Novel or Improved Means through the Medium of which the Bolt of a Night-latch or Lock is, or the Levers of a Combination Night-latch are, operated by a Key.

摘要

10,661. Fox, H. May 23. Locks, key ; latches.- Bolts of night-latches or locks, or the levers of combination nightlatches, are operated through the medium of a pivoted follower moved by a key with a shorter bitt than usual. Fig. 1 shows the invention as applied to a night-latch. The follower A, which may have one or two horns d, is pivoted to the casing by means of the key-pin a. The key engages shoulders c on the follower to turn the same, thereby causing one of the horns d to press against the tail end e of the bolt B to withdraw the bolt. Projections f extend from the horns to form distance-pieces between the follower and the capplate. The bitt of the key is made much shorter than usual, and the latch may be provided with ward plates. If the key has a solid pin, the follower is pivoted on a bush or hollow pivot to receive the same. In the case of an ordinary lock, as shown in Fig. 4, the follower A has a nosing d adapted to engage the tumbler and bolt of the lock, and is pivoted by the key pin a to the casing. The follower has a central hole h to receive the pipe of the key, and a short notch i to receive the key bitt. A V-shaped notch in the follower is engaged by a spring pin k, to prevent accidental turning of the follower. It is only necessary to turn the follower half a revolution to lock or unlock. The follower may be provided with an additional notch i1 and nose d1, so that only a half revolution is required, under any circumstances, to operate the bolt. The follower may be employed to raise a tumbler and move back a latching-bolt. When applied to a combination night-latch, as shown in Fig. 6, the follower A consists of as many plates l as there are levers or lifters m. The plates l are pivoted to to the front plate of the casing, and are at varying levels to correspond with the nosings of the key. The portions of the plates which raise the levers are further from the pivot than the portions upon which the key bitt acts. One or each plate is formed with a shoulder to prevent the key from being turned back too far, or, when the latch is operated by turning the key in either direction, a projection is formed at the bottom of one or each plate immediately above the key axis.