IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS
Year: 1863

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Charles McEntee, of Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, Merchant, and George Withers, of West Brom-
wich, in the County of Stafford, Fire-proof Safe Manufacturer, and
Thomas Withers, of West Bromwich, aforesaid, Fire-proof Safe Manu-
Sealed the 27th May 1863, and dated the 16th February 1863.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Charles McEntee,
George Withers, and Thomas Withers, at the Office of the Commis-
sioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the 16th February 1863.
We, WILLIAM CHARLES MCENTEE, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Merchant, and GEORGE WITHERS, of West Bromwich, in the
County of Stafford, Fire-proof Safe Manufacturer, and THOMAS WITHERS,
of West Bromwich, aforesaid, Fire-proof Safe Manufacturer, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS," to be as
follows:-
Our Invention consists of the improvements herein-after described in lever
locks and other locks.
Our improvements in lever locks and other locks consist, firstly, in arranging
in the manner herein-after explained, the parts of a lock, so that when the bolt
is shot, the whole of the space excepting the keyhole is filled up, and the entry
of gunpowder into the said lock is thereby prevented. Below the keyhole
a short arm or lever is jointed, the said arm or lever turning on the

page_text: lock case, and having motion in a vertical plane when acted upon by
the key.
A spring restores the said arm or lever to a horizontal posi-
tion. The free end of this arm or lever is made of a wedge shape.
In a line with the said arm or lever is a block fixed upon and moving
with the lock bolt. The front of the said block has a recess made in it cor-
responding in shape to the end of the arm or lever. When the bolt is shot
the said block is moved forward, and the wedge-shaped end of the arm or
lever engages in the recess therein. The open space in the lock, which
is necessary for the motion of the key is thereby filled up, and the space into
which gunpowder can be placed reduced to a minimum. Locks made accor-
ding to this part of our Invention are specially applicable for use in fire-proof
safes, but may also be applied to other purposes.
°
Our improvements in lever locks consist, secondly, as follows:-Upon the
upper edge of each. of the levers of the lock we place a stud or. projection.
The curtain of the lock, that is, a metal,disk capable of rotating by the turning
of the key, has a tooth or projection on its periphery, which said tooth must
escape the said studs or projections on the levers before the bolt can be shot
or withdrawn. The true key being used, the said levers are. raised to the
respective heights necessary for the tooth on the curtain or disk to escape
the studs or projections on the levers when the bolt can be shot or with-
drawn.
Our improvements in lever locks consist, thirdly, as follows:-In front of
each of the ordinary levers, or at that part nearest the bolt head we place a
supplementary or detector lever turning on a centre below the said ordinary
levers. The said detector levers have a slight motion in a vertical plane, and
their free ends are hooked, the said hooked ends bearing on the top edges of
the ordinary levers when the bolt is shot, and prevent the raising of the ordi-
nary levers, until the said detector levers are withdrawn as herein-after explained.
The curtain or rotating disk of the lock has a tooth or projection on its peri-
phery, and between the said curtain and detector levers a short arm or lever is
placed. By the turning of the curtain or disk to withdraw the bolt, the tooth
or projection on the said curtain or disk acts through the short lever upon the
detector levers, and withdraws their hooked ends from off the top edges of the
ordinary levers. The ordinary levers can now be raised, and the bolt.with-
drawn. When the bolt has been withdrawn, the hooked ends of the detector
levers rest against the front of the ordinary levers, and are ready on the
shooting of the bolt to engage with the top edges of the said levers as. before
explained.
Our improvements in lever locks consist, fourthly, as follows:-We cut

page_text: away that part of the bolt which is usually acted upon by the key to withdraw
the bolt and make the key act upon the projecting part of one of the levers of
the lock to withdraw the bolt, the shooting of the bolt being effected in the
usual way. The levers turn upon and move with the bolt, the stump being
fixed on the lock case. The spring by which the levers are pressed down is
carried by the bolt. The end of each of the levers is serrated or made into
teeth, and we make in that part of the stump facing the said ends of the
levers a recess, corresponding in shape to one of the teeth on the ends of the
levers. When a false key is introduced, and the bolt attempted to be withdrawn,
one of the teeth on the levers engages with the recess in the stump, and prevents
the further raising of the levers. The levers may turn upon one end or turn
nearly midway between the ends of the said levers.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Charles McEntee, George Withers, and Thomas
Withers, in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th August 1863.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, WILLIAM
CHARLES MCENTEE, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Merchant, and
GEORGE WITHERS, of West Bromwich, in the County of Stafford, Fire-proof
Safe Manufacturer, and THOMAS WITHERS, of West Bromwich, aforesaid, Fire-
proof Safe Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent; bearing date the Sixteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, in the twenty-sixth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
us, the said William Charles McEntee, George Withers, and Thomas
Withers, Her special licence that we, the said William Charles McEntee,
George Withers, and Thomas Withers, our executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as we, the said William Charles McEntee,
George Withers, and Thomas Withers, our executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and
lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that we, the said William Charles McEntee, George Withers, and Thomas
Withers, our executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under

page_text: our, or their hands and seals, or under the hand and seal of one of us,
or them, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
I NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said William Charles McEntee, and
Thomas Withers, on behalf of ourselves and the said George Withers, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement thereof, that is to say:-
Our Invention consists of the improvements herein-after described in lever
locks and other locks.
Our improvements in lever locks and other locks consist in arranging in the
manner herein-after explained the parts of a lock so that when the bolt is shot
the whole of the space near the keyhole is filled up, and the entry of gun-
powder into the said lock is thereby prevented. Below the keyhole a short
arm or lever is jointed, the said arm or lever turning on the lock case, and
having motion in a vertical plane when acted upon by the key. A spring
restores the said arm or lever to a horizontal position. The free end of this
arm or lever is made of a wedge shape. In a line with the said arm or lever
is a block fixed upon and moving with the lock bolt. The front of the said
block has a recess made in it corresponding in shape to the end of the arm or
lever. When the bolt is shot the said block is moved forward, and the wedge-
shaped end of the arm or lever engages in the recess therein. The open
space in the lock which is necessary for the motion of the key is thereby
filled up, and the space into which gunpowder can be placed reduced to a
minimum. Locks made according to this part of our Invention are
specially applicable for use in fireproof safes, but may be applied to other
purposes.
Our improvements in lever locks consist, secondly, as follows:-Upon the
top lever of the 'series of levers of the lock we place a stud or projection. The
curtain of the lock, that is, a metal disk capable of rotating by the turning of
the key, has a tooth or projection on its periphery to act in either direction,
which said tooth must escape the stud or projection on the lever before the
bolt can be shot or withdrawn. The true key being used, the curtain is
turned, and the lever is raised to the height necessary for the tooth on the
curtain or disk to escape the stud or projection on the lever when the bolt can
be shot or withdrawn.

page_text: Our improvements in lever locks consist, thirdly, as follows:-In front of
each of the ordinary levers, or at that part nearest the bolt head, we place a
supplementary or detector lever turning on a centre below the said ordinary
levers. The said detector levers have a slight motion in a vertical plane, and
their free ends are hooked, the said hooked ends bearing on the top edges of
the ordinary levers when the bolt is shot and preventing the raising of the
ordinary levers until the said detector levers are removed, as herein-after
explained. The curtain or rotating disk of the lock has a tooth or projection
on its periphery, and between the said curtain and detector levers a short arm
or lever is placed. By the turning of the curtain or disk to withdraw the
bolt the tooth or projection on the said disk acts through the short lever upon
the detector levers and lifts their hooked ends from off the top edges of the
ordinary levers. The ordinary levers can now be raised and the bolt with-
drawn. When the bolt has been withdrawn the hooked ends of the detector
levers rest against the front of the ordinary levers, and are ready on the
shooting of the bolt to engage with the top edges of the said levers as before
explained. Instead of using a series of detector levers equal in number to the
levers of the lock, a single detector lever of the width of the series of levers
may be employed. The raising of the detector lever or levers from the
ordinary levers may also be effected by means of a projection on a lever placed
upon the top of the ordinary levers acting against a tooth or projection on the
said detector lever or levers.
Our improvements in lever locks consist, fourthly, as follows:-We cut
away that part of the bolt which is usually acted upon by the key to withdraw
the bolt and make the key act upon a projecting part of one of the levers of
the lock to withdraw the bolt, the shooting of the bolt. being effected in the
ordinary way. The levers turn upon and move with the bolt, the stump
being fixed on the lock case. The spring by which the levers are pressed down
is carried by the bolt. The end of each of the levers is serrated or made into
teeth, and we make in that part of the stump facing the said ends of the levers
a recess corresponding in shape to one of the teeth on the ends of the levers.
When a false key is introduced and the bolt attempted to be withdrawn, one of
the teeth on the levers engages with the recess in the stump and prevents the
further raising of the levers. The levers may turn upon one end or turn
nearly midway between the ends of the said levers.
Having explained the nature of our Invention, we will proceed to describe,
with reference to the accompanying Drawings, the manner in which the same
is to be performed.
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 represent a lever lock for fireproof safes and for

page_text: other purposes, containing the improvements described under the first head of
our Invention. Figure 1 represents the lock in plan (the lock case being in
section) with the bolt withdrawn; Figure 2 is an end elevation of the same,
the case being in section; Figure 3 represents the lock, Figure 1, with the
bolt shot; and Figure 4 represents a vertical section taken through the line a,
Figure 3; Figure 5 is a plan and side elevation of the bolt of the lock and a
part connected therewith, as herein-after described. The same letters indicate
the same parts in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
The keyhole of the lock is situated at b; c is the pin or axis upon which the
key works. Below the keyhole b is a short arm or lever. d turning on a pin or
centred on the lock case. The free end of the said lever d is wedge-shaped]
as represented; e are the levers, and f is the bolt of the lock, the said levers
and bolt being of the ordinary construction. Connected to the under side of
the bolt f is a block 9, in the front of which block is a recess g², corresponding
in shape with the end of the lever d. When the key has been introduced into
the keyhole b, in order to shoot or withdraw the bolt f in turning the said key
to act upon the levers e, it presses down the arm or lever d into. the position
indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1, before the key can pass the said lever d.
On the removal of the pressure from the said lever d it is raised into a
horizontal position by the spring d³. The bolt f being shot, the block g is at
the same time moved forward against the lever d, and the wedge-shaped end of
the said lever engaged with the recess in the said block as represented in
Figure 3. The open space at the keyhole is thus filled up by the said
block and lever, and the space into which gunpowder can be placed is thereby
reduced to a minimum, that is, the only space left in which gunpowder can be
placed is the keyhole as represented. When the bolt f is withdrawn the
block g is brought to the position represented in Figure 1, and the key by
depressing the arm or lever d, can be removed from the lock. We do not limit
ourselves to any particular shape in the lever d and block g, as the shape of
the said lever and block may be varied to suit the particular construction and
shape of the lock to which they are applied.
Figures 7 and 8 represent a lock containing these improvements in combi-
nation with another part of our Invention. In the said Figures 7 and 8, the
arm or lever below the keyhole is marked b, and the sliding block connected
with the bolt is marked a. The said parts a, b, differ only in shape from
corresponding parts in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. We apply this part of our
Invention not only to lever locks but to all locks to which it is applicable.
Locks made according to this part of our Invention are particularly suited for
use in fireproof safes, but may also be applied to various other purposes. .

page_text: Figure 6 represents in plan a portion of a lock constructed according to the:
improvement described under the second head of our Invention.
Upon the top lever a of the series of levers of the lock we place a stud
or projection 6; c is the hollow axis of the lock capable of rotation by the
key. The said axis c carries a curtain or disk d, a portion of the periphery of
which disk is cut away so as to form on either side the said cut away portion a
tooth or projection e, f. The first action of the key in shooting or withdrawing the
bolt is to bring the curtain.d into such a position that the opening between the
teeth e, f, is immediately over the pin b. The lever a is now acted upon by
the key, and raised so high that the pin 6 is without the range, of the curtain.d.
The said curtain is now free to rotate, and allows the key to act upon the
levers of the lock and shoot or withdraw the bolt. When a false key is used
the curtain d is turned either too far or not far enough before the key acts
upon the lever a, and the pin 6 being engaged under one of the teeth e, f,
further motion of the curtain and lever is stopped. If the false key bring the
curtain d into the proper position, but do not raise the lever a sufficiently high,
one or other of the teeth or projections e, f, strikes against the stud b6 and
prevents the further rotation. of the said curtain. The series of levers under-
neath the lever a are of the ordinary kind and are acted upon by the key at the
same time that the key is acting upon the lever a.
Figure 7 represents in plan (the case being in section) a lever lock con-
structed according to the improvements described under the third head of our
Invention, the bolt of the lock being represented shot; Figure 8 represents
the parts of the said lock in the, respective positions which they assume when
the bolt is about to be withdrawn, as herein-after further explained. The same
letters indicate the same parts in Figures 7 and 8.
c are the ordinary levers of the lock, and d is the stump working in the said
levers. On the top of the levers c is another lever c² for the purpose herein-
after explained. The stump d has no action upon the said lever c². The said
lever c is provided with a horn or projection c³ and a V-shaped projection c*.
The levers c, c² turn upon the pin or centre e on the case of the lock. f is the
bolt of the lock. The levers c and bolt f are of the ordinary construction.. In
front of the said levers c is a supplementary or detector lever g of the width of
the series of levers c. The said lever g turns upon the centre gå, being pressed
towards the levers c by the spring g³. The free end of the lever g.is hooked
as represented. When the bolt fis shot the hooked end of the lever g bears
upon the top of the levers c, and prevents the raising of the said levers until
the said detector lever is pressed from off the said levers c. The motion of
the hooked lever g and the shooting and withdrawing of the bolt fis effected

page_text: as follows:-h is the hollow axis of the lock carrying the curtain or disk i, the
part of the said curtain being of greater radius than the other parts, as
represented. The parts of the lock being in the position represented in
Figure 7, on the rotation of the disk i by the action of the key k (shewn in
Figure 8), the part 2 of the curtain acting against the projection c* on the
lever c, raises the said lever. During the raising of the said lever c³, the horn
or projection on its end acting against the projection 9, on the detector
lever g, moves the said lever g, and lifts its hooked end from off the top edges
of the levers c, as represented in Figure 8. By the continued rotation of the
curtain i, the key k acts upon the levers c in the usual way and withdraws the
bolt f. The bolt being withdrawn the hooked end of the lever g rests nearly
against the front of the levers c, ready on the shooting of the bolt to re-
engage with the top edges of the said levers c. The key being turned to
shoot the bolt, the curtain i slightly raises the lever c², and when the bolt is
nearly shot the continued rotation of the curtain to bring the key opposite the
keyhole further raises the said lever c², and causes its horn to move the
detector lever g outwards to permit of the descent of the said lever c². On
the descent of the lever c², the detector lever g is pressed towards the levers c
by its spring, and the hooked end of the said lever made to bear upon the top
edges of the ordinary lever c. When the bolt is shot or withdrawn the
curtain i assumes the position represented in Figure 7, the projection c* on the
lever c² engaging with a depression in the said curtain i as represented. Instead
of effecting the motion of the detector lever g by means of the lever c², acted upon
by the curtain of the lock, the same result may be obtained by substituting for
the said lever c² a short arm or lever placed between the curtain i and detector
lever g: In this case the projecting part of the curtain i acts upon one end of
the said lever, the other end of the said lever acting against and lifting the
detector lever from off the ordinary levers c. We prefer, however, the
arrangement of parts represented in the Drawing.
Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15, represent a lock containing the
improvements described under the fourth head of our Invention, Figure 9
representing a plan with the bolt withdrawn; Figure 10 the same with the
bolt shot; and Figure 11 a transverse section taken through the line x,
Figure 9. The other Figures represent portions of the same as herein-after
explained. The same letters indicate the same parts in Figures 9, 10, 11, 12,
13, 14, and 15.
a is the bolt of the lock, and b, c, d, are the levers of the lock working upon
and carried by the said bolt. The said levers b, c, d, turn upon a pin or
centre e on the said bolt, and are pressed down by the springs f, the free ends

page_text: of which springs bear against the head a² of the bolt a; g is the stump of the
lock fixed upon the lock case, with which said stump slots in the levers b, c, d,
engage. A slot a³ is made in the bolt a, which also engages with the stump g.
The bolt a is cut away at h, as best seen in the separate view of the said bolt,
Figure 15, so that the key is unable to act upon it at that part to withdraw
the bolt, the said bolt being shot by the key acting upon the curved part and
shoulder at h. The middle lever c of the series b, c, d, is cut away so as to
form a shoulder against which the key acts in withdrawing the bolt. The
levers b, c, d, are shewn separately in Figures 12, 13, and 14. The end of
each of the levers is serrated, and the stump g is made wedge shape and some-
what smaller than the teeth in the said levers. The bolt a is shot by the key
acting on the part 2 of the said bolt, the levers b, c, d, moving with it, and is
withdrawn by the key, first raising the levers b, c, d, to the respective heights
proper to bring their slots opposite the stump g, the said key afterwards acting
against the shoulder of the middle lever c withdraws the bolt. In order to
prevent instruments being placed through the keyhole to act upon the levers
at or near their centre e, we place a plate i so as to close communication
between the keyhole and the joint ends of the levers. When a false key is
used and the levers are moved by it, one of the teeth of the said levers engages
with the stump and prevents the further motion of the levers either horizontally
or vertically. The same result occurs when the bolt is attempted to be with-
drawn by longitudinal pressure upon the bolt or upon the levers carried by it.
Instead of making the stump in the form of a tooth as represented in
Figures 9 and 10, the said stump may be of the ordinary form and have a recess
made in that part of it facing the serrated ends of the levers.
cation of this part of our Invention is represented in plan
withdrawn in Figure 16, and in plan with the bolt shot in
square stump having a recess with which the teeth of the levers can engage
is marked k. The action of the lock, Figures 16 and 17 is the same as
that of the lock, Figures 9, 10, and 11, and the parts are marked with
corresponding letters.
This modifi-
with the bolt
Figure 17, the
Having now described the nature of our Invention, and the manner in which
the same is to be performed, we wish it to be understood that we do not limit
ourselves to the precise details herein described and illustrated, as the same
may be varied without departing from the nature of our Invention; but
we claim as our Invention,-
Firstly, the improvements in preventing the introduction of gunpowder into
lever and other locks through the keyholes of the said locks herein-before
described and illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8, of the accompanying

page_text: Drawings, that is, by means of a block connected to and sliding with the bolt,
with which said block, on the shooting of the bolt, the end of an arm or lever
below the keyhole engages, so as thereby to fill the open space at the said
keyhole.
Secondly, arranging the curtains or disks and levers of lever locks, in the
manner herein-before described and illustrated in Figure 6 of the accom-
panying Drawings.
Thirdly, the general arrangement or combination of the parts of lever locks
herein-before described with reference to Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Lastly, the improvements in lever locks herein-before described and illus-
trated in Figures 9 to 17, both inclusive of 'the accompanying Drawings, that
is to say, arranging. the parts of the lock so that the bolt shall be shot by the
key acting directly upon the said bolt and withdrawn by the key acting upon
one or more of a series of levers carried by and turning on the said bolt.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Charles McEntee and Thomas
Withers, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Thirteenth day
of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
sixty-three.
Witness,
RICHARD SKERRETT,
WILLIAM CHARLES M'ENTEE. (L.S.)
THOMAS WITHERS.
(L.S.)
Clerk to George Shaw,
Birmingham.