IMPROVEMENTS IN AND PROOF DEPOSITARIES, AND LOCKS OR FASTENERS CONNECTED THE REWITH, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OF SECURITY
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS
LETTERS PATENT to
PATENT to
.
Bolton, in the County of Lancaster, Safe Manufacturer, for the
Samuel Chatwood, of the Liver Safe Works,
CONNECTED WITH FIRE AND THIEF
>
OTHER
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND
PROOF DEPOSITARIES, AND LOCKS OR FASTENERS CONNECTED THE REWITH,
PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO
OF SECURITY."
PURPOSES
Sealed the 13th April 1863, and dated the 13th October 1862.
-
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Chatwood at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 13th
October 1862.
I, SAMUEL CHATWOOD, of the Liver Safe Works, Bolton, in the County of
Lancaster, Safe Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH FIRE AND THIEF PROOF
DEPOSITARIES, AND LOCKS OR FASTERERS CONNECTED THEREWITH, PARTS OF WHICH
IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES OF SECURITY," to be
as follows:-
I make a plate of steel iron, "iron steel," so as to have the two surfaces
iron, and the middle steel, puddled steel, partially converted steel, or either of
those descriptions of metal iron or other ductile metal, and by suitable
apparatus I bend it to the shape required to form the four sides of the safe or
chest, and either weld the two ends together, or secure them to each other.by*
Price 11
11.7,

page_text: rivets or other suitable means; or I secure them to a bar or plate of iron or
other suitable metal of sufficient width and thickness. Having thus formed
the sides of the safe or chest, I take another plate for the back or bottom
part, and either weld or dovetail it to the four sides, or otherwise secure it to
a frame of angle or bar iron, which I secure to the sides; or I cast the body
of the safe or chest the size, shape, and strength required of homogeneous or
other ductile metal, or of metal that can be hammered, or rolled into nature,
annealed, or otherwise made ductile after being cast. Instead of making the
outer bands of the safe or chest of several bars, and dovetailing them together,
I take for each band one bar of sufficient length to encircle it, and with
suitable apparatus bend it into the shape required, and weld the two ends
together, and instead of making the bolt holes in the sides of the lining, or
slotting them in the frame of the safe, chest, or door, I cast the frame the size,
strength, and shape required of suitable metal, with the bolt holes of any
shape desired; I prefer, however, to have them round; or I make the frame
of wrought iron or steel, a section of which closely resembles a T, which
answers the triple purpose of strengthening the safe, holding down the lining,
and forming a recess for the bolts. Instead of making the lock chamber of
thin sheet iron, I cast it the shape and strength required in iron or steel,
malleable, or any other ductile metal, with the bolt holes of any shape desired
but round in preference; or I cast the frame and fit a plate into and rivet or
otherwise fasten it to the frame; in either case I cast the dogs at the back of
the frame or lock chamber. The frame may also be of ordinary wrought iron
or steel, a section of which resembles'
and a section of the lock chamber
resembles
'
☐ These sections apply equally to the frame or lock
chamber, whether cast or not; or instead of making the lock chamber with a
large amount of open space, I cast or otherwise make it of iron or other
suitable metal, with the whole of the back plate to abut against the plate of
the door, except just sufficient to allow for the works of the lock, and the
small space required for the throw of the bolts. I fill with an elastic material,
as herein-after described, which can be compressed to allow the bolts to work.
I cast the bolts and frame of the large lock in iron, steel, or other suitable
metal. I cover the bolts with brass or other metal by the electrotype process,
or by fusion, and I make the follower of the large lock with a collar fitting in
a recess in the back part of the door plate. I make the spindle of the knob
of glass, china, or brittle cast iron or steel, or other brittle substance which
will break if violence be used to it. Instead of hanging the door with the
ordinary hinges or centres, I take a piece of iron of the shape of one-half of
an ordinary hinge, and without first cutting out any part, I drill or bore a hole

page_text: nearly to the bottom, and into another similar piece of iron I fasten a metal
pin; or I cast one or both parts of the size and shape required, and the said
piece, with the hole in, I rivet or otherwise fasten to the side of the safe or
chest, or the frame of the iron door, and the other piece, with the pin in, I
rivet or fasten to the door. The pin of the one fastened to the door is inserted
into the hole of the one fastened to the side of the safe, the end of the pin
rotating on the bottom of the hole, and when properly fitted will appear much
like an ordinary hinge, and yet will work with the ease of a centre. This
hinge may be made of any suitable metal, and is applicable to other purposes
than safes. Instead of making the linings of safes, chests, doors, or strong
rooms of thin sheet iron, as hitherto done, I charge wood with a solution of
sulphate of copper, sulphate of iron, sulphate of ammonia, alum, or other
suitable substance, and dessicate it, of which I make the linings, drawers, and
internal fittings. I fill the chamber between the outer safe chest, door, or
strong room, and the lining thereof, with carburet of iron, sulphate of barytes,
sulphate of lime or a mixture of any two or the whole of such substances,
or any other suitable non-conductor of heat, in which I bed vessels of glass,
china, earthenware, or such like material, hermetically sealed, containing
bisulphate of carbon, sulphurous acid, or any other substance which vaporizes
or volatilizes at a lower temperature than 212 degrees Fahrenheit. On the
application of heat to the safe, the vessels that contain the fluid will burst by
its expansion, and permit it to volatilize and carry off the excessive heat, and
keep the contents of the safe, chest, or strong room at a lower temperature
than any substance heretofore used; whereas by the methods hitherto employed
it has been found impossible to preserve parchment documents, but by this
method they will be effectually preserved.
I make the whole or parts of the safes, chests, doors, or strong rooms
of "iron-steel," as already described, which I harden by any of the well
known methods; or I heat that portion intended to be hardened to a suitable
heat, and apply to the surface thereof a vessel of suitable size and shape con-
taining cold water, either still or in circulation, or any suitable agent, which
coming in contact with the hot plate will harden it, and make it impervious to
a drilling or cutting tool of any kind. I sometimes cover that portion of the
lining next to the plate of the safe with hard iron, or plates of steel, and if
desired enamel the whole or any portion of safes, chests, doors, or strong
rooms, or the locks thereof, with vitreous or ceramic materials; or I use
vitreous or ceramic materials instead of hard iron or steel, as described in my
Patent dated May 28th, 1860, No. 1308.
I make safes, chests, doors, and strong rooms secure against being opened

page_text: by the explosive action of gunpowder by springs or valves, as described in my
said former Patent, or by allowing apertures in the door or other part for
permitting the gases to escape into the atmosphere. I have also a valve com-
municating with the interior of the safes, chests, or strong rooms, and opening
into the lock chamber, so that should gunpowder be inserted beyond the lock
chamber the gases will pass through it into the atmosphere. I also fill the
cavities of the large lock chamber or other part thereof with india-rubber or
other elastic absorbent material, the elasticity of which will allow the bolts to
work the required distance, which material I saturate or charge with a
preparation of glycerine and paraffin, or other substance which retains its
lubricating properties, which, when compressed for the purpose of inserting
gunpowder, will give out its glycerine or other substance, and will to a con-
siderable extent saturate and render the gunpowder inexplosive. The outer
portion of the case of the lock may be of any desirable shape, but the inner
portion thereof must be round, or at the least that part of it which forms a
part of the key-hole must be the segment of a circle described from the centre
of the lever pin. I make the bolt of a peculiar form, with one or more
grooves or recesses, into which fit corresponding portions of the lock plate, and
I leave space under the tail thereof for a safety lever, making an opening for
the main stump, which I fasten to one end of the safety lever, and fasten the
latter to the bolt by a loose pin, on which it moves as on a centre, the other
end being thrown against the safety stump whenever pressure is applied to.
the bolt (except by its true and proper key), which causes the main stump to
recede from the face of the levers, leaving them free from pressure. I dispense
with the ordinary talon of the bolt, and place a small stump or pin projecting
on the top of the tail of the bolt in the path of the key, which, when the levers
are moved the proper distance, comes in contact with a bit of the key, and
by it moved to the proper distance, and when the key returns the bolt is
thrown back by a suitable spring; or the bolt may be worked by a separate
lever or slide actuated by the key after the other levers have been moved their
proper distance.
Instead of fastening the drill pin through the back plate of
the lock, I cast or otherwise fasten a piece of metal equal to the thickness of
the tail of the bolt to the back plate, to which I fasten the drill pin, or the
drill pin and lever pin. The object of this part of my Invention is to remove
the space required for the traverse of the bolt away from the path of the key
so as to reduce the space where gunpowder may be inserted to the smallest
possible capacity. Instead of the ordinary levers I use circular discs, or
segments thereof, in the periphery of which I make the key-hole, and surround
the drill pin partly with the levers, and partly with the frame of the lock,

page_text: which fits up to that portion of the lever where the key-hole is placed, which,
together with the levers, form a solid mass of metal round the key-hole, so
that the space where gunpowder may be placed cannot be enlarged by moving
the levers, or by ramming. I make the component parts of the lock of
electro-positive and electro-negative metals; or I sometimes make portions
thereof of glass, or other vitreous or ceramic substance, so that it will be found
impossible to destroy the lock by means of nitric or other acid.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Samuel Chatwood in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
13th April 1863.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, SAMUEL
CHATWOOD, of the Liver Safe and Lock Works, Bolton, in the County of
Lancaster, Iron Safe Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-sixth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Samuel Chatwood, Her special licence, that I, the said Samuel
Chatwood, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Samuel Chatwood, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom. of. Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH FIRE AND THIEF PROOF DEPOSITARIES, AND
LOCKS OR FASTENERS CONNECTED THEREWITH, PARTS OF WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE
ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES OF SECURITY," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Samuel Chatwood, my executors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to
be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Samuel Chatwood, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-

page_text: The first part of my Invention may be described as follows:-I procure a
plate of steel, "iron steel," prepared in the process of manufacture so as to
have the two surfaces iron and the middle steel, puddled steel, partially
converted steel, either of those descriptions of metal, iron or other ductile
metal, and by suitable apparatus I bend it into the shape required to form the
four sides (a, a, Figure 1) of the safe or chest, and either weld the two ends
together or secure them to each other by revits or other means, or to a bar or
plate of iron or other suitable metal of sufficient width and thickness. Having
thus formed the sides of the safe or chest, I take another plate for the back
(b, Figure 1,) (or bottom) of the safe or chest, and either weld or dovetail it to
the four sides, or otherwise secure it to a frame of angle or bar iron, which I
secure to the sides. Instead of making the outer bands (c, c, c, c, Figure 1,)
of the safe or chest of several bars and dovetailing them together, I take for
each band one bar of sufficient length to encircle the safe or chest, with
suitable apparatus bend it into the shape required, and weld the two ends
together. I make the frame (d, d, Figures 1, 2, 3,) of wrought iron or steel.
This answers the triple purpose of strengthening the safe, of holding down the
lining (or base e, c, Figure 1,) and of forming a recess for the bolts (f, f, f,
and dogs g, g, g, Figures 1, 2); or I cast the body of the safe or chest the
size, shape, and strength required of homogenous or other ductile metal, or of
metal that can be hammered. or rolled into nature, annealed or otherwise
made ductile after being cast. Instead of making the lock chamber of thin
sheet iron I cast it the shape and strength required in iron or steel, maleable
or otherwise, or any other ductile metal, or which can be annealed or made
ductile after being cast with the bolt-holes of any shape desired; or I cast the
frame and fit a plate x, Fig. 3, into and revit or otherwise fasten it to the
frame.
In either case I cast the dogs at the back of the frame or lock
chamber. The frame may also be of ordinary wrought iron or steel; or
instead of making the lock chamber with a large amount of open space n,
Fig. 2, I cast or otherwise make it of iron or other suitable metal, with the
whole of the back plate, x, Fig. 3, to abut against the plate of the door, except
just sufficient to allow room for the works of the lock and the small space
required for the throw of the bolts. I fill with an elastic material herein-after
I cast the
mentioned, which can be compressed to allow the bolts to work.
frame (i, Figure 1, 2, 3,) of the large lock in iron, steel, or other metal.
The bolts may be of any shape desired, parts or the whole of which I cover.
with brass or other metal by the electrotype process or by fusion. I make
the follower, Figures 1, 2,) of the large lock with a collar, which fits
in a recess in the back part of the door plate. I make the spindle (k,

page_text: Figure One, Two,) of the knob of glass, china, or brittle cast iron or other
brittle substance which will break should violence be used to it.
The second part of my Invention may be thus described :-Instead of
making the lining (e, e, Figure 1,) of my safes, chests, doors, and strong
rooms of thin sheet iron, as hitherto done, I procure wood, which I charge
with solution or sulphate of copper, sulphate of iron, sulphate of ammonia,
alum, or other suitable substance, and dessicate it, of which I make the linings,
drawers, and internal fittings. I fill the chamber n, n, Fig. 1, between the
outer safe, chest, door, or strong room and the lining thereof with carburate
of iron, sulphate of barytes, sulphate of lime, or a mixture of any two or the
whole of such substances, or any other suitable non-conductor of heat, in
which I bed vessels (1, Figure 1,) of glass, china, earthenware, or such like
material, hermetically sealed, containing bisulphuret of carbon, sulphurous
acid, or any other substance which vaporize or volatilizes at a lower tempera-
ture than two hundred and twelve degrees Fahrenheit. On the application of
heat to the safe the vessels (e, Figure 1,) that contain the fluid will burst by
its expansion, and permit it to volatilize and carry off the excessive heat, and
keep the contents of the safe, chest, or strong room at a lower temperature
than any substance heretofore used, whereas by the methods hitherto employed
it has been found impossible to preserve parchment documents undestroyed;
by this method they will be effectually preserved.
The third part of my Invention may be described as follows:-I make the
whole or parts or part of my safes, chests, doors, or strong rooms of "iron
steel" (before described), steel iron, partially converted steel, or any other
kind of ductile steel, which I harden by any of the well-known methods, or I
heat that portion intended to be hardened to a suitable heat, and apply to the
surface thereof a vessel of suitable size and shape containing cold water, still
or in circulation, or other suitable agent, which coming in contact with the
cold plate will harden it and make it impervious to a drilling or cutting tool of
any kind. I sometimes cover that portion of the lining next to the plate of
the safe with hard iron, or plate or plates of steel. I sometimes enamel the
whole or any portion of safes, chests, doors, or strong rooms, or the lock
thereof, with vitreous or ceramic materials. I sometimes use vitreous or ceramic
materials instead of hard iron or steel, as described in my former Patent,
bearing date the Twenty-eighth day. of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty, Number 1308.
The fourth part of my Invention may be described as follows:-I make my
safes, chests, doors, and strong rooms secure against being opened by the

page_text: explosive action of gunpowder by springs or valves, according to my said
former Patent, or by allowing apertures in the door or other part for per-
mitting the gases to escape into the atmosphere. I have also a valve (m,
Figure 2,) communicating with the interior of the safes, chests, or strong
rooms, and opening into the lock chamber, so that should gunpowder be
inserted beyond the lock chamber the gass will pass through the lock
chamber into the atmosphere. I also fill the cavities (n, Figure 2,) of the
large lock chamber (or any other part, with india-rubber or with any elastic
absorbent material, the elasticity of which will allow the bolts to work the
required distance, which material I saturate or charge with a preparation of
glycerine and paraffin or other substance which retains its hibrecating pro-
perties, which, when compressed for the purpose of inserting gunpowder, will
give out its glycerine or other substance, and will to a considerable extent
saturate and render the gunpowder inexplosive.
The fifth part of my Invention may be described as follows:-The outer
portion of the case (b, Figures 8, 9,) of the small lock (Figures 4, 5, 8,) may
be of any desirable shape, but the inner portion thereof must be round, or at
least that part of it which forms a part of the keyhole (a, Figure 7, 8,)
must be the segment of a circle, described from the centre of motion (b,
Figures 4, 5, 8). The bolt (b, Figures 4, 5, 8,) I make of a peculiar form,
with one or more grooves or recesses (a, Figures 4, 5, 8,) into which corre-
sponding portions of the lock plate I leave space under the tail (b, Figures 4,
5,) thereof for a safety lever (f, Figures 4, 5, 6,) and make an opening (g,
Figures 4, 5,) for the main stump (1, Figures 4, 5, 6, 8,) which I fasten to
one end of the safety lever (f, Figures 4, 5, 7,) and fasten the latter to the
bolt (b, Figure 4, 5, 8,) by a lose pin (i, Figures 4, 5,) on which it moves as on
a centre, the other end being thrown against the safety stump (j, Figures 4, 5,)
whenever pressure is applied to the bolt (except by its true and proper key),
which causes the main stump (h, Figure 4, 5, 6, 8) to recede from the face
of the levers (k, Figures 5, 7, 8,) leaving them free from pressure. I dispense
with the ordinary talon of the bolt, and place a small stump or pin (!,
Figures 4, 5,) which projects on the top of the tail of the bolt in the path of
the key, which, when the levers are moved the proper distance, comes in
contact with the bit of the key, and by it is moved to the proper distance, and
when the key returns the bolt is thrown back by a suitable spring (m,
Figures 4, 5,) or the bolt may be worked by a separate lever or slide actuated
by the key after the other levers have been moved their proper distance.
Instead of fastening the drill pin (n, Figure 4, 5, 8,) through the back plate

page_text: of the lock, I cast or otherwise fasten a piece of metal (o, Figures 4, 5, 8),
equal to the thickness of the tail of the bolt to the back plate (q, Fig. 9,) to
which I fasten the drill pin or the drill pin and the lever pin.
The object of this part of my Invention is to remove the space required for
the traverse of the bolt away from the path of the key, so as to reduce the
space where gunpowder may be inserted to the smallest possible capacity.
Instead of the ordinary levers I use circular discs or segments thereof, in the
periphery of which I make the keyhole; I surround the drill pin partly with
levers and partly with the frame of the lock, which fits up to that portion of
the lever where the keyhole is placed, which, together with the levers, form a
solid mass of metal round the keyhole, so that the space where gunpowder
may be placed cannot be enlarged by moving the levers, or by ramming. I
make the component parts of the lock of electro-positive and electro-negative
metals; I sometimes makes portions thereof of glass or other vitreous or
ceramic substance, so that it will be found impossible to destroy the lock by
means of nitric or other acid.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit
myself to the precise details or arrangements herein described, as the same
may be varied without departing from the nature of my said Invention ;
but I claim the use of the several substances in the manner herein-before
described.
Secondly, the use and application of glass or ceramic vessels hermetically
sealed, containing substances which will expand on the application of heat and
cause them to burst; also the enamelling of the whole or portions of metal
safes; also the use of glass or ceramic materials for the purpose of rendering
safes drill proof.
Thirdly, the use and application of bisulphuret of carbon or sulphurous acid,
for the purpose of preserving parchment from the injurious effects of fire.
Fourthly, the use and application of tee-iron for the frames of metal safes
with the blade to receive the bolts and dogs of the lock chamber.
Fifthly, the use and application of paraffin and glycerine for the purpose of
rendering gunpowder inexplosive; also the peculiar arrangements of large lock
chamber with only sufficient space for the works of the lock.
Sixthly, the casting of the bodies and lock chambers of metal safes in ductile
metal, or metal which can be annealed or made ductile after being cast.
Seventhly, the use and application of electro-positive and electro-negative
materials in the manufacture of locks.
Eighthly, the use and application of the "fish-tail" lever (Figure 7), one

page_text: end of which forms the segment of a circle, the other end being held firmly
in its place causes it to act as a spring; also the use and application of
circular levers or levers forming the segment of a circle from the centre of
motion, having the keyhole on the periphery.
Ninthly, the peculiar arrangements of parts for the purpose of rendering
locks secure against picking; also the peculiar arrangement of parts for the
purpose of rendering locks secure against being opened by the explosive force
of gunpowder.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Chatwood, have. hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eleventh day of April, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
SAMUEL CHATWOOD. (L.S.)
Witness,
WALTER ScowCROFT.