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Re-inventing the MPL
To create the System in my vision , it meant going back to the drawing board and completely changing the design which has served all MPL ’ s since their conception .
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The Journey
After applying for the UK and European Patents , which were granted in 2020 , we travelled around the UK and Europe demonstrating the original 3-piece System prototypes , which met with a very positive response everywhere we went . When it came to finding manufacturing support , we were confronted with a muted and often defensive reaction , because we have a product that is simply too good and potentially a threat to existing MPL sales . So , we decided to manufacture and assemble Adaptalock ourselves , here in the UK , using very experienced engineers creating a very high quality System with stainless steel components .
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‘ Adaptalock is in constant development to be the best solution for Multipoint Lock Replacements and to upgrade existing systems’ rant on the North side and Orbit Housing took the South side . Our company handled all of the lock work for both of these companies , changing hundreds of locks a week . In more recent years the housing associations turned to national Multitrade companies to handle all of their repairs . We began supplying these companies and supporting them with our expert product knowledge of this ever-growing industry of new and discontinued locking systems .
Although we as a company , stock probably one of the largest ranges of UPVC hardware of any retail locksmiths , we can ’ t stock everything as there are 400 + multipoint systems alone . So , we began stocking universal hook bolt systems for the desperate need where a door needs to be secured on the same day . We sold five of these systems and all were returned to us with various
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reasons that they couldn ’ t install them . This being a national problem for the entire maintenance industry as well as the locksmith ’ s industry , particularly with the increasing discontinued systems . I began studying the existing systems for a solution , the objective being it had to avoid the need to cut to size , therefore eliminating any irreversible errors , use the existing frame keeps where possible to reduce |
installation time and be far more versatile , reducing the need to replace door furniture .
I needed to come up with a way of moving the hook bolt casing along a fixed length rail system , then I had a lightbulb moment of a twin toothed rail design that the hook bolt could fit between . In theory I knew this could work , so I headed off to my father-in-law ’ s ( Eric Crowhurst ) garage which I knew was full of all the engineering tools I required to make a basic prototype to prove my theory one way or the other . Several hours later , I had it made and installed into an old UPVC door I had picked up from my local double-glazing company . To my great delight it operated perfectly first time . I knew my next step would have to be obtaining a patent before I could show the product to any potential manufacturers , which
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I applied for and obtained in 2017 . At this point I set up a new company and also obtained a trademark for Adaptalock registering the new company , which coincidently fell on the 40th anniversary of my dad registering the locksmith business .
I was able to show my dad the final prototype although by now it had already been several years since he was diagnosed with Alzheimer ’ s . After spending his remaining two years in a care home , he contracted Covid-19 and passed away in November last year . He will always and forever be my hero in life and has taught me everything I need to know , mainly to never give up ! Adaptalock is in constant development to be the best solution for Multipoint Lock Replacements and to upgrade existing systems .
Adaptalock . co . uk
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Versatility
Available with Single and Twin follower Gearboxes in both 16 / 20mm Faceplates and selectable Hook Bolt directions , enabling the use of the existing Frame Keeps for a very rapid installation .
Additional Security
This already very secure System , with Sold Secure Accreditation , can be upgraded still further if required , with the option of adding additional Hook Bolts .
Future Visions - Access Control
With Adaptalock ’ s ability to retrofit a customer ’ s existing MPL , it has huge potential for a very secure access control system . We are therefore developing a motor drive attachment for the drive rails so it can be operated with a Smart phone as well as a manual key operation .
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