IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO Locks
Year: 1884

page_text: I SAMUEL WELTON JOHNSON of 5 Lansdown Circus, Leamington, in the
County of Warwick, Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of my Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO Locks."
My Invention consists essentially of a weighted lever of a peculiar shape or
configuration which acts on the latch-bolt of a rim, mortico, or other description of
lock, instead of a spring which is usually employed, this weighted lever being
acted on by a follower and being attached to or connected with the latch bolt.
This weighted lever works on a fulcrum attached to the casing of the lock, and
bas in its central part an aperture or opening of a suitable shape or configuration
adapted to that of the follower so that the angular motion of the follower caused
by the hand grasping and partially turning the door knob in either direction from
its normal position of rest shall have the effect of raising the weighted lever and
of withdrawing the latch bolt which is attached or connected thereto.
In order that this my said Invention may be more clearly understood the
accompanying Drawing has been prepared in which
Fig. 1 is a view in elevation with plato removed of the interior of a lock
constructed according to my Invention with a straight double armed follower, the
aperture in the lever being of suitable shape.
Fig. 2 is a similar view of a lock with a double armed follower of different
shape the aperture in the lever being suited thereto. In both these Figs. the latch-
bolt is shewn in its normal position protruded from the lock case.
Fig. 3 is a similar view of a lock with the follower of a somewhat different
shape to those previously described, the aperture in the lever is approximately
pentagonal in shape to suit this configuration of follower. In this Figure the
latch bolt is shewn in its normal position protruding from the lock.
Fig. 4 is a similar view of the lock with follower and lever as described for
Fig. 3, but in a different position, the latch-bolt being now withdrawn into the
lock case for the purpose of opening or closing the door to which the lock is affixed.
In all these four Figures the bolt actuated by a key is shewn on the Drawings but
this is of the ordinary construction.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in each of the Figures.
"A" is the latch bolt, A' an eye in the inner end of same which takes on a
pin "C" affixed to, or forming part of, the lever "C." This lever works on a
fulcrum "D," which is secured to the lock casing "E;"-"B" is the follower

page_text: "
having two arms "B¹;" B³, so that the latch bolt may be actuated by turning it
partially either way by means of the square hole "B," through which passes the
spindle of the lock furniture. C³," is the aperture in the weighted lever which is
made of a shape to suit the configuration of the follower, so that when the
follower is partially rotated by the action of the hand on the door knob, the upper
surface of the follower "B," engages with the inner surface of the aperture "C" of
the lever "C," and raises the lever thus drawing back the latch bolt into the
lock-case "E. " On releasing the knob the weight of the lever causes the parts to
regain their former position, the latch bolt being again protruded from the lock
case.
"F," is a strip of leather, or india rubber or other suitable material, which may
be secured to the inner part of the lock-casing so as to deaden the sound that
might be made by the weighted lever coming in contact with the lock-case.
I do not restrict myself to the exact shape or configuration or arrangement of
parts as shewn on the Drawing, and I do not claim as novel the use of a weight
instead of a spring in a lock for the purpose described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim as new or original is
First. The method of applying the follower in a mortice, or other lock or latch
to a weighted lever acting on the latch bolt by having an aperture of a
suitable shape in the weighted lever to be acted upon by the follower.
Second. Making the follower of such suitable shape as to act on the weighted
lever in the manner described.
Third. The use of a piece of leather india rubber or other suitable material to
deaden the sound caused by the weighted lever coming in contact with. the
case of the lock.
Fourth. The general construction and arrangement of a weighted lever having
an aperture in combination and actuated by the follower for the purpose
herein before described and illustrated by the several Figures or any mere
modification thereof.