AN IMPROVED LOCK
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Gedge, of No. 11, Wellington Street,
Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"AN IMPROVED LOCK." A cominunication from abroad by Emile Jean
Baptiste Auguste Picard, of No. 64, Faubourg St. Martin, Paris, France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Gedge at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th February 1876.
WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of No. 11, Wellington Street, Strand, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent. "AN IMPROVED LOCK." A communication from abroad
by Emile Jean Baptiste Auguste Picard, of No. 64, Faubourg St. Martin, Paris,
France.
This Invention relates to an improved construction of the locks known as stock
locks or French locks.
Simplicity is the great requirement in all locks excepting those termed safety
locks.
The locks known as stock locks or French locks are the simplest of this kind;
they are generally composed of a bolt, the head of which is cut to a bevel in order
that it may by simple pressure enter the box. A spring of some kind acts on this
bolt to keep it constantly closed. The opening takes place by means of a rocking
latch made to act on the frame of the bolt to compel it to move, backward after
overcoming the resistance of the spring. These locks are sometimes completed by a
dead bolt.
Notwithstanding their great simplicity these locks are not free from defects,
particularly in the breakage of the spring. This breakage is mostly caused by the
blow of the bolt against the box staple or bolt lock, for the handle of the lock is
often not turned when closing the door, but the door is pushed sharply to and the
blow thus given to the bolt is entirely borne by the spring.
The object of this Invention is to prevent the inconvenience caused by this
breakage by the production of a lock from which springs are excluded.
In the improved lock of this Invention the bolt is driven by a solid piece acting
simply by its weight. This kind of lock may be made very cheaply, and will work
for an indefinite period, there being nothing to occasion its breakage or getting out
of order.

page_text: On the accompanying Sheet of Drawing Figures 1 and 2 show the interior of a
lock embodying this Invention with bolt driven forward; Figure 1ª, same with bolt
drawn back; and Figure 2 is a modification thereof..
This improved lock is composed of the case or main plate A enclosing all the
parts. The flange of this plate A is pierced with a rectangular hole for the passage
of the bolt. The bolt B is a simple piece of metal cut with a beveled end, and
guided in its .rectilineal course by a slide or studs riveted to the main plate; it is
joined to a piece O itself attached to a third piece D having the form of a square
acting by its weight. This square is fitted by a pin or spindle d, which permit it
simply to rock or pivot to and fro. The latch E, of one piece with the socket, into
which enters the spindle of the knob or handle serves to actuate the square D. The
working of this piece is very simple, the head of the square being somewhat heavy
has always a tendency to remain down, and thereby keep the bolt closed. This
position is preserved until the rotation of the latch lifts the head of the square, or
that a blow against the bolt forces it back, as will be the case when the door is
pushed or slammed to. In this case the square rises, and immediately falls again by
its own weight, relocking the door.
This arrangement may be still further simplified by doing away with the inter-
mediate joint, and setting the square directly upon the tail end of the bolt; but so as
to remain independent thereof, as is shown, Figure 2.
This lock might be furnished with a French bolt closing with a key or with an
arrangement stopping the recoil of this bolt by the aid of a second working piece,
which would be worked by a key.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Edward Gedge in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 25th
August 1876.
WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of No:11, Wellington Street, Strand, in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent. "AN IMPROVED LOCK." A communication from
abroad by Emile Jean Baptiste Auguste Picard, of No. 64, Faubourg St. Martin,
Paris, France.
:
This Invention relates to an improved construction of the locks known as stock
locks or French locks.
Simplicity is the great requirement in all locks excepting those termed safety
locks.
The locks known as stock locks or French locks are the simplest of this kind;
they are generally composed of a bolt, the head of which is cut to a bevel in order
that it may by simple pressure enter the box. A spring of some kind acts on this
bolt to keep it constantly closed. The opening takes place by means of a rocking
latch made to act on the frame of the bolt to compel it to move backward after
overcoming the resistance of the spring. These locks are sometimes completed by a
dead bolt.
Notwithstanding their great simplicity these locks are not free from defects,
particularly in the breakage of the spring. This breakage is mostly caused by the
blow of the bolt against the box staple or cased bolt lock, for the handle of the lock
is often not turned when closing the door, but the door is pushed sharply to, and the
blow thus given to the bolt is entirely borne by the spring.
The object of this Invention to prevent the inconvenience caused by this
breakage by the production of a lock from which springs are excluded.
In the improved lock of this Invention the bolt is driven by a solid piece acting
simply by its weight. This kind of lock may be made very cheaply, and will work
for an indefinite period, there being nothing to occasion its breakage or getting out
of order.
On the accompanying Sheet of Drawing Figure 1 shows in elevation and section

page_text: the interior of a lock embodying this Invention, with bolt driven forward; Figure 1ª,
same with bolt drawn back; and Figure 2 is a modification thereof.
This improved lock is composed of the case or main plate A enclosing all the parts.
The flange of this plate A is pierced with a rectangular hole for the passage of the
bolt. The bolt B is a simple piece of metal cut with a beveled end, and guided in
its rectilineal course by a slide or studs riveted to the main plate; it is joined to a
piece C itself attached to a third piece D having the form of a square acting by its
weight. This square is fitted by a pin or spindle d, which permits it simply to
rock or pivot to and fro. The latch E, of one piece with the socket, into which
enters the spindle of the knob or handle, serves to actuate the square D. The
working of this piece is very simple, the bead of the square being somewhat heavy
has always a tendency to remain down, and thereby keep the bolt closed. This
position is preserved until the rotation of the latch lifts the head of the square, or
that a blow against the bolt forces it back, as will be the case when the door is
pushed or slammed to. In this latter case the square rises, and immediately falls
again by its own weight, relocking the door.
This arrangement may be still further simplified by doing away with the inter-
mediate joint, and setting the square directly upon the tail end of the bolt, but so as
to remain independent thereof, as is shown, Figure 2.
25
a
This lock might be furnished with French bolt" closing with a key or with an
arrangement stopping the recoil of this bolt by the aid of a second rocking piece,
which would be worked by a key.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of the said Invention com-
municated to me as aforesaid, and in what manner the same is or may be performed,
I claim as secured to me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, the
manufacture of a lock (known as a "stock lock" or "French lock") in which springs
of any kind are dispensed with and replaced by a piece with counterweight, sub-
stantially as herein-before described, whatever may be the shape, arrangement, and
dimensions of the lock.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Gedge, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
W. E. GEDGE. (L.S.)