Improvements in Locking Mechanism for Safes and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Apr., 1898-Accepted, 22nd Oct., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Locking Mechanism for Safes and the like.
I, NICOLAS FELIX VETERE, of 570, Calle Gascon, Buenos Aires, Argentine
Republic, Machinist, 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:-
My invention refers to locks or rather to an apparatus of security for iron safes or
treasure chests, characterized principally by the absence of a bolt or locking bar,
by the specialty of its one vertical pivot at right angles with the pivot for the
key, both being firmly secured upon the central armature of the frame or case; by
its spring and lever combination plates and by its female double warded direct
pressure key with teeth or grooves in the interior and exterior of said double
wards.
This lock, as above stated, has no bar or locking bolt and is composed of a
case or principal frame divided horizontally in its center by means of a sort of
partition to which are secured, a pivot upon which the combination plates turn,
and the key pivot. This key has no other function than that of exercising direct
pressure upon the combination plates in such a way as to place them in such a
position that the grooves with which each one of them is provided shall coincide
to form a continuous channel or groove in order to give passage to the guide which
is in connection with the mechanism of the bolts of the safe or chest. This guide
enters into the groove of the combination when the bolts of the safe are within,
that is to say, when the safe is open. Turning the knob or handle which moves
the said bolts, the guide passes out from the grooves, and the combination plates
being thus released return to their normal position by means of their springs,
closing thus the continuous groove.
For the better comprehension of this description, explanatory drawings are
annexed, in which equal parts of the apparatus are indicated by equal letters of
reference.
Figure I shows the frame or case of the apparatus in all its details, in which G
is the partition or division upon which are fastened the pivot E and the key
pivot C
Figure II shows the movement of the combination plates turning upon the
pivot E and the channel or groove A being closed preventing in consequence the
introduction of the guide F. D are the springs with which each plate of the com-
bination is provided for the purpose of returning them to their normal position
when the direct pressure of the key on said plates ceases.
Figure III represents the interior of the apparatus, indicating the position of
the combination plates when the grooves of the plates coincide with each other
forming the channel or continuous groove A which permits the entrance of the
guide F, and the consequent unlocking of the door of the safe.
Figure IV is a front exterior view of the apparatus, indicating the position
of the two principal centers C, E, one of which, the pivot E, upon which the
combination plates turn, and the other, C, the pivot of the key.

page_text: Figure represents a transverse section of the apparatus on the central line
of the pivot C, and of the especially formed key with its teeth or grooves in the
interior and exterior parts of its double wards, showing the adjustment and contact
of these, teeth with the combination plates numbered from 1 to 12 which are
actuated by said teeth.
Figure VI is a longitudinal sectional view on the central line of the apparatus.
showing all the pieces which constitute the principal movements, and the frame
and partition which support the pivot C of the key and the pivot E of the com-
bination plates.
Figure VII is a plan and profile of the guide F.
Figure VIII is a view in perspective of the apparatus while open, the guide
being within the channel formed by the united grooves of the combination
plates...
Figure IX is a view in perspective of the apparatus when locked, and showing
the manner in which the guide F rests upon the combination plates.
The mechanism of the bolts of the door of the safe or treasure chest are com-
bined in such a manner that when they are closed the guide connected with said
mechanism must be so situated as to rest with no pressure whatever exactly upon
the combination plates which have each a small notch which in their closed
position coincide to form a slight groove within which rests the guide F in such
a manner that it has no lateral movement, the depth of 'the several notches being
sufficiently small as not to prevent the opening movement of the plates.
Introducing the key in the proper position in the key-hole, to facilitate which
one of the wards has a number corresponding with the same number placed on the
key hole; direct pressure is, exercised upon the combination plates, which upon
describing a curvilinear movement spreading themselves like a fan, bring their
grooves into position so that they coincide with each other forming a species
of channel which gives free passage to the guide F which enters said channel
when the knob or handle of the system of bolts sets them in motion to open the
door of the safe.
When the combination is not open the mechanism of the locking bolts can not
be moved owing to the fact that the guide F in connection with said mechanism
can not be moved from its place on account of having its passage intercepted
by the said combination plates.
When the mechanism of the bolts is closed, the guide F passes out of the
groove and the springs D of each plate force said plates back to their normal
position, disarranging the combination and in consequence automatically locking
the safe.
The security which this apparatus presents is absolute, and its key can not
be duplicated even when the original is used as a model; the width, height, and
depth of the teeth or notches of the wards must be so perfect that it renders im-
possible the manufacture of another key without the aid of the lock itself.
It should be remembered that in this system of plates and springs the pivot of
the movement of the same is situated at some distance from their center, so that
the effect is that a difference of one millimeter in the movement of the key is con-
verted into four millimeters in the movement of the opposite end of the plates,
so that the slightest difference in one of the teeth of the key would prevent the
plate acted upon by that tooth from moving over the exact space required to
make its groove coincide with those of the other plates to form the continuous
channel or passage for the guide F.
Having thus, described and ascertained the nature of my said invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, that which I claim as of my absolute
property and invention is:-
1. In locking mechanism for safes and the like, a lock or apparatus characterized
principally by a central division or partition secured to the frame of the lock,

page_text: upon which partition are secured a vertical pivot upon which move the com-
bination plates, and a pivot designed to be the guide of the key secured horizontally
with relation to said.pivot of the combination plates; by the absence of a bolt,
this being substituted by a guide in connection with the movement of the bars
of the safe or chest, and by the especial form of the key of double wards and pro-
vided with teeth or notches in the interior and exterior of these wards, which key
acts by direct pressure upon the combination plates forming a continuous groove
for the entrance of the guide and unlocking in consequence the safe or chest, in
combination as hereinbefore described and specified.
2. In locking mechanism for safes and the like the especial form and especial
position of the combination plates provided in their upper part with grooves,
which plates turn in their lower part upon a vertical pivot, being moved in this
lower part by the direct pressure of an especial key so that their movement in this
lower part results in a reciprocal movement increased four or more times in the
upper part, with the result that the slightest difference in the dimensions of any
one of the teeth of the key which move these plates would prevent the grooves
from combining with each other, preventing therefore the entrance of the guide
which is in connection with the system of bars or bolts.
3. In locking mechanism for safes and the like, the application of a guide in
connection with the mechanism of the locking bolts, which guide must enter into
a channel or passage formed by the united grooves of each one of the combination
plates when moved by the direct pressure of an especial key.
4. In locking mechanism for safes and the like, the application of a key
characterized by its double wards, with notches or teeth in the internal and
external parts of said wards, whose function is to exercise a direct pressure upon
the plates of the combination, arranging them in such a position that the openings
in their upper parts shall coincide one with another, forming a channel or con-
tinuous groove which gives passage to the guide connected with the mechanism
of the bolts when these are moved in order to open the safe or treasure chest, such
as herein before described and specified, with reference to the annexed drawings,
and with the objects indicated.
בד
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F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.