Glossary of Terms

The following information defines critical hardware terms relating to lock functions, lock trim, lock mechanisms, and additionally related functions, features, and practices.

Lock Functions

Entry (Single Cylinder)

This is a locking set with operable handles that has a keyed cylinder on the exterior side of the door and a turn piece on the interior side (typically used on primary exterior doors).

Entry (Double Cylinder)

This is a locking set with operable handles that has a keyed cylinder on both sides of the door (typically used on primary exterior doors).

Dummy (Single)

This is a set with an inoperable handle on one side of the door (typically in conjunction with roller catches, flush bolts, or surface bolts).

Dummy (Full)

This is a set with inoperable handles on both sides of the door (typically in conjunction with roller catches, flush bolts, or surface bolts).

Passage

This is a nonlocking set with operable handles (typically used on doors that do not require security or privacy, such as closets, laundry or utility rooms, pantry, mechanical rooms, and so on).

Patio

This is a locking set with operable handles that is locked by a turn piece from the interior side but has no keyed access from the exterior (typically used on secondary exterior doors).

Privacy (Mortise Bolt of Mortise Lock)

This is a locking set with operable handles that is locked by a turn piece from the interior side and can be unlocked by an emergency release key from the exterior side (typically used on bedroom and bathroom doors).

Privacy (Spring Latch)

This is a locking set with operable handles that is locked by a push button on the escutcheon from the interior side of the door and can be unlocked by an emergency release key from the exterior side (typically used on bedroom and bathroom doors).

Push/Pull

This is a set with inoperable grip handles and/or escutcheons. The set can have locking capacity in single cylinder, double cylinder, or patio applications and is available in full or single dummy as well (typically used for commercial applications).

Lock Trim

This is the portion of the set usually attached to the surface of the door and consists of these parts:

Escutcheon

This is the back plate that attaches to the door.

Handle

This is the portion of the set you grab to pull or rotate. The handle options are grips, levers, knobs, or ring pulls.

Swing Cover

This is the flap that covers the cylinder or the emergency release access.

Thumb Piece

This piece retracts the latch bolt on a thumb-latch entry lock set.

Turn Piece

This piece operates the dead bolt on the interior side of a locking set.

Lock Mechanisms are the portion of the set operated by the handles, cylinders, thumb latches, and turn pieces:

Dead Bolt

This is a locking mechanism that is separate from the latching mechanism in a door set. A dead bolt can be locked by a key or turn piece. A manufacturer can provide separate dead bolt trim that is used above a handle set or can incorporate the dead bolt and handle trim onto the same escutcheon.

Mortise Bolt

This is a locking mechanism that is separate from the latching mechanism and is operated by a turn piece. It is usually used for interior applications to provide privacy on bedroom and bathroom doors.

Mortise Lock

This mechanism integrates the locking and latching mechanisms into a single cartridge style lock. The mortise lock is available in a variety of functions, such as entry, patio, privacy, passage, and so on.

Multipoint Lock Mechanisms

These are mechanisms that latch the door at several points along the length of the door instead of a single point in close proximity to the handle. Multipoint locks are provided with the French doors made by most of the major window manufacturers. Due to the variety of multipoint sets available, it is recommended that a copy of the existing lock trim or a factory drawing be available so the trim can be machined correctly to match the lock in the door.

Spring Latch

This is a latching mechanism operated by the handles.

Cylinders are the portion of a lock where the key is inserted to lock or unlock the set. There are several different kinds common to entry sets:

Mortise Cylinders

These are mechanisms that are threaded into mortise locks secured by a set screw through the edge of the lock and vary in length for different door thicknesses.

Rim Cylinders

These are mechanisms used in dead bolts and are mounted with screws from the opposite side of the door. They do not vary in length, but the mounting screw and tailpiece length varies according to the door thickness.

American or U.S. Cylinders

This refers to the type of cylinder used with several types of multipoint lock sets. These cylinders are attached to the escutcheon and do not vary in length, but the tailpiece length varies according to the door thickness.

European Profile Cylinders

This is the other type of cylinder used with multipoint lock sets. These cylinders slip through the exterior escutcheon, the door, and the interior escutcheon and are held in place by a set screw through the edge of the lock and vary in length for different door thicknesses.

Additional Terminology

Active Door

This is the primary door in a pair of doors and typically has an operable handle set.

Butt Hinges

These are hinges with one leaf mortised to the jamb and one leaf mortised to the edge of the door.

Cabinet Roses

These are the back plates behind the cabinet knob or pull.

Clavos

These are decorative nails typically applied to the surface of the door.

Edge Pulls

These are used to retrieve a pocket door from the pocket.

Emergency Release

This term refers to the capability of a lock to be unlocked from the exterior side in case of an emergency situation. This is an aspect of most interior privacy lock sets.

Flush Pulls

These are recessed pulls used on sliding doors, such as pocket or bypass doors.

Handing

This indicates where the door is hinged and the direction it swings. (See chart below.)

Inactive Door

This is the secondary door in a pair of doors. The inactive door is often secured with flush or surface bolts and typically has inoperable handles.

Ornamental Hinge Strap

This is a decorative piece of metal applied to the surface of the door to mimic a strap hinge.

Strap Hinges

These are hinges that have one leaf applied to the surface of the jamb and one leaf attached to the surface of the door.

Spring Assist

Each handle has an additional spring attached to the handle and the escutcheon that returns the lever, knob, or ring to the neutral position; this mechanism eliminates sagging handle.

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