Surface mounted rack and pinion lock is one of the most common options for locking garage doors. The article describes the scope of this locking device, its advantages and disadvantages, design and principle of operation. You will get an idea of ​​the forward and reverse mechanisms, key features, get acquainted with the principle of selection, average cost and manufacturers.

Unassuming and sturdy

Scope of rack locks

In their modern form, rack and pinion locks appeared during the period of industrialization. These simple devices were widespread in the Soviet period, and today, despite the abundance of more complex and sophisticated models, they do not lose their popularity. The area of ​​application of rack and pinion (another name - crossbar) locks is wide enough; they can be found on street gates, doors of utility and technical rooms, sheds, change houses and shopping pavilions-shells.

Very often they are installed on garage doors. The rack and pinion lock for the garage is fastened from the inside in an overhead way; to metal doors (gates) with bolts, to wooden doors using self-tapping screws. In a residential area, it is often used as an additional locking device.

Castle construction

As a mechanism of the old design, the rack and pinion lock is simple in design. Its construct consists of four parts:

Frame... Locks are made both industrially and handicraftly, therefore the body has various sizes and shapes and is made of different alloys (more often from steel, plain or galvanized).

Rack lock device

Rail(bolt, bolt). Locking device; as a rule, a rectangular metal rod, on which several grooves are milled (cut) at a selected angle. The number, width, depth and angle of inclination of the grooves are freely selected. Usually there are devices with two or three crossbars. Many models have one large transom in a classic rectangular shape.

Spring... Squeezes (pushes) the rail when the lock is closed.

Key... Long rod with round or rectangular cross-section (also flat). It is the most labor-consuming (and therefore expensive) part to manufacture.

Features of the key and the principle of operation of the mechanism

The key is the most labor-consuming element of the device due to the need for tool processing. The difficulty lies in observing the dimensions when cutting and further adjusting the resulting grooves - they must have a width and angle exactly corresponding to the grooves on the slats. It depends on the accuracy of adherence to the dimensions (the experience of the master) whether the operation of the bolt mechanism will be flawless.

Components of the mechanism

Cutting on the key is done one- and two-sided; after its completion, manual debugging is required. It is not so easy and quite expensive to make a duplicate deadbolt key. You will need to select a workpiece of the desired shape, length and thickness, and then cut the correct grooves (the slightest deviation will lead to jamming and jamming of the mechanism, which is very unpleasant).

The internal rack and pinion garage lock has a different feature from other models: there is no secret mechanism in it. The rack is spring-driven. To open (or close) a door, the key in the key hole is not turned; you just need to drown it, pushing it all the way. In this case, the grooves on the key are consistently aligned with the internal grooves of the rail. When all of them are interlocked, turning the key finally compresses the spring, the rail moves inside the case, opening the door.

Fixing diagram of a lock with two rectangular crossbars

On our site you can find contacts of construction companies that offer. You can communicate directly with representatives by visiting the Low-Rise Country exhibition of houses.

In addition to the forward motion mechanism described above, there is a variety - a rack and pinion reverse lock. The device is structurally a little more complicated, which makes it a more reliable option. To open such a lock, you need to perform the following set of actions:

The key is completely immersed in a well.

To the lock unlocked and opened, the key is turned a quarter of a turn and then pulled.

To extract the key, the actions are performed in the reverse order.

Close the lock(of any design) you can manually holding the bolt in the retracted position with your fingers and slamming the door.

Pros and cons of rack and pinion locks

Despite the morally outdated design, many opt for a rack and pinion garage lock. Buying such a device means taking advantage of the following benefits:

Strength and durability... The extremely simple structure of the mechanism, consisting of a lock, rails and springs, makes it particularly wear-resistant. Rack locks without breakage or jamming work for 30-40 years with active daily use.

Key blank marking

Simple operation... A quick and easy way to close doors, requiring little effort.

Unpretentiousness... The castle is undemanding to weather conditions; it works equally reliably throughout the year, is indifferent to moisture, is not afraid of ice. This set of qualities makes the rack and pinion lock ideal for outdoor use.

Budget price... The rack locks offered on the market are significantly superior to other models in terms of their affordability. The low cost is due to an easy-to-manufacture mechanism and competition with more advanced locking systems.

Simple installation and maintenance... Rack locks have no installation restrictions; they are easy to attach to any door of suitable thickness. Like any metal mechanism, the lock needs periodic lubrication, which is put into the keyhole, using a key.

Video description

About the device of the bolt lock in the following video:

If you need an unpretentious garage lock, you can buy a rack and pinion device if you are aware of the following disadvantages:

Low resistance to burglary... The main disadvantage of such locking mechanisms is a consequence of the primitive design. Due to the ease of opening such locks, it is advisable to use them in a protected area or to install them together with a second device.

Difficulty making a duplicate key... Replacing a lost key, which, as a rule, is non-standard, means choosing a blank of the desired shape and size, and then finishing it by hand. The professionalism of the master comes to the fore.

Difficulty to use... Some force is needed to move the key along the teeth, which can be difficult for children and the elderly.

Key size... Not everyone is comfortable with constantly carrying a long (10-15 cm) and rather heavy metal rod.

Handicraft castle

Choice of rack and pinion

A unique property of a lock for an internal garage, which can be bought in any specialized store, is that it is almost impossible to accidentally break it. Despite the simplicity of the mechanism, high-quality models are supplied with a quality certificate indicating the parameters. Certain requirements are imposed on the lock rail:

Reiki movement in the body should be free and smooth. Jamming indicates insufficient or uneven clearance with the housing; it is obvious that this lock is a poor quality product.

Fixing the rail in the extended position should be secure. Otherwise, the use of force will cause the bolt to return to the body - the door will open.

The rail is made from enough hard alloy capable of withstanding a power load of 200-300 kg.

Size (diameter) of sliding rods should match the size of the holes as closely as possible.

When purchasing the product, make sure that the case is no traces of rust and dents.

Video description

About the garage reverse lock in the following video:

When choosing, you need to pay attention to the conformity of the dimensions and weight of the product to the thickness of the garage door. The thickness of the metal sash to which the lock will be attached should not be thinner than 4 mm, otherwise the weighty mechanism will cause metal deformation.

Technology does not stand still; in order to increase the safety class of overhead rack and pinion locks, their design is being complicated. The market offers multi-stop devices supplemented with burglar-proof pins. The mechanisms are equipped with safety latches and devices that include interlocking using a door handle (when closing it must be raised to a predetermined angle). Various improvements allow the lock to better resist burglary attempts.

Rack lock cost

Due to the versatility of a simple design with retractable crossbars fixed on a rail that interacts with the key, such locking devices are unremittingly popular.

Reverse lock

The price of products varies in a fairly wide range. It depends on the degree of complexity and reliability of the lock, on the size and material of manufacture of the locking system. If you are thinking of installing a rack and pinion lock for a garage, you can buy a similar product in Moscow and the region at the following average prices:

Model with one rectangular transom- 380 rubles, with two rectangular crossbars - 490 rubles.

Model with 3 cylindrical ledgers... The price is in the range of 550-600 rubles.

Model with a rectangular crossbar, for a cruciform key (with the possibility of replacing the secrecy mechanism): 900-1000 rubles.

Reinforced lock, 3 cylindrical crossbars, from the inside opens with a handle - 1100 rubles; with 4 crossbars -1200 rubles.

The model is similar to the previous one, additionally equipped with gate valve(can be locked from the inside) - 1300 rubles.

Model with four crossbars and a latch under the handle, from the inside opens with a key - 2150-2600 rubles.

Lock Maxbar(Germany). Main locking: deadbolt latch, additional locking: locking pins. Price: 2900-3300 rub.

Lock Mottura(Italy). In various models (which are divided into right and left) there are 3-5 crossbars; price - 6500-6700 rubles.

Mid-range castle

Conclusion

Locks produced under the brands KFV (Germany), Albrio (Serbia) and Elementis (China) are certified according to international standards; they have an excellent price / quality ratio and have already proven themselves from the best side. If you want to purchase a rack and pinion locking device with a higher level of reliability, pay attention to the electromechanical models of the companies Cisa (Italy), YLI Electronic, Viatec and Atis (China).