Improvements in Fastening Devices for Windows and Doors.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 1st June, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 1st Mar., 1893-Accepted, 29th Apr., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fastening Devices for Windows and Doors.
I JAMES PLAISTER HAPRISS GASTRELL of 48 Bowdoin Street, Boston in
the State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
In connection with the fastenings and bolts for windows, doors, and the like,
there is frequently a difficulty, particularly in the case of windows, owing to the
imperfect fit of the meeting portions of window sashes or casements, which, by
becoming warped or otherwise mis-shapen, cannot readily be made to assume the
proper position for the fastening to be worked.
According to my invention, I employ a pair of universal bearings, one on each
of the meeting portions which are to be fastened together. Within these bearings,
are spherical blocks or balls, which are provided with sockets or recesses for
receiving a connecting bolt. The spherical blocks have a considerable range of
movement within their bearings (which movement can, however, be limited to any
extent thought desirable by a pin or projection on the block passing through a slot
or hole in the bearing), so that the sockets may be readily brought into line to
receive the connecting bolt, altho' the meeting portions to be secured may have
deviated somewhat from their true position.
The connecting bolt may be variously fixed to the spherical blocks; for instance,
it may pass quite through one block, and be screwed into the other, the bearings
being cut away sufficiently to permit this. Or the bolt may be permanently
attached to one of the blocks at its end, while the other block is slotted upon its
circumference to receive the bolt, which may have a key or feather upon it, so that
when the bolt and block are rotated in the bearing, and the slot is thereby closed,
the bolt cannot escape.
The bearings which carry the spherical blocks may be
themselves pivotted to their supports, if necessary, so as to give a still greater
range of movement to the fastening.
Dated this 17th day of May 1892.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fastening Devices for Windows and Doors.
I JAMES PLAISTER HARRISS GASTRELL of 48 Bowdoin Street, Boston in
the State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Gentleman, 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:
In connection with the fastenings and bolts for windows, doors, and the like,
there is frequently a difficulty, particularly in the case of windows, owing to the
imperfect fit of the meeting portions of window sashes or casements, which, by
becoming warped, or otherwise mis-shapen, cannot readily be made to assume the
proper position for the fastening to be worked.
According to my invention, I employ universal bearings on each of the meeting
portions which are to be fastened together. Within these bearings are spherical
blocks or balls, which are provided with sockets or recesses for receiving a
connecting bolt. The spherical blocks have a considerable range of movement
within their bearings (which movement can, however, be limited to any extent

page_text: thought desirable by a pin or projection on the block passing through a slot or hole
in the bearing), so that the sockets may be readily brought into line to receive the
connecting bolt, although the meeting portions to be secured may have deviated
somewhat from their true position.
The connecting bolt may be variously fixed to the spherical blocks; for instance,
it may pass quite through one block, and be screwed into the other, the bearings
being cut away sufficiently to permit this. Or the bolt may be permanently
attached to one of the blocks at its end, while the other block is slotted upon its
circumference to receive the bolt, which may have a key or feather upon it, so that
when the bolt and block are rotated in the bearing, and the slot is thereby closed,
the bolt cannot escape. The bearings which carry the spherical blocks may be
themselves pivotted to their supports, if necessary, so as to give a still greater
range of movement to the fastening.
In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated my invention in its simplest
form, and also in the shape of many modifications.
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of my improved securing device in its preferred
form, showing its application to the meeting rails of window sashes.
Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the same, on the line 1-2 of Fig. 1.
Figs. 3 and 4 are views illustrating the use of the bolt, where the sashes have
deviated to some extent from their normal position; and
Figs. 5 to 37 are views illustrating different modifications of my invention, and
showing their application to various purposes.
A Aare two blocks or spheres, which are provided with openings a a', for the
passage of the locking bolt, the opening a in one of these blocks extending
preferably but part way through the block. These blocks are mounted so as to be
capable of adjustment in various directions, so that the locking bolt used for
securing the two together may be readily inserted in both passages, even where the
objects to which such blocks are secured have deviated to a considerable extent
from their normal position.
The blocks are preferably in the form of spheres A A¹, which are set respec-
tively within spherical bearings B B', provided with lips b, which, together with
stops d on the spheres, limit the extent of movement of such spheres in their
sleeves and control the distance within which the bolting may take place.
The sphere A carries a locking bolt C, which is adapted to slide therein, and
which may be inserted part way into the passage a¹ in the sphere A', the spheres
being capable of adjustment to such an extent as to permit the passage of the bolt
from one sphere to the other, even where the articles to which the spheres are
secured have deviated to an extent which would not permit their being locked by
any of the ordinary devices employed for that purpose, or where they are purposely
so deviated.
The foregoing description will suffice to explain the construction, in its simplest
form, of the device invented by me, and its application to any separated objects,
such as the meeting rails of a sash, or a door, or gate, and its locking post, will be
readily understood.
The bolt may be of any desired form in cross section, and is provided with a
handle or knob at one of its ends or side, by which it may be conveniently
operated.
In cases where it is desirable that the two objects being secured together
should be drawn toward each other and locked, I preferably provide the inner
end of the bolt with a male thread, which engages with a female thread in the
sphere A¹, so that after the bolt has reached the locked position, one or more turns
will suffice to draw the parts together, and secure them to each other.
In Figs. 3 and 4 I have illustrated, in sectional elevation and plan, the appli-
cation of a bolting device of this character to the meeting rails of window
sashes, in which the sashes have deviated to a considerable extent from their normal
position.
The modifications illustrated respectively in Figs. 5 and 6, show one of the

page_text: sleeves or spherical bearings B pivoted to the inner or lower sash, and adapted to
be thrown into or out of line with the sphere A', which is mounted in its sleeve B¹
on the upper or outer sash; these constructions are desirable where the parts to be
locked together are liable to deviate to any considerable extent from the normal
position, as in doors and gates, for instance, for the reason that they permit a
greater range of movement.
In Fig. 7 is illustrated a modification in which the lips are continued out for
some distance to form a guide or shield for the bolt C; or, if desired, the shield
may be set at some distance from the lip, so as to permit the ready operation of
the bolt C.
Fig. 8 shows a modified construction of the bolt C, in which one end of the
bolt is of less diameter than the main body, so that a shoulder c is formed on the
bolt, which is adapted to fit against a shoulder d at the outer end of the sphere A,
when the parts are unlocked, the withdrawal or accidental slipping out of the bolt
being thus prevented.
Another means of accomplishing this object is shown in Fig. 9, the bolt in this
case being provided with a groove e', with which is adapted to engage a small
spring bolt c², the groove being preferably cut, as shown in Fig. 9, with an abrupt
shoulder toward the locking end, so that while it does not interfere with the locking
together of the spheres, it will prevent the bolt from being drawn out too far,
although, if desired, the groove may be cut so that when in engagement with the
bolt c³, it will be locked, and prevented from moving in either direction; or the bolt
may also be provided with a second groove of this character, as shown by dotted
lines at c³, and may be locked when in engagement with both of the spheres A A¹.
Fig. 10 illustrates a modification in which a long bolt and two bolt-holding
spheres A are employed, the intermediate sphere being carried upon a sliding
stem E, or a sliding block E', as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, which represent
respectively a vertical section and a plan view of a locking device of this
character.
In Figs. 13 and 14, which represent respectively a plan and sectional view of
another modification, I have shown the spheres A A¹ carried by pivot pins g, pro-
jecting from segments G, mounted in suitable curved guides G', the spheres mounted
in this manner being capable of adjustment to the same extent as those mounted in
the manner shown in Fig. 1.
Similar views, marked respectively Figs. 15 and 16, show the spheres mounted
in spherical bearings, which latter are pivoted to slides G in the same manner as
are the spheres shown in Figs. 13 & 14.
In Fig. 17, which illustrates a sleeve and sphere of the character shown in
Fig. 2, I have shown a bearing sleeve provided with a friction spring i bearing
upon the sphere A, the pressure of the spring being adjusted by means of a set
screw 1.
In some cases, where it is desirable that the bolt should be thrown out of the
way when the sashes are unlocked, I provide openings m in the opposite sides of
the sleeve B, so that the bolt may be turned around at right angles to the line of
bolting, as illustrated in Fig. 18.
Fig. 19 represents a modification in which the bolt C is provided with an exten-
sion C, which projects through the side of the sleeve B, to permit the operating
of the bolt from the side of the sleeve, or, if desired, the bolt may be operated by
a key projecting through the side of the sphere, and occupying the place of the
extension C¹.
In Fig. 20 is illustrated a modification in which a number of spheres A¹ are
employed, into any one of which the bolt may be inserted, and the gate or sash to
which it is applied may be opened to a greater or less extent, as desired. This
latter modification is also desirable for use in situations where the variation in
temperature and moisture is so great as to cause a considerable deviation of the
parts to be secured together, as the locking bolt may be inserted in any one of the
sleeves with which it may be in line.

page_text: In Fig. 21 is shown a modification in which the sleeve A¹ is hinged to a plate k
adapted to turn within a shell or casing K, and so permit of an extensive move-
ment of the sleeve, or, if desired, the bearing sleeves may be mounted in spherical
bearings, to permit of still further movement, the spherical bearings being hinged
to the plate K.
Fig. 22 represents a view similar to Fig. 1, in which the locking bolt is made of
greater length, in order to permit a greater range of adjustment, the bolt in this
case being provided with a second thread at its opposite end on which is placed
winged nut, to adjust the length of bolt to suit different variations of the parts.
a
Fig. 23 is a similar view, showing the threads on the bolt of different inclinations,
so that the locking may be effected more readily; and in Fig. 24, I have illustrated
the main features of my invention combined in a single structure.
The modification illustrated in Figs. 25 to 37, consists in making the bolt and
one of the spheres or blocks in one piece, and in providing, on the upper side of
the other and receiving sphere or block, a slot, from the circumference to or about
its diameter. As the modification is particularly applicable to the meeting rails of
window sashes, I will describe it as applied to this use, although it will of course
be understood that it may be employed for any purpose where two parts are to be
locked together, and in every case where a bolt can be employed.
On the upper or outer sash I fasten a universal bearing B', and place therein the
spherical block A', which forms an integral part of, or is firmly secured to, the
locking bolt C, the bolt acting as its own stop, and with sufficient play for
deviation in every direction to the edge of the opening in the universal bearing.
At the end of this bolt is a thumb plate c, and at the needed distance on the
bolt, is a feather or winged piece of the same section as the slot in the receiving
sphere, the bolt being preferably circular in cross section, and when in locking
position, lying evenly along the diameter of the receiving sphere.
With reference to Figs. 25, 26, 27, and 28, B represents a bearing block per-
manently secured to the upper edge of the inner sash, and containing a slotted
sphere A, the slot a on which extends from the circumference to a diameter in a
radial line, and by preference one side of the slot is undercut, as at d, for a purpose
hereafter described. The upper face of the receiving sleeve B is cut away so as to
expose the slot a, and the edges of the opening thus formed are at an acute angle,
so as to provide for considerable deviation of the parts in locking.
Along the length of the bolt is a feather or wing piece e¹, as more clearly shown
in Fig. 29, and the parts are so constructed and arranged with reference to each
other, that when the slot is in a vertical line, and is open, the locking bolt C
may be readily inserted therein, and, by a simple turn of the thumb plate c, the
wing or feather is caused to engage with the undercut portion d, and so turn
the sphere A until its slot is out of line with the opening in the spherical bearing,
as shown, for instance, in Fig. 27, and when the parts assume this position, the
sash will be effectually locked against any amount of force insufficient to rupture
the bolts.
Where a considerable amount of deviation is to be provided for, it is desirable
that the undercut portion d be of sufficient length to be engaged by the wing or
feather c, under almost any conditions, and it is also desirable that the shank of
the locking bolt be provided with a screw thread, as shown in Fig. 25, on which
turns a thumb nut e, by operating which, the sashes may be drawn tightly together,
and rattling or movement prevented.
In the construction illustrated in Figs. 30, 31, and 32, the parts are arranged
in practically the same manner, without allowing such a considerable amount of
deviation of the parts, and it will be observed that the wing or feather c' is of
a curved section and size, to correspond to the hole of the slot in the receiving
sphere A.
On the underside of the bolt is a conical projection 9, which fits into a corre-
spondingly-shaped recess in the sphere A, and acts to centre the bolt and the
wing or feather, and, at the same time, tends to draw the sashes together and

page_text: prevent rattling. In this case, also, a quarter or half turn of the bolt locks the
sleeves together.
It will be noticed that the thumb plate c is provided with a shoulder of such a
nature that, by its leverage on the outside of the spherical ball, it will tend to pull
the sashes together and aid in the centering of the bolt.
Figs. 33 and 34 represent modifications in which a considerable amount of
vertical deviation of the sashes is provided for, the bearing block B, in this case,
being hinged at h to the block H, so that the bearing is free to rise, to permit any
reasonable amount of vertical deviation.
in
Figs. 35 and 36 illustrate a further modification, in which the bearing block B
is provided with a ball, adapted to a correspondingly-shaped socket in a base
plate H, so that both vertical and lateral deviation of the parts is provided for ;
it will also be seen that a universal bearing, such, for instance, as that described
my above mentioned application, may be applied to this form of sleeve, as shown,
for instance, in Fig. 37, in which the slotted sphere is mounted within the sleeve B,
which, in turn, is pivoted upon pins g (see the sectional view Fig. 14), projecting
from curved bars G, suitably guided in bearings, and so arranged that a free
movement of the bearings is permitted.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A fastening for window sashes and doors, comprising spherical blocks or balls,
passages therein to receive a connecting bolt, a bolt engaging therewith, and
universal bearings for the balls, all arranged and operating substantially as described
with reference to Figs. 1 to 24 of the accompanying drawings.
2. A fastening for window sashes and doors, comprising a pivoted bolt, a slotted
spherical block or ball, and a bearing for the said ball, substantially as described
with reference to Figs. 25 to 37 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 1st day of March 1893.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.