US979856A - Device for holding keys in fire-alarm boxes. - Google Patents

Description

l P. B. HOLBROOK. DBvIoE Fon HOLDING KEYS IN FIRE ALARM BOXES.-

AYPPLIOATION FILED AUG. 2, 1910.

979,856. l Patented Dec.27, 1910.

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FRANK B. HOLBROOK, OF ROME, GEORGIA.

DEVICE FOR HOLDING KEYS IN FIRE-ALARM BOXES.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 27, 1910.

Application filed August 2,` 1910. Serial No. 575,164.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK B. I-IoLBRooK, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Rome, in the county of Floyd and State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for I-Iolding Keys in Fire-Alarm Boxes, as set forth in the annexed specification.

This invention relates to a device for holding keys in locks of fire alarm boxes in position to be turned for the purpose of unlocking the door, frangible means being provided for holding the key against rotation so long as the said means is unbroken.

An object of this invention is to provide a frangible key guard and a novel holder therefor which holder will prevent dislodgment of the key holding means except upon fracture of said key guard or the partial dismantling of the holder.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a key guard for fire alarm boxes in which the key is in posit-ion to be turned in the lock requiring only fracture of the guard to permit the manipulation of the key, thereby enabling the use of the fire alarm box upon breaking the guard.

Finally an object of this invention is to provide a device of the character noted which will be eflicient and satisfactory in use as well as comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Vith the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and in the arrangement and combination of parts to be hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification wherein like characters denote correspond ing parts in the several views, in which- Figure 1 illustrates a view in elevation of a fragment of a fire alarm box with the key guard and holder applied thereto; Fig. 2 illustrates a similar view showing the key guard in section; and Fig. 3 illustrates a top plan view of a fragment of a fire alarm box with the key guard partially in section, the holder of the said guard being slightly modified as compared with the holder shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In these drawings 4L denotes the door of a lire alarm box. The door L has a post 6 extending outwardly therefrom and terminating in a hollow boss 7, in which a spring 8 is seated, the said spring having one endl abutting the post 6 and the opposite end in engagement with a latch 9 which latch is slidable on the hollow boss. The bracket G is further provided with a transversely disposed aperture 10 to receive the screw 11 which closes the opening in the hollow boss. The door is further provided with a post 12 and is also provided with a boss 13 and a transversely disposed aperture 14 to receive the screw 15. The key guard consists of a frangible tube 16 preferably of glass which lits on the boss 13 and receives the latch 9. The latch 9, it will be seen, is partially in the hollow boss 7 and partially in the tube so that the tube is held with relation to the boss, through the medium of the latch. The key 17 has a hole therein to receive the tube 16 and when the parts are in the position shown in the drawings, the key cannot be turned until the guard is removed or broken. For the purpose of providing for the manipulation of the latch 9 a wire or other suiiciently rigid implement may be inserted in the hole 14 and press against the latch for the purpose of moving it against the action of the spring 8 thus releasing the tube, as stated.

In the form shown in Fig. 3, the post 62L has a boss 7a and a projection 9a. In this modified construction, the tube 16a. and key 17a are similar to like parts in Figs. 1 and 2. The post 12a has a threaded aperture 18 to receive the screw 19 which screw is adapted to project beyond the inner surface of the post 12a and enter the tube 16a for the purpose of holding the said tube in the same manner as the said tube is held by the boss 13 and the latch 9 in Fig. 2.

It will be observed from an inspection of the drawing that an inexpensive guard is provided for fire alarm boxes and that said guard is readily renewable when broken and can be temporarily removed by manipulating the latch as in Fig. 2 or the screw as in Fig. 3, thus permitting access to the interior by officers or others upon proper manipulation of the mechanism.

1. In a guard for a fire alarm box, posts on the exterior of the box, a frangible guard held by the posts, and a key having an aperture to receive the guard.

2. In a guard for fire alarm boxes, a door,

posts on the door, a key having an aperture, a frangible guard in the apertured key, and means on the posts for holding the guard.

3. In a guard for tire alarm boXes, a door, posts on the door, a key having an aperture, and 'a frangible tubular guard in the apertured key, a boss in one of the post-s to receive the guard and a movable part on the other post for engaging the guard.

l. In a guard for a fire alarm boX, posts secured to the said box, a key having an aperture, a frangible tubular guard in the aperture of the key, a boss on one of the posts to receive the guard, and a movable i part adapted to engage the end'of the guard 1 5 remote from the boss.

In testimony whereof, I'afix my signature in the presence of tWo Witnesses.

' FRANK B. HOLBROOK. Witnesses:V

W. S. JORDAN, H. S. SHARP.

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