Garage rack locks - design features and installation of deadbolt locks on doors

A mechanical lock of the overhead type with several crossbars is called a rack and pinion lock. The more bolts, the more difficult it is to open such a device.

The lock works according to a simple scheme. On the main crossbar, oblique grooves are cut, maintained at a specific angle. They match the angle of the key teeth. When the key is inserted into the lock's hole, the teeth engage with the slots in the rack. When pressed, it begins to move and the door opens.

It must be said that rack locks have a number of advantages. They work at any temperature and are not afraid of high humidity and precipitation. Therefore, this device is successfully used as a garage lock. But opening such a mechanism is not difficult, so they are rarely installed in apartment doors.

The device of the deadbolt locking mechanism

This design is suitable for garage doors, especially if it is installed in conjunction with a safe mortise lock. Installation is carried out in an overhead manner, fixed with several bolts. Rack structures rarely break because they do not have levers.

How does a rack lock work?

The entire structure consists of several parts:

• frame;
• key;
• rail;
• spring.

A rail is made from a rectangular metal blank. On it, oblique teeth and grooves are cut with a milling cutter while maintaining a certain angle. The number of slats may vary. In order for the lock to close, a special spring is installed. The body is made of durable steel of various sizes and shapes.

The most difficult part of a lock is the key. When making it, you need to accurately cut the grooves and adjust them to the angle of the slats. Moreover, cutting can be carried out on both sides of the key.

Rack lock diagram

Making a duplicate is difficult. Therefore, opening it if you suddenly lose the key to the rack and pinion lock becomes a headache.

These keys are considered non-standard. To make a duplicate, it is difficult to find a suitable blank. The technology of work also poses difficulties. It is necessary to manually bring the teeth to complete alignment with the rack. The shape of deadbolt keys varies. They are performed:

• round;
• flat;
• long;
• thick;
• thin,
• heavy.

Garage lock - recommended models and their installation

Garage cooperatives, gates and locks are a very popular topic that continues to gain momentum. But at the same time, garage locks are a very specific area due to difficult operating conditions. This is what we’ll talk about now: what locks can be installed on the garage, and what you should pay attention to during installation.

Properties of a garage lock

Many people associate the phrase “garage lock” with rack and pinion locks of various models and designs. We will not consider them here. The first reason is that we reviewed locks of this type earlier.

The second reason is that these locks are completely worthless and cannot be recommended for protecting the garage from the point of view of a responsible approach.

To begin with, let's decide what properties a garage lock should have and towards the end of the material we will recommend specific models that we offer to our customers based on our experience for a high-quality solution for protecting the garage.

A garage, if it is located on the street, is an aggressive environment in which not all locks will work. It is a fact that lever locks, all other things being equal, work more or less correctly here. We talked earlier about what a lever lock is and on what principles it works.

In addition, the garage lock should not be opened from the inside at all. That is, when the gate is closed, a rogue getting inside through the roof or a tunnel should not be able to open the gate by simply turning the handle from the inside.

Based on all of the above, focusing on the experience of installing and operating locks specifically on garage doors, we offer our customers the following options for locks for garage gates.

We'll start by telling you from best to worst. It is clear that our list is our personal opinion, formed on our experience, priorities and preferences.

The best is still SAPPHIRE

In our opinion, one of the best options that can be offered for a garage is Elbor Sapphire. A powerful lock with many protections. A huge number of code elements and shut-off curtains as protection against opening by intelligent methods. Huge bolts and a decent supply of them in the body, armor plate - as protection against forceful opening methods.

Elbor Sapphire is produced in both overlay and mortise versions. This castle was discussed in more detail in a separate video.

Sapphire has two disadvantages.

1. Average quality, far from ideal
2. It is produced only on one side of the opening, apparently on the right, and you cannot place it on the left-side gate with the levers facing down, don’t risk it

Second on the list

The second candidate is Guardian 2007. The lock with protection against force breaking is more modest than the previous one. But very good quality. With decent protection against a clean opening.

Another advantage of this lock is that it is available on both the left and right sides. This is important and in this case it is good. The Guardian Castle 2007 was again described in more detail in the previous video.

Undeservedly forgotten Cerberus

Third on the list of worthy garage locks is the little-known Cerberus. Available in both overhead and mortise versions. We have installed them on garages and recommend both.

The advantages of locks of this brand are that the key window of the code elements has a closed shape and the key interacts with each lever when turned with both bits. Thanks to this, the lock continues to work in the most aggressive conditions. Even if for some reason the levers are a little stuck together and frozen together, the key will still pull them off and the lock will open.

The disadvantage of the lock is the absence of an armor plate and a small number of bolts in a very modest cross-section, which is not taken seriously by many garage workers. For more information about the structure and operation of Cerberus, see the video below.

Inexpensive but proud RIF-1

Well, the last contender for the title of a suitable garage lock is, of course, RIF-1 from Chelyabinsk.

Inexpensive in price, unusually impressive in its dimensions and proportions, with good performance. Works for a decade in any dirt and cold. Minus: a lock of the previous generation with all the ensuing consequences. That is, clumsy, inconvenient, with holes in the design and protection.

No matter how surprising it might be for you, we again talked in detail about the RIF-1 lock in the video.

Principles of installing a lock on a garage.

When installing any lock on a garage, you must adhere to the following principles. We will not dwell on every point of the rules, since the main part of the plot is still about the castle models. But let us note that these rules were formed empirically, as they say, through sweat and blood.

• The housing must be installed in compliance with all planes.
• Do not overtighten or deform the body with fasteners. It is also forbidden to drill out mounting holes and key holes.
• When opening and closing the lock, there should be no pressure on the bolts when rubbing the bolts against the box. That is, it should be positioned so that the bolts have a slight play.
• The lock fasteners should not be visible from the outside of the gate, no matter how super-hard the caps and bolts of the mounting screws you have.
• It is strictly not recommended to install additional bolts or up-and-down rods on garage door locks and gates. If you want more serious locking, it is better to put two locks on the gate and space them from the center of the gate up and down away from each other.
• Well, the latter relates less to installation and more to operation. Modern garage locks cannot be lubricated at all. Grease + street dirt + frost catastrophically reduce service life and cause a lot of trouble.

Anything to add? Feel free to leave questions and comments in the comments!

Method of opening rack models

How to open a rack lock without a key? What are the mechanics of this process? Some models are equipped with a device that allows you to set the bolt to the “locked” position.

However, even with a large number of bolts, there are many ways to open a lock if the keys are lost. All of them are used for one purpose - to move the rack and get it out of engagement.

Let's get acquainted with the technology of how to open a rack lock with minimal cost. You need to take a strong thread or string. Use any tool, such as a screwdriver, to bend the door leaf away from the block. Insert the wire loop into the keyhole. It is pushed through the length of the crack made. The loop should grip the rack tooth.

If you pull the attached wire, the rail moves to the side and the lock opens easily.

One way to open a rack and pinion mechanism

You can open a deadbolt or rack lock with a sharp object. In the same way, create a gap and insert some sharp object. After it engages with the teeth, slowly move the rack until the lock opens.

If the lock has several bolts, two or three approaches are performed. Each shifted rail is fixed with any suitable object. It should not move back under spring pressure. Once all the slats are moved, just lightly press the door to open it.

If you find yourself indoors, you can open the rack lock:

• key;
• with a special pen.

Installation process

It is worth noting right away that without special installation skills, it is better to turn to specialists. To install a garage rack lock, you will need the following tools:

• electric drill;
• metal drills;
• screwdrivers;
• Bulgarian;
• pliers;
• self-tapping screws;
• rulers;
• knife;
• core - a tool (machinery) for marking the location of a future hole.

When working, it is necessary to protect your eyes with special glasses. The installation process consists of the following steps:

1. Determine the location for mounting the mechanism and the height for ease of operation.
2. Mark the points for drilling holes, applying the lock to the door, taking into account the contours of the key insertion.
3. The door end is marked according to the thickness of the lock.
4. Drill holes and mark the boundaries of the device installation. You should get the upper and lower lines of a rectangular structure, which is cut out with a grinder.
5. A lock is placed in the niche made, and holes for self-tapping screws are marked.
6. Check the design, first fixing the device.
7. The lock is removed and the location of the key is marked on the metal gate leaf. Drill a hole for the keyhole.
8. Install the crossbar device and secure it securely. Check the functioning of the structure. The lock must work without jamming, stopping, or applying maximum effort.
9. They install the overlays on the structure and check its functioning again.
10. Mark the holes for the movement of the slats in the door end. Drill carefully. The same procedure is performed on the second garage door.

The marking and drilling of holes must be very precise for the operation of the device to be effective.

Advantages

Rack and pinion devices are designed for long-term operation. They are unpretentious, trouble-free, and never jam. Opening does not require much effort; even children can easily handle them.

Today, such devices are no longer as popular as in previous years, so their cost is low and accessible to everyone.

Rack and pinion mechanism

Negative qualities

The main disadvantage of rack locks is their low burglary resistance. The above describes methods that are known to many. For burglars, there is no problem with how to open a deadbolt lock. This is done with an ordinary pocket knife.

Modern security structures refuse to protect an object if the canvas protects only one rack lock. They consider this device to be ineffective in adequately protecting property.

Such rack models have non-standard sizes and differ in shape. If a replacement is required, it is difficult to find another lock due to the mismatch of the seat.

Technique for opening a deadbolt lock

The popularity of this device has long passed. Opening the crossbar mechanism today does not cause difficulties. Of course, such a lock is not very reliable, but if you accidentally lose the key, you know that you will be able to open it.

The simplest way is to open it with a screwdriver and fishing line. A loop of fishing line is inserted into the keyhole. It needs to hook the bolt that locks the door.

Use a screwdriver to press out the blade so that the hooked bolt does not interfere with the opening of the door. This way you can open the reverse lock.

Opening the bolt mechanism

For a forward lock, opening requires other actions. To do this, it is recommended to use a thin pencil. It needs to be inserted into the keyhole and pushed as far as possible. This item will play the role of a key and easily move the bolt. If the pencil is made of hard wood, it needs to be soaked in warm water.

If the lock is secured with bolts extending outwards, then opening the door is simple: unscrew the bolts, remove the lock and go into the room. But no one does this, the lock is attached only from the inside, an exception may be an interior door.

When opening the lock in any way, remember that any deadbolt lock is a fragile structure. Using force can break it. If the deadbolt breaks, you will have to knock it out, buy a new lock and install it.

In fact, opening the rack and pinion locking mechanism is not difficult. All you need is the right tool for this. Make sure the process is easy by watching the video.

Voted over 285 times, average rating 4.2

Comments

Unfortunately, there are no comments or reviews yet, but you can leave your...

Add a comment Cancel reply

We recommend reading

Locks, Accessories Why is a lock needed on a plastic balcony door? Door structures made of plastic generally do not have locks...

Locks, Accessories Multi-point lock for plastic doors: design and installation features, as well as advantages over other options Choosing a lock for a plastic door is far from the last place in ...

Locks, Accessories Main types and important characteristics of locks for glass doors Locks for glass doors differ from others in design and ...

Locks, Accessories How to choose a lock cylinder, description and variety of types The reliability of the front door depends on the locking mechanisms, and this ...

Selection of locks

The modern market offers a wide range of rack locks with advanced security technology. Mechanisms are produced with a large number of locking elements and additional devices. You can close the doors by raising the handle to the set level and locking the structure with a key. Anti-burglar pins can be used as additional protection.

Particular attention is paid to the quality of the slats. These elements must meet the requirements:

1. Withstand heavy weight (even several hundred kg);
2. Have anti-shock properties.
3. Be solid so that the mechanism is not susceptible to hacking with hacksaws.

   
   If you want to provide decent protection to your premises, you should not skimp on the quality of the rack lock

4. There should be a slight gap so that the movement of elements in the lock and linings is without difficulty.
5. Reliable fixation of doors with slats in the extended position is necessary.

It is necessary to choose a lock of 2-4 security classes with a certificate. This is even indicated in the corresponding technical data sheets of the devices.

Take into account the thickness of the garage (or other) door. If it is less than 4 mm, then installing a heavy structure can lead to severe deformation of the valves. Locks should be free of dents and rust.

Additional protection is provided by modern locks with reverse rack and pinion, in which the key must be turned 90 degrees.
This is interesting: a magnetic gate lock.
Electromechanical deadbolt models produced by the following manufacturers are highly reliable: YLI ELECTRONIC, Utex, Atis, Viatec, Cisa. Products of such brands are often installed complete with intercoms; they are opened using push-button devices or cards.

The average cost of simple mechanisms is 500 rubles, but the price of more complex structures is from 3,500 rubles. and higher.

Rack and pinion locks are simple designs, but precise installation is required for their quality operation. Do not forget about the low degree of protection of simple mechanisms, which are best mounted together with other devices or use more modern models.