CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF LOCKS AND OTHER FASTENINGS
Year: 1823

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
WARD, of Grove Road, Mile End Road, in the County of Middlesex, Iron
Founder, send greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty King George the Fourth, by
His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Thirteenth day of November, in the fourth year of His reign,
did give and grant unto me, the said John Ward, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, His especial licence, full power, solo privilege and
authority, that I, the said John Ward, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend my Invention therein mentioned,
to wit, "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF LOCKS AND OTHER
FASTENINGS," within that part of His said Majesty's United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland called England, His Dominion of Wales, and Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also in all His said Majesty's Colonies and Planta-
tions abroad, in such manner as to me, the said John Ward, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or any of them, should seem moet; to have, hold,
exercise, and enjoy the said licence, powers, privileges, and advantages therein
granted or mentioned to be granted unto me, the said John Ward, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, for and during and unto the full end
and term of fourteen years from the date of the said Letters Patent next
and immediately ensuing, and fully to be compleat and ended, according to the

page_text: Statute in such case made and provided; in which said Letters Patent there is
contained a proviso that if I, the said John Ward, should not particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and
seal, and cause the same to be inrolled in His said Majesty's High Court
of Chancery within two calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent, that then the said Letters Patent, and all
liberties and advantages whatsoever thereby granted, should utterly cease,
determine, and become void, as in and by the said recited Letters Patent
reference being thereunto had, will more fully appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
John Ward, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed and carried into effect, is
particularly described and ascertained in and by the Drawings which are here-
unto annexed, and by the following description thereof, that is to say:-
Fig. 1 upon the Drawing represents a lock suitable for a door or large
chest, constructed according to my improvements, being furnished with and
adapted shoot or throw (at the same instant) two distinct and separate bolts,
in addition to its own bolt, one of which bolts is supposed to be placed near to
the upper part of the door, and the other near to the lower part of the door.
Note, in this Figure the bolt A, A, of the lock is represented as having been
thrown by its key, which operation has also caused the upper and lower
bolts B & C to be thrown also, as will be herein-after explained.
Fig. 2 upon the Drawing represents the same lock in an unlocked situation,
or supposing the bolt A, A, of the lock to have been withdrawn by the intro-
duction of its key, which operation has caused the upper and lower bolts
B & C to be withdrawn also, thereby leaving the door or chest at liberty to be
opened.
Fig. 3 upon the Drawing is also a representation of the same lock, wherein
the bolt A, A, of the lock is supposed to have been withdrawn by the intro-
duction of its key, or otherwise, but at the same time leaving the upper and
lower bolts B and C fully thrown, or in a bolted position. This circumstance
forms one of the features of my Invention, as will be hereafter more particu-
larly explained. Note, the above-mentioned three Figures are drawn to a
scale of about one third the real size, but the upper and lower bolts B & C are
placed much nearer to the lock than they are usually intended to be placed,
for the facility of shewing them in the Drawing.
Fig. 4 upon the Drawing represents a key, such as is adapted for opening
the lock represented in the Figures 1, 2, & 3, but is drawn upon a larger

page_text: scale to shew its construction more clearly, being made according to one of my
improvements, as will be herein-after more particularly explained.
Fig. 5 represents a section of a portion of the lock, wherein the key, Fig. 4,
above mentioned, is shewn in a proper situation to act upon the various
tumblers of the lock and withdraw the bolt.
Fig. 6 shews a profile of the said key as it would appear if viewed
edgewisc.
Fig. 7 represents a key upon a somewhat different construction, being also
made according to one of my improvements, as will be herein-after more
particularly explained.
Fig. 8 represents a section of a portion of a lock, wherein the key Fig. 7,
above mentioned, is shewn in a proper situation to act upon the various
tumblers of the lock, and withdraw the bolt.
Fig. 9 upon the Drawing represents the interior of an improved spring and
tumbler bolt, adapted for securing window shutters or ordinary house doors.
It is shewn as if in a bolted position.
Fig. 10 represents an edge section of the same bolt.
Fig. 11 shews the interior of the same bolt, being represented as withdrawn,
or in an unbolted position.
Note, in the Figures 1, 2, & 3, upon the Drawing, the same characters or
letters of reference are used to denote corresponding parts whenever they
occur, and the cover plate of the lock is supposed to be removed in order to
explain the interior construction. A, A, shews the main bolt, which is guided
steadily in its motion at one end by passing through a mortise in the return or
edge plate a, a, of the lock, and at the other end it is guided by a fixed stud
projecting from the lock plate, and entering an obling groove which is formed
in the bolt. The upper end of the said stud also serves as a centre at c for one
of the tumblers marked b, c, to move upon. This tumbler is situated above
the main bolt A, A, and its end 6 is so formed that (when it is elevated to its
proper and just height by the key) the two studs marked 1 & 2, which
project up from the main bolt, may be capable of sliding by it unobstructed,
and thus the said bolt would be at liberty to come back or be withdrawn; but
as a still greater security to the lock I have introduced a cross or counter-
tumbler d, e, which moves upon a fixed centre pin or stud at d. This counter-
cumbler lays over the tumbler b, c, and is furnished with a small square pin or
stud at the part e, which stud projects downwards, and is adapted to enter a
groove or notch cut in the tumbler b, c, in such a manner that the tumbler b, c,
cannot be raised or moved into its proper position for the studs 1 & 2 of the
nain bolt to pass unless the counter-tumbler d, e, be first moved upon its

page_text: centre d into such a position that its stud e becomes situate over the proper
notch in the tumbler b, c, in which situation the tumbler b, c, can be raised, as
scen ate in Figs. 2 & 3. It will be seen by inspection of the Figure 1 that
the stude of the counter-tumbler d, e, will require to be moved towards the
right hand, in order to bring it into the proper position over of the notch formed
in the tumbler b, c; and since the key of the lock is intended to be introduced
at the part h, it will appear that the counter-tumbler must be drawn towards the
pipe or centre of motion of the key instead of being forced away from it, according
to the manner of tumblers used in ordinary locks. This effect is produced by
means of a small curved piece or acl of metal 3, which projects downwards
from the edge of the counter-tumbler, and is adapted to enter a notch formed
in the key, so that the key in turning round upon its pin h will (by reason of
its excentricity of the said curved piece of metal round the centre of the key)
draw the counter-tumbler towards it, and consequently into the proper position
to act, as will appear evident from inspection of the Figures. The curved
piece of metal 3, which projects downwards from the counter-tumbler, may be
continued round a sufficient distance to render the tumblers which are situated
beneath the main bolt very difficult of access by any false instrument or pick
which might be introduced through the keyhole. i represents a spring which
acts against the tail of the counter-tumbler, and tends to throw its stud e always
towards the left hand. k represents a spring, which operates against the tail of
the tumbler b, c, and tends continually to throw its end 6 downwards. This
lock is supposed to have two other tumblers of the ordinary description
situated beneath the main bolt, which bolt is furnished with two small studs
projecting downwards for the said tumblers to act against; but neither of
these parts can be rendered visible in the Drawings. D, E, and F, G, repro-
sent two bent or elbow levers, whose centres of motion are E and G. These
levers stand up from the lock plate sufficiently to pass over the main bolt and
tumbler b, c, and when the main bolt of the lock is withdrawn they assume the
position seen in Figures 2 and 3; but when the main bolt is shot or thrown
out its two studs 1 and 2 come in contact with the inclined ends D and F
of the said levers, and thereby move them upon their centres E and G into the
position seen in Fig. 1, in which situation it will be perceived that their
extremities rost firmly against the sides of the studs 1 and 2, and prevent the
possibility of the levers being removed without the main bolt being first
withdrawn. These levers are for the purpose of shooting or throwing the
upper and lower bolts B and C by the leading or conducting rods H and I.
Que end of each of these rods is formed square, and they are adapted to slide
casily through square holes formed in the fixed pieces of metal 5 and 6, so as

page_text: to bear against projecting pieces formed under the levers D, E, and F, G, as
represented by dotted lines in the Figures. By this means, when the said
levers are separated or moved outwards upon their centres, they will force the
conducting rods H and I away from the lock. The other extremities of the
said rods are adapted to operate upon two cranked or curved levers K and L,
which move upon fixed centres at 7 and 8. The curved ends of these levers
pass under the bolts B and C, and bear against the thick part of the said bolts,
as represented by the dotted lines 10 in the Figures. Thus it will appear
evident that the bolts B and C will be shot or thrown out, in which situation
they may be firmly retained (when desired) by moving with the finger two
small buttons or knobs, which are intended to project slightly from the door on
the inside thereof, and are connected with the two small sliders and studs M
and N, so as to force the said studs into the notches which are formed in the
bolts B and C. By this means the said bolts become detached from and inde-
pendant of the main bolt A, A, so that if the main bolt should by any means be
withdrawn, still the door would be secured by the two bolts B and C. These
bolts are cach furnished with a small spring o and p, which operate to withdraw
the bolts, and return or force back the conducting rods H and I when the door
is intended to be unlocked and unbolted at the same time, so as to be opened.
In very high doors it would be sometimes found inconvenient to reach and
move the small button before mentioned, which is connected with the slider
and stud M of the upper bolt B, for which reason I occasionally produce the
same effect by placing a small sliding bolt or fastening (similar to what is
shewn at P in Fig. 3) immediately above the lock, or at any convenient height
within the reach of a person. This small bolt is adapted to be moved
forwards with the finger (by means of a small knob or button projecting from
the door), in which situation its end passes beneath a small projecting pin cr
stud 12 upon the conducting rod II, and thereby prevents the rod I from
descending, and consequently the bolt B from being withdrawn, as will be
clealy perceived from inspection of the Figure 3. This same contrivance is
also represented at Q in a situation to operate with the lower bolt C, with this
difference only, that the end of the small bolt Q is adapted to pass across
above the stud 13, which projects from the conducting rod I, and thus prevent
the said rod from rising or being thrown upwards, so as to suffer the bolt C to
be withdrawn by its small spring p, before mentioned, or by any other means,
unless the knob or button of the small bolt Q be first drawn back to release it.
The lock above described is supposed to be arranged so that the key
may be introduced at either side of the door, but as the key is adapted
to turn upon a fixed pin, it becomes necessary to have the keyholes which

page_text: are on the opposite side to the door removed some distance from each
other, as represented in the Figures 1, 2, and 3, wherein a cock or bracket R
is shewn standing up from the lock plate, for the purpose of sustaining the pin
for the key to turn upon in the opposite keyhole, which is indicated by dotted
lines at r, the steps upon the various tumblers of the lock being properly
formed, for the same key to act upon them at either of the keyholes.
The improved key, which is represented at Figs. 4, 5, and 6, is made to the
proper form for opening the above-described lock, but is drawn upon a larger scale.
It is furnished with a small moveable detent or bit s, which is inserted into a
cavity or groove formed in the lower part of the key, being rather more than
one third the thickness of the key, as will be seen at s, in Fig. 6. This move-
able bit is adapted to turn upon a centre pin t, into the position shewn in
Fig. 4, where it will be retained slightly by the action of a small spring (which
is represented by dotted lines as concealed in the key) bearing against its
inclined end in the same manner as the spring of a common pocket knife. In
this situation it may be introduced into the keyhole of the lock; but, as soon
as the extreme end of the moveable bit s comes into contact with the lock
plate, the moveable bit s will (by still pushing the key forward into the lock)
be caused to assume the position shewn in Fig. 5; in which case it will be per-
ceived that the moveable bit s projects out, and forms a lengthened bit to the
key, which, on turning the key round, will be found capable of reaching the
under or lowest tumbler of the lock, which is purposely placed remote from
the keyhole, and will thereby be enabled to move the said tumbler into the
proper position of the studs before mentioned upon the under side of the main
bolt to pass by it. This improvement in the key will render the lock very
secure, because a key with the bit made in one piece after the usual method,
and sufficiently small to enter the keyhole of the lock, would not be capable
of reaching or acting upon the aforesaid under tumbler, without which the
main bolt of the lock could not be withdrawn.
In the Figs. 4 & 5, upon the Drawing 4, indicates the notch in the key which
is adapted to act upon the curved piece of metal 8 before herein-before men-
tioned as projecting downwards from the counter tumbler d'e; but the said
counter tumbler is not represented in the Figs. 4 & 5. The main bolt A, A,
is partly seen in section, and these Figures, as well as the tumbler b, c, and
also the two tumblers which are situated under the main bolt as aforesaid.
Note, the small darts or arrows shew the direction in which the tumblers are
raised or moved by the key.
The Figures 7 & 8 upon the Drawing are introduced to explain another
form of construction of my improved key. This key is represented as fur-

page_text: nished with the small moveable bit s, which turns upon a centre pin t, and is
provided with a small spring for the purpose herein-before described with refe-
rence to the former key; but it may be perceived, from inspection of the
Figs. 7 & 8, that the moveable bit s has a small projection or stud v rising
from it, but which stud does not impede or prevent its introduction into the
keyhole of the lock when the bit s is placed in the situation represented by
Fig. 7; but when the key is introduced into its place in the lock, and is
turned round so as to act upon the tumblers and bolt, the small stud v, which
rises from the moveable bit s before mentioned, will pass behind a small
eccentric ward or projection formed upon one of the under tumblers (as
seen in Fig. 8), and will thereby draw down the said tumbler (or cause
it to approach the pipe or pipes of the key) at the same time that the
extreme end of the said moveable bit will force the other or lowest tumbler
away from the pipe or pin of the key; and since these opposite or reverse
motions of the two under tumblers are absolutely necessary to bring them
into the proper situation for the studs upon the under side of the main
bolt to pass, it would be found extremely difficult to open the lock by any
description of false key or instrument. Note, the small darts or arrows
upon the Fig. 8 will serve to explain the direction in which the various
tumblers are moved by turning the key round upon its pin or centre of
motion.
Figs. 9, 10, & 11 upon the Drawing represent an improved spring and
tumbler bolt. It consists of a main sliding bolt A, A, which is guided nearly
in the same manner as the bolts used in ordinary locks. This bolt is adapted
to be slided backward and forwards by the small knob or button B, which
works through an oblong groove or slit formed in the main plate C, and is
screwed fast into the bolt A, A, forming at the same time a guide for the
bolt's motion. The button B is seen in Fig. 10, and also by the dotted circles
b in Figs. 9 & 11. The main bolt has 2 notches cand e formed in one of
its sides. These notches are adapted to receive the projection or hook of the
tumbler D, which turns upon a centre screw d, and is furnished with a small
spring h, acting to force its hook above mentioned into the notches cand e of
the bolt; but the tumbler D may be raised, when required (either to with-
draw or shoot the bolt), by means of a small knob seen at i in Fig. 10, which
is fixed to the side of the tumbler, and passes through a slit or opening in the
main plate C. m represents a small spring which is fixed to the main plate,
and is adapted to bear against the extreme or inner end of the main bolt A, A,
in such a manner that when the said bolt is withdrawn or unbolted, as repre-
sented by Fig. 11, the spring m will tend to throw or shoot it forwards into

page_text: the dotted position seen at a in Fig. 11, when it would be sufficiently advanced
to be moved onwards by its knob B; but, since the bolt A, A, is naturally held
back by the hook upon the tumbler D entering the notch e in the side of the
said bolt, the spring m is not at liberty to act as aforesaid until the hook of
the tumbler D has been raised out of the notch. By this contrivance the bolt
may be thrown or shot by a person who has only one hand at liberty, by first
raising the tumbler D, by means of its small knob i, at which instance the
spring m will throw the bolt A, A, sufficiently forwards to prevent the book of
the tumbler from again falling into or entering the notch e in the bolt, which
may then be moved forwards in the usual manner by its knob or button B
until the hook of the tumbler D falls into notch c of the main bolt, as repre-
sented in Figure 9, in which situation the main bolt cannot be withdrawn cr
moved back until the tumbler D has been again raised up.
I have now described the manner of carrying my aforesaid Invention into
effect, and have described it with reference to the annexed Drawings, in order
that persons conversant with works of a similar nature may be enabled to put
it in practice; and it only remains for mo to state what I consider as consti-
tuting my claim of Invention, which I hereby declare to be as follows, that is
to say:
First, in the improved construction of locks, whereby one, two, or more
distinct or auxilliary bolts may be thrown or shot by the action of the key of
the lock in the operation of locking the same, in addition to the main or prin-
cipal bolt of the lock, and at the same time that the said auxilliary bolt or
bolts may be applied sufficiently independant of the main bolt of the lock to
be left undrawn and remain bolted (when desired), even tho' the main bolt of
the lock should be withdrawn or unlocked by its proper key, or in any other
manner. I have described one convenient and advantageous mode of con-
struction for effecting the aforesaid improvement with reference to the annexed
Drawing in the former part of this my Specification; but I am aware that
many different modes of construction may be adopted operating in a similar
manner to produce the above-named effect.
Secondly, in the application of a counter tumbler or tumblers, as herein-
before described, which require to be drawn by the action of the key towards
the pin or centre of motion of the said key, in order to be placed in a proper
situation to allow the other or ordinary tumblers to move, and thereby permit
the main bolt of the lock to be moved or shot by the key.
Thirdly, in the improved construction of the keys for locks in general,
which keys are furnished with a small moveable bit or lengthening piece
fitting into a groove or recess in the bit of the key, and turning upon a centre

page_text: or joint in the manner represented by the Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, & 8, upon the
Drawing which is hereunto annexed and described as aforesaid.
Fourthly, in the improved construction of the spring and tumbler bolt or
fastening which has been herein-before described with reference to the
Figures 9, 10, & 11,. upon the annexed Drawing. At the same time I must
observe, that the form and proportions of the different parts may be varied
according to the descretion of the workmen, as well as the materials of which
the same may be made, without departing from the objects of my Invention
as herein-before described and set forth.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, the Thir-
teenth day of December, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and twenty-three.
Signed, sealed, and delivered, by the
within-named John Ward (being
first duly stamped), in the presence
JOHN (L.S.) WARD.
Inrolled the same Thirteenth day of December, in the year above
written.