586

ON LOCKS AND KEYS.

mind that any article to be generally adopted mustnot only be useful, but of such a construction, thatthe mechanics or artificer's in the trade may readilymake it. We have no hesitation in saying that withthe majority of the following locks, however meri-torious the improvements might be considered,and however desirable it may be to adopt them,the patentees would be utterly unable to get suchlocks made in quantity. Any locksmith will easilygo from one lock to another more simple in itsdetails, but complicate the movement ever so littleand he is all abroad. We have stated before thatcomplication is too often the idea prevalent in theminds of most inventors, and that this is so inrespect to locks is evidenced by the constructionof most of the locks invented previous to and sincethe opening of the Great Exhibition of 1851.

PATENTS GRANTED FOR LOCKS AND LATCHES SINCE THECLOSING OF THE GREAT EXHIBITION OF 1851, TOJULY, 1856, INCLUSIVE.

No. ofPatent.

Year.

Date.

Name of Patentee.

13,802 i

1851

November *1

Dismore, George

13,806

1851

November C

Parnell, Michael Leopold

13,807

1851

November 13

Sinclair, William

13,852

1851

December 8

Restell, Thomas

13,985

1852

February 23

Hobbs, Alfred Charles

The above patents were granted under theold law.