US157643A - Improvement in master-key locks - Google Patents

Description

T. SLAIGHT.

Master-Key Lacks.

Patented Dec.8,1874.

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KNVENTUH- fa/@JM WITNESSES- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS SLAIGHT, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN MASTER-KEY LOCKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 157,643, dated December 8, 1874; application filed July 14, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS SLAIGIIT, of the city of Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Looks, of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates to the adaptation of that class of locks' commonly called cylinderlocks to the reception `of master keys, whereby any number of such locks, each one having a different subordinate key, can be opened by one master-key; and consists in so slotting the sliding plates of each lock actuated by a different subordinate key as to specially adapt it to be opened by a master-key common to any number of similar locks.

In the accompanying drawing is illustrated a cylinder-lock combining my improvements, in which the cylinder B is provided with a slotted post, E, which conta-ins a number of sliding plates, b, of varying lengths and thickY nesses, which operate in conjunction Y with other sliding plates, c, contained in a suitable box or case, F, inside of the lock-case, and in juxtaposition with the slotted post E. so that the ends ofthe sliding plates b and c, abutting against each other, must each present a smooth and even surface, in order that the post E may be made to rotate when the key is inserted to unlock the lock.

It will be obvious that an indefinite number of locks may be made, each requiring` a separate key to unlock it, by simply changing the relative position of the sliding plates b and c, or in varying their lengths or thicknesses, or both, as a key must be fitted and adapted to each and every change.

The master-key is constructed to lit into the same key-hole as the subordinate key, and

into transverse slotsV d cut into the sliding plates b, common to and uniform in all the locks designed to be operated by such masterkey, substantially as shown, so that the sliding plates are forced into the same relative positions in unlocking by the one key as by the other.

lt is obvious that a master-key mayin this manner be adapted as well to cylinder-locks having sliding pins as to those having sliding plates.

I do not claim the sliding bolt or latching mechanism connected thereto shown. in the drawing, as those features already form the subject of a patent granted to me on the 6th day of November, 1860, and extended on the 6th day of November, 1674 5 they are only here introduced to show the adaptation of the invention herein claimed to such locks. Nor do I claim the special devices shown constituting this lock a cylindenlock, such devices being likewise shown to illustrate the adaptation of my invention toa complete working lock 5 but, as my invention,

I claim- A cylinder-lock having sliding plates b, provided with slots d, whereby any number of said locks, while each one may have a different subordinate key, are adapted to be opened by 011e and the same masterkey.l in the manner substantially as described and set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own invention I aftix hereto my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOS. SLAIGHT.

Witnesses:

GEO. H. WILSON, GEO. W. FRANCIS.

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