Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1867 Excerpt:...of a weight suspended to a cord, which runs over a wheel or pulley. For small or light gates we have never found, any thing equal to the spring represented in the accompanying figure. (Fig. 68.) One, which has been in use over ten years, appears to be as good as on the day it was put on. The different parts are shown more distinctly in fig. 69, Fig. 68.--Spring for Shutting Gale.. Fig. 69.--The Same, enlarged. where a represents a spring which is screwed on to the gate in a horizontal position as is shown in fig. 68, having a small wheel at its outer end, in which the bent lever b, moves in opening and shutting. In the outer end of this lever a small chain is hooked, connecting with the gate. When opened, the spring is bent as shown by the dotted line. In constructing this contrivance, the great point is to form the curve in the lever, in such. manner that there shall be a continued and uniform pressure upon the spring, at whatever distance the gate is opened. The form represented will nearly accomplish this purpose, its length being about equal to the distance between the post and small wheel on the end of the spring. This contrivance was patented many years ago and retailed at $1.50, the spring and lever being simply made of steel rod. The patent has probably long since expired. Iron Gate Latch. A correspondent in Talbot county, Md., sends the following description of an iron gate latch, (fig. 70,) which he has found cannot be opened by mischievous mules or horses. The straight portion is made by bending a rod double and welding the ends to a sharp point, which is driven into the gate post D. The latch C, is of iron and plays in the space between the sides of this straight piece. The cross-pin at B. prevents the latch from flying entirely out, when the ga...