Improvements in the General Arrangement of the Mechanism of Locks Fitted with Vertically-moved Latch-bolts, and in the Construction of the Mechanism of such Latch-bolts.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Mar., 1887.
Specification Accepted, 15th Apr., 1887
DEBULLION LION.
Improvements in the General Arrangement of the Mechanism of
Locks Fitted with Vertically-moved Latch-bolts, and in the
Construction of the Mechanism of such Latch-bolts.
We, SHADRACH COLLETT, and ABEDNEGO COLLETT, trading in copartnership as
Joseph Collett and Sons, of Colonial Works, Stafford Street, Willenhall in the County
of Stafford, lock manufacturers, 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, reference being had to the accompanying drawing,
and the letters of reference marked thereon (that is to say)
:―
The object of this invention is to so arrange the mechanism generally of the descrip-
tion of locks named in the title, and to so construct the latching mechanism of the
vertically-moved latches of such locks, that the key-hole and follower spindle may be
central with one another horizontally, or more nearly so than usual, and at a greater
distance than usual from one another, thus improving the appearance and increasing
the convenience of the lock.
The means by which this object is effected, according to this invention, will be
readily understood on reference to the accompanying drawing which is a view of the
interior of a lock having the general mechanism arranged, and the latch mechanism
construcied, according to this invention. It has hitherto been usual, with this class of
locks, to arrange the latching mechanism above the lock mechanism, but according to
this invention the locking-holt A' is placed above the latch-bolt B. An arm A, forming
part of the tail B' of the latch-bolt, projects from the boss C which is carried upon the
Tulerum-pin D, in a direction which may be roughly described as at right angles to
the part B, and an extension B2 of the part B is formed beyond the fulcrum. The
horns a a of the follower E engage with the back face of the arm A, to depress or
unlatch the latch, and a spring F bearing upon the extension B of the bolt tail returns
the latch again to, and maintains it in, its latched position.
It is preferred to form the face of the arm A convex on the side towards the
follower, and to form the follower horns curved on their side towards the arm to
suit the curve of the arm, so ihai the arm and horns fit snugly together when the
paris are at rest, and so as to give an even action as the follower is twined; but such

page_text: shape of the parts is not essential, as the arm may be made straight, and a longer and
shorter horn, of the character frequently employed in ordinary latching mechanism, be
formed upon the follower to operate the arm. It is not essential that the arm A shall
stand up vertically, or approximately so, from the bolt-tail, as it may be at any con-
venient angle therewith, but it is preferred that the arm A shall be approximately
vertical, thus enabling the follower to be placed central, or approximately so, as shewn,
with the key-hole G, horizontally.
The spring Fis shewn in the illustration to answer the double purpose of operating
upon the latch-bolt-and the locking-bolt lever, but this is merely a matter of convenience,
as a separate spring may be employed for each.
It is not, of course, essential to form an extension on the latch bolt-tail as shewn,
as in lieu of the spring F for bearing on such extension, a spring of similar or any
convenient construction may be carried to bear against the underside of the bolt-
tail B forward of the fulcrum.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we claim is :-
1. The general arrangement of the mechanism of a lock provided with a vertically-
moved latch-bolt, such an arrangement comprising the placing of the lock-bolt, above
the latch-bolt, in combination with latch mechanism constructed so that, with such
general arrangement of mechanism, the follower spindle is in position central, or more
nearly so than usual in this class of locks, with the key-hole, horizontally, substantially
as described, for the purpose set forth.
2. A vertically-moved latch-bolt of a lock operated to unlatch by means of an arm
formed to project at an angle (preferably, in a vertical or approximately vertical
direction) from the latch-bolt tail, in combination with a follower, substantially as
described for the purpose set forth.
3. A vertically-moved latch-bolt of a lock, having an extension of the bolt-tail formed
backward of the fulcrum pin and operated by a spring to latch the bolt, and having an
arm formed to project at an angle (preferably in a vertical, or approximately vertical,
direction) from the latch-bolt tail, in combination with a follower, substantially as
described, for the purpose set forth.
4. The combination of parts forming the improved mechanism for operating a
vertically-moved latch-bolt of a lock, substantially as described and shewn, for the
purpose set forth.
5. The general arrangement of mechanism, in combination with the construction of
the latching mechanism, of a lock provided with a vertically-moved latch-bolt,
substantially as described and shewn, for the purpose set forth.
Datad his Eighth day of March 1887
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton and Walsall,
Agent for the Applicants.