Door lock with handle and latch: options for the device and the principle of operation

 Door lock with handle and latch: options for the device and the principle of operation

Door locks with handles and latches are a popular type of locking mechanisms and are widely used on entrance and interior doors. The use of the latch significantly increases the functionality of the castle structure, and the presence of a handle makes its use easy and convenient.

Construction Characteristics

Structurally, the lock is a complex mechanical device, consisting of a case, a locking mechanism, a latch, a blocker, a push or pull knob and a decorative lining, which in some models is replaced by separate sockets.A feature of snap-on devices is the ability to use them with any kind of locking mechanism, including lever, cylinder, magnetic, electronic, and electromechanical models. In addition, the locking structures can be equipped with a code device or have a combined design.

The most suitable device for installation on an entrance metal door is the lock of a suvaldny type. The mechanism of such a lock consists of shaped plates, which have a large number of combinations that form a secret pin. The number of teeth on the key bit determines the number of suvaldny plates inside the device: their number is always one less than the number of teeth. Level locks are characterized by a long service life and high burglary resistance.

Cylinder models are also often installed in locks, equipped with latches and handles. Their mechanism is presented in the form of a cylinder-larvae with figured elements or disks placed inside. The door opens when the grooves on the key coincide with the grooves on the figured elements. Such devices are also quite reliable and easy to use, and the latch installed in them often plays the role of a locking bolt.The slamming of the latch in such constructions is due to its beveled shape. The tongue compresses the spring and quickly enters the groove, after which the spring expands and returns the latch to its original position.

Door locks, equipped with a handle and a latch, can be of one-piece design, in which both the latch and the locking mechanism are located in a single block and are closed by a common decorative strip. Also, mechanisms can be made in the form of individual devices, each equipped with its own decorative rosette. The installation of such locks is made by plunging them into the canvas, which contributes to the maximum preservation of the external appearance of the door and increase the burglary resistance.

Device options

Locks with handles and latches are represented by two groups: simple locking mechanisms for interior doors and serious options with a high class of protection for entrance groups.

Interior models

The locks are designed for installation on interior doors, there is no such serious security requirements. Such structures, as a rule, are installed in protected premises, and the locking device is rather of a warning nature, rather than protecting property from intruders.The main purpose of interior locks in apartment conditions is conditional fencing of personal space, preventing the occurrence of drafts and locking the room from small children or pets.

Structurally, mortise interior locks differ from each other in the form of the latch. The most popular and widespread option is a fale latch or, as it is also called, a “dog”. The flap latch is made of steel, aluminum or tsamak and has a beveled shape in one direction. The actuation of the latch to close occurs when the door is intentionally slammed or drafted. Opening the latch occurs when you lower the push handle down or turn the knob-knob around its axis.

Locks equipped with false latches often have a lock that allows you to force the tongue into the device or lock it in the closed position. Sometimes the locks are equipped with two tongues, one of which works independently of the bolt gate valve, and the second is integrated with it into a single mechanism. The handles controlling the movement of the flap clasps can be either single or pair, and are more often located above the keyhole.

Magnetic latch is a no less popular type and is most often used in office space with a large flow of visitors. Due to the smooth running and quiet operation, such a lock does not annoy employees and does not distract them from work. In addition, many magnets have a significant force of attraction and start to work even in the case when the door is not completely closed. Speaking in a similar way as a closer, magnetic latches save employees from having to get up and close the door left ajar by one of the visitors.

The remote operation mode of the magnetic latch significantly reduces the heat loss of the room during the winter period and keeps cool from the operating air conditioners in the summer months. In addition, a tightly closed door does not allow extraneous noise to enter the room and does not allow to hear what is happening in the office from the corridor. More complex magnetic mechanisms are capable of drawing a bolt into which a ferrite core is mounted. To open such a door from the outside becomes impossible. However, it is necessary to lower the push handle from the inside, and the bolt will quickly hide in the locking mechanism.

Roller latches are also often used in interior door locks.The tongue of such devices has a cylindrical or beveled shape on both sides and can be placed both in the locking mechanism itself and on the striker plate of the door frame. When the door is closed, he enters the nest and is held there with the help of an internal spring. The roller latch opens easily enough, for this you need to press the handle and slightly push the door. Such devices are not capable of full locking, so installed in the interior doors are not so often. However, for pendulum paintings, swinging open in both directions, roller latches are quite suitable.

For entrance doors

Unlike interior models, such devices are subject to special requirements for security and resistance to cracking. However, given the design possibilities of such mechanisms, their use as the main locking device is not very effective. Locks with a latch are more suitable as a useful addition to the main lock, however, provided that the locked room does not require increased protection, they can be used as the main ones.

In the locks for the entrance groups, the faley and magnetic latches are used, which are controlled both by means of push handles and rotary knobs, and by means of electronic and remote control methods. In locks with an electromechanical, code and electronic mechanism, it is the latch that plays the role of a locking bolt. From the outside, it can be opened using an electronic key, entering the necessary code combination or by means of a remote control, and from the room - by pressing a button or a handle.

However, electronic and electromechanical locks for apartment doors are not used. Such models are installed on access doors, entrance gates or gates. The reason is simple: both models are powered by electricity, and when it is turned off, the circuit breaks and the latch opens. But not all electromechanical models work on this principle. There are locks of reverse action, in which the opening of the latch occurs only when electricity is applied, and the door remains in the closed state the rest of the time. This narrow-profile option is used on objects that require increased protection, since even when there is a power outage, the door will be securely locked.

How to choose?

When buying a lock with a latch and handle in the first place should be based on the functional purpose of the door. One of the main criteria should be the material manufacturing device. Internal locking mechanisms are mostly made of steel, and as for the other structural elements, options are possible here. Often for the manufacture of push handles and rotary knobs used aluminum or tsaka. If you choose from these two options, it is preferable to choose the second. TsAM (Tsamak) is an alloy of zinc, aluminum and copper.

The material has absorbed the best performance properties of these metals and is characterized by high strength and long service life. In addition, tsamak locks are characterized by good moisture resistance and are insensitive to the effects of extreme temperatures. This allows you to install them in the interior of any destination and on the door leafs of the entrance groups. However, for heavy iron doors it is better to choose a full steel structure. Such products often have a chrome-plated surface, thanks to which they fit perfectly into any modern interior and are in harmony with the design.most doors.

In addition to the material itself, it is necessary to pay attention to the manufacturer. Thus, the products of the Finnish company Abloy are well known in Russia. The company is engaged in the release of locks with push and turn knobs, which are of good quality locking mechanisms and attractive appearance. The range of the company is presented as products of a high price category, and budget models.

Well proven products of the Chinese company Morelli. The company specializes in the production of models from TSAM, intended for both indoor and outdoor use. Many positive reviews have the castles of the Spanish company Archie and the Italian Colombo. The products of enterprises are distinguished by the durability of the locking mechanism, as well as the stylish appearance of the lining and the handles.

Installation recommendations

Installing a door lock with a handle and a latch on a metal door should be carried out using a professional tool and with certain skills, so it is better to entrust the sidebar to specialists. However, with the installation of interior devices can cope on their own.Installation includes several stages.

First, you need to note a place under the castle. 95 cm are considered the optimal height for its installation. After applying the marking, you should proceed to drilling a hole for the handle. And to drill a hole through on one side is not recommended. It will be more correct to drill until the mark from the drill appears on the back side, after which you need to pull the drill out of the hole and start drilling from the back side. This will preserve the decorative cover of the door and make the opening more neat.

Then you can start drilling holes for the bolt and snap on the end of the canvas. It is necessary to drill with a drill-bit, carefully digging in and trying not to come close to the edges of the canvas. After the hole has been drilled, you need to attach a lock to the door and outline the outline of the mounting plate. Then, using a chisel, you need to make a recess along the delineated section, the thickness of which should correspond to the thickness of the mounting plate, after which you can install the lock.

After the lock is installed and secured with screws, you should install the handle.To do this, remove one handle and insert the unassembled part into the hole on the back side of the canvas. Then, from the inside of the door you need to install the removed handle in place and fasten both parts with the screws that come with it. Next, a decorative strap is installed and marking is made under the crossbars and the latch on the box.

To do this, you should smear the ends of the crossbars and the edge of the latch with toothpaste, close the door and try to open the lock. Then you need to carefully close the lock, retract the latch with the handle and open the door. If everything is done correctly, then on the reciprocal plate of the doorframe there will be traces from the transom and the latch. In their place, you need to form holes and fasten a protective bar on top. As you can see, the door lock with a handle and a latch reliably protects the room and makes your stay comfortable and safe.

How to install a lock with a handle and a latch with your own hands, you will learn from the video.

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Information provided for reference purposes. For construction issues, always consult a specialist.

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