MacLock 1500 Blade Locking System

Residential High Security Locks without a Deadbolt

The commercial and residential door locking hardware industry has produced some significant product improvements over the years. Interchangeable cores, cylindrical locksets, patented key systems and lifetime finishes have all provided increased value to end users over the years. Improvements in mechanical locking mechanisms have included improvements with regard to unauthorized key duplication, or key control. Key control is often not a primary concern of homeowners, whereas resistance to brute force attacks often is. In fact, most lock manufacturers have failed to improve their products’ resistance to forced entry, the true test of high security locking systems.
Consumers have consistently identified resistance to forced entry as the determining factor when purchasing a higher security residential lock. Nearly two thirds of all break ins are made through entrance doors.

Over the years, increased sales of wrap around reinforcing plates, better deadbolts and multi point locks prove that the demand for locks with greater security will continue to increase. More recently, electronic alarm systems have become much more popular, and our customers will often say that they feel protected with their alarm systems. These alarms will only announce intruders as they enter and do absolutely nothing to prevent a brute force attack against their doors. Despite industry and consumer focus on high security, doors are still secured with dead bolts and latches as they have been for hundreds of years. These locking methods, however, have proven less than adequate. Most deadbolt installations offer little resistance to kicks and other attacks, because they provide only 1” of surface contact with the door jamb. This creates an inherent weak point. A good kick to the door will typically break the frame and casing and may break the deadbolt away from the door, or both. An overwhelming majority of homes are built with wooden jambs and in swinging doors that make kick ins just as likely today as they were a decade ago. While we may often install good improvements to the strike and run longer screws well into the studs behind the door frame, the resistance to brute force attack upon the door is still not as good as it could be. It is possible to install residential high security locks without a deadbolt, using the MacLock 1500.
Forced entry has finally been addressed through a revolutionary blade locking concept. Maclock has designed its patent pending model 1500 blade lock, primarily for retrofit residential lock market. The Maclock 1500 replaces a deadbolt’s single stress point with 28 inches of blade which transfer stress to steel strike plates mounted in the jamb. A deadlocking feature prevents entry by prying, and an extensive door/jamb contact of 28” makes jamb spreading nearly imposiible. Most significantly, impacts are dispersed across the 28” length, virtually eliminating door jamb and lock failure so common with deadbolts.
The Maclock Blade Lock has incredible customer appeal. It is completely unobtrusive. With the door closed, the 1500 cannot be distinguished from a deadbolt. Operation is simple and requires no instruction, because everyone knows how to operate a key and a thumb turn. And most importantly, the product’s security value is immediately recognized. Even the most uneducated customer understands that the holding power of a blade far exceeds that of a bolt.
In-house testing by Maclock reveals that the impact resistance of the model 1500 is remarkable. Test procedures were established per ANSI/BHMA A156.5-1992 section 10.7 “Bolt Impact Test” protocol. A 99.2 pound bullet was attached to a rope  above the door and swung  at the door from various distances. In all cases, wood jambs and in-swinging  doors were used. Several residential deadbolts were tested along with the 1500 and all passed Grade 3 and Grade 2 tests.
Grade 1 impact testing produced very different results. In this test, the 99.2 pound bullet is swung at the door twice in a 45 ½” arc, which equals 150 pounds of force. All deadbolts failed at grade 1. In one case, the bolt was bent at 90 degree angle and the lock failed. In another test the best residential lock was installed, and the strike was secured with four 3” screws extending through the jamb and into the studs. In this instance the bolt remained in tact, but the strike tore away from the jamb and the lock failed. The most common failure point  for deadbolts was the door jamb, which was usually splintered.
Maclock’s model 1500, on the other hand, easily passed the Grade 1 impact test. In fact, after withstanding the two required Grade 1 blows, testing personnel decided to continue until failure. The door withstood 10 additional blows for a total of 12, or 600% of the required number of Grade 1 blows. After 10 Grade 1 blows, testing was stopped and the operation checked. On the thirteenth Grade 1 blow, the door face separated from the rail and stiles, and the door opened. But incredibly, neither the Maclock 1500 nor its strike were damaged. The force required to cause failure of the Matlock 1500 has still not been determined. These test results are outstounding, particularly when considering the type of door used- a 26 gauge steel clad and styrofoam door. By using the most inexpensive, weakest entry door on the market, Maclock was able to accomplish Grade 1 testing in a worst case scenario. The door flexed and was even slightly creased, but the lock held.
Installation of the Matlock 1500 is accomplished with the use of special jigs. The door and frame are routed for the lock channel and strike. Only one standard bore (2 1/8” at 2 ¾”backset) is needed. The lock’s 1” wide range is also based on industry standards. The jamb rout is 3/8” deep, and unlike deadbolt holes, does not penetrate the jamb. Also, the 28” blade is long enough to provide unequaled impact resistance, yet short enough to utilize the pre-drilled 2 1/8” bore of nearly any door. Maclock trim hardware employs standard keying, and plugs with various manufacturer’s keyways can be ordered to allow keying flexibility.
The Maclock 1500 is brass plated and available in both single and double keyed versions. Carefully engineered dimensional and performance specifications make the 1500 practical for use in over 90% of residential doors. Future products include a double door version and variation for a wide variety of special applications.
Maclock is currently establishing exclusive dealers throughout the United States and abroad. The Maclock Authorized Dealer network will consist of locksmiths, remodelers, and independent business owners who are assigned territories of several million people. Dealers are responsible for promoting, selling, installing and servicing Maclock consumer products within their territories. They have the option of performing installations themselves or contracting work to Maclock certified locksmiths or contractors. This distribution plan is designed to maximize promotional efforts and to ensure that Maclock installation and service standards are met.
Maclock Authorized Dealers are forward thinking business owners who demonstrate integrity, sound business practices and a strong commitment to quality. The critical factor in distributor selection is an ability to promote new products and a willingness to devote significant resources to advertising and marketing. In view of the consumer’s demand for truly secure locks and Maclock’s exclusive ability to fulfill that demand, the opportunity for Maclock Authorized Dealers is phenomenal.
Blade locking technology promises to be the most significant mechanical security innovation in recent history. Unauthorized key duplication and rekeying will likely remain important issues to locksmiths as well as commercial consumers. However, the definition of commercial high security will ultimately be reshaped by the revolutionary concept of blade technology. The demand for higher security, higher quality locks by residential customers, which had gone unanswered by manufacturers in the past, has finally been addressed.