Improvements in Keys for Locks.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Mar., 1890-Accepted, 26th Apr., 1890
GUMI LETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Keys for Locks.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK of the firm of A. M. and Wm. Clark of 53,
Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex, Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a communication to me from abroad
by Hermann Carl Fischer (Machinist and Engineer) of No. 301, East 19th Street,
in the City, County, and State of New York, and William Schwarzwaelder (Merchant)
of 59, South Portland Avenue, Brooklyn, William Oscar Schwarzwaelder (Merchant)
of Linden Boulevard, Flatbush, and Edgar Smith Hicks (Gentleman) of No. 218,
Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, all in the County of Kings and State of New York,
United States of America) 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 the class of keys commonly known as Yale Lock Keys;
and has for its object to so construct such a key that no impression taken from the
keykole will reveal its shape, also so that the tumblers in the lock can be placed at
sundry angles to each other with the view of avoiding the picking of the lock by the
means of false keys.
In the drawing
Figure 1 represents a side view of one form of the new key and
Figure 2 an end view of the same before the blades are twisted.
Figure 3 is a side view of another form of the new key and
Figure 4 an end view thereof before the blades are twisted.
Figure 5 is a side view of another form of the new key.
Figure 6 shews the new key in a lock and
Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10, are cross-sections shewing the angles at which the blades
of the key may bo placed.
The key proper is constructed with a suitable head or handle F from which projects
or may project (see figures 1, 3, and 6) a central spindle or pin B. This pin B
carries one or more spirally-twisted blades G the edges of the blades forming the bits
or bittings for lifting the pins or tumblers of the lock. The key may also be formed
without the central pin B by merely attaching the twisted or spiral blade G to the
handle F, as is clearly shewn in figure 5 which figure also shows the bittings by which
the tumblers or pins of the lock are moved. The end of each spiral blade Gis
bevelled, as clearly appears from figures 1, 3, and 6, for the purpose of enabling the
blade to gradually push the tumbler or pin of the lock aside which could not be done
if the spiral blade had an abrupt right-angled end. In figure 6 the key is represented
in the key-hole of a lock, the lock portion being marked A, the pins in the lock or
tumblers being marked E, the bevelled end of the key being marked C, and the inner
box of the lock which has the key hole being marked D. It will be seen, from an
inspection of figure 6, that the key with the spiral blade entering a narrow keyhole
of rectangular cross-section will turn in the key hole and will be able to affect pins E
that are set at varying angles in the same lock, a feature which in ordinary locks
heretofore constructed could not be accomplished.
Where the key is provided with a series of blades, such as two or more, they
may be set at suitable angles to each other, as is clearly indicated in figures 7,
8, 9, and 10.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
ion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is;-
1. A key provided with a spiral blade having bits or bittings in its edge, substantially
L

page_text: 2. A key comprising a blade made of two or more spiral flanges standing at angles
to each other and provided with bits or bittings in their edges for engagement with
the pins or tumblers, substantially as shewn and described.
3. A key provided with a blade comprising a central pin and one or more flanges
held spirally on the said central pin and having bevelled outer end, substantially as
shewn and described..
4. A key provided with a blade comprising a central pin and one or more flanges
held spirally on the said central pin and provided with bits or bittings in their edges
for engagement with the pin or tumblers, substantially as shown and described.
5. A key provided with a blade comprising a central pin and one or more flanges
held spirally on the said central pin and provided with bits or bittings in their edges
for engagement with the pins or tumblors, the said flanges being bevelled at their
front ends, substantially as shewn and described.
Dated this 25th day of March 1900
A. MELVILLE CLARK.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.
A. MELVILLE CLARK.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.