Year: 1887

page_text: I, EDWARD BIGELOW SEARLES, of Baltimore, in the County of Baltimore, and State
of Maryland, United States of America, 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 :-
My invention embraces an improved fastening for car doors, and has for its object
to provide a simple and conveniently-operated construction by which to fasten the
door closed, or open to any desired degree, without mutilating or injuring the side of
the car; and the invention consists in certain features of construction and novel
combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side view of a part of a car and door provided with my
improved devices, the door being shown fastened and entirely closed. Fig. 2 is a
similar view, the door being shown partially open. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view
drawn through the socketed plate and the portion of the block fitted to the sockets of
said plate. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the block, and Fig. 5 is a perspective
of the rear portion of the door, showing the bail block or cleat, and indicating in
dotted lines the adjustment of the bail to permit the removal of the block or cleat.
In the present practice of cleating car-doors a block or cleat is placed up against the
rear edge of the door, when the latter is closed, and is nailed securely to the side of
the door. This practice is objectionable for several reasons.
In the first place it
mutilates the sides of the car; also, by means of the construction described, the door
cannot be sealed, neither can it be fastened partially open, as is especially desirable in
cars used for fruit and other articles which require fresh air.
In carrying out my invention I provide the car A, in rear if its door-way B, with a
series of sockets, C, ranging at different distances from said doorway, and preferably,
as shown in a straight line. While these sockets might be formed directly in the side
of the car, they are by preference formed in a plate, D, of metal, which is sunk in the
side of the car with its outer surface flush with the side of the car. This plate may be
secured to the car by screws, as shown, by spikes, or in other suitable manner, such
plate being extended from the doorway rearward. The sockets (are formed in this
plate D, and are undercut at their sides to retain the portion of the cleat or block
which fits therein, as will be described. These sockets are by preference connected by

page_text: a slot, E, which extends between them and facilitates the convenient adjustment of the
block or cleat from one to the other of said sockets.
The cleat or block F is connected with the door, and is provided with a part or
portion, projecting from its inner side, which is formed to fit in the socket C, and is
adapted when adjusted out of one of said sockets into the slot E to be freed, so it may
be adjusted into any other one of the said sockets, as may be desired. This block in
its specific construction is formed of a body, 1, of wood, bored longitudinally at 2, to
fit on the bail, and having wearing-plates 3 on its ends. This body 1 is mortised to
receive a casting, 4, which has a projecting portion forming the part of the block or
cleat which fits the sockets of the car.
The bail G is attached to the rear edge of the door being pivoted at one end to the
same, so that it may be turned out, as indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 5, to permit the
block to be applied to and removed from the bail. At its opposite or upper end
the bail is secured by an eye, H, pivoted to the door, so it can be turned over the
upper end of the bail to secure the same in vertical position. This bail, it will be seen,
forms a retaining-guide for the block which is fitted thereto so that it may be moved
or adjusted vertically.
In operation, if it is desired to fasten the door closed, it is moved to such position,
the portion of the block sliding in slot E, and when the door is closed the said
portion of the block adjusts into the socket nearest the door. To fasten the door
partially open it is moved to the desired position and the block adjusted into the
proper socket. Now, it will be seen that the block, when engaging one of the sockets
and being connected with the door, will operate as a fastening to secure such door in
a desired position, but will not serve as a lock. To enable the locking of the door
I provide the block with a staple, 5, and secure a hasp, 6, on the door in position to
fit over said staple when the block is secured in one of the sockets. By fitting this
hasp over the staple and applying a pad-lock or any desired form of seal-lock the door.
may be locked either in closed or partly opened position. As before stated, this
provision for locking the car partially open is of great importance in the freighting of
fruits or other articles which would damage if closed up tightly.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
A car-door fastening comprising a plate having a series of undercut sockets and a
slot connecting the same, and the block having a portion adjustable into any one of the
sockets and movable in the connecting-slot from one to the other thereof, substantially
as set forth.