IMPROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR TRAVELLING TRUNKS, AND CASH, DEED AND OTHER BOXES
Year: 1885

page_text: We, THOMAS BURNS, and JAMES STONE DUMBELL, trading together in copartner-
ship as Thomas Turner and Company, of Phoenix Locks Works, Wolverhampton,
in the County of Stafford, lock manufacturers, do hereby declare the nature of our
invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN FASTENINGS FOR TRAVELLING TRUNKS, AND CASH,
DEED AND OTHER BOXES, to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to construct a self-latching fastening for travelling
trunks and cash, deed and other boxes, such fastening being preferably provided
with suitable locking mechanism.
In the following description of our invention we will refer to it as applied to a
travelling trunk, whon its application to the other purposes indicated in the title
will be sufficiently obvious without further description.
On each side of the middle of the front of the trunk, and preferably near to each
end thereof, is fixed a case carrying a horizontally sliding catch. Each catch takes
into the link of a corresponding hasp, which is hinged to the lid, when such hasp
is closed down. Each catch is set forwards (but both in the same absolute
direction) by means of a spring; and the corresponding edges of a link and catch
are bevelled so that the hasp latches itself as it is closed down. Suitable slots are
of course formed through each case for the entrace of the links.
A horizontal bar (which may be hollow if preferred) connects the two catches so
that when the bar is moved in one direction end ways the catches are drawn clear
of the links and the hasps may be raised; but such bar forms a sliding connection
with both catches in such a manner that each catch may be moved backwards, by
a link, the necessary distance to effect the latching of the hasp as the hasp is closed
in, without moving the bar. The bar engages with the catches in such a manner
that, when moved in a direction to unlatch the basps, it pulls back one catch and.
pushes back the other; and the catches draw back the bar into its normal position
when it is released.
The bar is provided with a central staple over which the central or ordinary
hasp is closed down and locked, by a lock of the usual type at the centre of the
trunk or by a padlock through the staple, when it is desired to lock the bar to
prevent its being moved to unlatch the outer hasps,

page_text: It is preferred to employ a spring in each case for throwing out the hasps when
unlatched.
The outer hasps may be latched while the bar itself is locked, but in that case
they cannot be unlatched until the bar has been previously unlocked.
Either or both of the catches can be used for temporarily latching the lid when
such is not required to be locked.
A modification of this invention consists in forming the rod in two parts, the
outer ends being formed to act as the catches and the inner ends formed with pro-
jections or thumb-pieces and also provided with a spring to press them outwards
from one another. The thumb-pieces are for drawing inwards the rods to unlatch
the outer hasps. The central hasp is provided with a hollow which closes over the
projections on the inner ends of the rods, and is locked thereover when it is
desired to lock the trunk. Each or both of the inner ends of the rods can move
backwards to admit of the outer hasp or hasps being self-latching; and the ends
of the rods can also move backwards in the hollow of the central hasp after the
same is locked so as to allow of the outer hasps being self-latching after the central
hasp is locked. The ends of the hollow in the central hasp are made to fit around
the rods so that when such hasp is locked the projections on the rods are
completely hidden and cannot be tampered with to force inwards the rods; and
the part of the rods between the central hasp and the latch cases may be covered
or cased as an additional security. In this modification the latches both move
inwards to unlatch.

page_text: Improvements in Fastenings for Travelling Trunks, and Cash,
Deed, and other Boxes.
We, THOMAS BURNS, and JAMES STONE DUMBELL, trading together in copartner-
ship as Thomas Turner and Company, of Phoenix Lock Works, Wolverhampton in
the County of Stafford, lock manufacturers, 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, reference being had
to the accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon (that
is to say):-
The object of this invention is to construct a self-latching hasp fastening for
travelling trunks, and cash, deed and other boxes.
A fastening constructed according to this invention consists of a pair of
horizontally or vertically sliding catches within suitable cases mounted upon the
front of the body of the trunk or box, near to each end thereof, and of a horizontal
rod between such catches, so geared therewith that the said catches may be pushed
backwards against the action of springs without moving the rod, but so that such
catches shall be drawn back by moving the rod endways or radially in one
direction, and so that such rod shall be returned to its normal position again by
means of the catches as they are forced forwards again by their springs on the
removal of pressure from the rod. Hasps upon the lid of the trunk or box close
down into the cases containing the sliding catches, and the corresponding edges of
the links on the ends of the hasps and of the catches against which they close are
bevilled so that the hasps latch themselves as they are closed down. A suitable
slot is, of course, formed through each case for the entrance of the link.
The ordinary central hasp and lock, or other fastening, of the trunk or box is
employed, and the rod, aforesaid, is provided with a staple or stud over which the
central hasp closes, and thus prevents the rod from being moved to unlatch the
outer hasps; and when the central hasp is locked, either by means of a lock fixed
to the trunk or box, or by means of a padlock through the staple, the outer hasps
are consequently also locked thereby, as the catches cannot be drawn back by the
rod until the central hasp has been unlocked.
This invention comprises also a self-latching hasp fastening of the character
above described, except that the horizontal rod is divided at the middle into
separate parts, and these parts act as catches for latching the outer hasps, the outer
ends of the rods being formned to latch into the links of the hasps, and being
bevilled or rounded so as to be self-latching. The inner ends of these rods are
kept apart in their normal or latched position by means of springs, and are drawn
together to unlatch the outer hasps, by means of snugs on their inner ends which
are, for such purpose, grasped between the finger and thumb. The central hasp
has a projection which comes between the snugs on the rods when the hasp is
closed down, and thus prevents the rods from being drawn back to unlatch the
outer hasps.

page_text: This invention will be clearly understood on reference to the accompanying
drawings..
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a trunk fastening constructed according to this
invention; figure 2 is a section on line x x of figure 1, except that the rod herein-
after described is shewn in plan and not in section; and figure 3 is a back
elevation of the end cases hereinafter described, and of the rod aforesaid, with the
cap-plates of the cases removed to shew the interior mechanism. The same letters
of reference occurring upon two or all of these views indicate corresponding parts.
A A¹ are latch cases fixed to the body B of the trunk. CC are hasps hinged to
the lid D and having links a aon the ends thereof capable of being closed into
the cases A A¹, respectively. These links are shewn in section by figure 3.
E E are catches capable of sliding horizontally in the cases A A¹, respectively.
bbare slots in the fronts of the cases through which the links on the ends of
the hasps C C are, respectively, closed in. c c are the heads or parts of the
catches E E¹ which project behind the slots b b¹ and by engaging with the
links a a retain the hasps C C¹ in their latched position. e el are backwardly
projecting flanges on the inner ends of the catches E E¹, respectively; and d d¹ are
corresponding flanges at the outer ends of such catches, respectively. f is a spring
carried by a stud g fixed to the cap-plate, and this spring bears against the stud g¹,
also fixed to the cap-plate, and against the flange d, and thus maintains the
catch E against the outer end of the case A, with the head or part c of such catch
immediately behind the slot b through the front of the case, excepting when such
catch is forced backwards by a pressure acting in a contrary direction to the
spring f. In like manner a loose spring fi maintains the catch E' against the
inner end of the case A¹, with the head or part c¹ of the catch E' immediately.
behind the slot b¹ through the front of such case. F is a horizontal rod (which
may be hollow if desired) let into the inner ends of the cases A A¹ and the
flanges e e¹ of the catches. h is a collar on one end of the rod and in position
immediately at the outer face of the flange e of the catch E. h¹ is a reduced part
at the other end of the rod, leaving a shoulder on the rod in position immediately
at the inner face of the flange e¹ of the catch E¹. The noses of the heads or
parts c c of the catches, and also of the links a a¹, of the hasps, are bevilled so
that as the links are closed in against the heads of the catches the catches are
forced, in the direction of the arrow i, against the pressure of the springs ff1,
respectively. It will be seen that as a catch is forced in this manner in the
direction indicated by the arrow, it moves independently of the rod F, which
.consequently remains in position, that is to say, the catch E simply carries back
its flange e from the collar h, and the catch E¹ carries back its flange e¹ along the
part . Immediately a hasp has been closed in sufficiently to bring the hole or
notch in its link opposite the head of its corresponding catch, such catch is forced
forwards again by its spring and latches the hasp. Either or both of the
hasps CC may, consequently, be closed down and latched, even when the rod F
is locked in position. F1 is a staple upon the rod F, and when it is desired to
unlatch the hasps C C¹, the rod is moved endways, by means of the staple, in the
direction indicated by the arrow i, and the collar h at one end of the rod and the
shoulder near the other end, pressing, respectively, against the flanges e e¹ of
the catches E E' move such catches and unlatch the basps; and, on the removal
of the force by which the rod has been so moved, the springs f f¹ force back such
catches and rod into their former position. j j₁ are the usual feather springs by
which the hasps are thrown out of the cases A A¹ immediately they are unlatched.
G is the ordinary central hasp, formed to close over the staple F1, as shewn, in
order to prevent the rod F being moved; and G¹ is the ordinary lock of any usual
or convenient construction. When the hasp G is locked, the rod F is locked, and
consequently also the hasps C C¹, and thus a triple locked fastening is secured.
The hasp Gmay be locked, if preferred, by means of a padlock through the staple.
Either or both of the catches E E' can be temporarily used for latching the lid,
when such is not required to be locked.

page_text: Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate, respectively, in front elevation, in vertical section
through the centre, and in sectional plan on line x x¹ of figure 4, a means by which
any substantial projection of the staple F¹ in front of the hasp G is avoided. In
figure 5 the lock case G¹ is shewn as if in elevation. The staple F¹ is formed set
within a recessed or shouldered-down part cl cll of the rod F, and for this purpose
the rod may be conveniently formed of a rectangular section rounded in front.
The eye H of the staple F is formed to be back from the outer face of the hasp G
when such hasp is closed down, and a recess H¹, which closes into the recessed
part cc of the rod, is formed in the face of the hasp to admit of the shackle
of a padlock being inserted through the eye H. A similar purpose has been
previously effected with the usual trunk fastening, by forming a groove or channel
across the entire face of the hasp; but the recess H₁ is much neater than such
groove or channel and is also applicable to the usual description of trunk fastening.
A modification of this invention is shewn by figures 7, 8, 9, 10 and 10° (sheet 2)
which are, respectively, corresponding views to figures 1, 2 and 3 (sheet 1), a
section on line 11 1 of figure 9, but with the hasp omitted, and a section on
line yy of figure 9, and the parts corresponding to those shewn by figures 1, 2
and 3, are similarly lettered. The rod F, however, is shewn in section by figure 8
and is formed hollowed out from the back, being of a rectangular shape in section,
somewhat rounded at the front, to admit thereof. In this case, the catches E E¹
do not slide directly in the cases A A', respectively, but in bridles lettered k k
formed on the ends of the rod F and capable of themselves sliding within such
cases as the rod is moved end ways. A detached view of the back elevation of these
catches is shewn by figure 10b. l'are plugs on the inner ends of the catches,
forming a sliding fit within the ends of the rod F, respectively, and m m¹ are pins
fixed in the plugs and capable of sliding in guides n n¹ fixed within the rod. '
The catches E E¹ are held against the back faces of the bridles by means of the
guides o o' upon the bridles passing around the backs of the heads c c¹, respectively.
f is a spiral spring within the rod F, and around the pin m, and is employed in lieu
of the spring f figures 2 and 3.
As either of the hasps C C¹ is closed down, the bevilled link on its end, coming
in contact with the bevilled head of the catch, forces such catch backwards, in the
direction indicated by the arrow i, and against the pressure of its spring (namely
against the spiral spring for against the spring f¹, as the case may be) the plug
or l' and pin m or m¹ sliding within the rod F. When the hasp has been completely
closed down, the catch of course springs forward again and latches the hasp. The
rod F, and bridles kk on the ends thereof, remain in position during such self-
latching of the hasps; but, when it is desired to unlatch them, the rod F, and
consequently the bridles k k', are moved endways in the direction indicated by the
arrow i, and the guide o on the bridle k presses back the flange e on the catch E, and
the inner end of the bridle k presses back the flange e¹ of the catch E¹. On the
removal of the force by which the rod and bridles have been moved endways, they
are returned to their former position by the springs f and fi acting through the
medium of the catches E and E. The heads c c¹ of the catches E E' project
forwards from the outer faces of the catches, as shewn by figures 10 and 10%, so as
to lie against the interior of the fronts of the cases in order to reduce to a minimum
the distance which the links a a¹ have to enter the cases A A'; and openings ell
and fare formed, respectively, through the bridles lettered respectively and k¹
to admit of such projections of the heads. The rod may be moved, and also
fastened, by means of a staple or stud as before-described; the recess shewn at J,
however, indicates a modification in this respect which will be better understood
on reference to figures 11 and 12 on the same sheet.
t
Figure 11 is a front elevation of the centre hasp and lock, and the centre of the
rod of the modified arrangement just referred to for locking the rod and moving
it endways to unlatch the outer hasps. Figure 12 is a vertical section through
the centre of figure 11. In figure 11 the outer plate of the lock case is removed
so as to shew the interior mechanism of, the lock, and the lower end of the hasp is

page_text: shewn as if broken away, such broken away part, however, being indicated by
broken lines. In lieu of a staple or stud, a recess J (corresponding to the recess J
figure 8) is formed in the outer face of the rod F. The links p p on the hasp G
are placed transversely to their usual position, so as to be locked by heads q q¹ on
a, vertically sliding bolt-tail K. A bolt-head is also carried on the bolt-tail K,
and is shot up into the recess J in the rod as the heads q q¹ are shot up into the
links pp, and thus the rod is securely locked. The rod is moved endways when
unlocked by inserting the finger in the recess J, and such recess is shewn in the
illustration to be wider than the bolt-head r, so as to leave room for the finger.
Such extra width is, of course, only on the side of the bolt head towards which the
rod is to be moved. A vertically-sliding bolt may be employed in the manner
above described for locking the rod of other descriptions of trunk fastener in which
a rod is employed.
A further modification of this invention is shewn by figures 13, 14, and 14ª
(sheet 2), of which figure 13 corresponds to the centre and right-hand side of
figure 2 (sheet 1), figure 14 to the centre and left hand side of figure 3 (sheet 1),
and figure 14 is a section on line y y of figure 14. Parts in these views corre-
sponding to parts in figures 2 and 3 are similarly lettered. The only substantial
difference between this arrangement and that illustrated by figures 2 and 3 is that
the catches are moved outwards, to unlatch the outer hasps, by turning the rod F
axially instead of moving it endways. 8 is an inclined or rounded shoulder on the
sliding catch E¹, and s¹ a cam on the rod F, and as the staple F¹ is raised to turn
the rod, the cam a¹, bearing against the rounded shoulder s, forces back the catch E¹
against the pressure of the spring f¹. On the removal of pressure from the staple,
the spring forces back the catch E, and the shoulder 8, reaching against the
cam 8, turns the rod F back into its former position. The catch and case at the
other end of the rod are the same as those illustrated, except that they are
the reverse handed; and in this arrangement both catches are forced outwards to
unlatch, instead of one outwards and the other inwards, as in the other modifica-
tions previously described. The outer hasps are self-latching as in the other
modifications. The centre hasp is closed down over the staple F1 to prevent the
rod being turned.
A further modification of this invention is shewn by figures 15 and 16 (sheet 3),
of which figure 15 is a corresponding view to the left-hand side of figure 3
(sheet 1), and figure 16 a section taken on line y' y¹ of figure 15. According to
the arrangement illustrated by these views, a vertically sliding catch E¹ within the
case A is depressed against the pressure of the spring f1, by the endway movement
of the rod F in the direction indicated by the arrow 2. The end of the rod F is
formed rectangular or other shape in section which will prevent it turning in the
case, and a stud t on the rod gears into an inclined slot in the catch E¹, so that,
as the rod is moved in the direction stated, the stud t travelling along the lower
edge of the slot t¹ forces down the catch. Upon the removal of pressure from the
rod, the catch is forced up by the spring f¹, and the reaction of the lower edge of
the slot against the stud t moves back the rod F into its former position.
u is a niche in the top of the slot to allow of the depression of the catch E¹,
independently of the movement of the rod, in order that the hasp C¹ may be self-
latching. The back end of the rod within the case is flat and slides within a
grooved in the cap-plate to give support against the upward pressure or thrust
of the rod. The catch and case and other parts, at the other end of the rod,
correspond to those illustrated, the rod, of course, passing further into the case so
as to bring the stud into its proper position in the slot.
As will be readily understood, the last-described modification may be made,
with very slight alteration, in such a way that upon turning the rod F axially,
instead of moving it endways, the catch E¹ will be depressed by the stud t to
unlatch the hasp.
A modification of this invention, as applied specially to a leather trunk or
portmanteau, is shewn by figures 17 and 18 (sheet 3), of which figure 17 is a front

page_text: elevation; and figure 18 a sectional plan taken on line of figure 17. The
arrangement illustrated is substantially the same as that shown by figures 1, 2
and 3 (sheet 1), and the corresponding parts are similarly lettered. The cases AA
are let in through the front of the portmanteau, and the rod F is carried at the
inside of the front. The stud F¹ projects through a horizontally slotted hole in
the front of the lock case G¹, and the hasp G closes thereover. The stud F¹ is
inclined in an upward. direction, as indicated by figure 17, 30 as to allow of the
radial movement of the hasp in being closed down.
A further modification of this invention is illustrated by figures 19 and 20, of
which figure 19 is a sectional plan taken on the centre of the rod corresponding to
the rod F of the modifications previously described, and figure 20 a vertical section,
through the centre fastening, that is, on the line ¹¹ figure 19. According to this
modification, the rod is divided at the middle into separate parts F F, and these
parts act as the catches for latching the outer hasps. The outer ends of the rods are
formed to latch into the links of the hasps, and are bevilled or rounded so as to be
self-latching. The inner ends of the rods are each formed with a tail-piece vand
a snug or flange v₁ at right angles thereto. w¹ is a guide-bar fixed to the front of
the trunk or box by means of the stud w. This bar w passes through holes in the
snugs to guide the inner ends of the rods F F, and is surrounded by spiral'
springs L L which are compressed between the snugs v v¹ and thus tend to force
the rods F F outwards from one another and against stops all all in the cases A A¹.
When it is desired to unlatch the outer hasps C C¹, the rods F F are drawn
towards one another, by grasping the snugs v v₁ between the thumb and finger.
Upon the removal of such pressure, the rods F F are immediately forced out, by
the reaction of the springs L L, into their outward position. The central hasp G
has an inwardly projecting stop 611 which, when such hasp is closed down, comes
between the snugs v vl and prevents them from being pushed inwards to unlatch
the outer hasp, and thus, when such hasp is locked, the outer hasps are also locked.
In this modification, of course, the outer hasps cannot be latched without first
raising the central basp.
Instead of forming a separate case for each end fastening and for the central
fastening, the whole of the mechanism described, according to any of the modifica-
tions, as carried in the three cases, may be carried in a single case of suitable
length; and instead of employing two end fastenings, one only of such fastenings
may be employed, if desired, in which case such fastening and the fastening here-
tofore described as the centre fastening, are, preferably, spaced equally on each side
of the centre of the trunk or box, and the outer end of the rod F is, of course,
Bupported in a suitable bearing.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the saine is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim in respect of fastenings for travelling trunks, and cash, deed, and other
boxes, is
1. A fastening for a travelling trunk or cash, deed or other box, having a pair
of horizontally- or vertically-sliding catches carried at the front of the trunk or box
and on each side of the centre, and having bevilled heads formed to be acted upon
by bevilled links on corresponding hasps hinged to the lid of such trunk or box,
such catches being maintained in their normal or latched position by means of
springs, and capable of being moved backward against the pressure of such springs,
by means of the hasp links when such are closed in to latch them, and, also
(specially for the purpose of unlatching the hasps) by means of a horizontal rod
moved in an endway direction or radially and so geared with the catches as to be
stationary during the movement of such catches or either of them during the self-
latching of the hasps or a hasp, substantially as herein described, and shewn by
the drawings herewith.
2. The modification of the fastening referred to in claim 1, according to which
one only of the sliding catches is employed, substantially as herein described.

page_text: '
3. The fastening substantially as described with reference to figures 1, 2 and 3
of the drawings herewith.
4. The fastening substantially, as described with reference to figures 7, 8, 9, 10,
10 and 10%, of the drawings herewith.
5. The fastening substantially as described with reference to figures 13, 14 and
14, of the drawings herewith.
.
6. The fastening substantially as described with reference to figures 15 and 16
of the drawings herewith.
7. The fastening, specially for a leather travelling trunk or portmanteau,
substantially as described with reference to figures 17 and 18 of the drawings
herewith.
8. The fastening substantially as described with reference to figures 19 and 20
of the drawings herewith.
9. The recess H' (as distinguished from a channel across the entire face of the
hasp) figures 4, 5 and 6, for the purpose of avoiding any material projection of a
padlock-staple through the hasp of a trunk or box fastener, substantially as
described and shewn.
10. The means of locking the rod of a trunk or box fastener (in cases in which
a rod is employed), consisting of a vertically-sliding bolt, in combination with a
recess in the rod to receive such bolt, substantially as herein described, and shewn
by figures 11 and 12 of the drawings herewith.