Untitled record

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N.PETERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D. C.

Wita States |atent ©ffice.

JOSEPH CORBETT, OF BROOKLYN, AND FRANKLIN W. BROOKS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORS TO THE AMERICAN SEAL-L0OK COMPANY, OF NEW YORK CITY.

Letters Patent No. 109,718, dated November 29,1870.

IMPROVEMENT IN SEAL-LOCKS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

We, Joseph Cobbett, of Brooklyn, and Franklin W. Brooks, of New York City, both in the State of New York, have invented a new and improved Device for Sealing Locks and other Fastenings, which is described as follows:

Nature and, Objects of the Invention.

Our invention consists of a sliding case containing a variegated seal, and secured by a spring catch which operates independently of the lock or other fastening which the seal is to-protect, and cannot be retracted without breaking said seal.

Description of the Accompanying Drawing.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of tbe face of a lock, tlie seal-cover being raised and tlie seal withdrawn from the key-hole.

Figure 2 is a rear view of the same face-plate.

Figure 3 is a vertical section on the line x y, fig. 2.

General Description. A is the face-plate of a padlock, showing tlie holes, ft, for rivets, by which it is secured to the body of the lock.

Β-.Β are two recessed flanges on the face of tlie plate A, forming an escutcheon round the key-hole C.

D is a sliding plate having beads on its upper and lower edges, the middle portions being occupied by the glass plate E, w’hose rear has a variegated pattern. This glass is introduced into the slide-plate when the latter is in its lowest position, as shown in fig. 1, a portion of one of the flanges B being cut away to allow the glass to be slipped into its place in the slide-plate.

F is a hinged cover, which shuts down over tbe slide-plate and glass to protect the latter.

. G is a pin, which projects through the plate A and enters a hole in the slide-plate D when the latter is iib closed position, as shown in fig. 3.

H is a spring, which forces the pin through the plate, except· when it is forcibly retracted by pressure on the end of the pin.

When the lock is fastened and the plate D in its closed position, (fig. 3,) it is necessary to break the glass plate before the end of the pin G is exposed. The glass being broken, a pointed tool or pin on the end of the key is pushed against the pin, so that the slide-plate D may be free to move and the key-hole be uncovered. This being done, the key is introduced and the lock opened in the usual manner.

This device is intended for seal-locks for revenue purposes, for safes, boxes, packages, &amp;c., in store, bank, safe-company vaults, in bond, in care of express or other transportation companies, and in other places where it may become an object with the government, tlie proprietor, the shipper, or the custodian to determine that no access shall be had without the .presence of the proper person with whom rests the responsibility of breaking the seal aud opening the lock.

We have shown the device as applied to a padlock, but there are other descriptions of locks and different fastenings to which it may be adapted.

Tlie plate upon which the slide is founded may be placed around a screw-hole, so that the plate shall cover the head of a screw, and thus prevent access thereto without the breaking of the glass. The screw thus protected may secure the lid of a packing-case or any description of box, or it may fasten the lid of a coffin.

The same description of plate with a glass seal may be made to form a part of a clutch-box or clasp which unites the ends of a cord or strap around a package of any kind.

Many other applications will occur to the expert, and will grow out of the use of the invention.

The variegations in the glass seals may be produced in the course of their manufacture, or subsequently, while in large sheets, before cutting into the separate plates E. The numbering may be performed either before or after cutting.

Claim.