IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS, AND LATCHES, AND KEYS
Year: 1877

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Aubin at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 4th September 1877.
CHARLES AUBIN, of Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, Lock Manu-
facturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS, AND LATCHES, AND KEYS."
My Invention consists principally of the improvements herein-after described in
locks and latches, by which improvements greater security, strength, and simplicity
of construction are obtained than in locks and latches of the ordinary con-
struction.
In making padlocks, according to my Invention, I form the shackle and bolt in
one piece, the compound shackle and bolt working on a centre pin, or the compound
shackle and bolt may be made in two symmetrical halves, closing upon and over-
lapping one another in locking over the shackle hole in the lock case, and separating
in unlocking; the overlapping parts constitute a double shackle. By this arrange
ment the whole of the strain is on the shackle or double shackle, instead of on the
weak part of the bolt head, as in ordinary padlocks. These locks may be made
either with or without the ordinary levers.
Either the single or double arrangement described may be applied to till or
drawer locks, and to a variety of other locks, such as desk, pianoforte, box, and
other cabinet locks, as well as to locks for deed chests, safes, strong rooms, and the
like.
The combination of the shackle or shackles described, with the ordinary cheese
head stud or studs constituting the link of deed chests and like receptacles, forms a
fastening which cannot be forced by crowbars or wedges.
The said shackles are also applicable to the fastening or locking of window sashes
and carriage and other doors.
In constructing mortice or rim locks, according to my Invention, I dispense with
all the stumps, guides, or runners, excepting one, on the body of the follower. This
serves as the centre of motion or fulcrum for the other limbs and bolts to work
upon. The follower is connected to the spindle by means of a plate on the horn of
the follower. One end of this plate enters a slot cut on one side of the body of the
Price 1

page_text: follower, the other end bears against an incline on the horn of the follower. By
means of a screw the last described end of the plate can be drawn down the incline,
whereby the other end is pressed forcibly against the spindle, and the follower and
spindle are thus firmly fixed together. By this arrangement the knobs are prevented
from becoming loose or shaky on the doors, and the roses are kept in their true
positions, and the strain by which glass and china knobs are frequently broken is
avoided.
The spindle may either be square in cross section, or flat and fixed cornerwise in
the hole of the follower, the angles being chamfered off on each side or edge to fit
the follower, and allow a longer set screw in the neck of the knob or knobs; or the
knobs may be fixed without the set screws by the action on the follower herein-
before described.
The bolts can be expanded or contracted, that is, made longer or shorter at will,
either by notches, racks, or set screw holes to any desired length, as the cases of the
locks may be made in parts, one sliding over the other, and carrying the follower
action with it, so that the joiner or fixer of the lock can lengthen or shorten the
lock case to suit his work.
I make stock or wood case locks with expanding and contracting bolts, one or
two sizes being sufficient for the internal body or action part of the lock, and instead
of using bridges, bushes, or wards I make an expanding box for the key to work in,
and cut steps or slots the reverse way-to-fit the steps of the key.
I make the keys from metal drawn of the shape of the key shank, with a broad
feather edge on the front, and afterwards cut this drawn metal to the required<<
lengths to fit the locks and thickness of doors.