IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Price, of Wolverhampton, in the County
of Stafford, Patent Fire-proof Safe Manufacturer, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION-left-by-the said George Price at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
.14th October 1859.
I, GEORGE PRICE, of Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, Fire-
proof Safe Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists, firstly, of a novel and simplified arrangement and
construction of certain parts of locks, so as to prevent the possibility of picking
by what is known as the "tentative process," or feeling the position of the
gatings of the levers by applying pressure in any way to the bolt. The lock
comprises the case, the bolt, levers and springs of an ordinary lever lock, and
the security against picking is obtained by the peculiar arrangement and
position of its parts. The peculiarity of its action may be explained geome-
trically thus:-The stump, the lever pin, and the guide stud of the bolt are
so placed as to form the three sides of a triangle, and on pressure being
applied to the bolt in any way than. by the proper key, the notched part of the

page_text: tail of the bolt is thrown upon the guide stud (or runner stump) when the
triangle becomes distorted or altered in shape in such a manner as to lengthen
the side or distance between the main stump and the lever pin, the conse-
quence of which is, that the faces of the " gatings" of the levers recede from
the stump, and are perfectly relieved from its pressure. In adapting this
principle to chest or hanging locks, I use the ordinary "false plate" as the
only additional limb, and this is simply laid upon the tail of the bolt to act as
the detainer or safety plate instead of the bolt, precisely as in the arrangement
before described. The "false plate" may also be added to the other arrange-
ment as a modification, without at all altering the principle of the Invention.
The second part of my Invention consists in supporting or strengthening the
bolt of the lock, by forming a groove or channel in the case of the lock for
the bolt to work in; this groove may be either outside the lock case or inside,
or both inside and outside, as the case or the kind of lock may require.
The third part of my Invention consists in the use and application of a
hardened steel nozzle to the keyhole of locks.
The fourth part of my Invention consists in a simplified construction of locks
wherein a lifting latch bolt is used, the peculiarity of which consists in the latch
bolt being bevilled on both its upper and lower sides, so as to pass through either
one of two openings formed in the striking plate or box staple, the knob or
handle being made to either lift or depress the latch bolt (for opening) so that
it will pass through one of the two openings in the striking plate or box staple.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said George Price in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th
April 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
PRICE, of Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, Patent Fire-proof Safe
Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-third year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said George Price, Her special licence that I, the said George Price, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said George
Price, my executors, administrators, and assigns should at any time agree s
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the

page_text: 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 I, the said George Price, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of
their hands and seals, 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.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Price, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
My Invention consists, firstly, of a novel and simplified arrangement and
construction of certain parts of locks, so as to prevent the possibility of picking
by what is known as the "tentative process," or feeling the position of the
gatings of the levers by applying pressure in any way to the bolt.
Since the Great Exhibition of One thousand eight hundred and fifty-one it
has been universally admitted that the principle on which the picking of locks
depends is, that whenever pressure can be applied to the bolt in such a
manner as to indicate the points of resistance to its withdrawal, such a lock
can be picked. Since this tentative method became generally understood and
practised in this country, many Inventions of a more or less complicated
character have been patented to prevent it; but although most of them show
that great ingenuity has been employed in their construction, yet from their
complex movements, liability to derangement, unsuitableness for general
purposes, and their expensiveness, nearly all have been abandoned by the
respective patentees.
The security against picking by pressure, obtained in the construction of the
locks above referred to, has been, by the addition of a number of "limbs" to
the parts (the bolt, levers, and springs forming the essential mechanism of a
lock, and which has added, in corresponding proportion to the complexity,
liability to derangement, and cost. This, my improved lock, comprises the
case, the bolt, levers and springs of an ordinary lever lock, and the security
against picking is mainly obtained by the peculiar arrangement and position
of its parts. The peculiarity of the principle of its construction will be easily
understood from the annexed Drawings.
Figure 1 represents an "iron rim dead lock," with the cap or top plate

page_text: open to show the works; a, a, is the case; b, b, the bolt; c, c, the safety
plate; d, the pin which carries the safety plate upon the bolt; e, e, the levers;
f, the pin on which the levers work, hence called the lever pin; g, the springs;
h, the drill pin on which the key fits; i, i, the talons of the bolt by which the
bolt is locked out and in through the terminal step or nose of the key-bit
coming in contact therewith; j, the main stump, which is riveted into the
safety plate; k, the safety stump, which is riveted to the back plate, and
which in this lock answers the triple purpose of guide or runner stump,
safety stump, and landing stump for the levers to rest upon; 1, the notch in
the safety plate; m, m', the racks in the levers. The peculiarity of its action
may be explained thus:-The stump ;, the lever pin f, and the guide stud k
of the bolt are so placed as to form the three points of a triangle f, j, k, and
on pressure being applied to the bolt in any other way than by the proper key
(see Figure 2,) the notched part 1 of the safety plate is thrown upon the guide
stud or runner stump k, when the triangle becomes distorted, or altered in
shape in such a manner as to lengthen the side or distance between the main
stump and the lever pin f, as shewn in Figure 2, the consequence of which
is, that the faces of the front racks m' of the levers recede from the stump,
and are perfectly relieved from its pressure. This will be rendered more
apparent by Figure 3, which represents the bolt and safety plate only, in which
the arrow o shows the line of action of the "racks" of the levers, and p the
line of action of the stump when pressure is applied to the bolt in any way, or
by any other means than with the true key.
This principle of construction is applicable to every description and size of
lock. I use the ordinary "false plate" in every case as the only additional
limb, and this is simply laid upon the tail of the bolt to act as the detainer or
safety plate, as above described, and shewn in Figure 3. I disclaim the use
of the tail end of the bolt for this purpose, as I find this has been used and
claimed before. It will thus be seen that nothing but absolute violence can
throw this lock out of action; and as its security against every known mode of
picking is obtained, as before stated, by the addition of one "limb" only to
the ordinary lever lock, the construction allows the whole of the parts to be
made very strong, which renders it, in the same proportion, more durable than
other locks of its class. I claim, in respect of this part of my Invention, the
peculiar and novel arrangement and position of the parts above referred to, as
shewn in the annexed Drawings.
The second part of my Invention is more particularly applicable to the
locks used for the doors of banker's strong rooms and the doors of iron safes;
it consists of a method of supporting the shot-out bolt of the lock laterally. to

page_text: enable it to withstand the thrust of the handle and "follower" of the large
lock. It must be understood that many iron safes have been opened by
applying a powerful lever to the knob or handle of the door, which causes the
tail of the bolts of the large lock to press against the shot-out bolt of the
small lock with such a thrust as to displace it, whereby the door is at once
set free.
On reference to Figures 4, 5, and 6, it will be seen that the parts of the
lock plate n, n, are thickened up so as to form a groove or channel for the
bolt to work in, which construction effectually prevents any thrust from
displacing the bolt by whatever means the force may be applied. I claim, in
respect of this part of my Invention, the-bolt working in a groove channel, as
above described and shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6.
The third part of my Invention consists in the application of a hardened
steel nosle keyhole, which improvement, like the last, is more particularly
applicable to the locks used for iron safes. It is well known that many safes
have been opened by "tapping" the keyhole, so as to insert the fulcrum of a
powerful cutting and boring machine, which is capable of cutting out a piece
of the door over the small lock as large as a man's hand, whilst others have
been opened by enlarging the keyhole sufficiently for the operation of a tool
that cuts out, bit by bit, the works of the lock; but by the adoption of the
hardened steel nosle keyhole (see q, Figures 5 and 6, and Figure 7,) which
comes right through, and is flush with the front of the door, such a liability is
effectually provided against.
The internal construction and arrangement of this lock are the same as the
"rim lock," Figures 1, 2, and 3, and the letters of reference refer to the same
parts, the only addition being the gunpowder guard round the path of the
key (see Figures 4, 8, and 9) in accordance with my Patent, dated January
Thirty-first, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five. I claim, in respect of
this part of my Invention, the application of a hardened steel nosle keyhole,
as above described, and for the purpose before named; but I do not confine
myself to the use of steel only, as cast malleable iron or case-hardened iron
may be substituted.
The fourth part of my Invention consists of a simplified arrangement and
construction of latch, wherein either movement of the knob will effect the
unlatching without the use of a "follower," crank, or any extra part whatever.
This is effected by sloping both the top and bottom edges of the bolt b, b,
Figures 10 and 11, and causing it to work either upwards or downwards,
and the "striking plate," (see Figure 12) is formed with two notches or
openings, r,, oue over the other, with a strong stationary pieces between
Ather,

page_text: them, and which is also "bevilled" or sloped on its top and bottom edges
(outwards,) and thus the bolt in latching or unlatching has two openings
through which it can pass in entering or leaving the striking plate or box.
The bolt is sustained in its central position by one spring, which may be
fixed into the latch bolt, as shewn, or in any other convenient manner; when
made as a mortise latch, it will do for either hand without any alteration. I
claim, in respect of this part of my Invention, the use of the double-bevilled
rising and falling latch bolt, and the two-passaged striking plate, as above
described and set forth in the Drawings hereunto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Price, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty.
Witness,
WILLIAM DAWES.
GEORGE PRICE. (L.S.)

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Price, of Wolverhampton, in the County
of Stafford, Patent Fire-proof Safe Manufacturer, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS."
Sealed the 10th February 1860, and dated the 14th October 1859.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Price at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
: 14th October 1859.
I, GEORGE PRICE, of Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford, Fire-
proof Safe Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for." IMPROVEMENTS IN. LOCKS," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists, firstly, of a novel and simplified arrangement and
construction of certain parts of locks, so as to prevent the possibility of picking
by what is known as the "tentative. process," or feeling the position of the
gatings of the levers by applying pressure in any way to the bolt. The lock
comprises the case, the bolt, lovers and springs of an ordinary lever lock, and
the security against picking is obtained by the peculiar arrangement and:
position of its parts. The peculiarity of its action may be explained geome-
trically thus:-The stump, the lever pin, and the guide stud of the bolt are
so placed as to form the three sides of a triangle, and on pressure being
applied to the bolt in any way than by the proper key, the notched part of the

page_text: tail of the bolt is thrown upon the guide stud (or runner stump) when the
triangle becomes distorted or altered in shape in such a manner as to lengthen
the side or distance between the main stump and the lever pin, the conse-
quence of which is, that the faces of the "gatings" of the levers recede from
the stump, and are perfectly relieved from its pressure. In adapting this
principle to chest or hanging locks, I use the ordinary "false plate" as the
only additional limb, and this is simply laid upon the tail of the bolt to act as
the detainer or safety plate instead of the bolt, precisely as in the arrangement
before described. The "false plate" may also be added to the other arrange-
ment as a modification, without at all altering the principle of the Invention.
The second part of my Invention consists in supporting or strengthening the
bolt of the lock, by forming a groove or channel in the case of the lock for
the bolt to work in; this groove may be either outside the lock case or inside,
or both inside and outside, as the case or the kind of lock may require.
The third part of my Invention consists in the use and application of a
hardened steel nozzle to the keyhole of locks.
The fourth part of my Invention consists in a simplified construction of locks
wherein a lifting latch bolt is used, the peculiarity of which consists in the latch
bolt being bevilled on both its upper and lower sides, so as to pass through either
one of two openings formed in the striking plate or box staple, the knob or
handle being made to either lift or depress the latch bolt (for opening) so that
it will pass through one of the two openings in the striking plate or box staple.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said George Price in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th
April 1860.
יד }
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
PRICE, of Wolverhampton, in the County of Stafford,. Patent Fire-proof Safe
Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her,most. Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing, date the Fourteenth day of October, in the year: of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the. twenty-third year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her, heirs. and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said George Price,. Her. special licence that I, the said George Price, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said George
Price, my executors, administrators, and assigns should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the

page_text: erin therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
end, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
slands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN Locks," upon
he condition (amongst others) that I, the said George Price, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of
heir hands and seals, 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.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Price, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
.
My Invention consists, firstly, of a novel and simplified arrangement and
construction of certain parts of locks, so as to prevent the possibility of picking
by what is known as the "tentative process," or feeling the position of the
gatings of the levers by applying pressure in any way to the bolt.
Since the Great Exhibition of One thousand eight hundred and fifty-one it
has been universally admitted that the principle on which the picking of locks
depends is, that whenever pressure can be applied to the bolt in such a
manner as to indicate the points of resistance to its withdrawal, such a' lock
can be picked. Since this tentative method became generally understood and
practised in this country, many Inventions of a more or less complicated
character have been patented to prevent it; but although most of them show
that great ingenuity has been employed in their construction, yet from their
complex movements, liability to derangement, unsuitableness for general
purposes, and their expensiveness, nearly all have been abandoned by the
respective patentees.
HW
136
The security against picking by pressure, obtained' in 'the'construction of the
locks above referred to, has been, by the addition of a' number of "limbs" to
the parts (the bolt, levers, and springs forming the essential mechanism of
lock, and which' has added; in corresponding proportion to the "complexity,
liability to derangement, and cost. This, my improved lock, comprises the
5 case, the bolt, levers and spring's of an ordinary lever lock, and the security
against picking is mainly obtained by the peculiar arrangement and position
of its parts. The peculiarity of the principle of its construction will be easily
understood from the annexed Drawings
: וישר !!!
Figure 1 represents an "iron rim dead' lock," with the cap or top plate

page_text: open to show the works; a, a, is the case; b, b, the bolt; c, c, the safet
plate; d, the pin which carries the safety plate upon the bolt; e, e, the levers
f, the pin on which the levers work, hence called the lever pin; g, the springs
h, the drill pin on which the key fits; i, i, the talons of the bolt by which th
bolt is locked out and in through the terminal step or nose of the key-bi
coming in contact therewith; ;, the main stump, which is riveted into th
safety plate; k, the safety stump, which is riveted to the back plate, and
which in this lock answers the triple purpose of guide or runner stump
safety stump, and landing stump for the levers to rest upon; 1, the notch in
the safety plate; m, m', the racks in the levers. The peculiarity of its action
may be explained thus:-The stump j, the lever piu f, and the guide stud k
of the bolt are so placed as to form the three points of a triangle f, j, k, and
on pressure being applied to the bolt in any other way than by the proper key
(see Figure 2,) the notched part 1 of the safety plate is thrown upon the guide
stud or runner stump k, when the triangle becomes distorted, or altered in
shape in such a manner as to lengthen the side or distance between the main
stump j and the lever pin f, as shewn in Figure 2, the consequence of which
is, that the faces of the front racks m' of the levers recede from the stump,
and are perfectly relieved from its pressure. This will be rendered more
apparent by Figure 3, which represents the bolt and safety plate only, in which
the arrow o shows the line of action of the "racks" of the levers, and p the
line of action of the stump when pressure is applied to the bolt in any way, or
by any other means than with the true key....
This principle of construction is applicable to every description and size of
lock. I use the ordinary "false plate" in every case as the only additional
limb, and this is simply laid upon the tail of the bolt to act as the detainer or
safety plate, as above described, and shewn in Figure 3. I disclaim the use.
of the tail end, of the bolt for this purpose, as I..find this has been used, and
claimed before. It will thus be seen that nothing but absolute violence; can
throw this lock out of action; and as its security against every known mode of S
picking is obtained; as before stated, by the addition of one."limb" only. to:
the ordinary lever lock, the construction allows the whole of the parts to be
made very strong, which renders it, in the same proportion, more durable than..
other locks of its class. I claim, in respect of this: part of my Invention, the:
eculiar and novel arrangement and position of the parts above referred to, as 3
hewn in the, annexed, Drawings.
The second part of my..Invention: is more particularly applicable to the
ocks used for the doors of banker's strong rooms and the doors of iron safes;...
consists of a method of supporting the shot-out bolt of the lock laterally to
F
...
.:
..:

page_text: enable it to withstand the thrust of the handle and "follower" of the large
lock. It must be understood that many iron safes have been opened by
applying a powerful lever to the knob or handle of the door, which causes the
tail of the bolts of the large lock to press against the shot-out bolt of the
small lock with such a thrust. as to displace it, whereby the door is at once
set free.
On reference to Figures 4, 5, and 6, it will be seen that the parts of the
lock plate n, n, are thickened up so as to form a groove or channel for the
bolt to work in, which construction effectually prevents any thrust from
displacing the bolt by whatever means the force may be applied. I claim, in
respect of this part of my Invention, the bolt working in a groove channel, as
above described and shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6.
The third part of my Invention consists in the application of a hardened
steel nosle keyhole, which improvement, like the last, is more particularly
applicable to the locks used for iron safes. It is well known that many safes
have been opened by "tapping" the keyhole, so as to insert the fulcrum of a
powerful cutting and boring machine, which is capable of cutting out a piece
of the door over the small lock as large as a man's hand, whilst others have
been opened by enlarging the keyhole sufficiently for the operation of a tool
that cuts out, bit by bit, the works of the lock; but by the adoption of the
hardened steel nosle keyhole (see q, Figures 5 and 6, and Figure 7,) which
comes right through, and is flush with the front of the door, such a liability is.
effectually provided against.
The internal construction and arrangement of this lock are the same as the
"rim lock," Figures 1, 2, and 3, and the letters of reference refer to the same
parts, the only addition being the gunpowder guard round the path of the
key (see Figures 4, 8, and 9) in accordance with my Patent, dated January
Thirty-first, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five. I claim, in respect of
this part of my Invention, the application of a hardened steel nosle keyhole,
as above described, and for the purpose before named; but I do not confine
myself to the use of steel only, as cast malleable iron or case-hardened iron
may be substituted.
!
The fourth part of my Invention consists of a simplified arrangement and
construction of latch, wherein either. movement of the knob will effect the
unlatching without the use of a "follower," crank, or any extra part whatever.
This is effected by sloping both the top and bottom edges of the bolt b, b,
Figures 10 and 11, and causing it to work either upwards or downwards,
and the "striking plate," (see Figure 12) is formed with two notches or
openings, r, r, one over the other, with a strong stationary pieces between

page_text: and which is also "bevilled" or sloped on its top and bottom edges
(outwards,) and thus the bolt in latching or unlatching has two openings
through which it can pass in entering or leaving the striking plate or box.
The bolt is sustained in its central position by one spring z, which may be
fixed into the latch bolt, as shewn, or in any other convenient manner; when
made as a mortise latch, it will do for either hand without any alteration. I
claim, in respect of this part of my Invention, the use of the double-bevilled
rising and falling latch bolt, and the two-passaged striking plate, as above
described and set forth in the Drawings hereunto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Price, have hereunto set my 1
hand and seal, this Tenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty.
Witness,
WILLIAM DAWES.
GEORGE PRICE. (L.S.)