Improvements in Locks.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 27th May, 1895-Accepted, 3rd Aug.,
1895
Improvements in Locks.
I, ADRIEN JOSEPH MOULART of No. 13 Rue Lambert Paris, in the French
Republic, Electrician, 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 subject of this invention is an electrical safety device for locks, the
operation of which is so regulated that an alarm or signalling device is actuated
whenever the lock is opened or broken opened; the arrangement being such that
the alarm device comes into operation as soon as either an ordinary or a skeleton
key is inserted into the lock, as the key introduced into the key-hole tube or sleeve
connects the two halves of such tube or sleeve, which, before its introduction, were
insulated from each other, and one of which is connected with an electrical con-
ductor; so that a circuit is closed, which immediately operates the alarm bell. Or
such bell may be set in operation by the mere removal of the spring bolt of the
lock, by means of either a metal rod or a rod made of some other material.
One form of apparatus is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which;
Figure 1 is a front view of a lock provided with the improved arrangement.
Figure 2 is a sectional front elevation, with a portion of it cut away, showing
the bolt withdrawn.
Figure 3 is a section on line x-x, Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a section on line
y-y, Figure 1; and
Figure 5 is a section on line z- Figure 4.
The safety device consists of two circuit closing or commutator-devices, or
switches, one of which is located within the key-hole and adapted to be closed by
the insertion of the key, while the other is situated in the sheet-metal case of the
lock and adapted to be operated by the mere removal of the bolt therefrom,
Of these switches, the first mentioned one consists of two tube-halves a and b,
which are insulated from each other as well as from the key-hole tube or sleeve c
wherein they are secured. To one half of the tube, one conducting wire, and to
the other, the other conducting wire, forming part of an electrical circuit, are
becured. In this circuit there is comprised an alarm or signalling beil, such as d,
indicated by a diagram. When, for the purpose of opening the lock, the key is
inserted into the key-hole, the resulting contact between the halves a and b of the
tube and the key, serves to close a circuit and to set the alarm bell in operation.
The same effect is produced whenever an attempt is made to pick or break the
locks by means of a skeleton key, a jemny or the like.
The second commutator or switch is located, as before mentioned, within the
case e, and consists of a spring f secured to, but insulated from, the rear wall g of
the case.
The free end of this spring carries a non-conducting body which is
grasped, or engaged with, by the curved end i of a spring. One of the conducting
wires that go to form the circuit, is connected to the spring f, whilst the other
communicates direct with the sheet metal case. The spring bolt k, when the lock
is fastened, exercises pressure upon the non-conducting body hand thus keeps the
spring out of contact with the case (Figure 1). Whenever the said bolt is
withdrawn by the handle or knob of the lock or in any other manner the spring,
in continuing to exercise pressure or tension, takes up its position with its curved
end in contact with the locking plate (Figure 2). By such means the circuit is
closed and the alarm device or bell, comprised in it, is set in operation. Owing to

page_text: the double circuit closing device, above described the result is attained that,
whenever the lock is opened by cither lawful or unlawful means, the bell arrange-
ment may be relied upon to make itself immediately heard.
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. A safety device for locks of every description, characterised by switch pieces,
such as the tube halves a and b, inserted within the key-hole tube c, which,
whenever an ordinary or a skeleton key, or the like, is inserted into the key-hole
close a circuit and set in operation a signalling device or alarm bell-such as b,
comprised in the circuit.
2. In combination with the arrangement referred to in the first claim, a further
circuit closing or commutator arrangement, consisting of a spring, such as f secured
within, but insulated from, the case e and connected with one of the conducting
wires that go to form the electrical circuit; the free end of such spring, whilst the
lock is closed or fastened being adapted to rest or bear on a non-conducting body,
such as arranged in contact with the bolt of the lock; while when the lock is
opened, the bent extremity i of the said spring is arranged to take up its position
against, or in contact with, the metal plate l, connected with the other conducting
wire, thereby causing an electrical circuit to be closed and the alarm device
comprised in such circuit to be operated.
Dated this 27th day of Max 1805
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13 Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.