IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FOLLOWER OF MORTISE AND RIM-LOCKS AND LATCHES FOR THE REVERSAL OF THE BOLT
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Woodward, of No. 154, North Street, Wolver-
hampton, in the County of Stafford, Lock Manufacturer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FOLLOWER OF MORTISE AND RIM-LOCKS AND
LATCHES FOR THE REVERSAL OF THE BOLT."
Sealed the 6th May 1879, and dated the 27th November 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Woodward at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th November 1878.
JAMES WOODWARD, of No. 154, North Street, Wolverhampton, in the County of
Stafford, Lock Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FOLLOWER OF MORTISE
AND RIM LOCKS AND LATCHES FOR THE REVERSAL OF THE BOLT."
The object of my Invention is to simplify the parts in the interior of mortise and
rim-locks and latches, to perfect the construction of the follower so as to make the
bolt reversible at the least possible cost of labor and materials for the same, without
removing the cap from the lock.
This I accomplish by making the follower in two or more parts, and so placing
those parts together that they may have a backward and forward motion at the
same time, whereby when the spindle is removed the bolt can be drawn a little
distance forwards, reversed, and placed back into a position either for a right or left
hand lock, as may be required, without any other change in the lock than the
removal and replacing of the spindle.
I also connect with the horns of the follower a spiral wire or feather spring to
cause the parts of the follower to fall into position to allow the spindle to pass
through the square hole in the parts of the follower and also to assist in making an
escapement for the bolt to be partially withdrawn.
The follower being made in parts allows of an independent motion to each part,
on its centre, when the spindle is not upon the lock, so that the bolt is released for
reversal, and when the bolt is reversed and replaced, the spindle being inserted,

page_text: it locks the parts of the follower in their true position, and thus the bolt is securely
retained in its correct position for action.
I also apply this construction of the follower and spiral spring to the palace motion
lock and latch, to effect the speedy and perfect reversion of the bolt, to accommodate
it to a right or left-hand lock, as may be required.
Reference to the Drawings, and description herewith, will clearly illustrate my
Invention and the means whereby I attain my object.
Figure 1 shews a plan of a mortise lock with the cap removed and the follower A
in its position without the spindle; B, the bolt; C, C, the horns; D, the arın or
lever supporting the spiral spring E; F, the tail; G, the back-spring.
Figure 2 shews in section the two parts of the follower separated and the
shoulder (a) in position, so that it may pass upon the collar (b) and turn round
upon it to allow the bolt to be drawn out.
Figure 3, plan of one part of the follower, with the spiral spring E upon the
horn C.
Figure 4, plan of the other part of the follower, with the horn C and the arm or
lever D, and the projecting stud (c) which supports the spiral wire spring E, as
shewn in Figure 1.
Figure 5, plan of the palace motion lock with the cap removed, the bolt H,
follower I, with its horns J, J, spiral spring K, feather-spring L, crank M, M,
and the runner N.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Woodward in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st
May 1879.
JAMES WOODWARD, of No, 154, North Street, Wolverhampton, in the County of
Stafford, Lock Manufacturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FOLLOWER OF MORTISE
AND RIM-LOCKS AND LATCHES FOR THE REVERSAL OF THE BOLT."
The object of my Invention is to simplify the parts in the interior of mortice and
rim-locks and latches, to perfect the construction of the follower so as to make the
bolt reversible at the least possible cost of labour and materials for the same without
removing the cap from the lock.
This I accomplish by making the follower in two or more parts or sections, and
so placing those parts together that they may have a backward and forward motion
at the same time, whereby the spindle is removed, the bolt. drawn a little distance
forwards or outwards, reversed in position; and placed back into its seat ready for
action, in a position so as to adapt the lock either to a left or right hand door as may be
required without any other change in the lock than the removal and re-placing of
the spindle within the lock.
I also connect with the horns of the follower a spiral wire or feather spring, to
cause the parts of the follower to fall into position, to allow the spindle to pass
through the square hole in the parts of the follower, and also to assist in making an
escapement for the bolt to be partially or wholly withdrawn.
The follower being inade in parts allows of an independent motion to each part
on its centre when the spindle is not upon the lock, so that the bolt is released for
reversal, and when the bolt is reversed and replaced, the spindle being inserted, it
locks the parts of the follower in their true position and thus the bolt is securely
retained in its correct position for action.
I also apply this construction of the follower and spiral-spring to the palace-
motion lock and latch to effect the speedy and perfect reversion of the bolt to
accommodate it to a right or left hand lock, as may be required.
In order that I may be the more clearly understood I illustrate the arrangement
of the parts of the lock combining my Invention by the Drawings annexed, with
letters of reference to those parts, and to such parts of the lock in connection with
the parts of my Invention as may be necessary to illustrate or shew the position and
parts of the follower and the spiral spring.
Figure 1 shews a plan of a mortise lock with the cap removed, and the follower A
in its position without the spindle; B, the bolt which may be reversed; C, C, the
horns; D, the arm or lever supporting the spiral spring E; F, the tail; G, the
back spring; H, stud or stop.
Figure 2 shews a plan of the follower A, Figure 1, detached from the lock, with
corresponding letters of reference with Figure 1 of follower.
Figure 3 shews a plan of one of the sections or parts of the follower with the one
horn C, lever D, and spindle hole I.
Figure 4 shews a plan of the other section of the follower with the stud or stop H,
horn C, and spindle hole I.
Figure 5 shews a vertical section of the two parts of the follower when placed
together for action through the line a, a, of Figure 2; C, C, the two horns, one horn
being made to partially or wholly revolve upon the other part of the follower, as
described in Figure 6 and Figure 7; I, the spindle hole.
Figure 6 shews a section of one part or section of the follower; C, the one horn;
1, the spindle hole; a, a, the circumference upon which the part b, b, Figure 7,
revolves.
Figure 7 shews a section of the other part or section of the follower; C, the horn;
I, the spindle hole; b, b, the part which revolves upon the parts a, a, Figure 6.
Figure 8 shews a plan of the palace motion lock with the cap removed; the
bolt B, to be reversed; A, the follower, with its levers D, C; E, the spiral spring

page_text: cranks; I, the spindle hole.
Figure 9 shews a plan of the two parts or sections of the follower detached from
the lock and lying one upon the other, with letters of reference corresponding with
the letters on Figure 8.
Figure 10 shews a plan of one section of the follower; D, the one lever; I, the
spindle hole.
Figure 11 shews a plan of the other section of the follower; C, the other lever;
I, the spindle hole; F, the stud or stop.
Figure 12 shews a vertical section of the other part of the follower, Figure 10, at
the line a, a; I, the spiddle hole.; a, a, the part around which the other part of the
follower, Figure 13, at b, b, revolves or moves.
Figure 13 shews a vertical section of the other part of the follower at the points a, a,
Figure 9; I, the spindle hole; C, the lever; b, b, the part which revolves round the
circumference at a, a, Figure 12.
Having now described and illustrated the parts of the lock so improved by my
Invention, I claim as my Invention, the division of the follower into two or more
parts, so that those parts shall have a movement forwards and backwards simul-
taneously upon the centre in opposite directions to produce the required position for
releasing the bolt, so that it may be reversed in position horizontally without any other
change in the lock than the removing or withdrawing of the spindle; also the connection
of a spiral spring, or feather spring, or any other suitable spring with the horns of the
follower in such a manner as to produce a forward and backward action to the horns,
whereby they are adjusted into position to admit of the release of the bolt, so that
it may be reversed as desired, and described heretofore; also the follower being
made in parts or sections with the square or any other suitable shape hole in or about
the centre without the spindle, the parts or sections of the follower can have a circular
motion in opposite directions; but when the spindle is put into the hole made for it in
the follower it fixes or locks the parts or sections of the follower in their true position
to prevent the slipping or shifting of the bolt after reversal, which constitutes my
claim for the locking and unlocking of the parts or sections of the follower by the
spindle, as herein described.
I also claim the application of the part or parts of my Invention, as herein
described, to the palace motion lock or latch.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Woodward, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.
JAMES WOODWARD. (L.S.)