Improvement in Permutation Locks. Page: 5 of 6
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107,77u
teeth fit within each ring, while their outer rims over-
lap and are supported upon and against each other;
and although they are separate and distinct fiom the
series of sleeves, they are, nevertheless, the means by
which the sleeves are operated to change the conmbin-
ation to lock and unlock the bolts.
The outer or smallest permntation and combination-
ring, o, is fitted upon the stem B so as to be flush
with the end thereof, as shown in figs. 3, 4, and 5.
This end has a projection, JL, of less diameter than
the stem, and is provided with a screw-thread, to re-
ceive the screw-cap 0, which fits against the outer
end of the stem and the outer o of the series of rings,
and thus hold the latter in place upon the stem.
This screw-cap 0 is provided with an oblong open-
ing, f, to receive the axial flat bolt G of the cylindrical
stem; and when this bolt G is projected through the
slot J of the door-bolt I, to lock the door, its outer
end will be fluith with the outer end of the screw-cap
C, as shown in figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5.
The inner sleeve d is fitted upon the cylindrical
stem B, so that it will easily turn thereon, and in like
manner each sleeve is fitted upon the other, so as to
be readily turned.
The toothed portions of the combination and per-
mutation-rings are also fitted, so as to move freely,
the one within the other, and their projecting circu-
lar rows of teeth are of diameters corresponding to
the sleeves into the teeth of which they respectively
interlock.
The sleeves being secured union the stern, so that
they cannot move thereon toward tie front, are also
preventedfrom movinginward upon the stem by means
of. the nut K, screwed upon said stem, so as to abut
against the inner end of the outer sleeve a.
The inner end of each sleeve is provided with an
annular rim, 3, each having a notch, g, of a size just
equal to the thickness of the locking bolt G, and the
annular openings I in the ends of the sleeves, formed
by the ims, are equal in diameter to that of the small-
est end of the stem, so as to allow the sleeves to be
fitted over and upon the stem, from the rear end
thereof.
Now, it will be seen that, as the depth of the slot 1F
in the greatest diameter of the stem B, is equal to
the width of the locking bolt G, the latter must pass
through the notches g'in the rims 3 of the sleeves at
the smallest diameter of the stein, and thus each
sleeve is locked with the bolt.
The locking nut K is also notched, to allow the bolt
to pass through it, and, in order that its notch s may
always be presented exactly to the bolt, and to pre-
velnt it from changing its position, it is secured to the
stem when properly adjusted against the sleeves, by
a lock-screw, j, which serves to gauge such adjust-
ment.
That part of the bolt G which projects beyond the
smallest diameter of the stem, is provided with a se-
ries of notches, 9, equal in width to the thickness of
the annular rims 3, and of equal number therewith,
for the purpose of receiving said rims to lock each
with the bolt, as it is obvious that when the rims 3 of
the sleeves are thus interlocked with the notches of
the bolt, the latter cannot be withdrawn until all the
notches g in the rims 3 are brought in line with the
bolt G.
In order to prevent the stern from being turned
with the door, I make its inner end square, and fit
thereon a square lock-nut or collar, EB, which is coun-
tersunk on the inner side of the door, and thus ren-
ders it impossible to turn the stem in either direction;
and to prevent the stem from being drawn out of the
door its inner end is provided with a screw-thread, to
receive a nut, D, which, when screwed against the
square collar E, renders it impossible to pull the stem
from its socket in the door.The square collar E and the screw-nut D, therefore,
form a perfect security against either turning or with-
drawing the lock, when properly secured in tlie door;
while the stem is prevented from being driven inward
through tlie door, by means of the nut K abutting
against a shoulder in the door, and also by the door-
bolt.
The construction and arrangement of the several
parts of the look having been described, it remains
now to describe and illustrate the method of locking
and unlocking the bolt or bolts.
The combination and permutation-rings being fitted
within each other, so that their outer faces over-
lap and leave a portion of each exposed, for the pur-
pose of having cut thereon the letters of the alphabet
and figures, as shown in fig. 1, the whole number of
letters and figures of each ring being always equal to
and corresponding with the whole number and position
of the teeth and notches of each sleeve, and as these
may be increased or diminished in number, according
to the diameter of the sleeves or the size of the teeth,
notches, and letters, and as the sleeves and combina-
tion-rings may also be of a greater or less number, it is
obvious that the number of changes of which they are
capable may be extended indefinitely, and become al-
most endless.
The letters and figures of each combination-ring or
plate must be in exact line with the teeth and notches
of their respective rings, and the center of the teeth
or notches (either) of the sleeves must be exactly in
the center of the notches g in the sleeves, in order to
produce the exact movement to bring the locking
notches g in line with the bolt, according to the com-
bination of letters, figures, or both combined, upon
which the bolt is locked.
The letters and figures of each combiuation-ring are
equally divided into positives and negatives alternate-
ly, so that one half (those of the positive) of the let-
ters and figures only of each ring act in unison with
the sleeves and their notches g, to lock and unlock tire
bolt, while the other half are so many blanks or blinds
to any person attempting to open the lock without the
proper combination, as they cannot bring the notches
g of the sleeve at no time in line with the bolt G.
In the example represented in the drawing, the af-
firmative letters commence with A on the inner and
tbird'rings, and with B on the second and fourth rings;
hence, tirhe letters B on these rings are negatives or
blinds, and also the letter A on the second and fourth
rings, (the outer ring being the fourth of the series,)-
while the figures 2 on the first-namedtwo rings repre-
sent the positives, and the figures 3 the negatives or
blinds on the second and fourth rings, and in this man-
ner they alternate with each other throughout tihe
letters and figures of each ring:
The bolts are locked and unlocked on any of the
four positive letters or figures, separately or combined,
or upon any word which any four of the positive
letters will spell ; for example, it may be locked and
unlocked upon the letters: A, of the inner ring; B, of
the second ring; A, of the third ring; and B, of the
fourth or outer ring; or with figures 2 on the inner;
3, on the second; 2, on the third; and 3, on thefourth
or outer ring; or with letters and figures combined,
such as 2, on the inner; B, on the second; A, on the
third; and 3, on the outer or fourth ring, when such
examples are set for that purpose.
In cutting the letters and figures upon each con-
bination-ring, care must be taken to have each ex-
actly in a line with tihe center of each tooth, or notch
of each ring, and the center of the locking notch g at
the rear end of each sleeve; and the positive letters
and figures are ascertained by this arrangement.
The lock, therefore, only locks and unlocks on the
positives, which bring the notches g of the sleeves all
in a line with each other, when on the word to which
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Hall, William. Improvement in Permutation Locks., patent, September 27, 1870; [Washington D.C.]. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth165253/m1/5/?rotate=90: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.