Improvements in Latches and in Furniture therefor.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Dec., 1889-Accepted, 18th Jan., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Latches and in Furniture therefor.
I, EDWARD STEVENS WINCHESTER, residing at Number 512 Washington Street,
Dorchester District, Boston, in the County of Suffolk, and State of Massachusetts, .
United States of America, Mechanical Engineer, 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 :-
This invention relates to that class of latches in which the latch-bolt is held in a
retracted position against the influence of a spring, and is automatically released and
permitted to be projected when the door encounters the jamb in closing.
The invention consists essentially of a pivoted latch-bolt held in a retracted
position against the influence of its projecting spring by a detent combined with a
releasing device adapted to be operated by the door encountering the jamb.
The invention further consists in an improved bearing for the spindle of the knob,
whereby a lateral or rocking motion of the same is avoided.
A further object of the invention is to provide for the ready connection and dis-
connection of the knobs and knob-spindle, and to prevent looseness or rattling of the
parts when in operative position.
To this end the invention further consists in a peculiar construction and arrange-
ment of parts having, as its basis, a knob shank, toothed to interlock with the usual
hub or tumbler by which the latch is operated, as hereinafter explained in detail.
The invention also consists in certain details of construction and combinations of
parts hereinafter more particularly set forth.
In the accompanying drawings:-
Figure 1 is a horizontal section of a latch showing a portion of the door jamb,
the latch-bolt being shown in a retracted position.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same partly in section, some of the parts being removed
to expose the internal mechanism to view.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the lock and the door jamb showing the projecting
plate thereon.
Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line of Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the pivoted latch with its projecting spring.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of the detent.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the knob-spindle and co-operating parts detached.
Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a modification of the knob-spindle and co-operating parts
to adapt the same for use with a mortise lock, in which it would not be practicable
to employ the construction shown in Fig. 7.
Referring to the drawings:
-
A represents a portion of a door, B, a portion of the door jamb, C, the latch case,
having as usual, the inner and outer walls c and c', and the end wall c².
D and D' represent the inner and outer knobs respectively, the knob D' being
provided with the spindle d, and the knob D being connected with the shank or hub d.
which is adapted to receive the spindle d, which is passed therethrough and screwed
to the knob D.
The shank or hub d' is provided as usual with the tumblers e e¹, by means of
which the latch is retracted as more fully described hereinafter.
E represents a strong spiral spring encircling the spindle between the shank and
the knob D¹.
F represents the latch bolt consisting of the base f, the two side walls f¹ and f²,
and the end wallƒ³. This latch is pivoted in the end to the casing of the lock by
means of a pivot pin 9, which passes through the latch-bolt and is fixed to the

page_text: casing C. This latch is adapted to be projected through a recess in the end of the
casing to an operative position, or be retracted flush with the said casing in an
inoperative position.
G represents a coiled spring encircling the pin g, by which the latch-bolt is
projected. This spring is provided with the loop g', which bears upon the latch-
bolt, and the two arms 92 and 93, which extend upward as shown in Fig. 1, and
when the latch-bolt is in a retracted position, bear against the inner casing of the
latch.
In order that the latch-bolt may be sustained in a retracted position, as shown in
the drawings, I provide the same with the bar h, extending between the side walls
thereof. This bar is constructed to be engaged by the spring detent H, fixed at one
end to the casing C and having its other end free. The free end of this detent is
provided with a notch, ', adapted to extend beneath the bar h, on the latch-bolt,
and thus hold the same in a retracted position.
In order that the detent may be lifted out of contact with the latch-bolt to release
the same, I provide the sliding plate I. As shown, this plate is mounted in the
forward edge of the casing, and is provided with the central tongue i, extending
between the walls of the latch-bolt in contact with the free end of the detent. On
each side of the central tongue i, the plate is provided with the tongues or fingers ¿¹
and 3, which extend on either side of the latch-bolt and serve as a means of
guiding the piate. The end of the plate is provided with the enlarged bearing
surface k Fig. 2, adapted to encounter the projection L, formed on a pláte secured
to the jamb B of the door by means of screws or otherwise.
M represents a bail consisting of the two arms m and m¹, pivoted at one end to
the walls of the latch by pins m2, and connected at their other ends by a cross-bar m³,
which extends beyond the arms on either side. The ends of this cross-bar are
adapted to be engaged by projections o and o¹, formed on the inner edges of the
sliding frames P and P¹. These frames P and P', extend lengthwise of the lock,
and are urged constantly forward by spiral springs n and n', located therein and
encircling headed bolts n² and n³, one end of these springs bearing on the heads of
the bolts and their other ends bearing on the frame. These frames are further
provided with the projections p and p¹, adapted to be engaged by the tumblers e and e¹,
and by means of which the frames may be retracted by the rotation of the knobs, the
springs acting to turn the frames and knobs to their former position.
The operation is as follows:-The parts being in the position shown in Fig. 1, with
the latch in a retracted position, when the door is closed the projection I will
encounter the end of the plate, I, and will force the same inward, thus pushing back
the spring detent H from beneath the bar on the latch-bolt, which being released,
will be projected by its spring G outward into the recess in the door jamb.
When it is desired to unlatch and open the door, the knobs being rotated, the
tumblers carried thereby will draw one of the frames against the influence of its
spring, which, by means of its lateral projection encountering the cross-piece of the
bail, will draw the latch-bolt inward until the bar thereon passes beyond the notch on
the spring detent. The knob is then released and is restored to its former position
by the spring-frame.
It is not essential that the bar h should be located between the walls of the latch-
bolt, as any construction may be employed, which will operate, as shown, to engage
the spring detent and retain the latch-bolt in a retracted position. As shown in
Fig. 3, the edge of the casing is recessed to admit the projection L, and to prevent
the same from encountering the edge of the casing. I commonly cover this recess
with a thin plate, t, to present a finished appearance. By employing this covering I
am enabled to place the projection L very close to the edge of the jamb, which for
many reasons is advantageous.
In Fig. 6, I have represented a modification of my detaining spring. In this case
the spring is provided with two notches in order that the latch may be held either
wholly or partially retracted.

page_text: On reference to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the shank or hub d' is long and
extends quite a distance beyond the casing of the latch. This forms a good bearing
for the spindle and prevents the same from wabbling or being forced out of line by
the spring located between the shank and the knob.
The hub d which operates the latch-bolt is sustained within the case by the side
journals bb, Fig. 7, as usual, and is provided on one side with a projection 6³, toothed
or notched at the outer end as shown in Fig. 7.
The shank of the inner knob D is toothed at its end to interlock with the hub d'.
When the parts are interlocked, the rotation of the knob compels a like movement of
the hub. By moving the knob endwise it may be disengaged from the hub so as to
turn independently.
The outer knob D¹ is rigidly and permanently affixed to one end of the spindle
which has a square or angular portion d², and a threaded extremity d³.
The spiral spring E is slipped over the spindle and against the outer knob D¹. The
square portion of the spindle is passed through the hub d', and its threaded end
screwed into the knob D. The spring acting between the hub and the outer knob D¹,
urges the spindle outward in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 7, and the
spindle in turn acts to draw the inner knob toward the case so as to keep its toothed
or notched end in engagement with the hub as shown in Fig. 1. When the parts are
thus interlocked the rotation of either knob serves to turn the hub, which is pre-
vented from rotating on the spindle by reason of the angular form of the latter,
serving to prevent the rotation of the inner knob D upon the spindle and thus prevent
the parts being separated.
In order to remove the knobs it is only necessary to push axially on the outer
knob D', with force sufficient to compress the spring. The effect of this action is' to
push on the spring endwise and carry the inner knob D out of engagement with the
hub d. This leaves the inner knob free to be unscrewed from the spindle, after which
the latter may be withdrawn in an endwise direction.
In assembling the parts, the spindle with the spring thereon is first inserted and
the spring compressed, after which the knob-seat is screwed inward to the required
point. The knob D¹ is then relieved from pressure and the reaction of the spring
causes the interlocking of the knob D and bub.
It will be observed that under my construction the spring is the only piece used in
addition to those ordinarily employed in spring latches.
It will also be observed that the spring serves not only to maintain the connection
of the parts, but to hold the parts snugly to their places, so that there can be no play
or rattling of the knobs in an endwise direction in relation to the hub.
Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, which represent a modification of the knob-spindle and
co-operating parts to adapt the same for use with a mortise lock, A¹ indicates the case
or body of the latch, and d¹ the internal rotary hub for operating the latch-bolt.
These parts and the internal parts co-operating therewith may all be of ordinary
construction.
t.he
D¹ represents one of the knobs rigidly attached to one end of the spindle having
square or angular portion and the threaded. end d³.
The spiral spring E is slipped over and around the square portion of the shank, and
is adapted to bear against the inner end of the knob D¹. F' is a washer adapted to
slide snugly over the square portion of the shank and to bear between the spring and
the side of the lock case or hub. G₁ represents a second washer also adapted to slip
snugly upon the square portion of the spindle, and having its outer face toothed or
notched as seen at g*.
D is the inner knob having its shank toothed as seen at 2 to interlock with the
notch on the washer G', said knob being provided with a central threaded hole to
receive the end d³ of the spindle.
12 represents a spiral spring of strength materially less than that of spring E.
In assembling the parts, the spindle having the spring E and washer, F' thereon
is inserted through the hub from the outer side of the lock. The washer G¹.is

page_text: then slipped upon the inner end of the spindle, the spring I² next applied, and
the knob D finally screwed upon the end of the spindle until it closely approaches
the washer G'. The spindle is then urged endwise by applying pressure against
the outer knob D¹ sufficient to overcome the spring E. The inner knob D is
then screwed farther upon the spindle, after which the outer knob D¹ is relieved
from pressure, whereupon the spring E urging the parts outward, causes the
knob D to interlock with washer G as shown in Fig. 8. As this washer is
prevented from rotating on the spindle, it serves as a means for locking the knob D
so that it cannot be unscrewed.
To release the knob it is only necessary to push the spindle endwise until the
knob D is disengaged from the washer G', after which it may be unscrewed.
The spring 1 serves to insure the separation of the washer G¹ and knob D when
the spindle is pushed inward.
When the parts are in operative position, washer G¹ is inaccessible, and were it not
for the presence of the spring 12, there would be danger of the washer G¹ moving
end wise with the spindle and retaining its engagement with the knob D. The
spring E by reason of its greater strength overcomes and compresses the spring I*.
While I prefer to employ the collar F₁ between the spring E and the side of the lock
case in order to secure a smoother and easier action of the parts, it is to be under-
stood that this is not an essential feature of my device. It may be omitted, and in
such event the spring E may hear directly against the end of the hub.
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. In a door latch, the combination, with the case, of the pivoted latch-bolt having
the recess therein, a bar located within said recess, a spring detent or catch arranged
to engage the bar and retain the latch-bolt in a retracted position, and a lateral
releasing device acting on said detent to lift the same out of engagement with
the bar.
2. The latch-case, the sector-shaped bolt pivoted at one end and arranged to swing
inward and outward at the opposite end, its projecting spring, the shouldered spring
detent directly engaging the swinging end of the latch to hold the same in its
retracted position and the trip pin acting at one end against the detent and exposed
at the opposite end, said parts constructed and arranged in relations substantially such
as described and shown.
3. In combination with a sector-shaped pivoted swinging bolt and its projecting
spring, a spring detent provided with a plurality of shoulders to successively engage
the bolt and hold the same in different positions, and the trip device.
4. In combination with the case, the pivoted sector-shaped bolt recessed in its
inner side, the spring detent attached to the case and engaging within the bolt and
the sliding trip I, having one end exposed and the opposite end projected into the
interior of the bolt to release the detent.
5. In a latch, the combination, with the spindle, of the shank or hub surrounding
said spindle and extending through and beyond the casing of the latch and the spring
located between the spindle and the shank.
6. In combination with the latch case and the latch-operating hub toothed at one
end, the axially-movable inner knob toothed to engage the hub, the outer knob and
its spindle having the angular and the threaded portions seated in the hub and the
inner knob respectively, and the spring acting to urge the spindle end wise in an
outward direction.
7. In combination with the latch-operating hub toothed on one side, the knob
toothed to interlock therewith and an axially-movable spindle having an angular
portion seated in the hub, and a threaded end screwed into said knob; whereby the
said knob may be locked and unlocked by moving the spindle end wise from the
opposite side of the case.

page_text: 8. The knob D¹ and its spindle having the angular and the threaded portions, in
combination with the spiral spring E, the toothed collar G', the knob D, provided
with the threaded hole to receive the spindle, and toothed to engage the collar G', and
the spring I, of a strength less than that of spring E.
Dated this 3rd day of December 1889.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.