improved secret LOOK.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Apr., 1895-Accepted, 22nd June, 1895
improved secret LOOK.
I, STEFAN VON BERZENCZEY of 100 Königsgasse, Budapesth VI, in the
Empire of Austria, Landowner, do hereby declare the nature of my said 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 relates to a lock which is not only very simple in construction but
which is perfectly safe. The peculiarity of such lock is, that same can be opened
only when its members or parts are in a certain predetermined and adjustable
position; hence it is impossible for any person unacquainted with such
predetermined position, to open or pick the lock.
Referring to the accompanying drawings:-
Fig. I shows the lock arranged on the lid of a cash box, the lid being open.
Fig. 2 shows same when the lid is closed,
Fig. 3 is a section on line - of Fig. 1.
Figs. 4 and 5 are details.
Fig. 6 is a modified construction of lock fitted on a sliding door and
Fig. 7 a section on line y-y of Fig. 6.
As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the discs a are arranged in a row underneath the
lide of the cash box and covered by a plate ; they are prevented from displace-
ment by their hubs being countersunk in the lid e. Each of the discs a is provided
with a deep notch or recess g, with which the tongues of bolt e engage when the
discs are in the position shown in Fig. 1. The notches y which are not so deep as
the notches g are made to confuse or deceive any person secking to pick the lock.
The discs a are brought into their proper relative position by means of adjusting
plates & countersunk in the lid e and provided with a knob h for turning same as
desired (Figs. 2 and 3). Each plate 6 is also provided with a bolt. (Fig. 4) passing
through the discs a and with a small stop j, for coupling same with discs a when
inserted in holes of such discs a (Fig. 5). Each bolt is provided at its lower
end with a deep groove for preventing same being displaced in axial direction
or withdrawn. The bolts are for this purpose extended through the plate where
their grooves engage with the narrower part of the button hole-like slot m of
plate n. When, therefore, this plate n is pushed to one side (from inside the box)
until the grooves 7 of bolts i are in the circular, part of slot the plates b can
be removed and their position changed by inserting stop ; in a different hole in
discs a.
mg.
For thus altering or adjusting the position the plates b are provided with letters,
numerals or other characters corresponding to the number of holes k in the disos a.
Opposite each plate a mark o is made on the lid e; when the discs a are in open
position, therefore, the numerals on the plates b which are opposite such marks o
indicate the correct. numerals which must be observed or duly adjusted for opening
the box. It will be evident that these numerals may be arranged and changed
as desired, by raising the plates b, in the manner aforementioned, and placing their
pins or stops into different holes k in discs a; care must, bowever, be taken that
the discs a are not displaced at all by thus changing the position. When all the
discs a are put in the order desired, the plates b are secured again by sliding
the plates n, so as to lock the bolts i as above-described.
If the cash box is now closed and the plates b and dises a respectively turned
by means of the knobs h, the tongues d of bolt c do not coincide with the notches

page_text: or recesses of discs a and thus the lock cannot possibly be opened unless the
predetermined order of the numerals is known. Furthermore the bolt c, kept
constantly in closed position by spring p, is also secured by a bolt passing
through slot g of lid e and serving for forcing back the bolt o; the bolt turns in
the bolt c and is provided at its upper end with a numbered disc and at its lower
end underneath the bolt e with a locking disc (Fig. 3). The bolt c is guided in
slot u on a stud v of lid e, which stud v carries a tongue w reaching almost to the
disc t; the latter has a deep notch in its periphery, consequently the bolt c
cannot be moved by the bolt r until the notch a coincides with tongue w by turning
discs, even if all the discs a were in the open position. The disc t like the
discs a is also provided with several notches to thwart the attempts of unauthorized
persons seeking to open or pick the lock.
It will be evident that this lock may be used for various purposes. Figs. 6 and 7,
for instance, show a modified construction and its application for sliding doors of
all kinds. As illustrated in Figs; 6 & 7 plates s and t together with their inter-
mediary members, shown in Figs. 1 to 3 are dispensed with;' otherwise the principle
is the same as afore described. The bolt e in this case is provided with hook-like
noses or lugs a¹ entering recesses 6', when the lock is in the closed position. The
knob is also substituted by a countersunk squarehead h which thus necessitates
the use of a key for turning same. The bolt is likewise opened by means of the
bolt r, but may also be opened by a spring in which case bolt may be used for
closing the lock.
C
It will be evident that the greater the number of locking discs and of the
number of numerals or letters or other characters on the plates b the safer is the
lock .e. the less is the liability, to same being opened or picked by unauthorized
persons.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven
tion and. in what manner the same is to be performed. I declare that what. I
claim is:
1: A secret lock, consisting of a number of rotatable discs (a) not visible from
without and each provided with a deep notch (g) into which noses (d) of bolt (c)
must be inserted before the lock can be opened, substantially as described and
shown in the accompanying drawings.
2. In combination with a secret lock as claimed in Claim 1; plates (6) bearing
numerals, letters or other characters and provided with stops (5) for engaging with
holes in discs (a), bolts (i) having grooves (1) at their bottom ends for engaging
with sliding locking plates (n) provided with button-hole-like slots, substantially as
described and shown in the accompanying drawings!
3. An improved secret lock, the bolt (c) of which is prevented from withdrawal
by, an additional bolt (r) provided with locking disc (t) substantially as described
aud'shown in the accompanying drawings.
Dated 26th April 1895.
GEO:
DOWNING,
8, Quality Court, London, W.C., Agent..