Door Lock Parts Explained
When you think about the anatomy of a door lock, you might picture a knob or handle on the outside and a cylinder on the inside. While this is a simple description, the reality of the lock is far more complex and intricate than that. If you’re a DIYer, understanding how various parts of a lock work can help you tackle minor repairs yourself. By knowing about these components, you can make repairs faster and save money by avoiding calls to your local locksmith in Houston, TX.
Cylinder
A cylinder is a three-dimensional solid shape consisting of two parallel circular bases joined by a curved surface at a certain distance from the center. The height of a cylinder is the distance between the bases, and the radius of a cylinder is the length from the center to the outer boundaries of the cylinder. A pneumatic cylinder is a mechanical device that converts compressed air energy into a reciprocating linear motion. They are used in industries requiring linear motion for a wide range of tasks.
Cylinders can be mounted in a variety of ways. Some cylinders are pinned on either side of the end caps (side mount), while others are pinned on the front and rear sides of the cylinder (foot-mounted). These mounting styles make the cylinder reactive to moment loads, which cause it to rotate about its bolts.
Bolt
A bolt is a piece of metal used to hold doors closed. These have been around for centuries and are still used in many buildings today. They are essentially long bars that extend into door lock parts, or jamb brackets. They are held in place by a spring clip that is compressed and released to snap into a locked position when the door is closed. There are two main types of bolts: shear and tensile. Shear joints are designed to provide friction between two or more objects so that they cannot move relative to each other, whereas tensile joints are designed to provide sufficient preload in the joint so that there is no separation when normal loads are applied. Bolts can be made from a variety of materials, including steel and alloys. Some of these can be heat treated for increased strength.
Strike Plate
A strike plate is a metal plate that fits over the latch in your door frame. It helps to strengthen the door, protect it from kick-ins, and prevent trespassers from accessing your home. There are many types of door strike plates available, so it’s important to choose the right one for your needs. Choosing the wrong one could lead to problems with your door or cause damage to your property. When the strike plate is misaligned with the latch, it can make it difficult to lock or open your door. This problem can be triggered by several different factors, such as wood expansion or shifting foundations.
Fortunately, there are multiple ways to adjust the strike plate to get it aligned with the latch. However, some methods can damage the door or frame and erode the integrity of your lock, so it’s best to consult with a locksmith before attempting any adjustments on your own.
Handle
A handle or door lock parts that you turn to open or close a door. Handles are available in several different designs, depending on their purpose. Levers are horizontal metal bars that you push down to open a door, while knobs are round and require you to turn them clockwise to unlock. Some handles are sprung, which means that they spring back to their original position when released.
In some cases, you can remove a handle entirely from the door without any tools. To do so, you’ll need to take off cover plates that are attached to the outside of the door frame.
Wrapping It Up
Some cover plates have screws holding them in place, so you’ll need a screwdriver to pry them off. If your cover plate isn’t screwed, you can use a hammer to knock it off. Then, you can use a belt or piece of rope to secure it to a fixed object, like a fridge or couch, to keep it in place until you can get a replacement handle installed.
