Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Nov., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 20th Aug., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 19th Nov., 1888
Key Hole Escutcheons.
We, THOMAS BURNS, and JAMES STONE DUMBELL, trading in copartnership as
Thomas Turner and Company, of Phoenix lock and metal works, Wolverhampton in
the County of Stafford, lock manufacturers and metal workers, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The main object of this invention is to so construct a lock, latch or catch or to
combine or employ it in conjunction with a suitable device, as that a key or other
instrument cannot be inserted into the key-hole of the lock, or the latch or catch be
moved, without first puncturing, tearing, or breaking, a layer of paper, parchment,
talc or other suitable substance fixed across or in front of the key hole or over a part
of the latch or catch which must be moved by the finger to unfasten it.
According to this invention a lock, latch or catch is constructed with a hinged flap
which closes against the outer face of the case and latches itself thereto until the lock
is unlocked, or the latch or catch unfastened, and such flap is provided with an opening
therethrough which will admit of the passage of the inner end of the key for
insertion into the key hole, or which will admit of the finger being inserted to press
against a pin or other part by which the latch or catch may be unfastened. The
face of the case is recessed slightly at the back of the opening in the flap, the recess
After the lock is
extending for some slight distance under the edge of the opening.
locked, or the latch or catch fastened, a paper seal, that is a paper printed or embossed
in some distinctive manner, or such a seal made of parchment or other suitable
material, or a plate of talc or even of glass, is placed in the recess and the flap then
closed up to retain it therein. Thus the key cannot be inserted into the key hole or
the latch or catch moved to unfasten it, without puncturing the seal or tearing it
away, or without fracturing the talc or glass, in either of which cases it will be obvious
that the lock, latch or catch has been tampered with. The opening through the flap
and the corresponding recess in the face of the case may be formed round in shape,
both for convenience and appearance.

page_text: This invention is specially applicable to locks, latches and catches for Post Office
parcel baskets, safe locks, deed-box locks and to locks, latches and catches for such
like purposes, and is applicable both to fixed locks, latches and catches and to padlocks
and detachable latches and catches.
A convenient form of application of this invention, to a fixed lock or a padlock,
consists in providing a spring catch within the case of the lock, and a bevil-headed
catch-piece on the inner face of the flap which closes into an opening in the face of
the case and is caught and retained by the spring catch, and in providing a suitable
gating to such spring catch by which it is drawn back by the key in unlocking and
thus releases the flap which is, preferably, thrown out by a spring immediately it is
released. In the case of a latch or catch a similar arrangement may be adopted for
the flap, the spring catch being so connected or geared with the latch or catch proper
as to be moved back as the latch or catch is unfastened.
In the case of a padlock, or other lock, latch or catch, which is made self-fastening,
as when for instance a bevil-headed shackle or link is pushed in against a bevil-headed
spring bolt or catch, the locking or fastening of such lock, latch or catch may take
place after the insertion of the seal or corresponding part and the closing up of the
flap, and in such case the spring bolt may act also, if desired, as the catch for the
flap, and be geared deeply with the stud on the flap, so as not to spring out therefrom,
as the shackle or link is closed in.
In lieu of applying the recess and flap, aforesaid, to the face of a lock, they may
be applied to the escutcheon of the lock, when such is employed, in which case the
flap may be unfastened after the seal has been destroyed, to remove the seal and
replace it with a fresh one, by means of a catch which is covered by the seal until
destroyed. Such a catch may be an ordinary spring catch of the character above
described, operated by pressing the finger nail upon a stud projecting forwards through
a slit in the escutcheon into a shallow sinking in the back face of the recess thereof,
and, if preferred, a thin hinged plate may lie, when closed in, within the sinking
so as to cover such peg and slit and give a level surface against which to place
the seal.
When paper, parchment or such like substance is employed for the seal, two or
more pegs or studs may be fixed at the back of the flap near the edge of the opening
therethrough, and corresponding holes be formed in the back face of the recess in
the case to receive the ends of the pegs when the flap is closed in, and thus the pegs
pierce the seal and prevent it from being drawn out and replaced without showing
evidence that such has been done.
This invention comprises, also, a specially devised padlock or detachable catch for
employment more particularly with trunks and for such like purposes, and also a
specially devised lock or catch for locking or fastening a strap, band or chain around
a sack or bag, such for instance as a Post Office Mail bag, in all of which locks or
catches a seal of the character above described may be conveniently applied.
A padlock or detachable catch constructed according to this part of our invention,
has a flap of the character above described hinged to the upper part of a frame which
stands up from the back of the case, and when the flap is closed down against the
front of the case a space is left from back to front between the frame and the upper
part of the flap. The frame is formed of two vertical bars with a wide space between
then, and a stud projects from the middle of one of such bars half way across the
space between the bars. A lug is formed on the inner face of the upper part of the
flap in position so that when the flap is closed in it passes across the projecting end
of the stud. To fix the padlock or catch the frame is first passed over the staple and
the stud moved sideways into it, and the flap is then closed in and locked or fastened
whereby the lug aforesaid securely prevents the stud from being drawn out of the
staple. An opening is formed through the flap, and the front of the case suitably
recessed, to receive a seal for covering the key hole or part by which the catch is
moved to unfasten it.
A lock or catch constructed according to this part of our invention for locking or
fastening a strap, band or chain around a sack or bag, is of the character of the

page_text: padlock or detachable catch described in the last preceding paragraph, but a plate or
block corresponding to the frame therein described is fixed to the strap, band or chain
by means of a rivet or otherwise, and a peg projects from the face of such plate or
block into an opening in the upper part of the flap, or against the inner face thereof,
when the flap is closed in. The strap, band or chain is locked or fastened by passing
an eyelet hole or other hole therein or a link thereof over the peg and then locking
or fastening the flap.
This part of our invention is intended to cover the employment of the locks and
catches described as comprised in such part, whether constructed specially to receive
seals of the character above described or not.
Dated this 18th day of November 1887
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton and Walsall,
Agent for the Applicants.

page_text: Improvements in and relating to Locks, Latches, Catches, and
Key-hole Escutcheons.
We, THOMAS BURNS and JAMES STONE DUMBELL, trading in co-partnership as
Thomas Turner and Company, of Phoenix lock and metal works, Wolverhampton in
the County of Stafford, lock manufacturers and metal workers, 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 drawings, and the letters of reference marked thereon
(that is to say)
:-
The main object of this invention is to so construct a lock, latch or catch, or to
combine or employ it in conjunction with a suitable device that a key or other instru-
ment cannot be inserted into the key-hole of the lock, or the latch or catch be moved,
without first cutting, punching, tearing or breaking a seal of thin sheet brass, lead,
paper, parchment, talc, glass, or other suitable substance, fixed across or in front of the
key-hole or over a part of the latch or catch which must be moved by the finger to
unfasten it.
The invention comprises, also, a specially devised padlock for employment more
particularly with Parcel Post Baskets, but which may be used also for trunks and for
such like purposes, and also a specially devised lock for fastening a strap, band or
chain around a sack or bag, such for instance as a Post Office Mail bag, or around
other article, in each of which locks a seal of the character above described may be
employed, if desired, in which case a latch or catch in view of lock mechanism may be
employed, if preferred.
We will now proceed to describe the invention with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, illustrate a modification of the invention as applied to a
padlock. Of these figures, figure 1 is a front view of the padlock with the flap,
hereinafter described, open and turned down; figure 2 is a corresponding view to
figure 1, but with the cap-plate removed so as to expose to view the interior mechanism;
figure 3 is a vertical section taken on line xx of figure 1; figure 4 is a plan of the
top of the lock with the flap closed in; and figure 5 is a detached front view of the
seal. The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout these views.
The shackle A is formed with a longer leg a and a shorter leg a'. The leg a is pivoted
within a bearing a² in the case B, and when the lock is unlocked the leg a¹ of the
shackle may be moved forwards out of the case (turning on the leg a as a centre) to
be passed through a staple or other part as required, or to be withdrawn therefrom.
A plate or flap C is hinged at the front of the case, as shewn, so as to be capable of
being opened out as shewn by figures 1 and 2 (in the latter of which it is shewn as
partially broken away for convenience of arranging the views) and by broken lines
figure 3, and of being closed up against the front of the case as shewn by figure 4,
and by full lines figure 3. When the flap C is closed in as shewn it is locked to the case

page_text: by a bolt c of the lock mechanism which enters within a link or staple & projecting
inwards from the face of the flap. Both the link and bolt are made bevel-headed, and
the bolt is moved backwards against the pressure of a spring d¹ and thus the flap is
self-locking as it is pushed in against the case. To facilitate the opening of the flap it
is preferred that it be thrown out somewhat, immediately it is unlocked, by the
pressure of a spring c¹ against the nose of the link d. When the flap C is locked a
projection e thereon (see specially figure 4) is within the opening in the case through
which the part a¹ of the shackle is moved inwards and outwards, and bears against or
comes immediately in front of the part a' and thus prevents it from being moved
forwards. A boss fis formed upon the cap-plate D, around the key-hole therethrough,
and projects, when the flap is closed in, into an opening f' formed through the flap.
An annular recess f² is formed in the face of the cap-plate around the base of the
boss Previously to closing in the flap a raised or hollow seal g, preferably of thin
sheet brass or lead, or of paper or parchment, is placed over the boss fand with a
flange g (formed with the seal) within the recess f³. The front of the seal con-
sequently covers the key-hole, and the seal is securely held in place, when the flap is
closed in, by a portion of the flap being immediately in front of the flange g¹ of the
Before the lock can be unlocked the seal must be cut, punched or torn, to expose
the key-hole, and thus any tampering with the lock will afterwards be manifest by the
injury to or removal of the seal; and to ensure that the seal shall not be readily
replaced by a person who has tampered with the lock, seals having special devices or
marks thereon may be used. It is not essential that a boss ƒ be employed around which
to place the seal, as the seal may be flat in a recess formed therefor in the face of
the cap-plate, but it is preferred to use the boss as described, as the front of the seal
being thus thrown well forwards, any injury thereto is more readily detected. The seal,
when made of soft metal or material, may be readily cut with a knife to expose the
koy-hole.
seal.
The padlock above-described may be adapted as a latch or catch instead of as a lock,
if desired, and means by which this may be accomplished are shewn by figure 6. In
this case a thumb-piece / projects from a plain sliding-bolt into an opening through
the boss. The thumb-piece / is hidden by the seal, but on the removal of part of the
seal the thumb-piece may be pressed down by the thumb or finger and the bolt h¹ thus
be drawn clear of the link d of the flap.
In figure 7 a modification of the invention is shewn in which the seal is applied
to the escutcheon of a lock. i is the plate of the escutcheon, a plate or cover
hinged at the front of a case which projects forwards from the plate i, said plate i
corresponding to the flap C before-described; ; is a sliding-bolt having a thumb-
piece projecting into an opening k through the front of the escutcheon and
through a boss thereon, said opening forming also the key-hole for the lock. The
seal is fixed as in the case of the padlock previously described, and until it has been
broken neither the key. can be inserted into the lock, nor the plate ¹ be opened. A
catch is pressed forwards by a spring as in the case of the bolt c before-described.
It will readily be seen that the device described with reference to figure 7 may
be applied direct to the front of a fixed lock, in which case the front plate of the lock
answers the purpose of the plate i of the escutcheon, and in such case the catch may
be moved back by the key, if preferred, as the bolt of the lock is moved back; or
the flap may be hinged direct to the front of the lock and a lip be formed with the
bolt of the lock to engage with the link of the flap or cover when closed in.
If a flat seal is used, sharp pointed pegs (see figure 1) may project from the
back of the recess to pierce the seal and prevent it being removed and replaced
surreptitiously.
Figures 8, 9, and 10 shew a modification of this invention as applied to a cupboard-
lock. Of these figures, figure 8 is a front edge view of the lock, figure 9 a back elevation,
and figure 10 a front elevation of the lock proper, removed from a part in which it is
carried and which answers an analogous purpose to the flap C before-described. The
lock case E is fitted, by means of ears or flanges ll, into guides Il projecting from
a plate F which is fixed, when the lock is in use, to the inside of the door. The lock
,

page_text: case may be readily slipped into and out of the guides, and is stopped from being
pushed in too far by means of pins n' n'. An opening n, shewn by broken line circle
figure 9, is formed through the plate F in position to allow the passage of the key into
the key-hole when the case is in position within the guides. A recess m is formed in
the forward face of the lock case (or it may be formed in the back plate of the plate F,
around the opening n therethrough) for the reception of a flat seal of the character before
described, and this recess runs out so as to be exposed at the front edge of the lock.
The seal is readily slipped into position with the lock case, or may be pushed endways
into the recess after the case has been placed in position. The lock is made self-locking
in the usual or any convenient manner, and cannot be unlocked without first destroying
the seal. It will be obvious that this lock may be adapted as a drawer lock, or for
analogous purpose. If used for a metal drawer, such as in a safe, the guides 17 may
project inwards direct from the front of the drawer. The lock may be adapted also
as a latch or catch, if desired, instead of being constructed to be unfastened by means
of a key. If preferred, the case E may be hinged to the plate F so as to be capable of
being opened back, in lieu of being carried in guides, and be retained in position,
when closed, by means of any simple form of catch which can be readily unfastened
by hand when the door, drawer, or other part is open.
9
A padlock, constructed according to this invention, for employment more particularly
with Parcel Post Baskets, but which may be employed also for trunks and for such
like purposes, is illustrated by figures 11, 12, and 13, of which figure 11 is a front
elevation of the lock shewn open, figure 12 a side view of figure 11, and figure 13
a side view of the lock shewn closed or locked. The lock mechanism is contained in
a case G, the back of which projects upwards in the form of an extension G¹. To the
top of the extension G₁is hinged a flap H, the outer end of which is formed to close
down against the front of the case, and be locked thereto by means of a self-locking
bolt o catching into a link o¹ on the flap. An opening p is formed through the
extension G¹, and an opening p¹ is formed out sideways from such opening p, and a
stud projects from the side of the extension across the opening p¹, as shewn. To
connect the padlock with a staple, the opening p is passed over the staple and then the
padlock is moved sideways to pass the stud 9 through the staple, after which the
Alap H is closed in, and a block q' thereon closes into the opening p and thus prevents
the padlock from being moved sideways and the stud q slipping out of the staple.
An ordinary stapler and the lower part of an ordinary hasp are shewn by broken
lines in position with the stud y passing through the staple. By forming a boss s on
the cap-plate and around the key-holo, and forming a recess in the face of the cap-
plate around the base of the boss, or by letting in the face of the cap-plate slightly
back from the rim of the case, a seal may be used with this lock as with the lock first-
described. This lock also may, when used with a seal, be adapted as a latch instead
of being constructed to be unfastened by means of a key.
A lock, constructed according to this invention, for locking a strap around a sack
or bag, such for instance as a Post Office Mail bag, or other article, is illustrated by
figures 14, 15, and 16, of which figure 14 is a front view of the lock, shewn open,
figure 15 a corresponding view of the lock when closed, and figure 16 a side eleva-
tion of figure 15. This lock is similar in character to the lock described with reference
to figures 11, 12, and 13, but the extension G2 has a transverse opening s¹ for the
passage therethrough of the inner end of the strap s³, and a stud & projects forward
from the front face of the extension, over which an eyelet hole in the strap is passed
to fix the outer end of the strap. The inner end of the strap is thickened up, by
means of a strip of metal t rivetted transversely thereacross, or by other convenient
means, so that it cannot be pulled clear through the opening '; and after the strap
has been passed around a bag or other article and one of the eyelet holes t¹ has been
passed over the stud the flap H' is closed down and locked, and thus encloses the
outer end of the strap between itself and the face of the extension G³ and prevents
the strap from being removed from the studs. It is preferred to provide a hole in
the flap and to make the stud project sufficiently for its outer end to be within the
hole in the flap when the flap is closed down, so that the outer end of the stud may

page_text: thus receive support. This lock also may be constructed, as in the case of the padlock
last-before described, to be used with a seal, and in such case may, if desired, be
adapted as a latch. It will be seen that this lock may be adapted for use with bands
of varying description whether of leather, metal or other substance, or with chains.
Provision may be made, if desired, for the alternative use of this lock with a staple
for the purpose, for instance, of locking a trunk. This is accomplished by forming a
downward extension to both the back of the case and the flap, as shewn, and fixing a
stud to project forwards from the downward extension of the case.
A chain or
wire having a ring or loop at each end is passed through the staple ul, shewn by
broken lines, and the loops are passed over the stud t³, and are then securely prevented
from slipping off therefrom by the closing in of the flap H¹. To observe the proper
relative position of the parts when the lock is used for a staple the drawing should be
held upside down. The parts t³ ³ on the flap box in the sides of the downward
extensions of the case and flap, but are not necessary.
The boss upon which a capped or raised seal is placed as above described, may be
made of a corrugated or analogous form around its edge, as shewn in front elevation
by figure 17 and in vertical section by figure 18, in order to prevent even a very
clever person from first cutting away the front of the seal and then, after opening the
lock, re-fitting the cutaway part in place in a manner to escape detection. The inner
edge of the hole through the flap and the outer edge of the raised boss for a seal may
be rounded or bevelled, as shewn in vertical section in figure 19, to facilitate the
cutting out of the seal; and, if desired, an annular concentric recess w may be formed
in the face of the boss to receive the point of a knife or other cutting tool, if it is
preferred to cut out the seal in such manner; and, if desired, a special cutting tool
having cutters w w¹, as shewn by figure 20, may be used for cutting out the seal, in
which case the cutters aro pressed through the metal of the seal and the tool is then
turned round to cut out the seal.
In lieu of forming a recess for the reception of a seal to be retained by a flap,
either by sinking it in the face of the cap or plate against which the seal is placed or
by setting back such cap or plate from the part against which the flap closes, such
recess may be formed in the inner face of the flap itself, or the necessary space
between such cap or plate and the flap may be provided for in any convenient
manner.
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. A lock, latch, catch or key-hole escutcheon, constructed so that a seal may be
fixed or retained in place by the aid of an outer part, in such position as to prevent
the insertion of a key through the key-hole, or to prevent the insertion of the thumb
or finger through an opening sufficiently to operato a bolt or catch, until in either
case the seal has been destroyed, said outer part being capable of being unfastened
and removed from the seal after the seal has been destroyed, substantially as
described.
2. A lock, latch, catch or key-hole escutcheon constructed so that a seal may be
fixed or retained in place, by the aid of an outer plate or flap, in position to prevent
the insertion of the key through the key-hole or to prevent the insertion of the
thumb or finger through an opening in such plate sufficiently to operate a bolt or
catch, until in either case the seal has been destroyed, substantially as described.
3. In a lock, latch, catch or key-hole escutcheon for use with a seal, a boss formed
around the keyhole or hole into which a thumb-bit projects, and a recess formed
around the base of the boss (or a plain recess formed around the hole, and with or
without sharp pegs as described) in combination with a hinged flap at the front of the
lock, latch, catch or escutcheon, or in lieu of the recess a space otherwise provided for
between the cap or face against which the seal is placed and the flap, substantially as
described for the purpose set forth.

page_text: 4. The padlock (or latch) provided with a hinged flap C in combination with other
part or parts for receiving and retaining a seal, substantially as described with reference
to figures 1 to 5 (and, as a latch, by figure 6) of the drawings herewith, for the purpose
set forth.
5. A lock (latch or catch) formed to slide into guides in a plate fixed to a door,
drawer or in other like position, said plate having an opening therethrough for the
passage of a key (or for the finger or thumb) a recess being formed between the front
of the case and the back of the plate for the reception of a seal, and also the alternative
arrangement in which the lock (latch or catch) is hinged to the plate, substantially as
described for the purpose set forth.
6. The lock (latch or catch) E in combination with the plate F, substantially
as described with reference to figures 8, 9 and 10, of the drawings herewith, for the
purpose set forth.
7. In a padlock for employment with a staple of a Parcel Post Basket, trunk or
other similar fastening, the combination of a part which carries the locking mechanism
and also a stud for insertion through the staple with a part hinged and capable of
being locked thereto and carrying a part which when the lock is locked in place is in
position across the outer end of the stud and prevents it being withdrawn from the
staple, substantially as described.
8. The padlock substantially as described with reference to figures 11, 12, and 13
of the drawings herewith, for the purpose set forth, and whether employed as a seal
lock or not, as described, and the adaptation of the same as a seal latch.
9. In a strap, band, or chain lock, a part which carries one end of the strap, band
or chain, and which is provided with a stud for the attachment of the outer portion of
such strap, band or chain, in combination with a part hinged and capable of being
locked thereto, which when locked closes across or over the outer end of the stud,
substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.
10. The strap, band or chain lock substantially as described with reference to
figures 14, 15, and 16 of the drawings herewith, and whether employed as a seal lock
or not, as described, and whether adapted also as a trunk lock or for similar purposes
as described, and also the adaptation of the same as a seal latch.
Dated this 17th day of August 1888