An Improved Locking Device for Boxes and Similar Receptacles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Apr., 1898-Accepted, 30th July, 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Locking Device for Boxes and Similar Receptacles.
I, GEORGE GUNNER, of 60, Ennismore Gardens, London, S.W., Servant, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to an improved locking device for boxes and similar
receptacles, and has for object to provide a means for securing the lids of boxes,
trunks and the like whereby they can only be opened by those in possession of
the secret of such opening, while at the same time the fact will be rendered
apparent when a box or the like fitted with my locking device, has been opened,
surreptitiously or otherwise. A feature of my invention is that no extraneous
key is required either for locking or unlocking the mechanism.
And in order that this my said invention may be more readily understood
and carried into practical effect, reference is hereby made to the accompanying
sheet of illustrative drawings, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the locking device.
Fig. 2 is a section through line A.B. of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a plan of that portion of the device which I term the locking
plate.
Fig. 4 represents an elevational view of the back of the device, parts being
indicated by dotted lines for the purpose of more clearly explaining the con-
struction, while,
Figs. 5 & 6 shew in perspective, views of details of the invention. Referring
to the drawings, in which like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts
throughout the figures. a represents a face plate which is fixed to the front of the
box, for instance, near the top thereof, by means of screws or their equivalent a¹.
This face plate a is given a rounded or curved form at the top as shewn by a² and
is provided with a central opening a³ is a locking plate having a circular
enlargement at the forward part, such enlargement being in the form of a
ratchet, as shewn. The said locking plate bis hinged to the face plate a by
means of the hinge pin c. Upon the back of the face plate a is fixed by means of
the rivets or their equivalent, a casing d, between which, and the back of
the face plate, is disposed a catch e, which is capable of a vertical and partial
lateral movement. From the face of this catch e projects a pin el, the head c²
of which projects slightly through an angular slot ff in the face plate a.
In operation, the face plate a is secured to the front of the box for instance,
(not shown) by means of the screws a¹ or their equivalent, while the locking
plate rests upon the lid. When it is desired to lock the box, the pin el is raised
to the top of the vertical part f of the slot ff, which action also raises the
catch e and causes the upper extremity of same to engage with one of the
ratchet-like teeth upon the periphery of the enlargement 6 of the locking plate b
and thereby prevent such plate 6 being turned upon its axis. It is evident that
when the catch e engages the toothed extremity of the locking plate b and

page_text: prevents the latter being raised, the lid upon which the said plate rests will also be
prevented from being raised. The underside of the plate 6 may be roughened or
serrated, for the purpose of more securely gripping the surface of the lid of the
box. The catch e is maintained in its raised or locking position by pushing
the pin e', when at the top of the vertical part of the angular slot ff, into the
horizontal portion f¹ of the slot.
A coil or other spring g is provided for the purpose of helping to maintain the
catch e in its raised or locking position. An opening h (Fig. 3) is provided in
the locking plate 6 to receive a waxen seal which is poured into such opening
so as to adhere to the lid of the box and to the portions of the pl: te b surrounding
the said opening. By this means it will be aparent" that wen the plate b
is raised, the seal will be broken and the attempt at opening he box rendered
evident:
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
CLAIMS.
(1) The improved keyless locking device for boxes and other similar receptacles,
substantially as described and illustrated.
(2) In locking devices for boxes and the like, the locking plate b hinged to a
face plate a and having an enlarged end a¹ provided with ratchet like teeth
adapted to engage a sliding catch e actuated by a pin e' working in an angular
slot ff, in the face plate a, all arranged, combined and operating substantially
as and for the purpose described, and as illustrated by the drawings.
HUGHES & YOUNG,
55 and 56, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
HUGHES & YOUNG,
55 and 56, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.