Improvements in the Spindle Mechanism of Locks and Latches.
Year: 1896

page_text: Completa Oma
Date of Application, 8th Apr., 1896
1007
12th
Ch
4007
Improvements in the Spindle Mechanism of Locks and Latches.
I, THOMAS JONES, of No. 9 Southampton Row, in the County of Middlesex,
Manufacturer's Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in the spindle mechanism of locks and
latches.
Hitherto the connection between the latch bolt and its spindle, has been either of
the turn or of the push and pull type.
In the former, the connection in question consists of an arm practically fast to
the spindle and projecting from it at a right angle from its axis-the well known
follower-which arm acts as one arm of a lever against a specially shaped extension
of the latch bolt, the spindle having only one motion and that an arcual one about
its axis. The turning of the spindle through the proper arc causes the arm to bear
against the extension and force it backwards, thereby withdrawing the bolt.
In the latter type, the connection in question, is the combination of a lateral
projection fast on the spindle with a lever standing with one end near to the said
projection and the other engaging with the latch bolt, the spindle having only one
motion and that a linear one in the direction of its length. A push on the spindle
in one direction or a pull on it in the other, causes the lateral projection to bear
against the adjacent end of the lever and to thereby turn it on its fulcrum, the
consequent motion of the opposite end effecting the withdrawal of the latch bolt,
the connection between the said bolt and opposite end being of a suitable type.
The object of the present invention is to endow the spindle with both the turn
and the push and pull motion in order that its latch bolt may be withdrawn by
either, thereby obviating the necessity of considering the question of the type of
spindle mechanism before the actuation of the knob on the spindle is attempted;
and the said invention consists in the combination of a spindle capable of both the
motions above described, a cam or an inclined or other type of surface or surfaces
and a connection between the same and the latch bolt, adapted to convert either
the arcual or the linear motion of the former into one of withdrawal on the part of
the latter.
•
The action of my invention is as follows. If the spindle be turned about its
axis, the cam or equivalent surface engages with the connection last mentioned,
thereby withdrawing the bolt: if it be moved in the direction of its length-
pushed or pulled as the case may be-the said connection is engaged with the same
result as far as the bolt is concerned.
There are two kinds of latch bolts in use. One of these is fast on the end of a
bar with which is incorporated the extension mentioned above in connection with
the first type of connection between the latch bolt and its spindle: the other is
pivotted upon the front end of the lever which forms part of the second type
of connection between the said latch bolt and spindle. The nature of the connection
which the present invention requires between the surface and the latch bolt
depends of course upon the kind of the latter,-i.e., upon whether a swinging or a
longitudinal motion characterises its withdrawal, and is modified accordingly.

page_text: he spindle is attempted; and the said invention consists in the combination of
spindle capable of both the motions above described, a cam or an inclined or other
ype of surface or surfaces and a connection between the same and the latch bolt,
dapted to convert either the arcual or the linear motion of the former into one of
withdrawal on the part of the latter.
The action of my invention is as follows. If the spindle be turned about its
axis, the cam or equivalent surface engages with the connection last mentioned,
hereby withdrawing the bolt; if it be moved in the direction of its length-pushed
or pulled as the case may be-the said connection is engaged with the same result
as far as the bolt is concerned.
There are two kinds of latch bolts in use. One of these is fast on the end of a
bar with which is incorporated the extension mentioned above in connection with
the first type of connection between the latch bolt and its spindle: the other is
pivotted upon a fixed axis near the front end of the lever which forms part of the
second type of connection between the said latch bolt and spindle. The nature of
the connection which the present invention requires between the surface and the
atch bolt depends, of course, upon the kind of the latter-i.e., upon whether
swinging or a longitudinal motion characterises its withdrawal,-and is modified
accordingly.
With a latch bolt moving longitudinally, there may be :-
(a.) An extension of it presenting an incline to the cam surface or to one of
them:
(b) An extension consisting of a bell crank lever carrying an incline at each
end, one of them engaging with a cam surface and the other with an incline
on the extension :
(e) An extension consisting of a bell crank lever carrying an incline at each
end at right angles with each other, the two cam surfaces engaging with
them respectively. The positions of the respective inclines may be.
reversed.
With a latch bolt pivotted upon a fixed axis near the front end of a lever, the
two surfaces may meet thereby forming a V in the bottom of which stands the end
of one arm of the lever. This connection provides for the arcual motion of the
spindle and the linear motion of it equally swinging the lever on its fulcrum.
The invention does not limit me in respect of the surface or surfaces. It or they
may be continuous or stepped, and may be either single or double. Likewise the
respective positions of the connection and the surface or surfaces may be reversed,
the latter being on the lever, and the former being, under the circumstances, a stud
or circular projection, projecting from the spindle.
The accompanying figures illustrate the present invention adapted to a spindle
mechanism in which the connection between the latch bolt and its spindle is of the
second of the types above mentioned, that is to say, the one which has the latch
bolt pivotted upon a fixed axis near the front end of a lever, the two surfaces
meeting and forming a V in the bottom of which stands the end of one arm of the
lever. The connection between the latch belt and the spindle provides for either
the arcual or the linear motion of the spindle equally swinging the lever on its
fulcrum, that is, actuating it as its nature requires to withdraw the bolt.
The said figures are to be taken as part of this specification and read therewith,
not however, as limiting the invention to the type of connection illustrated, but only
as illustrating the adaptation of it to that type."
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a mortice lock after removal of the side plate.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the same lock including the adjacent portion
of the door and the lork furniture.
Figures 3 to 6 illustrate details.
a is the door. The arrow in Figure 2 indicates the direction in which it must be
wung to close it.
bis the lock case. c is the latch bolt pivotted upon an axis d fast to the lock

page_text: and linear motions, two surfaces held to the said spindle, a latch bolt, and a
connection between the said surfaces and the latch bolt, adapted to convert either
of the said motions into one of withdrawal on the part of the said bolt, as set
forth.
4. The combination in a spindle mechanism, of spindle capable of both arcual and
linear motions, a latch bolt moving longitudinally, a cam surface held to the said
spindle, and an extension of the latch bolt presenting an incline to the said surface,
as set forth.
5. The combinatiou in a spindle mechanism, of spindle capable of both arcual
and linear motions, a latch bolt moving longitudinally, cam surfaces held to the
said spindle, and an extension of the latch bolt presenting an incline to the said
surfaces as set forth.
6. The combination in a spindle mechanism, of spindle capable of both arcual and
linear motions, a latch bolt moving longitudinally, a cam surface held to the said
spindle, an extension of the latch bolt consisting of a bell crank lever carrying an
incline at each end, one of then engaging with the said cam surface and the other
with an, incline on the extension, as set forth.
7. The combination in a spindle mechanism, of a spindle capable of both arcual
and linear motions, a latch bolt moving longitudinally, cam surfaces held to the
said spindle, an extension of the latch bolt consisting of a bell crank lever carrying
an incline at each end at right angles with each other, the two cam surfaces
engaging with them respectively, as set forth.
8. The combination in a spindle mechanism and with a spindle capable of both
arcual and linear motions, a latch bolt pivotted on a fixed pivot and a lever
controlling it; of a block held to the spindle and having two surfaces meeting in
a V which receives the adjacent end of the said lever, as set forth.
Dated this 6th day of January 1897.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
No. 22 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.