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Latch Terms

Actuation – The movement of the handle or latch portion, which is what causes the latch/unlatch function.

Alike Change – Multiple latches or locks that are able to use the same key.

Anti-Friction Latch Bolt – A latch bolt that is specifically designed to reduce friction.

Architectural Hardware – Hardware used in construction on movable components, such as doors, windows and cabinets.

Axle – A component that provides the bearing surface of the rotating rotor and latch mounting on a rotary latch.

Back Plate – The protective plate on the door onto which the moving parts of the latch are attached.

Bevel – A term that indicates the direction the latch bolt is inclined.

Cam – A tongue on the end of the plug of a latch.

Case – The part of the latch that contains the mechanism.

Catch – The part of the latch that allows for pawl retention.

Clamping Force – The force that is exerted from a latch, in order to draw two panels together.

Coaxial Mount – Allows for maximum strength of rotary latches by combining the standard mount with a second pivot on the bottom of the back plate.

Deadlocking Latch Bolt – A latch bolt with a plunger that is used to prevent the bolt from retraction by end pressure when the door is closed.

Direct Release Actuation – Unlatching by moving the handle or latch directly at the mechanism.

Dogging Device – A device used to fasten the cross bar in the depressed position to keep the latch bolt in the retracted position. This allows for free operation of the door on both sides.

Drop Ring – A ring handle that is attached to a spindle and is used to operate a latch. When not in use, the ring stays in the dropped position.

Four-Point Actuation – Unlocking by moving the handle or latch portion at multiple points.

Front – The area through which the latch bolt projects.

Hinged/Swinging Latch Bolt – A latch bolt that is hinged to the front and retracted by a swinging action.

Hook – A component that allows for a slam action function on a latch.

Latch Bolt – A spring bolt with a beveled edge that may be operated by a handle, knob or turn.

Lip – The projecting piece that the latch bolt strikes when the door is shut.

Mortise – The door cavity that receives the mortise latch.

Plate – The body of the latch, which provides the structural strength.

Plunger – A sliding component of a latch that provides retention for a strike.

Roller Strike – A strike with a rolling member that reduces friction at the point of the latch bolt contact.

Snib – A small switch on a nightlatch, which prevents the latch from being operated when closed.

Springbolt – A bolt that can be pushed back into the lock case and is able to return to the original position without assistance.

Stop – The button that locks or unlocks the latch bolt against the outside knob.

Strike – A metal plate used for protection, which is placed in the doorjamb and receives the latch when the door is closed. This is usually “t”-shaped and has a single hole.

Template Hardware – Hardware that is made exactly to template, precisely matching the spacing of holes and dimensions.

Throw – The maximum projection at which a bolt is fully extended.

Transom Catch – A fastener that is applied to the transom, and has a ring that is used to retract the latch bolt.

Universal – A latch or other piece of hardware that can be used on any door.