IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS AND LATCHES, AND IN LOCK AND LATCH SPINDLES, AND IN FINGER PLATES FOR DOORS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Aram Lea, of Shrewsbury, in the County of Salop,
Ironmonger, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS AND LATCHES,
AND IN LOCK AND LATCH SPINDLES, AND IN FINGER PLATES FOR DOORS."
Sealed the 21st January 1879, and dated the 5th August 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Aram Lea at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th August 1878.
JAMES ARAM LEA, of Shrewsbury, in the County of Salop, Ironmonger. “IM-
PROVEMENTS IN LOCKS AND LATCHES, AND IN LOCK AND LATCH SPINDLES, AND
IN FINGER PLATES FOR DOORS."
In making locks and latches according to my Invention I dispense with the
ordinary lock case and affix the mechanism of the lock and latch to a plate, attached
by screws to the door and enclosed by a covering plate. By this method of manu-
facture the cutting away of the door is reduced to a minimum, the only portions
cut away being a small recess in the door for the reception of the case in which the
head of the latch works, and a slight depression in the edge of the door.
The bolt carries at its rear two parallel rods, around which are coiled springs
which urge the bolt into its shot position. To the rear end of each of these rods a
chain is connected, the said chains being also connected to a pulley on the spindle
of the lock. By turning the knob of the lock in either direction the bolt is with-
drawn, one or other of the chains being drawn in and the other paid out, whichever
way the knob is turned. A flat spring, the free end of which projects a short
distance from the lock, carries on its under side a pin or tooth, and the head of the
bolt has a recess in which when the bolt is withdrawn the said tooth engages and
retains the bolt in its withdrawn position. Thus on turning the knob the bolt is
withdrawn and is held back by the tooth described, but when the door is closed the
projecting end of the spring carrying the tooth strikes against the edge of the door
frame, and the tooth being thereby raised from the recess in the bolt the said bolt
is shot forward by its springs and engages in the staple in the door frame.

page_text: In order to lock the latch an axis crossing the lock carries a stop, and by turning
the axis through a semi-rotation the said stop may be brought behind the head of
the shot bolt and prevent its withdrawal until the stop has been removed by motion
of the axis in the opposite direction. The said axis has a fixed thumb plate on the
inside of the door for turning it.
In order to lock the bolt from the outside a moveable key is employed which
takes into the hollow end of an axis on the outside of the door, and in a line with
the axis last described. The said hollow axis has a spring lever which snaps into a
notch at its base when the stop is in either of its two positions. When the key is
introduced into the hollow axis its first motion lifts the spring lever from the notch
it may be engaged in, when the stop may be turned so as to bring it opposite the
bolt head and prevent the withdrawal of the bolt. On withdrawing the key the
spring lever again engages in one of the notches, and the bolt is locked.
The locking mechanism on the outer side of the door is independent of that on the
inside, and the lock may be made either with or without the external locking
mechanism.
The spindle of the lock is made in two parts, one sliding in the other after the
manner of the tubes of a telescope, excepting that the parts of the spindle are square
or angular, so that both parts rotate together. One part of the spindle is connected
The knobs
to the lock plate, and the other part is connected to the door by a rose.
are connected to the two parts of the spindle by screws passed through the neck of
the knob and the spindle in the ordinary way.
In making finger plates for doors according to my Invention I make them of
sheet metal, japanned or otherwise ornamented. I make each finger plate in two
pieces, one to be fixed above the lock plate and the other below, and forming by
preference one design with the lock plate. Each of the parts of the finger plate
has on its under side three snugs or ears, and, on those parts of the door to which
the parts of the finger plate are to be attached metallic plates are affixed, the edges
of the plates being slightly raised at parts corresponding to the snugs on the finger
plate. By placing the parts of the finger plates against the door, the upper part a
little above and the lower part a little below the positions in which they are to be
fixed respectively, and forcing them towards each other by a sliding motion, a slight
pressure being at the same time exerted, their snugs engage with the metallic plates
described, and the parts of the finger plates are fixed in their respective positions.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Aram Lea in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 29th January
1879.
JAMES ARAM LEA, of Shrewsbury, in the County of Salop, Ironmonger. "Iм-
PROVEMENTS IN LOCKS AND LATCHES, AND IN LOCK AND LATCH SPINDLES, AND
IN FINGER PLATES FOR DOORS."
In making locks and latches according to my Invention I dispense with the
ordinary lock case and affix the mechanism of the lock and latch to a plate attached
by screws to the door, and enclosed by a covering plate. By this method of manu-
facture the cutting away of the door is reduced to a minimum, the only portions
cut away being a small recess in the door for the reception of the case, in which
the head of the latch works, and a slight depression in the edge of the door.
The bolt carries at its rear two parallel rods, around which are coiled springs
which urge the bolt into its shot position. To the rear end of each of these rods a
chain is connected, the said chains being also connected to a pulley on the spindle
of the lock. By turning the knob of the lock in either direction the bolt is with-
drawn, one or other of the chains being drawn in and the other paid out whichever
way the knob is turned. A flat spring, the free end of which projects a short
distance from the lock, carries on its under side a pin or tooth, and the head of the
bolt has a hole or recess in which when the bolt is withdrawn the said tooth engages
and retains the bolt in its withdrawn position. Thus on turning the knob the bolt
is withdrawn and is held back by the tooth described, but when the door is closed
the projecting end of the spring carrying the tooth strikes against the edge of the
door frame, and the tooth being thereby raised from the hole or recess in the bolt
the said bolt is shot forward by its springs and engages in the staple in the door
frame.
In order to lock the latch an axis crossing the lock carries a stop, and by turning
the axis through a quarter rotation the said stop may be brought behind the head
of the shot bolt and prevent its withdrawal until the stop has been removed by
motion of the axis in the opposite direction. The said axis has a fixed thumb plate
on the inside of the door for turning it.
In order to lock the bolt from the outside a moveable key is employed which
takes into the hollow end of an axis on the outside of the door, and in a line with
the axis last described. The said hollow axis has a spring lever (or spring levers),
which snaps into a notch at its base when the stop is in either of its two positions.
When the key is introduced into the hollow axis its first motion lifts the spring
lever from the notch it may be engaged in, when the stop may be turned so as to
bring it opposite the bolt head and prevent the withdrawal of the bolt. On with-
drawing the key the spring lever again engages in one of the notches, and the axis
of the stop is locked.
The locking mechanism on the outer side of the door is independent of that on
the inside, and the lock may be made either with or without the external locking
mechanism.
The spindle of the lock is made in two parts, one sliding in the other after the
manner of the tubes of a telescope, excepting that the parts of the spindle are
square or angular so that both parts rotate together. One part of the spindle is
connected to the lock plate, and the other part is connected to the door by a rose.
The knobs are connected to the two parts of the spindle by screws passed through
the neck of the knob and the spindle.
In making finger plates for doors according to my Invention I make them of
metal, japanned or otherwise ornamented. I make each finger plate in two pieces,
one to be fixed above the lock plate and the other below, and forming by preference
one design with the lock plate. Each of the parts of the finger plate has on its
under side three snugs or ears, and on those parts of the door to which the parts of

page_text: the finger plates are to be attached metallic plates are affixed, the edges of the
plates being slightly raised at parts corresponding to the snugs on the finger plate.
By placing the parts of the finger plates against the door, the upper part a little
above and the lower part a little below the positions in which they are to be fixed
respectively, and forcing them towards each other by a sliding motion, a slight
pressure being at the same time exerted, their snugs engage with the metallic plates
described, and the parts of the finger plates are fixed in their respective positions.
I will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying Drawings the
manner in which my Invention may be performed..
Figure 1 represents in front elevation a lock and latch, and a spindle of the same,
together with the finger plate of the door, the said lock and latch, and spindle and
finger plate being constructed according to my Invention.
Figure 2 represents the lock and latch, with its covering plate detached, and the
finger plate removed from the door.
Figure 3 represents a horizontal section of the lock and latch, and parts connected
therewith.
The other Figures represent parts of my Invention as herein-after particularly
explained.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in the several Figures of the
Drawings.
The lock and latch mechanism is affixed to the foundation plate a, which is fixed
against the inside surface of the door b. The said foundation plate a has at one end
a mortice plate a³, which is let into the edge of the door, the outer curved edge of
the said mortice plate projecting above the said foundation plate and constituting a
fixed lip, under which one end of the hollow or trough-shaped covering plate c of
the lock fits (see Figure 1), the other end of the said covering plate being fixed to
the door by the screw c². On the under side of the foundation plate a is a small
case or box a³, in which the head of the bolt d works (see Figure 3).
The bolt d is shown separately in plan in Figure 4, and in combination with a
portion of the foundation plate a and box a³ for the bolt in Figure 5. The upper
side of the bolt is furnished with snugs or guides d², d, which work in the
slots a, a, in the plate a, the overhanging parts of the said snugs bearing on the
said plate a.
To the said snugs or guides d², d², two parallel rods d³, d³, are con-
nected, and around these rods are coiled springs d, d, (see Figure 2,) which urge
the bolt & into its shot position. The back motion of the bolt d is limited by the
stops as, as, made by bending inwards portions of the metal of the box a³ (see
Figure 5), the head of the bolt on its withdrawal striking against the said stops as, a.
The coiled springs d, d, by which the shooting of the bolt d is effected, take their
abutment at one end against the snugs or guides d², d², on the bolt, and at the other
end against the fixed abutments do, do, bent out of the foundation plate a. As the
bolt d is withdrawn, the springs d', d, are compressed between the two pairs. of
abutments d², d², and d³, d³, and on loosing the knob of the door, the said springs
expand and shoot the bolt. To the rear end of each of the rods d³, d³, a chain is
connected, the said chains being marked respectively e, f. These chains are also
connected at e², f2, to the pulley g (which acts as a "follower") made in one piece
with the hollow axis or bush h, through which the spindle of the latch passes. The
said bush or hollow axis h works at one end in a bearing made in the saddle
plate, fixed to the foundation plate a, and at the other end in a bearing made in
the foundation plate itself, as best seen in the section Figure 3. By turning the
knob k or of the lock in either direction, the bolt d is withdrawn, the chain e or-f
being drawn in by the action of the pulley g, and the other chain paid out, which-
ever way the knob k or is turned, as will be understood by an examination of
Figure 2; m is a nearly flat forked spring, carrying near its free end a pin or
tooth m², by which the bolt d is retained in its withdrawn position, and released
when it is to be shot into its staple. The said spring m presses the tooth m² against
the bolt head d, as seen in Figure 3. The arms of the spring m are connected
at m³, m³, to the foundation plate a of the lock (see Figure 2), and the free end mt of

page_text: the spring m projects a short distance beyond the mortice plate a² of the lock. In the
head of the bolt d is a hole or recess n, in which, when the bolt d is withdrawn, the
tooth m² springs and retains the bolt in its withdrawn position. Thus, on turning
the knob or ĭ, the bolt is withdrawn, and is held back by the tooth m² entering
the hole or recess n, but when the door b is closed, the projecting free end m* of the
spring m bearing against the striking plate m, on the edge of the door frame b²,
deflects or presses outwards the said free end m. The spring tooth m² is thereby
lifted out of the hole or recess n in the bolt head d, and the said bolt is released and
is shot forward by the action of the coiled springs d', d', and made to engage in the
staple in the door frame, as represented in Figures 2 and 3.
The bolt d is locked in its shot position in the following way:-p is an axis
passing from the inside of the door and having at its inner end a stop p². The
said stop consists of a portion of a circular disc, the curved parts being flanged.
The shape of the stop p is indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2. The said stop p²
works in a similarly shaped bed in the saddle plate i, and is capable of a semi-
rotation, its motion being limited by the slot and pin at p³ (see Figure 2). After
the bolt d has been shot, the turning of the axis p through a quarter rotation brings
one or other of the flanged parts of the stop p2 behind the tail piece d' on the head
of the shot bolt, as represented in Figure 3, and the withdrawal of the bolt is there-
by prevented.
To withdraw the bolt d it is first necessary to turn the axis p through a quarter
rotation so as to remove the stop p² from the tail piece d' when the bolt d may he
withdrawn. The axis p has on its outer end, and inside, the door, a winged thumb
plate p for turning it (see Figure 1).
I will now describe the locking mechanism for locking and unlocking the bolt
from the outside of the door. This locking mechanism is shown in plan in
Figure 3, and detached in section in Figures 7, 8, and 9, and parts of the same in
Figures 10, 11, and 12.
Figures 7 and 8 represent in section, taken at right angles to one another, the
locking mechanism before the key is introduced, and Figure 9 the same after the
key has been introduced and the spring levers liberated.
Figure 10 represents a plan of the inner side of the base plate of the locking
mechanism, and Figure 11 represents a plan of under side of the base plate; and
Figure 12 represents a plan of upper side of the barrel of the lock mechanism and.
its base plate, with the key introduced into the barrel.
q is the fixed barrel of the locking mechanism, containing a hollow axis q² in a
line with the axis p of the locking stop, worked from the inside of the door. The
said axis q2 has at its inner end a stop q³ working outside the base plate q', the said
stop having at one of its shorter sides or ends a flange (see Figures 3, 7, and 9).
This stop q3 is capable of a semi-rotation, stop pins q, q, on the under side of the
base plate arresting it at each semi-rotation (see Figure 11). When the stop q³
is turned in one direction, its flange can be brought behind the tail end d of the
bolt d and prevent the withdrawal of the latter; and, when turned through a semi-
rotation in the opposite direction, the said stop is removed from the said tail end of
the bolt, and the said bolt may be withdrawn.
In Figure 3, the stop q³ is represented in the last-described position.
The stop is locked in either of the two positions described in the following
way-Jointed at 2 to the hollow axis q², carrying the stop 93, are two (or more)
levers r, r, pressed inwards or towards the axis q² by springs 7, On the inner
edges of the said levers, and opposite each other, are shoulders 4, 7, for the barrel
of the key to act against slots in the said barrels taking upon the said shoulders.
In the base plate are two cross slots 25, 75, opening into the annular groove
(see Figure 10). When the levers r, r, are in their normal positions, their free ends
are situated opposite the cross slots 5, 5, and are pressed into the said slots by the
action of their springs. The axis q2 carrying the stop q³ is thus locked, as repre-
sented in Figures 7 and 8.

page_text: On introducing the keys into the hollow axis 2, its barrel bearing against the
shoulders, of the levers r, 2, presses outwards the said levers and withdraws
their free ends from the cross slots 5, 5, and brings them into the annular groove 7
in the base plate q. The axis q² is thus released, and may be turned through a
semicircle, the free ends of the levers, during this motion, working in the annular
groove. So long as the key 8 is in its place in the hollow axis q2, the said axis is
released.
The keys is furnished with a knib or projection t, and the top of the barrel q
has two slots u, u, in it opposite one another (see Fig. 12). Similar slots are also
made in the escutcheon plate v fixed on the door. A longitudinal slot w³ is made
in the hollow axis q2 for receiving the guide knib (see Figure 9). By means of
the said guide knib and the slots described, the key can only be introduced into
and withdrawn from the hollow axis q² when its knib t is brought opposite one or
other of the two slots u, u, in the top of the barrel g.
When the locking stop q³ is in either of the two positions described, the slot w
in the hollow q² is opposite one or other of the two slots u, u, in the barrel, and the
key may be introduced or withdrawn, the cross slots 75, 7, in the fixed base plate q*
being so arranged that when the slot w² is in the position last described the said
cross slots 5, 5, are opposite the free ends of the spring levers r, r.
On introducing the key it first releases the axis of the stop q³ by raising the said
levers r, r, from the cross slots 25, 5, and by then turning the key the axis q² is also
turned, and with it the stop 93. After a semi-rotation the motion of the stop is
arrested by the studs q, q, and the bolt d is either locked or unlocked, as the case
may be. The semi-rotation of the axis q² brings the ends of the spring levers r, r,
opposite the cross slots 5, 75, in the base plate 7, and the knib t on the key opposite
the other slot u in the barrel q, when the key may be withdrawn. On the with-
drawal of the key, the free ends of the levers snap into the cross slots 75, 75, and the
stop q³ is locked either in its acting or non-acting position.
I will now describe the construction of the spindle of the lock. It consists of
two parts marked respectively w' and ', shown separately in Figure 6, one part
being capable of sliding in the other part. The part w consists of a square axis
fixed to the knob k on the outside of the door in the ordinary way, and the other
part consists of a socket, cylindrical externally, and having a square hole in it of
a size proper to receive the square axis or part w. The base of the socket ** is
square, similar to the part w of the spindle. The square base of the socket part
xis connected to the knob on the inside of the door in the ordinary way. In
fixing the two parts w, x, of the spindle together and their respective knobs to
the door, the end of the socket part of the spindle is passed through the lock,
and is fixed to the knob 7. After the foundation plate a has been attached to the
door, the inner part of the spindle to which the knob k has been previously
affixed, is passed into the socket x4, and the knob k fixed to the door by its rose k³.
The connecting of the two parts of the spindle together and to the knobs, and the
knobs to the door, thus completed. The two parts of the spindle are by the
fixing described prevented from sliding into or out of one another, the said parts of
the spindle, when either knob is turned, acting as if the spindle were made in one
piece.
Spindles of this construction suit doors of different thicknesses.
I will now describe the construction and fixing of the finger plate. The finger
plate is marked x and x2, and is represented fixed to the door in Figure 1, and the
inner side of one part or half of the said finger plate is represented separately in
Figure 13, and in section attached to the door in Figure 14. The fixing parts or
bars for the finger plate are represented in front elevation in Figure 2.
The said finger plate is made of sheet metal or by casting, and in two parts or
halves marked respectively x and x2, the two halves being alike in configuration,
one half being fixed above the lock plate c, and the other below it, the said halves
z, x2, of the finger plate forming by preference one design with the lock plate c, as
seen in Figure 1. The said halves of the finger plate are hollow or trough-shaped

page_text: (see the section, Figure 14). Each of the halves or parts of the finger plate has on
its under side three snugs or ears marked ³,³,³, (see Figure 13). Ou the parts of
the door to which the halves x, x2, of the finger plate are to be fixed, T shaped
plates or bars y, y, are secured by screws in the positions represented in Figure 2.
The end y² of the vertical part of each fixing plate or bar y is turned up out of the
plane of the other part (see the section, Figure 14), and similarly the edges y³, y³,
of the horizontal or crossing part of each fixing plate or bar y are turned up. By
placing the two parts x, x2, of the finger plate nearly in the respective positions
represented in Figure 1, and forcing them towards each other by a sliding motion,
a slight pressure at the same time being exerted, their snugs or ears ³, ³, 3³, engage
behind the raised parts y², y³, of the fixing plates or bars y, y, (which parts y², y³,
constitute strong springs), and the two parts of the finger plate are fixed securely to
the door, as illustrated in Figures 1. and 14. By sliding the parts of the finger
plate from each other, their snugs or ears 23, 23, 2³, are disengaged or withdrawn
from behind the spring or turned-up parts y², y³, of the fixing plates or bars y, y,
and may be removed.
When the finger plate is fixed in its place, the opposed ends of the two parts
overlap the edges of the covering plate c of the lock, and assist in securing the said
covering plate in its position on the foundation plate of the lock, as seen in
Figure 1, but the covering plate c is secure, independent of the said finger plate.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in which the
same is to be performed, I wish to be understood that I claim as my Invention of
improvements in locks and latches, and in lock and latch spindles, and in finger
plates for doors,―
First. Affixing the mechanism of the lock and latch to a foundation plate
attached to the door, the said mechanism being enclosed by a covering plate, sub-
stantially as described, and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. The arrangement or combination of parts described, and illustrated in
the accompanying Drawings, for urging the bolt into its shot position; that is to
say, by means of parallel rods connected with the rear of the bolt, around which
rods are coiled springs which urge the bolt into its shot position.
Thirdly. The arrangement or combination of parts described, and illustrated in
the accompanying Drawings, for withdrawing the bolt of the lock and latch on
turning the knob on the door, that is to say, fixing on the hollow axis or bush for
receiving the knob spindle, a pulley, to which pulley chains from the rods at the
rear of the bolt are connected, one or other of the said chains being drawn in, and
the other paid out, and the bolt withdrawn whichever way the knob is turned,
substantially as described and illustrated.
Fourthly. The arrangement or combination of parts herein-before described, and
illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, for retaining the bolt in its withdrawn
position, and for releasing it when the door is closed; that is to say, by means of a
nearly flat spring on the foundation plate of the lock, having a projecting end and a
pin or tooth on its under side, which pin or tooth snaps into or is raised from a hole
or recess in the bolt at the proper times, as described and illustrated.
Fifthly. The construction and combination of the parts of the locking mechanism
herein-before described, and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, for locking
and unlocking the bolt from the inside of the door.
Sixthly. The construction and combination of the parts of the locking mechanisin,
herein-before described, and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, for locking
and unlocking the bolt from the outside of the door.
Seventhly. The improvements in lock and latch spindles, herein-before described,
and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings; that is to say, making the spindle
in two parts, one part being capable of sliding in the other part, and both parts
when the knob is turned, rotating together as described and illustrated.
Lastly. The improvements in constructing and fixing finger plates for doors,
herein-before described, and illustrated in the accompanying Drawings; that is to
say, making the said finger plates of sheet metal or by casting, and each finger

page_text: plate in two pieces or halves provided with fastening snugs or ears on their under-
side, which snugs or ears are engaged behind raised parts or springs on fixing plates
or bars attached to the door, substantially in the manner described and illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Aram Lea, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of January, in the year of our Lord One'
thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
Witness,
ALFRED FEARN,
Oak Street,
Shrewsbury.
JAMES ARAM LEA. (L.S.)