Improvements in Appliances for Fastening Doors, Windows, and Gates.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 18th July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 17th Apr., 1891-Accepted, 30th May, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Appliances for Fastening Doors, Windows,
and Gates.
WC HENRY LOMAX, of Railway Road, Darwen in the County of Lancaster
Engineer, and WILLIAM THOMAS COTTON of Albert Mill, Livsey, Blackburn,
Cotton Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:
This invention relates to improvements in latches or bolts and appliances for
securing doors, windows and gates, and the object is to construct such bolts or
latches, and appliances connected therewith, the door or gates shall be more easily
closed, and secured when closed, and with less friction of the parts than heretofore,
and also to prevent any movement of the door, or window, and consequently
rattling and noise when closed.
According to this our invention the hook, or catch behind which the latch, or
bolt passes when the gate, or door is closed, is formed with an inclined curved face
so that when the latch passes behind same it is held tightly between the inclined
face and the bracket carrying same on the jamb of the door to which it is fixed,
and the incline making the catch wider at the lower part it compensates for wear,
as the latch does not go to the bottom of the incline but wedges part way down.
The latch or bolt we cast of metal with a short arm or crank at or near cach
end, and these arms are received in brackets let into the door or gate the
bracket forming bearings on which the latch moves when raised by the thumb
piece or handle for operating same, the latter being formed with a recess or slot
in it which is received on a fulcrum pin or stud in a bracket let into the door
or gate.
In bolts which move to and fro in a horizontal line we mount the same on a
short arm connected to the bolt by a through pin, and the other end of the said
arm is carried by a like pin in a bracket fixed to the door or gate, the other and
opposite end of the bolt is by a short lever attached to a spindle on which is the
door handle at the opposite side of the door to the bolt, so that by turning the
handle the short lever inoves the bolt in one direction, or the other as desired and
bolts or unbolts the door. A. thumb and finger piece is attached to, or in
connection with the bolt for moving same without the use of the handle on the
opposite side of the door, and by the use of this bolt and appliances as described
the ordinary handle fixed in the centre of a door can be utilized for opening or
closing same.
In lieu of making the hook or catch a fixture we in some cases prefer to mount
the hook between two lugs or brackets fixed to the door or gate post and behind
the hook we place a spring which tends to keep same in the forward position,
when the bolt, or latch comes in contact with the hook on closing the door it
compresses the spring until the bolt passes the end of the hook, whereon the
latter is forced outwards by the spring, and overhangs the bolt or latch and holds
the same securely in position. The door is opened in the ordinary way by lifting
the latch above, or drawing the bolt from the hook or catch.
For holding doors windows or gates in a closed position, when the same are made
to open to either side, we employ hooks, or catches carried loosely on pins or studs,
and when the door, or window is closed the bolt or latch thereon comes in contact
with one of the hooks, or catches, and raises or moves same on its stud and then
coming in contact with the second hook or catch its further progress is stopped,
the hooks being so mounted as only to be moveable when operated from one side,

page_text: and a spring presses the same down when the bolt or latch has passed from
under it.
The latches or bolts may be mounted in ball or roller bearings to lessen the
friction, and the several parts above described may be used in combination, or
separately as described.
Dated the 17th day of July 1890.
:
WALTER
BRIERLEY,
Central Chambers, Halifax, Agent for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Appliances for Fastening Doors, Windows,
and Gates.
We HENRY LOMAX of Railway Road, Darwen in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer and WILLIAM THOMAS COTTON of Albert House Livesey, near
Blackburn, in the County aforesaid, Manufacturer 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 latches, or bolts, and appliances for
securing doors, windows, and gates, and the object is to construct such bolts or
latches, and appliances, connected therewith that the door or gates, shall be more
easily closed and secured when closed, and with less friction of the parts than
heretofore, and also to prevent any movement of the door, or window, and
consequently rattling, and noise when closed.
According to this our invention the hook or catch behind which the latch, or
bolt passes when the gate or door is closed, is formed with an inclined curbed
face, so that when the latch passes behind same it is held tightly between the
inclined face and the bracket carrying same, or the jamb of the door to which it
is fixed, and the incline making the catch wider at the lower part it compensates
for wear as the latch does not go to the bottom of the incline but wedges part way
down. The latch or bolt we cast of metal, with a short arm or crank at or near
cach end, and these arms are received in brackets let into the door or gate, the
bracket forming bearings on which the latch moves when raised by the thumb
piece or handle for operating same, the latter being formed with a recess or
slot in it which is received on a fulcrum pin or stud in a bracket let into the door
or gate.
In bolts which move to and fro in a horizontal line we mount the same on a
short arm or link connected to the bolt, by a through pin, and the other end of the
said arm is carried by a like pin in a bracket fixed to the door or gate, the other
and opposite end of the bolt is by a short lever attached to a spindle, on which is
the door handle at the opposite side of the door to the bolt, so that by turning the
handle, the short lever moves the bolt in one direction, or the other as desired and
bolts or unbolts the door. A thumb and finger piece is attached to, or in connec
tion with the bolt for moving same without the use of the handle, on the opposite
side of the door, and by the use of this bolt and appliances as described the
ordinary handle fixed in the centre of a door, can be utilized for opening o
closing same.
In lieu of making the hook or catch a fixture we in some cases prefer to moun
the hook between two lugs or brackets fixed to the door or gate post, and behind
the hook we place a spring which tends to keep same in the forward position and
when the bolt, or latch comes in contact with the hook on closing the door i
compresses the spring until the bolt passes the end of the hook, whereon the latte
is forced outwards by the spring, and overhangs the bolt or latch and holds th
same securely in position. The door is opened in the ordinary way by lifting th
latch above or drawing the bolt from behind the hook or catch.

page_text: For holding doors, windows or grates in a closed position, when the same are
made to open to either side, we employ hooks or catches carried loosely on pins or
studs, and when the door or window is closed the bolt or latch thereon comes in
contact with one of the hooks, or catches, and raises, lowers or moves same on its
stud and then coming in contact with the second hook or catch its further progress
is stopped, the hooks being so mounted as only to be moveable when operated from
one side, and a spring presses the same down or up when the bolt or latch has
passed from under it.
The latches or bolts may be mounted in ball or roller bearings to lessen
the friction, and the several parts above described may be used in combination
or separately as described.
Such being the nature and object of our said invention the following is a
complete description of same reference being made to the accompanying drawings
forming a part of this Specification in which
:-
Fig. 1. is a front elevation of a part of a door and door jamb having our
improved fastening devices applied thereto.
Fig. 2. is a plan view of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3. is a front view of our improved spring catch or holding device.
Fig. 4. is an end view of Fig. 3.
Fig. 5. is a plan view of Figs. 3 and 4 also shewing the door closed, and the bolt
or latch behind the catch.
Fig. 6. is a front elevation of a part of a door and door jamb shewing a sliding
bolt attached thereto.
Fig. 7. is a plan view of Fig. 6.
Fig. 8. is a plan view of the mounting or bearing for carrying the latch.
Fig. 9. is a plan view of the mounting or bearing for carrying a
sliding bolt.
Figs. 10. and 11 are end views of door jambs having our automatic or self
fastening and holding device applied thereto.
Fig. 12. is an end view of a door (partly open) and door jamb the door carrying
a latch with ball bearings, and the jamb a catch with inclined wearing surface.
Fig. 13. is a front elevation of door and door jamb with latch moving on ball
bearings and also having an inclined or wedge shaped end shewn by
Fig. 14. which is an end view of Fig. 13.
Fig. 15. is a view in elevation of an adjustable right or left hand catch.
Fig. 16. is a plan view of Fig. 15.
Fig. 17. is a detail of device for raising the latch.
Fig. 18. shews in elevation a latch mounted on one end of and moved by a
blade spring.
According to this our invention the hook or catch 3 behind which the latch, or
bolt 8 passes when the gate or door 1 is closed is formed with an inclined or
curved face 10 so that when the latch 8 passes behind same it as held tightly
between the inclined or curved face 10 and the bracket 4 carrying same or the
jamb 2 of the door to which it is fixed, and the incline or curve 10 making the
catch 3 wider at the lower part it compensates for wear as the latch or bolt 8 does
not go to the bottom of the incline 10 but wedges part way down (see Figs. 2
and 6). The latch or bolt 8 we cast of metal with a short arm or crank 11. 15
at or near each end (see Figs. 1 and 2) and these arms 11. 15 are received in
brackets 13. 17 (see Figs .8 and 9) let into the recesses 14. 18 in the door or
grate 1 the said brackets 13. 17 forming bearings for the pins 12. 16 on which the
latch or bolt 8 moves when raised by the thumb picce 20 or handle 19 for operating
same the latter (see Fig. 17) being formed with a recess or slot 20" in which is
received a fulcrum pin or stud 20 in a bracket 20° let into the door or gate 1 (see
Fig. 2) or on a bracket 21 screwed to the face of the door.
In bolts 8 which move to and fro in a horizontal line (see Figs. 6. 7 and 9) we
mount the said bolts 8 on a short arm or link 21 connected to the bolt by a
through pin 22 and the other end of the said arm 21 is carried by a like pin 16 in
a bracket 17 fixed in the recess 14 in the door or gate 1 the other and opposite

page_text: end 8 of the bolt 8 is by a short lever or finger 23 attached to a spindle 24 on
which is the door handle at the opposite side of the door to the bolt so that by
turning the handle the short lever or finger 23 moves the bolt 8 in one direction
or the other as desired and bolts or unbolts the door. A thumb and finger
piece 25. 25 is attached to or used in connection with the bolt 8 for moving the
latter without the use of the handle on the opposite side of the door and by the
use of this bolt 8 and appliances as described the ordinary handle fixed in
the centre of a door can be utilized for opening or closing same.
In lieu of making the hook or catch 3 a fixture we in some cases prefer to
mount the said hook or catch 3 between two lugs or brackets 6. 6. fixed by screws
passing through the holes 5 in the bracket 4 to the door or gate post 2 and
behind the hook 3 we place a spring 9 which tends to keep the hook or catch 3
in the forward position. When the bolt or latch 8 comes in contact with the
inclined face 7 of the hook or catch 3 on closing the door it compresses the
spring 9 until the bolt 8 passes the end of the hook 3. (see Fig. 5) whereon the
latter is forced outwards by the spring 9 and overhangs the bolt or latch 8 and
holds the same securely in position. The door is opened in the ordinary way
by lifting the latch 8 above or drawing the bolt 8 from behind the hook or
catch 3.
For holding doors windows or gates 1 in a closed position, when the same are
made to open or swing to either side i.e. inwards or outwards we employ hooks
or catches 7 carried loosely on pins or studs 6 and when the door or window 1
is closed the bolt or latch 8 thereon comes in contact with one of the hooks or
catches 7 and raises (see Fig. 10) or depresses (see Fig. 11) or moves one of the
catches or hooks 7 on its stud 6 and the bolt or latch 8 then coming in contact
with the second hook or catch 7 its further progress is stopped by the second
hook 7 the hooks 7 being so mounted on the pins 6 as only to be moveable when
operated from one side and a spring 9 presses the same down or up (see Fig. 11)
when the bolt or latch 8 has passed over or under the said catch 7 or
the catches 7 will fall into and resume their normal position by gravitation
(see Fig. 10).
Figs. 12, 13 and 14 shew the latch or bolt 8 moving on a ball 26 of glass or metal
which is received and carried in the bracket 28 which has a hollow recess 27 formed
in it for the reception of the said ball which thus forms an antifriction runner, or
ball bearing on which the latch or bolt 8 moves and the latter may be mounted
either as shewn by Figs. 1 and 2 or as shewn by Fig. 13 wherein the latch 8 is
mounted and free to turn on the fulcrum stud 29 as ordinary and the bracket 28
against which the latch 8 bears is formed slightly inclined as at 30 (see Fig. 14) so
that when the latch 8 engages with the catch or hook 3 the inclined face 30
acting as a wedge forces and holds the door firmly and closely in position so
preventing vibration and rattling and in lieu of forming the catch or hook 3 with
an inclined or curved face 10 the end of the latch or holt 8 may be wedge shaped
or inclined as at 31 (Figs. 13 and 14).
The hook or catch 3 shewn by Figs. 15 and 16 is rendered readily adjustable by
the slots 32 in the bracket 4 through which slots 32 are passed the holding
screws these slots being provided in lieu of the ordinary holes shewn at 5. 5 and
the double inclined face 7. 7 renders the catch 3 reversible and the face 10 will
serve to hold either latch or bolt and being of the shape shewn without
protruding angles or sharp corners will not catch the clothes or dress of
passers by.
Fig. 17 shews the ordinary device for raising or lifting the latch 8 the thumb
piece 20 and handle 19 being carried by the fulcrum pin or bracket 20° fixed to
the door or gate the said pin or bracket 20° being received in the recess 20 formed
near the thumb piece 20 whereby the necessity of boring holes is obviated and
the lifting device can be more readily fixed in position or removed when
desired.
Fig. 18 shews the latch 8 mounted and carried on a blade spring 35 which tends

page_text: to maintain the latch in the "down" position when not raised by coming in
contact with the inclined face 7 of the catch 3, or when raised by the lever or
finger 23 on the spindle 24 of the door handle. One end of the blade spring 35
is bolted to the inside of the latch case 36.
It will be understood that by the use of the appliances as above described and
illustrated by the drawings the bolts and latches for securing doors windows and
gates will move much more freely and the door window or gate be more easily
fastened or unfastened than heretofore as friction of the bearings and different
parts is reduced to a minimum and consequently breakage straining and loosening
of the fastenings is in a great manner obviated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of
our said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare and
would have it understood that we do not limit ourselves to the particular design of
the appliances as illustrated as it is obvious the same may be varied or modified
according to requirements but what we claim is :-
1. Door latches having bent or cracked parts such as 11. 15 mounted and having
movement as illustrated by Figs. 1. 2 and 8 of the annexed drawings and as
herein fully described.
2. The bolt 8 carried by arm or link 21 or blade spring 35 and link or finger 23
operated by the spindle 24 and door handle, or by the finger and thumb pieces 25
as illustrated by Figs. 6. 7. 9. and 18 of the annexed drawings and as herein
described.
3. The double catches 7. 7. mounted on pins 6 6 acting through gravitation
as shewn by Fig. 10 or through the spring 9 as shewn by Fig. 11 for holding the
bolt or latch 8 in a door gate or window (opening upwards and outwards) and as
herein described.
4. The use of a recessed bracket such as 28 containing a ball or sphere 26
preferably of glass a portion of the circumference of the ball protruding slightly
beyond the recess so as to form a rolling contact surface for the bolt or latch 8 as
illustrated by Figs. 12 13 and 14 of the accompanying drawings and as herein
fully described.
5. The holding catch or hook 3 spring 9 and its carrying brackets or lugs 6. 6.
and inclined locking piece 7. 10 as illustrated by Figs. 3. 4 and 5 of the accom-
panying drawings and as herein described.
HENRY LOMAX.
THOMAS COTTON.
By their Agent, Walter Brierley,
Central Chambers, Halifax.