MENTS IN LATCHES AND LOCKS
Year: 1884

page_text: I WILLIAM BRADLEY of N° 18 Collegiate Crescent, Sheffield in the County of
York Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for IMPROVE-
MENTS IN LATCHES AND LOCKS to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in the construction of Latches and Locks,
the object being to make the working easy and the action certain. In constructing
a Latch for example for Railway Carriages, I fix a vertical rotating bolt inside the
Case but partly projecting therefrom, and having two longitudinal grooves formed
on opposite sides of its periphery.
This rotating bolt may either work upon solid axles, or upon separate centros,
and it is retained in the required position to engage with a fixed catch bar, when
the door is being closed, by means of a spring click or other equivalent.
If the latch is fixed to the door frame, the fixed catch bar is secured to the door
and vice versa.
The outer longitudinal groove is to receive the catch bar, and the inside groove
is to receive a slide bolt working between guides in the case, and forced forward
by a suitable spring or springs and withdrawn by a suitable handle.
The act of closing the door brings the catch bar in contact with one side of the
outer groove of the rotating bolt thereby causing it to revolve, so that when the
door is closed, the fixed catch bar is in its deepest position in the said groove, and
at the same time the slide bolt is being forced into the inside groove by its spring
or springs; thus completing the operation of latching.
To unlatch the same, the latch handle being acted upon withdraws the slide bolt
and releases the rotating-bolt, and the further act of opening the door, whilst
disengaging the catch-bar from the rotating bolt, revolves it into the proper
position to be again acted upon when the door is closed, in which position it is
retained by a spring click.
In carrying out my invention as a lock that may be unlocked from either sido
of the door; I use the rotating bolt, and the slide bolt before described, in
conjunction with the locking devices hereafter more particularly described
consisting of a peculiar formation of key, and other mechanical appliances.
The key is preferably made of thin steel; the front edge having slots of varying
depths cut in it, and its action being simply a straight push, by which certain
puzzle plates are adjusted; and certain holding pieces liberated.
-
A

page_text: The puzzle plates may be made of any suitable shape and material, they are
placed together, and turn upon an upright pin, fixed behind the sliding bolt.
Each plate has two recesses formed in the edge immediately behind the sliding-
bolt, and a projecting tailpiece terminating in a spring for the purpose of throwing
the recesses into confusion, and for the further purpose of always presenting some
part of the space between these recesses to the back edge of the slide bolt; so that
adjusting them with the push key from either side of the lock will always bring
one set of the recesses into line opposite the bolt.
These recesses when in line admit a portion of the back edge of the slide-bolt,
when it is withdrawn from the inside groove of the rotating bolt; this adjustment
of the recesses is accomplished by the pressure of the key upon the tail pieces;
each tail piece differs in width, so that their adjustment can only be accomplished
by the proper key, the slots of which have been adjusted to suit the tail-pieces, so
as to move them to the required position.
In addition to the puzzle plates, there is another plate or stop piece, which
projects in front of those described, for the purpose of receiving the pressure put
upon the slide-bolt, for its withdrawal, thereby preventing the chance of adjust-
ment which might be possible if the slide bolt pressed against the puzzle plates.
Should the stop piece be displaced from any cause, other than by the action of
the proper key, and the slide bolt press against the puzzle plates; then as a safe-
guard, there is, connected with the slide bolt, a plate on either side which moves
back and closes the keyholes.
Attached to the sliding bolt and projecting backwards is a bar, passing through
a horizontal slide piece, and supported by a guide attached to the top of the case,
and so that the bar and the horizontal slide piece may be moved independently
when not connected by certain springs hereafter described. A pin is put through
the end of the said bar, on that side of the hole in the slide piece through which it
passes furthest from the sliding bolt, so that when the said slide piece is at that
end of its movement nearest to the slide bolt, then the slide bolt and bar may
move independently, but when the horizontal slide piece is moved furthest from the
sliding bolt, then the said pin will retain the bolt until the return of the horizontal
slide.
The springs are arranged in the following manner; projecting from the sides of
the horizontal slide piece are two arms, each holding an end of one of two spiral
springs which extend towards the back of the case, and are secured to arms
extending from a rocking lever working on a pivot at the top of the case.
The rocking lever is actuated by a slide rod extending from it to the rotating
bolt; the end being made to rest against the periphery of the rotating bolt, and to
be pushed back by one edge of its inner groove, and thus to force backwards the
rocking lever and so distend the said spiral pull springs. There is also a spring at
the back of the slide bolt having its resistance against the nearest support of the
horizontal slide, it is for convenience coiled round the rod of the slide bolt-which
is forced by its action into the inner groove of the rotating bolt.
Two other springs are held by the arms of the horizontal slide, extending
towards the front part of the lock, their forward ends being held by pins fixed in
the bed of the lock.
When therefore the lock is unlocked, and the door open, the drawsprings placed
at the back will be out of action, and the forward springs will act, and so draw
the horizontal slide-piece to that end of its movement next to the slide bolt, in
which position a catch projecting from the under part of the slide piece is brought
in front of a holding block attached to the end of a straight spring which projects
from the back of the case.
This block is for the purpose of preventing the distended pull springs at the
back, from withdrawing the slide bolt, when the pressure is put upon them by the
door being closed, and is removed by the direct action of the key in unlocking.
The operation of unfastening may also be accomplished by means of a handle
having an attachment so arranged. as to displace the holding block, which alone

page_text: keeps the door fast, when the puzzle plates and the stop piece are held in position
by a retaining arrangement which is constructed as follows:-Each puzzle plate
and also the stop piece has a slot in either one or both sides so placed that when
the slide bolt is in its recesses, the retaining slots are in line opposite the retainer ;
which is a slide operated by a thumb bit from the outside of the lock.
The pull springs at the back, must be strong enough to overcome the front or
locking spring, and also the springs for bringing the horizontal slide catch in front
of the holding block.
As an additional safeguard against picking my improved lock, I reduce that
portion of the back of the slide-bolt which is to enter the recesses of the puzzle
plates to a knife-edge, and I notch the puzzle plates on their edges or peripheries,
so that should the stop piece be displaced and liberate the bolt upon them-when
in confusion-the knife edge will enter some of the notches and thereby prevent
any further progress in picking.
In case the slide bolt should be so withdrawn and close the keyholes, a lever is
provided having a projection towards the front plate of the lock, by which the
slide bolt may be re-adjusted and the keyholes opened.
Finally by a slight variation in the shape of the outer groove of the rotating
bolt, and of the fixed catch-bar, and an additional spring click, the lock or the
latch may be adapted to swing doors.

page_text: I WILLIAM BRADLEY of 18 Collegiate Crescent Broomhall Park Sheffield in the
• County of York Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN LATCHES AND LOCKS and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, that is to say :-
My invention relates to improvements in the construction of Latches and Locks.
As applied to Latches any invention renders the working extremely easy and the
action certain.
In constructing a Latch according to my invention suitable for Railway Carriages
(for example) I fix inside but partly projecting from the case of the latch a vertical
rotating bolt, having two longitudinal grooves on the opposite sides of its periphery;
this rotating bolt may either work on solid axles, or upon centre pins, and it is
retained in the required position to engage with a fixed catch-bar when the door is
being closed, by means of a spring-click or other equivalent-If the latch is fixed
to the door frame, the fixed catch-bar is secured to the door, and vice versa.
The longitudinal groove, or recessed portion, in the outer or projecting part of
the bolt is to engage with the fixed catch-bar, the inside groove or recess being to
receive a slide-bolt, or a pendulous catch which is moved into position either by the
aid of one or more springs, or by its own gravity, and is withdrawn by means of a
suitable handle.
The act of closing the door brings the catchbar in contact with one side of the
outer groove or recess in the vertical rotating bolt, and causes it to revolve, so that
when the door is closed, the catch bar is in its deepest position in the said groove,
the slide-bolt or catch enters the inside groove at the same time, thus completing
the operation of latching.
To unlatch the same, the handle being turned the bolt or catch is withdrawn,
and the rotating bolt is released; The further act of opening the door, disengages
the fixed catch bar from the rotating bolt, and revolves it into the proper position
to be again acted upon when the door is closed, in which position it is retained by
any simple device.
Fig. 1, on the accompanying sheet of drawings represents a latch made according
to my invention-one side plate being removed.
Fig. 2-represents a cross section of same unlatched.
Fig. 3-a cross section of same, latched.
1
{
A is the rotating bolt, B the outer groove, C the inside groove, D the pendulous 3
catch, E the spring, F the fixed catch, G the hole for handle. The dotted lines
show the position of the catch and spring when moved back to release the rotating
bolt.
In carrying out my invention as a lock that may be locked or unlocked from
either side of the door, which is illustrated in the Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, I use the 4
rotating bolt and the slide bolt before described, in conjunction with the locking

page_text: Fig, 5, is a sectional view through A, A.
Fig, 6, is a sectional view through B, B.
Fig, 7, represents the key.
The key is preferably made of thin steel the front edge having slots of varying
depths cut in it, and its action being simply a straight push, by which certain
puzzle plates are adjusted and certain holding pieces are liberated.
The puzzle-plates C, may be made of any suitable shape and material, they are
placed together and turn upon an upright pin D, fixed behind the sliding bolt E.
Each plate has to recesses F, formed in the edge immediately behind the sliding
bolt, and a projecting tail-piece G, terminating in a spring H, for the purpose of
throwing the recesses into confusion and for the further purpose of always presenting
some part of space between the recesses to the back edge of the slide-bolt, so that
adjusting them with the push key from either side of the lock, will always bring
one set of the recesses F into line,
These recesses when in line admit a portion of the back edge of the slide bolt,
when it is withdrawn from the inside groove I, of the rotating bolt J, this adjust-
ment of the recesses is accomplished by the pressure of the key upon the tail
pieces G. Each tail-piece differs in width, so that the adjustment can only be
accomplished by the proper key, the slots of which have been adjusted to suit the.
tail pieces, so as to move them to the required position.
In addition to the puzzle plates there is a stop-piece K which projects in front
of the plates, for the purpose of receiving the pressure put upon the slide bolt for
its withdrawal, thereby preventing the chance of adjustment which might be possible
if the slide-bolt pressed against the puzzle plates.
Should the stop-piece be displaced from any cause other than by the action of the
proper key and the slide bolt press against the puzzle-plates, a plate L on either
side of the interior of the case connected with the slido bolt at M, is moved so as
to close the key-holes. Another safe guard is to form projecting bits N (see Fig 6)
on each side of the recesses F, which will effectually prevent any adjustment after
the lock has been tampered with, or notches may be used, with like effect.
Attached to the sliding bolt E, and projecting back is a bar O, passing through
a horizontal slide-piece P, and supported by a guide Q, attached to the top of the
case, and so that the bar and the horizontal slide-piece may be moved independently
when not connected by certain springs hereafter described.
A pin is put through the end of the said bar on that side of the hole in the
slide-piece P, (through which it passes) furthest from the slide-bolt E, so that when
the slide-piece is at the end of its movement nearest to the slide-bolt, then the slide
bolt and bar may move independently, but when the horizontal slide piece is moved
furthest from the sliding bolt, then the said pin will retain the bolt until the return
of the horizontal slide.
The springs are arranged in the following manner; projecting from the sides of
the horizontal slide are two arms R, R, each holding an end of one of two spiral
springs S, which extend towards the back of the case and are secured to a rocking
lever T, working on a pivot at the top of the case. The rocking lever is actuated
by a slide rod U, extending from it to the rotating bolt J, the end being made to
rest against the periphery of the rotating bolt, and to be pushed back by one edge
of its inner groove, and thus to force backwards the rocking lever, and distend the
said spiral pull springs S; there is also a spring at the back of the slide-bolt,
having its resistance against the nearest support Q; it is for convenience, coiled
round the rod O and the slide bolt is forced by its action into the inner groove I,
of the rotating bolt J.
Two other springs V are held by the arms of the horizontal slide P, extending
towards the front part of the lock, their forward ends being held by the pins fixed
to the case.

page_text: '
When therefore the lock is unlocked as shown in Fig. 4 and the door open, the
springs S will be out of action, and the forward pull springs' will act and draw the
horizontal slide piece to that end of its movement nearest to the slide bolt, in which
position a catch W is brought in front of a bolding block X, attached to a straight
spring which projects from the back of the case.
This block is for the purpose of preventing the distended pull springs S, from
withdrawing the slide bolt, when the pressure is put upon them by the door being
closed; and it is removed by the direct action of the key in unlocking.
The operation of unfastening may also be accomplished by means of a handle
having an attachment so arranged as to displace the holding block which alone 1
keeps the door fast when the puzzle plates, and the stop-piece are held in position
by a retaining device constructed as follows; each puzzle plate and also the stop
piece, has a slot in either one or both sides, so placed that when the slide bolt is in
its recesses the retaining slots are in line opposite the retainer, which is a slide
operated by a thumb bit on the outside.
The pull springs S, must be strong enough to overcome the front springs V, and
also the locking spring O.
In case the slide-bolt should be withdrawn so as to close the keyholos, a lever is
provided by which the slide bolt may be readjusted.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said :
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1st In Latches and Locks, the use of a vertical rotating bolt, for the purpose
specified, and substantially as herein before described and illustrated.
1
2nd The construction of latches, having a rotating bolt, in conjunction with a 2
retaining slide bolt, or a pendulous catch as herein beforo described, and as shown
in Figs 1, 2, 3, or any mere modification thereof.
3rd The combination of the various devices, constituting the lock as herein before
described and as illustrated in Fig 4.
4th In locks, the use of a straight push key having varying recesses cut in its $
front edge substantially as described and illustrated.
5. In Locks, the use of puzzle plates arranged to act in the manner as herein-
before described, and as shown in Figs 4 and 6..
6. In Locks, the rotating bolt J, in conjunction with the slido bolt E, and
parts C; K, P, U, and X operated by suitable springs.
Dated the 26th day of February 1885.
ROBT F. DRURY,
Agent for the Applicant.