capping block n. a holding fixture for certain inter-
changeable cores which aids in the installation of
the caps
case n. the housing or body of a lock
case ward n. any ward directly attached to or
projecting from a lock case
chamber n. any cavity in a cylinder plug and/or shell
which houses the tumblers
change key n. a key which operates only one
cylinder or one group of keyed alike cylinders in
a keying system, see also “reset key” definition 1
changeable bit key n. a key which can be
recombinated by exchanging and/or rearranging
portions of its bit or blade
Chubb shackle n. a hinged shackle with a pierced
hole for the bolt in its movable end
CK abb. 1. change key 2. control key
clevis n. a device to permanently attach a chain
to a padlock
clipper n. a hand held key bitting punch,
often incorporating a triggerlike handle
closed gated adj. pertaining to a lever tumbler
whose gate is pierced into the body of the tumbler.
The lever(s) surround the fence in both the locked
and unlocked positions.
clutch n. that part of a profile cylinder which
transfers rotational motion from the inside or outside
element to a common cam or actuator
CML abb. the title "Certified Master Locksmith"
as awarded by ALOA
code n. a designation assigned to a particular key
combination for reference when additional keys or
cylinders may be needed. See also, “blind code”,
“direct code”, and “key symbol”
code key n. a key cut to a specific code rather than
duplicated from a pattern key. It may or may not
conform to the lock manufacturer's specifications
code original key n. a code key which conforms to
the lock manufacturer's specifications
combinate v. to set a combination in a lock,
cylinder, or key
combination n. the group of numbers which
represent the bitting of a key and/or the tumblers
of a lock or cylinder
compensate drivers v. to select longer or shorter top
pins, depending on the length of the rest of the pin
stack, in order to achieve a uniform pin stack height
complementary keyway n. usually a disc tumbler
keyway used in master keying. It accepts keys of
different sections whose blades contact different
bearing surfaces of the tumblers.
composite keyway n. a keyway which has been
enlarged to accept more than one key section,
often key sections of more than one manufacturer
compound bitted key n. a key with at least one
compound cut
compound cut n. a bitting which has another
bitting dimension within its dimensions
constant cut n. any bitting(s) which are identical
in corresponding positions from one key to another
in a keying system. They usually serve to group these
keys together within a given level of keying, and/
or link them with keys of other levels. See also
“rotating constant”
construction core n. an interchangeable or
removable core designed for use during the
construction phase of a building. The cores are
normally keyed alike and, upon completion of
construction, they are to be replaced by the
permanent system's cores.
control chamber n. in an interchangeable or
removable core, any chamber which has a control
shear line, which is different from the operating
shear line
control cut n. any bitting which operates the
retaining device of an interchangeable or
removable core
control key n. 1. a key whose only purpose is to
remove and/or install an interchangeable or removable
core 2. a bypass key used to operate and/or reset
some combination type locks 3. a key which allows
disassembly of some removable cylinder locks
control lug n. that part of an interchangeable or
removable core-retaining device which locks the core
into its housing
control shear line n. the shear line which allows
operation of the control lug of an interchangeable or
removable core
control sleeve n. the part of an interchangeable
or removable core retaining device which surrounds
the plug
controlled cross keying a condition in which two
or more different keys of the same level of keying
and under the same higher level key(s) operate one
cylinder by design; e.g., XAA1 operated by AA2
(but not XAA1 operated by AB1)
Note: This condition could severely limit the
security of the cylinder and the maximum expansion
of the system when (1) more than a few of these
different keys operate a cylinder, or (2) more than
a few differently cross keyed cylinders per system
are required.
core n. a complete unit, often with a “figure eight”
shape, which usually consists of the plug, shell,
tumblers, springs, plug retainer and spring cover(s).
It is primarily used in removable and interchangeable
core cylinders and looks.
CPL abb. the title "Certified Professional
Locksmith" as awarded by ALOA
CRL abb. the title "Certified Registered Locksmith"
as awarded by ALOA
cross keying n. the deliberate process of
combinating a cylinder (usually in a master key
system) to two or more different keys which would
not normally be expected to operate it together.
See also “controlled cross keying” and “uncontrolled
cross keying."
cruciform adj. of or pertaining to a key section or
keyway which usually resembles a plus sign (+) or the
letter "X"
cut v. to make cuts into a key blade, see also
“key cut(s)”
cut edge n. the portion of the key blade which
contains the cuts
cut key n. a key which has been bitted
or combinated
cut root n. the bottom of a key cut
cut root shape n. the shape of the bottom of
a key cut. It may have a flat or radius of a specific
dimension, or be a perfect "V"
cutter n. the part of a key machine which makes the
cuts into the key blank
cylinder n. a complete operating unit which
usually consists of the plug shell, tumblers, springs,
plug retainer, a cam/tailpiece or other actuating
device, and all other necessary operating parts
cylinder blank n. a dummy cylinder which has
a solid face and no operating parts
cylinder collar n. a plate or ring installed under
the head of a cylinder to improve appearance and/
or security
cylinder guard n. a protective cylinder
mounting device
cylinder key n. a broad generic term including
virtually all pin and disc tumbler keys
-D-
deadbolt n. a bolt, which requires a deliberate
action to extend, and which resists end pressure
in the unlocking direction when fully extended
deadlock n. a lock which incorporates a deadbolt
Terminology
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