IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firin of Haseltine, Lake,
#
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
'IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS." A communication from abroad by Henry
Emanuel Russell, of New Britain, Connecticut, United States of America,
Sealed the 13th October 1877, and dated the 12th July 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th July 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS." [A communication
from abroad by Henry Emanuel Russell, of New Britain, Connecticut, United
States of America.]
My Invention relates to improvements in the construction of locks, and is chiefly
designed to furnish a novel, simple, and reliable lock for securing street and other
doors, and for similar purposes.
-A
A lock constructed according to this Invention embodies certain very novel
features of construction, of which the most important are as follows, namely:-
simple arrangeinent and combination of parts whereby the lock is operated to fasten
and unfasten the door without requiring a key on the inner side of the door...
The said Invention also comprises the employinent of a small lock arranged in
combination with the aforesaid mechanism, and which presents its keyhole to the
outside of the said door, so that the person having the key of the said lock can
open the said door from the outside.
The said Invention is carried into practise as follows, that is to say-The parts
of the lock are secured in a suitable case or box fixed on the inner side of the door.
From the plate of this box extends a small thumb piece whose shank or stem is
connected with the lock bolt, and by turning the said thumb piece the bolt is shot
or thrown forward. In combination with this device there is a small knob or
button, also projecting from the lock plate, and which is attached to a sliding rod or
pin that extends through the lock. This rod or pin has on it a projection which is
arranged in combination with a shoulder in the said holt, and holds the same after

page_text: the bolt has been shot or thrown outward. But if the said knob or button is
pulled outward or away from the lock the sliding pin releases the bolt, and the
latter is then drawn inward by a spiral or other spring. Thus it will be seen that
no key is required on the inside of the door provided with one of these improved
locks. But to enable the door to be opened from the outside I adopt the following
contrivance: In the body of the door I form a recess or aperture, in which I fit a
plate or box wherein I secure the aforesaid small lock. The keyhole of the latter
is a thin slit in the face plate or narrow edge of the lock which is presented to the
front of the door. By simply pushing the key into this keyhole, and without
turning it, the bolt of this small lock is forced against the end of the aforesaid
sliding pin or rod, and the latter is thereby pushed inward and releases the inain
lock bolt, which is then carried by its spring to move inward and unfasten the door,
as above described.
One very important and novel feature of this mechanism is the making of the
said sliding pin or rod extensible to adjust the lock to doors of any thickness. For
this purpose I form the said pin or rod in two parts, and inake one part to screw
into the other. Therefore the end that projects into contact with the bolt of the
small lock, may by screwing it into or out of the other part of the said rod, be
adjusted to exactly the proper position to act properly in combination with the said
small lock bolt.
Another novel feature of my Invention is the peculiar construction of the
mechanism of the said small lock. In the interior of the same are fitted in trans-
verse grooves or channels a series of small sliding tumblers, whose configuration and
operation in connection with that of the key and bolt give great security to the
lock. These small sliding tumblers are so formed that the bolt in moving slides
over their central portion in a shallow longitudinal groove. The said bolt has
recesses or notches on both edges, and the tumblers have projections which enter
these notches and thereby prevent the movement of the bolt; but, by inserting the
key as above described, the said tumblers are all so adjusted that their shoulders
are just clear of the said bolt, so that it is free to slide endwise. A sboulder is
formed in any convenient part of the bolt, on which the key acts and pushes the
said bolt inward, as above described. A small stud or stop is provided to limit its
inward movement as required. The most important feature of the said bolt and
tumblers is the provision of shoulders on the said tumblers on both sides of the
bolt. This construction renders the picking of the lock extremely difficult, as all of
the said tumblers must be set with their shoulders exactly in line with the edges of
the bolt before the latter can be moved. The key has its edges so formed that
when properly inserted it effects this accurate adjustment of the tumblers, and it is
guided in passing through the lock by a straight surface or shoulder formed in the
lock under or at one side of the bolt. The said tumblers are pushed into the
notches in the bolt by small spiral springs placed in the grooves or channels in
which the said tumblers slide.
I adapt this peculiar arrangement and construction of the lock bolt and sliding
tumblers to padlocks by arranging the said lock bolt in combination with a lever
or arin connected with the latch bolt of the padlock in such a manner that when
the said lock bolt is pushed inward by the key it so acts on the said lever or arm as
to cause the latter to draw the latch bolt away from the hasp of the padlock. The
said lever or arm is provided with a spring to shoot or throw it forward into the
hasp.

page_text: 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 12th
January 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS." A communication
from abroad by Henry Emanuel Russell, of New Britain, Connecticut, United
States of America.
My Invention relates to improvements in the construction of locks, and is chiefly
designed to furnish a novel, siinple, and reliable lock for securing street and other
doors, and for similar purposes.
A lock constructed according to this Invention embodies certain very novel
features of construction, and comprises a simple arrangement and combination of
the parts of its mechanism whereby the lock may be operated to fasten and unfasten
the door on which it is fixed without requiring a key on the inner side of the said
door,
The said. Invention also comprises the employment of a small or auxiliary lock
arranged in combination with the aforesaid mechanism, and which presents its
keyhole to the outside of the said door, so that the person using the key of the said
lock can open the said door from the outside.
These improvements are susceptible of numerous variations or modifications, and
are therefore useful under various circumstances, whether in connection with door
and drawer locks or padlocks; and while only a few of these modifications are
herein shewn and specifically described a sufficient variety has been illustrated to
fully exhibit the principles involved, and to convey an approximate. idea of the
many applications of which said improvements are susceptible.
The principal feature of these improvements is comprised in the aforesaid small
lock, and consists in an organization of tumblers with a sliding bar in such a
manner that the partial introduction into the lock of its proper key will so adjust
the several tumblers as to perinit said sliding bar to be moved longitudinally by a
further longitudinal movement of the key. This sliding bar is usually, in door
locks, relied upon as a means by which a separate true bolt is actuated or released,
as the case may be, but in many cases it can itself be arranged to operate as a bolt.
The keys for these locks are relied upon for adjusting the tumblers by a longi-
tudinal movement, and are further relied upon for moving the sliding bar through
an additional similar movement, therefore there is involved a novel peculiarity of
construction which consists in adapting the lock to a key with extended tumbler
seats that not only adjust the tumblers with reference to their proper "gatings,"
but also permit the key to advance while maintaining the tumblers at their proper
adjustment. In operation these two movements of the key are combined in one, so
that the key practically acts by one continued and uninterrupted longitudinal
movement to open the lock.
Another important feature of these improvements consists in the combination,
with a key lock provided with a sliding bar which is moved longitudinally by the
end thrust of its key after adjustment of the tumblers of a separate organization of
bolting mechanism which embodies a true bolt. This bolting mechanisin may.
embrace a latch-faced bolt for self-closing, or it may be the ordinary straight or
square-nosed bolt, or the bolt may be in the form of a lever, which vibrates to and
from a notched keeper. The bolting mechanism may be embodied in the same
casing with the key lock, or in a separate case, as herein-after illustrated.
Among the minor features of these improvements is one which consists in a night
latch provided with a spindle that projects laterally from one side of the case, and
is arranged to overcome the power of the latch spring and draw the latch bolt into
its case. This spindle is longitudinally adjustable in order that it may be lengthened
or shortened for thick or thin doors, and so locate its outer end with reference to a

page_text: proper contact of it with the coincident head of the sliding bar of the key lock
which co-operate with the latch bolt.
In the accompanying Drawing,
Figure 1 illustrates in perspective a key lock and its case constructed according
to this Invention with the key inserted.
Figure 2 represents the same with a portion of the case removed, and with the
key partially inserted and controlling the tumblers.
Figure 3 is a similar view, shewing the key fully inserted, and the sliding bar
thereby projected.
Figure 4 is similar view with the sliding bar removed, and showing the key
partially inserted and tumblers adjusted.
.
Figure 5 shows the same with the key fully inserted.
Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2, but with the key withdrawn.
Figure 7 is an end view with the face plate removed.
Figure 8 is a side view of a tumbler detached with a portion of the key in
section, as if engaged therewith.
Figure 9 represents the sliding bar in rear side view, and also in edge view.
Figure 10 is a sectional view in a line parallel with and adjacent to one of the
tumblers, showing the sliding bar and tumbler in position, as in Figure 2.
Figure 11 is a similar view with reference to Figure 6.
Figure 12 illustrates the application to a door of a latch bolt and key lock
embodying a portion of these improvements, and exhibits the latch bolt and its case
in front end view, and the key lock in side view, with the key fully inserted, the
sliding bar advanced, and the latch bolt withdrawn.
Figure 13 represents in longitudinal central section the latch bolt and case with
a portion of the bolt broken away to exhibit the mechanisın by which the bolt is
controlled by the lateral spindle.
Figure 14 represents in perspective the bolt-actuating spindle and a guiding block
to which it is attached.
Figure 15 represents such a night latch as is shown in Figure 12, with
knob and latch added thereto.
ordinary
Figure 16 represents one of the key locks combined with a square-faced bolt in
a rim case and mechanism for throwing the bolt forward by hand.
Figure 17 represents in side view the bolt case with a portion thereof broken
away to exhibit its interior.
Figures 18 and 19 represent respectively the positions of the bolt and its spring
spindle in a locked and in an unlocked condition.
Figures 20, 21, and 22 illustrate a modification of the key lock with the parts
thereof in varied positions.
Figure 23 is a section on the line a, a, Figure 22.
Figure 24 is a perspective view of the aforesaid sliding bar detached.
Figures 25 and 26 illustrate in plan and section a padlock embodying a portion
of these improvements, and arranged to receive its key through the rim of the lock
at one side.
Figures 27 and 28 illustrate in plan and section a padlock arranged to receive its
key through the rim at the lower end of the same.
Similar letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawing.
It will be understood that the keys to these locks belong to the class commonly
known as flat steel keys."
The body A. of the lock is cast in one piece, and the chambers thereof may be
provided for partially in moulding, or they may be wholly milled. The face plate a
and side plate bare usually cast in one piece and secured to the body A by screws
and dowel pins if desired. The tumblers are housed in slots which extend from top
to bottom of the body of the lock, and their spiral springs are housed in tubular
chambers coincident with these slots. The keyhole chamber is transverse to the
tumbler chamber, so that all the preparatory machine work required may be
executed from one side to the other, or from top to bottom through and through

page_text: with clean cuts. The face plate covers the end apertures except the key slot and
the tumbler slots, and spring chambers are respectively closed by end pieces c which
occupy recesses, and are secured in position by the side plate. The subject of
Figures 1 to 11 will be first described.
The tumblers d, controlled by springs as shown, engage with the lower notches e
in the sliding bar B, and prevent its undue longitudinal movement. One of the
tumblers is shown in Figure 8. The space between the two outer shoulders is
equal to the width of the sliding bar. The bar at its upper edge is provided with
notches e', so that if a tumbler be so far depressed as to be free from and below the
lower notch it may meantime engage with the bar at. the upper notch. The notches
in the bar are wider than the thickness of the tumblers, so as to permit a slight
longitudinal movement of the bar, regardless of the locking position of the tumblers.
When the tumblers permit its full movement the bar is limited therein by a pin ell,
which projects from the body of the lock and occupies an enlarged upper notch, as
in Figures 2 to 6, inclusive.
The sliding bar B has a head rivetted thereto, or otherwise formed thereon. he
key C is of flat sheet metal, preferably steel, and is provided with tumbler seats f
which are in each instance of extended length and smooth, to permit the key to
freely advance after adjustment of the tumblers, and by its abutting contact with
the sliding bar to force this latter inward. Each tumbler has a key seat as at g,
Figure 8, and the location of these seats is varied with reference to the portions of
the tumblers which occupy the lower notches in the bar, and the tumbler seats or
the key are respectively so located with reference to the straight side of the
key, that the several tumblers will all be free from the bar when the key is
inserted.
It is obvious that if either one of the several tumblers be illicitly adjusted, as in
"picking," the sliding bar must be advanced sufficiently to hold it during operations
on another tumbler.
By referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that the lower notches e in the bar are
midway occupied by the tumblers, and that therefore said bar is free to be moved
endwise until the sides of the notches abut against the tumblers; and a peculiar
feature of this lock is that if the sliding bar be thus moved forward other than by
its proper key, every tumbler will be immovably blocked as against the lock pick.
If before this forward movement of the sliding bar one of the tumblers be illicitly
set, so that it can be held as against its spring by endwise pressure on the bar, this
very pressure and the end wise movement preceding it will positively lock or secure
the remaining tumblers against intrusive operations. This result is attained in this
instance by providing on the rear side of the sliding bar B a longitudinal
shoulder h, shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11, and corresponding notches or recesses
in the tumblers as at h', Figure 8, and a corresponding groove " in the body of the
lock, as shewn in Figures 4 and 5.
"
It will be seen that the front sides of the upper notches e¹ of the sliding bar are
farther advanced thereon than the corresponding sides of the lower notches e, and
that the shoulder h of the bar is cut away at intervals to afford openings or
gatings," with front sides corresponding in location with the front sides of the
upper notches c¹.
When the bar is in its locked condition, as in Figure 6, the lower
recess, Figure 8, is in line with the groove h in the lock body, and with the
shoulder on the bar. Now, it will be obvious that if the sliding bar be moved
forward, as indicated in dotted lines, Figure 6, so as to abut with the front sides of
the lower notches e against the sides of the tumblers, the shoulder on the bar
will enter the recesses in all the tumblers, and absolutely lock them against
any movement whatever; and for the same reason no tumbler having been illicitly
adjusted can be held in position by endwise pressure on the bar without thereby
rendering all the other tumblers immovable.
When the key is partially inserted, as in Figure 2, all the tumblers are properly
adjusted prior to any novement of the bar B, and therefore the upper
recess in the tumblers, Figures 8 and 10, are in line with the groove " in the

page_text: body of the lock, and coincident with the shoulder on the sliding bar, which is
then free to be moved forward by a continued end thrust of the key which abuts
against the inner side of the head of the bar.
"I will now describe the various methods by which the sliding bar may be relied
upon for performing useful work in connection with bolting a door, drawer, chest,
or padlock. It will not be necessary to give a detailed description to show how
the sliding bar may be made to serve as a bolt for direct co-operation with a hasp,
as it is obvious that a pronged hasp (as for a chest cover) with inwardly turned
tips may be arranged to engage with short lateral shoulders on opposite sides of the
projecting end of the bar when it is locked, and which would be released when the
thrust of the key was completed, because of the shoulders on the bar having been
thereby advanced beyond the hasp and out of engagement with its tips. For
drawer locks it will be obvious that the sliding bar may be readily made to actuate
or depress a spring lever carrying a vertical bolt, all of which will be more fully
apparent after consideration of the several modifications herein-after described in
detail, and shown in the Drawing.
In Figures 12, 13, and 14, the key lock is shewn, in combination with a latch
bolt or "night latch;" and although the latch case is shewn as applied after the
manner of a rim lock it will be obvious that one may as well be applied as a mortise
lock in a thick door, which will also afford space on one side for the reception of the
key lock, which must usually occupy a mortise rectangular to the line of the main
bolt.
As shewn in Figure 13 the bolt D within the case is provided with a spring and
thumb stop of any desired and well-known form or construction. It is bow formed,
which affords central space for a stud m on the case, and for other parts to be
described.
On the bolt within the case are two parallel inclined planes, as at n, one on each
side. A rocking cam o, with toes which engage with these inclines on the bolt, has
its rear abutinent against the stud m. This cam is composed of two counterparts,
one of which is shown in Figure 13, in side view, and the connecting portion is in
contact with the stud m, which is located between the counterparts. The rocking
bearing of the cam is against the inner side of the case, or a smooth projection
thereon. The spring of the bolt maintains it in its projected or normal position, at
which time the toes of the cam are at the top of the incline on the bolt, as shown in
solid lines, Figure 13. In line with the central stud and centre of the bolt, there
are two parallel studs m', which serve as guides for the operating spindle p, and its
guiding block p¹, shown in Figures 13 and 14. When in position this guiding
block has a bearing on both toes of the rocking cam, so that when pressure is
applied longitudinally to the spindle p, it rocks the cam, forces its toe against the
inclined planes n on the bolt, and causes it to move against its spring, so that its
face retires within the case; and when this pressure is removed the bolt spring acts,
placing the several parts in their normal position. Now, when a night latch thus
provided with the spindle is mounted on a door in proper relation to the key lock,
as shown in Figure 12, it is obvious that the key when fully entered will adjust the
tumblers and force the sliding bar and the spindle so as to move the latch bolt,
and that the spring of the bolt when pressure is removed from the key will
through the spindle force back the sliding bar in the key lock to its normal
position.
It is important that the spindle be longitudinally adjustable, and it is there-
fore provided with a screw thread, and is snugly tapped into its guiding block, so
that it can be readily fitted to doors of different thicknesses, and adjusted to accurate
location with reference to the head of the sliding bar.
Figures 16 to 19 inclusive illustrate the application of these improvements to a
bolt with a square head. The bolting mechanism is contained within a rim
case, and the outer face plate is secured thereto by screw bolts passing through the
door, as shewn in Figure 16. The bolt D is provided with a spring which is so set
as to move the bolt from the front or locked condition rearward. It is provided

page_text: with a common thumb stop as at q for securing it in either of its two positions.>
It is thrown forward by means of a crank lever on a thumb shaft ; but neither
this lever or shaft has power to throw back the bolt. To provide for throwing the.
bolt forward from the outside of the door a square spindle with a knob 11 engages
with the inner end of the thumb shaft. When the bolt is thus thrown forward it is
held by a spring spindle p and its stop block 8 until the spindle is moved longi-
tudinally. The stop block s serves also as a guiding block, like that previously
described, one end of it being located between two guiding studs t projecting from
the rear of the case. The opposite end of the stop block has a square face on one
side and a cam face on the other. The bolt D, Figures 18 and 19, has also a lugu,
which on one side is square faced and can faced on the opposite side. When the
bolt is wholly within the case the cam surfaces or lug and stop block are coincident
with each other, so that when the bolt is thrown forward the spindle is moved
against its spring until the lug passes the block, whereupon the spindle springs to
its normal position, and by the abutment of its square face of its block with the
then coincident square face of the bolt lug, renders the bolt immovable until the
spindle has been moved either by pulling on one end or pressing upon the other.
When properly combined with the key lock, as shown in Figure 16, it will be
seen that when the key C is fully inserted and the sliding bar B thrust inward the
end or head of the bar, by abutting against the end of the spindle P, will release the
bolt and allow its spring to move it backward.
It has already been stated that the safety shoulders on the sliding bar of the key
lock may be variously located..
Referring now to the modifications of this Invention, illustrated in Figures 20
to 24 inclusive. The sliding bar B is wider than that previously described, and has
its "gatings" formed at one side thereof.
Instead of having the safety shoulder projecting from one side of the bar, it is in
this form of lock located above and below the "gating" for each tumbler, as
indicated at i, Figure 24. As with the other form of bar this is capable of a slight
longitudinal movement, but as with that bar, if this be moved forward, other than
by its true key until in contact with the tumblers, said tumblers will be locked or
iminovable by being in engagement with the shoulders i, as shown in Figure 22.
It will be seen in Figure 20 that when the key is partially inserted the tumblers
are all in line with the "gatings," and that the further thrust of the key will move
the bar, as before described. Although these shoulders i perform the same function
as the shoulder previously described, the location of the shoulders i, as here shown,
renders the groove in the body of the other form of lock unnecessary, and the
same is true of the recesses h¹ in the other tumblers. The cast body A, face plate a,
side plate and end pieces c, are substantially as before described, but no pin is here
required for limiting the movement of the sliding bar, as that is effected by its
contact at the outer end of the "gating" with the outer tumblers. The key Chas
the same extended tumbler seats, they being indispensable for permitting a forward
movement after adjustment of the tumblers. These tumblers & have key seats, one
of which is shown at g, Figure 23.
Usually, as has been shown, the spring of some portions of the bolting mechanism
is relied upon for forcing the sliding bar backward, but in some cases it is desirable
to apply a special spring of light capacity directly to the bar, as unless it be moved
backward the key cannot be withdrawn, the key itself having no retractile hold
upon the bar.
As herein-before stated the bolting mechanism may be located within a case
containing the key lock, and it has been deemed advisable to illustrate these
improvements as applied to padlocks.
In the accompanping Drawings padlocks are shown with spring bolts, although
it is obvious that the said improvements may be applied to other varieties of
padlocks.
In Figures 25 and 26, which illustrate a padlock arranged to receive its key
through the rim at one side, the well-known spring hasp side plates and rim are

page_text: employed. The body A as above specified is cast in one piece with the requisite
recesses for the key, slot, springs, bolt, and its actuating lever. The tumbler slots
may either be provided for in casting or wholly milled.
The tumblers & are as above described. The sliding bar B differs from either of
those previously described, in that instead of having a head for the end of the key
to engage with, it has a spur, and the key is provided with a shoulder x, which
abuts against the upper rear corner of the bar. Movement is communicated by the
key to the bar and thence by it to the pivotted lever k, which at its upper end
engages with the spring bolt 7, and this, while thrown backward, releases the spring
hasp.
In Figures 27 and 28, which illustrate a padlock arranged to receive its key
through the rim at its lower end, the body A, spring bolt v, and tumblers d, are
constructed as above described. The sliding bar B has in this lock a head, against
which the end of the key abuts. The spring bolt and sliding bar are operatively
connected by a bell-crank lever ', one arm of which engages with the bolt, and the
other with the sliding bar at one side of its head. For cheap locks the safety
shoulders herein-before described may be dispensed with. The aforesaid cast metal
body which is chambered to receive the key, tumblers, springs, and other essential
portions of the lock, is of particular value in padlocks, as it protects the locking
mechanism, contributes largely to economy in manufacture, and also to the strength
and durability of the lock.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. In a lock, the combination of the tumblers and the sliding bar adapted
to be operated by a key, which adjusts the tumblers when partially inserted, and
then moves the sliding bar longitudinally, as above described.
Second. A lock whose key is provided with extended tumbler seats, whereby
after the adjustment of the tumblers the key may be moved freely inward while
maintaining the tumblers in adjusted positions, as above set forth.
Third. The combination with a key lock provided with tumblers and a sliding
bar, which is moved longitudinally by the endwise thrust of a key after adjustment
of the tumblers of a bolting mechanism, embodying a bolt which is under the
unlocking control of the sliding bar, as above described.
Fourth. The combination with a spring latch bolt of a longitudinally adjustable
lateral spindle which controls the bolt, as above described.
Fifth. The modification of the aforesaid sliding bar, wherein the same is provided
with safety shoulders, whereby the tumblers are rendered immovable when the said
sliding bar is moved, other than by its key, as above set forth.
Sixth. A cast or other block fitted or secured within the case of the lock, and
formed with recesses, grooves, or channels for the reception of the key, the tumblers,
the springs, and other parts of the mechanism, as above set forth.
Seventh. A lock consisting of the parts of the mechanism, constructed, combined,
and arranged in recesses or grooves in a cast or other suitable block, as shown in
Figures 1 and 2, or as in any of the modifications thereof, shewn in the other Figures
of the Drawing, and operating as above set forth.
Eighth. A padlock with its mechanism constructed as described, and arranged in
recesses or grooves in a cast or other block, as shewn in Figures 25 and 26, or as
in Figures 27 and 28 of the Drawing, and operating as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twelfth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.