IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS AND LATCHES AND PARTS CONNECTEN THEREWITH
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Frederick Whitworth, of Cleethorpe, in
the County of Lincoln, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
LOCKS AND LATCHES AND PARTS CONNECTEN THEREWITH "
Scaled the 25th September 1874, and dated the 30th March 1874.
PROVISIONAL`SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Frederick
Whitworth at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with
his Petition, on the 30th March 1874.
.
I, CHARLES FREDERICK WHITWORTH, of Cleethorpe, in the County
of Lincoln, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN LOCKS AND LATCHES, AND PARTS CONNECTED THEREWITH," to be as
follows:-
According to one part of my improvements, the bolt or catch of the
lock or latch intended to hold closed the door or other part to which it
is applied is arranged to rest within the face of the lock or latch instead

page_text: of projecting therefrom when the door or other part to which it is
applied is open, and such bolt or catch is thrown or shot by the simple
act of the door or other part closing. For this purpose the bolt or catch
is formed to swing on an axis of motion, and the inner end or part of it
has by the weight of it a tendency to cause tlic bolt or catch to be in a
condition of being shot. A simple frame to it, is formed by a piece of
hoop or such like iron passed round it, and carrying the pivot or axis of
its motion.
The bolt or catch, instead of turning on an axis, may be capable of
sliding, and be acted upon by spring with a tendency for it to be shot.
'
The withdrawal of the bolt or catch for opening the door or part to
which the lock or latch is applied, may be effected by a key or by a lever
or otherwise as desired, but when withdrawn the bolt or catch is caught
and held by another catch or stop, which is capable of being released by
a stud or projection or part therefrom, being acted upon by the jamb or
part of the door or other frame or part in connection therewith in the
act of closing to release the bolt or catch and admit of its being at once
shot.
For purposes of security another bolt or lever is used, acted upon. by
a key to bear against the back or other suitable part of the bolt or
catch to hold it in position until by the introduction of a corresponding
key this fixing bolt or catch to the main bolt or catch is withdrawn or
turned out of the way. =
The keyhole may be closed by the turning of a plate over such hole,
such plate being held by studs borne upon by spring pressure, and being
capable of being turned only when this spring pressure is so far over-
come as to bring the holding studs to the plate. into a certain relative
position, less or more than which the plate will be held from turning,
and this action for turning is capable of being effected only by the
action of a key first bearing on the studs and then turning the plate the
required distance.
f
According to another part of the improvements the bolt of the lock
is locked by a lover carried thereby, acting on or against a fixed stop,
and that lever being acted upon by another lever. The releasing for
opening is effected by the insertion of the key first lifting one lever.

page_text: from bearing on the other to hold it, and by the turning of the key
acting on a part of the other lever to lift. that from the stop when the
bolt may be slided.
.
The relativo position of the parts may be varied..
Another part of the Invention relates to gate latches. The bolt of
the latch is connected at its innér end to or forms part of a lever
capable of motion on a stud, and operated by india-rubber. or other
spring pressure with a tendency to keep the bolt shot, and the bolt is
withdrawn by action on the lever above or below such stud to overcome
the spring pressure exerted.
I fasten the handles of locks and latches to their spindles with
capability of adjustment to varying thickness of door or part to which the
lock or latch is applied, by forming a series of notches or projections on
one square or surface of the spindle, to be entered by a corresponding part
on one side of the hole for the spindle in the handles, and the application
of india-rubber or other suitable clastic pressure to a moveable. plate,
acting in such hole to bear on the opposite side of the spindle. Adjust-
ment is obtained by overcoming the clastic pressure for the time
exerted.
SPECÍFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Charles Frederick Whitworth, in the Great Scal
Patent Office on the 30th September 1874.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHARLES
FREDERICK WHITWORTH, of Cleethorpe, in the County of Lincoln, send
grecting.
-
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent; bearing date the Thirtieth day of March, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-
seventh year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors;
give and grant unto me, the said Charles Frederick Whitworth, Her
special license that I, the said Charles Frederick Whitworth, my,
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Charles Frederick Whitworth, my executors, administrators, and assigns,

page_text: should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United King-
dom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of
Man, an Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS AND LATCHES, AND PARTS
CONNECTED THEREWITH," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said Charles Frederick Whitworth, my exccutors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
do
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Charles Frederick Whitworth,
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, that is to say :-
According to the first part of my improvements the bolt or catch of
the lock or latch intended to hold closed the door or other part to which
it is applied is arranged to rest within the face of the lock or latch
instead of projecting therefrom when the door or other part to which it
is applied is open, and such bolt or catch is thrown or shot by the simple
act of the door or other part closing. For this purpose the bolt or catch
is formed to swing on an axis of motion, and the inner end or a part of
it has by the weight of it a tendency to cause the bolt or catch to be in
a condition of being shot. A simple frame to it is formed by a piece of
hoop or such like iron passed round it and carrying the pivot or axis of
its motion.
The bolt or catch instead of turning on an axis may be capable of
sliding, and be acted upon by spring with a tendency for it to be shot.,
The withdrawal of the bolt or catch for opening the door or part to
which the lock or latch is applied may be effected by a lever or other.
wise as desired, but when-withdrawn the bolt or catch is caught and
held by another catch or stop which is capable of being released by a
stud or projection or part therefrom being acted upon by the jamb' or

page_text: part of the door or other frame or part in connection therewith in the act
of closing to release the bolt or catch and admit of its being at once
shot.
For purposes of security another bolt or lever is used acted upon by a
key to bear against the back or other suitable part of the bolt or catch to
hold it in position until by the introduction of a corresponding key, this
fixing bolt or catch to the main bolt or catch is withdrawn or turned out
of the way.
According to the second part of my Invention the keyhole of locks
may be closed by the turning of a plate over such hole. Such plato
being held by studs borne upon by spring pressure, and being capable of
being turned only when this spring pressure is so far overcome as to
bring the holding studs to the plate into a certain relative position less
or more than which the plate will be held from turning, and this action
for turning is capable of being effected only by the action of a key first
bearing on the studs, and then turning the plate the required distance.
According to the third part of the improvements the bolt of the lock
is fastened by a lever carried thereby acting on or against a fixed stop,
and that lever being acted upon by another lever. The releasing for
opening is effected by the insertion of the key first lifting one lever from
bearing on the other to hold it, and by the turning of the key acting on
a part of the other lever to lift that from the stop, when the bolt may be
slided.
The relative position of the parts may be varied.
The fourth part of the Invention relates to gate latches. The bolt of
the latch is connected at its inner end to or forms part of a lever capable
of motion on a stud, and operated by india-rubber or other spring
pressure with a tendency to keep the bolt shot, and the bolt is withdrawn'
by action on the lever above or below such stud to overcome the spring
pressure.exerted.
>
According to the fifth part of my Invention I fasten the handles of
locks and latches to their spindles with capability of adjustment to
varying thickness of door or part to which the lock or latch.is applied
by forming a series of notches or projections on one square or surface of
the spindle to be entered by or to enter a corresponding part on one side
i

page_text: '
of the hole for the spindle in the handles, and the application of india-
rubber or other suitable clastic pressure to a moveable plate acting in
such hole to bear on the opposite side of the spindle. Adjustment is
obtained by overcoming the clastic pressure for the time exerted.
Accompany
ས1
by me in carrying the same into effect.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 shews an internal view of one arrangement of lock or fastening
according to my Invention; Figure 2 shows a front or outer edgo
view of the lock with the face plate thereon complete; Figure 3 shows
the same front edge with the face plate removed in order that the action
of the stop plate may be the better understood. a, a, in these Figures
represents the frame of the lock or latch; bis the bolt or catch which is
hung in the bearings of the frame a, a, so as to swing as upon a centre
or axis b', and it will be seen that by the form of this bolt or catch in
relation to its point of suspension the tendency of the locking end of it
b is to project beyond the face plate a', or in the position for locking as
indicated by Figure 1, but when the part 2 is withdrawn (as in the
operation of unlocking) so that its outer end may be within the face
plate a', and of the stop c, then the bolt is caught and held within the
face plate a¹ of the lock or latch by the catch or stop c, the tendency of
which is by spring pressure to cover the opening for the end 62 of the
bolt 6, and thereby prevent that bolt from being shot.
As shown, the desired spring pressure is applied to the catch or stop c
by a piece of vulcanised or prepared india-rubber d, which is applied in a
socket formed to receive it in the lock frame, such piece of india-rubber
being formed with a slit to receive a plate d', the outer end of which is
formed to fit in a slotted or clongated opening for it in one end of the
catch or stop c, and these parts are applied in such relation to each other
that the action of the india-rubber will be to cause the-lower or outer,
end of the catch c to rest over the opening for the end 2 of the bolt b.
Supposing the end of the bolt to have been drawn within the face
plate of the lock and to be held there by the catch c, as indicated by

page_text: 然
Figure 2, then a projection c¹ formed on the catch e will be projecting
in such a position that when acted upon by any projection from'the sido
of the door jamb so as to push the catch c from over the end 62 of the
bolt 6 (as indicated by Figure 3), the bolt 6 will on being thus released
project or assume the position of being shot, as indicated by Figure 1.
This bolt b, as shewn, is withdrawn by turning a spindle passed through
the tappet piece e, the nose e¹ of which is capable of acting when
turned in one direction to lift the lever f, one end of which turns on the
axis f, whilst the other end f is received into a recess 73 formed for it
in the bolt . A supplemental arrangement is shown applied to this
lock by which this bolt 6 when shot may be retained from being with-
drawn except by the use of a secondary key. The holding means in
this case consists of the lever g which is supported to turn on the fixed
stud g, and one end of it g² is capable of bearing against the bolt 6 to
hold it in the position of being locked, whilst the other end 3 of it is
forked to receive between the parts of it one end ₁ of another lever h
which is supported to turn on a fixed stud ½³, and at its other end ³ is
capable of being held in a recess formed for it in a lever i. This lever i
is supported to turn on the stud and carries studs ³, one on each side of
it to bear against the outer ends of other levers j, one on each side of the
lever i to prevent the lever i from being raised except the levers ; are
first raised above the studs 2. The levers j are supported to turn on the
fixed stud ; and they are borne upon by a spring or springs j².
'
In order to release the bolt 6 from the action of the lever g a key of
the character of that indicated by Figure 4, or of such a form as will,
when turned round in the keyhole, cause the levers j, j, first to be raised
so as to release the studs of the lever i, when in the further turning
of that key the lever i will be raised by another part of that key so as to
release the end 3 of the lever h, and then in the further partial rotation'
of the key the end of the lever h will be acted upon to tilt the end -92
the way of the bolt b, which will then be free to
Figures 5, 6, and 7, show parts of this lock
of the lever g out of
turn on its axis 0.

page_text: stop c, but in this case the stop c is varied in form somewhat from that
last described. Figure 12 shows detail views of it. In this case the
projecting end 6 of the bolt 6 is capable of being retained within the
parts of the lock by the part c³ of the stop c, and the stop is moved out
of the way to release that bolt in closing the door by a projection k on
the jamb or other suitable part of the opening coming in contact with a
projection c¹ on the plate c, when the opening c³ of the plate c will be
brought opposite the end 68 of the bolt, and that bolt will be free to be
shot. The plate c in this case is borne upon with a tendency to cause it
to cover the end 6 of the bolt 6 by the elastic pressure of a piece of
india-rubber d. The bolt 6 is acted upon in this case to withdraw the
bolt for opening the door by an axis or key applied at e to act by one or
other of the arms e' on the end 6s of the bolt 6, as is indicated by dotted
lines in Figure 8. 7 shows a simple frame for this class of lock formed
by a piece of hoop or such like iron passed round it, and carrying the
pivot or axis of motion 6' of the bolt b.
Figure 13 shows a modification of this class of lock adapted particularly
to stable or other such doors. In this case the locking end 6 of the bolt b
is withdrawn to be caught and held by the catch c by there being applied
to the tail end 63 of the bolt 6 a projection to pass through a slotted
opening formed for it in the door. This opening may be covered by a
staple m, as shown, which staple will then act both as a cover to the
opening for the projection 6*, and as a guide to the finger in acting upon
that projection.
Figure 14 shows another modification of this class of lock in which the 2
locking end of the bolt is withdrawn simply by the action of the finger,
or it may be the end of a stick or other instrument passed through an
opening n, and acting on the under side of the tail b³ of the bolt. n¹ is
a plate surrounding the hole n..
Figure 15 shows an internal side view of another lock with the locking 3
bolt 6 capable of turning on a centre of motion 31 carried by the arse a

page_text: the purpose of forcing the bolt in the event of its sticking so as not to
descend by its own weight.
Figure 16 shows an edge view of this lock; Figures 17 and 18 show
face views of the lock corresponding with Figures 2 and 3. The locking
lever c in this case differs but slightly in form from that described in
respect of Figures 1, 2, 3, and 7, and the supplemental locking arrange-
ments differ from those just described simply by the end ¹ of the lever
acting directly on the bolt b.
Figure 19 shows a bolt 6 separately of the character of that shown
and described in respect of Figure 15, except that it is lifted for opening
the door to which it is applied by means of a spindle applied directly
through the axis b¹.
Figure 20 shows a modification of the last form of bolt applied, and
in which the supplemental locking is effected by turning another lever o
upon its axis of motion o¹ so that its outer end may bear against the
projection 63 of the bolt b, and it is released by turning the lever o in
the opposite direction, as indicated by the dotted lines. o² is a stop to
adjust the distance of motion of the lever o. The lever o may be turned
by means of a key such as shown at Figure 21 by the projections o³ at
one end thereof being passed into the corresponding recesses indicated in
the axis o¹.
'
Figures 22 and 23 show a modification of this class of lock adapted to
railway carriage doors. In this case the tendency of the bolt b is to be
turned into a position for locking by the action of the spring p, except
when it is held back by means of the lever c. The lever c in this case
turns on an axis c³ and its end c¹ is in position to be acted upon by a
projection from or other part of the jamb of the door or opening to
cause it to be lifted to release the bolt b.
Figures 24, 25, and 26 show separate views of a modification of
Figures 22 and 23, but the corresponding parts have the same letters of
reference applied to them; c³ is a block of vulcanized or prepared india-
rubber acting as a spring with a tendency to keep the lever c correctly
in position.
Figures 27, 28; and 29. show by internal, external, and end views an

page_text: relcased on the closing of the door to which it is applied. In this case
the catch or stop c is formed as a lever to turn on a fulcrum at c² and is
borne upon by india-rubber spring at d with a tendency to press its
end o³ against the bolt 6 or a part connected therewith so as to hold that
bolt back when it has been drawn in, and it is caused to release the
bolt on the closing of the door by a stud p on the jamb or frame of
the door, then bearing against a lever q, causing it to press on the end
of the pin c which then acts on the end c¹ of the lever c, thereby to
release the other end e³ thereof from locking back the bolt.
Figures 30 and 31 show by internal view and horizontal section a
modification of the last Figures the parts of which are marked the same
letters of reference just employed.
Another part of the Invention relates to means for closing the key.
holes of locks so as to increase the difficulty of access to the locks.
Figure 32 shows a front view and Figure 33 a section of an arrange-
ment according to this part of the Invention; Figures 34, 35, 36, and 37
show parts of it separately; and s represent fixed plates; is a plate
capable of rotating between the plates and 8 on the pin 7, but in a
normal state of being held stationary by means of pins u, u, the heads
or inner ends of which are borne upon by a piece of vulcanized or
prepared india-rubber u'. The plate t is pierced with a hole corresponding
with that of the keyhole to be closed, and this plate for the purpose of
closing such keyhole is turned so that the hole through it will then be
in the position indicated by the dotted lines . Rotation to this plate t is
effected by projections v² (as indicated on one end of the key, Figure 21)
being pressed upon the pins u, u, to an extent sufficient to admit of
their freeing the plate t for its rotary motion.
Figure 38.shows an internal view and Figure 39 a plan view of an
arrangement of parts according to the third part of my Invention.
Figures 40 and 41 show external side and end views of parts; &
Figures 42 and 43 show plan and side views of the same in a different
position. A in these Figures indicates the top rail of the gate; B, the
head of the gate; C is the bolt for locking, which is capable of sliding
on the top rail, and is guided in the motion for that purpose by a hole in
the head and by the strap D; E is a fixed stop in the top rail A which, 3
when the bolt is locked, is embraced by an eye in the lever F; this lever

page_text: L
turns on a pin F' carried by the bolt C, and is held in that position by
the outer end of the lever G bearing thercon.. This lever G. turns on a
fixed pin G' also carried by the bolt C. These parts are released by a
key H passed through the keyhole C², the point H¹ of which key must
first lift the outer end of the lever G clear of the lever F by pressing on
the shorter arm G2 thereof; and then by turning, that key round so that
its part H³may act on the end F2 of the lever F the lever F will be
raised clear of the stop E and also lift with it the end of the lever G-to
the extent desired. A band indicated by the red color C on the bolt
may serve by its relation for the time being to the strap D to indicato
whether the bolt is shot or otherwise.
Figures 44 and 45 show parts of the side and edge views of a gate,
and Figure 46 the gate post, with adaptations according to the fourth
part of the Invention. It is the bolt of a latch which at its inner end is
connected to and forms part of a lever I which is capable of motion on
a stud I, and is operated by india-rubber or other spring pressure
applied at K with a tendency to keep the bolt I shot, and the bolt I' is
withdrawn by means of the sliding bar J by pulling that bar J in the
direction of the arrow. When the bolt I is withdrawn it is held by a
spring plate C, the parts of which are of the character already described,
and which is operated upon to release the bolt I by a projection L'on
the gate post, or by other suitable means, as may be desired.
"
Figures 47 and 48 show two views of an arrangement of parts
according to the fifth part of the Invention. 1, 1, are the notches on
the spindle to enter a recess 2 in the-knob; 3:represents a piece of
india-rubber, or it may be other spring, bearing on a plate 4-to hold
the parts together. The dotted lines show the position to be given to
the handle in order to release it.
:
In some cases in place of employing springs of india-rubber, as herein
described, I employ metal springs.
}
Having thus described my Invention and means which I adopt in
carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that the chief
parts of this Invention may be denoted;-
First. As combinations of swing catches or other such fastenings
with supplementary locks especially appropriate to them....
:

page_text: First. The method of arranging or combining bolts and stops c. of
locks or latches to operate substantially and for the purposes stated and 2
shown by Figures 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14.
Also I claim the method of arranging or combining bolts and stops c
of locks or latches to operate substantially and for the purposes stated
and shown by Figures 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26.
Also I claim the method of arranging or combining bolts b and stops c 2
of locks or latches to operate substantially and for the purposes stated
and shown by Figures 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31.
Secondly. I claim the method of arranging or combining parts
forming a guard or protector to the keyhole of locks or latches, sub-
stantially as described in respect of Figures 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37.
Thirdly. I claim the arranging or combining parts forming locking
apparatus to gates or such like closing means substantially as described
under this head of the Invention, and in respect of Figures 38, 39, 40,
41, 42, and 43.
8

page_text: Fourthly. I claim the arranging or combining parts forming gate
latches, substantially as described under this head of the Invention, and
in relation to Figures 44, 45, and 46.
Fifthly. I claim the method of arranging or combining parts for
securing handles to the spindles of locks or latches, substantially as
described under this head of the Invention, and in respect of Figures 47
and 48.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Frederick Whitworth, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this. Twenty-ninth day of
September, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-four.