In this article, a tough new Marks USA Protector Series LA118J Classroom Maximum
Security Mortise Lock is installed onto a pre-prepped wood mount. For added strength, the sample LA118J is equipped with exterior and interior lever override guard.
To put it simply, door locks take a beating, even in the normal day-to-day operation. Drooping levers and loose knobs are some of the more common results of heavy-handed operations. With these problems and an increasing amount of vandalism, the average door lock does not stand a chance.
As a solution, Marks USA has designed the Protector Series mortise locks to withstand high traffic and abusive situations. These ANSI specification A156.13-2002, series 1000, Grade 1 mortise locks"have a minimum of 1.5 million life cycle test," according to Marks. They are UL Listed three-hour fire rating, and can be ordered with levers that meet the ADA, Life Safety, and local jurisdictions.
To maintain longevity, Marks USA cast stainless steel latches and deadbolts are standard. The stainless steel latch has a 3/4" throw and is field-reversible. Friction-proof fingers are designed to reduce the amount of pressure required to retract the latch in order to close the door. The stainless steel deadbolt provides a stronger lock mechanism between the door and the jamb. In addition, each deadbolt is equipped with two hardened steel pins to resist sawing.
To increase the level of security, the Protector Series comes standard with 1/8" thick stainless steel trim plates and levers. This trim is secured to the door with four thru-bolts from the interior side of the door. Four tamper-resistant screws thread into four 1/4" diameter screw posts welded onto the exterior trim. The two center bolts pass through the lock body approximately one-half inch above and below the hub mechanism. This thru bolting helps to align the mortise cylinder, the trim plates, and the levers to the lock body during installation. The levers are interconnected to the trim plates, requiring the trim to be taken off the door before a lever can be removed. Each lever is connected to the hub mechanism with a separate spring-loaded spindle. The spindles slide into individual slots on each side of the lock body.
The standard Protector Series mortise lock is equipped with a surface-mounted lever override guard on the exterior side of lock body. The lever override guard is metal plate affixed to a spindle. Rotating the lever rotates the lever override guard between the two center screw posts. The shape of the lever override guard limits rotation, contacting one of the screw posts at a rotation of approximately 60 degrees. When locked, the hub locking mechanism slides into a slot in the exterior override guard, preventing rotation at the lever override guard.
When excessive force is applied to the lever, the spindle absorbs the force."When excessive torque is applied, the spindle will eventually break usually without causing damage to any other part," according to Marks USA. For high abuse applications, the Protector Series mortise locks are available with an interior override guard.
For this article, we will install a Marks USA Protector Series LA118J Mortise Lock onto a pre-prepped wood mount. The LA118 indicates the American lever. The"J" indicates Classroom function, ANSI F05, key locked/unlocked from the exterior, with the interior always free for immediate exit. The sample LA118J was equipped with exterior and interior lever override guard.
Note: For new installation, the use of a door mortiser will simplify the installation. If a door mortiser is not available, a sharp one-inch wood bit is required to drill six adjacent holes along the middle of the door edge. Use a sharp chisel to remove excess wood from the mortise pocket. Remove the material for the front. Once the mortise lock fits into the door edge, mark the locations for the levers, lock cylinder, and thru-bolts.
The dimensions of the Marks USA"J" function mortise lock body are six inches long (eight inches at the front), four inches deep, and one inch thick.
The Marks USA Protector Series Mortise Locks are handed. However, the handing is field-reversible. To change the handing of the Classroom function lock, the latch and auxiliary latch must be reversed, and the hubs must be reversed.
The hubs must be reversed as the exterior side of the lock is reversed when the handing is changed. This makes the outside, the inside, and vise versa.
Step 1. Remove the five Phillips head screws securing the cover onto the mortise body.
Step 2. Disengage the hubs from the lever support springs. There is one lever support spring for each hub.
Step 3. Lift the hubs out of the lock body.
Step 4. Insert the hubs in reverse order, engaging one lever support spring per hub.
Step 5. Carefully lift the lever stop and the locking piece assembly out of the lock body. These two parts must be removed in order to reverse the latches.
Step 6. Carefully lift the latch out of the lock body.
Step 7. Slide the auxiliary latch into the lock body, and slide it off the armature.
Step 8. Reverse its position and reinstall.
Step 9. Slide the latch washer towards the latch and insert into the lock body.
Step 10. Release the washer to spring load the latch.
Step 11. Install the locking piece assembly. Be sure to attach the spring.
Step 12. Install the lever stop. Test the lever stop to be certain it locks and unlocks the outside hub.
Step 13. Slide the cover onto the lock body.
Step 14. Install the five Phillips head screws. Test the operation of the mortise lock. If the lock does not operate smoothly, loosen the screws and make sure the parts that slide into the slots in the cover and body are in their proper positions.
To install the Marks USA Protector Series LA118J Mortise Lock:
Step 1. Slide the mortise lock body into the mount edge with the opening for the lock cylinder at the top.
Step 2. Loosely attach the mortise lock body into the mount using the two one-inch-long Phillips head wood screws.
Step 3. Place the exterior lever override guard with integral spring-loaded spindle into the exterior trim lever opening. The override guard is installed with the lever perpendicular to the trim.
Step 4. Slide the trim onto the mount with the spindle sliding into the mortise lock hub.
Step 5. With the key out of the keyway, thread the mortise cylinder into the lock body.
Step 6. Place the interior lever override guard with integral spring-loaded spindle into the interior trim lever opening. The override guard is installed with the lever perpendicular to the trim.
Step 7. Slide the trim onto the mount with the spindle sliding into the mortise lock hub.
Step 8. While maintaining the exterior and interior trim in position, start each of the four tamper-resistant screws. Test the operation of the levers and the mortise cylinder.
Step 9. Tighten the two Phillips head wood screws securing the lock body to the mount.
Step 10. Tighten the four tamper-resistant screws with a number ten tool.
Step 11. Tighten the mortise cylinder. Test the operation of the levers and the mortise cylinder.
Step 12. Install the lock front using the two supplied tamper-resistant screws. Use a number six tool to tighten these screws. Test the operation of the levers and the mortise cylinder.
The Protector Series Mortise Locks are designed to accommodate 1-5/8" to 2-1/4" thick doors. They are designed to accept a 1-1/8" mortise lock cylinder. The Protector Series Mortise Locks are available in 35 functions from dummy to intruder deadbolt to entrance. Marks USA Protector Series mortise locks have a lifetime mechanical warranty.
For more information, contact your local locksmith wholesaler or Marks USA, 5300 New Horizons Blvd, Amityville, NY 11701. Telephone: 631-225-5400 or 800-526-0233. Fax: 631-225-6136. Web site: www.marksusa.com.
