Improvements in Cupboard and other Door Fasteners.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Feb., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 25th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 24th Dec., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cupboard and other Door Fasteners.
I, WILLIAM HOUGHAM, of 39, Temple Row, in the City of Birmingham,
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention consists of improvements in cupboard and other door fasteners,
my object being to construct a simple and effective fastener applicable to both
single and double doors, and to so arrange the same that the door shall be
automatically fastened with its closing movement.
In the application of my invention to the construction of a cupboard door
fastener I make the front plate from brass or other metal, forming it to any
required design or configuration. The plate is attached to the stile or in any
other convenient position upon the outside of the door by screws or by other
ordinary means. At or about the centre of the plate I pierce or form a slot or
aperture to admit the lever catch or latch which I make from one piece of brass
or other metal, one end being shaped for operation by the fingers, whilst the
opposite or inner end is formed for engagement with one of the shelves or a catch
bar within the cupboard, a recess or aperture being made at the front edge of the
shelf or bar, and a metal projecting plate fitted within same. When forming the
lever slot or aperture in the front plate, I also pierce or cut through the metal at
the upper corners or angles of the slot in order that a short length of metal equal
in width to the slot may be bent outwards to permit of the ready insertion of the
latch. The edge of metal at the bottom or lower side of the slot serves as a
fulcrum or pivot for the latch, which is bent or shaped suitably for seating upon
such edge. When the latch is placed in position within the slot, the strip of metal
bent out from the front plate as herein before described is forced back to its original
position, and thus secures the latch without obstructing its free movement upon the
fulcrum.
On closing the door to which my improved fastener is attached, the inner inclined
end of the latch upon striking the shelf or catch bar will be forced upward, thus
permitting it to pass over the edge of the shelf when it immediately drops into the
recess or aperture formed for its reception, and the door is thus latched or fastened
to the shelf or bar. Upon depressing the outer end of the latch, its inner or catch
end is raised, and the door is released from the shelf or catch bar.
When fitting my improved fastener to double doors having rabbeted or over-
lapping edges at their free sides or ends, I am enabled to dispense with the usual
bolts or the like, as the two doors are effectually held in their closed position by
the one fastener.
In the application of my invention to the construction of a fastener for an
ordinary house door or to other doors with which a catch bar or shelf cannot be
conveniently employed, I form the inner end of the latch suitably for engagement
with a catch piece attached to the door frame or casing or in any other convenient
position.
When a lock is required with my improved fastener I preferably arrange suitable
locking mechanism in combination with a bolt or other device for securing the
latch in its closed position, and preventing it from being raised until the key is
turned in the direction for unlocking.

page_text: I do not limit the application of my invention to fasteners of any particular
design or pattern, but make such modifications in the construction of the fasteners
as may be necessary to suit the service for which they are required.
Dated this 24th day of February 1896.
MARKS & CLERK,
18 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13 Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.
1, WILLIAM HOUGHAM, of 39 Temple Row, in the City of Birmingham,
Merchant. 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 consists of improvements in cupboard and other door fasteners,
my object being to construct a simple and effective fastener applicable to both
single and double doors, and to so arrange the same that the door shall be
automatically fastened with its closing movement.
In the accompanying sheet of explanatory drawings to be hereinafter referred
to ;-
Figure 1 is a front elevation and Figure 2 a side or end elevation of my
improved fastener attached to a cupboard or like door.
Figure 3 is a plan of the fastener and Figure 4 a side or end elevation with the
front plate in section.
Figure 5 is au elevation and Figure 6 an end view of the front plate.
The same reference letters in the different views indicate the same parts.
In the application of my invention to the construction of a cupboard door
fastener I make the front plate. A from brass other metal, forming it to any
required design or configuration. The plate A is attached to the stile or in any
other convenient position upon the outside of the door by screws or by other
ordinary means. At or about the centre of the plate I pierce or form a slot or
aperture A to admit the lever catch or latch B which I make from one piece of
brass or other inetal, one end being shaped for operation by the fingers, whilst the
opposite or inner end is formed for engagement with one of the shelves or a catch
bar within the cupboard, a recess or aperture being made at the front edge of the
shelf or bar, and a metal protecting plate fitted within same. When forming the
lever.slot or aperture in the front plate, I also pierce or cut through the metal at
the upper corners or angles of the slot in order that a short length of metal (A*
Figure 6) equal in width to the slot may be bent outwards to permit of the ready
insertion of the latch. The edge of metal at the bottom or lower side of the slot
serves as a fulcrum or pivot for the latch, which is bent or shaped suitably for
seating upon such edge. When the latch is placed in position within the slot, the
strip of metal A' bent out from the front plate as herein before described, is forced
back to its original position, and thus secures the latch without obstructing its free
movement upon the fulcrum.
On closing the door to which my improved fastener is attached, the inner
inclined end of the latch upon striking the shelf or catch bar will be forced upward,
thus permitting it to pass over the edge of the shelf when it immediately drops
into the recess or aperture formed for its reception and the door is thus latched or
fastened to the shelf or bar. Upon depressing the outer end of the latch, its
inner or catch end is raised, and the door is released from the shelf or catch bar.

page_text: When fitting my improved fastener to double doors having rabbeted or over-
lapping edges at their free sides or ends, I am enabled to dispense with the usual
bolts or the like, as the two doors are effectually held in their closed position by
the one fastener.
In the application of my invention to the construction of a fastener for an
ordinary house door or to other doors with which a catch bar or shelf cannot be
conveniently employed, I form the inner end of the latch suitably for engagement
with a catch piece attached to the door frame or casing or in any other convenient
position.
When a lock is required with my improved fastener I arrange suitable locking
mechanism in combination with a bolt or other device for securing the latch in its.
closed position, and preventing it from being raised until the key is turned in the
direction for unlocking.
I do not limit the application of my invention to fasteners of any particular
design or pattern, and I make such modifications in the construction of the
fasteners as may be necessary to suit the service for which they are required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is;-
1. The improved construction of cup-board and other door fasteners comprising
a lever catch or latch formed in one piece and pivotted and secured to a front
plate without the employment of a pin or rivet, substantially as described.
2. A cup-board or other door fastener constructed and arranged substantially as
and for the purposes described and as illustrated.
Dated this 24th day of November 1896.
MARKS & CLERK,
18 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13 Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.