IMPROVEMENTS IN WINDOW FASTENERS APPLICABLE TO OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Adkins, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WINDOW FASTENERS
APPLICABLE TO OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES"
Sealed the 22nd June 1880, and dated the 24th December 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Adkins at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th December 1879.
CHARLES ADKINS, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick.
"IMPROVEMENTS
IN WINDOW FASTENERS APPLICABLE TO OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES."
My Invention has reference to improvements in window fasteners whereby I am
enabled to more easily, securely, and effectively hold the top and bottom sashes of
windows, so that they cannot be opened by an instrument from the outside.
My fasteners are formed of two main parts, viz., the front or nose plate, and the
back plate carrying a hinged arm which turns down upon a suitably formed hinge
over the nose, which would generally be round in plan, and in vertical appearance
much like the top of an acorn. The hinged arm has a suitable hole for dropping
over the nose, and is always made to bear upon its outer portion, so as to draw the
windows together as it is pressed downwards. The outer portion of the arm is
provided with two hinged finger pieces which open and shut into suitable recesses
formed on each side of the nose piece; these fingers are kept in a closed position
by means of a spring applied either at the back or extreme end of the fingers, or at
the points of the fingers, in either case the effect is the same. One finger may be
substituted in very cheap fasteners instead of two.
By another modification I use a sliding plate or bolt to work across the hole in
the arm, and which takes into a notch formed either at the back or the front of the
nose piece by means of a suitably fixed spring which is either pressed outwards or
drawn inwards; thus, if the notch is at the back of the nose it would be pressed in
opening the fastener, or drawn if the notch were at the front.
In cases of fastenings for very uneven windows I should use a heel spring for the
arm to close down upon.
Though my improved fasteners would generally be used to close vertically they
may be easily constructed so as to be applied horizontally, but they would be
lighter as vertical fasteners.
My fasteners are uncomplicated in their details, and in consequence they are
easy to mould and fit together, yet they are very substantial in their working parts,
and I can sell them very cheaply although they will be the most durable fasteners
in the market.
They may be applied to sliding shutters, doors, and other such like purposes.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Charles Adkins in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd
June 1880.
CHARLES ADKINS, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick.
“IMPROVEMENTS
IN WINDOW FASTENERS APPLICABLE TO OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES."
My Invention has reference to improvements in window fasteners whereby I am
enabled to more easily, securely, and effectually hold the top and bottom sashes of
windows, so that they cannot be opened by an instrument from the outside
Three modifications of my fasteners are illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings,
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a very substantial fastener open, intended for
the windows of first class buildings; and Figure 2 is a plan of the same fastener
closed down.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a fastener very suitable for general house
work of medium quality, and Figure 4 is a plan of the same fastener closed
down.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a fastener that could be made very cheaply for
light common work; and Figure 6 is a plan of the same closed down.'
My fasteners are formed of two main parts, viz, the front or nose plate A and
the back plate B carrying a hinged arm C which turns down upon a suitably
formed hinge over the nose d, which is shown round in the case of Figures 1, 2, 3,
and 4, and oblong in the fastener represented by Figures 5 & 6 In vertical
appearance it would generally be something like an acorn, but might be varied
according to the design of the fastener. The hinged arm C has a suitable hole e for
dropping over the nose d, and is always made to bear upon the outer portion f so
as to draw the windows together as it is pressed downwards. The outer portion g
of the arm C, Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, is provided with two hinged finger pieces h
which open and shut into suitable recesses i formed on each side of the nose piece d.
These fingers h are kept in a closed position by means of a spring l which is shewn
applied at the extreme end of the arm, but it may be applied at the points of the
fingers instead, only in the latter case the sping would be in tension instead of
compression, but in either case the effect is the same. In other modifications only
one side finger need be used which would cheapen the production' somewhat.
By another modification, which is shown by Figures 5 and 6, I use a sliding plate
or bolt to work across the hole in the arm and which slides into the notch m,
which may be arranged for either the back or front of the nose piece by means of a
suitably fixed spring n which is either pressed or drawn according to the design of
the fastener; thus, if the notch m be at the back of the nose it would be pressed
in opening the fastener, or drawn if the notch were at the front.
In cases of fastenings for very uneven windows I should use a heel spring for
the arm to close down upon.
Though my improved fasteners would generally be used to close vertically they
may be easily constructed so as to be applied horizontally by making L plates
of A. and B, but they would be lighter as vertical fasteners.
My fasteners are uncomplicated in their details, and in consequence easy to mould
and fit together, yet they are very substantial in their working parts, and I can
therefore sell them very cheaply, although they will be the most durable fasteners
in the market. They can be applied to sliding shutters, doors, and other such like
purposes.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention of improvements in
window fasteners, and several modifications showing the practical application of
such improvements, I would have it clearly understood that I do not bind myself

page_text: to the exact details or designs, as these may be considerably varied, but I do
claim,-
1st. The improved window fastener with the hinged finger or fingers, as shewn
by Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4.
2nd. The modification of the sliding plate or bolt shown by Figures 5 and 6.
3rd. The window fasteners as illustrated in the Drawings by Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
and 6.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Adkins, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty second day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
Witness,
JOSEPH HENRY PEARSON,
Clerk to George Barker,
Patent Agent,
77, Colmore Row,
Birmingham.
CHARLES ADKINS. (LS.)