|
|
|
On the Construction of Locks and Keys by John Chubb
|
16 CONSTRUCTION OF LOCKS AND KEYS.
As has been already stated, various and numerous patents have been taken out,* among which will be found those of Stansbury, Street, Young, Parsons, Longfield, Fenton, "Williams, and Gerish. Ingenious, however, as are some of the arrangements, they appear to have complicated, rather than simplified, the general construction.
It is submitted, that the true principles of perfect security, strength, simplicity, and durability should be combined in every good lock.
1st. Perfect security is the principal point to be attended to, as without it no lock can be considered as answering the intended purpose.
2nd. The works of a lock should, in all cases, possess strength, and be well adapted, especially in the larger ones, to resist all attempts to force them open; and both in the larger and the smaller kinds, the works should not be susceptible of injury, or derangement, from attempts with picklocks, or false keys. anvil-fire . com !
3rd. Simplicity of action is requisite, so that any person having the key, and being unacquainted with the mechanism of the lock, should not be able to put it out of order.
4th. The workmanship, materials, and interior arrangement of a lock should be so combined, as to insure the permanent and perfect action of all its parts, and its durability under all ordinary circumstances.
The manufacture of locks and keys is carried on, principally, at Wolverhampton, and the adjacent towns in Staffordshire, as well as in Birmingham, and in London, and gives employment to thousands of persons. Besides the home consumption, a large export trade is also carried on, and it is gratifying to know, that the use of the best locks, on which a great amount of labour is expended, is increasing, whilst greater attention has lately been paid to the style and character of the ornamental parts of both locks and keys. It is to be hoped, that, in the great Exhibition of Manufactures in 1851, the lock-makers of England will enter into a generous rivalry with those of other nations, and, by combining correct and elegant forms, with the application of their undoubted ingenuity and excellent workmanship, will produce such specimens as shall be unequalled by the rest of the world.
* Vide Appendix, Note D, p. 19.
|
|
|
On the Construction of Locks and Keys by John Chubb