IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKING MECHANISM FOR SAFES AND OTHER SECURE RECEPTACLES.
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Lionel Varicas, of 2, Montague Place, Russell Square,
London, W.C., in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKING MECHANISM FOR SAFES AND OTHER SECURE
RECEPTACLES.' A communication from abroad by Milton Adolphus Dalton,
of the City of Cincinnati, County of Hamilton, State of Ohio, one of the United
States of America.
Sealed the 2nd March 1880, and dated the 18th November 1879.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Lionel Varicas at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th November 1879.
LIONEL VARICAS, of 2, Montague Place, Russell Square, London, W.C., in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKING MECHANISM
FOR SAFES AND OTHER SECURE RECEPTACLES." A communication from abroad by
Milton Adolphus Dalton, of the City of Cincinnati, County of Hamilton, State of
Ohio, one of the United States of America.
This Invention consists of what I shall term a "dual time lock," which may be
generally defined as a unitary piece of mechanism embodying the principles of a
time attachment for locks, and the principles of a non-time or combination lock.
In other words, while this newly invented dual time lock is adapted to perform
the functions of an ordinary time attachment for locks, and also the functions of an
ordinary combination or non-time lock, yet it is not merely a serial-time lock of the
known kind, composed of a separate and distinct time attachment, and a separate
and distinct combination or non time lock connected therewith, but it is on the
contrary a single indivisible structure of a dualistic functional character. This
unitary structural but dualistic functional character stamps this dual time lock as a
thing entirely and radically new in the art, and this character thereof should be
kept clearly in view in the consideration of the following general description and
in the legal construction of the claims at the close of this Specification in determining
the scope of this Patent :-
That this claim herein for the originality and novelty of a dual time lock, such
as above defined, is well founded may be established by a brief exposition of so

page_text: much of the state of the art anterior to the date of this Invention as has a direct
bearing on this question. The only locking mechanisms known prior to this
Invention that require to be considered with reference to this question are those
where a time attachment is used in connection with a non-time or combination
lock. Every preexisting locking mechanism of this character is correctly designated
by the term "serial-time-lock" above used, for every one without exception consists
of at least one time attachment and at least one non-time or combination lock,
arranged in series, with some part of the time attachment reaching to for controlling
at the proper time some operative part of the non-time or combination lock. That
these serial time locks are not indivisible structural unities is conclusively proved
by the fact that the non-time or combination lock may be detached from the time
attachment, and that when so detached such non-time or combination lock is a
complete structure within itself, capable of performing its individual functions.
Hence, while the serial time lock is capable of performing twofold functions, still it
is not of a dualistic functional character, because it lacks the indivisible unitary
structural character, and must therefore of necessity be different in principle from
this dual time lock. In order that this Invention may be fully understood I have
illustrated in the annexed Drawings the best forms thereof as devised so far by
communicant. It should be understood however that this Invention is not confined
to this particular form, as that may be changed in many particulars. In order to
prevent the possibility of a lock out by this dual time lock, by reason of an acci-
dental stoppage of its time piece, there is embodied in it a feature which in the
event of such an accident leaves the dual time lock in such a condition that it may
be unlocked in the same manner and by the same means as when the time piece is
automatically stopped according to design at the predetermined hour. The dual
time lock also embodies means for alternately suspending and renewing automa-
tically its function of self protection against unlocking by any external manipulation
whatever without stoppage of its time piece.
On Sheet 1 of the annexed Drawings,-
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of this dual time lock applied to the train bolts or bolt
work of a safe door, shewing the parts locked, the face plate of the lock case and a
portion of the front partition being removed to expose some of the working parts
of the lock.
Fig. 2 is also a front elevation of this dual time lock similarly applied, but shewing
the parts unlocked, the face plate of the lock case and the dial with its adjuncts
being removed.
Fig. 3 is a horizontal section in the plane indicated by line X, X, Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a transverse section of the lock case applied to a safe door, shewing
portions of the internal mechanism in section, and other portions thereof in
elevation.
Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 illustrate detached portions of the mechanism shown in
the preceding Figures.
On Sheet 2 of the annexed Drawings,-
Figure 10 is a perspective view, shewing principally the back partition and the
mechanism located between it and the front partition of the lock case.
Figure 11 is a perspective view of the front partition of the lock case and the
mechanism located between it and the face plate of such lock case.
Figures 12, 13, 14, and 15 illustrate detached parts of the dual time lock.
Figures 16, 17, 18, and 19 illustrate the door spindle or arbour with its dial and
connections for operating the dual time lock.
Figure 20 shows a modified form of the lever, on which one of the pins of the
reversible transmitter acts.
Figure 21 is designed to illustrate the use of automatic dogs for the train bolts in
connection with this dual time lock.
This Sheet 2 also illustrates a number of detached parts designated only by their
appropriate letters of reference. It will be observed that some of the illustrations
on this Sheet 2 are drawn on the same scale as the illustrations on Sheet 1, while

page_text: others are drawn on a larger scale. The same letters of reference are used however
in all the illustrations on both Sheets to indicate identical parts.
The part marked A represents the door of the safe or other secure receptacle B,
and is provided upon its interior side with two connected bolts A¹, A', for securing
it when shut. These train bolts are rigidly connected together by the connecting
bar A³, and are mounted to slide in the frame bars As, A³, of the door in the usual
manner. The train bolts are projected and retracted to fasten and unfasten the
door by the door spindle or handle arbour C through the medium of its fixed
horn C. The back or convex side of the horn acts on a rigid flange A* of the
connecting bar A' in projecting the train bolts, while the hook of the horn draws
upon the drag pin A5 of the said connecting bar in retracting the train bolts. The
drag pin A is shiftable from a point where the hook of the horn can engage it to a
point where it is beyond the reach of said hook. To this end the drag pin is
mounted to move in a slot A7 of the connecting bar A, and its position in said slot
depends upon the position of an arm A connected with it. The arm A has a
strut As for supporting it upon the stud pin A9 on the connecting bar A² at times
when the drag pin A is to be held out of the reach of the horn C¹ of the handle
arbour C.
The arm A reaches into the case of the dual time lock, and is subject to the
action of the controller thereof, as will be hereinafter fully explained.
The shiftable drag pin and the arm A6 with its strut As and the stud pin A'
constitute one form of mechanism for making and breaking operative communica-
tion between the handle arbour C and the train bolts on the door of the safe. It is
this mechanism or its equivalent which it is the purpose of this dual time lock to
control when used simply to guard the bolt work of a safe. Where the particular
mechanism just described is employed the dual time lock must maintain arm A* in
the position shewn in Figure 1, while the bolt work is to remain locked, and in
unlocking it must trip the arm A6 so as to move its strut A³ from off the stud Aº,
so as to allow the arm to descend and carry the drag pin A³ to the lower end of the
slot A', and thus restore operative communication from the handle arbour to the
bolt work. A latch A10 pivoted on the connecting bar A² of the train bolts, and
also connected to the drag pin A5, engages a fixed stud pin A on the frame bar As
of the safe on moving the drag pin to the upper end of the slot A7 by the horn of
the handle arbour after the door has been shut and the bolts shot. As long as the
strut A³ of arm A stands on the stud pin A° the latch A10 will engage the stud Al
and prevent the retraction of the bolt work, no matter in what position the safe
may be placed. Such parts of this dual time lock as are to be operated from the
exterior of the safe may for that purpose be connected with a separate spindle
passing through the door of the safe from the dual time lock direct, but it is far
preferable to construct the lock in such a way that it may be operated by the handle
arbour C, because in that case the door of the safe requires to be penetrated by only
one arbour, which then can do the whole of the fastening and unfastenind operations.
In the example shewn the handle arbour C operates upon the dual time lock through
two gear wheels of equal size, and large enough to enable or allow of the dual time
lock to be placed on the door far enough removed from the handle arbour to provide
for the necessary play of the bolt work which encompasses the lock.
The gear wheel C fixed on the handle arbour C close to the inner face of the door
drives the gear wheel El on the horizontal shaft E of the dual time lock, the wheel
E¹ being located between the back of the case D of the lock and the safe door. The
shaft E is supported by and turns in a sleeve-bearing E' fixed to the back partition
D' of the lock case. The inner end of the shaft E, projecting from the sleeve bearing
E, has fastened upon it the driver F, and also carries the permuter G which turns freely
upon the extreme inner end thereof. The driver in this instance a disc composed
of two plates F1, F2, and a reversible transmitter F3. The reversible transmitter is
a small disc fitted in an eccentrically located circular recess fin the plate F¹ of the
driver. The reversible transmitter turns upon a stud f', and has a driving pin f2 pro-
jecting from one side, and another driving pin fs projecting from the other side. The

page_text: arrow,
driving pins are arranged near the rim of the reversible transmitter, and at an angle to
each other; they project through sectoral slots f* and f³ respectively formed in the
plates F¹ and F2 of the driver. The sectoral slots determine the extent of axial motion
of the reversible transmitter, and are so formed that one end is near the periphery
of the driver, while the other end is considerably nearer to the centre thereof. The
slots are arranged at the same angle to each other as the driving pins. It will be
seen that by turning the reversible transmitter on its pin f' its driving pins f" and
f³ can be shifted across the face of the driver, and that in so shifting them one will
approach and the other will move away from the centre of the driver. One of the
functions of the driving pin fa is to turn the permuter G in the direction of the
as shewn in Figures 1 and 10. That side of the permuter facing the driver has
a laterally projecting stud g on which the driving pin fs of the reversible transmitter
can operate to turn the permuter when said driving pin f' is at the outer end of its
slot f*.
When the driving pin f' is at the inner end of its slot f' then it does not
touch the pin G of the permuter in its revolution. The permuter in this instance is
a disc with ratchet teeth on its periphery, so that a pawl G² pivoted by a stud g¹ on
the front partition D¹ of the lock case may engage such ratchet teeth and prevent
the rotation of the permuter except in the direction indicated by the arrows on it.
The permuter is located close to the front partition D' of the lock case, in which a
circular is formed to expose the permuter and its permutation studs g³, of which two
are used in this instance. The permuter is provided with two concentric series of
tapped holes to provide for changes in the respective locations of the permutation
studs, one of which is to be inserted in any one of the holes of the inner series, and
the other in any one of the holes of the outer series. In operating to unlock, the
studs g of the permuter require to be turned to certain definite positions successively,
which can of course only be accomplished by a person in possession of the combina-
tion. By changing the relative positions of the permutation studs g² the combina-
tion may be changed. The controller H is pivoted at one end upon a stout pin h,
and extends across the lock case in close proximity to the front partition D' thereof.
The pin passes through the front partition to and into the back partition, and is
encircled by a stiff spiral spring h', one end of which is fastened in the back par-
tition, while the other bent end of it passes through a slot in the front partition
into a hole in the controller. The stress of this spring tends to force the controller
down towards the bottom of the lock case. The free end of the controller has a
peculiar conformation, but this peculiar form has no special significance, and was
adopted only to meet the exigencies of its location and of the arrangement of other
parts associated with it. The movement of the free end of the controller extends
from the bottom to the top of the lock case, and to move it through its full range
requires in this instance five successive lifts, effected by a lifting pawl I operating
successively on the rack H¹ of the controller. The lifting pawl is pivoted to the
upper prong of the fork of the lifting lever I', fulcrumed at i on the front partition
D of the lock case below the controller. The fork of this lifting lever I¹ embraces
an eccentric K¹ on the shaft K journaled in the front and back partitions of the
lock case.
A spur wheel K³ fixed on shaft K meshes into a spur wheel K³ of equal
diameter mounted to turn freely on the sleeve bearing E³. The wheel K³ is provided
with a laterally projecting stud k for turning it by means of the driving pin f³ of
the driver F, when said driving pin is at the outer end of its slot and the driver is
turned in a direction opposite to that in which it requires to be turned to drive the
permuter. The throw of the eccentric K¹ is such that the pawl I will ascend and
descend through a range equal to the length of one tooth of rack H' of the controller
at each revolution of such eccentric. The pawl is moved positively to engage and
disengage the rack of the controller at appropriate times during each revolution
of the shaft K. To accomplish this positive engagement and disengagement of the
rack of the controller by the lifting pawl, the fulcrum of said pawl is arranged
some little distance from the vertical plane of the axis of the shaft K, and the base
of the pawl extends over the shaft K and is forced down upon it so as to turn the
pawl away from the rack of the controller and hold it disengaged as the eccentric

page_text: forces the lifting lever I¹ to its lowest position. In continuing the rotation of the
eccentric the tooth K' on the shaft K operates on a tail piece I of the lifting pawl,
and again throws the said pawl into engagement with the rack of the controller by
the time the eccentric begins to lift the lifting lever. This mechanism, clearly shewn
in Figures 6, 14, and 15, is of great value to the certainty of action of the dual time
lock, for the positive engagement and disengagement of the rack of the controller
is all important. On the extreme free end of the controller a flange H2 is formed,
which in the position of the parts shewn in Figure 1, stands close against the side of a
projecting pin A¹ on arm A, so as to prevent the arm from moving in case the safe
be tipped or turned upside down. This dogging flange H2 has a lug H³ at the
lower end on which lug the controller pawl H is pivoted, so that its bit projects
beyond the face of the dogging flange H' in position to operate upon pin A
of arm A. Pawl H' has a pin H³ projecting into a sectoral slot H (see Figure 21)
of lug H, so that the pawl may have sufficient movement to escape pin A" on the
descent of the controller from its highest position when the arm A is in the
position shewn in Figure 1. The end of pin A¹ just escapes the face of lug H³ so
that said pin may slide upon pawl H when picked up thereby, and finally escape
from said pawl. The controller has a laterally projecting pin H7 at a point which
This pin
sweeps across the face of the permuter towards which said pin extends.
is the means of supporting the controller upon one or the other of the permutation
studs g of the permuter G, and it should be so located that the effort of the
controller to return to its lowest position will have a tendency to turn the permuter
in a direction in which it is prevented from turning when permuter pawl G¹ is in
engagement with the ratchet teeth of the permuter. In the stepwise elevation of the
controller it requires to be supported by permutation studs of the permuter during
the descending movements of the lifting pawl. Whether it can get such support or
not depends upon whether pawl G¹ is in engagement with or disengagement from
the permuter. Under the normal functions of my dual time lock the permuter
pawl G is caused to engage the permuter G to provide for unlocking by the action of
a certain mechanism operated automatically by the time movement at predetermined
times. To this end the pawl G₁ is controlled by a rocker L, a pin of which
extends into a fork of the pawl formed by its shank and an arm G³ thereon, as best
seen in Figure 10. The rocker turns on a fixed shaft L' and is under the influence
of a spring Ls, see Figure 10, which tends to turn it so as to cause its pin to throw
pawl G up and hold it disengaged from the permuter. The movement of the
rocker under the action of its spring is checked by pawl G¹ striking a fixed pin G³ on
the front partition D', as best seen in Figures 12 and 13. The rocker is constructed
with an arm L which projects over a pin M' of a lever M pivoted on the front
partition D¹. The free upper end of lever M is provided with another pin M
which projects forward over a revolving dial fixed on the outer end of the main
shaft N of the time movement. The dial is composed of a circular plate O having
a circular T flange projecting from it near its periphery, and a dial plate proper O*
upon which time divisions are marked. Several cams, three in this instance and
marked respectively, 03, 04, 0%, are mounted upon and interlocked with the
T flange O, which is provided with a gate 08, see Figure 1, to provide for the
attachment of the cams. The cams are shiftable and may be secured at
any point on the T flange by set screws o. Each cam is provided with
a pointer 07 extending over the dial proper.
The dial is mounted on
fixed hub piece 08, and the plate O and dial proper 02 are held in position
thereon by a nut 0°. The cams of the dial as they pass under pin M³ of lever M
lift such lever and cause its pin M¹ to operate on the arm L' of rocker L, so as to
turn it and cause permuter pawl G₁ to engage the permuter. But when the pin M*
of lever M is off the cams of the dial, then the rocker will be held in its normal
position with the permuter pawl elevated by the pressure of its spring L³, its
arm L at the same time by acting on pin M' holding down lever M, pin M² of
which will then be about in contact with the edge of the plate O of the dial. The
cam Os has a series of screw tapped holes in its outer edge, so spaced that one hour
&

page_text: will elapse in turning the dial by the time movement, a distance equal to that
between the centres of two adjacent holes. A screw 010 may be inserted in either
one of these holes to stop the rotation of the dial on bringing up against pin M2 of
lever M in winding. By inserting a similar pin in either one of the other cams the
time movement and dial may be caused to stop at any hour by such pin striking
pin M2 of lever M. Under the arrangement shewn the dial is calculated to make
an entire revolution in forty eight (48) hours. By suitably adjusting the cams
with their stop pins on the dial the time movement may be caused to automatically
throw the permuter pawl in gear with the permuter at determinate times, and to
maintain said pawl in gear during determinate periods of time. Thus supposing
the safe is to be locked at three o'clock in the afternoon, leaving the lock
mechanism in such a condition that it may be unlocked up to five o'clock in the
afternooon, from which time up to nine o'clock the next morning it shall be
impossible to unlock it by any means whatever. To meet these conditions stop
pin 01 is put in the second hole from the right hand end of cam O³, and the time
movement wound up (which in this instance is accomplished by turning the main
shaft to the right) until pin 010 brings up against the left hand side of pin M³ of
lever M. Cam O is then adjusted with its left end a distance of sixteen hours
from pin Oo, and may be also provided with a stop pin such as O10. It will be
observed that cam 05 will remain under pin M for two hours after the parts have
been set as described and the door locked, and that during these two hours the
rocker L will be held in position to permit permuter pawl G³ to engage with the
permuter, and that after the lapse of these two hours and until nine o'clock the
next morning the rocker L will hold the permuter pawl G' disengaged from the
permuter.
If a Sunday or holiday intervene between two business days, and it is desired
to have the dual time lock put itself in condition for unlocking during a period
of time on such Sunday or holiday, one of the cams 0 or 0' is placed at proper
distance from the stop pin 010 of the cam Os for that purpose, while the third
cam with a stop pin in it is used to put the lock in condition for unlocking
the morning after the Sunday or holiday. In such case the middle cam is used
without a stop pin.
To prevent a lock-out in consequence of any accidental stoppage of the time
movement at times when pin M² of lever M is off the dial cams, and the permuter
pawl is held elevated by the rocker, the latter is so constructed and associated with
other devices that in the case mentioned it may be rocked in opposition to its
spring and locked in position to permit the permuter pawl to engage the permuter by
manipulation of the handle arbour.
To this end the rocker is constructed with an arm L* extending across the face
of the driver near its lower edge, so that it may he depressed by the driving pin f2
of the driver F, whereby the rocker is turned so as to release the permuter pawl
and allow it to engage the permuter.
A pawl L is pivoted upon the upper end of rocker L with its long sharp pointed
arm extending towards a wheel of the clockwork. This pawl may operate in con-
junction with the wheel next to the balance wheel of the clock work, or some other
suitable wheel thereof, but it is preferable to have it operate in conjunction with
the star wheel Le mounted on a shaft of the clockwork and specially provided for
the purpose, so that the pointed end of the pawl can find no bearing on the pointed
teeth of the star wheel. On turning the rocker L in opposition to the stress of its
spring pawl L³ assumes a horizontal position in which it is supported by pin
the rocker.
on
In that position the pawl will stand radially with reference to the star wheel L
with its sharp pointed end barely escaping the teeth of the latter. If the rocker
be now released its recoil would be checked almost immediately by pawl L
entering in between the teeth of the star wheel Lo, and finding a support thereon.
This, provided the clockwork, and consequently the star wheel, is standing still at
the time. If running the star wheel will throw up the long pointed end of the

page_text: pawl, thereby permitting the rocker to complete its recoil and to elevate the
permuter pawl.
In order to relieve the star wheel L' and the shaft on which it is mounted from
pressure by pawl L, an automatic locking mechanism is provided for checking
the recoil of the rocker as soon as the end of the pawl L has entered a little
distance in between the teeth of the star wheel Lo, and before it reaches the bottom
of the teeth. To this end a lever L' is pivotted on the rocker with its upper end
facing the side of the pawl L³.
Some distance above its fulcrum a slot 1 on lever L' is engaged by a pin l'on a
rigid arm La permanently secured on the fixed shaft L'. The tail end of pawl Lo
has a lateral projection which is adapted to bear with its inner pointed end
against the end of the lateral projection on the upper end of the lever L, and
thus prevent said lever from moving on the rocker in the direction of such projection
on the pawl. When the rocker is in the normal position shewn in Figure 12, then
the projection of the pawl L is under the projections of lever L', and the pawl
is thereby held elevated above the star wheel. On turning the rocker, whether by
operating on its arm L* or its arm L³, the upper end of the rocker gains on the
lever L', which then moves to a limited extent in an opposite direction until
projection of pawl L³ escapes from under projections of lever L', and the adjacent
ends of the said projections become a little separated, the pawl falling to its
horizontal position at the same time.
On releasing the rocker its effort to recoil moves the projection of pawl Lo up
towards the end of projection 13 of lever L'; but before the projections touch the
pawl will have entered in between the teeth of star wheel Le, which if standing
still will permit the projections to come to a fixed bearing on each other, but if
running will immediately throw up the pawl and separate the projections so that
the parts may return to the position shewn in Figure 12.
It will he observed that the moment the projections and 1 come together, as
shewn in Figure 13, the recoil of the rocker is checked by the fixed pin through
the lever Land the projections 13 and 8 so as to lock the rocker, and that then
the force of the spring L³ comes upon the fixed pin l.
In this position of the parts the long pointed end of the pawl is in between
the teeth of the star wheel L, although it does not reach to the bottom of the
teeth, and on starting the star wheel it will throw up the pawl so as to unlock
the rocker which will then immediately complete its recoil. The force to be
exerted by the star wheel to lift the pawl L' when the rocker is locked as
described depends upon the pressure with which the projections and bear
against each other. This pressure will be in proportion to the distance be-
tween the fulcrum of the lever L' and the pin 1 of arm 18. By lessening this
distance this pressure is lessened proportionately. The descent of pawl L* is
made certain by pin 16 on the front partition, under which pin the pawl slides at
the beginning of the movement of the rocker in opposition to its spring It will
be observed that all this mechanism is operated every time the dual time lock
is put in condition, automatically or otherwise, to provide for unlocking, or to
guard against unlocking, and that by reason of these frequent operations it will be
It will be also
kept in as good order as any other parts of the dual time lock.
understood that the manner of unlocking is precisely the same when the clock work
stops accidentally at a time when the aid of the above mechanism is required to
effect such unlocking, as when the time mechanism operates normally and puts
the lock automatically in condition for unlocking.
The time movement of this dual time lock should be well constructed, but may
be of any desired pattern suitable for the purpose. As shewn, the main shaft N is
driven by the main spring N¹, one end of which is secured to a hook n on the
shaft while the other end is secured to the stationary barrel N° by a pin n'. The
main wheel N³ is loose on the main shaft but is driven by a ratchet wheel N' fixed
on said shaft and operating on a spring pawl n³ fixed on the main wheel. This
arrangement permits winding without stoppage. It is preferable to mount the

page_text: balance wheel, regulator, and parts immediately connected therewith, on a removable
plate No inserted in a recess in the upper left hand corner of the front partition D³,
the object being two-fold, to afford ready access to these parts for removal and
repair, and to place the staff of the balance wheel at right angles to the door so
that it is not so likely to be broken by blows against such door. These parts
should be covered by a crystal to protect them from dust or harm. The operation
of the dual time lock constructed and applied as hereinbefore explained may be
described as follows:-
Supposing the door of the safe to be locked and the parts to be in the position
shewn in Figure 1, the permuter pawl will be in engagement with the permuter be-
cause one of the dial cams is under the pin M2 of the lever M, so that the pin M¹thereof
is holding the rocker L in the position shown in Figures 10 and 13. To unlock,
the handle arbour is given several turns from left to right so as to turn wheel K³ by
driving pin fs of the driver, in consequence of which the eccentric shaft K is turned
by its wheel K2 in the direction of the arrows shewn in Figures 2, 10, 11, 14, and 15.
The handle arbour is then stopped with a certain number on its dial C³ registering
with the usual fixed mark on the dial plate C thereby completing the first step in
working out the previously ascertained combination of the lock. The effect of this
movement of the handle arbour is the engagement of the upper tooth of the
controller rack by the lifting pawl I, the turning of the eccentric K¹ to a point
where it completes its upward throw and the consequent lifting of the controller a
distance equal to the length of one of the teeth of its rack. The eccentric remains
standing with its pointed up and vertically under the upper prong of the lifting
lever I', and the lifting pawl I remains engaged with the controller rack.
The handle arbour is then given several turns in a reverse direction, the first
effect of which is the reversal of the reversible transmitter by the action of pin k
of wheel K³ on driving pin f³3, after which driving pin f³ picks up pin g of the
permuter and turns such permuter. The second step of the combination is com-
pleted by turning the permuter to a point where the permutation stud g³ nearest
its periphery will arrange itself directly under the pin H' of the controller, which
is accomplished by stopping the handle arbour when a given number on its dial (
registers with a fixed marked on the dial plate C. On reversing the handle arbour
again the reversible transmitter will be first reversed by the action of pin g of
the permuter on the driving pin f, after which driving pin f³ again picks up pin k
and turns the eccentric shaft through the wheels K³ and K. The first effect of the
turning of the eccentric shaft now is to disengage the lifting pawl I from the
controller rack so that the controller would immediately fall to its lowest position
were it not for the support its pin H' finds on one of the permutation studs of the
permuter. The further turning of the eccentric shaft causes the eccentric to depress
the lifting lever I to its lowest position, after which the tooth k¹ by operating on
the tail piece I' throws the lifting pawl again into gear with the controller rack,
and then the eccentric again operates to lift the controller another step in the same
manner as heretofore described; thus the handle arbour is alternately turned in
opposite directions in definite ways determined by the combination until the
controller has been lifted to its highest point. At the beginning of the last lift
the controller pawl H picks up the pin A12 of arm A6 and moves said arm up
until its strut AⓇ escapes the pin A on the connecting bar A" of the boltwork; the
moment this occurs the latch A10 together with the drag pin A5 and arm A, drop
so as to carry this pin A5 to the lower end of the slot A7. By the time the last lift
of the controller is completed the horn of the handle arbour by acting on the drag
pin has retracted the bolt work, and in doing so has backed the pin A12 off the
controller pawl, allowing the arm A° to fall into the position shewn in Figure 2.
When the bolt work is thus retracted the hook of the horn of the handle arbour
engages the drag pin while its back is about in contact with the flange A' of the
connecting bar A A reverse motion of the handle arbour will therefore first
throw the bolt work and then lift the drag pin to the upper end of the slot,
elevating the latch A¹º so as to engage the pin A, and causing the arm AⓇ to swing so

page_text: as to move its strut A³ over upon the stud A³ when the bolt work is again effectually
locked. This rotation of the handle arbour should be continued for a turn or two
in the same direction in order to put the permutation studs of the permuter out
of position, and then given about one turn in the reverse direction as may be directed,
in order to release the controller from the lifting pawl and allow the controller to
fall to its lowest position, in which fall its pawl H will escape past the pin A¹ of
the arm A6.
Unlocking can only be accomplished under one of two circumstances, namely,
when either one of the dial cams has lifted lever M, and when the time movement
is standing still. And as regards unlocking under the latter circumstance it matters
not when and how the stoppage occurs, whether through accident or according to
design. At time when unlocking is possible the dual time lock may be used as
a combination lock. As it requires five lifts of the controller and four settings
of the permuter to work out the combination of the lock described, the combination
may be said to consist of nine steps. It may be desirable to lessen the number of
steps of the combination during the business hours of the day so that the opening of
the lock may not consume so much time. To this end the controller is constructed
with a rearwardly projecting strut HB, which terminates in a socket containing a
rubber buffer H. A set screw P is screwed through a hole in the side of the lock case,
against the end of which screw the buffer H° strikes when the controller has freedom
to descend. By adjusting the set screw P the extent of the controller's descent from the
top of the lock case may be lengthened or shortened so as to cut off one or more steps of
the combination.
A flange P² of a plate P¹ is connected to a grooved collar of the set screw P, 80
that said plate P¹ will move back and forth with the screw. The plate has a slot p
through which a screw p¹ passes into the bottom of the lock case for the two fold
purpose of supporting and guiding the plate. A short pointer p³ is formed on the
plate to slide along the edge of the lock case on which a short scale is marked, as
shewn in Figures 1 and 2. The scale has six main lines which respectively indicate
the highest and lowest positions and the four intermediate supporting points of the
controller, so that if the screw be moved inwardly, so far for instance, as to bring
the pointer på over the fourth main line of the scale counting from the left hand
thereof; in that case three lifts of the controller equivalent to five steps of the
combination will be cut off, so that only four steps remain to be worked out, if
there be nine steps to the entire combination, as in the present instance. This
screw is also used for picking up or ascertaining the combination of the lock, which
is perhaps somewhat facilitated by the pointed plate and scale, although these parts
are not material to effect that result. To pick up the combination the screw P is
screwed inwardly, so as to slowly lift the controller while the handle arbour is
being turned so as to drive the permuter. As the controller pin H7 begins to move
across the permuter the outmost permutation stud will presently strike it, and the
handle arbour be stopped. A note is then made of the number on the dial of the
handle arbour, which is at the time on a line with the fixed mark on the dial plate.
The screw is then turned farther inwardly to lift the controller until its pin is
struck by the innermost permutation stud, the permuter being in the mean time
revolved by the handle arbour as before. A note is again made of the number on
the handle arbour dial, which registers with the fixed mark on the dial plate.
Thus the operation is continued until all the positions in which the permutation
studs will strike against the controller stud H have been ascertained and noted
down. The true numbers of the combination will be removed from the noted
numbers such distances, respectively, as it may be necessary to move the outer edge
of the handle arbour dial in order to turn the permutation studs from the points
where they strike the side of the controller stud to points where they would stand
directly under such controller stud. These distances of course vary for the
different permutation studs according to their distance from the centre of the
permuter, being greatest for the permutation stud nearest the centre. These
distances, being known the true numbers of the combination can be readily ascer-

page_text: tained by going back on the dial from the noted numbers the number of points
corresponding to such distances, so that the dial to bring the true number in line
with the fixed mark on the dial plate has to be advanced that many points farther.
So far a construction has been described where the cog wheel on the handle
arbour is of the same diameter, and has the same number of teeth as the cog wheel
E on the shaft E of the lock, so that one revolution of the handle arbour causes
one revolution of the driver F on shaft E, under which condition of things the
combination of the lock may be worked out without the necessity of first
registering any given point on the handle arbour dial with the fixed mark on the
dial plate. By using gear wheels of different size on the handle arbour and shaft E
respectively, as shewn in Figure 16, the combination cannot be set up or worked out
until after the driving pin f³ has first been turned into a certain definite position.
It is obvious that this cannot be done by the aid of the handle arbour dial alone,
because the said dial and driver F do not turn in unison in such case. It is there-
fore necessary to introduce some additional means to act in connection with the
handle arbour dial to indicate when the driving pin f³ is in the proper position for
a beginning of the working out of the combination. The said additional means
consist of a cogged index wheel R³ mounted to turn on a pin R on the under side
of the dial plate C, and a cogged wheel R' fixed on the handle arbour. These
wheels R1 and R2 are in gear. A slot R is cut through the dial plate to expose a
portion of the index wheel, which has a circular series of suitably marked radial
lines upon its outer surface, as best shewn in Figure 19. The fixed mark on the dial
plate is also opposite the slot R. The wheels R' and R2 are of unequal diameter,
and are so proportioned that if any given line on index wheel R registers with the
fixed mark on the dial plate simultaneously with the registry of another given line
on the dial C³, and the fixed mark on the dial plate, such coincident registry will
not occur again until after several revolutions of the handle arbour. The arrange-
ment of the parts will be such that at every coincident registry of a given number
on the index wheel, and another given number on the handle arbour dial with the
fixed mark on the dial plate, the driver F with its driving pins will be in the
proper position from which to begin the working out of the combination.
be observed that this very simple mechanism in effect constitutes an extra guard on
the lock. In cases where this dual time lock is to be used simply for the purpose of
dogging the bolt work of a safe it may be provided with an automatic dog S
pivoted on the front partition D¹ of the lock case, and connected by a link ST to
the lever M. The lower bolt A¹ has a notch S which when the bolts are shot
is directly under the downwardly projecting end of the dog S, which can pass
through a slot in the lock case to engage the notch S in the bolt whenever the
lever M is allowed to drop. The dog S can thus be operated automatically by the
time mechanism, and were it not for the danger of a lock out by an accidental
stoppage of the time movement the dual time lock would not be required to have
its permutation mechanism, as the driver, permuter, permuter pawl, controller, and
controller lifting devices may be termed collectively, connected to a spindle or
arbour reaching to the outside of the door, But to guard against this contingency
such permutation mechanism should be connected to a proper door spindle or
arbour adapted for working out the combination. And in order that the dog S
may be lifted in the process of working out the combination the controller H is
provided with a pin s adapted to engage a lug 8¹ above it on the link St. By a
suitable modification in the construction and arrangement of the dog S the dual
time lock may be used for dogging the bolt of a separate combination or non-time
lock, as will be readily understood, and it may be used to do that at the same time
that it is used to guard the bolt work of a safe. It will be observed that upon
turning the safe upside down the dog S will fall from out of the notch S² of the
bolt A in case the lever M is at the time relieved from the pressure of the arm
I of rocker L, which might be accomplished by proper manipulation of the permu-
tation mechanism. To prevent the retraction of the bolt work under such
circumstances in a recess of bolt A' an automatic dog T is pivoted, which, as long
It will

page_text: as the safe remains upright will remain concealed in its recess, but will swing out
in front of the lock case, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 21, the moment the safe
is tilted or turned upside down. When the dual time lock is used to dog the bolt
of a separate combination lock, as just described, its permutation mechanism
may be connected with, to be operated by the spindle or arbour of such com-
bination lock.
The lock case is provided with suitable flanges D³ for securing it to the safe
door. Instead of securing it directly to the safe door, as shewn in Figure 4, it is
preferred to interpose a rubber bushing D', as shewn in Figure 4º. The bushing is
made slightly tapering, and will serve to relieve the lock from damaging effects by
blows struck upon the outside of the safe door.
Instead of using a fixed controller pin H' such pin may be attached to a gravi-
tating lever pivoted on the controller and held steady when the controller pin is in
its proper position to have one of the permutation studs turned under it for support,
so that the controller stud will then act like a fixed stud. The end of the lever
carrying the controller stud is permitted to have a limited downward motion, so
that should the controller pin in lifting the controller happen to strike one of the
permutation studs of the permuter the lift of the controller will not be interfered
with, because the said lever will turn down and remain in that position until the
permuter is turned when the lever will instantly resume its normal position so as
to put the controller stud in its proper place on the controller.
The eccentric K' is of egg shape, and its pointed end will only hold the lifting
pawl in its most elevated position, supporting the controller when such eccentric
stands exactly vertical, as shewn in Figure 2. If it deviate at all from such vertical
position the weight of the parts resting upon it and the stress of the controller
spring would immediately turn it down and effect a descent of all the parts resting
on it directly or indirectly.
It is best to make the arm L³ of the rocker of the form shewn in Figure 20, because
when so formed it has no tendency to shift the driving pin f2 on the escape of such
from its outer end as it would have if made of the form shewn in Figures 5, 10, 12,
and 13. From the foregoing description it will be seen that the controller is a self
replacing device which is movable stepwise from its normal position to the point
where it provides for the retraction bolt or bolt work, but which is intermittingly
disengaged from the means provided for moving it stepwise. Also that the
permuter consists of a device which requires to be advanced stepwise in working
out the combination, and co-operates in the stepwise advance of the controller.
Some of the advantages and capabilities of this dual time lock may be summarised
as follows:
As far as possible all the working parts of the permutation mechanism are moved
by positive force transmitted through the handle arbour or whatever arbour is used
for operating such permutation mechanism, so that no lock out can occur by reason
of any of these parts failing to operate.
It requires but a single arbour to operate both the dual time lock and the bolt
work.
It may be used to guard a lever or arm and connections for making and breaking
operative communication between the handle arbour and the bolt work, or to dog
the bolt work or the bolt of a separate combination or non-time lock; or it may
perform all these functions at the same time.
It affords the security of an ordinary combination lock after the time mechanism
has ceased its guarding action.
In accidental stoppage of the time movement instead of resulting in a lockout
leaves the lock in a condition that it may be unlocked by the person in possession
of the combination.
The mode of unlocking is always the same whether the time movement has
performed its duty or has failed to act.
The combination of the lock may be readily ascertained, and one or more of its
steps be cut off to lessen the trouble of unlocking.

page_text: After the dial cans have been once arranged the daily setting of the lock, which
should be done at a certain hour, can be accomplished by merely winding the main
shaft as far as the stop pin in cam 0³ will permit, and the passing over a Sunday
or holiday may be effected by shifting the stop pin of the middle cam to the third
cam, by which operation provision is made at the same time to cause the lock to
put itself in condition for unlocking, and to remain in that condition during a given
period on such Sunday or holiday.
By the use of gearing which causes the driver of the permutation mechanism to
turn at a greater or lesser speed than the handle arbour which drives it, a guard is
put over the combination of the lock.
The illustrations on Sheet 1 and some of those on Sheet 2 shew the actual size
of the smallest dual time lock embodied in this Invention and applied to the bolt
work of a small safe. From this it will be seen that this lock combines great
compactness with great capabilities.
What is claimed in this Invention, and what is desired to be secured by Letters
Patent is,―
1st. A dual time lock, substantially as before set forth, consisting of a unitary
piece of mechanism embodying the principles of a time attachment for locks, and
the principles of a non-time or combination lock.
2nd. The combination, substantially as before set forth, of a dual time lock, the
handle arbour of the safe door, the bolt work, and the mechanisin for making and
breaking operative communication from the handle arbour to the bolt work subject
to the controller of said dual time lock.
3rd. In a permutation mechanism for guarding the bolt or bolt-work of a lock,
a self replacing controller, substantially as before set forth, consisting of a device
which is movable step-wise from its normal position to the point where it provides
for the retraction of the bolt or bolt work, but which escapes intermittingly from
its impelling means.
4th. In a permutation mechanism for guarding the bolt or bolt work of a lock,
a permuter, substantially as before set forth, consisting of a device which requires
to be advanced stepwise in working out the combination.
5th. In a permutation mechanism for guarding the bolt or bolt work of a lock
the combination, substantially as before set forth, of a self replacing controller, and
a permuter which (in unlocking) require to be moved stepwise in alternation,
namely, the controller to be moved from its normal position to the point where it
provides for the retraction of the bolt or bolt-work, and the permuter to successively
support the controller after each advance.
6th. In a permutation mechanism a permuter, substantially as before set forth,
consisting of a device which requires to be advanced stepwise in working out the
combination, and which has a number of holes, in one or more of which projecting
studs are inserted, by changing which studs the permuter is capable of yielding
different combinations.
7th. In a permutation mechanism the combination, substantially as specified, of
a progressing permuter provided with projecting studs, and a controller which is
moved across the face of the permuter by successive steps, and adapted to be sup-
ported after each step by one of the studs of the permuter.
8th. In a permutation mechanism the combination, substantially as before set
forth, of a permuter, a controller, and a driver, which when revolved in one
direction moves the controller, and when revolved in the other direction moves the
permuter.
9th. A driver provided with a reversible transmitter, substantially as before set
forth, whereby the power of the driver may be transmitted from one side thereof
when turning in a certain direction, and from the other side thereof when turning
in the opposite direction.
10th. In a permutation mechanism the combination, substantially as before set
forth, of a permuter, a controller, and a driver provided with a reversible trans-

page_text: mitter, which when the driver is turned in one direction moves the controller,
but moves the permuter when the driver is turned in the opposite direction.
11th. The combination, substantially as before set forth, of a bolt or bolt-work
guarding permutation mechanism containing a permuter which requires to be
advanced stepwise in working out the combination, and a time mechanism which
renders the said permuter operative at certain times, and inoperative at other
times, as regards the working out of the combination.
12th. The combination, substantially as before set forth, of the permuter of the
permutation mechanism, a time mechanism which renders the perimuter operative
at certain-times, and inoperative at other times, as regards the working out of the
combination, and the controller which is moved stepwise across the face of the
permuter and is adapted to be supported thereby after each step.
13th. The combination, substantially as before set forth, of a dogging device
for the bolt work or non-time lock of a safe or other secure receptacle, and a dual
time lock containing a controller which governs the said dogging device.
14th. The combination, substantially as before set forth, of the stepwise moving
controller of the permutation mechanism and means for stopping the controller from
moving back beyond any one particular step, whereby the permutation mechanism
inay be arranged so that only one or a portion of all the steps of the permutation
requires to be worked out in unlocking.
15th. The combination, substantially as before set forth, of the handle arbour
provided with a dial, the index wheel, and the wheel on the handle arbour for
driving said index wheel.
16th. The combination, substantially as before set forth, of the dial, the shiftable
cams thereof, the lever on which the cams operate, the rocker, and the permuter
pawl.
17th. The combination, substantially as before set forth, of the rocker, the pawl
thereon, the lever for locking the rocker through its pawl, and the fixed arm for
operating on said lever.
18th. The combination, substantially as before set forth, of the star wheel or
other wheel of the time movement, the rocker, the pawl thereon, the lever for
locking the rocker through its pawl, and the fixed arm for operating on
Baid lever.
19th. The combination, substantially as before set forth, of the star wheel or
other wheel of the time movement, the rocker, the pawl thereon, the lever for
locking the rocker through its pawl, the fixed arm for operating on said lever, and
the permuter pawl.
20th. The combination, substantially as before set forth, of the controller, the
lifting pawl, and means for operating the pawl positively in all its movements.
In witness whereof, I, the said Lionel Varicas, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Eighteenth (18th) day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
VARICAS. (LS)
LIONEL VARICAS.