Improvements in Keyless Locks.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Aug., 1898-Accepted, 4th Feb., 1899
Improvements in Keyless Locks.
I, EMIL BRESLAUER, of 166, Krautstrasse, Charlottenburg, in the German Empire,
Merchant, 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 follow-
ing stateinent:-
My invention relates to a new and improved combination or keyless lock, which is
provided also with electrical means for sounding an alarm when an attempt is made
to manipulate the lock by others than the rightful persons. I further provide other
improvements which are set forth hereinafter. In the following specification of
which the accompanying drawings form part and in which similar letters refer
throughout to similar parts, I have so described and set forth the nature of my
invention that it may be readily understood.
Although in these drawings I have represented as an instance the new lock in a
form adapted to be used for locking sliding doors; but I do not confine myself to
adapt the lock to this special use; and I will show hereafter that without altering
any essential feature, the lock may be used for all other locking purposes.
In the drawings.
Fig. 1 is a sight elevation of a lock embracing my invention.
Fig. 2 is a plan view.
Figs. 3 and 4 are a sight elevation and a plan view of a modification.
Fig. 5 is a detail.
Figs. 6 and 7 show different views of a modification.
Fig. 8 shows means to bring the actuating mechanism to a position marked "0,”
without having direct access to it. In this figure plunger q is omitted.
In order to explain my invention thoroughly and yet concisely I show at A the
fraine plates of a lock which are put together in any desired way and pattern, although
the general rectangular form shown in the drawings is a style found preferable.
Within this frame is a transversely extending shaft b on which is mounted a toothed
wheel c (Fig. 1). Straddling this wheel and fitting within any predetermined tooth
is a somewhat yoke shaped actuating plate a, to the inner end of which springs o¹, o²,
are attached. The inner ends of these springs are passed around the said shaft b and
serve to constantly draw the plate a within the range between any of the teeth and
retain it in that position.
Mounted on the inner side of the frame is a tumbler e having a locking head el
formed on its upper end and preferably of the shape shown in the drawing. Passing
through the upper plate of the frame A aforesaid is a locking tongue d having jaws
formed thereon and so constructed that the said locking head engages either one or
the other thereof save when it assumes the correct new position here shown as mid-
way of the two jaws aforesaid. The tumbler e is normally pressed by a spring to
the left side against a pin so that its locking head normally engages the left jaw of the
locking tongue d.
The tumbler e is always pressed to the left side by spring v so that its locking head
comes into the way of the left jaw of the locking tongue d and preventing the same
from being pushed out and the lock from being opened. Opening of the lock is also

page_text: prevented if tumbler e is pressed to the right side, so that the locking head comes
into the way of the right jaw of the locking tongue. But, if tumbler is carried
midway the two jaws of the locking tongue by turning the handle and pressing the
actuating plate a against the lug p of the tumbler e the locking tongue d will be
drawn out and the lock be opened. The opening position corresponds to a quite
distinct position of pointer g, so that only a person acquainted with this position can
open the lock.
The upper surface of the said head e¹ has a projection or lug y adapted to engage
the figured end of an armed band x which is mounted on the tongue d. By these
means should the tumbler be turned too far by one unacquainted with the com-
bination it would be impossible to make further attempt to open, while as will be
explained later an alarm is instantly sounded, and the attempt detected..
In order to reset the tumbler e, after any engagement, with the fingered end of
arm, the arm x must be drawn back from the inside of the door. In cases where
nobody is in the room, closed by the lock, this manner of securing the lock against
opening by tampering being attended with inconvenience to the legitimate owner it
may profitably be omitted.
Secured within the frame is a spring f the free end of which bears upon the toothed
periphery of wheel c.
The tumbler e has on its inner side an inwardly projecting lug p which is so
placed as to lie in the path of plate a as the latter is carried around in its
rotation.
One end of the shaft 6 projects to the front plate of the frame and has on its outer
end any suitable knob or handle h, by means of which the shaft may be easily rotated
and the plate a carried against the lug p and the lock thereby opened.
On the outer face of the frame is a dial having thereon any desired character or
numbers. Secured to the said shaft, without the frame and adjacent to the dial is an
index finger g by which the person knowing the correct number may readily
determine when the tumbler has been forced to an open position. via a spring
bearing against the tumbler e so that it remains in a locking position until driven
open, while w is a guard wheel mounted upon shaft b and between which and the
front plate of the frame or a second guard wheel is coiled a spring i having its free
end secured to the frame. This latter spring i serves to keep the wheel free in such
a position that the actuating plate a is at some distance from its operating point, or
in other words lug p.
Electrical connections are made with the locking tongue d, tumbler and pin n, so
that if anyone attempts to open the lock and is unacquainted with the correct
number letter, etcetera, the locking head will be brought into metallic connection
with the tongue's jaws or with the pin n, and as this locking end has also an electrical
connection the alarm is thereby sounded.
The electrical connections are arranged in such manner that the tumbler e is
connected with the wire whilst the locking tongue d has metallic connection with
the wire k and the pin n with the wire m and it is easily to be seen that a circuit
will be completed when the tumbler e comes in contact either with the locking
tongue d or with pin n.
The attempts to open the lock by any one who is unacquainted with the correct
number are further made more difficult by the noise caused through the spring f
passing over the teeth of wheel c thus disguising any informing sound which might
be produced when the plate a comes in connection with lug p.
Should it be desirable at any time to change the registering number it can be
effected by opening the frame and drawing the actuating plate a out of the tooth of
the wheel cand putting it in another tooth, so that it assumes any desired place,
whence a new registering number is brought to serve as the correct combination.
However since it is desirable to alter the combination more or less the trouble
occasioned by being obliged to open the frame each time would be considerable and
I have therefore provided a means for readily readjusting the lock only, however,

page_text: when the latter is opened, and even presumably within the knowledge of the rightful
possessor.
With this further object in view therefor I mount upon the axle b an arm a¹
Figs. 6 and 7, which is only held in its position by frictional contact. Secured to
this arm a¹ and at the outer end thereof is the actuating plate a² which while it
serves to operate on lug p in the same manner as that shown and described in Figs. 1
aud 2 is yet so constructed that when the arm a¹, is carried backwardly in a manner
afterwards described this plate opens when it comes in connection with the said lug
by pressing backward the spring s resuming its normal position after passing the
same.
Mounted upon axle b and to the side of the said arm a¹, is a tooth wheel c which
engages with a pawl connection also on the outer end of the arm a¹.
In some instances I may find it also desirable to increase the frictional contact of
arm a¹, and wheel c whence I have a spring a³ coiled about axle 6 and resting against
a foot plate at one end which shoves with the other the said arm a¹ against the
said wheel as will be seen in Fig. 5.
size c¹
On the
and on
Mounted upon axle band adjacent to wheel e is a second wheel of equal
also having teeth but directed in the opposite direction to those on wheel c.
outer end of the said axle is a sleeve us carrying on its inner end a rod u¹
its outer end a handle u both of which I tightly fasten to the said sleeve. On the
outer end of rod u is a spring pressed pawl t which is in a reversed position to the
said pawl Secured to the outer end of the axle is a pointer or index finger
the same as before (but not shown in Figs. 6 and 7).
Within the casing and only accessible when the lock is open, which condition is
presumably within the rightful owner's knowledge, is a plunger q which can be
pressed downwardly so as to come within the path of the end of the arm a¹.
The operation of this further mechanism will be clearly understood. When it is
desired to open the lock the pointer is turned on O. This being done the handle u
is turned backwardly, opposite to the direction in which the opening of the lock takes
place, to a point which is in an equal distance of O in the backward direction than
the opening number in the opening direction. Now the handle is turned in the
correct or opening direction to O, where a pin or the like prevents further turning.
The rod u through its pawl connection drives wheel c¹, which is fastened on shaft
and thus arm a¹ through its frictional contact with its axle is carried about to the
lug p opening the same.
However should the resistance of the lug be too great the pawl connection ŕ will
ensure the accurate working.
The handle u always being turned to a fixed point it is impossible to turn the
actuating plate a unintentionally over the opening position and thus to sound the
alarm and to cause the pawl x to engage the lug y of the locking head aforesaid.
The lock being open and a new opening number being desired the plunger q is p essed
inwardly, so that arm a¹, comes in contact with it, when turned around.
Now the arm a¹, is moved in a backward direction by rotating the pointer, which
fixed on the axle b. The arm a¹, being in frictional contact with the axle b is
rotated together with the axle 6 till the moment where it comes in contact with the
plunger q. The plunger q opposes a further rotation of the arm a¹, but it cannot
prevent the axle b being furthermore turned.
In consequence of this the arm/a¹, is turned around the axle b, its pawl r slipping
over the teeth of the wheel c, and the opening number is altered.
The position of the plunger q is profitably such that in altering the opening
position by turning the pointer in the backward direction, the pointer always stands
over the opening number when its rotation is stopped; that is to say after every
change of the opening number the pointer makes a complete revolution in the opening
direction in order to bring the locking head e in the opening position.
The "O" position of arın a¹ can also be attained without a pointer fixed on the
axle b, by employing one of those means which are used for example in connection
with stop clocks to bring the indicator to the "O" position.

page_text: For instance I may mount upon the axle 6 a spiral wheel w¹ (Fig. 8) with driving
plunger which, when the latter is pressed against the spiral wheel, slides on its
periphery and turns the wheel until the lowest point of its periphery is reached. The
spiral wheel w¹ being fixed on the axle 6 this axle is likewise turned and takes with it
the arm and the actuating plate to a fixed point, which may be marked " 0."
In Fig. 8 plunger xl is fixed to an arm y² the end y¹ of which forms a spring. In
this modification arm u¹ has a pin u2 by which the plunger ¹ is actuated. When the
arm u¹ is turned in a direction contrary to that for opening the lock, the pin u² will
slide over y¹ press the plunger against the spiral wheel w¹ and turn the same till
the "O" position of the arm a¹ with its actuating plate (the latter not shown in this
figure) is reached. As soon as the pin u² has reached the end of y¹ the spring z draws
the army back and the plunger x comes out of engagement with the spiral
wheel w¹.
If desirable I may employ two or more actuating plates (see Figs. 3 and 4) lugs
and tumblers with a corresponding increase of coacting parts thus obtaining a
combination of two or more numbers, whence, as each wheel carries a plurality of
cogs or teeth it is to be readily comprehended that practically an inexhaustible supply
of combinations is attainable. In Figs. 3 and 4 I have shown a lock with two
actuating plates a, a, being turned by pointers gl and g², the one independently from
the other. Each of the actuating plates coacts with a tumbler e¹, e² with pins p¹, p².
In order to open the lock both the tumblers e¹, e² with their respective locking heads
must be turned in the opening position that is in a position where the locking heads
stand midway between the jaws of the locking tongues d¹ d; it is to be seen, that he
who will open the lock must be acquainted with both opening numbers for both
actuating plates. When using the lock herein before described I affix the frame A
and the parts connected with it to the door which is a sliding door, as already stated,
whilst the locking tongue d is fixed to the frame. Now, in order to open the lock I
bring the tumbler e in opening position, that is to say in a position where the locking
head is midway between the jaws of the locking tongue, and push the door aside, so
that the locking tongue & is drawn out of the frame A. In order to lock the door
again I move the door back so that the locking tongue enters the frame and the
locking head engages one of the jaws of the locking tongue.
When constructing a padlock according to my invention I fasten a bow to the
frame with its one end, whilst the other end of the bow which has the form of
the locking tongue d, is adapted to engage the locking head of the tumbler e.
The actuating of the locking tongue is in this case quite the same as in the case of
the well known common padlock.
When using the improved or new lock to lock doors which are opened by turning
the same round a hinge, I provide means to push the locking tongue out of the
frame A, after tumbler e is brought into the opening position.
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. In a new and improved keyless lock the combination of a frame, a tumbler
therein having a locking head, jaws adapted to engage the same and means adapted
to move the locking head to an opening position, substantially as described.
2. In a new and improved keyless lock, the combination of a frame, a tumbler
having a locking head, jaws adapted to engage the same, means to move the locking
head, and further means adapted to detect any tampering therewith, substantially as
described.
3. In a new and improved keyless lock, the combination of a frame, a tumbler
therein, jaws adapted to engage the same, a shaft in the frame, a wheel thereon,
means on said wheel for operating said tumbler, and an alarm in connection with said
lock, substantially as described.
4. In a new and improved keyless lock, the combination of a frame, a tumbler
therein, jaws adapted to engage the same, a shaft in said frame, a wheel thereon, an

page_text: actuating plate in connection with said wheel and adapted to operate said tumbler
and an alarm adapted to detect imperfect manipulations therewith, said parts being
combined, substantially as described.
5. In a new and improved keyless lock, the combination of a frame, a shaft therein,
a wheel mounted on said shaft, means for rotating the same in either direction, a
tumbler, an actuating plate in connection with said wheel and adapted to operate said
tumbler, jaws adapted to engage said tumbler and an alarm connected with said lug,
substantially as described.
6. In a new and improved keyless lock, the combination of a frame, locking jaws
adapted to enter therein, a tumbler adapted to engage said jaws, a shaft, a wheel
mounted thereon, an actuating plate in connection with said wheel, a spring engaging
the periphery of said wheel, an index finger, a handle for revolving said shaft and
wheel and an alarm in connection with said lock, substantially as described.
7. In a new and improved lock, the combination of a frame, a tumbler therein, jaws
adapted to engage the same, a shaft, a wheel on said shaft, an actuating plate in
connection with said wheel, means for altering the position of said plate, and an
alarm for detecting any imperfect manipulations of said lock, substantially as
described.
8. In a new and improved keyless lock, the combination of a frame, locking jaws
adapted to enter therein, a tumbler, a shaft, a wheel mounted on said shaft, an arm
on said shaft engaging said wheel, an actuating plate on said arm adapted to move
said tumbler, a spring bearing against that wheel, a second spring coiled about and
fastened at one end to said shaft and engaging at the other end said frame, an index
finger, a handle engaging said shaft and arm, and an aların electrically connected
with said lock, substantially as described.
9. In a new and improved keyless lock, the combination of a frame, locking jaws
adapted to enter therein, a tumbler, a shaft, a wheel mounted on said shaft, an arm
on said shaft engaging said wheel, an actuating plate on said arm adapted to move
said tumbler, means to alter the position of said arm, a spring bearing against that
wheel a second spring coiled about and fastened at one end to said shaft and engaging
at its other end said frame, an index finger, a handle engaging said shaft and arm, and
an alarm electrically connected with said lock, substantially as described.
10. In a new and improved keyless lock, the combination of a frame, a dial on the
front thereof, a shaft therein and extending to the front thereof, an index finger on
said shaft, a dial also on the front of said frame, a sleeve on said shaft, a handle on the
other end of said sleeve, an arm on said sleeve within said frame, wheels fastened on
said shaft, an actuating plate on one of said wheels and adapted to be rotated in either
direction, a tumbler, a lug thereon, adapted to be engaged by said plate, locking jaws
adapted to enter said frame and engage said tumbler, a spring engaging the periphery
of one of said wheels and an alarm electrically connected with said lock, substantially
as described.
11. In a new and improved keyless lock, the combination of a frame, locking jaws
entering therein, a tumbler, a shaft, wheels mounted on said shaft, and actuating
plate in connection with one of said wheels, a sleeve on said shaft, an arm on said
sleeve engaging another of said wheels, a handle on the end of said sleeve and adapted
to nove said wheels and actuating plate, a dial, an index-finger and an alarm
electrically connected with said lock, substantially as described.
12. In a new and improved keyless lock, the combination of a frame, a shaft
thereon, a dial, an index-finger, wheels mounted on said shaft, cogs on each thereof
adapted to operate in reverse direction, an arm on said shaft engaging one of said
wheels, a rod engaging the other of said wheels and carrying an actuating
plate, said plate only when moving in one direction being adapted to open said
lock and means for readjusting the lock so that any desired point on the said dial may
serve as indicating the direct position to be assumed by said index-finger
simultaneously with the engagement of said plate and tumbler, substantially as
described

page_text: 13. In a new and improved keyless lock, the combination of a frame, a shaft therein,
wheels mounted on said shaft, cogs on each thereof operating in reverse directions, a
dial, an arm on said shaft adjacent to said dial, a spiral wheel on said shaft, a plunger
adapted to operate the same, an arm on said shaft engaging one of said wheels, an
actuating plate on said arm, a sleeve on said shaft, a handle engaging said sleeve, and
an alarm connected with said lock, substantially as and for the purposes described.
14. In a new and improved keyless lock, the combination of a frame, a shaft
therein, wheels having reversed cogs mounted thereon, a spiral wheel also fastened on
said shaft and adapted to rotate the same to a predetermined point, a plunger
operating the spiral wheel, an arm, an actuating plate thereon adapted when properly
operated to open said lock and an alarm connected with the said lock, substantially
as and for the purposes described.
Dated the 2nd day of Anavet 1800
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 and 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant. I