US611547A - Ander - Google Patents

Description

T. G. A. ALEXANDER.

KEYLEss Lock.

(Application med sept. 1s, 189e.)

mz Ncnms PETERS co. Punto-urne.. wAsHlNoTnN, D, a

No. s||,547. Patented sept. 27, 1398.

T. s. A. ALEXANDER.Av

KEYLEss Luck.

(Application med'sepc. 1s, 189e.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

. n, a THE NORRIS PETERS CO.. VNDTDLTHQ., WSHINGTON PATENT rricn.

THOMAS G. A. ALEXANDER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

KEYLESS LocK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 611,547, dated September 27, 1898. Applicationfiieasepambel-18,1896. sentire. 606,233. (romain T0 all whom it may concern:

` Be it known 4that I, THOMAS G. A. ALEX- ANDER, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, and a resident of New York, (Stapletom) in the county of Richmond and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Keyless Locks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates generally to improvements in locks, but particularly to keyless locks; and the objects of my invention are to provide a keyless lock which shall be applicable to any place where an ordinary lock and key are used, which shall be of no larger bulk than an ordinary lock operated by a key, which shall be as easily and quickly operated as an ordinarylock and key, and which shall be absolutely safe and impossible to operate unless the combination be known to the operator. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated inV the accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation; Fig. 2, a longitudinal section on the line X X of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a tumbler which is used in the operation of my invention. Fig. 4 is a part of the mechanism for raising and lowering said tumbler. Fig. 5-is a vertical section on the line Y Y of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section on the line Z Z of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a detailed view of the lock-bar, and Fig. 8 a detailed view of a rectifying-bar used in the operation of my invention. Fig. 9 is a detailed perspective view of one of the rectifying-bars,showing particularly the beveled face 29. Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The framework is the same as in an ordinary lock.

l is the front plate, and 1 the back plate, the former having a horizontal projection 25 attached to it for the purpose of passing vthrough the door or whatever the lock is attached to, its end being visible from the outside. Between these plates are fitted a number of tumblers or sliders 2, one behind the other, supported by suitable means. In the accompanying drawings there are iive, but this number can be varied, as the number of tumblers determines the complexity of the lock. They consist, as here shown, of a large vthe upright can be slid along and take any position desired in the tumbler. These uprights are each provided with a cylindrical aperture 4 in the center fitted to receive a screw. Between the tumblers and the back.

plate `1 runs the lock-bar 5, provided with notches 16 of different widths, these notches being divided into upper and' lower halves, as shown. On the bar is iixed a plate or projection 36. (See Fig. 6.) From each of the Vapertures 4 runs at right angles a hollow rod G, passing through an aperture in the back plate 1. As there are iive frames and five uprights in the drawings, so there are necessarily five rods, all of different lengths, so

that they all terminate at an equal distance beyond the plate 1. At the ends of the rods 6 are fastened at right angles pieces 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 by means of screws 12, which pass through the rods 6 and screw into 'the apertures 4. These screws are merely threaded a short distance at the point, and at their heads are fitted with milled edges, so as to be capable of being removed quickly by the iingers. Fig. 4 is a detailed view of this fastening. Pieces rfand 11 are solid and extend only downward, being fitted with small movable catches 13 and 14, while 8, 9, and 10 eX- tend both upward and downward and at their tops have 4stumps 15 of different widths projecting at right angles into the lower halves of the notches 16 in the lock-bar.- In their extension downward S, 9, and 10 have their lower parts 17 'hinged to the Lipper parts, and these lower parts are provided with a stationary catch 18 on one side and a movable one, 19, on the other, except that 10 has both catches stationary. They are also provided IOO the inside faces of 8, 9, and are beveled.l

In the drawings these beveled faces are numbered 23.

Passing through the plate 1' and the projection on plate 1 and underneath the tumblers 2 is a bar 24, square where it passes through 25 and round where it passes through the back plate 1 and capable of being pulled back and forth through them. The square part is fitted with as many grooves 26 as there are tumblers, and as each groove passes the aperture in 25 the bar is capable of being revolved. On this bar is fastened an arm 27 at right angles. Beneath this there pass through the plates narrow square bars 28, there being the same number of them as there are tumblers 2, each with an upright piece 29, fastened at right angles at different distances on the bars, so that an upright is directly below each of the tumblers 2. These uprights are provided with beveled faces, a detail of a bar and upright being shown in Fig. 8. These bars are capable of being withdrawn through an aperture in the back plate 1 and run in grooves 28 and are all of the same size, so that any bar 28 will fit in any groove 28'. These bars pass upward at right angles back of the plate 1 and have points 32 at right angles, which touch the beveled faces 23, already described. The outside end of the bar 24 is provided-with a knob 33. In order to allow the lock to be operated in the dark, if necessary, there is attached on the outer end of 25 the small piece 41, so shaped as to enter the grooves 26 without preventing the bar 24 from being pushed back and forth. When the lock is wanted to be used as a spring-latch for a door or drawer, the piece 37, (shown in Fig. 1,) turning on a pivot and acting by gravity, the end being heavier than the end 38, can be attached.

In use a small plate is provided to fit on the back plate 1, covering all the visible mechanism, which can be removed to get at the screws 12 in order to change the combination.

The lock is operated in the following manner: The knob 33 is pulled out, and at whichever groove may be desired is revolved half a turn in the direction away from the point of the lock-bar, then half a turn back again, and so on. When the knob is so revolved, the arm 27 will lift any one of the tumblers 2 which may be desired, and at the same time will lift the back piece 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11 which may be attached to it. If the tumbler with 8 attached to it be lifted, first the point 20 will be lifted and catch in the shoulder 21. In like mannerthe tumbler with 9 and 10 attached can be lifted, when their points 20 will also enter the shoulder 21, and all the stumps 15 will be raised out of the lower halves of the notches 16, and the lock-bar can be shot by pushing the knob 33 in the full length and revolving it, when the arm 27 will enter the notch 42 in the lock-bar.

As shown in Fig. 6, the plate 36 will push out the pins 35, and so the plate 34, against the hinged portions 17 of 8, 9, and 10, which will push out the points 2O from the shoulder 21, when the tumblers 2, being pressed on by sprin gs, (not showin) will descend a short distance, and when the lock-bar is again shot the stumps 15 will enter the lower halves of the notches 16 and the lock-bar be held firm until again operated. As these stumps 15 and notches 16 are of different widths each stump can only enter its own notch, the largest always being placed farthest in on the lockbar.

On account ofthe catches 13, 14, 18, and 19 it will be seen that it is always necessary to move the tumbler with 8 attached to it first, then the one with 9, and then the one with lO, and the ones with 7 and 11 not at all. If the tumber with 9 is moved first, the stationary catch 18 on it will pass the movable catch 19 on 8, and when 8 is moved the catch 19 on it, only being able to move upward, will be unable to pass the catch 18 on 9, and so will push 9 up until the point 2O will catch in the shoulder 22, and the stump 15 will be pushed into the top portion of the not-ch 16, preventing the lock-bar from being operated, even if 8 and 10 are put in the right positions. In like manner 7 will work on 8 and 9 on 10, and, as both the catches 18 ou 10 are stationary 11 also will work on it if moved after 10.

Now it is evident that even the right combination will not work the lock, and as until the bar is shot the plate 34 cannot move it is impossible to release the points 20 from the shoulders 2l and 22, and therefore it becomes necessary to provide some means for so doing. For this purpose the rectifying-bars 28 are provided. The knob 33 being revolved half a turn in the opposite direction from that which works the lock, the arm 27 will come in contact with the beveled face of any one of the pieces 29 which may be desired and will push it back, so that the point 32 will push back the hinged portion 17 of 8, 9, or 10, as the case may be, and release the point 20, when the tumbler 2 will drop to its original position. By means of the beveled faces 23 the catch 18 on 9 will be pushed back so as to pass the catch 19 on 8 when 9 is in the shoulder 22 and 8 in 21; but if 8 should be dropped first on account of the sloping face the catch 18 on 9 will not be pushed far enough back to pass the catch 19 on 8, which will have resumed its original position. As each one works similarly in regard to its neighbor it will be seen that in order to correct the lock if put wrong it will be necessary always to drop 10 first, then 9, and then 8.

As the uprights 3 can take any position in the tumblers 2 by removing the screws 12 and sliding the uprights the combination can be changed at pleasure in a few moments, the

IOO

IIO

bination is capable of as many variations asV the lock itself. As the tumblers can beincreased almost indefinitely the lock can be made very complicated or very simple, according to the use it is to be put to.

When used as a spring-latch for a door, itV

will be seen that if the bolt was shot back and the hand removed the spring would cause the lock-bar to return to its position and the stumps 15 would enter the notches 16 and when the door closed the lock-bar would be unable to slide back and allow the doorV to latch. To prevent this, the piece 37 (shown in Fig. 1) is attached. When the lock-bar is shot back, the end 3S Will catch in the notch 39 and hold the bar back till the door is closed, when a sloping plate attached to the nosing (not shown) will raise the end 40 and allow the bar to slide back and fasten the door. For this kind of lock a handle can be attached on the inside Which vWill raise all the tumblers and shoot the lock-bar at the same time in order to open the door easily from Within.

For operation in the dark there is attached the small piece 41, which Will make a click as each of the grooves 26 passes it and Will enable the lock to be operated by sound entirely.

I do not confine myself to the specific construction as herein shown and described; but,

Having thus fully described the construction, advantages, and operation of my invention as preferred, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a lock the combination With a lockbar, of tumblers, each having a movable piece grooved at each end, and sliding in the tumbler and which may be placed in as many positions as there are tumblers, and means for operating said tumblers and lock-bar, substantially as described.

2. In a lock the combination with a lockbar, of tumblers, each tumbler having a rod of different length attached to it bearing the stump, so that all the rods terminate at the same distance from the tumblers, and means for moving said tumblers and lock-bar, substantially as described.

3. In a lock the combination With a lockbar, of tumblers, each tumbler having a detachable rod of different length bearing the stump, and means for attaching same so that all the rods terminate the same distance from the tumblers, and means for moving said tumblers and lock-bar, substantially as described.

4. In a lock the combination With a lockbar, of tumblers having overlapping catches which are capable of passing one another so that each tumbler must be moved With reference to its neighbor, and means for operating vsaid tumblers and lock-bar, substantially as described.

5. In a lock the combination With a lockbar, of tumblers, having detachable overlapping catches which are capable of passing one another, and means for attaching same to said tumblers, so that the catches on any tumbler may be made to overlap the catches on any other tumblers desired, and means for operating said tumblers and lock-bar, subst-antially as described.

6. In a lock the combination with a lockbar having notches of different Widths, of tumblers, having stumps of different Widths to correspond With the notches in the lock-bar, and means for operating said tumblers and lock-bar, substantially as described.

7. In a lock the combination with a lockbar, having notches of different Widths, of tumblers, having detachable stumps of different Widths to correspond with the notches in the lock-bar, and means of attaching said y stumps to the tumblers so that any stump may be attached to any tumbler Without changing its position relative to the lock-bar or the other stumps, and means for operating said tumblers and lock-bar, substantially as described.

8. In a lock the combination with a lockbar, of tumblers, having beveled faces attached to the stump, and means for operating said lock-bar and tumblers, substantially as described.

9. In a lock the combinationV With a lockbar, of tumblers having detachable beveled faces, and means for operating said lock-bar and tumblers, substantially as described.

10. In a lock the combination With a lockbar having notches of different Widths, of tu mblers, having overlapping catches so that each tumbler must be moved With reference to its neighbor, and stumps of different Widths corresponding With the notches in the lockbar, and means for operating said tumblers and lock-bar, substantially as described.

11. In a lock the combination with a lockbar having notches of different Widths, of tumblers, having overlapping catch es so that each tumbler must be moved With reference to its neighbor and detachable stumps of different Widths to correspond With the lock-bar and means for attaching said stumps so that any stump may be attached to any tumbler Without changing its position relative to the lock-bar or the other stumps, and means for operating said tumblers and lock-bar, substantially as described. j

12. In a lock the combination with a lockbar having notches of different Widths, of tumblers, having detachable overlapping catches and means for attaching same, so that the catches on any tumbler may be made to overlap the catches on any other tumblers, and stumps of different Widths to correspond IOO IIO

with the notches on the lock-bar, and means for operating said tumblers and lock-bar, substantially as described.

13. In a lock, the combination with alockbar, having notches of different Widths, of tumblers having detachable overlapping catches, and detachable stumps of different Widths corresponding to the notches in the lock-bar means for attaching said catches and stumps to the tumblers so that the "catches on any tumbler may be made to overlap the catches on any othertumblers, and any stump may be attached to any tumbler Without changing the position of said stump relative to the lock-bar or the other stumps; means for operating said lock-barand tumblers, substantially as described.

14. In a lock, the combination with a lockbar, having notches of ditferent Widths, of tumblers having detachable overlappin g catches, and detachable stumps of different Widths corresponding with the notches in the lock-bar, and means for attaching said catches and stumps to the tumblers,so that the catches on any tumbler may be made to overlap the catches on anyT other tumblers, and any stump may be attached to any tumbler Without changing the position of said stump relative to the lock-bar or the other stumps, said means to consist of a movable piece in each tumbler capable of taking as many positions as there are tumblers, to each of Which is attached by suitable means a detachable rod, said rods being of different lengths so that they all terminate at an equal distance from the nearest tumbler, and on the ends of the said rods are attached by suitable means the said stumps .and catches; and means for moving said tumblers and lock-bar, substantially as described.

15. In a lock the combination with a lockbar and tumblers, having points 20, of shoulders 21 and 22 on the stationary framework of the lock which will catch the points 2O When moved, and hold the tumblers in position,sub stantially as described.

16. In a lock, the combination With a lockbar of tumblers 2 having movable pieces 3 capable of taking as many positions as there are tumblers With hollow rods 6 of different lengths, attachable to the movable pieces 3, al1 terminating at an equal distance from the tumblers, and pieces S, having stumps 15,

also a hinged portion 17 With overlapping' catches 13, 14, 18, 19, and also points 20 and beveled faces 23, all held together by screw 12, substantially as shown for the purpose specified.

17. In a lock the combination With a lockbar and tumblers, of means for moving said tumblers and lock-bar, said means to consist of a movable bar square in one portion and round in another With an arm attached at right angles which may be brought under any tumbler desired, or the lock-bar, and revolved under same, by means of grooves cut in the square portion, When the arm impinges against said tumblers or lock-bar, moving same, means for holding said tumblers in position When moved, means for returning said tumblers to position collectively, and means for returning said tumblers to position individually, substantially as described.

18. In a lock the combination with a lockbar and tumblers, of means for moving said tumblers, means for holding said tumblers in position when moved, said means to consist of pieces attached to the movable parts of thetumblers, having points which shall catch in a shoulder providedon the lock-frame, and remain there until released, and means for returning said tumblers to position collectively'and individually, substantially as described.

19. In a lock the combination with a lockbar and tumblers having points 20, of means for moving said tumblers, means for holding said tumblers in position when moved, and means for returning said tumblers to position collectively, said means to consist of a plate with pins moving through the lock-frame and operated by a projection on the lock-bar,which When moved Will push against the pieces of -tumblers having points caught in shoulders provided, and Will 4push the points out of the shoulders, and so release the tumblers, and means for returning said tumblers to position individually, substantially as described.

20. In a lock the combination With a lockbar andtumblers having overlapping catches and beveled faces 23 and points 2O of means for m oving said tumblers and lock-bar, means for holding said tumblers in position when moved, means for returning said tumblers to position collectively, means for returning said tumblers to position individually, said means to consist of as many interchangeable bars 28, as there are tumblers, one of which being moved Will push against one of the beveled faces 23 of the tumblers and release the point 2O from the shoulder 22, and allow that one tumbler to return to its original position, and means for moving said bars, substantially as described.

21. In a lock the combination with a lockbar and tumblers having detachable overlapping catches and detachable beveled faces and points 2O and means for attaching same so that the catches on any tumbler may be made to overlap the catches on any other tumblers, said means to consist of a movable piece in each tumbler capable of taking as many positions as there are tumblers, and detachable bars suitably attached to the movable portions of the tumblers, and all terminating at an equal distance from the tumblers, of as many interchangeable movable bars as there are tumblers, each With a beveled upright at a different distance on the bars, means for operating said lock-bar and tumblers and bars, substantially as described.

22. In a lock the combination With a lockbar and tumblers having detachable overlapping catches and detachable beveled faces and points 2O and means forattaching'same so IOC IIO

that the catches on any tumbler may be made i blers capable ot' taking as many positions as 55 to overlap the catches on any other tumblers, said means to consist of a movable piece in each tumbler capable of taking as many po sitions as there are tumblers, and detachable bars suitably attached to the movable portions of the tumblers, and all terminating at an equal distance from the tumblers; of as many interchangeable movable bars as there are tumblers, each With a beveled upright at a diierent distance on the bars, means for operating said lock-bar and tumblers and bars, said means to consist of a bar running between the bellies of the tumblers and the other bars, round in one portion and square in another, With an arm attached at right angles capable of being brought under the bar or any of the tumblers, and over any of the beveled uprights on the bars, and capable of being revolved in any of these positions by means of grooves cut in the square portion, which will cause the arm to impinge against the lock-bar or any of the tumblers or any of the beveled uprights on the bars 28, and so move any one desired, substantially as described.

23. In a lock the combination With a lockbar and tumblers having points catching in shoulders provided on the lock-frame of a plate Working through the lock-bar operated on by a projection in the lock-bar,vvhich When the lock-bar is moved Will push the points from the shoulder and means of operating said lock-bar and tumblers, said means to consist of a bar square in one portion and round in another, With an arm at right angles capable of being brought under the lock-bar or any of the tumblers, and of being revolved in any of these positions by means of grooves cut in the square portion When the arm Will impinge against the lock-bar or any of the tumblers as may be desired, substantially as described.

24. In a lock the combination With a lockbar having notches of`difterent Widths and tumblers having detachable overlapping catches, detachable stumps, and points 20, and means for attaching same so that the catches on any tumbler can be made to overlap the catches on any other tumblers and any stump can be attached to ,any tumbler Without changing its position relative to the lock-bar or the other stumps, said means to consist of a movable piecein each of the tumthere are tumblers and detachable rods of different lengths, suitably attached to the movable pieces of the tumblers, so that all the rods terminate the same distance from the tumblers; of a plate Working through the lockbar operated on by a projection in the lockbar which when the lock-bar is moved Will push the points from the shoulder and means of operating said lock-bar and tumblers, said means to consist of a bar square in one portion and round in another with an arm at right angles capable of being brought under the lock-bar or any of the tumblers, and of being revolved in any of these positions by means of grooves cut in the square portion When the arm Will impinge against the lockbar or any of the tumblers as may be desired,

substantially as described.

25. In a lock the combination. with a lockbar and tumblers of a bar 24 square in one portion and round in another with the arm 27 at right angles capable of moving the tumblers and vlikewise the lock-bar and the grooves 26 in the square portion substantially as shown for the purpose specified.

26. In a lock the combination With a lockbar and tumblers of a bar 28 having an upright 29 with a beveled face, and a point 32, substantially as shown for the purpose specified.

27. In a lock the combination With tumblers of the lock-bar 5 With stump-notches 1G of different Widths, and notches 42 and 39, substantially as shown for the purpose speciiied.

28. In a lock the combination with a lockbar and tumblers operated `by a bar square in one portion and round in another With an arm at right angles, capable of moving the tumblers and likewise the lock-bar, with grooves in the square portion, of a Clicker shaped so as to enter the grooves Without hindering their progress, enabling the lock. to be operated by sound, substantially as. described.

Signed at Stapleton, inthe county of Richmond and State of New York, this 12th day of September, A. D. 1896. y

THOMAS G. A. ALEXANDER..

Witnesses:

T. R. STUART, CHAs. C. MARTIN.

IOO

Images