Cylinder key locks

Keylocks  - various Key locks in one form or another, have been in use for hundreds of years. The most common of course are the rim and mortice locks found on the front and back doors of your home or business. Below are a few different types which you may come across in everyday situations.   Rim locks The correct terminology is actually Rim Nightlatch as the lock will automatically latch when the door is closed. These locks are amongst the most common type of lock in use today. The most well known make is probably Yale, although many other companies such as Chubb, Union, ERA, Bird, Legge, have produced this lock for many years. Padlocks Padlocks have been in use for centuries in one form or another. Padlocks can be bought in prices ranging from .20 pence to well over £100 for a quality lock. The most common locks use a 'cylinder' key similar to the type used in the Yale lock mentioned above. Well known manufacturers include, Chubb, Master, ERA, Abloy, Abus, Union & Bramah

Cylinder key locks 

Lever key locks

Mortice Locks Mortice locks are so called because they are fitted into a cutout in a door called a mortice (as in mortice and tennon). Locks such as the one shown here are generally fitted to timber doors, but can be found in steel and aluminium doors also. Traditionally, these locks are what we term as lever locks, meaning that they use a larger key unlike the Yale nightlatch shown above. Mortice locks can come in two versions. The sashlock type (shown left) which uses a handle to pull back the latch bolt and a key to open the locking bolt. Deadlocks which do not use a door handle so usually, from the outside of the door, all you would see is a small keyhole or keyhole cover called an escutcheon.

Digital door locks are available in both mechanical and electronic versions. Note though, that very few of these types of lock are intended to be the sole method of security on an external door as these locks are intended to offer a degree of access control only - which means literally to control access at certain times of the day - not protect the building against forced entry when uoccupied. Usually, it would be recomended that a security lock such as a 5 lever mortice deadlock made to the relevant british standard of the time be fitted on the door and this lock would be used when the building was unoccupied.

Following, you will find information relating to the Simplex Unican 200 series, Unican 1000 series,  Unican 3000 series, Unican 6000 series and the Unican 7000 series. 

200 Series
Combination Lock
SIMPLEX NL200

This lock is suitable for use as a light-to-medium duty lock for internal low-security doors. Access is gained by entering the correct combination that allows the outside thumbturn to open the door. From the inside, the thumbturn will always retract the bolt allowing constant easy exit from the protected area. A holdback facility allows the door to be left unlocked for ease of use (i.e. when carrying a large number of items through the door). It should be noted however, that the cast ‘Mazak’ lock casing is not weather resistant and will not withstand a forced physical attack.

The NL200 lock is as easy to install as a cylinder nightlatch ( Yale type lock ). The only non-standard tool required is a 43mm hole saw. The lock can be fitted to doors of 44mm – 54mm thick. The physical size of this lock means that it is necessary to have a door stile width of between 100mm and 110mm. This can make it virtually impossible to fit to many narrow stile timber and metal doors. If you wish to fit a mechanical digital lock to a door of less than this size, check the details of the Simplex 3000.

As the main reason for fitting digital locks is access control, it will be necessary to fit a door closer to ensure the door closes behind the user, as it cannot be assumed that everyone will close the door behind them. A DL200 (deadlock version) is also available, and for the above reason we do not recommend the use of the DL series on personnel doors. When fitting, ensure that the door does not slam and that the latch enters the strike correctly. Clean and lubricate the lock with WD40 or similar as ordinary oil attracts dirt and will eventually damage the lock.

Unican 1000 Series Combination lock

The 1000 series was first introduced in 1972, originally just with knob furniture. Later, a more user friendly lever style (see picture)was added. It is regarded as suitable for medium to heavy duty use, but should not be regarded as vandal resistant. Its manufacture makes it weather resistant enough to be used on external gates provided it is regularly and frequently maintained to minimise the effects of corrosion. Use a light oil such as WD40 rather than a heavier oil as this will collect dirt and hinder the operation of the lock.

As the main reason for fitting digital locks is access control, it will be necessary to fit a door closer to ensure the door closes behind the user, as it cannot be assumed that everyone will close the door behind them

Changing The Combination of your 1000 series lock

FOR YOUR SECURITY, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE FACTORY SET COMBINATION IS CHANGED WHEN THE LOCK IS INSTALLED.

The door must be open when changing the combination!

On models with the passage feature, make sure the passage feature is disengaged: turn knob or key should be in vertical position (A).

1. Insert the DF-59 (B) control key into the combination change plug assembly (C) and unscrew the cylinder by turning the key counterclockwise. Remove the combination change sleeve (see figure 13-1).

2. Turn the outside lever once to the stop position then release (see figure 13-2).

3. Enter the existing combination. On new installations, use the factory-set combination: depress 2 and 4 simultaneously, (release), then 3 (release), You should feel a slight click as each button is depressed.

4. Insert the spanner wrench as shown in figure 13-3 to engage the combination change sleeve (A). Gently turn the spanner wrench clockwise to the stop position (a slight click should be felt), then turn the spanner wrench counterclockwise to the stop position (A) (see figure 13-4). Remove the spanner wrench.

5.Turn the outside lever once to the stop position then release (see figure 13-2).

6. Choose a new combination, write it down. This combination can be as easy or as difficult as you wish. You can use just a single button as your code, however, this is not recommended as it would be easy for someone else to work out the combination and gain entry without your permission. Ideally, choose a code that uses both double button and single button presses. For instance, press 1 & 3 at the same time and release, then press 4 on its own. This code would be difficult for someone else to work out on their own but is easy for you to open as it takes only 2 actions to effect entry. With the door open, enter this new combination. Press each button fully and release it. You should feel a click each time you press a button telling you that the button was fully depressed. Each button can only be used once.

7. Turn the outside lever once, all the way, until it stops, hold in position and make sure the latch is retracted fully (A). Release the lever. Turn the lever again to the stop position. At this point, the latch should not retract unless you enter the new combination (see figure 13-5).

8. Resecure the combination change plug assembly by screwing it in clockwise with the DF-59 key - do not overtighten (see figure 13-6). Remove the key and store it in a secure area with these instructions and the spanner wrench.

3000 Series Combination Lock

Designed as an add-on for the Adams-Rite narrow-stile mortice latches for aluminium-framed glazed doors this unit has opened up a number of opportunities for combination locks denied to the other units because of their size. One disadvantage of the 3000 series lock is that for outward-opening doors there is nothing to hold onto to pull the door open meaning two hands are needed. Access is gained by entering the correct combination, which allows the outside thumbturn to open the door. From the inside, the thumbturn/handle will always retract the bolt allowing constant easy exit from the protected area. The cylinder key can be used to activate a holdback facility allowing the door to be left unlocked for ease of use (i.e. when carrying a large number of items through the door). The cylinder key can also be used to disable the combination altogether, allowing a manager to prevent access out of normal working hours.

Installation:

For narrow-stile aluminium-framed glazed doors the Adams-Rite latch and associated hardware are installed in the normal way. The 3000 assembly simply fits on the outside face of the door over the cylinder location. Timber doors require careful morticing and the correct set of accessories to suit the door thickness. Clean and lubricate the lock with WD40 or similar as ordinary oil attracts dirt and will eventually damage the lock.

Changing the combination

If a wrong combination is entered while operating the lock, turn the outside thumbturn to the left (anticlockwise) and release. This will clear any incorrectly pressed buttons then proceed to enter in the correct combination.

If your lock is opening on every turn of the knob or lever, but won’t open when entering a code, your lock may be in what we call a ZERO CODE. If this is the case, follow the procedure below for setting a new combination but miss out instruction 3.

Important: Perform this procedure with the DOOR OPEN. You should be able to enter the factory set code (or your old code if the factory set code has previously been changed) and retract the latch.

To change the combination, you will need the DF59 Control Key supplied with the lock & a small flat blade screwdriver.

Please read the following instructions at least once to ensure you understand the method before trying to change the combination.
When first purchased, most Simplex/Unican locks will be on a factory pre-set combination of 2 and 4 pressed at the same time, then 3 on it’s own.

1. It is necessary to use the DF59 Control Key provided with the lock to remove the lock assembly and trim plate. Insert the key into the keyway on the back of the lock and turn the key continuously to the left (anticlockwise) until the lock assembly can be removed and you can see the combination change slot.

2. Turn the outside thumbturn to the left (anticlockwise) as far as it will go and then release it. This is to ensure the lock has any previously used buttons cleared from its ‘memory’.

3. Enter your existing combination. Make sure you press each button firmly and release when you hear or feel it ‘click’.

4. Insert a screwdriver into combination change slot & turn screwdriver to the right (clockwise) to the stop position. You should feel a slight click. Turn the screwdriver back to the left (anticlockwise) to stop, and remove.

5. Turn the thumb piece to the left (anticlockwise) to the stop position and release. This is to clear out clear your old combination.

6. Choose a new combination, write it down. This combination can be as easy or as difficult as you wish. You can use just a single button as your code, however, this is not recommended as it would be easy for someone else to work out the combination and gain entry without your permission. Ideally, choose a code that uses both double button and single button presses. For instance, press 1 & 3 at the same time and release, then press 4 on its own. This code would be difficult for someone else to work out on their own but is easy for you to open as it takes only 2 actions to effect entry. With the door open, enter this new combination. Press each button fully and release it. You should feel a click each time you press a button telling you that the button was fully depressed.

7. Turn the external thumbturn to the right (clockwise) as far as it will go and this will set your new combination & retract the latch bolt. Release the thumbturn.

8. Replace the lock assembly and trim plate by inserting threaded rod portion into the combination change sleeve and turning to the right (clockwise) until trim plate is snug up against stile of door. The DF59 Control Key can be removed from the control lock assembly in a vertical or horizontal position only. With the door still open, try the lock again to make sure the code is working correctly.

6000 Series Combination Lock

The 6000 series lock is a much more robust unit than the 7000 series in a few different ways. Although not classed as a heavy duty unit, it uses the same heavy duty latch bolt that is fitted to the heavy duty 1000 series lock. The lock is designed so that the body can be used as a pull handle and is supplied with a large knob handle on the inside making it much easier to use than the 7000 series lock. Because of its size, it is necessary to have a door stile of 127mm and will fit doors of 35mm - 54mmm thick.
Available in a very attractive brass finish as well as the popular satin chrome version. An ideal lock for office use, light industrial and home use also.

Unican 7000

7000 Series Combination Door Lock Pro's & con's of the 7000 series locks. Quite a robust unit, and one of the most common, but intended for use in low traffic situations such as staff locker rooms, storage areas etc. The operation is by thumbturn which does not make this the most user friendly mechanical lock in the world. One major problem is where there is a strong door closer on the pull side of the door, the thumbturn is too small to be used to pull the door open. This means that it is often necessary to fit an additional handle and use two hands to open the door.      The lock is designed to cover even the large hole left in a door after the removal of mortice knobset handles. A large cover plate is also supplied with each unit. Fitting the lock is straightforward although a 35mm hole saw will be needed to make the job easier. As with all of the other Unican units on these pages, the operation is not only by pressing the correct code, but by pressing the correct code in the correct sequence using the five buttons on the face of the unit. In other words, it is necessary to enter 2 & 4 at the same time and then 3 on its own to open the lock on its factory setting. Many other manufacturers units have more buttons and look more secure as a result, but in fact have less ‘differs’. Because it is not necessary on these cheaper units to enter the code in the correct sequence ( for instance, the code 1,6,3,4 can be entered as 6,3,4,1 ) it is possible for unauthorised persons to guess at the numbers used by looking at wear on the buttons and thereby open the lock. Two versions are available - one with a rim lock fitted to the inside of the door (as seen in the small inset picture) which has a hold open facility, and the standard unit which uses the thumbturn on the inside and a tubular latch. Unican 7000 Series Combination Locks Changing The Combination IMPORTANT: The following steps must be performed while the DOOR IS OPEN. 1. Turn the outside thumbturn to the left until it stops, then release. 2. Press in existing cmbination (press buttons 2 and 4 together, release, press buttn 3, release. 3. Using a Phillips screwdriver, slowly turn the central piece of the combination change assembly to the right until it stops. A slight click should be felt. (see figure 1) Fig 1 IMPORTANT: When removing the screwdriver, the central piece must return to its initial position. If not, set it back to its orginal position using the screwdriver. If the central piece of the combination change assembly does not return to its original position, the combination will be cancelled and the lock will jam. 4. TURN THE OUTSIDE THUMBTURN LEFT UNTIL IT STOPS. (see fig 2b) IMPORTANT: When setting a new combination, completely turn the outside thumbturn to the left UNTIL IT STOPS. If this is not done, the new combination will not be valid. Fig 2b 5. Choose your new combination, write it down and then carefully press the buttons in all the way (a slight click should be felt as each button is depressed). 6. Turn completely the outside thumbturn to the right until it stops the latch should then retract. (see fig 2a) Fig 2a 7. Release the outside thumbturn; the latch should return to its initial completely extended position. 8. Try to turn the thumbturn to the right again without pressing in the combination. The thumbturn should NOT turn. If it does move, the combination was not properly entered. 9. Press in the correct new combination to retract the latch and turn the outside thumbturn to the right. The latch should retract. 10. If a wrong combination was pressed, turn the thumbturn to the left until it stops (as in fig 2b). This should clear the last combination pressed. Press in the correct combination. Turn the thumbturn to the right until it stops. The latch retracts. If not, try again. 11. If, without pressing in the combination, you can retract the latch by turning the outside thumbturn to the right, it means you did not follow the instructions properly and therefore no combination was entered. In this case you must repeat all the instructions in Setting a new combination (Step 8), except #2 as the lock does not have a combination NOTES a- You can use one or all of the buttons, together or individually, to create your own combination. However no button can be used more than once. We do not recommend the use of single button combinations. b- IT IS ESSENTIAL TO TURN THE OUTSIDE THUMBTURN UNTIL IT STOPS when you set a new combination or when you want to open the door. If at one point during the setting of a new combination the outside thumbturn was not completely turned, this could cancel this operation and you would have to start over again. c- Turning the outside thumbturn to the left always cancels a wrong combination pressed.