IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRING LATCHES AND LOCKS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRING LATCHES AND LOCKS." A communication from
abroad by Messieurs Gollot Brothers, of Paris, France, Locksmiths,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th March 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRING LATCHES AND
Locks." [A communication from abroad by Messieurs Gollot Brothers, of Paris,
France, Locksmiths.]
This Invention relates to improvements in spring latches and locks, and comprises
various details of construction, particularly with regard to the arrangement of the
spring which brings back the bolt and handles or knobs to their place.
In the accompanying Drawing I have shewn as a specimen only one method of.
carrying this Invention into practice.
Figure 1 is a transverse section of a lock or latch constructed according to the
said Invention.
Figure 2 is a front view of the same, shewing the interior of the lock or latch, the
latter being in position to be attached to a door.
Figure 3 is a side view of the outside; and Figure 4, a plan.
The lock or latch shewn in the Drawing consists of a box or case P, which may
be of cast iron, bronze, or of other suitable material, which may be ornamented as
desired, and within which the whole of the mechanism works. This mechanism
comprises a bolt B working in a sheath cast in the case, and a follower F, whose axis
forms at the centre a drum or cylinder f with a pivot f¹, extending on each side.
This axis is provided with a square-shaped aperture extending through it, which
aperture is designed to receive a spindle of similar shape, with a knob or handle at
each end thereof, which may be detached, as is the case with ordinary locks or
[Price Bd1

page_text: latches. The drum or cylinder f is provided with a hook or catch c, to which is
fastened one end of a spiral spring R of the forin used for clocks and watches; this
spring is wound around the drum f, and is attached by its other end to the box or
frame at c; the spring thus serves to constantly bring back the follower lever or
arm to that end of its course which it occupies when the bolt is out, and also at the
same time to bring back the knobs or handles to their normal position.
b
The follower lever or arm is furnished with a pin g, which fits in one end of a
slot or groove provided in the bolt, the latter being supported on the pin by means
of a small spiral spring r. The pivots f penetrate the sockets which are provided,
one in the case P and the other in the plate p, by which the said case is closed up.
With a lock or latch so constructed, if the handle or knob is turned in the direc-
tion indicated by the arrow, the bolt will be caused to slide into its sheath, and the
door may be opened; if, on the contrary, the door is pushed to in order to close it
without touching the handle, the bolt sliding on the edge of the staple or bolt hole
will enter the sheath, and then by the action of the spring r come out again and
enter the aperture provided in the said staple, these movements of the bolt leaving
the knobs or handles notionless.
I may provide a latch or lock constructed as above described with a key fastening
device by modifying the form of the box or case so as to provide space to receive
the necessary mechanism for this purpose.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 6th
September 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRING LATCHES AND 1
Locks." A communication from abroad by Messieurs Gollot Brothers, of Paris,
France, Locksmiths.
This Invention relates to an improved construction of latches and locks, and
comprises various details, its most important feature being the arrangement of the
spring which brings back the bolt and handles or knobs to their place.
In the accompanying Drawing I have shewn as a specimen only one method of
carrying this Invention into practice.
Figure 1 is a transverse section of a lock or latch constructed according to the
said Invention.
Figure 2 is a front view of the same, shewing the interior of the side of the lock
to be applied to the door.
Figure 3 is a side view of the outside; and Figure 4, a plan of the said lock.
⚫. This lock consists of a box or case P, which may be of cast iron, bronze, or of
other suitable material, and may be ornamented externally as desired, and within
which is contained the whole of the mechanism; this mechanism comprises a bolt B 4

page_text: working in a sheath cast in the case, and a follower F, whose axis forms at the
centre a drum or cylinder f, with journals f' extending from its sides; this axis is
provided with a square aperture extending through it, which aperture is designed
to receive a spindle of similar shape, furnished at each end with a knob or handle,
which may be detached like those of ordinary locks or latches. The drum or
cylinder is provided with a hook or catch c, to which is fastened one end of a
spiral spring R, similar to those used in clock work; this spring is wound around
the drum f, and is attached by its other end to the box or frame at c¹; the said
spring thus tends constantly to bring back the follower to that end of its course
which it occupies when the bolt is projected, and at the same time to bring back
the knobs or handles to their normal position.
The said follower is furnished with a pin g, which fits in one end of a slot or
groove b formed in the bolt, the latter being kept in contact with the pin by means
of a small spiral spring r. The journals f¹ fit in sockets, one provided in the case P,
and the other in the plate p, by which the said case is closed.
With a lock or latch constructed as above described, if the handle or knob is
turned in the direction indicated by the arrow, the bolt will be caused to slide into
its sheath, and the door may be opened; if, on the contrary, the door is pushed to
in order to close it without touching the handle, the bolt sliding on the edge of the
staple or bolt hole will enter the sheath, and then by the action of the spring r will
be projected therefrom, and will enter the aperture provided in the said staple, these
movements of the bolt leaving the knobs or handles motionless.
I may provide a latch or lock constructed as above described with a key fastening
by so modifying the form of the box or case as to provide space to receive the
necessary mechanism for this purpose.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondents, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it under-
stood that I claim, the improved lock or latch as above described, and as shewn in
the Drawing, and whose most peculiar feature is the clockwork spring arranged and
operating as and for the purpose set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Sixth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.