Improvements in or relating to Drawer and like Locks and Latches which are for Fixture Without Screws or Nails.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 19th Nov., 1892
Improvements in or relating to Drawer and like Locks and Latches
which are for Fixture Without Screws or Nails.
We, JAMES EDMUND ALLDRITT SQUIRE and HENRY ALEXANDER SQUIRE,
trading together as Henry Squire, of New Invention, near Wolverhampton in the
County of Stafford, Lock Manufacturers, 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 drawer and like locks and latches which
are fixed in place for use without screws or nails.
Such locks and latches as usually constructed are formed with edges to fit down
within dovetail housings in the woodwork, and the object of this invention is to
combine in such locks and latches the advantages of being able to cover the joint.
between the woodwork and body of the case by means of the back plate and
selvedge and the advantage of wings for fitting within the dovetail of the wood-
work which may be readily opened or closed to cause them to fit therein and
which will have sufficient elasticity to allow them to yield slightly in case of being
forced down into a housing which is slightly small for them, thereby avoiding the
liability, incidental to dovetail locks and latches, of causing the front and back
plates to be forced apart and the rivets which hold them together torn out.
A drawer or like lock or latch case, constructed according to this invention, is
formed with the edges of the case turned back to bear against the back plate and
with such edges bent also in an outwardly inclined direction to form wings for
fitting within the dovetail housing in the woodwork. These wings can, consequently,
(in any cases in which it may be necessary) be readily bent slightly inwards or
outwards to fit them within the gauge to which all the cases of a size are made
before being sent out from the works where they are manufactured; and such wings
will also yield so as to narrow in slightly if the case is pushed down into a housing
which is slightly small for them, or they may be readily adjusted to fit therein
without yielding.
A drawer or like lock or latch case constructed according to this invention is
illustrated by the drawings herewith, of which Figure 1 is an isometric view of
the lock with its front plate or cap upwards, and Figure 2 is a section taken on
linex of Figure 1. The front or cap plate A of the lock has its two sides bent
inwards as shewn at a a, and also outwards as shewn at bb to form dovetail wings
for fitting within the dovetail housing in the woodwork. The edges or sides of the
cap may, of course, be bent to the section shewn at one operation in suitable tools,
as will be readily understood.
It will be seen that a margin of the back plate B and selvedge C may be left
projecting beyond the edges of the wings so as to cover the joint between the
woodwork and the wings.
It is preferred to slightly slant in the lower ends of the wings to give them a lead
into the dovetail housing.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. A drawer or like lock or latch case having the front or cap plate formed with
mines bont outwardly substantially as described and shewn.

page_text: 2. A drawer or like lock or latch case formed to the sectional shape substan-
tially as shewn by Figure 2, for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 7th day of October 1892.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicants.