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Door Internal Latching Mechanism
Osbourn Dorsey

Inventor
Osbourn Dorsey
Details regarding Osbourn Dorsey’s life are slight but may ideally be revealed as Black scholars continue their work to uncover the hidden truths of our history. It is estimated that Osbourn was born circa 1861 to Christina Dorsey. Dorsey had two older siblings, Mary and Levi, according to Washington DC slave emancipation records from April 1862, where he is listed as “Osbourn Dorsey- son of the above-named Christina- Aged about eight months- ordinary size- dark complexion.”
On December 10, 1878, patent US No. US210764 was issued to Osbourn Dorsey of Washington DC, who had “invented certain new and useful improvements in door holding devices”. The patent, the first U.S. patent to be issued for a door internal latching mechanism, details significant improvements to mechanisms designed by Britain locksmiths Robert Barron, Joseph Bramah and Jeremiah Chubb who were involved in designs for the modern lever tumbler locks. Chubb’s lock was patented in 1818.
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Door Internal Latching Mechanism
Osbourn Dorsey

Biography
Details regarding Osbourn Dorsey’s life are slight but may ideally be revealed as Black scholars continue their work to uncover the hidden truths of our history. It is estimated that Osbourn was born circa 1861 to Christina Dorsey. Dorsey had two older siblings, Mary and Levi, according to Washington DC slave emancipation records from April 1862, where he is listed as “Osbourn Dorsey- son of the above-named Christina- Aged about eight months- ordinary size- dark complexion.”
On December 10, 1878, patent US No. US210764 was issued to Osbourn Dorsey of Washington DC, who had “invented certain new and useful improvements in door holding devices”. The patent, the first U.S. patent to be issued for a door internal latching mechanism, details significant improvements to mechanisms designed by Britain locksmiths Robert Barron, Joseph Bramah and Jeremiah Chubb who were involved in designs for the modern lever tumbler locks. Chubb's lock was patented in 1818.
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Born – Circa 1861
Birthplace – Washington, D.C.
U.S. Patent(s) – US210764
Source(s) – Fact Kaleidoscope