IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND CONSTRUCTION OF LOCKS AND FASTENINGS
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Michael Henry, of 84, Fleet Street, in the City of
London, Patent Agent, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE AND CONSTRUCTION OF LOCKS AND FASTENINGS."-A com-
munication from abroad by Joseph Napoleon Rebour, residing at Paris,
France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Michael Henry at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
7th May 1859.
I, MICHAEL HENRY, of 84, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent
Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND CONSTRUCTION OF LOCKS AND FASTENINGS,"
communicated to me from abroad by Joseph Napoleon Rebour, a foreigner
residing at Paris (France), to be as follows:-
I manufacture locks and fastenings for room doors and other purposes in
such manner as to reduce their thickness and the depth of mortice required.
For this purpose I so construct them that the key may be caused to act on an
intermediate piece or appliance working in a curved path or space cut in a

page_text: plate, tail piece, or carrier, to which the bolt is connected, and thereby move it
backward and forward to open and close it.
I manufacture locks and fastenings by cutting, stamping, or punching out
the component parts in a cold state by mechanical means, and fit them
together by adjusting over them stationary or moveable caps or plates of
various thicknesses of iron, copper, zinc, or other metal. Parts made on the
same patterns may be very variously combined, and so produce numerous
modifications, each of which can only be opened by its proper key, and they
cannot be picked.
I construct locks so that the bits of the key may turn the chambers
(gorges) in which it works, instead of raising them. The bolt carrier may be
moved by toothed arrangements, racks, levers, or otherwise, and a stop piece
or bolt so fitted that by moving it into a notch in the bolt carrier or other
part of the fastening the bolt may be stopped or held.
There may be various modifications of these locks and fastenings; thus, in
one arrangement two handles work in different directions on a hollow spindle
formed with grooves and studs, and carrying toothed plates engaging others
mounted on a drum, and working into racks. Studs and grooves are provided,
so that by introducing a slotted key into one handle a stud on a rack may be
brought under another on the bolt carrier, and prevent the handles from
moving the bolt back; or by pushing back the other rack the carrier will be
brought down, and the stud released to permit the handles to withdraw the
bolt; or the bolt carrier may have a rack on each side engaging toothed plates
on a drum actuated by other toothed plates on the spindle, so that by turning
the handle the bolt may be withdrawn. In one of the handles a pin may be
fitted, by turning which a lug on it may be caused to take into a mortice in
the plate, and prevent the lock from being opened. The barrel has a square
head, into which a spring catches to keep the bolt firm in the staple, and con-
nects the barrel to a toothed plate separated from the others by a stationary
chamber, and turning in a reverse direction; or two knobs may be screwed on
a spindle, having a feather working in a groove in a toothed plate engaging
racks which work the bolt carrier to and fro. A spring behind the bolt, with
a stud, are so contrived that when one rack moves in one direction, another
rack moving in the other will come under the stud and keep the bolt opened
back. When the knob is released, a spring will restore the racks to place. A
lever may be caused to act on a notched piece, and bring back the stud of one
rack by a spring and "bolt" the fastening; or two handles may be mounted
on a hollow spindle carrying levers, there being a combination of levers or

page_text: tumblers so arranged that on releasing the key or handle a spring in the bolt
carrier pushes down a slide, which acts on a lever moving the bolt carrier,
while a slot in another lever is slipped over a stud on the bolt carrier, to
prevent its moving until the key entering the spindle works a stump on a
tumbler or lever on the spindle; or the key or handle may act on a two-
armed appliance; or there may be a combination of studs, the bolt being
worked by a two-armed appliance. A curved path may regulate the travel of
the rack; or the handle may be connected to a lever and slide in a groove to
draw the bolt with it, being returned by a spring.
I construct a lock with three bolts on one carrier grooved for studs to work
in, and guide racks actuated by toothed plates worked by a single key, one
bolt having stops to regulate the racks.
I construct a box lock or padlock on this same principle, by fitting in a
plate hinged to a case or other receptacle a "box" containing a set of notched
discs fitted in the hasp notches, some stationary, and others moveable, a key
acting on the latter, but not disturbing the former. This mode may be adapted
for padlocks.
The keys to be used with the improved locks are adapted in form and
proportions to the configuration and combinations or arrangements of the
parts of the locks.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Michael Henry in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
7th November 1859.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MICHAEL
HENRY, of 84, Fleet Street, in the City of London, Patent Agent, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-second year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Michael Henry, Her special licence that I, the said Michael Henry, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Michael
Henry, 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,

page_text: and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE AND CONSTRUCTION OF LOCKS AND FASTENINGS," communicated to
me from abroad by Joseph Napoleon Rebour, residing at Paris, France,
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Michael Henry, 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 Michael Henry, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the fol-
lowing statement thereof, as communicated to me, reference being had to the
accompanying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that
is to say:
The aforesaid Joseph Napoleon Rebour, from whom this Invention is
communicated to me, states that hitherto in known constructions of common
locks, springs, and a considerable number of insecure and more or less a
expensive component parts bave been employed, and so many of such locks
are constructed on similar general patterns, that is to say, vary so slightly
in shape, dimensions, and internal fittings that a large number thereof may be
opened by the same key, or picked by a skewer or such like tool. Moreover
their bulk requires the cutting of deep mortices in, and consequent weakening
of the woodwork of doors, &c., or they present inconvenient and dangerous
angular projections. And many known constructions of safety locks, though
free from these disadvantages are for the most part of such prices as to prevent
their being very generally adopted.
Now the object of the present Invention is the improvement of the con-
struction and manufacture of locks and fastenings, whereby to produce
arrangements which may be at the same time secure, inexpensive, and of neat
or elegant appearance.
I now proceed to describe the improved locks and fastenings to which the
present Invention relates.
According to these improvements, locks and fastenings are manufactured
for room doors and other purposes in such manner that the thickness usual to
such articles may be reduced, as also the depth of mortice required for their

page_text: reception. For this purpose they are so constructed that the key may be
caused to act upon an intermediate piece or appliance working in a curved
path or space formed in a plate, tail piece, or carrier, to which the bolt is
connected, which is thus moved backward and forward to open and close the
fastening.
Improved locks or fastenings are manufactured according to this Invention
by stamping, punching, or cutting out the component parts in a cold state by
mechanical means, and fitting them together by adjusting over them stationary
or moveable caps or plates of various thicknesses of iron, copper, zinc, or other
metals; parts so constructed on the same patterns may be very variously
combined to produce numerous modifications, each of which can only be
opened by its proper key, and moreover they cannot be picked. Locks are
so constructed according to this Invention that the bits of the key may turn
the chambers (gorges) in which it works, instead of raising them. The bolt
carrier may be moved by toothed arrangements, racks, levers, or otherwise;
and a stop piece or bolt may be so fitted to, or combined with the fastening.
that by moving such stop piece or bolt into a notch in the bolt carrier, or
other part of the fastening, the bolt may be stopped or held. There may be
various modifications of these improved locks and fastenings as exemplified in
the accompanying Drawings.
Group No. 1, Sheet I., shews an arrangement in which two handles work in
different directions on a hollow spindle formed with grooves and studs and
carrying toothed plates or pinions engaging others mounted on a drum and
working into racks; studs and grooves are provided and so arranged that by
introducing a slotted key into one of the handles, a stud on a rack may be
brought under another on the bolt carrier, and prevent the handle from moving
the bolt back, or by pushing back the other rack the carrier will by brought
down, and the stud released to permit the handle to withdraw the bolt.
Figure 1 is a plan with the bolt closed; Figure 2, section through the centre.
A is a lock plate on which is a tail piece or plate a (shewn in plan Figure 3,
and side view Figure 4) to which the bolt is attached, and which I call the
"bolt carrier;" B, C, are handles screwed on a hollow spindle D, (Figure 5)
which is slotted at S, and provided with projections X. Figure 6 is the key,
which is inserted through the centre of handle B, and acts through a slot on a
toothed plate or pinion K", mounted upon the axis of spindle D, which also
carries two slotted toothed plates or pinions K, K¹; these pinions respectively
engage three others J, J, J", on the axis h, of the drum i, (plan and side
view, Figures 10 and 11) in which is a spring connected to it at one end;

page_text: 2°
the pinion J acts on the rack m, shewn in plan and side views, Figures 12, 12 bis,
and 12ter, and the others on the rack o, Figure 7, and on a rack 6 on the bolt
carrier; K, K', (Figure 8) are arranged to turn in opposite directions
independently of each other when operated one by B, and the other by C;
(Figure 9 plan and side view) is a plate fitted between K and K', and J,
and J to keep them apart. Figures 13 and 14 are plan and side view of K
and J; q is a notch in a with projection n; l is a stop; the rack o abuts
against a spring P, and has a projection corresponding with the slot q, and
the slot of the rack m; the latter has a stud 9, which comes against a stop 1,
(above or below it) when the rack m turns on the point d, on its being worked
by J, and K. On turning the key, the projection 9 coming under the stop
prevents the handle from drawing the bolt e back; (this position is shewn in
Figure 1) but if the key were caused to act on K", J", and m, the latter
would turn on the point d, and work the rack o back, which would extend the
spring P, and the action still continuing, the bolt carrier would be brought
down and disengage c from n, the spring P then pushes the rack o back, and
the stop passes under the stud g; on turning the handles, the bolt and racks
would be drawn back, the former meeting no farther obstruction.
Group No. 2, Sheet I., shews an arrangement in plan Figure 1, side view
Figure 2, wherein the bolt carrier or bolt plate has a rack on each side engaging
toothed plates or pinions on a drum actuated by other toothed plates or
pinions on the spindle so that the bolt would be withdrawn by turning the
handle. This (which is called a turn and a half lock) may be opened from
within by a handle, and from without by a kéy X, Figure 11, or by a handle
on both sides; it is operated by the arrangement of the pinions 1, 1, on spindle k',
kept apart by the separating piece m (front and side view Figure 7). a is the
bolt plate or carrier (side view, Figure 3, and plan, Figure 4,) having two
racks, one on its limb b, and the other on its limb c, a little raised so as to be
independently acted upon by the pinions P, P, mounted on the drum J,
Figure 8, and operated by the wheels 1, . The bolt may be withdrawn by
turning either handle S or S¹, which acts through spindle K, on the toothed
plates or pinions, and thence on the racks of the bolt plate. In one of the
handles S, a screw pin 1 (Figure 9) may be fitted, by turning which, as by
the nut o, a lug or stop n, which is on it would take into a mortice in the
plate A, and prevent the lock from being opened. This piece may serve as a
night bolt. The axis i of the barrel or drum has a square head and a spiral
spring at one end to keep the bolt firm in the staple v, and connect the barrel
to the pinion P¹, from which the pinion P is separated by the stationary

page_text: piece m, its rotation being determined by the drum J, though not being
attached to it as it turns in a contrary direction to P¹. In the modification
Figure 16, a barrel t is substituted for one of the handles S¹.
.
In Group No. 3, Figure 1 is a side view, and Figure 2, longitudinal section
of a fastening arrangement in which two knobs B and C are screwed on a
spindle o, Figure 8, having a feather working in a groove in a toothed plate or
pinion P, Figure 9, so as to impart rotation thereto; this pinion engages
racks k and h, which carry studs, and thereby work the bolt carrier a, Figure 4,
to and fro. A spring t¹ is fitted in a slot t, in the carrier behind the bolt d,
and held by a stop y.
Figure 10, s is a stud on the carrier a, the spring and stud are so contrived
that when one rack moves in one direction, another rack moving in the other
direction, will come under the stud and keep the bolt opened back; thus,
supposing the handle B turned from 'right to left, the rack k will be moved
along, a projection thereon pressing against the projection s, will move the
carrier a, and hence the bolt by pressing upon the piece y, (into which the axis
of spring may be carried up) during the travel of rack kc, the rack h will
work in the opposite direction, its projection n sliding free over the bevil æ,
and will come under this projection, and keep the bolt opened back. When
the knob B is released, a spiral spring will restore the racks to place. A
lever g, Figure 11, may be caused to act on a notched piece p, Figure 7, and
bring back the stud of the rack h by a spring on the pin f, at the lower part
of the projection a, and thereby bolt or fix the fastening. 1, ', are teeth on
the rack k, for guiding the same in the direction of the thickness of the lock-
box.
Group No. 4 represents a lock for escritoires with three bolts m, m², m¹¹,
on one "carrier" a, grooved for studs to work in and guide racks actuated by
toothed plates or pinions worked by a single key, one bolt having stops to
regulate the racks. Figure 1 shews lock full closed; Figure 2, transverse
section; Figure 3, horizontal longitudinal section. a is the carrier, shewn
detached in Figures 4, 5, and 6, common to the three bolts, it has four slots
k, k, k, and J, in which work studs n, n', n", n, of which n regulates the
travel of a rack 1, Figure 8; n' and n" guide the rack ', and an upper rack 1,
Figure 7, and also act with a stud u, to regulate the travel of the carrier a; a
two-bit key, Figure 9, operating all the bolts, is inserted into the barrel i,
which is recessed internally to receive three pinions y, y¹ y¹¹, Figures 12, 13,
and 14, whereof y operates the rack 1, y¹ the rack l, and y" the rack cut in
the recess in the bolt carrier a; vands are projections on the bolt m, against

page_text: which abuts a projection & on the rack 1; when the bolts open back, projections
thereon act as stops, bearing against the whole length of the racks 1, 1. To
open the lock, the key is turned from left to right, when its upper bit or ward
will clear the pinion y', and engage the pinion y, and when turned far enough
to travel along the recess therein, its lower bit or ward will have entered the
slot in the pinion y", which will permit the key to move one-eighth of a com-
plete turn, when the rack will have been moved along, and will liberate the
stud v, and hence the bolt carrier a. The pinion y will next operate the bolt
rack, which will come down, while the rack will continue its motion, and at
length bring its stop a against the stop s, and bear against it with the full
pressure imparted from the spring 9. If, when the bolt is fully closed a false
key were inserted, it could only move the pinion y', and then engage the end
of the rack under the notch u, and thereby additionally secure the fastening.
Group No. 5, Sheet II., shew's another arrangement in which two handles
are mounted on a hollow spindle carrying levers, there being a combination of
levers or tumblers so arranged, that on releasing the key or handle, a spring in
the bolt carrier pushes down a slide which acts on a lever moving the bolt
carrier, while a slot in another lever is slipped over a stud on the bolt carrier
to prevent its moving until the key entering the spindle works a stump, or a
tumbler or lever on the spindle. Figure 1 shews the lock closed; Figure 2,
section; other Figures details. There are two handles, the key hole being in
the spindle of one of them, the hollow spindle carries levers P and 1, and over
them is a lever m working on a centre; below is another lever J, working on
a centre 9, and having a slot h to receive an oval stud f on the carrier a,
(Figures 3 and 4) of the bolt c, this lever prevents the bolt from being pushed
back, if force were applied directly against it, for the curved part holds the
stud f, and is only disengaged when the lever P works the lever J. On its
centre g, on one side of the carrier, is a spring a abutting against a sliding
piece q. The key, Figure 12, has no wards, but is slotted and acts on a pin s upon
the lever P, and brings down the bolt carrier and bolt; on the other hand, the
lever r raises the slide y, and compresses the spring a; on releasing the key or
handle the spring distends and pushes out the slide 7, which acts upon the
lever m and brings down the carrier a, acting on the notch . As the lever
comes down it pushes down the lever J, and slips the slot h over stud f.
In Group No. 6, an arrangement is shewn in which the key D or handle B or
C acts on a two-armed appliance p. Figure 1 shews the arrangement of the
lock closed fully; Figure 2, section; the other Figures details; the handle or
key acts through a lever m on the appliance p, one arm of which works the

page_text: b
bolt carrier a, and draws back the bolt which is prevented by the stop 6 from
being forced down when closed; c is a stop bolt which is slipped into either the
notch d or the notch e, in the carrier, according as it may be desired to hold
or free the stud k..
In group No. 7, is an arrangement of which Figure 1 is a view closed;
Figure 2 section, and the other Figures details, here there is a combination of
studs or projections, the bolt being worked by a two armed appliance. This
is a single-action lock, operated on one side by a key C, and on the other by a
handle B. The bolt carrier has a stud or projection on its under side,
and three others, g, h, and l, g and h closing the bolt when actuated by the
arm i and 1, causing the arm b to act as a stop and prevent back action of the
bolt e; the arm b brings down the projection k, while its tooth c continues the
action, turning the arm i by means of the arm j.
Group No. 8 represents two double-action locks, one, Figures 1 to 8 with
toothed arrangements, the other, Figures 9 and 10, with levers and spring;
here a curved path n regulates the travel of the rack m when acting on the
teeth of the bolt carrier a to work the bolt. In Figure 9 a lever & acts on the
lower part of the carrier a, and brings it down, unless held by the stop bolt h,
when the key E, Figure 11 or handle ceases to act on the lever a spring
therein brings it back with the bolt, closing it full.
In group 9, Sheet III., is an arrangement of half-turn French bolt lock.
Figure 1 view closed; Figure 2 section; other Figures details; when the
handle or key turns, it causes a lever f to act on an arm l, and lower the arm k
of the piece h, and draw the bolt e back, a spiral spring a fitted in the piece t
restores the bolt e to the closing position, when turned in the opposite direction,
the lever f pressing on the projection p would produce the same effect of opening
the bolt back, the key continuing to turn acts on lever g, and brings down the
bolt carrier, bearing on the projection s. A night bolt y may be added.
Group No. 10, shews a combination and details in which a handle j is con-
nected to a lever b by a screw k, so that on turning it the lever b will be turned
and move. bolt carrier and bolt, or instead of the handle j, a handle d, Figure 8
may be inserted at s, sliding in a groove m to draw the bolt carrier a and bolt
with it, being in both instances returned to the closing position by a spring.
Group No. 11, represents a double lock arrangement with night bolt, being
a mere modification of the foregoing.
Group No. 12 shews the combination and details of a hinged box lock,
padlock, or fastening on the same principle. In the openings x, x', of a
plate b, hinged to a plate a, fixed on the case or other receptacle to which the

page_text: fastening may be applied is a box e, Figures 3 and 4, containing a set of
notched discs f, g, h, i, some stationary, and others moveable. (Figures 5, 6,
7, and 8,) fitted into the hasp notches m, m, Figure 12, and fitted on the
plate o, Figure 9, which may be square, as in Figure 11. Thus the discs
f, g, h, and i, are so shaped or notched, that g and i may be stationary, and
f and h moveable, whence the key acts upon the latter while not disturbing
the former; this fastening cannot be picked; a spring may be added to press
the discs together and prevent them from shifting.
This mode may be adapted for padlocks. In group No. 13 is shewn an
arrangement of hinged and spring padlock or fastening; a disc c is placed
level with the notches in the hasps g, mounted in the threaded orifices t of the
plate d.
When the padlock is open, the box may be removed from the
plate d, attached to the trunk or other article to which the fastening may
be applied.
The Figures on Sheet IV. shew two simple modifications of locks on the
principles herein-before described, exemplifying how the mere details or
arrangements may be varied, while the general character of the Invention
is retained.
The keys to be used with these fastenings are adapted in form and pro-
portions to the configuration and combinations or arrangements of the parts s
of the locks or fastenings to which they are applied.
Thus, in locks, padlocks, bolt fastenings, latches, and similar fastenings
constructed and arranged according to this Invention, nothing is left to the
ingenuity or fancy of the workman, the component parts are manufactured on
a number of regular patterns, but may be very variously combined, so that no :
one shape of key will open any save its particular lock, and these improved
fastenings cannot be picked.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,-
First, the various arrangements and combinations of improved locks and
fastenings, herein-before described and represented in the Drawings.
Second, the mode of manufacturing the component parts of the locks or
fastenings by stamping, punching, or cutting them out in a cold state
mechanical means.
Third, the fitting or holding together of the parts when combined, by placing
over them moveable or stationary plates of zinc, iron, or other metal, the
arrangement being such, that the bits or wards of the key may turn in the
chambers (gorges) instead of raising them.

page_text: Fourth, the mode of constructing locks and fastenings of less depth than
those hitherto used, by causing the key to act on an intermediate appliance,
travelling in a curved path or space formed in a plate piece or carrier to
which the bolt is attached, thereby working the bolt to and fro to open and
close the fastening.
Fifth, the general arrangement and combination of parts of fastenings
herein-before described, which can only be opened by the respective, proper,
or corresponding key, and cannot be picked.
In witness whereof, I, the said Michael Henry, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Seventh day of November, in the year One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine.
Witness,
WM. BRASIER.
M. HENRY. (L.S.)