Improvements in Locks for Safes, Strong Rooms, and other purposes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 26th May, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 26th Feb., 1897-Accepted, 10th Apr., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Locks for Safes, Strong Rooms, and other
purposes.
We, WILLIAM WARD and MILNER'S SAFE COMPANY LIMITED, both of Phoenix
Safe Works, Smithdown Lane, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Works
Manager and Safe Makers, respectively, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object a lock for safes, strong rooms or other purposes
which will necessitate the use of two (or even more) different keys, each to be in the
keeping of a separate individual, both to lock and unlock the lock. In ordinary
double locks hitherto used, one person performs the first operation in locking which
throws the bolt and the second locks the first levers. It requires two persons with
different keys to unlock, but in locking the bolt is thrown and the lock locked by the
first key, and if by accident or collusion between the individuals holding the two keys
the second was not applied, the lock could then be unlocked by one person, thus
defeating the very object of the double lock which ought to require the presence of
two persons both when locking and unlocking.
Now the present invention is designed to overcome this defect, and requires the
presence of two persons to lock and unlock the lock. The first person in locking
releases certain levers, and the second throws the "bolt, and in unlocking this operation
is reversed, which, in the case of locks for two trustees, bank tellers, etcetera, is a
distinct and very important advantage.
In carrying the present invention into effect, we provide a lever lock having a
single keyhole only into which either key can be inserted, rotated half a turn and
withdrawn. The arrangement of one keyhole is very advantageous as sufficient.
gunpowder could not possibly be inserted in the lock to blow it up, and it is thus
practically powder proof. Our improved lock constructed with a main bolt and a
secondary bolt, each bolt sliding in parallel planes one behind the other, and each
having a projecting stump 'formed thereon, the stump on the main bolt projecting
through an elongated slot in the secondary bolt, and each stump sliding in practically
the same plane. The pivotted levers of the lock, of which there may be nine or any
suitable number and which have to be lifted by the keys before either bolt can be
shot, are made in skeleton form, that is with hiati or openings arranged in pairs and
adapted to receive the stumps aforesaid, there being one hiatus in each pair to receive
the stumps on the main and secondary bolts when the bolts are shot forward, and one
hiatus in each pair to receive said stumps when the bolts are shot back. Gates or slots
are so arranged in these levers that when the levers are in their normal position with
the bolts shot forward or back, these gates do not coincide one with the other and so
prevent the passage of the stumps from one hiatus to the other; thus locking the bolts,
but if each of the levers be individually lifted to certain given heights by the bits of
the keys so that the position of the gates in each lever shall coincide to form a clear
passage for the stumps, then and then only can the stumps of the bolts pass through
the gates and enable one or other of the bolts to be shot.
Now assuming that the lock is one having nine levers, the keys are formed with a
similar number of bits, and if the check key be inserted in the keyhole and turned, it.
will raise the levers into such respective positions as to bring their secondary. gates in

page_text: line and admit of the passage of the secondary stump through the secondary gates,
the bits holding the levers elevated until the secondary stump has passed through, and
the secondary bolt has been shot. The shooting formed of this secondary bolt lifts a
main talon or catch out of engagement with the main bolt, and on the completion of
half a turn of the key, the levers all fall back again into their normal position with
the secondary bolt shot forward and its stump locked by the levers so that it cannot
move back, the check key not being adapted to shoot the main bolt. Said check key
is now withdrawn, it having performed the first operation of unlocking the main bolt.
The main key is now inserted in the same lock through the same key hole and then
turned, the key lifts the levers to such respective heights that the main gates are
brought into line to admit the main stump to slide through, and holds them in that
position until the main bolt is shot by the key, after which they all fall back to their
normal position and the main bolt is locked by a secondary spring catch or talon
engaging an abutment on the main bolt, so that it is absolutely impossible to shoot
back the main bolt without first applying the check key to release it. To unlock the
lock therefore it is useless to insert the main key before applying the check key, as it
is essential that the secondary bolt be first shot back in order to unlock the main
bolt and this operation the check key only is capable of doing. The check key
therefore having been inserted it lifts the levers to such heights that the gates are in
line, admits the passage of the secondary stump and shoots back the secondary bolt
which has the effect of releasing the secondary catch or talon from the main bolt
in readiness for the operation of the main key on the levers. When the check
key therefore is withdrawn from the lock and the nine levers have again all fallen
back to their normal position, the main key is inserted, raising the levers to admit
of the passage of the main stump through the gates and shooting back the main
bolt which is then locked by the main talon or catch engaging a solid abutment
thereon, and the lock cannot be locked again without first using the check key, as
the main key is not adapted to raise the levers to such a height as will bring the
gates in line to admit of the passage of the secondary stump therethrough.
We have described the above way in which the invention may be carried into
effect, but it will be obvious that where still further security is desired, a system
of lockings may be used involving the use of three or even more keys, each to be
in the keeping of a separate individual, the arrangement in that case requiring the
use of three or more bolts each provided with a stump and the levers formed with
three or more gates, whereby, in the absence of one of the keys, the remainder
shall be useless both for locking and unlocking.
Doted this 221
1000
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Patent Agents for the Applicants.
purposes.
www
We, WILLIAM WARD and MILNER'S SAFE COMPANY, LIMITED, both of Phoenix
Safe Works, Smithdown Lane, Liverpool in the County of Lancaster, Works
Manager and Safe Makers respectively, 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 :-
This invention has for its object a lock for safes, strong rooms or other purposes
which will necessitate the use of two (or even more) different keys, each to be in
the keeping of a separate individual, both to lock and unlock the lock. In ordinary

page_text: double locks hitherto used, one person performs the first operation in locking which
throws the bolt and the second locks the first levers. It requires two persons with
different keys to unlock, but in locking the bolt is thrown and the lock locked by
the first key, and if by accident or collusion between the individuals holding the
two keys the second was not applied, the lock could then be unlocked by one person,
thus defeating the very object of the double lock which ought to require the presence
of two persons both when locking and unlocking.
Now the present invention is designed to overcome this defect, and requires the
presence of two persons to lock and unlock the lock. The first person in locking
releases certain levers, and the second throws the bolt, and in unlocking, this
operation is reversed, which, in the case of locks for two trustees, bank tellers,
etcetera, is a distinct and very important advantage.
The invention will be understood from the following description, reference being
had to the accompanying drawings, in which,
Figures 1 and 2 are front views of the lock with the front plate removed to show
the levers behind, Figure 1 depicting the normal position of the levers when the
lock is unlocked, Figure 2 the levers raised to admit of the passage of the secondary
stump through the gate h;
Figures 3, 4 and 5 are front views of the lock with the front plate, body plate and
levers removed to show the bolts behind; Figure 3 showing the normal position of
the bolts when the lock is unlocked, Figure 4 their position when the first key has
been inserted and turned, Figure 5 their position when the second key has been
turned and the bolt thrown;
Figure 6 is a front exterior view of the lock complete ready for use;
Figure 7, an end view of Figure 3 ;
Figure 8, a cross section on the line a-b of Figure 1;
Figure 9, the two different keys necessary to lock or unlock the lock;
Figure 10, the second key with its bits shown raising the levers of the lock.
Referring to these drawings, we provide a lever lock having a single keyhole A
only, into which either key B or C can be inserted, rotated half a turn and
withdrawn. The arrangement of one keyhole is very advantageous as sufficient
gunpowder could not possibly be inserted in the lock to blow it up, and it is thus
practically powder proof. Our improved lock is constructed with a main bolt D and
a secondary bolt E, parts of the bolt 1 being distinguished from bolt E by being
shaded with horizontal lines, each bolt has a projecting stump D1 and E¹ formed
thereon, the stump D' on the main bolt D projecting through an elongated slot e in
the secondary bolt E, and each stump sliding in practically the same plane. The
pivotted levers F of the lock, of which there may be nine, as depicted in Figures 8
and 10 or any suitable number and which have to be lifted by the keys B and C
before either bolt D and E can be shot, are made in skeleton form, that is with hiati
or openings G and G₁ and H and H¹ arranged in pairs and adapted to receive the
stumps D and E' aforesaid, there being one hiatus G and H in each pair to receive
the stumps D1 and E' on the main and secondary bolts when the bolts D and E are
shot forward, and one hiatus G' and H¹ in each pair to receive said stumps when the
bolts are shot back. Gates or slots g and h are so arranged in these levers F that
when the levers are in their normal position with the bolts shot forward or back, these
gates do not coincide one with the other, and so prevent the passage of the stumps
from one hiatus to the other, thus locking the bolts, but if each of the levers F be
individually lifted to certain given heights by the bits of the keys B and C so that
the position of the gates g and in each lever shall coincide to form a clear passage
for the stumps, then and then only can the stumps of the bolts pass through the
gates and enable one or other of the bolts to be shot. Figure 2 shows the gates h
between H and H' coinciding to enable the stumps E' to pass, while the gates between
G and G¹ do not coincide and thus prevent the passage of the stump Di
The position of the levers and bolts when the lock is unlocked is depicted in
Figures 1 and 3. Now assuming that the lock is one having nine levers, the
keys B and C are formed. with a similar number of bits b and c, and if the check

page_text: key B be inserted in the keyhole A and turned, it will raise the levers F from the
position shown in Figure 1 into such respective positions as to bring their secondary
gates h in line, and admit of the passage of the secondary stump E through the
secondary gates from H' into H, the bits holding the levers elevated, as shown in
Figure 2, until the secondary stump E' has passed through, and the secondary bolt E
has been shot forward from the position shown in Figure 3 to that shown in Figure 4.
The shooting forward of this secondary bolt E lifts a main talon or catch I which is
pivotted to the back plate I' out of engagement with the notch i in the main bolt D,
and on the completion of half. a turn of the key B, the levers F all fall back again
into their normal position with the secondary bolt É shot forward and its stump E
locked in the hiati H of the levers F so that it cannot move back, the check key B
not being adapted to shoot the main bolt D. The sliding forward of the bolt E thus
performs the first step in unlocking the bolt D, namely, the disengagement of the
talon I from said bolt D. The check key B is now withdrawn, and the main key C
inserted in the same lock through the same key hole A, and turned, the key lifts the
levers F to such respective heights that the main gates g are brought into line to
admit the main stump D' to slide through, and holds them in that position until the
main bolt D is shot by the key into the position shown in Figure 5, after which they
all fall back to their normal position and the main bolt D is locked by a secondary
spring catch or talon J pivotted on the back of the secondary bolt E, said talon
engaging an abutment j on the main bolt, so that it is absolutely impossible to shoot
back the main bolt without first applying the check key to release it. To unlock the
lock therefore it is useless to insert the main key C before applying the check key B,
as it is essential that the secondary bolt E be first shot back in order to unlock the
talon J from the main bolt D and this operation the check key B only is capable of
doing. The check key B therefore having been inserted, it lifts the levers F to such
heights that the gates h are in line, admits the passage of the secondary stump E' and
shoots.back the secondary bolt with its talon J, the talon being simultaneously lifted
by the stationary pin j' with the result the talon J is disengaged from the main bolt D
in readiness for the operation of the main key C on the levers F. When the check
key B therefore is withdrawn from the lock and, the nine levers have again all fallen
back to their normal position, the main key is inserted, raising the levers F to admit
of the passage of the main stump D' through the gates and shooting back the main
bolt D which is then locked by the main talon or catch I engaging the notch i, and
the lock cannot be locked again without first using the check key B as the main key U
is not adapted to raise the levers F to such a height as will bring the gates in line to
admit of the passage of the secondary stump E' therethrough.
The other reference letters are as follows, K the front plate of the lock, I' the back
plate, M the middle plate, 12 the pin against which the talon spring bears, N a pin
which restricts the movement of the bolts D and E, and O guides in which
· both slide.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The improvement in locks for safes, strong rooms or other purposes, whereby
the locking bolt can neither be thrown forward nor withdrawn and the lock locked
and unlocked by the main key, without the previous application of a check key or
keys to release the locking bolt, substantially as described.
2. The improvements in locks for safes, strong rooms or other purposes which
consists in forming them with a main bolt operated by a main key, a secondary bolt
operated by a check key and locking devices so constructed and arranged that
normally they shall absolutely lock the main bolt and prevent it being operated, until
the check key is first inserted in the lock to operate the secondary bolt and unlock the
main bolt, substantially as and for the purpose described.
3. In a lock for safes, strong rooms or other purposes, in which the main bolt
cannot be thrown. forward or withdrawn by the main key without the previous

page_text: application of a check key, the mechanism which consists in a main bolt B, a main
stump B formed thereon, a spring talon or its equivalent adapted to engage and lock
the main bolt when withdrawn into the lock, a secondary bolt so formed and arranged
as to raise the main talon out of engagement with the main bolt when the secondary
bolt is shot forward, a secondary stump E' formed on said secondary bolt, and a talon
pivotted on the secondary bolt for engaging the main bolt when it has been
thrown forward and lock it until released by the withdrawal of the secondary bolt
substantially as described.
4. In locks for safes, strong rooms and other purposes, a main bolt operated by
a main key, a secondary bolt operated by a check key and locking talons or other
equivalent devices, so arranged as to engage the main bolt and prevent it being
operated, until the check key is first inserted into the lock to operate the secondary
bolt and disengage the main bolt, in combination with levers so arranged as to
normally engage the secondary bolt (or a stump formed thereon) and prevent it
being operated to disengage the main bolt until released by the application of the
check key in the lock, substantially as described.
5. In locks for safes, strong rooms and other purposes, a main bolt operated by a
main key, a secondary bolt operated by a check key, and a stump projecting from
each of the said bolts, in combination with lock levers so arranged with main and
secondary gates that normally these stumps shall be locked, but when all the levers
are raised to certain heights by the check key, the said secondary gates shall
coincide and permit the passage of the secondary stump, or when all are raised to
certain other heights by the main key, the main gates shall coincide and permit the
passage of the main stump, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
6. In locks for safes, strong rooms and other purposes, the mechanism for
preventing the turning of the main key for locking and unlocking the lock without
the previous application of a check key or keys, substantially as described.
7. The general combined arrangement and construction of parts forming our
improved lock for safes, strong rooms and other purposes, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 25th day of February 1897
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, and London, Patent Agents.