IMPROVE- MENTS IN LOCKS OR LATCHES AND IN KEYS THEREFOR
Year: 1885

page_text: I EDWIN ELFORD DEACON of 30 Matilda Street Barnsbury in the County of
Middlesex Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN LOCKS OR LATCHES AND IN KEYS THEREFOR" to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in locks or latches and in keys therefor.
which improvements are more especially applicable for use in connection with the
class of lock described in my application for Letters Patent No 2731 dated
February 23rd A.D. 1885 in the unlocking or manipulation of which it is necessary
to impart to the key a series of independent motions in order to effect any move-
ment of the bolt or catch. The main object of the said invention is to increase the
efficacy or security of such locks without materially adding to their cost of
manufacture.
In carrying the said invention into practice I employ a centre plate and bolt or
catch as described in the said application for Letters Patent and use in combination
therewith a tube through or into which the key is passed such tube being furnished
with a suitable slot to permit the passage of the bit, projecting end or operating
portion of the key which extends beyond or in advance of the shank stem or barrel
thereof. In this tube I arrange in any suitable position relatively to the slot for
the passage of the projecting portion or bit of the key one or more pins or studs
which projects or project inwardly so that it would be impossible to insert a key to
perform the various functions in the unlocking of the lock as described in such
application unless the shank stem or barrel of such key is provided with a slot or
slots which bears or bear an exact and predetermined relative position to the pro-
jecting portion or bit thereof and to the slot in the aforesaid tube for the passage of
such projecting portion, and also to the pin or stud or a series of them therein.
The slot or slots extends or extend for a certain distance along the shank, stem or
barrel of the key to allow it to be forced inwards prior to being turned and in
order to permit the latter movement such slot is continued at right angles or in
other words partially around the circumference of such shank or barrel and then
in a longitudinal direction again so that the various movements of such key as
described in my said former application may be effected that is to say so as to
allow the said key to be first pushed in then turned partially around and finally
further pushed in so as to act upon the bolt latch or sliding portion of the lock in

page_text: the manner therein described through. the medium of the centre plate which may
or may not be provided with one or more pins or projections corresponding to
which the projecting portion of the key must be provided with a slot or slots to
allow the same to be turned in the manipulation or unfastening of the bolt latch or
sliding portion of the lock. Any desired number of bolts latches or sliding
portions may be combined with or adapted to be operated through the medium of
the aforesaid centre plate so that they will be simultaneously moved so as to enter
different recesses or sockets arranged at any desired angle relatively to each other
as in safe locks for instance as at present constructed. I prefer to provide the
centre plate with a pin or pipe shaft over which the pipe or barrel of the key
passes when inserted and by varying the diameter of the bore of such barrel of the
key and that of the pin in different locks I provide a further element of safety to
prevent a lock being picked or unduly unfastened.
In order to permit the door to be opened from the key hole side of a door or
structure as well as from the other side on which a knob or handle is arranged as
described in my said former application I provide for retaining the key in the tube
and thus using such key as a handle by employing on such key side of the door or
structure a movable or sliding escutcheon or plate provided with a slot having
different widths or sizes that is to say such slot is so formed that when in its
normal position its widest or largest portion will permit the passage therethrough
of the shank of the key but when lowered after the key is fully inserted its narrow
portion will engage with or pass between shoulders or into or over a reduced portion
on the shank of such key and thus prevent its withdrawal and thereby enable the
door or movable part to be opened by a push upon such key. The key may be
readily withdrawn in this case on raising the said escutcheon or sliding plate.

page_text: I EDWIN ELFORD DEACON of 30 Matilda Street Barnsbury in the County of
Middlesex, Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN LOCKS OR LATCHES AND IN KEYS THEREFOR" and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming
a part of this Specification :-
My invention relates to improvements in locks or latches and in keys therefor
which improvements are more especially applicable for use in connection with the
class of locks or latches described in my application for Letters Patent No 2731
dated February 28, A.D. 1885 in the unlocking or manipulation of which it is
necessary to impart to the key a series of independent motions in order to effect
any movement of the bolt or catch. The main object of this invention is to increase
the efficiency or security of such locks without materially adding to their cost of
manufacture.
In order to elucidate my present invention in so far as its combination with the
improvements described in the specification of the said former application for
Letters Patent is concerned I have embodied in the ensuing description various
features described in such former application so that the working of the parts may
be readily understood without reference to the said former specification.
My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which,
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a lock or latch as adapted for use in
connection with a sliding door such section being taken in so far as the lock is
concerned upon the line A, B Figure 2.
Figure 2 is a face view of the interior of such lock.
Figures 3 and 4 are similar views to Figure 2 shewing different positions to
which the parts are brought by the manipulation of the key in the opening or
unfastening of the lock.
Figure 5 is a longitudinal section shewing the position of the movable catch when
disengaged by the key from the stationary catch.
Figure 6 is a longitudinal section of my improved lock or latch as applied to an
ordinary hinged door the section being taken on the line E, F Figure 7.
Figure 7 is a face view of certain internal portions of the said lock the case being
shewn in section as on the line C, D Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a section of my improvements as applicable in a lock for a chest or
box.
Figure 9 represents a key constructed in accordance with this invention.
Figure 10 represents a key-guard or plate hereinafter described.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the drawing.
Referring first more particularly to Figures 1 to 5 a represents the body or
carcase of the lock containing the working parts; b is a centre plate secured to such
body a by screws 61 and provided with a hole 63 of sufficient size and of the
necessary configuration to permit the passage therethrough of the projecting end d
of the key d which has a hollow barrel d³ adapted to pass over the centre pin

page_text: pass
hereinafter described. c is a sliding guard held in position by screws c³ which
through a slot c¹ in such guard and are screwed into the centre plate b. c³ is a
spring carried by the screw c and adapted to keep the sliding guard c in such a
position normally as to cover the hole 62 in the centre plate b. e represents the
catch or bolt pivotted at e¹ to the centre plate 6 into contact with which it is forced
by the spring e². This catch or bolt has a wedge shaped head es which is adapted
to engage with the fixed or stationary hook or catch k. f is a spring-catch or
tumbler pivoted at f¹ to the centre plate and adapted to engage with the sliding
guard c at fagainst which guard it is pressed by the spring f³. g represents a pin
screwed or otherwise secured in the centre plate b in any desired position so as to
prevent the turning of the key to act upon the guard c unless such key is provided
in the proper position with a notch or slot d to allow it to pass over such pin.
h represents a slotted tube which serves as a guide to the key and is screwed into
the centre plate at h¹ as shewn more particularly in Figure 8. Into the end of this
tube is screwed or secured a plug which carries the centre pin i before referred to.
j represents a handle or knob having a spindle or shank 1 which passes through a
slot or hole j in the body or case a and is screwed into the catch or bolt e at ³ so
that such catch or bolt can be readily manipulated to unfasten the door from the
inside. *represents a pin which is screwed into or otherwise secured in the tube h
in any desired position relatively both as regards to its location circumferentially
with respect to the slot in such tube for the passage of the part d' of the key and
also its distance from the inner end of the said tube. d represents a zigzag slot in
the, barrel of the key to permit such key to be inserted and manipulated as
hereinafter described.
The mode of operation or unlocking of the lock such as above referred to is as
follows: The key is inserted in the key hole or tube h with its projecting end d'
in the position illustrated in dotted lines at q Figures 3 and 4 and is pushed in
until such projecting end d¹ comes in contact with the centre plate b the pin h* in
such tube then being in the first longitudinal portion of the zigzag slot d' in the
key which is guided in this first movement by a slot in the underside of the tube h
which slot is of just sufficient size or width to allow the end of the said key to
pass. When the key has thus been forced in so as to be in contact with such centre
plate bit is turned round and in such rotary motion the pin h permits the key
freedom of movement by reason of the circumferential portion of the zigzag slot
being formed in the barrel of the key and the slot or notch d³ in the projecting
portion d' of such key enables the latter to pass the pin or stud g fixed in the centre
plate b. In such rotary movement of the key moreover its end d' comes in contact
with the spring-catch f so as to lift the same clear of the sliding guard c as shewn
in Figure 3 and then comes into contact with the said sliding guard and moves it
longitudinally from over the hole 62 in the centre plate b as shewn in Figure 4.
Any further rotary movement of the key is now prevented from the fact that the
end of the slot c¹ in the sliding guard c is in contact with the screw c² and also
from the fact that the projecting end d¹ of the key has come into contact with the
side of the tube h as will be understood by reference to Figures 3 and 4. The
projecting end of the key is now opposite the hole 62 in the centre plate and
(in order to release the catch e from the catch k) is pushed through this hole the
pin * in this case being prevented from interfering with such inward motion by
reason of the second longitudinal portion of the zigzag slot being formed in the
barrel of the key.
From the above description it will be readily understood that in order to unfasten
a lock or latch constructed as herein described it is necessary that the shank, stem
or barrel of the key must be provided with a zigzag slot d' which bears an exact
and predetermined relative position to the projecting portion d' of such key and to
the slot in the tube h for the passage of such portion d' and also to the pin or
stud h* in the said tube. Also the end d¹ of such key must be provided with the
slot d in the proper position to allow such end to clear the stud g in the centre
plate b and moreover such end d' must be properly shaped to effect the movement

page_text: of the spring catch f and guard c and must also be of a suitable shape to pass
through the hole 62 in the centre plate in the last movement of the key. Such
hole b² may be of any desired configuration.
"
It will be readily understood that without departing from the spirit of my
invention any number of bolts, latches or sliding portions may be combined with
the centre plate and be adapted to be operated by the projecting portion d' of the
key forced therethrough so that they will be actuated simultaneously so as to enter
different recesses or sockets arranged at any desired angle relatively to each other
as in safe-locks for instance. As before stated I prefer to provide the centre plate b
with a pin or pipe-shaft i over which the pipe or barrel of the key passes when
inserted in the lock or latch. By varying the diameter of such pin in different
locks and also that of the interior or bore of the barrel of the key I am enabled to
provide a further element of safety to prevent the lock being surreptitiously
unfastened.
In the modified form. of lock or latch represented in Figures 6 and 7 I have shewn
my improvements as applied in connection with a sliding bolt or catch for a hinged
door. In these Figures & represents a lever pivoted at 11 to the centre plate b against
which it is forced by the spring 12. This lever has a projecting piece 13 which fits
loosely in the hole 62 of the centre plate and is adapted to be acted upon by the
end of the key when forced inwards as hereinbefore explained. This lever
when forced inwards communicates motion to a bell-crank m connected by a link m¹
to the sliding bolt or catch n which is guided in its movement by the staple n¹ and
the body or case a. This catch has a rounded or wedge shaped end, and is forced.
outwards into engagement with the fixed catch k by the spring n³ acting on the
lever n. In these Figures as also in Figure 8 I have shewn locks or latches
without a spring catch f and guard c as in Figures 1 to 5. It will be evident
however that they can be readily applied to the locks or latches shewn in such
Figures 6 to 8.
In order to permit a door to be closed from the key hole side as well as from the
other side on which the knob or handle j is arranged I provide for retaining the
key in the lock or latch and thus using such key as a handle by employing a
movable or sliding plate or escutcheon p provided with a slot p¹ formed as shewn
in Figure 10 so that when it is in its normal position its widest or largest portion
will permit the passage therethrough of the shank or barrel of the key but when
lowered after the key is fully inserted its narrow portion will engage with or pass
between shoulders d* on the shank of such key as shewn in Figure 6 and thus
prevent the withdrawal thereof and thereby enable the door or movable part to be
closed by a pull upon such key. The key may be readily withdrawn on raising the
said escutcheon or plate.
Although in the above description I have referred to the use of one pin h* only
in the tube h and one pin g in the centre plate it will be evident that without
departing from the spirit of my invention I may use two or more of such pins the
key being cut to suit their arrangement or I can dispense with such pin or pins g
and use the pin or pins h only.
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
First. In a lock or latch the combination with the case a, the centre plate b and
the fixed catch k, of the pivoted catch e operated and controlled as to its movement
through the medium of the spring catch f the guard c and the key d provided with
a projecting portion d¹ adapted to pass through a slot in the tube h and be con-
trolled as to its movement by the pin h* therein and the sides or edges of the slots
or openings in such tube and to receive consecutive and independent motions
substantially as herein set forth and for the purposes specified.
Second. In a lock or latch such as is herein described the employment of one or
more pins g attached to the centre plate b and adapted to prevent the rotary or

page_text: turning movement of the key unless its projecting end d¹ is provided with a corre-
sponding slot or slots, in combination with the tube h having one or more pins h*
adapted to prevent the insertion and movements of a key to unfasten such lock or
latch unless such key is provided with one or more corresponding zigzag slots d' in
its barrel substantially as herein set forth.
Third. In a lock or latch such as is herein described the employment of a key
having a projecting end d¹ (provided with one or more slots d²) and a barrel
adapted to receive the pin and provided with one or more grooves d in com-
bination with the centre plate b having an opening 62 for such end to be pushed
through and a pin or pins g, and with the tube h having a pin or pins h* therein
all substantially as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Fourth. In a lock or latch such as that described with reference to Figures 6
and 7 the employment of the lever adapted to operate the sliding catch n through
the medium of the bell-crank m and link m¹ and to be actuated by a key having
a projecting portion d¹ adapted to pass through a slot in the tube h and to be
governed as to its movements by the sides or edges of the slots or openings in such
tube substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth.
Fifth. The combination with the tube h of a lock or latch of the sliding plate or
escutcheon p having a slot p' adapted to operate in connection with a reduced
portion of the shank of the key as and for the purpose specified.
Sixth. The employment in combination with a lock or latch of a key having a
projecting portion d¹ which extends beyond the end of the key-barrel which is
provided with one or more zigzag slots as and for the purpose herein described so
that in the unfastening of such lock or latch both a rotary and subsequent longi-
tudinal movement must be given to the said key which movements are controlled
or governed by one or more pins as at g, h* substantially as set forth.
Seventh. A lock or latch embodying in its construction the various parts arranged
combined operating and adapted to be operated by a key constructed substantially
in the manner herein set forth.