Locksmith Dictionary E-H

Resources for Tools & Training Materials

• E - Ear of Key or Shoulder  
• F - Face Plate  
• G - Grand Master Key  
• H - Hasp  

   Locksmith Dictionary: I - L

   Locksmith Dictionary: A - D

• ear of key or shoulder The projecting stop on one or both edges of a pin tumbler or other key near the bow to prevent the key from being pushed too far into the lock.
• easy actionA lock is designed so that only light spring pressure is required to move the bolt ; additional spring pressure is required to move the follower and lock furniture. This is necessary especially when lock furniture comprises of lever handles, the handles then return to their correct position.
• edge-bore
• effective plug diameter
• en suiteTo indicate that locks are incorporated in a master keyed system or keyed alike en-suite.
• escutcheonThe cover for the key hole of a mortice or similar lock.
• extractor

• face plate The outer of a double forend. A strip of metal fixed to the inner forend, thus forming a double forend.
• false notches or false gating 1.The notches in the bar of the levers and the bolt stump of some locks to improve the security against attempted picking.
  2. Cuts or notches which are put in some keys to give the appearance of greater intricacy although they serve no useful purpose.
• final exit door The exit door through which entry must later be obtained, and so cannot be bolted. It is usually the front entrance door or final means of exiting.
• flat steel key A key which is completely flat on both sides, usually used for warded or lever tumbler locks.
• flush bolt A door which can be recessed flush into the edge or face of a door.
• follower That part of the latchbolt or springbolt mechanism containing a square hole to admit the spindle (to which furniture is attached) which withdraws the springbolt when turned. It has one or two projections or horns which act on the bolt foot.
• forend That part of the lock or latch through which the bolt(s) protrude, and by which the lock or latch is fixed to the door.
• four-way lock A rim lock so made that it can be fitted as either a right hand or left hand installation on doors opening either inwards or outwards, without alteration, except that in some types the springbolt may need reversing.
• full mortise Pertaining to a method of installation in which only the face plate and trim is exposed. The lock case is installed in a pocket in the door or drawer.
• full rebated(lock or forend) A mortice lock or latch with a specially shaped forend and striking plate to suit the shaped meeting edge of a single door which overlaps the door frame or a pair of doors which overlap each other - and such overlap or rebate is at the centre of the door thickness.
• full width padbar Usually purpose made, a steel bar spanning the full width opening of a door with supporting brackets or staples fixed to the frame and secured by a padlock.
• furniture The additional items needed, which are screwed to one or both sides of the door to enable a lock or latch to be manually operated.

• grand master key When a series of locks is divided into two or more sub-suites the key which controls all the sub-suites (i.e. all the locks in the entire complex) is called the grand master key.
• great grand master key One higher in degree than a grand master key. It is used only in very special arrangements of master keyed locks.
• grooves Long narrow milled out areas along the sides of the blade to allow the blade to bypass the wards in the keyway.
• guards A guard is a fixed part inside a lock to prevent false keys from turning, or to prevent an instrument from reaching the bolt or levers.
• gunmetal Another term for bronze.

• hasp A hinged metal strap designed to be passed over a staple and secured in place.
• hasp and staple A fastening in two pieces for a door or box to be secured by a padlock. The hinged part is called the hasp and shuts over the staple. For real security it is essential to use a hasp and staple with concealed fixing.
• heel & toe locking Describes a padlock which has locking dogs at both the heel and toe of the shackle.
• heel (of a padlock shackle) The part of a padlock shackle which is retained in the case when in the unlocked position.
• hinge bolts Fixed steel protrusions fitted into the rear edge or hinge side of doors, closing into holes cut into the door frame, to protect from forced attack on the hinge side of the door.
• hold back stop A thumb slide on the case of a cylinder rim nightlatch or in the forend of a cylinder mortice lock used either to hold back or alternatively deadlock the main bolt.
• hollow post key A key with a bit projecting from a hollow cylindrical shaft.
• hook bolt A lock bolt shaped in the general outline of a hook. Normally used on sliding doors or where spreading of the frame and door is a possible attack.
• hookward key The ward is fixed in the lock case formed as part of a circle like a wheel ward, but with a return or flange so that a cut in the key to fit would be L shape.
• horizontal lock A mortice or rim lock having the follower hole further from the forend than the keyhole, but in the same horizontal plane. Used when knob furniture is specified to prevent the barking of knuckles on the door frame.