Sperrriegel

Sperrriegel is a mechanical locking element used to secure doors, gates, and similar closures by acting as a blocking bolt. The term derives from the German words sperren (to block) and Riegel (bolt). In typical installations, the Sperrriegel is mounted at the edge of a door and is actuated by a handle, knob, or key, retracting when unlocked and extending when locked. Some variants employ a spring-loaded mechanism that automatically re-engages the bolt when the door is closed and the lock is engaged.

In many locking systems, one or more Sperrriegel bolts engage at multiple locations along the door edge, providing increased resistance to prying or forced entry. The Sperrriegel is commonly found in residential and commercial door hardware, safes, and certain multipoint locking systems. In high-security doors, a deadlocking feature may prevent the bolt from moving inward if the door is forced while the lock is in the locked position.

Materials and design vary, including steel bolts with hardened tips and reinforced strike plates. Modern installations may incorporate additional securing elements such as auxiliary bolts, anti-lift devices, or integration with electronic access control.

The Sperrriegel remains a fundamental element of traditional mechanical locks and continues to be referenced in hardware catalogs and locksmith terminology, particularly in German-speaking regions. See also: Riegel, Türschloss, Sperre.