IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS AND KEYS, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLI- CABLE TO WINDOW SASHES AND DOORS
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Henry Bentley, of Bedford, in the
County of Bedford, Whitesmith and Engineer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS AND KEYS, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLI-
CABLE TO WINDOW SASHES AND DOORS."
Sealed the 8th September 1853, and dated the 27th May 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Henry
Bentley at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 27th May 1853.
J, WILLIAM HENRY BENTLEY, of Bedford, in the County of Bedford,
Whitesmith and Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN LOCKS AND KEYS, PARTS OF WHICH ARE
APPLICABLE TO WINDOW SASHES AND DOORS," to be as follows:-
I make the bolt of my lock of a series of tubes arranged concentrically
around a bolt, which serves as an ordinary spring bolt for securing the
door when not required to be locked, and in connection with these tubes
I employ a screw, which, at the time that the tubes are shot forward by
the key, is forced backward, and passes into a hole in the door post to

page_text: which the door is hinged. The whole series of tubes constituting the
bolt may be shot forward at once, or a portion only of them, or they
inay be shot consecutively, and all to the same extent, or each to a
different extent, by making them with racks, having small toothed
wheels gearing into them, and forming the key with bits of different
lengths, which work the wheels so as to cause the wheels to take into
the racks in succession, whilst the tumblers are raised to allow the
tubes to be shot forward by other bits, which also conie into operation
in succession. To the inner end of the tubes, or to one of them, or to
the centre bolt, attach a cross piece carrying two pawls, which take
into a ring of teeth attached to the face of a ratchet wheel, which has
its axis projecting from the interior of the front plate of the lock. By
this means the ratchet wheel is moved when the bolt or part to which
the pawls are attached is moved in either direction. The teeth on the
edge of the ratchet wheel work a lever vibrating on a centre, and
carrying on the opposite end a hammer, which strikes a bell and gives a
signal whenever the bolt is moved. On the inner face of the ratchet
wheel, which works against the interior of the side plate of the lock, I
make a series of numbers, and cut an aperture in the lock plate through
which these numbers can be seen, and any attempt to shoot back the
bolt or tubes will be indicated by the number shewn on the ratchet
wheel through the aperture. The aperture or eyehole is closed with a
glass. The signals given by the lock may be conveyed to any part of
a house, inside or out, by attaching tubes to the case of the lock, leading
to the part or parts required. Instead of striking a bell, the parts may
be arranged so as to give signals by compressed air, to sound a whistle,
or give motion to a system of levers, and exhibit a light. Or a wire
might be carried through the tubes in connection with a bell in distant
apartments, so as to give a signal at any required distance from the
lock. The key which I use with my lock has the bits formed so as to
be capable of sliding away from the barrel or pin when moved by the
wards, and the bits are of such length that when they are moved out to
their fullest extent they come into a position to act upon the tumblers
and raise them out of their respective tubes, so as to allow the tubes to
be shot forward. In some cases I employ small pinions attached to

page_text: the sliding bits for the purpose of raising the tumblers or any of them,
so as to prevent an impression being taken through the keyhole. I
also make the keyhole in some cases through the handle of the lock,
and cover it with a spring cap opening inwards, as with keys having
sliding bits, such as I propose to use, only a small keyhole is required.
This construction of key may also be employed with other forms of
locks. And in some cases I make the key so that the sliding bits may be
moved out by means of a screw passing through the stem and furnished
with a thumb piece, by which it can be turned after the key has been
introduced into the lock. For the purpose of preventing the rusting of
the interior parts of locks I have them galvanized by the ordinary pro-
cess of galvanizing iron, and I also make the bolts of steel and the front
plates of steel case-hardened. The arrangement of tubes with racks
and pinions employed for, shooting the bolt in my lock may also be
adopted for the purpose of raising window sashes; and for giving an
alarm, when required, the signal bell movements may also be em-
ployed. For the purpose of fastening the box staples which receive-the
bolts of my locks I fix a screw in the door post, and allow a portion of
it to project, which will be rather less than the thickness of the box
staple. I have a female screw tapped in the box staple, and then
secure it to the door post by screwing it up on the screw projecting
from the door post. In order to prevent the handle of my locks from
being turned I have a pin or catch attached to the rose or escutcheon
of the lock, which takes into a notch in the handle so as to hold it fast,
but can be raised out of it when the handle is required to be turned.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Henry Bentley in the Great Seal Patent
Office, on the 26th November 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, 1,
WILLIAM HENRY BENTLEY, of Bedford, in the County of Bedford,
Whitesmith and Engineer, send grecting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of May, in the

page_text: year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the
sixteenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Henry Bentley, Her special
licence that I, the said William Henry Bentley, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Henry
Bentley, 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 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 AND KEYS, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE
TO WINDOW SASHES AND DOORS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said William Henry Bentley, by an instrument in writing
under my hand and seal, 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 William Henry Bentley, do
hereby declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer
tained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had
to the Drawings hereunto annexed, that is to say:
My Invention consists of certain improved constructions of locks
and keys, parts of the arrangements of which are also applicable to
window sashes and doors.
In carrying my Invention into effect I make the bolt of my lock of
a series of tubes arranged concentrically around a bolt, which serves as
an ordinary spring bolt for securing the door when not required to be
locked, and in connection with these tubes I employ a screw, which,
at the time that the tubes are shot forward by the key, is forced
backward, and passes into a hole in the door post to which the door is
hinged. The whole series of tubes constituting the bolt may be shot
forward at once, or a portion only of them, or they may be shot con-
secutively, and all to the same extent, or each to a different extent, by

page_text: making them with racks, having small toothed wheels gearing into
them, and forming the key with bits of different lengths, which work
the wheels so as to cause the wheels to take into the racks in succession,
whilst the tumblers are raised to allow the tubes to be shot forward by
other bits, which also come into operation in succession. To the inner
end of the tubes, or to one of them, or to the centre bolt, I attach a
cross piece carrying two pauls, which take into a ring of teeth attached
to the face of a ratchet wheel which has its axis projecting from the in-
terior of the front plate of the lock. By this means the ratchet wheel is
moved when the bolt or part to which the pauls are attached is moved
in either direction. The teeth on the edge of the ratchet wheel work
a lever vibrating on a centre, and carrying at the opposite end a
hammer, which strikes a bell and gives a signal whenever the bolt is
moved. On the inner face of the ratchet wheel, which works against
the interior of the front plate of the lock, 1 mark a series of numbers,
and cut an aperture in the lock plate through which these numbers
can be seen, and any attempt to shoot back the bolt or tubes will be
indicated by the number shewn on the ratchet wheel through the
aperture in the lock plate; by the same means also the number of
times the lock has been locked and unlocked will be indicated. The
aperture or eyehole is closed with a glass. The signals given by the
lock may be conveyed to any part of a house, inside or outside, by
attaching tubes of gutta percha, &c., to the case of the lock, leading to
the part or parts required. Instead of striking a bell, the parts may be
arranged so as to give signals by compressed air, or to sound a signal
whistle, or give motion to a system of levers, and exhibit a light. Or a
wire might be carried through the tubes in connection with a bell in.
distant apartments so as to give a signal at any required distance from
the lock. The key which I use with my lock has the bits formed so
as to be capable of sliding away from the barrel or pin when moved by
the wards of the lock, and the bits are of such length that when they
are moved out to their fullest extent they come into a position to act upon
the tumblers and raise them out of their respective tubes, so as to allow
the tubes to be shot forward. In some cases I employ small pinions
attached to the sliding bits for the purpose of raising the tumblers or

page_text: any of them, so as to prevent an impression being taken through
the keyhole.
I also make the keyhole of my locks in some cases
through the handle of the lock, and cover it with a spring cap opening
inwards, as with keys having sliding bits, such as I propose to use, only
a small keyhole is required. This construction of keys may also be
employed with other forms of locks. And in some cases I make the
key so that the sliding bits may be moved out by means of a screw
passing through the stem and furnished with a thumb piece, by which
it can be turned after the key has been introduced into the lock. For
the purpose of preventing the rusting of the interior parts of locks I have
them galvanized or tinned by the ordinary process of galvanizing iron,
and I also make the bolts of steel and the front plates of steel case-
hardened. The arrangement of tubes with racks and pinions employed
for shooting the bolt in my locks may also be adopted for the purpose
of raising window sashes; and for giving an alarm, when required, the
signal bell movement and sound conducting tubes may also be employed..
For the purpose of fastening the box staples which receive the bolts of
my locks I fix a screw in the door post, and allow a portion of it to
project to an extent rather less than the thickness of the metal of the
box staple. I have a female screw tapped in the box staple, and then
secure it to the door post by screwing it up on the screw projecting.
from the door post. In order to prevent the handle of my locks from
being turned I have a pin or catch attached to the rose or escutcheon
of the lock, which takes into a notch in the handlo so as to hold it fast,
but can be raised out of it when the handle is required to be turned.
Figure 1, of the Drawings annexed is a representation on an enlarged
scale of a lock constructed according to my Invention, with the signal
apparatus in connection therewith. A, A, is the case of the lock, the
back plate of which is supposed to be removed in order to shew the
interior arrangements. B', B2, are two tubular bolts, disposed concen-
trically around a bolt B, and forming with it the means by which the
door is mainly secured. The centre bolt B, and the tubular bolts B',
and B², are extended backwards, and terminate in forks b, one only of
which (namely, that belonging to the centre bolt B,) is shewn in the
Drawings, which forks are separately acted on by the bits of the key

page_text: for the purpose of shooting the bolts. The bolts will be shot forward
simultaneously when the bits of the key are of the same length, or
successively when the bits are of different lengths; and I adopt this
arrangement in preference to using racks and pinions, as herein-before
mentioned, although in some cases I might use the latter. The centre
bolt B, or rather that part of it which carries the fork b, is tapped like
a nut, to receive the screw C, which turns between centres c, c, and is
cut partly with a right-handed and partly with a left-handed thread.
The right-handed thread passes through the elbow piece of the bolt. B,
and the left-handed thread passes through a nut tapped in the stem D
which carries the additional bolt E, which, when the centre bolt B, is shot
forward by the key, is, by the action of the screw C, forced backwards
into the door post. The sten D, passes through a collar or guide d.
in the case of the lock, and the bolt E, is secured in it by screwing into
its end, which is tapped with a female screw for that purpose, as shewn
at e, and it is further secured by the set screw e'. It will of course be
understood that an aperture must be cut in the wood of the door to
allow the bolt E, to pass through, or the bolt may slide against the
inside of the door, as shewn in the Figure in which a portion of the
door and bolt is broken away. This arrangement is preferable to
making the screw itself move backward, as herein-before mentioned,
but I do not mean to confine myself to it or either of them, nor do I
at all times contemplate using such an additional bolt, as it may be
in some cases dispensed with. F, is the tumbler lever for the bolt B¹
and f; the catch of the tumbler, which takes into the notch b', formed
on the hinder part of the bolt. The tumbler is centred at f¹, on
a pin projecting from the front plate of the lock, and the end of the
tumbler, which is acted on by the bits of the key, is curved on that
side with which the bits come in contact, to enable them to act
more readily on it. There is a similar tumbler lever G, behind
the lever F, which carries a catch g, which takes into a notch
formed in a slot cut through the hinder part of the bolt B'; the
upper edge of the slot has another notch formed in it opposite to that
on the lower edge, the object of which is to prevent the bolt being
shot in the event of the tumbler being lifted too high in any attempt on

page_text: the lock. The hinder ends of each of the tumbler levers F, and G,
are connected by ball and socket joints to upright levers II, H, which
slide in guides attached to the edge plate of the lock, and are pressed
upwards, into contact with the toothed wheels, I, I, formed or affixed
on the plain part of the screw C, by means of springs h, h, which bear
against the ends of the levers H, II. It will thus be seen that the
centre bolt B, is prevented from being shot forward so long as the levers
H, H, remain in the teeth of the wheels I, I, but that when those
levers are drawn away from contact with the wheels, the bolt B, would
be at liberty to be shot forward, so far as the tumbler arrangements
already described are concerned. For the sake, however, of ensuring
still greater security to the lock, I adopt the arrangement of spring
separately represented in Figure 2, which shews the bolts in section
and the spring in side elevation. The spring K, is screwed at one end
to the front plate of the lock, and is forked, so as to embrace the lever F,
the plain part of the screw C, and the three bolts B, B', and B; the
sides of the spring are furnished with pins, which take into recesses
cut in the bolts B', and B, and by means of these pins the bolts are
held securely and prevented from moving, except when the levers F,
& G, have been depressed by the action of the key, so as to open out
the fork of the spring, and withdraw the pins from the recesses in the
bolts. The additional bolt E, is also protected by a tumbler arrange-
ment composed of one or more levers I, having each a catch taking
into a notch formed therein, and this arrangement is acted on by the
key in a similar manner to what has been already described with
reference to the other bolts B', and B. The extremity of the left-
handed thread of the screw C, has two toothed wheels M, M, with
levers and springs, as before described with reference to the opposite
extremity of the screw, and their action and purpose are the same as
before explained. The tubular bolt B', is connected to the handle of
the door N, by means of the connecting rod and crank n', n, in such
manner as to act as an ordinary spring bolt, the spring n³, being employed
for the purpose of keeping it constantly projected into the door post
or staple. The bolt B, is slotted out to allow it to work past the axis O, of
the ratchet wheel P, the face of which works against the front plate of

page_text: the lock on this ratchet wheel is cast another ratchet wheel or ring of
teeth T", which are geared into by the pawls Q. Q, attached to the bolt
B. so that as the bolt is moved in either direction the ratchet wheel is
caused always to advance; the two pawls acting on it from opposite
directions. The ratchet teeth of the wheel P. work the trigger R', of the
bell hammer R, which, when the trigger is moved, is thereby caused to
strike the bell and give a signal, which is repeated as often as the bolt
is moved. The face of the ratchet wheel P, may have a series of
numbers on its face, so as to indicate, through an eyehole or aperture
cut in the front plate of the lock, the number of times the lock has
been opened but as the ratchet wheel is advanced rather rapidly
owing to the size of its teeth, and the number of rotations indicated by
it would consequently be but limited, I prefer to transfer its motion by
means of the pinion O¹, on its axis O, to the toothed wheel 0%, on the
face of which I mark the numbers, and thus a greater number of
movements can be indicated than if the ratchet wheel P, were the
indicating wheel. The front plate of the lock must have an aperture
cut through it in a suitable position to allow the numbers on the wheel
O, to be seen through it; and this aperture may be closed with a piece
of glass, to prevent the access of dust to the interior parts of the lock.
S, is the door post, into which the bolts of the lock are shot. S¹, S', are
bolts, connected by ball and socket joints to links S, S, centered at
s, s, and working either against the face of the door post, or in mortices
cut therein. The links S2, S3, are so placed that when the bolts B, B',
and 13, are shot forward, they act against the extremities of the links,
and cause them to project the bolts attached to them into recesses cut
for them in the style of the door. The tube B', has a notch cut in its
upper surface, which, when the tube is shot forward, engages with a
catch T, which is connected at its end to a bell crank T, and held down
by a spring T. It is also provided with a thumbpiece T3, by which it
can be raised from the bolt B, when the lock is required to be opened.
The bell crank is connected by a cord to a signal apparatus U, con-
structed on the same principle as an accordeon; and the motion of the
bell crank, when acted on by the bolt B', causes the production of a
signal, which may be conveyed to any required distance by attaching

page_text: tubes, to the accordeon leading to the parts where the signal is to be
given. Such tubes might also be connected to the case of the lock, so
as to convey from it the sound of the bell to any required distance. I
also employ, in connection with my lock, the signalizing arrangements
first herein-before mentioned.
Figure 3, is a side view of one of my improved keys. a, is the
barrel of the key; b, the set of bits, which are attached to the spring c
which has an additional part d, attached to it, and is secured to the
barrel by a pin e. The bolts are expanded by the screw nut f, which
works on the exterior of the barrel of the key, and acts on the part d
so as thereby to raise it and bring up the bits, or the bits may be ex-
panded by the crank g, acting against the back of the spring, the crank
being actuated by the rod or wire h.
Figure 4, shews another arrangement of expanding bit key. In this
case the bits b, are attached to a spring c, as before mentioned, and are
thrown out by the pin d, on which the barrel of the lock turns, which
is. wedge-formed at its end, and consequently, when brought against
the spring, throws out the bits, keeping them expanded while the key
is in the lock.
Figure 5, shews a view of another arrangement of key, in which the
bits are dispensed with and replaced by 21 pinion a, having teeth of
different lengths, which act on the wards when the pinion is turned by
the screw b, on the spindle c, which passes up through the barrel of the
key, and is worked by the thumb nut d; the screw b, taking into a
worm wheel on the face of the pinion a.
Figures 6, and 7, are respectively a side elevation and plan, partly in
section, of a door knob, shewing the method which I adopt of prevent-
ing the knob from being turned. a, is the knob; b, the escutcheon,
which has a projecting slotted part c, in which works a small bolt d,
which can be moved in the slot so as to take into the recess e, formed
in the handle, and thereby hold it fast.
When I make the keyhole of my improved locks through the
handle, as herein-before mentioned, I make the keyhole from side to
side of the lock, and I screw in a pin to receive the barrel of the key.
introducing the pin from the opposite side to that at which the key is

page_text: inserted, and this pin may be shifted so as to enable the lock to be
opened from either side. When the key is made with a solid stem I
screw in the wards from either side in a similar manner.
Figures 8, and 9, are a side and front elevation in exemplification of
my method of fastening the box staples of locks to the door posts. a, is
the door post; b, the screw fixed in it, and retained there by means of
a nut c; and d, the box staple. Figures 10, 10 a, 11, and 11 a, are
similar views of a modification of this method, in which the screw, in-
stead of being detached from the box staple and separately screwed
into the door post, is formed in a piece with the box staple.
Figure 12, shews the manner in which I apply the screw and signal
apparatus to window sashes. A, is the upper and B, the lower sash.
C, C, are screws of a quick pitch, supported in bearings attached to the
sash frames. D, D, are nuts working on the screws, and attached to
the upper and lower sashes, so that as the window sashes are moved up
and down the screws are caused to rotate. E, E, are cranks fixed on
the upper ends of the screws C, C, which, as the screws rotate, are
caused by the wire connections, to be presently described, to give
motion to signal apparatus and light a gas or other burner. F, F;
are wires connected to the cranks E, E, which wires are connected to a
bell crank G, the end of which is again connected to a lever H,
centred at h, which lever is itself connected by a-wire to an accordeon I,
or to-a bell or other signal apparatus, having tubes to convey the sound
to any required place. J; is a gas burner fixed to the wall, the cock of
which has attached to it a weighted lever K. L, is a segment of a
ring attached to the weighted lever K, and covered with sand paper, or
otherwise roughened on its surface. M, is a match holder for holding
a lucifer match; and N, a spring for pressing the holder forward. O, is
a stop for preventing the weighted lever from falling too far over. p, is
a projection on the lever H, which, when that lever is raised by the
wire and its connections with the window sash, comes against another
pin projecting from the ring I, and raises that ring, thereby causing it
to cant the weighted lever and turn on the gas, while its friction
against the match ignites it, and lights the gas. The same motion of
the lever also causes the accordeon to sound.

page_text: Figures 13, and 14, are a side elevation and sectional plan, on an
enlarged scale, of part of one of the screws C, shewing the manner in
which the screws are prevented from being lifted out of their bearings.
The end of the screw is clipped by a friction band a, which is tightened
up by means of the set screw b, which works in a short box or barrel c,
attached to the end of the band a, and is turned by a key fitting over
the square head of the screw b, within the box c.
Figure 15, is a side elevation of part of a door, shewing two wires
a, b, leading from a lock ou the door, one up and the other down, so as
to ring bells or give other signals in distant parts of the building when
any attempt is made to force the lock. The wires are twisted and run
on pulleys c, d, attached to the framing of the door.
The signal arrangement shewn in Figure 12, as applied to window
sashes, may also be employed in conjunction with my improved locks,
instead of that shewn in Figure 1. And in some cases I also employ
the tubular bolts, as well as the screw movement, in connection with
window sashes.
The whole of the interior parts of ordinary locks may be galvanized
or tinned by the ordinary processes employed for such purposes, as well
as the interior parts of my locks, as herein-before mentioned. I also
make my keys of sheet steel, as well as making the front plates and
bolts of steel, as herein-before mentioned.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim as my
Invention,―
First, the improved lock represented in Figure 1, of the Drawings
annexed and herein-before described, in the general arrangement, com-
bination, and adaptation of the parts or movements of which the same
consists. I also claim the tubular bolts arranged concentrically around a
centre bolt; the tumbler movements in connection with the said bolts;
the forked spring and pins in combination with the said bolts; the screw
movement for shooting the reversed bolt, and the tumbler movement
by which the reversed bolt is secured, whether the said parts or move-
ments are employed in combination, as described, or combined one or
more of them with locks in other respects differently constructed.

page_text: Second, the combination with locks of signal and indicating appa-
ratus, one or both of them, in the manner and for the purpose herein-
before described.
Third, the expanding bit keys represented in Figures 3, and 4,
and the revolving bit key represented in Figure 5, of the Drawings
annexed and herein-before described.
Fourth, the mode of securing the handle of locks to the rose or
escutcheon, so as to prevent the handle being turned, except when the
catch is released, as herein-before described.
Fifth, the mode or modes of securing the box staples of locks to
the door post, herein-before described.
Sixth, the application of the screw or tubular bolt movement and
signal apparatus of my improved locks to window sashes in the manner
and for the purpose herein-before described.
Seventh, the construction of the handles of locks with apertures
through them to admit the key in the manner and for the purpose
before described.
Eighth, galvanizing or tinning the interior parts of locks to pre-
vent their rusting, as herein-before described. And,
Ninth, the construction of the bolts and keys of locks from steel,
and the front plates or cases of locks from steel, case-hardened, as
herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Henry Bentley, have
hereunto set my hand and scal, this Twenty-sixth day of
November, One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
W. H. BENTLEY. (L.S.)