Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Mar., 1899-Accepted, 22nd Apr., 1899

page_text: K and L represent the parts of a circular case within which the discs M, N, O. P
work. Kis the cover of said case, and has attached to it a tube through which
passes the bolt D. The parts K and L may be adjusted and secured by means of
screws, as is shown in Fig. 2.
G, H, I and J, (Figs. 1 and 2) represent movable discs surrounding the bolt D
which serves as their axis, each of which discs is capable of being revolved at will
independently of the others. The outer periphery of each one of the said dises
is divided into twelve equal segments by means of radial lines, upon each of
which segments is printed a numeral and a letter. These discs in their aggregate
have the form of a pineapple and with their letters and figures the various combina-
tions may be formed for the opening of the lock.
The four dises G, H, I, J are in connection with the other four discs or
tumblers M, N, O, P by means of bosses as follows: G with P; H with 0;
I with N and J with M (Fig. 2). In order to establish the connection, adjust-
ment and perfect working of these tubes, those indicated by M, N, O, and P
(Figs. 2 and 4) are each provided with two bosses p placed diametrically opposite
to each other and coinciding with and entering into two of the twelve holes p
with which each of the parts G, H, I and J are provided, as may be seen in
Figs. 2 and 3. These twelve holes of each disc correspond to the twelve exterior
divisions marked with numerals or letters, as well as with the twelve holes of each
one of the other discs, so that by combining a word or a series of numerals in
the exterior discs, the corresponding series of holes will coincide with the two
bosses formed on the face of the tubular axis of each one of the gated discs or
tumblers M, N, O, P.
In order that the discs G, H, I, I may revolve in one direction with relation
to each other when the lock is adjusted, three of them are provided in their upper
part, as may be seen in Figs. 10, 11 and 12, with twelve slots placed diametri-
cally in line with the holes pt. These slots are made on the discs H, I, J. The
dises G, H, I, as may be seen in Figs. 13, 14 and 15, are provided in their lower
part with a spring the end of which forms a sort of hock which enters into
the slots e so that the dises may move in one direction only. As above stated.
these slots are placed in the same diametrical line with the holes p', so that when
the opening combination is formed all of these holes are also in perfect alinement
in order to receive the bosses of the axis of the interior slotted discs. When the
dizes G, H, I, J are turned in the same direction until the corresponding letter is
brought opposite the indicating line, the above described springs care brought,
each one exactly in front of its corresponding slot which it enters and thus pre-
vents the discs from shifting their position.
As we have already stated, the whole system of discs revolves on a bolt D
which passes through the entire thickness of the door of the safe or vault and
adjusted by means of a thumb-screw E against the disc or plate B which is
screwed to the inner side of the door, the thumb-screw E being covered by the
cap A.
The fence-bar connected with the general system of locking bolts is represented
in C in Figs. 18 and 17, in the former of which it is represented in its raised
position, while in the latter it is shown in its lowered position, that is, introduced
into the groove formed by the union of the gatings of the tumblers M, N, O, P.
The general system of bolts is operated by a handle V through the shaft X
and the cam R connected with the bar S, to which is secured the fence-bar C
The general system of locking bolts however, needs no explanation, as it is not
essential to my invention, which may be applied to any known system of locking
bolts.
The above cited Figures 17 and 18 show clearly the manner of its application.
The operation of my lock is as follows: The exterior discs provided in their
periphery with letters and numerals have on one face the slots shown in the
Fig. 10 11 and 12, and on the other the springs shown in Figs. 13, 14 and 15.
They are also provided with 12 holes placed at equidistant intervals in the edge

page_text: פעע
of their tubular axles, and are superimposed in such a manner as to revolve freely
and independently of each other in either direction while separated, but in one
direction only when they are adjusted together, owing to the action of the springs c¹
whose points engage their slots. In the interior of the safe door are the discs or
tumblers M, N, O, P, each provided with a slot or gating C and with two bosses
which correspond with two of the holes of the discs G, H, I, J.
The lock being assembled in the manner described, it is evident that when it
is closed and the position of the letters of the combination changed, the four
interior discs or tumblers will separate their gatings thus blocking the passage
of the fence-bar C" and the locking mechanism can not be moved, that is to say,
it is locked. If the letters are again placed in the same position which they
occupied before, the bosses of the interior dises or tumblers being lodged in
the corresponding holes of the lettered discs, the latter move the former, carrying
the gatings C to their former position, rearranging the passage which permits the
introduction of the fence-bar C", thus permitting the bolts to descend and the
safe to open.
If it is desired to change the combination, open the safe, leaving the fence-bar
within the gatings to hold the tumblers in their place; unscrew the cap A and
loosen the thumb-screw E; pull the rod or bolt D forward and separate succes-
sively the discs G, H, I, J, enough to permit the bosses to escape from the
slots or holes p'; combine the characters forming the new combination desired,
and readjust and tighten the discs by means of the screw E. Since in any given
position of the letters two of the holes must exactly face the bosses of the inner
discs, which enter into them and securely connect the inner and outer discs,
it is evident that in order to form again the passage which permits the entrance
of the fence-bar C, it is necessary that the letters or numbers be situated in
exactly the same position that they occupied when the new combination was
formed with the safe open, that is, with the fence-bar in the gatings C.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and the manner in which the same is to be performed, I declare that
what I claim is:-
1. A keyless lock for safes and vaults or the like, comprising an outer set
of concentric discs mounted on concentric axial tubes and divided in their peri-
phery into a number of equal segments each of which is provided with a number
or a letter or both; an inner corresponding set of discs or tumblers each of
which is provided with a gating and mounted on concentric tubes; adjustable
connection between the outer and inner discs or tumblers, whereby the latter may
be controlled by the former in such a manner as to combine their gatings for the
admission of a fence-bar connected with the general system of locking bolts;
an adjustable bolt or rod extending through the entire thickness of the door
of the safe and on which both sets of dises revolve, and a series of slots on one
face of said discs and a spring on the contiguous face whereby said discs are
prevented from shifting unduly their relative position, substantially as described.
2. In a keyless lock for safes and vaults consisting essentially of an inner set
of gated tumblers controlled by an outer set of numbered or lettered discs; an
adjustable connection between said inner and outer sets of discs, consisting of a
set of holes or slots in the ends of the axial tubes of the one, and corresponding
bosses or protuberances on those of the other, in combination with means for
separating and readjusting the same substantially as described.
3. In a keyless lock consisting of an inner set of gated tumblers controlled by
an outer set of numbered discs, the device for preventing said dises from shifting
unduly their relative position, consisting of a series of slots and a spring to engage
the same, placed upon the contiguous faces of said discs, substantially as described.
4. In a keyless lock comprising an inner set of gated tumblers controlled by a
concentric outer set of lettered or numbered discs, the combination of a rod or
bolt serving as the axis of the said tumblers and discs, passing through the entire

page_text: thickness of the door of the safe and regulated by means of a thumb-screw or its
equivalent, whereby the said discs and tumblers may be disconnected and re-
arranged to form a new combination, substantially as described.
Dated this 8th day of March 1899.
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.