Meroni Nova Colors And Functions

In answer to a recent customer inquiry about some color finish options, to replace the locksets installed on their doors at home about 20+ years ago, we decided to put together actual live images photographed ourselves in our home studio light box. Not being professional photographers we hope the images below sufficiently display the actual colors you will see if you fit the lock sets to your doors at home or the office....

Click on the image for larger pictures.

 This color finish is Nickel Aluminum finish

Code: N11 Passage Set
Color NA

Also available in N12 Privacy (bathroom) function

 this finish is PE or Pearl Grey (off white)

Code: N11 Passage
Color: PE

Also available in Privacy (bathroom) function

 Interior view

 This image displays the US2B Satin Stainless Steel color

Code: N11 Passage
Color US2B

Also available in Privacy (bathroom) function

 inside view

 This is the white handle with black buttons

Code: N12 Privacy
Color: BO White

Also available in Passage function

 This image displays the N12 Privacy in GG Gun Metal White

Code: N12 Privacy
Color GG Gun Metal White

Also available in Passage function

 inside view

 This image displays the N12 Privacy (bathroom) function in Gun Metal Grey

Code: N12 Privacy
Color: GW Gun Metal Grey

Also available in Passage function

 Inside view

 This image displays the N12 Privacy (bathroom) function is satin brass ALIA (brass buttons and face caps)

Code: N12

Color: US4 ALIA

Also available in Passage function

 inside view

 This image displays the N12 Privacy (bathroom) function in US4 Satin Brass (with black buttons and face caps)

Code N12
Color US4 Satin Brass

Also available in Passage function

 inside view

 This image displays the N12 Privacy (bathroom) function in US26 Alia, Polished Chrome

Code N12 privacy
Color US26 Alia (chrome buttons and face caps)

Also available in N11 passage function

 inside view

 This image displays the N12 Privacy (bathroom) function in US26D Satin Chrome

Note that the color is very similar to the first image above although it is slightly different.

Code: N12 privacy
Color US26 Satin Chrome (with black buttons and face caps)

Also available in N11 Passage function

Inside view


















The colors displayed above are just some of the available colors we have in stock.
We also have Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Brown, Polished Brass and others.

Many of the colors listed above can also be special ordered in:
N13 - Keyed Entry Version
N14 - Hotel Room Function (outside handle without push button) key only releases latch, inside handle always unlocked for emergency escape,
N15 - Double cylinder (key unlocks from either inside or outside),
N17 - Entry (key unlocks outside button, inside always unlocked),
N20 - Fixed Dummy Knobs (like for a cupboard door that doesnt require locking),
N21 - Outside fixed knob (no button)
N24 - Hotel Indicator Function (outside knob without push button, unlocked only by key; inside thumbturn activates occupancy indicator if provided)\

Normally, all Meroni hardware is custom built to order.
Be aware that there are varying length latches: 60mm (2-3/8"), 70mm (2-3/4"), 80mm (3") and 127mm (5"). latches are available in round ended or square ended faceplates, rebated (rabbited) version, most latches can be ordered with a security deadlatching function too.
Also, there are varying styles and colors of roses too. The standard rose (pictured in the images above) is black nylon. Other roses are available in black metal, satin stainless steel, polished chrome plate, satin brass, brown, antique brass (corinthian).

We do have sufficient stock of most colors in privacy and passage function.

Prices vary based on your custom requirements, contact us for individual pricing.

Battery Operated Lock Products Found Wanting - Are You Aware Of The Pitfalls?

There are many and varied brands of wireless digital door locks currently in the wider market. Many of these products we have discussed in this website and picture here. Many of the pictured products here operate on small batteries, either AA, AAA, 9V or even watch cell batteries. The market is quite vast with many of the leading manufacturers in the world also producing a wireless battery powered product to corner some market share too.

 I think it is somewhat interesting, having traveled abroad recently, that not as many European countries appear to share the fascination for wireless battery powered locks, quite like the USA.

I remember traveling to Canada a few years ago and noticed very few instances of wireless digital locks installed on residences and buildings there too.

So, this begs the question as to why there appears to be a consumer fascination for these electronic gadgets, especially in the largest market in the world, the USA.

 Having recently returned from abroad, I noticed that hardwired digital lock systems and access control products appear to be more favored there. Hardwired products offer significant longevity and advantages to wireless battery operation, but essentially there is never, ever a need to have to replace batteries. Replacing batteries, while an inconvenience, is a hidden ongoing cost, rarely considered by consumers.

 There are also a great many and varied commercial products in the wireless genre that continue to come to market, offering increased access control and some also include audit trails, among other desired traits. These products too require constant and never ending battery replacement to ensure correct and continuing operations. Often there will be a maintenance manager or janitor employed in a building responsible for replacing batteries and keeping every thing working normally. And when a product fails, it is often because lax maintenance is responsible. Batteries are not replaced timely enough and staff find themselves locked out, through no fault of their own.

 Some upmarket commercial access control products of the wireless variety are very good quality and offer some advantages to mechanical keyed systems, but they too require constant battery replacements to ensure continued operations.

There are some very interesting and quite good looking products that are quite functional on offer across the world. many also use remote fobs to lock or unlock and, of course, these remote fobs require batteries replaced too. The hidden costs are not discussed by manufacturers or retailers and many consumers are in the dark about the longterm disadvantages of having to constantly replace batteries.

 We have been selling the wireless battery operated electric strike, here for a few years now, but this product is not immune either to the continuing need to replace batteries.

We are also the North American distributor for the fabulous Meroni line of lock products and even their digital battery operated product requires continual battery replacement for continued operation,

 The issues listed above about battery life are not the only problems plaguing the wireless lock industry. Many brands also use motor driven deadbolts that require the door and frame to be in perfect alignment so the bolt can enter the strike and frame. If there is door movement or weathering, frames can move and impede the natural locking/unlocking of your product. Other use issues occur due to poorly installed doors. Most doors found in America today, on residential homes and even some commercial dwellings are built from wooden doors and frames, often installed using short screws in the hinges to attach to the frame.

 The IBC (International Building Code) accepted and gazetted by many American localities, demand that the height of the operating door handle be 36" from the floor. When the original building code was written by the Army Corp Of Engineers in 1949, the average height of an American Adult was 5'6" tall, while today the average height (male/female) is 5'10" tall.

 Understanding a persons height is important because the average door is about 6'8" tall in North America. In many other countries, people install their locks significantly higher. The reason is simple. The lower the handle, the likelihood of you pushing down on the handle is higher and that continued downward pressure contributes to door sagging. The half inch screws in your hinges cannot take the weight of the door combined with constant pushing down on the handle, so the door drops. You often see this by the rubbing of the upper portion of your door on the frame and a wider gap at the top on the lock side than the gap on the hinge side. Also, sometimes your door will drag on the floor.

 I do a fair amount of commercial locksmith and door repair work and often see these electronic battery operated locks in the field. I often ask my customers as to their happiness with the products. Many, who have been using them for quite some time, have realized that the chore of constantly replacing batteries is becoming far too common and often and they make the choice to remove batteries altogether, preferring to go back to the mechanical, maintenance free key lock system.

 So what do i recommend?

I'm glad you asked.
I always ask the customer why they want a digital door lock in the first place.
Most simply desire the convenience of not having to carry a key and that they cannot be locked out if they have a combination.
I then ask how often they have had to replace batteries.
The most common answer I get is, "once every 2-3 months, sometimes more".

 When I press a little bit further, the clients who might have had them for longer, often indicate that after the fourth time replacing the batteries, they simply go back to using the mechanical key.

This indicates to me that many customers are now using their you beaut $250+ wireless battery operated door lock identically to when they simply had a mechanical key. Many keyed door locks cost significantly less than $250+, so that is a clear indication (to me) that they are not receiving the value for their money.

 With WiFi and Bluetooth and NFC components being included in many later models of battery operated door locks, there is more requirement for power to be able to use the products. Why would you rely on batteries constantly to power these power hungry products? Batteries can only last so long, no? And often they will fail when you least expect them or require them.

As to my recommendations on products that can offer the best of both worlds, you might consider the Kaba Powerplex digital door  lock that uses an electro-mechanical power module embedded within, that when the handle is turned, the unit powers up enough juice to enter your combination. No need to ever replace batteries yet still the convenience of electronic combination entry.
Certainly not cheap. Quality products cost more of course, but the Kaba Powerplex delivers where other products fail.

In the next week I will be repairing a customers back door mechanical door lock. They initially requested another electronic deadbolt for the convenience of not having to carry a key. (my service call that day to them was to unlock another digital door lock that wasnt operating. It was of course a flat battery) I recommended that they install a mechanical key box like the Supra brand wall mounted heavy duty mechanical digital key box to the cement wall outside their home and place their operating key inside. That way they can maintain the original lock on the door and still enjoy the convenience of not having to carry their key, for the paltry cost of about $35 plus installation.

The choice is yours. I'd be interested to hear your comments in the box below. Comments are subject to moderation.

UFO3 - New Improved High Security Lock For Vans and Cargo Vehicles

We have been the North American distributors for the broad range of Meroni products for about 8 years now and recently aligned with another distributor based in Minnesota who is distributing the fabulous UFO range of high-security locks for delivery vans, tradespeople vans, trucks among other applications. The new distributor is in  Minnesota will cater primarily to the automotive sector with this product line. We will continue to support them with key duplication and creation requests.

You can see our articles already written about the UFO range by Meroni by clicking here

The above video shows the installation steps for the newest model the UFO3.

The straightforward installation procedure can be handled easily by a trained technician or almost anybody, provided they have the correct tools and follow the guidelines in the instructions.

There is another new product, recently developed with Meroni in Europe aimed at UFO range of high-security automotive locking products that is a Cloud-Controlled access control system designed for fleet operators to enable simple access control for their fleets of deliver and transportation vehicles.

The UFO Cloud is a system that uses the SHA256 Encrypted Communication Protocol based on the design developed by the NSA.

The practicality of the UFO Cloud, transforms mechanical keyed products into a virtual keychain using a cellphone app and dedicated dashboard.

For further details on the UFO Cloud and the wide range of UFO products by Meroni, check the source below.

(source...)

As Winter Approaches - Now May Be The Time To Get Proactive To Protect Family, Customers, Friends and Strangers

The current seasonal shift is well underway, no matter what part of the planet you live on.

Of course with the northern hemisphere changing over to Winter, so come the inevitable virus', colds, flu, pneumonia and other potentially life threatening illnesses.

An often over looked issue, that faces all of us regularly is the transference of potentially harmful pathogens that can occur when differing users might touch or operate a door handle, safety bar, handrail etc. Do you know who touched the item before you? Do you care?

A little over 7 years ago we wrote an article about the recently released (at the time) blockbuster movie, starring Matt Damon and Gwyneth Paltrow. We included the preview in our article too. (See the article we wrote in October 2011, below).

When you go to a hospital or medical clinic, you hope that the managers of such public places care enough about the health and welfare of their consumers to have policies and rules in place to mitigate any harm potentially caused therein, right?

I'm sure you have seen and continue to see many private and public places include a pump bottle of hand sanitizer near a restroom and often signs posted inside a restroom requiring employees to wash hands prior to handling food or after using the facilities. This modern day policy stemmed from the outbreak of the highly contagious H1N1 virus that threatened many thousands of people all across the planet. Luckily the quick action of governments worldwide and especially the CDC in America, stemmed the threat, but not before thousands of people, animals, birds etc, were slaughtered or died.

See our post from October 1, 2011.

Contagion

Just last week my wife and I went to see this movie. I found it to be one of the most entertaining suspense filled films I have seen in ages.

It stars Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, Lawrence Fishburne and a gaggle of other big name stars.

The storyline involves a woman who returns home to the USA from abroad who has been in contact with someone who passed on a virus to her. Anything or anyone she came into contact with seemed to also contract the contagious virus.

To make a long story short, many millions of people become infected and die before a cure is found.

The realism in this fictional movie was astounding. The film director makes the audience feel that the whole scenario is entirely plausible and probable.

The recent bird flu and H1N1 virus' that the world contracted in the last couple of years, makes this film even more realistic and topical.

Why do I post this review here?

I am the exclusive USA importer/distributor of the sensational Serrature Meroni brand of locks and door and cabinet hardware from Italy. Serrature Meroni, a few years ago introduced a unique line of inventory that includes especially designed anti-bacterial polymer door knobs. These handles minimize the potential impact of transferring diseasebetween people.

Virtually all people touch a door knob to operate a door at home or work or the doctors surgery or a hospital or any other public building, in order to enter or exit a room or the building. All people rarely consider the likelihood of catching and spreading germs from unknowingly touching a surface that a possible infected carrier has also touched.

Remember when those recent well known virus' (Bird Flu and H1N1) were breaking news all over the media? Pharmacists, grocery stores and merchants everywhere suddenly began selling notoriously huge amounts of hand sanitizers and similar products. Many institutions enacted strict policies forcing people to use hand sanitizers as often as possible and some even required employees to wear face masks to minimize the potential spread of airborne diseases.

The realism of the movie Contagion, made me think about how easy it would be to spread disease.

But thanks to forward thinking companies like Serrature Meroni, we can now rest easier with the assurance that forward thinking home owners, hospital management, doctors surgeries, chemical research laboratories and other concerned proactive people, are taking steps to protect their customers, staff, friends and families from the potential deadly side effects of unknown or even known virus'.

Meroni Corporate Video

We are proud to continue representing the fabulous Serrature Meroni product lines to the North American market.

Above find Serrature Meroni's corporate video that shows the region where the corporate office is located, some of the factory and offices and some of the staff that work therein.

Serrature Meroni are one of Europe's leading manufacturers of specialty mechanical and electronic door lock products.

Products like their range of door closers


Unique Access Control products for doors in their electronic door lock range

European style Mortise Lock Cylinders

Ultra Nouveau Glass Door Hinges

Light Commercial Vehicle Lock Systems

Ergonomic and Especially Designed Mechanical Door Locks

Cupboard, Bureau, Cabinet and Furniture Mechanical Lock Systems

Unique OEM Mechanical Lock Systems

A few years ago, we were pleased to be among the initial group of visitors to their new factory located near the fabulous Lake Como, just outside Milan, Italy.

We continue to be the source for Meroni products in the North American markets. For experienced and understanding technical assistance in their product lines and availability, you are welcome to contact us for expert advice and support.

(source...)

Manufacturers Prices Are Increasing Again - How Much Is Too Much?

Distributors and manufacturers continue to increase their prices, driving up talks about inflation in our economy.

We heard from one of our local distributors two days ago that a number of manufacturers (listed below) have decided to increase their prices as of February 2018.

February:
HES: 2/1/18

Securitron: 2/1/18

Adams Rite: 2/1/18

Air Louvers: 2/1/18

Keri Systems: 2/1/18

Major Mfg: 2/1/18

Belwith: 2/5/18

PDQ: 2/5/18

Meroni Nova Entrance Set Installed In Place Of Very Old Schlage Privacy Knobset with 5 Inch Latch Backset

Image1

 A couple of days ago, a returning customer (we love these), requested to install a lockable knob to an office door at their home.

The particular door had about a 45 year old Schlage Privacy Knobset with a 5 inch (127mm) latch backset mechanism.
(see image 1)

The knob was in the color US26D or Satin Chrome (Nickel).

To measure the latch backset on your door, measure the distance between the edge of the door and the center of the handle.

Image 2

Image 3

(Image 3 shows the interior of the lock)







Now, finding an identical replacement entrance set would have been a time consuming chore, especially considering many manufacturers do not make 5" (127mm) latch backset mechanisms anymore. The standard residential latch backset mechanism in America is 2-3/8" (60mm), while the standard commercial latch backset mechanism in America is 2-3/4" (70mm).
(Image 2 shows a close up view of the original knob)

Luckily for us, as the North American distributor for the fabulous Serrature Meroni lock products, we keep a number of their unique handle and door hardware products in stock.

All the door handles in this beautiful home are in US26D (Satin Chrome) and we needed to be sure to provide a suitable entrance set that matched the interior decor of the house.

Image 4

 After removing the old lock and mechanism we replaced the latch mechanism with a Meroni 5" (127mm) latch backset mechanism.

(Image 4 is external) (Image 5 is internal)

Image 5

Image 6

Image 7

Image 6 shows the existing strike plate fitted to this beautiful frame. We decided to not install the accompanying Meroni strike plate, because to do so would have meant modifying the existing strike plate cutout in the frame and would have looked, amateur. Instead we modified the existing strike plate tom accept the Meroni latch

Image 7 shows the Meroni Nova N13 Entrance set, as it looks from inside. A turnbutton for inside use and key operated on the outside.

Image 8

Image 8 displays how beautifully the Meroni Nova N13, matches the decor of the house.

The lock is simple to operate and has no turning method. You simply push the button to operate the mechanism.

The broad color options of Meroni Doorware pleases discerning home owners and interior designers, wishing to match their doorware to color schemes of their homes.

Quite simple to install and operate, these products have been in the North American market about 20 years and enjoy great longevity because of their quality.

One extra benefit to using any of the range of Meroni doorware is the ease of use, especially for arthritis suffers or the physically challenged.

Competitively priced and user friendly, Meroni doorware offers customers nouveau - modern, aesthetically pleasing hardware to complement virtually any decor.

Available exclusively from Master Key Systems America LLC.

Meroni Pigio 1-13E Push-Pull Entrance Set Installed To High-Traffic Door In Luxury Car Dealership

Last week, we installed the Meroni Pigio 1-13E to a high-traffic door in a local luxury car dealership.
As expected, teething problems occur with many new products. We went back today to adjust and re-allign the product and fitting.

The installation was in place of a typical lever handle set, that was causing no end of problems for staff and they were taping over the latch to keep the door from locking/closing.

Using a Meroni Pigio enables efficient and simple intrinsic operation of the door by anyone, with the benefit of virtually hands free use. Operate the handle with your elbow, your arm, your butt, your hip or even your hand. No handle to turn or grip, makes physically challenged or arthritis suffering users feel more in control because physically gripping and turning a knob or lever can be painful.

In this environment, we installed the product to a heavy steel door and were required to use additional Don-Jo scar plates to cover the old holes, for a clean professional look.

This version of the Meroni Pigio is the emergency unlock feature, which unlocks the locked handle from inside when the paddle is activated, turning the locking turn-button (a design change recently adopted by Schlage in their F51 series residential knobset)

Meroni Pigio locks come in 3 versions, P1, P2 and P3

Meroni Pigio P1

Meroni Pigio P2

Meroni Pigio P3

The Meroni Pigio range is available in a host of varying color finishes and materials.

Check out the source below for the MSDS.

With a range of accessories and functions that suit many varying styles and sizes of doors, using the Meroni Pigio lock system offers advantages that other brands do not offer and often attempt to emulate.

(source...)

Steel Desk With Non-Removeable Drawers - No Match For An Experienced Locksmith Using Meroni Cabinet Furniture Locks

 One of our regular customers, an ongoing account customer that has been using us for about 10 years now recently contracted us to devise a system for securing a metal desk in a very busy upmarket car dealership.

The application was a steel built desk with non-removeable drawers.
There is a lockable tray directly under the midst of the desktop they had also lost the keys for, but the lock didnt secure the drawers too.

They wanted a system that allowed them to lock the side drawers.

Because of the weight and construction of this type of steel desk, conventional cabinet lock products would not easily install to the application.

 You can see that the drawers fit into relatively thin metal walls, that are strong but thin. The issue was being able to secure the new locks but not having enough material to install with metal thread self-tapping screws. We couldnt remove the drawers to access the internals of the desk drawers so that made using nuts and bolts impractical either.

The drawers, when open would pull out somewhat, but not enough to completely withdraw the drawer to enable easier access to the insides.

We would have been required to flip this heavy desk over to be able to work on the project, meaning the customer would have had to remove everything from the desk and all it's contents in advance of completing the project - a task not heavily favored.

 You can see the insides of the drawer and desk body where the position/location of a lock would have been difficult to install.

With thin but strong steel walls, we determined that using a push lock with an extension threaded bolt, we could rivet the lock body to the outside of the desk, in such a position to miss the drawer walls and channels.

But due to the distance between the back of the bolt and the actual drawer itself when locked, the bolt was not long enough for many other brands to accommodate.

You can see here that by using the Meroni 2224 Push Lock with Brass Cylinder Body, with a threaded hole at the back of the bolt, we were able to extend the length of the bolt sufficiently using a stainless steel screw. This enabled us to have a conventional cabinet lock that could be mounted externally and have enough distance to secure into the body of the drawer wall itself.

Installation to the outer body of the steel cabinet, under the desk makes an almost hidden locking feature to secure each individual drawer separately.

We simply drilled the appropriately sized hole in the steel body and secured the cabinet lock with rivets.

The benefit of riveting instead of using screws or nuts and bolts in this situation, is that the lock is mounted permanently and there is less likelihood of fasteners coming loose over time.

This means that little to no service will ever be required in future.