What is "rim lock"

Rim \Rim\, n. [As. rima, reoma, edge; cf. W. rhim, rhimp, a rim, edge, boundary, termination, Armor, rim. Cf. Rind.]

1. The border, edge, or margin of a thing, usually of something circular or curving; as, the rim of a kettle or basin.

2. The lower part of the abdomen. [Obs.]
   --Shak.

   Arch rim (Phonetics), the line between the gums and the palate.

   Rim-fire cartridge. (Mil.) See under Cartridge.

   Rim lock. See under Lock.

Lock \Lock\, n. [AS. loc inclosure, an inclosed place, the fastening of a door, fr. l[=u]can to lock, fasten; akin to OS. l[=u]kan (in comp.), D. luiken, OHG. l[=u]hhan, Icel. l[=u]ka, Goth. l[=u]kan (in comp.); cf. Skr. ruj to break. Cf. Locket.]

1. Anything that fastens; specifically, a fastening, as for a door, a lid, a trunk, a drawer, and the like, in which a bolt is moved by a key so as to hold or to release the thing fastened.

2. A fastening together or interlacing; a closing of one thing upon another; a state of being fixed or immovable.

   Albemarle Street closed by a lock of carriages.
   --De Quincey.

3. A place from which egress is prevented, as by a lock.
   --Dryden.

4. The barrier or works which confine the water of a stream or canal.

5. An inclosure in a canal with gates at each end, used in raising or lowering boats as they pass from one level to another; -- called also lift lock.

6. That part or apparatus of a firearm by which the charge is exploded; as, a matchlock, flintlock, percussion lock, etc.

7. A device for keeping a wheel from turning.

8. A grapple in wrestling.
   --Milton.

   Detector lock, a lock containing a contrivance for showing whether it as has been tampered with.

   Lock bay (Canals), the body of water in a lock chamber.

   Lock chamber, the inclosed space between the gates of a canal lock.

   Lock nut. See Check nut, under Check.

   Lock plate, a plate to which the mechanism of a gunlock is attached.

   Lock rail (Arch.), in ordinary paneled doors, the rail nearest the lock.

   Lock rand (Masonry), a range of bond stone.
   --Knight.

   Mortise lock, a door lock inserted in a mortise.

   Rim lock, a lock fastened to the face of a door, thus differing from a mortise lock.

n. A lock and plate fixed to the surface of a door rather than morticed within the door.

A rim lock is a locking device that attaches to the surface of a door.

The original type of lock used in England and Ireland. It is of a basic design originally of a very stiff lever and a bolt with wards being the block. As wards were outdated in the centre of the key, it became normal for them to be placed on the sides of the bit. Although today these are still produced they are mostly for internal doors and are not used for high security. Older locks could be as large as 40 cm by 25 cm. Most rimlocks used today on exterior doors in the British Isles are nightlatches.

Category:Locks (security device)