and all liberties and advan-
tages whatsoever thereby granted. should utterly cease. determine, and become
void, anything therein-before contained to the contrary thereof in anywise
notwithstanding, as in and by the said Letters Patent (reference being there-
unto had) may more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, he, the said
George Black, doth hereby describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, lock and latch, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
as follows (that is to say):-
-
A small part of the door at the bottom thereof is to he loose, and raised or
lowered as required, a rod of iron placed within the door extending from the
couter rail of the door. there one end thereof fixed to the bottom part of
the lour. The cher end the rod is toothed like a rack, and worked by a
tumbler then another rod of inc. which extends from the front edge of the
door to the center, the one end work as the other end worked by the same

page_text: ier.
The front end of the rod may be made in the same manner as the
bolt of a lock, and about four inches from the end of the rod is racked in
part, and another tumbler toothed likewise to work it. This tumbler hath a
square hole through it like the tumbler of a lock, that so a stalk of iron, fixed
5 to knobs or handles. may turn it (this tumbler and bolt are sett on a plate
of iron. and boxed close as a mortice lock), so that by turning the tumbler the
part of the door may be raised, and by drawing back the bolt, the door may
open. and by turning the other way, shut again close to the floor to prevent
the piece of the door so raised from falling down.
When the door is open,
there is a spring and a catch and latch bolt set upon the saine plate which the
tumbler and bolt are. The latch bolt. with the spring and catch to it, works
in this way: When the door is open. the catch will go into a nick or hole in
the large bolt, and prevent it from shutting untill the door is shut. and by
shutting the door, the latch bolt is pushed back by the doorpost; then the
catch is loose from the bolt. so that, being then at liberty, the door will shut
itself without assistance. Or this method may be used:-Take two rods of
iron, as before, one like a bolt of a lock on the one end. as that before men-
tioned, and toothed on the other end as before. The other rod may be fixed
to the part of the door raised, will be the same as the above. and worked by
a tumbler, with a square hole through it, so that a pair of knobs or handles
may be put to it for turning the same, as before. This tumbler being in the
center of the door, aud the handles put to it, will answer the same end as
upon the side and this tumbler will throw three bolts, if required. when
applied to a street door: and to prevent the bolt or bolts from opening with
the handle, there may be a lock made in the form of a cupboard lock. which
may be applied either in the center or front of the door. and by turning this
lock with a key, will make the door fast. For the purpose of fastening the
door in the inside, a shutt or slide bolt may go into a nick or hole in the large
bolt, and will prevent the door from being opened on the outside by key or
otherwise, or the door may be thus raised :-two rods of iron. so long as from
the center rail of the door to the bottom part thereof, one on each end of that
part of the door to be raised, and the other end toothed, as before, and must
go up each edge of the door, and two other rods, which may go up each side,
and be work'd by a tumbler in the center of the door, with a knob or handle,
as before, and a tumbler on each side of the door, which will work with the
other ends of the rods and bolts. and, by turning the handle in the center.
will shut the door, and open the door as before, and raises and falls the bottom
part also. Or the following method may be used to doors without taking off
the locks then on the doors-a rod of iron about three or four inches long.
and toothed as before on one end, the other end fixed to the part of the door

page_text: to be raised, then a tumbler which will play upon a center pin, and the end
of it toothed to work with the end of the rod, and a spring to the tumbler,
which will press at the center, and so lifts up the part of the door to be raised
without a handle. And to shut or place the door close to the floor again :-
When the door is shut, there must be a rod of iron and a roller on the one
end of it, and may be fitted to a place and socket for a guide, and put upon
the edge of the door. This rod may go from the front edge of the door to
the center, and the other end, to which there is no roller, will push back the
tumbler, and so keep down the part of the door to be raised. This may be
applied to the bottom rail of the door, so that by shutting the door with the
lock upon it, the door will be close to the floor. for the door shutting will press
the roller at the end of the rod. and will push the rod back on the doorpost:
and when the door is open from the post, the spring will immediately lift up
the part of the door to be raised, so that by shutting the door, the bottom part
will go down, and by opening the door will be raised without a handle.
In witness whereof, the said George Black bath hereunto set his hand
and seal, the Sixth day of June, in the fourteenth year of the reign
of our Sovereign Lord King George the Third, by the grace of God
of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith.
and so forth, and in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred
and seventy-four.