Toddler locked bathroom door and we can't open it

----- Original Message ----- From: snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com Newsgroups: alt.locksmithing Sent: Sunday, October 02, 2005 10:01 PM Subject: Toddler locked bathroom door and we can't open it

Yes indoor plumbing was not popular until the early 1900's in most places ,

The lock sounds like a weiser, they sell a special tool just for this purpose, BUT you probably already have everything you need.

You will need a Flashlight, + a VERY thin flat blade screwdriver. Look down the "hole " for to find a slot that is the part that needs to be turned. Just put the small SD in the hole and feel for the slot .. turn ... door open.

Now , what to do with that child?

I thought weisers, you just push the tool in, and that displaces the square shaft -- rotate outer door knob while pushing tool in. (nail or piece of coat hanger wire works too).

The screwdriver and rotate technique is Kwikset.

if this 'slot' looks like you took a radius of a circle out, and is about half inch tall, but not too deep... take a dime and turn it. seen a lock that required something similar.. if it indeed DOES take a key.. then you got an entry lock on that which needs to be replaced. seen THAT as well.. (weird house and owner) --Shiva--

I'm thinking that I'd also try the old trick of attempting to slide the bolt with a sharp object unless a credit card would work.

And, yes, get rid of that lock.

Try turning the slot with the screwdriver just like you would if you had a key.

If that doesn't work look at another door that has the same kind of lock and see what it says on the edge of the door on the latch plate.

Thanks so much, everyone - I was finally able to get the lock open.

Now, can anyone tell me how to remove a doorknob that has no visible screws?

Thanks again - I'm amazed that I asked this question only last night and have five responses here plus two on e-mail. You all are very generous with your expertise.

.. Joann

Joann,

First thing to consider is if you want to remove the lock. Privacy locks serve a real handy purpose and now you know how to open it it is not so scary, right?

But to answer your question, on the inside there is a small retainer on the spindle that you can depress with a flat blade screwdriver and while depressed, pull on the inside knob. Now if you look closely at the rose plate you should see a little cutout on the edge. If memory serves it is about 4 O'clock or 10 O'clock. Insert a flat blade screwdriver and give a gentle twist. This should pop off the trim rose, and expose a rose plate with 2 screws.

Remove the two screws and the lock will slide out the front. Two screws on the edge of the door and the latch is free.

Rather than replacing the lock, you might just swap with one on a closet.

If folks ask reasonable questions, we try to give reasonable answers. If folks ask questions such as the one about breaking into school lockers, well...

quoting:

The cheap Kwikset knob on my bathroom door came with a tool that looks like this.

bingo !

B "I can tell you is that the screws are on the inside of the bathroom (of course) and the outside has a slot meant for a key..."

If she had a Kwikset privacy lock, it would have screws on the outside, and it would have a hole, not a slot.

Also she made a second post to say she got the door open and that she say no screws inside either.

"Thanks so much, everyone - I was finally able to get the lock open.

Now, can anyone tell me how to remove a doorknob that has no visible screws?"

My guess it would be a Schlage A series. Possibly a Dexter, or an Arrow but not Weiser, Weslock or Kwikset.

Thoughts?

Some of the locks from Taiwan are made on the same designs as the Schlage A-line. With the slot for the emergency release (use a coin, or the edge of a key). And the retainer to release the knob, and the snap off decorative rose to cover the scews. So, it coulda been a $6 Taiwan lock.

yea, mrs. key said bingo so she must be correct and eveyone else wrong. she is always right you know

just go with it

Sure that is a possibility also, but what I was questioning was the Kwikset diagnosis.