US25662A - Edwin may - Google Patents

Description

UNITED STATES FA'IET OFFICE.

EDWIN MAY, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

CONSTRUCTION 0F PRISONS.

Specification of Letters Patent No 25,662, dated Octobei` 4, 1859.

To aZZ whom 'Zt may concern.'

Be it known that I, EDWIN MAY, of Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Construction and Operation of Prisons, of which the following is a full and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and the letters marked thereon.

Figure 1 is a perspective and Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 8 are sectional views showing the construction and general arrangement of the same.

A represents the side and end walls of the prison, B, the floor, C, the outside door, D, inside or angle door, E, molding or hood over door (C), F, the cells, G, the small door of the safe or boX (J), I-I, the crank which operates the drum (p), I, bolt or lock to the angle door (D), a, bar connected with the bolts (s) which are operated by the levers (5,) for the purpose of fastening the cell doors (j), e fulcrum of the lever (5), eZ, levers for operating the sliding doors (Z), e, wire rope or endless chain which operates the levers (cl), f, hinge joint to levers (cZ),`

g, support of pulleys, for chain or wire rope, z, pulleys over which the chain or wire rope (6,) operates, z' the grated partition, j, cell doors, lo slide or groove for doors Z, to work in, my, rollers for sliding doors (Z), n, guard or slide for levers (CZ), 0, staple to padlock, levers (5), g, pawl or catch to hold the drum (p), in place, a, rollers for bar (Z,) to work over.

The nature and eXtent of this improvement will be more readily understood by reference to the object sought, which is avoiding the necessity of actual contact with the prisoners, while the keeper has perfect knowledge and control of them, and preventing their escape by knocking down the keeper, which has often occurred where the common arrangement of prisons has been used. It is peculiarly adapted to county prisons, and that portion of State prisons appropriated to solitary connement.

The following is the manner of operating the same, and managing the prisoners: The j ailer opening the outside door releases the edge of the small or safe door (G) giving access to the crank which operates the doors (Z,) in the grated partition by means of the endless chain or rope which passes around the drum (29,) and is attached to the hinge or joint (f,) of the lever (Z,). The angle door (D) is held by the bolt or lock (I,) while the keeper is allowed to examine every part of the hall which the peculiar shape of the angle door (D,) allows. Should there be any prisoners in the first hall, they are ordered to retire through the doors (Z), in the grated partitions (i). The doors (Z,) are then closed by operating the crank (II) as has been shown, the keeper then unlocking passes through the angle door (D) into the first hall being separated from the prisoners by the grating through which he orders the prisoners, each to his cell, and to close the door after him, by operating the levers (5,) the bars (5,) are drawn while the lugs or bolts, (S,) being drawn over the doors secure the same. He then passes in and locks the doors (5),) whereby an iron grating is always kept between the keeper and the prisoners.

That I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent isl. The angle door (D) in combination with the safe lock or bolt (I,) when constructed and operated substantially as set forth.

2. The safe (J,) containing the drum (29,) and bolt (I,) being held by the outer door (0,) when constructed and operated substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The endless chain or rope (6,) in combination with the levers (Z,) when con` structed and operated substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. The combination and arrangement of the levers (5,) bar (5,) and bolts or lugs (S',) when operated from without the grating substantially as, and for the purposes set forth.

EDVIN MAY.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM FINDLEY, WILLIAM THOMAS, Jr.

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