Year: 1895

page_text: I, WILLIAM ARTHUR CAMERON WALLER of 6, Kyverdale Road, Stoke
Newington, London, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows :-
This invention relates to improvements in fittings for doors by means of which
they may be kept open at any desired angle, and relates chiefly to doors in ships
where a rocking motion is likely to be experienced. According to the present
arrangement when it is desired to keep a door ajar, it is usually accomplished by
means of a large hook and eye, one fixed to the door and the other fixed to the
frame. Under these circumstances the door has considerable play, as the fitting is
not perfect, and an unpleasant noise is consequent when the same is used on board
ship.
To obviate this drawback I propose to use a vertical rod capable of being
moved either upwards or downwards, and actuated by the door handle or other
similar knob, with toothed or ratchet movement for moving the said rod up and
down according to the turning of the handle. This rod may be either actuated
upwards from the door handle arranged to take into a curved rod fixed to the door
frame, or it may be actuated in a downward direction from the lock rail of the
door, and the end arranged to take into a plate in the floor provided with a series
of holes. The curved rod fixed to the frame of the door at the top will also
be provided with holes to receive the end of the rod when this arrangement
is used.
It will be readily understood that the rod can be raised or lowered into the
desired hole either in the curved rod or the floor as may be desired, to fix and
retain the door in the desired position. A spring may be arranged to keep the rod
in one position, and the movement of the door knob will compress the spring to
withdraw it from its fixing situation. By this means the door may be retained at
any desired angle through the action of the knob or the like upon the lock rail,
and the door will not move to and fro as is the case when a hook and eye is
employed.
do not limit myself to any particular mechanical device by means of which
the rod can be actuated either in an upward or downward direction. This rod
may be either placed upon the outside of the stile of the door or may be fitted into
the thickness of the door, so as to be out of sight.
Dated this 20th day of December 1895.

page_text: Improvements in Door Retainers.
I, WILLIAM ARTHUR CAMERON WALLER of 6, Kyverdale Road, Stoke
Newington, London, Gentleman, 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 improvements in fittings for doors by means of which
they may be kept open at any desired angle, and relates chiefly to doors in ships
where a rocking motion is likely to be experienced. According to the present
arrangement when it is desired to keep a door ajar, it is usually accomplished by
means of a large hook and eye, one fixed to the door and the other fixed to the
frame. Under these circumstances the door has considerable play, as the fitting is
not perfect, and an unpleasant noise is consequent when the same is used on board
ship.
To obviate this draw-back I propose to use. a vertical rod capable of being
moved either upwards or downwards, and actuated by the door handle or other
similar knob. This rod may be either moved upwards and arranged to take into a
curved rod fixed to the door frame, or it may be moved in a downward direction
and the end arranged to take into a plate in the floor provided with a series of
holes. The curved rod fixed to the frame of the door at the top will also be
provided with holes to receive the end of the rod when this arrangement
is used.
It will be readily understood that the rod can be raised or lowered into the
desired hole either to the curved rod or the floor as may be desired, to fix and
retain the door in the desired position. A spring may be arranged to keep the rod
in one position, and the movement of the door knob will compress the spring to
withdraw it from its fixing situation. By this means the door may be retained at
any desired angle through the action of the knob or the like upon the lock rail,
and the door will not move to and fro as is the case when a hook and eye is
employed.
I do not limit myself to any particular mechanical device by means of which
the rod can be actuated either in an upward or downward direction. This rod may
be either placed upon the outside of the stile of door or may be fitted into the
thickness of the door so as to be out of sight.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is an elevation of the general arrangement employed and
Fig. 2 is a sectional plan of part of the apparatus.
In the arrangement shown in the drawings the locking rod A which for
preference is embedded in the thickness of the door, but may also be secured in a
sheath or guides at the outside, is placed near the jamb of the door, and at the
lower side. This rod is actuated by the handle B placed in the usual position and
connected to the rod by the chain C. The handle is provided with the drum b
having a tooth or other projection with which the chain C can engage so that on
turning the handle the chain will be wound on the drum, and the rod A raised
allowing the door to be opened. The curved plate or bar D is fitted to the
floor and is provided with the series of holes d concentric with the door hinge,
forming sockets into any one of which the rod A can project securing the door at
the desired angle. To ensure the effective working of this arrangement the
spring a is employed bearing on the upper end of the rod and pressing it into the
socket. The chain passes over the roller or pin c immediately above the rod being
thus adapted to move the rod in a vertical direction. The cavity containing the

page_text: spring is provided with the cover plate a¹ and other cover plates 6¹ and c¹ are
adapted to cover the recess containing the drum and the roller or pin.
A knob B' may be provided for purposes of ornamentation, or may be connected
to the roller c. This roller may be provided with a projection or tooth which will
engage with chain, thus the rod A will be raised on turning either handle.
The curved plate or bar D instead of being placed on the floor may be fixed at
the upper end of the door, the locking rod being placed in a corresponding position.
The rod will thus be moved in an upward direction by means of the spring to.
engage in the recess, the mechanism being otherwise similar.
A curtain may be hung from the curved rod when the latter is placed at the
top of the opening side of the door to ensure privacy of the compartment.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is.
(1.) A new or improved retaining device for doors consisting of a vertical rod
connected to the door and adapted to be actuated by a handle or like arrangement,
and a fixed plate or bar provided with holes concentric with the door hinge
adapted to receive the end of the rod, substantially as described and for the
purposes specified.
(2.) In a retaining device for doors the combination with a vertical rod fitted to
the door, a spring connected to the said rod and a handle adapted to raise it, of a
plate or bar secured to the floor and holes or sockets to receive the end of the rod
formed in the said plate and concentric with the door hinge, substantially as and
for the purposes specified.
(3.) The improved retaining device for doors consisting of a vertical sliding
rod, a spring connected to the said rod, a handle for actuating it, connections
between the said handle and rod, and a fixed plate provided with sockets,
substantially as described and shown in the accompanying drawings, and for the
purposes specified.
Dated this 21st day of October 1896.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicant.