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Rim Locks: Everything You Need To Know

A rim lock is a type of lock that attaches to the surface of the door. It uses a sliding latch as its locking mechanism. Rim locks are old locks, and there have not been many upgrades in their design.

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    September 2021
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Rim Locks: Everything You Need to Know dvslocksmith.com/2021/09/16/rim-locks-everything-you-need-to-know What is a Rim Lock? A rim lock is a type of lock that attaches to the surface of the door. It uses a sliding latch as its locking mechanism. Rim locks are old locks, and there have not been many upgrades in their design. These locks are not ideal for the main entry door, but you can use them indoors. It is called a rim lock because of its installation method. The latch attaches to the spring and operates by applying pressure to open the lock. Installing a rim lock is a long process. The latch returns to its original position when you release it. You can also use handles and knobs with the sliding latch for ease. Some rim locks also have a deadbolt lock attached which operates with a key. The key can control the lock from both sides. The most common lock used in rim locks is warded lock. Warded locks use notches or obstructions in the keyway to prevent unauthorized access. The wrong key will not be able to enter the keyway. History of Rim Lock As mentioned above, the rim lock is an old lock. James Carpenter invented the rim lock. He made the first model of the rim lock in 1830 in London. The purpose behind creating the rim lock was to improve mortise locks. Another man associated with rim lock is John Young. James Carpenter and John Young worked together to improve the design of the lock. The patent of the lock was supposed to be a joint patent between the two men. However, they both patented different locks. James Carpenter went on to patent the rim lock, whereas John Young patented mortise lock. James Carpenter was the one who laid the foundation for the rim lock. However, John Carpenter, the son of James Carpenter, made significant changes in the rim lock. The credit for the modern rim lock should also go to John Carpenter, as he is the one who upgraded the lock to be used from both directions. Rim Locks in Modern Times Rim lock is not as common nowadays as it once was. However, you will still find rim locks in older homes. Interior doors and sheds mostly use this lock. The rim locks have security flaws which is why Lock Installation in Melrose Park does not recommend it on entry doors. It does not offer resistance against excessive force. You can damage the lock and disengage it by force. On the other hand, they are ideal indoors as the interior doors do not face the same threats as entry doors. 1/3 On the other hand, some people use rim lock as an additional lock on entry doors. People mostly use it with deadbolt or mortise locks. Rim lock is efficient when you use them as additional locks on entry doors. Components of Rim Lock The Locks’ Body Brass and nickel are the most common materials that make the body of the rim lock. The body consists of the spring latch and the bolt. You can access the keyway of the rim lock from both sides and it lays on top of the latch. A handle or a knob operates the spring latch. The bolt works on the lever mechanism. If you raise the lever, the lever mechanism clasps the bolt and holds it in the lock position, and lowering the lever will retract the bolt. When you insert the correct key and rotate it to unlock, the top section of the lever will raise, and the bottom section will lower, allowing the bolt to retract. The key engages the lever and slides the bolt back and forth depending on how you move the key. Keeper The keeper plays a vital role in the rim lock. It is responsible for holding the latch and the bolt correctly when you lock the door. Similar to the body of the lock, it is also made of brass or nickel. Escutcheon Plate This plate is a flat piece of metal that protects the doorknob. You can also see the escutcheon plate in some modern locks. It protects the doorknob from detaching by applying force. In some locks, the keyway also goes through the escutcheon plate. Privacy Latch Most rim locks have a privacy latch. It locks the door from inside. If somebody activates the privacy latch, you can not open the door from outside, even with a key. However, some consider it a safety hazard; you will have to break down the door to gain access in an emergency. Disadvantages of Rim Lock Rim locks are not high-security locks which explains their lack of use in modern times. 2/3 The body of the rim lock is comparatively bigger than modern locks, which is a huge weakness as the body is left uncovered on the door. Most locks are installed inside the door, and thus, the components are covered. You can use a screwdriver to detach the rim lock from the door. As mentioned above, you should not use a rim lock in entry doors because of this reason. However, Lock repair and replacement in Melrose Park can fix this issue. You can also bypass rim locks by applying force. The latch can also disengage by using some tools. You can also unlock most warded locks by using a skeleton key. You can read more about how a skeleton key works? 3/3