What Are Rim Locks And Why Should You Care?

April 25, 2018 Home Care

You’ve probably seen these locks and never even knew what they were. Rim locks are surface mounted locks. This means that these locks are affixed to the surface of a door and can be screwed into the door. Though not commonly suited for entry doors, these locks are often found on interior doors, utilizing a sliding latch or deadlock as its locking mechanism.

 

Use

As they are unable to withstand excessive force as compared to their deadbolt counterparts,
today these locks are commonly found on thin interior doors or sheds that are unable to support deadbolt of mortise locks. With their unique compact design, these locks are ornate and often used for purely decorative purposes.

 

As mentioned before, rim locks are used primarily on interior doors or for decorative purposes. If used on an exterior door, they are often used as an additional lock to add charm. They are supported by more durable locks.

 

History of Rim Locks

English Iron monger James Carpenter, first held the patent as early as 1830 for the earliest version of the rim lock, which he termed ‘Number 60’, as an improvement on the earlier latch bolt and mortise lock. Carpenter’s son, John, would go on to improve upon his father’s design and produce a rim lock that could be used bi-directionally. For over 150 years, the rim lock has been a staple product.

 

Components

Rim locks are fairly simple, comprised of two main parts. The lock body and the keeper.

 

Lock Body

Traditionally comprised of cast iron, brass and nickel are the common substitutes used today. Interior lock inspection reveals the spring loaded latch and deadlock bolt. Rim locks utilize a bi-directional keyway. The spring loaded latch is operated by either a handle or a knob. Knob spindles are run through the door, connecting the outer knob to the lock body.

 

The deadlocked bolt is held in place by a lever mechanism. Once raised, the lever latches onto a section of the deadlock bolt and holds it in place. Only when the lever is lowered can the bolt be retracted. This is where the key becomes necessary.

 

Keeper

When a specific door lock is closed, the keeper is directly fastened to the door jamb and is meant to hold the latch and deadlock bolt in place. Keepers are usually made of cast iron as well.

 

Other Parts

Other parts of the rim lock includes the Escutcheon plates, which are flat metal pieces that guard the knob and outline the keyway.

Privacy latches allow the door to be locked from the inside. This is especially important because once the privacy latch is deployed, the door cannot be opened with a key from the opposite end unless the privacy latch is disengaged.

For more locks see other articles from America’s Lock and Key Services, Inc.

 

Weaknesses

In terms of security, rim locks have major issues. These locks do not deter access as the entire lock body is exposed and minimal force is required to undo it. Warded locks as easily exploited by simple skeleton keys. To ensure accurate safety, using rim locks in conjunction with a more secure primary lock is necessary.

 

Final Thoughts

This beautiful, charming lock is an excellent addition for a touch of design flair. So long as it is backed up by a more secure addition, as not to cripple your home’s security, it is an excellent choice that will continue to be in use for a long time. Feel free to install the rim lock on your own or contact your trusted locksmith.