Key (lock)

A key is a tool for picking a lock, such as a door lock. He is introduced for this purpose and turned into a keyhole. The use of key is an ancient and still very often used method of intrusion protection and access control.

With a master key, several different locks can be unlocked. The authorized user of a key holds the keys of violence. Untitled tags used are entwidmete key.

The handle of the key is also referred to as Räute, Ride or bow. This could be richly decorated in former times, is now enclosed most in colored plastic. Another decorative element can be a key tassel hanging on the Räute. That part of the key, which detects the closing device in closing means beard. Each key has an individual beard. This is to ensure that the appropriate lock can be unlocked only with this or an identical key. For the task of a lock and key system is the protection of a room, a vehicle or other property against unauthorized access, use or otherwise access.

Keys are objects of daily use. They consisted initially of wood, later - as today almost exclusively - made ​​of metal. They are usually connected to a key ring and so often combined with multiple keys to a keychain. At this also key chains are often attached. Keys that are intended for use as needed ' by several authorized persons are often kept in a key box.

Under a new key is defined as a tool with which you can open doors without fitting and latch.

Special designs and variants

Dimple

Bump Keys

The picture shows the so-called " bump keys ". The profile scores are all uniformly to the lowest point. With such keys and a special bump key can open most of the lock cylinder. Key services typically have such special wrench in the tool box.

Mechanical key

There tumbler cylinder lock and key. Locks can be partly explained only by the introduction of two or more keys, each having different people, catch up. To ensure that no user is solely at the opening of the door.

Furthermore, there is dimpled or turn key. Here the blank is laterally drilled to different depths, the hole pattern is the same on both sides - the key closes, no matter how you introduce him into the cylinder.

Tibbe - key - code

Special car keys

Car keys see the jagged bit keys often similar and are usually symmetrical in shape. There are also special key forms, such as those from Ford key from Renault have the front of the beard a medium- small hole.

Berliner key / push-through key

The Berlin key or pass-through key is a key with two beards. It is used so that residents will be forced to close again upon entering or leaving the house. You have to catch only normal and then push the key through the keyhole. Once you have then locked from the inside, you can remove the key again. The system was invented in 1912 by the Berlin Keymaker Johann Schweiger. The Berlin key was used in the first half of the 20th century, but today he is hardly in use.

Electronic key

In addition to mechanical keys, there are also magnetic card key or electronic or electromagnetic systems, for example:

• With wireless transmitter ( such as a car key)
• With fingerprint recognition or
• With RFID technology. These are also referred to as a transponder. These transponders are integrated it as a card or a key ring or in a mechanical key, as is customary now for car keys with integrated immobilizer.

Copy of keys

Copy key cutter

Code-bound key cutter

Video of a copy operation

Key older locking systems, so-called bit keys were always produced together with the lock. Duplicate keys could be created by filing a largely identical with an original copy. If there is no template, for example because they have not published the key owner, it is possible to make a copy on the basis of an impression that was made from the original in soft clay, modeling clay or plaster. The copy was then befeilt so long and edited until the skeleton key fits comfortably into the impression. Bit keys have to generally not be very accurately, as determined in many older locks of beard alone by its shape, whether it fits into the lock, the closing process but it works largely independent of the shape of the key. There was also already in the Middle Ages very complicated bit key systems with complex shaped or multiple beards, but these were made ​​of fine mechanics, were prone towards violence and by no means were everyday use.

Today let many simple keys that at apartment doors or utility rooms can accommodate a large area use, still copy a template that is clamped and scanned into a machine, wherein the information is transmitted to a tool that processes a blank. Service providers offer this work to low-priced and need a few minutes for it if given the right blanks are available. The top two pictures show such machines.

More modern key can no longer be copied with. Either no blanks are freely distributed for their production or you need a number or a numeric code that contains the information necessary to produce the spare key. A matching milling machine shows the upper third image. Due to the formatting of the code of this only in the applicable key system (type or manufacturer ) is useful and can not be transferred to other systems or methods. The code can be either a code of a secret held by the manufacturer catalog or relate directly to parameters of the key. To share with keys that have particular electrical / or conductive properties are implemented in the magnets, the codes these properties. Without knowledge of the catalog or the importance of the encoded properties of a template can also be in possession very difficult to not generate a duplicate key. The advantage of this method is that duplicate keys can be ordered with modern means of communication and delivered by post.

Modern key systems provide also due to the high number of possible keys the advantage that a single or a subset of circulating key can be disabled by replacing the lock cylinder, but the remaining functional. Manufacturers offer different possibilities here. Also individual keys can create itself, which can be specified to which locks such a key must fit. This is called a master key. This locking system is supplied with a security card, with which you can make duplicate a card is present or may instruct extensions of the locking system.

Multiple locks

In these systems, the door can only be opened when two or more keys be applied simultaneously to ensure that the door can be opened only by several present key holders. Either multiple locks are installed in the door or a lock contains several key cylinder. Then combined solutions are possible in which, for example, at least two of three keys are needed to open. Due to the elaborate preparation of these locks they are now increasingly replaced by electronic fuse units with access codes. For traditional reasons, they are still in vaults or in specially protected areas in use. In newer designs, the keys no longer operate the actually mechanical closing process, they can only be detected and then get built, electronically controlled automation in motion, which facilitates the assignment of keys and simplified measures in case of a key loss. Individual keys or their owners can withdraw from the circle of the beneficiaries having to make the locking system without tags. Also, you can specify whether he may open the door alone or accompanied for each key owner. In contrast to the access code, these systems offer greater protection against disclosure, in contrast to the magnetic card they are heavier copyable, not accidentally erased and mechanically sensitive in everyday use.