IMPROVEMENTS IN WINDOW FASTENERS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Ernest Charles Keay, Iron Merchant, of Birmingham, in
the County of Warwick, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WINDOW
FASTENERS."
Sealed the 16th August 1878, and dated the 11th April 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Ernest Charles Keay at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th April 1878.
ERNEST CHARLES KEAY, Iron Merchant, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WINDOW FASTENERS."
This Invention has reference to window fasteners which are more or less self-
acting, being actuated by spring bolts or nipples for that purpose, and for securing
the sashes against dust or shaking. The spring bolts of these window fasteners are
generally made round in order that they may readily turn upon their axis, the round
shank of the knob attached to the bolt working in a diagonal slot in the case for
the purpose of drawing the window sashes together at their junction, and this
diagonal slot I corrugate or notch on its edge, or otherwise rough up in order that
the bolt may be securely fastened at any desired position, so that shaking by the
wind or other means will not loosen the sashes.
In some cases I make the neck of the knob which works in the slot oval or pear
shaped in section, or even with an almost fine edge in case of some sashes where
great sensitiveness of adjustment is desired with the recesses in the edge or edges of
the inclined slot formed to agree, and thus the sashes may be secured with great
nicety in any desired position.
The neck of the knob and the side of the slot would generally be made from the
same metal, but in cases where great wear would take place, a specially hard plate
would be attached, and the neck made from hard metal. I also fix or cast a small

page_text: stud on the front of the staple for the purpose of thowing the bolt into action
from its position of rest, and thus ensuring the self-acting action of the spring
bolt.
When two sashes come together very unevenly as regards their level, I use a
staple having a small spring under its front edge for the purpose of always keeping
the under side of the hole in the staple in contact with the bolt; this staple may be
fixed with or without a separate base plate or case for the spring.
In case great lateral liberty exists between the sashes I construct the staple with
a compound base, the upper part of the staple being allowed to slide a little distance
backwards for the purpose of admitting the bolt more easily; the staple being
brought back to its normal position by means of a spiral or other spring or springs.
I make a partly self-acting window fastener. The vertical lever is hinged to a
plate fastened down to the outside sash, the upper end of which carries a nipple
moving backwards by means of a small spring knob or handle; on the front sash is
fixed a staple having a lip and recess to receive the spring nipple when drawn
down by the action of the sash bearing upon a projection at the foot of the lever or
by the hand. In cases of loose sashes the lip on the staple would be made to taper
backwards for the purpose of drawing the two sashes together, as the lever is brought
down, the lip being provided with corrugations or several holes for securing the
lever at any desired position; a small spring at the foot of the lever returns it to its
original vertical position.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Ernest Charles Keay in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th
October 1878.
ERNEST CHARLES KEAY, Iron Merchant, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick. "IMPROVEMENTS IN WINDOW FASTENERS."
This Invention has reference to window fasteners which are more or less self-
acting, and which are made to draw the sashes together, to prevent shaking or the
entrance of dust.
On reference to Figures 1 and 2, the window fasteners with ordinary corrugations
will be seen applied to the sashes, and the lever turned down the diagonal slot,
thus drawing the sashes together, and locked into the lower corrugation.
a is the round-necked lever, and b the corrugated edge of the case.
Figures 3 and 4 show the bolt case only of a similar fastener, with the neck of
the lever formed with an edge to drop into slanted notches as shown dotted on the
plan, Figure 4 at c.
Figures 5 and 6 show a fastener of precisely the same kind but with the notches
and the neck of the lever differently formed, as seen at d on the plan Figure 6.
Figure 7 is a side elevation, and Figure 8 a plan of a fastener coming together
with the bolt held back out of action by the neck of the lever falling into the square
slot e.
The bolt is liberated from the slot by means of the stud f which is brought
in contact with its under side as the sash is lowered down, as shown at f on tho
side elevation.
These Figures 7 and 8 also show the hard metal plate with roughed or corrugated
edge, which is attached to the bolt case, as seen at g.
Figure 9 is a front elevation showing the point of the bolt in its position of rest
more clearly.
And Figure 10 is a plan of the case with the bolt in the same position; while
Figures 11 and 12 are front elevation and plan of the staple showing the stud f
more clearly.
Figures 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24 illustrate what I call
"the Partridge automatic sash fastener" which secures and draws together the
sashes by closing the window.
Figure 15 illustrates a sash nearly closed, with the projecting foot picce g just
about to come in contact with the bottom of the hinged lever ; and as the sash is
pressed downwards, the lever is locked into the position shown by Figures 13
and 14.
The sash is opened by drawing back the spring knob j, the sash being at
the same time slightly lifted up, when the lever is returned to its upright
position by the spring k.
Figures 17 and 18 show a similar fastener with a hinged arm l, instead of
the spring knob.
Figure 19, side elevation; Figure 20, plan; and Figure 21, front clovation,
show a fastener in its unlocked position, similar to the above, having a projection m
at the side of the point of the lever.
The staple n is hung on a pivot and kept in its proper position by the spring o.
When the sash is closed down the projection on the foot brings down the lever
as in the former examples into the position shown by Figure 22, side elevation;
Figure 23, plan; and Figure 24, front elevation. The holes in the pivoted staple
receive the projection m which secures the fastener.
In opening the window it is only necessary to press the hinged staple n down-
wards, so as to liberate the lever.
Figures 25 to 32 show what I call the "Acme" secure fastener, having no
slot in the case, thus closing it against the admittance of dust to the bolt. The
inclined surface, which may either be corrugated as shown, or plain, is at the end of

page_text: the fastener, and the bolt handle or knob p is horizontal when out of action, as
shown by Figure 25, side elevation; Figure 26, plan; Figure 27, end elevation ;
and Figure 28, also plan.
Figures 29 and 30 show the same fastening in position to act when the window
is closed; and Figures 31 and 32 show the position of the lever p when the sashes
are locked together.
Several forms of my compound staples are illustrated by Figures 33 to 41.
Figures 33, 34, and 35 show one with a spring under its front end, which enables
the staple to adjust itself to uneveness in the level of the sashes.
Figures 36 and 37 show another which slides backwards and forwards on its base
with a back spring r, for keeping it up to the bolt case.
Figures 38 and 39 show the same with a helical springs in the screw slot.
And Figures 40 and 41 have the spring u placed at the back of the case.
Having now described the manner of carrying out my Invention, I would have it
understood that I do not claim the spring bolt or plain slot as my Invention, but
what I do claim is,-
1st. Corrugating and notching the inclined slot or end of the bolt case, and the
stud to bring the bolt into action, and as shown.
2nd. "The Partridge automatic sash fastener," as shown.
"
3rd. The "Acme secure fastener, as shown, whether the inclined surface be
corrugated or plain.
4th. The staple with the compound base, and as shown.
In witness whereof, I, the said Ernest Charles Keay, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Second day of October, One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-eight,
ERNEST CHARLES KEAY. (L.S.)
Witnessed by
GEORGE BARKER,
Patent Agent,
27, Colmore Row,
Birmingham.