In 1861, Linus Yale, Jr. was motivated by the first 1840s pin-tumbler lock made by his father, thus inventing and patenting a bigger flat key with serrated edges in addition to hooks of varying lengths inside the lock , exactly the exact same layout of the pin-tumbler lock which nonetheless remains in use now. It’s not surprising that some forecast the sunset of pin tumbler technology.
In response, in 1969 that the MEchanical DEvelopment COmpany (MEDECO) introduced the very first High Security lock. A number of other manufacturers have followed suit with re-designs and essential systems to select the location of and improve upon the fundamental pin-tumbler.
When locksmiths use the expression High Security, they’re speaking to locks and keys that provide the maximum degree of crucial control, and resistance to choosing and assault.
When someone apart from a locksmith utilizes the term High Security, it is difficult to predict what they’re referring to, because the expression high safety is used in several contexts past locks and keys.
Because locksmiths are physical safety experts, they need to be ready to talk about and provide whatever degree of physical safety the customer needs, and this ought to consist of high security locks and keys.
Gale Johnson, editor of Locksmith Ledger, remarks which High Security keys and locks is among those very few remaining vertical markets within which locksmiths still keep domain. Even if the manufacturer provides proprietary blanks into a customer, like a municipality, the locksmith gets the chance to function as advisor and licensed dealer and will ordinarily be involved from the multitude of tasks related to installing and maintaining a population of high security cylinders and related hardware things. Many producers don’t have boots on the floor.
Should you sell a customer a non-patented keylock, then you’re making repeat business for a house centre once the client needs more keys.
Should you sell a customer a patented keyway, you’ve produced a long-term relationship and also the recurring earnings of a repeat client.
Which high security keys and locks are greatest? The solution is going to be personalized to your own experiences with locks and keys, so the marketplace you support, and what percentage of your locksmithing activities demand clients and jobs where high security is suitable. The customer could ask for high safety and quickly do a 180 turn once you break the news to them exactly what it will cost them.
Municipal, educational and corporate clients represent the true marketplace for high safety. They have experience with safety and understand layers of safety, the vulnerability of openings into assault, the shortcoming of unpatented keyways, and the actual dangers inferior key control gift for their associations.
Most businesses have doorways and places which require the maximum degree of safety they could deploy.
Some openings are tough due to the character of the doorway, its location, or the sort of use it receives.
All locks and keys must be simple and handy to use, but also provide assurances that only authorized people have ownership of the keys, and they possess a high degree of assurance there are no unauthorized keys or keyholders lurking around in the shadows.
All locks must be designed and rated to withstand attack and undermine, and not be simple picking for some ex-felon who heard lockpicking in prison and today earns some cash on the side freelancing.
That is the reason why the Locksmith Ledger is always boosting a multi-faceted way of safety which entails all of the very best and newest technology, such as high security guards.
There are two approved tenants in safety. One is that no lock will be 100 percent successful in stopping a rest in, the very best that can be hoped for would be to dissuade and then slow down a fracture in.
Another is that safety is the most successful when a layered strategy is used. Placing a high security lock on a door without adequately assessing the assumptions, and with no further complementary safety measures being set up, will likely not create the desired result.
Key management starts with the company’s capability to control who will get sterile keys, but the end-user is finally accountable for essential management.
The Locksmith Ledger talks about digital accessibility and standalone locks frequently, and we’d once more reiterate that installing state of art electronics onto a doorway using non-patented lock and keying is throwing away your money and putting your clients’ welfare in jeopardy.
There is a certain confusion about using the term’high safety’ When high security refers to a patented key system, High Security wording is usually capitalized.
What are the important factors to consider when specifying/selecting a product?
High Security lock products all generally have at least two locking systems. Systems include some type of normal shearline operated by a key cut combination plus some type of secondary locking system requiring extra milling or extensions in the key blank which allow the key system to be patented.
While all lock companies began with some type of patented key system, there are several factors which influence the decision of what High Security key system to sell. When does the patent expire? Does the manufacturer offer a wide variety of lock cylinder applications? Does your favorite distributor stock a full line of their products? Does the High Security manufacturer offer training? What is the procedure for originating keys or combinating lock cylinders?
Given the costs in materials and investment of time to learn a product, does it make sense to be certified on more than one?
This is a decision for each individual locksmith company. Unless there is a good reason such as a patent expiration, poor delivery of product or discontinuation by your favorite distributor, stocking another High Security product line may be questionable. High Security key systems are designed to provide key control. If your present High Security product line accomplishes that requirement, then a change may add more confusion than solutions.
Should a product’s patent expiration influence selection?
I believe patents last approximately 17 years. If a patent is near expiration, then question the manufacturer. High Security key systems have existed for decades. Every manufacturer has found ways to design new features which can extend their patent. In some cases existing key systems can be upgraded and in some case this may require new lock cylinders. Imminent expiration of patents should not completely influence your decision but it should be a factor when choosing a High Security product to sell.
When the patent expires, is the product dead, and end-users exposed?
Locksmiths are responsible to inform their customers about patent expiration dates. The danger is that aftermarket key blanks may become available and control of key duplication may be lost. This should be seen as a positive development to upgrade and improve old existing High Security key systems for your customers.
Are hybrid High Security Mechanical/Electronic the trend of the future?
High Security key systems are the highest level of mechanical protection but there are limitations. Electronics offers important features such as remote event reporting and access privilege administration; time and attendance plus automatic lockouts for holidays and weekends. These are features the public is demanding, and which is included into the specifications for facilities which are considered high risk and require “High Security.”
Many businesses are currently supplying mechanical important systems with additional digital characteristics in the keybow. There’ll always be an application for mechanical High Security lock programs but electronic equipment will be gaining a growing percentage of their High Security marketplace.
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