IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR FASTENING DOORS, AND IN APPARATUS FOR GIVING ACTION TO ALARUMS
Year: 1843

page_text: WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Thirteenth day of July, in the seventh year of Her reign, did, for
Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Henry
Smith, Her especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the
said Henry Smith, my exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said Henry Smith, my exors, adññiors, or assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the
term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR FASTENING DOORS, AND IN
APPARATUS FOR GIVING ACTION TO ALARUMS;" in which said Letters Patent is
contained a proviso that I, the said Henry Smith, shall cause a particular
description of the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being there-
unto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Henry Smith, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings

page_text: First, to improvements in apparatus for fastening doors, suitable for the
purposes of night bolts, and such like fastenings as are required to be acted on
by a person at a distance; and,
Secondly, my Invention relates to improvements in apparatus for giving
action to alarums, by which notice is given on the opening of doors, and on
other similar occasions.
And in order that my Invention may be fully understood and readily carried
into effect, I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS MARKED A.
Figure 1 represents a door and door frame, with an apparatus according to
my Invention for fastening the door; Figure 2 shows a front and edge view of
the said apparatus; Figure 3 shews an edge view and plan of the plate,
which is affixed to the door post; Figure 4 shews the apparatus, the parts
being in the same positions as at Figure 2, but the front plate is shewn to be
cut away, in order that the interior arrangement of parts may be scen;
Figure 5 shews a plan and longitudinal section of the lever bolt separately;
by which the door is fastened, and Figure 6 shews some of the details
separately; and it should be stated that the parts shewn in all the Figures,
excepting those at Figure 1, are a convenient size for ordinary use, and the
same parts in each Figure are marked with the same letters of reference.
a is the door; b, the door post; c is the lever bolt by which the door is to
be fastened when the bolt c is maintained in a horizontal position. The
bolt c turns on an axis d, which is fastened to the plate e by being screwed
thereto, or otherwise. f is a spring, the inner end of which is fixed to the
plate e by entering into a hole formed in the plate c, the other end of the
spring pressing against the interior of the bolt cat f¹. On the plate e are
affixed two studs or stops g, g; one of them prevents the lever bolt c going
beyond the vertical position, the other stop g prevents the bolt c going beyond
the horizontal position, the back of the bolt c being hollow as is shewn, so that
when the parts are together, as is shewn at Figures 1 and 2, the stops g, g,
and the spring ƒ cannot be seen. h is a chain, affixed by a pin at i to the
lever bolt c, that end of the lever bolt being formed into a grooved quadrant c¹,
as is shewn; and it will be readily understood, from an inspection of the
arrangement of parts, that when the chain h is pulled upwards the bolt c will
be brought into a horizontal position, and that when the tension so applied to

page_text: the chain is removed the bolt will be brought by the spring into and caused to
retain the vertical position shewn in Figure 2. j is a cord attached to the chain h;
this cord may be conducted to any desired position, or wire and suitable cranks
may be used between the chain h and the place where the person is to be
situated when operating on the door fastener above described. k is a stud,
fixed near where the cordj terminates, and the cord j has a handle 7 affixed to
it, with a hole through it, which is passed on the stud k when it is desired to
fasten the door to which the apparatus is applied, by retaining the bolt c in the
position shewn at Figure 1. The apparatus above described is external;
similar apparatus may be morticed into the door post, the bolt when not in use
retiring into a recess in the edge of the door post, and when in action entering
into a similar recess in the door. Figure 7 shews part of a door and part of a
door post, with my Invention arranged in this manner; Figure 8 shews a
section of the parts shewn in Figure 7; Figure 9 shews a front view;
Figure 10, a side view; and Figure 11, a back view (partly in section) of
the apparatus, full size. Figure 12 is a side view of the apparatus, partly in
section; Figure 13 shews a longitudinal section and a side view of the bolt
separately; and Figure 14, an end and side view of the plate which carries
the moving parts of the apparatus. In these Figures a is the door, and 6 the
door post, into which the apparatus is morticed; e is tho plate which carries
the apparatus, and by which the same is secured by screws to the door post.
At the back of the plate are affixed two projecting plates (1), (2), the plate (2)
receiving the square end of the axis on which the lever bolt c moves. The
projecting plate (1) has the plate (3) affixed to it by a screw, and forms a
bearing to support the hollow nave or boss of the lever bolt c. The nature of
the lever bolt c is clearly-shewn in the Drawing, there being a recess (4).to
receive the spring f; one end of that spring entering the recess or hole (5), the
other end of the spring being fixed to the plate (2) in the hole or recess (6),
by which means the bolt will, as in the former case, be brought into and kept
in a vertical position by the action of the spring. d is the fixed axis: m is
the axis by which motion is communicated to the bolt c. This axis has a left-
hand screw formed on it, which enters into the hollow nave or boss of the lever
bolt c, as is shewn. c¹ is a grooved quadrant or lever affixed on the axis m,
and to which the chain is affixed as before described, to which chain the cord
or wire is attached and conducted to any desired position, as before explained.
On the edge of the door is a plate n, affixed as shewn by dotted lines at
Figure 7, having a hole through it, and a recess is formed in the door to
receive the end of the lever bolt c when the same is caused to assume the

page_text: horizontal position. When it is desired to have the hole out of sight, then I
form the apparatus as shewn at Figure 15, where the bolt c has a grooved
quadrant formed therewith, the lever bolt c coming through the hole in the
plate e, and entering a recess in the edge of the door, there being a spring f
applied to act in like manner to that above described; but I have not thought it
necessary to shew the detail, as they will readily be understood by a workman,
aided by the description of the other arrangements already given. In place
of using the stud k and the handle before described for retaining the bolt c in a
horizontal position, the apparatus shewn at Figures 16, 17, and 18 may be
used, Figure 16 being an edge view, partly in section, Figure 17 a front view,
and Figure 18 another front view, shewing the parts in different positions ;
and Figure 19 is a transverse section of this apparatus for retaining the cord or
wire j. o is a sliding plate, which has a slit formed through it, with a cross at
the upper end at o¹, the plate being guided by the studs and plate o affixed to
the fixed plate p, the plate o being drawn down by the handle 0%. At the back
of the fixed plate p is applied a spring q, having a square bolt r bearing against
its upper end, which will pass into the cross slit o¹ of the plate o when drawn
down, and the parts will remain locked in this position till the button r', affixed
by a shank or stem (which passes through the plate o³) to the bolt ", is pushed
back; or other means or apparatus may be employed for fixing the cord j of
this and the previously-described apparatus, and the means or apparatus
described for that purpose form no part of the Invention.
Another part of the Invention relates to the fastenings for doors where it is
required to operate on the bolt at a distance. This part of my Invention is
particularly applicable for office and other doors to be opened by a person at
a distance, and the lock is so formed that on shutting the door the bolt will be
pressed back into its case, and will be forced out again to fasten the door so
soon as it is closed. Figure 20 is an external view of the lock; Figure 21 is
an edge view thereof; Figure 22 is another edge view thereof; Figure 23 is a
view of the interior; Figure 24 shews an interior and an edge view of the
frame or case of the lock separately. The other Figures shew the separate
parts. z is a sliding bolt, constantly pressed outwards by the lever y, acted on
by the spring a. In the bolt z is formed a recess z¹, in which one end of the
crank lever wacts in order to move the bolt into its case; the other end of
the lever w has a connecting link u attached thereto by a pin joint, the other
end of such link being attached by a pin joint to the sliding handle v, the stem
of which slides in a slot t, formed through the case or frame of the lock. To
this handle is to be affixed a wire cord or chain, which is to be conducted to

page_text: Capaomnity of acting on the lock, as
heretofore practised with other locks having the same object in view.
I will now proceed to describe the second part of my Invention, which
relates to improvements in apparatus for giving action to alarums.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS MARKED B.
Figure 1 shews part of a door with apparatus applied thereto, according to
one part of my improvements for giving action to alarums. Figure 2 shews a
transverse section of the door and door posts in the positions the parts would
appear when looking up at them from below, the door being shut. Figure 3
shews a similar transverse section, the door being partly opened; and Figure 4
shews various parts of the apparatus separate. In all these Figures the same
letters are used to indicate the same parts. A is the door; B, the door post,
to which the door is hinged. And I would remark, that this apparatus, as
well as that next herein-after described, is constructed and arranged so as to
be applied at the edge or side of the door next the hinges, and so as to obviate
the blow to which the apparatus hitherto usually employed for giving action to
alarums on the sudden opening of the door is subject. To the door is affixed
a plate C, cranked as shewn, and having a curved edge D constantly resting
against the tail of the lever E, which moves on an axis F, affixed to the fixed
plate G. The upper end of the lever E is formed into a grooved sector, having
a chain H, such chain being in connection with a lever I of an alarum, such
lever being forced back by means of a spring, as heretofore. The lower end
of the lever E is formed with a surface J, against which the surface D con-
stantly presses, the point D¹ resting against the end of the plate or surface J,
so that almost the instant the door commences to move in the direction of the
arrow in Figure 2, the alarum will be set in action. The surface D continuing
in contact with the lever E, there will be no sudden shock to the parts, how-
ever suddenly the door may be opened.
I will now describe another arrangement of apparatus to accomplish the
same end, the parts being different to those above described, but having one
peculiarity in common, namely, that this apparatus, like the former, is applied
at the edge or side of the door next the hinge. The part of this apparatus
affixed to the door move on a centre coincident with the axis of the hinges of
the door. Figure 5 shews part of the top of a door, and also a part of a door
post, having this part of my improvements applied thereto. Figure 6 is a
section of the door and door post with the apparatus applied thereto, seen as if
looking upwards, the door being shut; Figure 7 is a similar section, the door

page_text: In all these Figures
K is a plate affixed
being open; and Figure 8 shews the parts separately.
the same letters are used to indicate the same parts.
above the door, having a plate L hinged thereto at M, the plate L being
affixed to the top of the door, as is shewn. The shape of the plate L being
shewn it will not be necessary to enter into a particular description thereof.
On the plate K is affixed the axis N of the lever O, which turns on that axis.
P is a cord or wire by which one end of the lever is connected with an alarum,
and by which the parts of an alarum will be put in motion the instant the
door commences to open, as will be hereafter described. On the lever O is
affixed a projection O', which is acted on by means of the opening L' in the
plate L, into which the stud 0₁ enters when closing the door, and the stud 0₁
is at the end of the opening L' when the door is closed, as is shewn at
Figure 6; consequently as the door opens it will carry with it the stud 0¹ of
the lever O, thus giving motion to the alarum, and the continued movement
of the door will, by means of the opening L' and the inclined plane L³, cause
the lever O to be pushed so far back as to allow the lever click or catch Q,
acted on by a spring R, to take into the notch S formed in the lever O, and
thus will that lever be held so long as the door remains opens; but in the act
of closing the door the part T of the plate L will come against the projection
Qon the click or catch Q, so as to cause the click to be forced out of the
notch in the lever O, and thus relieve that lever. The stud or projection 0¹
of the same lever being received by the inclined plane of the plate L, guides
the same into the opening L, and thus the parts are again brought into the
positions shewn in Figure 6.
Thus far I have described apparatus suitable for doors which open only in
one direction, but as some doors open or swing in two directions, I will
proceed to explain apparatus according to my Invention where swing doors are
used. Figure 9 shows part of a door and door post with this apparatus
applied thereto. Figure 10 shows a section looking from below upwards.
The other Figures show the parts separately, which are marked with the same
letters of reference. U is a plate affixed above the door, and this plate carries
the apparatus, which being acted on by the movement of the door gives action
to the alarum in whichever direction the door opens. O is a lever moving on
an axis affixed to the plate U. This lever is in connection with an alarum by
means of the cord or wire P, as is shewn. V, W, are two levers moving on
axes affixed to the plate U, and these levers are respectively in connection with
the lever O by means of the connecting links X, X, one of which is attached
by pin joints to the lever V and to the lever O, the other link X being

page_text: The shape of the
attached by pm joints to the lever vy and to the lever .
levers V, W, is clearly shown in the Drawing. Y is a stop to the lever O.
The hinge plate Z, affixed to the top of the door, has a stud or projection Z',
which enters between the levers V, W, so that any movement of the door on
its axis or hinge Z2 will cause one or other of the levers V, W, to be pressed
outwards by the projection or stud Z', which will put the lever O in motion,
and consequently the alarum, in consequence of the connection of the levers
W and V with the lever O. I would remark, that in place of the projection
Za sliding bolt may be applied to the back edge of the door, by which, when
such sliding bolt is withdrawn, the door may be moved to and fro without
acting on the alarum, the alarum being only put in motion when the sliding
bolt is raised into the position shewn by the stud or projection Z'; or the stud
Z may be otherwise affixed to the door when the plate Z is of the old
construction, and has not the means of receiving the stud Z¹.
In the description above given I have only explained apparatus for doors,
shutters, or other bodies opening on hinges in the manner of doors. I will
now proceed to explain apparatus for giving action to alarums on the opening
of windows. Figure 11 shows part of one side of a window frame, with parts
of two sashes in section. Figure 12 shows similar parts, excepting that the
part of the lower sash is removed, and part of the upper sash is slided down,
in order to show the action of the apparatus used for giving action to an
alarum. (20) is a plate fixed to the side of the window frame. (21) is a
lever moving on an axis (22), affixed to the plate (20). On the lever (21)
there are two projecting fixed studs, which form the axes of two friction
rollers (23) (24), the roller (23) coming under the upper sash, and the
roller (24) coming above the lower sash, the sashes being recessed or cut
away, as shown, to receive such rollers. (25) is a connecting link attached
by a pin joint to the lever (21), and at the other end by a pin joint to
the lever (26). This lever (26) is in connection with an alarum by means of
the wire (27), the spring of the alarum at all times having a tendency to draw
the lever (26) to its stop (28) on the plate (20); and it will be evident that
on sliding either of the sashes, to raise the one or lower the other, the alarum
will be put in action.
The arrangements herein-before described for giving action to alarums may
be attached to or connected with the apparatus and constructions at present
employed for that purpose, or to the peculiar construction for an alarum
which I will now describe. Figure 13 shews an alarum constructed according
to this part of the Invention; Figure 14 shews the alarum with the bell

page_text: removed; Figure 15 shows a section of an alarum ; Figure 16 shews a side
section, a plan, and an under side view of the hammer and apparatus connected
therewith; Figure 17 shews a plan and edge view of one of the levers used;
Figure 18 is another of the levers used; and Figure 19 is another of the
levers used. (1) is a plate to which the apparatus is applied, and which plate
is to be affixed in any convenient position. (2) is the standard affixed to
the plate (1) which carries the bell (3). The hammer (4) turns on an axis
at (5), which turns in a hole in the plate (1), the axis being upset or rivetted
on a washer at the back of the plate (1), yet in such manner as to allow
the axis to turn in the hole of the plate (1). The lever (6), to which the
cord or wire for letting off the alarum is fixed, turns on an axis at (7) affixed
to the plate (1). This lever (6) is constantly forced back by the spring (8)
acting on the lever (9), the turned-up end of which rests within the recess
(10) formed in the lever (6), by which arrangement the lever (6) will at all
times be brought back when free. (11) is a lever catch attached by a pin
joint to the lever (6). This lever catch is constantly kept up by a spring (12),
as is shewn. This catch (11) takes bold of the projection (18) formed on the
spring box (14). The lever (6) in moving back the catch (11) causes the
catch (11) to draw back the projecting part (13) of the spring box (14) until
the box is released and gives the blow by the return action of the spring in
the box. This hammer (4) is fixed to a piece of steel attached to the spring
box (14). (15) is a stud affixed on the arm (16), projecting from below the
part (13), as shewn, by means of which motion may be given to a pendulum
suspended on the pin or axis (18), the upper end of the pendulum rising high
enough above its axis to be struck by the stud (15). (17) is a fixed stop on
the plate (1) which retains the spring box from being moved too far round;
and it is the mode of combining the lever (6) and the catch (11) and the
projection (18) with other necessary parts, which constitutes the peculiarity
of this part of the Invention.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I would have it understood that I make no claim
to any of the parts herein-before described and shewn when taken separately
and not applied for the purposes of my said Invention, nor do I confine
myself to the precise details of parts shewn, so long as the peculiar character
of my Invention be retained; but what I claim as of my Invention in respect
of the improvements in apparatus for fastenings, is,-
First, the mode of arranging the parts c, c', and d, for the construction
of fasteners, to be brought into and taken out of action as above described.

page_text: Secondly, I claim the mode of arranging the parts v, u, w, to act on a
sliding bolt, to be operated on as above described.
And what I claim as of my Invention in respect of the improvements in
apparatus for giving action to alarums, is,―
First, the mode of constructing and combining apparatus, as above de-
scribed, wherein the part by which the motion of the door is to be communi-
cated (for the action of the alarum) is always in contact with the part to which
that motion is to be first conveyed.
Secondly, I claim the mode of giving action to an alarum by combining
and applying apparatus (21), (25), (26), to window sashes, as herein de-
scribed; and I claim the mode of constructing and combining apparatus
wherein the part by which the motion of the door is to be communicated for
the action of the alarum moves on a centre coincident with the axis of the
hinges, or the axis about which the door turns; and,
Thirdly, I claim the mode of combining the parts (6), (11), and (13), as
above described, for giving action to alarums.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Smith, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and forty-four.