656

ON LOCKS AND KEYS.

Lewis’s Lock, Patent dated September 2nd, 1854.

This lock is constructed with two knife-edgedstumps attached to the head of the bolt of the lock,with one knife-edged or flat stump fixed to thelock-case at the tail end of the bolt. There arealso double-acting levers, having notches at theends, corresponding with the stumps just described.When any other key than the proper one is usedto open the lock, or pressure is applied for thepurpose of picking it, the stumps drop into theircorresponding notches, and at the same time thelever closes the keyhole.

Newton’s Lock, invented by L. M. Eiler, of Copenhagen ,Patent dated October 3rd, 1854.

The object of this invention of improvements inthe construction of locks, is to dispense with theuse of a key, and consequently obviate the necessityof having any keyhole, or other opening, wherebyaccess may be obtained to the interior of the lockwith any instrument whatever. Instead of employ-ing a key or other analogous instrument providedwith wards, pins, or other equivalent contrivancesfor bringing the several internal and moveableparts of the lock into their proper position for shoot-ing the bolt back for opening the lock ; this objectis effected by means of the power of a magnet.

The foundation-plate of the lock must of coursebe made of some metal, such as brass or copper,which is not capable of affecting or being affected