Improvements in Fastenings for Travelling Trunks, Deed Boxes, Portmanteaux, and other Receptacles of a like Character.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Feb., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 27th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 29th Dec., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fastenings for Travelling Trunks, Deed Boxes,
Portmanteaux, and other Receptacles of a like Character.
I, THOMAS SUTTON, of 51 Ablow Street, Wolverhampton in the County of
Stafford, Lock Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
.
This invention has for its object a simple form of mechanism whereby a pair of
hasps arranged, respectively, on each side of the middle of the front of a travelling
trunk, deed box, portmanteau or other receptacle of a like character, may be
fastened and unfastened in each case by a single operation performed at the middle
of such front; and, preferably, whereby, also, a central hasp may be simultaneously
fastened, or unfastened as the case may be, by the same operation.
According to this invention, a pair of levers each having two arms formed at
right angles (or approximately so) to one another, are fulcrumed, each at the part
where the two arms join, within a case which is fixed to the middle of the front of
the travelling trunk or other receptacle. Each lever has one of its arms towards
the centre of the case, and the inner end of such arm is engaged with a vertically
sliding plate, such as by means of a pin working in a slot. The other arm of each
lever is engaged with the inner end of a horizontal bolt or rod which passes through
the side of the case and through the side of a case, or through a mounting, within
or alongside of which the link of a side hasp is closed. As the vertically sliding
plate is moved in one direction the bolts are moved outwards endways by the levers
and their outer ends shoot through the links of the side hasps and securely fasten
them; and as the sliding plate is moved in the opposite direction the bolts are drawn
back endways out of engagement with the side hasps, which may then be raised.
The sliding plate may be operated by, or through the medium of, a key, levers
or other suitable appliances being used to convert the mechanism into a lock; or
the sliding plate may be operated without the use of a key, such as by means of a
part projecting through the bottom of the central case, or through a slot at the
front, or by other suitable means; or, if desired, the plate may be moved without
the use of a key to lock it, and be unlocked by means of a key.
It is preferred to utilise the central mechanism for fastening also a central hasp.
This is readily accomplished by forming the vertically sliding plate with a head
which is shot, as the plate is moved in a direction to shoot out the rods or bolts, in
front of a portion of a link or hook which projects from such hasp and passes within
the central case when the hasp is closed down.
The portions of the rods or bolts which pass between the central case and the
side casings or mountings into or alongside of which the links of the side hasps close
may be left exposed, more especially if the rods are of, or are coated with, brass or
other non-corrosible metal; or the rods may pass through sheaths fixed in position
between the central casing and the side casings or mountings.
...
ليوم
CL1001

page_text: Improvements in Fastenings for Travelling Trunks, Deed Boxes,
Portmanteaux, and other Receptacles of a like Character.
I, THOMAS SUTTON, of 51 Ablow Street, Wolverhampton in the County of
Stafford, Lock 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 has for its object a simple form of mechanism whereby a pair of
hasps arranged, respectively, on each side of the middle of the front of a travelling
trunk, deed box, portmanteau or other receptacle of a like character, may be fastened
and unfastened in each case by a single operation performed at the middle of such
front; and, preferably, whereby, also, a central hasp may be simultaneously
fastened, or unfastened as the case may be, by the same operation.
According to this invention, a pair of levers each having two arms formed at
right angles (or approximately so) to one another, are fulcrummed, each at the part
where the two arms join, within a case which is fixed to the middle of the front of
the travelling trunk or other receptacle. Each lever has one of its arms towards
the centre of the case, and the inner end of such arm is engaged with a vertically-
sliding plate, such as by means of a pin working within a slot. The other arm of
each lever is engaged with the inner end of a horizontal bolt or rod which passes
through the side of the case and through the side of a case or double-sided mounting
or through a mounting within or alongside of which the link of a side hasp is closed.
As the vertically-sliding plate is moved in one direction the bolts are moved outwards
endways by the levers and, if the side hasps are closed down, the outer ends of the
bolts shoot through their links and securely fasten such hasps; and as the sliding
plate is moved in the opposite direction the bolts are drawn back end ways out of
engagement with the side hasps, which may then be raised.
The sliding plate may be operated in each direction by, or through the medium of,
a key, levers or other suitable appliances being used to convert the mechanism into
a lock; or the sliding plate may be operated by means of a key to unlock the
fastening, and be operated to lock the fastening by means of a part projecting
through the bottom of the central case, or through a slot at the front, or by other
suitable means.
It is preferred to utilize the central mechanism for fastening also a central hasp.
This is readily accomplished by forming the vertically-sliding plate with a head
which is shot, as the plate is moved in a direction to shoot out the rods or bolts,
in front of a portion of a link or hook which projects from such hasp and passes.
within the central case when the hasp is closed down.
The drawings herewith illustrate, by way of example, the invention as applied to
the fastening of a sheet metal travelling trunk having two side hasps and also a
central hasp.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of the fastening, partly in section, that is to say,
the fronts of the central case and the left-hand side case into which the link of one
of the side hasps closes are cut away to expose the interior of such cases, and the
sheath for the left-hand bolt is shewn in longitudinal section. The lower portions
of the left-hand hasp and central hasp, together with the links which project
therefrom, are shewn by broken lines. The view is shewn as broken in length
between each side hasp and the central hasp, for convenience of illustration.
Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on line xx of Figure 1.
Figure 3 illustrates, in front elevation, a modification of a portion of the
mechanism which may be conveniently used when it is desired that the fastening of
the hasp may be effected without the use of a key.

page_text: a
Referring first to the drawings on Sheet 1 herewith, A is a plate carried to be
capable of sliding vertically within a central case B which is fixed to the front of
the trunk. This plate is suitably gated so that it may be moved vertically by means
of a key; and is used in combination with a lever or levers such as G (or it may be
tumbler) by means of which the plate is secured in its locked position. Horizontal
rods C, by means of which the outer hasps Dare, respectively, fastened, pass at their
outer ends through, and are guided by, the sides of cases E into which the links a
of such hasps close in. The inner ends of these rods are pivotally connected with
upward arms b of L levers F which are fulcrummed, respectively, at c c within the
case B, and the other or inward arms d of these levers are connected with the sliding
plate A by means of studs e which are fixed to the plate and engage, respectively,
with slots formed in the ends of the arms d. When the plate is down in the position
shewn, the rods C are in their inward position, with their outer ends drawn clear
from the links a of the hasps D, and such hasps can consequently be raised; but when
the plate A is shot up by the key into its upward position, the rods C are moved
outwards and their outer ends engage with the links a of the hasps D, if the hasps.
are closed in.
A head ff is formed on the upper end of the plate A, being cranked outwards.
therefrom as shewn clearly by Figure 2, and as the plate A is shot upwards the
head ff engages, when the central hasp H is closed in, with links g g of such hasp,.
and thus securely locks the hasp. In the illustrations, the head ff is shewn as a
double head, having an open space at its middle to clear the rivet by means of which
a staple (shewn by broken lines only) is fixed to the front plate of the case, Buch
staple being of the usual character for the reception of a padlock, and passing for
In this
such purpose through a slot in the hasp H when the hasp is closed down.
case, two links g g are used with the hasp H. If a staple such as h is not required,.
a single head may be used with the plate A to engage with a single link g of the
hasp, as will be obvious.
:
The portions of the rods C which pass between the central case B and the side.
cases E are shewn in the illustrations to be concealed by means of sheet metal.
sheaths k. The ends of the sheaths may be held in place by passing projecting
tongues i thereof through shallow recesses or notches formed in the rims of the cases B.
and E. The tongues i at the inner ends of the sheaths are shewn by broken lines,.
as they pass also behind the back plate of the lock case B. The openings in the
rim of the case B through which the rods C pass must, of course, be sufficiently deep.
to allow of the vibration of the rods owing to their inner ends moving. in a curved
direction as the plate A is moved vertically.
The portions of the rods which pass between the central case B and the side
cases E may, if preferred, be left exposed, more especially if the rods are of, or are
coated with, brass or other non-corrosible metal.
>
The plate A and lever mechanism G, shewn by Figure 3 on Sheet 2 herewith,
may be used in substitution for the plate A and lever mechanism G described with
reference to the drawings on Sheet 1 herewith, to enable the hasps to be locked
without the use of a key. The case B within which the plate and lever mechanism
are shewn corresponds to the case B previously described. The plate A is the same.
as the plate A shewn by Figures 1 and 2, except that a cylindrical part J projects.
from the bottom of one side thereof downwards through an opening formed therefor
through the lower side of the rim of the case. The levers G also are each formed
with a plain slot into which the stump m of the plate A passes as the plate is moved
downwards, and there is no sideway notch from the bottom of such slot. The plate
is moved downwards into its unlocked position by means of the key, and remains.
in such position when the key is withdrawn. It is preferred to form the outer side
of the slot / slanting somewhat, as shewn, and to form the side of the stump m which
comes thereagainst correspondingly inclined, so that as the plate is moved upwards
the levers are pressed back against the pressure of their springs. The plate A is
thus more securely maintained in its downward position than if the slot were truly
vertical. The plate is pushed up, to lock the hasps, by pressing the finger against

page_text: the lower end of the cylindrical projection J of the plate, and as it reaches its top
position the sideway notch n of the lever, or each lever, G engages with the stump m
of the bolt, as is usual in locking mechanism of this character, and thus secures
the plate A in its locked position. By the use of the modification shewn by
Figure 3, the hasps may be locked by simply pressing up the plate A by hand, but
can be unlocked only by means of the key.
It will be obvious that, in lieu of passing the outer ends of the bolts or rods C
through the sides of cases such as E, such ends may be passed through the inner sides
of double-sided mountings, or through mountings, between the double sides of which,
or alongside of which, the links of the side hasp are closed down. It is preferred,
however, to adopt the arrangement substantially as illustrated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a fastening for a travelling trunk, deed box, portmanteau, or other
receptacle of a like character, a pair of rods or bolts passing from a central case
fitted with suitable locking mechanism into or through cases or mountings into or
alongside of which the links of side hasps may be closed, said rods or bolts being
connected with the locking mechanism in such manner that as the key is turned in
the direction to unlock the mechanism the rods or bolts are drawn inwards thereby
in the direction of their length and their outer ends thus disengaged from the links
of the hasps, in combination with means by which the rods or bolts may be shot
out, substantially as described.
2. In a fastening for a travelling trunk, deed box, portmanteau, or other
receptacle of a like character, the combination of a pair of rods or bolts with a
movable plate with which they are geared by means of suitable levers in such
manner that as the plate is moved in one direction the rods or bolts are moved
outwards in a direction endways of their length and their outer ends thus engaged
with the links of side hasps (if the hasps are closed down), and as the plate is moved
in the opposite direction the rods or bolts are drawn inwards and their outer ends
thus disengaged from the links of such basps, substantially as described.
3. In a fastening for a travelling trunk, deed box, portmanteau, or other
receptacle of a like character, the combination of pair of rods or bolts with a
vertically-movable plate with which they are geared by means of L-levers, said
rods or bolts being thus moved outwards in the direction of their length as the plate
is moved in one direction vertically, and their outer ends thus made to engage with
the links of side hasps, when the hasps are closed down, and said rods or bolts being
moved inwards as the plate is moved in the other direction vertically and their outer
ends thus disengaged from the links of the hasps, substantially as described.
4. In a fastening for a travelling trunk, deed box, portmanteau, or other
receptacle of a like character, the combination with means claimed in any of the
preceding claims, of means substantially. as described whereby a central hasp is
locked and unlocked by the aid of the mechanism which gives motion to the pair of
rods or bolts which engage with the links of the side hasps, substantially as
described.
5. A fastening for a travelling trunk, deed box, portmanteau, or other receptacle
of a like character, substantially as described and shewn by the drawings herewith,
whether a central hasp H is used and fastened in the manner substantially as
described or not, and whether the sliding plate A is moved in each direction by a
key, or means such as shewn by Figure 3 are employed for use in moving such plate
in a direction to lock the fastening.
STEPHEN WATKINS,.
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant..