Door Furniture Terminology FAQ

Q. What is meant by the term "lever lock" handles?
A. Lever lock handles have a key hole cut into the back plate. They are used in conjunction with a mortice sash lock and allow the door to be locked by means of a key. The mortice sash lock is usually 2.1/2" or 3" wide and is not supplied complete with the handles, they need to be purchased as a separate item. Locks are available with different levels of security as required by the situation to which they are fitted. The lock is mortised into the edge of the door and the locking bolt is operated by the key through the key hole in the handles, the latch is operated by the lever on the handles. The face plate on the sash lock is normally specified to have a matching finish to the handles.

Q. What is meant by the term "lever latch" handles?
A. Lever latch handles have a plain back plate. They are used in conjunction with either a mortice or tubular latch which is normally 2.1/2" or 3" long, although longer sizes can be obtained if the handles need to be placed further in from the door edge. The latch is mortised into the edge of the door and is operated by depressing the lever on the handle. It is not supplied complete with the handles, but needs to be purchased as a separate item. The face plate on the latch is normally specified to have a matching finish to the handles. Tubular latches, the most common type of latch, offer the same function as mortice latches and are easier to fit. Mortice latches usually have stronger springs which may be more suited to heavier or unsprung commercial door handles.

Q. What is meant by the term "privacy set" handles?
A. Privacy handles can be used on bathroom doors or where privacy is required. On the inside of the door there is a turn button and on the outside of the door there is an emergency release slot, usually operated by a coin, which can be used to unlock the door in an emergency. These handles are normally used with a tubular latch which is 2.1/2" or 3" long. When the turn button is operated, the tubular latch becomes 'locked' and the bathroom door cannot be opened, except by turning the button again or by using the emergency release from the outside.

Q. What is meant by the term "bathroom locking" handles?
A. Bathroom locking handles are similar to privacy set handles except that they are used with a bathroom mortice lock rather than a tubular or mortice latch. The turn and release are the same, but when turned, they operate a deadbolt on the bathroom mortice lock rather than locking a tubular or mortice latch. The bathroom lock is mortised into the edge of the door and is usually 2.1/2" or 3" wide. It is not supplied complete with the handles, but needs to be purchased as a separate item and is normally specified to have a matching finish to the handles.

Q. What is meant by the term "euro profile" handles?
A. Euro profile handles have an enlarged key hole shape cut out of the back plate. This euro cut out in the back plate is used to house a key operated cylinder. The cylinder is used with a mortice sash lock fitted into the edge of the door which also has the euro shape cut into it to allow the cylinder to pass through the lock and come out on the opposite side of the door. These cylinders come in various lengths depending on the thickness of the door and various styles such as double key, key and turn, or single cylinder. When the key or thumb turn is operated, the deadbolt on the lock is thrown and the door is then locked. We supply two sizes of euro profile handles, 48mm and 57mm. The sizes refer to the distance between the centre of the spindle and the centre of the cylinder as dictated by the lock design.

Q. What is meant by the term "oval profile" handles?
A. Oval profile handles have an oval shape cut out of the back plate. This oval cut out in the back plate is used to house a key operated cylinder. The cylinder is used with a mortice sash lock fitted into the edge of the door which also has an oval cut into it to allow the cylinder to pass through the lock and come out on the opposite side of the door. These cylinders come in various lengths depending on the thickness of the door and various styles such as double key, key and turn, or single cylinder. When the key or thumb turn is operated, the deadbolt on the lock is thrown and the door is then locked.

DISCLAIMER
Bernards makes every effort to ensure that the information contained in our FAQs is correct and accurate. We can however accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions or their subsequent effects. Indeed if you find any please let us know, we appreciate any advice or comments to improve these pages.

[Home] [Shop] [Search] [Feedback] [Tools] [Vacancies] [Photo Album]
[Trading Terms] [Rawnsley] [FAQ] [Site Map] [Affiliates] [Door Furniture]