DOOR LATCH. 



im 



XIV. 



Description of an improved Door Latch. By Mr. John 



Antis*. 



Sir, 



I DO not doubt but that you are persuaded of the neces- Imperfections 



. , , ,,•' . '^ j.TT,ix of the door 



SI ty of having a door-latch superior to, and not so liable to latckes now in 



be out of order as those hitherto in use, in the door-locks of use. 



dining-rooms, &c. Some time ago, I made an attempt to 



contrive such a one, which I fixed into a small box by itself; 



I have now tried it for some years in my own house, during 



which time I never found occasion to clean or to oil it. I 



at that time thought there would be a difficulty to introduce 



it into a mortise lock, in such a manner as to place the ' -^ 



knobs and the key-hole symmetrically. That difficulty I ,j 



have now overcome, and take the liberty to send you a pat- -ni 



tern for your inspection. ''"'. 



My object has been to contrive a simple latch, as much as characters of 

 possible without friction, not more expensive than those ^^^ improve* 

 hitherto in use, and capable of moving smoothly and easily 

 without the necessity of cleaning and oiling, as long as the 

 metal will last of which it is made. How far I have suc- 

 ceeded, I leave to the decision of the Society. 

 I am, Sir, 



Your humble servant, 



JOHN ANTIS. 



Fuhieck, JprilSd, 1804. 

 To CiiAiiLES Taylor, Esq. 



Reference to Plate IF. Fig. I. 

 A, shews the hole for the handle, which moves the follower Description. 

 and latch. B, the follower which draws back the latch, on 

 turning the handle either way. C, the latch. D, the lon- 

 gitudinal spring, Avhjch throws out the catch of the latch 

 when the hand is withdrawn. E, the small bolt, to secure 

 tlie door internally. F, the key-hole, the bolt of the lock 

 of which is not shewn^j being placed above the key-hole, 



* Soc. Arts. This useful contrivance was rewarded with the silver 

 medal. 



