An Improved Method of and Means for Fastening Folding Shafts, Rails, and the like.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Oct., 1894-Accepted, 1st Dec., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of and Means for Fastening Folding Shafts,
Rails, and the like.
I GEORGE LACY 41 Willans Road Dewsbury Yorkshire Coach Body Maker
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
The object of my invention is to automatically and securely fasten the folding
shafts of all suitable types of wheeled vehicles, children's mail-carts, folding rails,
and similar hinged structures.
The construction of the device I employ for this purpose and the method of
operation will be understood by reference to the drawings in which :—
Fig. 1, is a part sectional side elevation shewing my invention as applied to the
folding shaft of a child's mail-cart.
Fig. 2, is a plan looking up.
Fig. 3, an end view.
Fig. 4, shews the position of the interacting parts when the shaft is folded
back.
Fig. 5, shews the application of iny invention to a folding rail.
In the drawing 1, is a plate of cast or malleable iron, brass, or other suitable
metal having near one end a cylinder 2, so cored out as to have an oblong or square
hole 3, at one end, and a round hole 4, at the other, or the ends of the cylinder may
be drilled, and filed out to the required shape. Within the cylinder is a bolt 5,
having a square or oblong head 6, which is rounded off on its upper side and
protrudes from the cylinder at one end as shewn, the remainder is turned so as to
slide freely in the round hole 4. This bolt passes through a spiral spring 7, formed
of brass or steel wire, which presses at one end against the square or oblong head
so as to force it outwards, and at the other against the cylinder end. This bolt is
also turned down as at 8, so as to form a shoulder to which the trigger 9, is so fitted
as to enable it to be turned downwards as shewn in Fig. 1, horizontally as in Fig. 2,
or into any other convenient position. The trigger 9, which may be either quite
straight or inclined inwards as see dotted lines Figs. 1, and 4, is secured in position
by a washer 10, and by rivetting over the end of the bolt as shewn, or the end of
the bolt may be screwed and fitted with a nut. Screw or bolt holes 11, are formed
in the plate, and at a suitable position is cast or fixed, as by rivetting a spur 12,
which tapers towards the head of bolt 5. This portion of my invention is fastened
by screws 13, or bolts 13¹ to one side of the folding shaft A, fitted with a hinge 14,
as shewn.
A plate 15, having an oblong hole 16, and screw holes 11, is secured by
screws 13, or a bolt and nut 131 to the other, depending upon the size of the shaft,
and when the shaft is in use the respective parts occupy the position shewn in
Figs. 1, 2. Fig. 5, shews the application of my invention to straight folding rails.
It will be understood that the base of the locking device may be straight as
therein shewn, or cambered as shewn in Figs. 1, 2, 4, depending upon the contour
of the joint. Although in Figs. 1, 2, 4, I have shewn my invention as fitted to a
light folding shaft it may also be fitted to shafts of cabs, broughams or other similar
vehicles.
The operation of my invention is as follows:-
To enable the folding shaft, rail, or other corresponding form of pivoted or hinged
folding joint herein represented by the letter A, to be opened, the trigger is turned
unwards or downwards ar ne may be most canzonient

page_text: upon it by the fingers to withdraw the head of the bolt within the cylinder, the
folding portion of the shaft, rail, or the like is now lifted and the locking plate
withdrawn as see Fig. 4. Upon withdrawing the pressure from the trigger 9, the
head of bolt 5, is again forced outwards by the action of the spring as shewn.
The folding part of the shaft or bar is automatically locked by the plate 15,
striking the rounded part of the bolt head 5, which is thereby forced inward, until
cleared by the plate, the bolt is then forced outward by the reaction of the spring
and the respective parts of the shaft, rail, or the like, securely fastened. The
object of the spur 12 is to stiffen the joint and prevent lateral movement.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The particular method and means herein described for automatically fastening
the folding shafts, of any suitable type of vehicle, folding rails, and the like hinged
structures.
2. For the purpose of automatically locking folding joints of cabs, broughams,
mail-carts, rails, and the like, the application of the locking mechanism consisting
of a plate 1, having cylinder 2, the bolt 5, therein, shaped as shewn, fitted with
moveable trigger 9, and surrounded by spring 7. The spur 12, for preventing
lateral movement of catch plate 15, secured to the opposite side of hinged joint, all
as described and for effecting the purpose set forth.
Dated October 29th 1894.
FRANCIS M. ROGERS,
Agent.