Last Updated on March 15, 2022 by Kimberly Crawford
There are many different parts to a door lock, and each one has a specific purpose. In this blog post, we will explain the function of each part and how they work together to keep your home safe.
We’ll start with the basics – the lock body and the keyway. Then we’ll move on to more complex components like the locking mechanism and the strike plate. By understanding how these parts work, you’ll be able to troubleshoot common problems and make repairs yourself!
Traditional locks have a few different parts – the lock body, the keyway, the locking mechanism, and the strike plate. The lock body is the simplest part – it’s just a metal box that houses all of the other components.
The keyway is a hole in the lock body that allows you to insert your key. The locking mechanism is what actually engages the bolt when you turn your key. And finally, the strike plate is a metal plate that is mounted to the door frame. This is what the bolt actually locks into when it is in the locked position.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s take a closer look at each of these parts and how they work together.
Related: 11+ Different Types Of Sliding Glass Door Locks
Parts of a Cylinder Lock
Cylinder locks are the most common type of door lock, and they can be found on everything from homes to businesses. But what exactly is a cylinder lock? And how do all of its parts work together to keep your property secure?
Cylinder locks are made up of several different parts, each of which serves a specific purpose. Here’s a look at the most important parts of a cylinder lock and how they work together:
1. Cylinder
The cylinder is the part of the lock that actually contains the locking mechanism. When you insert your key into the cylinder, it turns and disengages the locking mechanism, allowing you to open the door.
2. Rose
The rose is the decorative plate that covers the hole in the door where the cylinder is inserted. Roses come in a variety of styles and finishes, so you can choose one that matches your door hardware.
3. Rotor
The rotor is the part of the locking mechanism that actually engages and disengages the bolt. When you insert your key into the cylinder and turn it, the rotor turns with it and moves the bolt.
4. Cotter Pin
The cotter pin is a small, metal pin that holds the rotor in place. When you insert your key and turn it, the cotter pin also turns, moving the rotor along with it.
5. Stator
The stator is the part of the locking mechanism that doesn’t move. It’s stationary, hence the name. The stator is what the rotor turns around, and it’s what engages and disengages the bolt.
6. Trim
The trim is the part of the lock that you see on the outside of the door. It includes the rose, cylinder, and escutcheon (the plate around the keyhole). The trim can be made from a variety of materials, including brass, bronze, and stainless steel.
7. Exterior Knob
The exterior knob is the part of the lock that you use to open the door from the outside. It includes the trim, cylinder, and rotor. When you turn the exterior knob, it turns the rotor, which disengages the bolt and allows you to open the door.
8. Interior Knob
The interior knob is the part of the lock that you use to open the door from the inside. It includes the trim, cylinder, rotor, and cotter pin. When you turn the interior knob, it turns the rotor and cotter pin, which disengages the bolt and allows you to open the door.
9. Latch Assembly
The latch assembly is the part of the lock that actually holds the door closed. It includes the bolt, rose, and trim. When the door is closed, the bolt extends into the doorframe and prevents the door from being opened. The latch assembly is what you use to locked and unlock the door.
10. Face Plate
The face plate is the part of the lock that covers the hole in the door. It can be made from a variety of materials, including brass, bronze, and stainless steel. The face plate protects the interior parts of the lock from damage.
11. Latch Bolt
The latch bolt is the part of the lock that extends into the doorframe and prevents the door from being opened. When the door is closed, the latch bolt extends into the hole in the door and prevents it from being opened.
The only way to open the door when the latch bolt is extended is to turn the interior knob, which disengages the bolt and allows the door to be opened.
12. Strike Plate
The strike plate is the part of the door that the bolt extends into when the door is closed. It’s usually made from metal, and it’s mounted to the doorframe with screws. The strike plate protects the door from damage and prevents it from being forced open.
13. Spring Clip
The spring clip is a small, metal clip that holds the cylinder in place. It’s located at the bottom of the cylinder, and it keeps the cylinder from falling out when you remove your key.
14. Mounting Plate
The mounting plate is the part of the lock that attaches the lock to the door. It’s usually made from metal, and it’s mounted to the door with screws. The mounting plate provides a stable platform for the lock, and it prevents the lock from being forced out of the door.
15. Shrank
The shrank is the part of the lock that you insert your key into. It includes the cylinder, rotor, and cotter pin. When you insert your key and turn it, the shrank turns with it and moves the bolt. The shrank can be made from a variety of materials, including brass, bronze, and stainless steel.
16. Keyway
Keyway is the part of a door lock that the key slides into. The shape of the keyway is what determines what type of key can be used with the lock. There are many different types of keyways, but some of the most common are as follows:
-Standard (or “cylinder”) Keyway: This is by far the most common type of keyway. Standard keyways are used on almost all residential and commercial door locks, as well as many other types of locks.
-Schlage Keyway: Schlage is one of the most popular brands of door locks, so it’s no surprise that their keyway is also quite common.
-Kwikset Keyway: Kwikset is another popular brand of door locks, and their keyway is also quite common.
-Yale Keyway: Yale is another popular brand of door locks, and their keyway is also quite common.
17. Slot
The slot is the part of the door that the latch fits into. The slot is cut into the door so that the latch can fit snugly into it. The slot is what allows the door to be locked in place. without a slot, the door would not be able to stay closed and locked.
18. Spindle
Spindle is the part of the door that the knob or lever attaches to. It is generally a long rod that goes from one side of the door to the other. Sometimes, spindles are decorative and can be made out of different materials such as brass or bronze. Other times, they are simply functional and made out of steel.
19. Lock Button
Lock buttons are usually found on the interior side of a door and is used to engage or disengage the locking mechanism. It is also sometimes referred to as a “thumbturn”.
Most locksets will have a small hole next to the lock button. This is called an emergency release hole and can be used to disengage the locking mechanism in case of an emergency.
Parts of a Padlock
The padlock is a locking device that has been used for centuries to secure property and possessions. Padlocks come in a variety of sizes, shapes and styles, but all have the same basic parts. These parts include the body, shackle, keyway, plug and spring.
1. Plug
The plug is the cylindrical part of the lock that contains the keyway. The plug is held in place by the body of the lock and turns to open and close the shackle.
2. Shackle
The shackle is the U-shaped metal piece that attaches to the body of the lock. The shackle is inserted into hasps, chains or other devices to secure them.
3. Keyway
The keyway is the opening in the plug that accepts the key. The keyway is usually located on the side of the plug closest to the shackle.
4. Spring
The spring is a small metal coil that helps keep the plug in place and allows it to move when turned.
5. Body
The body is the main part of the padlock. The body holds the plug and shackle in place and usually has a hole for attaching it to a hasp, chain or other device.
6. Plug Rear
The plug rear is the back end of the plug. The plug rear is inserted into the body of the lock and held in place by the spring.
7. Pins
Pins are small metal rods that are found in the plug and keyway. Pins help to keep the plug from turning without the key. There are two types of pins: driver pins and key pins. Driver pins are shorter than key pins and sit on top of them. Key pins have a groove that corresponds to the cuts on the key. When the key is inserted, the pins line up and allow the plug to turn.
8. Latches
Latches are devices that keep the shackle from moving. Latches are usually found on the body of the padlock or on the hasp, chain or other device that the padlock is attached to.
Latches play an important role in keeping a padlock secure. Without a latch, the shackle would be able to move and the lock would not work properly. There are two types of latches: deadbolts and spring bolts. Deadbolts are located on the body of the padlock and can be opened with a key or thumbturn. Spring bolts are found on hasps, chains or other devices and can be opened with a push button or lever.
9. Locking Bar
The locking bar is a metal bar that runs across the body of the padlock. The locking bar is inserted into the hasp, chain or other device to secure it. The locking bar is held in place by the shackle and prevents the shackle from being opened.
The padlock is a simple yet effective way to keep your belongings secure. By understanding the parts of a padlock, you can be sure that your padlock will work properly and keep your possessions safe.
Conclusion
This is a very simplistic explanation of a door lock and how it works. However, understanding the basic anatomy of a door lock is important for anyone looking to improve their home security. By knowing what each part does and how it works, you can make more informed decisions about the type of lock that is right for your home.
If you have any questions about door locks or home security in general, be sure to contact a professional. They will be able to give you more specific advice based on your individual needs.
Thank you for reading! I hope this was helpful. 🙂
