Development Of The Large Format Interchangeable Core

The development of the large format interchangeable core (LFIC) was a significant innovation in the field of lock security and convenience. It primarily aimed to address the need for scalable, versatile, and secure keying systems, particularly in environments like universities, hospitals, government buildings, and corporate campuses, where managing access across a large number of locks and users is a challenge. Here’s a brief overview of its development:

Origins of the Interchangeable Core Concept

1. Early Locking Systems: Traditional pin tumbler locks required a full disassembly of the lock cylinder to change the keying, a labor-intensive process.

2. Development of Small Format Interchangeable Core (SFIC): SFIC was introduced as a way to allow quick rekeying without disassembling the lock hardware. Manufacturers like Best Lock Corporation pioneered this design in the early 20th century.

Evolution to Large Format Interchangeable Core

1. Demand for Larger, More Robust Systems:

• SFIC had limitations in terms of durability and the ability to handle complex keying systems.

• For institutions requiring higher security and larger master keying systems, a more robust interchangeable core was necessary.

2. Design and Functionality:

• LFIC shares the same basic principle as SFIC: a removable core that can be easily swapped using a specialized control key.

• The larger size accommodates more robust internal components, better durability, and enhanced compatibility with high-security keyways.

3. Key Industry Players:

• Companies like Schlage, Sargent, Medeco, and ASSA ABLOY contributed to the development and proliferation of LFIC designs, each with proprietary features and security enhancements.

4. Benefits of LFIC:

• Ease of Rekeying: Facilities can rekey locks in seconds by swapping cores without specialized tools.

• Scalability: Supports complex master key systems with hundreds or thousands of locks.

• Security Features: Advanced LFICs include hardened steel inserts, restrictive keyways, and patented key control systems to prevent unauthorized duplication.

Current Applications and Future Trends

• Applications: LFIC systems are widely used in commercial, institutional, and government settings.

• Advancements:

• Integration with electronic and smart locks.

• Enhanced resistance to lock-picking, bumping, and drilling.

• Modular designs that allow integration with other locking technologies.

The development of LFIC was a pivotal step in modernizing lock systems, balancing ease of use with enhanced security. The development of the large format interchangeable core (LF

• Scalability: Supports complex master key systems with hundreds or thousands of locks.

• Security Features: Advanced LFICs include hardened steel inserts, restrictive keyways, and patented key control systems to prevent unauthorized duplication.

Current Applications and Future Trends

• Applications: LFIC systems are widely used in commercial, institutional, and government settings.

• Advancements:

• Integration with electronic and smart locks.

• Enhanced resistance to lock-picking, bumping, and drilling.

• Modular designs that allow integration with other locking technologies.

The development of LFIC was a pivotal step in modernizing lock systems, balancing ease of use with enhanced security.

Has New York City Fixed It's Key Problems?

A post we made in October 2012 continues to find traction and views as it is still of important knowledge to us all today, as much if not more since first written in 2012. We just updated some of the links to working links (over time websites need to keep up with their broken links to avoid the pitfalls of search engine pagerank issues) so you can view the videos and some of the links we include. Continuing to provide links to the source of our content (even though we write our own content) credits the source and avoids us being called plagiarists. The following story is worth remembering and continue to be an important piece of knowledge, not just for the industry but also the marketplace... The Society Of Professional Locksmiths is an organization of professional locksmith owners and tradespersons whose intentions are to bring respect and admiration with ethical and moral business practises back to an industry that has seen the erosion of confidence in locksmiths, wane over the past few years, thanks to improprieties and shortcoming of other supposed industry organizations. The SOPL is fast becoming the industry's leading respected voice, training facility and source of products and services, that the market and industry have long been seeking. Unlike other locksmith industry organizations and training offerings, the SOPL developed their own superb in-house training guide and mentoring system that is second to none in the North American market. The following article is copied directly (with permission) from their website. If you like the article, please consider clicking the like buttons in the post. FDNY Keys Sold on EBAY - The NY Post - Where there's Smoke, there's Fire 10/07/2012 2 Comments On October 1st, 2012 a news story ran in the NY Post about a retired locksmith named Daniel Ferraris from New Jersey who sold a set of 5 keys on Ebay that were being called Masterkeys for the New York City Fire Department. Source - http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/lock_away_these_nyc_keys_g3PWCp3FzMapURRjyssJ4J This apparently angered NY City officials and public advocate Bill DeBlasio who raised concerns over terrorism. Keywords such as being alarmed, angered, lives at risk, safety, and more surfaced. Calls to Home Land Security were even made! DeBlasio himself went so far to say -  "We cannot let anyone sell the safety of over 8 million people so easily. Having these keys on the open market literally puts lives at risk. The billions we've spent on counter-terrorism have been severely undercut by this breech [sic]." A NYFD lieutenant said, “This guy should be prosecuted for selling something like that."

New Pricing on Lockwood 7444 - Inflationary Pressure And Shipping Cost Increases Force Price Increase

We detest raising prices. Market conditions, especially manufacturer cost increases, import and customs duties increases, even outward shipping costs have all increased recently.

We have been forced to enact our first price increase in 3 years for this high-demand product.

We encourage you to purchase quickly, because this product sells out quickly.

Our last inventory SOLD OUT in 3 months.

The new cost as of today is US$146.75 plus shipping and handling.

We prefer to ship with UPS or USPS. Shipping options include overnight economy air, 3 Day select, Ground to the lower 48. International shipping is by USPS and averages 7-10 days.

In 8 years of recommending and selling this product, we have sold over 2000 units and are yet to have any reported failures. We maintain the manufacturers warranty of 12 months and offer a 30 day refund for unopened packages less a 5% restocking fee, for returns.

To purchase, simply click on the picture at the top left of this site.

Delaware To Update School And Institution Security Hardware Requirements To Overhauled Policy

Classroom Security has been becoming an alarming and increasing issue across North America in recent years, with the increasing numbers of armed intruders causing havoc to junior elementary (sub-primary), elementary (primary), junior high school and senior high school campuses, as well as a number of higher education colleges and universities.

Intruders, often bullied former students or disgruntled staff members, are fast becoming a major thorn to the security of our children while they are at school.

Delaware State House of Representatives, this week is currently debating and voting on a major policy change and update, aimed at increasing significantly, the security hardware and protocols at all the states schools, colleges and universities.

Many schools across the USA, already use quality door lock systems to secure doors, but many of the existing measures have been found wanting in recent times. This has caused much angst by parents and teachers, concerned with offering quality education to our children in safe, secure environments.

There are a great many products across the wider marketplace that already offer significant strength and security, but too few schools are bothering to spend the necessary investments to protect their faculty, staff and pupils.

There are many different brands of lock systems that provide increased strength and design, to better protect our children, including double cylinder lever entrance sets (called Classroom Locksets), including but not limited to Yale, Corbin, Schlage, Arrow, Assa, Abloy and many others.

Essentially, "a double cylinder classroom lockset functions like almost any other lever or knob entry set, except that it uses an internal keyed cylinder to enable the locking of the outside handle, while ensuring the inside handle remains unlocked and still easy to escape through, if required (maintaining life safety and International Building Code policies and rules)."

Some schools and institutions are spending millions of dollars to increase the security of their classrooms and entrances, but often they neglect to ensure that doors and windows include bullet resistant glass or resistant window films. Many seem to believe that the quality lockset and an alarm system will provide enough security to prevent an armed intruder from wreaking havoc through their schools.

Delaware are debating the inclusion of alarm systems, bullet proof accessories and double-keyed locksets.

In our 35+ years of locksmithery across the world, we have installed many locksets to school entrances and classrooms to increase the security of these doors.

In one case many years ago, one school decided to install double cylinder deadbolts to every door, as recommended by their security analyst and architect, before consulting with professional locksmiths, who are deliberately trained in physical hardware that complies with life safety, building codes, insurance requirements to protect would-be users of these rooms.
Our company was asked to install according to the plan and completed the request, against our better judgement, while warning the school officials that their desire was not legal. One week prior to the opening of the new school term, state and local inspectors came in to certify the school for opening, but when they saw the double cylinder locks fitted to all doors, they immediately failed the school because they did not comply with building and life safety codes.
Our company was once again called in to rectify the issues with new "approved" products that met or exceeded the codes, adding significant cost to the project. Our company worked overtime to complete the task prior to the school opening on time.

This reinforces the point that involving your local trained professional locksmith can and will augment your bottom line costs and save you considerable angst and compliance issues down the road.

There are many professional locksmith companies across North America, that provide trained professionals with field experience that are able to provide best-case-scenario advice, that will help any organization to increase their physical and electronic security measures, without breaking the bank.


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Smartphones To Open Doors For World's Biggest Lock Company As It Eyes Deal With Telcos

Assa Abloy is the world's largest lock manufacturing company.

Last year alone it made more than $300 million, across multiple different manufacturers.

There has been a continual, albeit modest push to introduce more and more electronic smartphone enabled lock systems across their diverse range of products. 

technology companies like Samsung, Apple and Google have been at the forefront of research and development of all things smartphone, ever since Google beat Apple to market with the first Android mobile operating system.

Many startups have entered the market, touting their own novel products aimed at the residential home security market.

Products like Lockitron, August Lock, Yale Real Living and Schlage or Kwikset Z wave, to name but a few.

The automobile industry has long used the transponder chip technology to better secure our cars and trucks, but the residential entry door market has lagged behind this disruptive technology, only due to the issue relating to electricity.

You see, the reason electronic technologies work on vehicles is because vehicles already use batteries to start, run and power vehicle systems.

Most doors in a dwelling are free standing and most often NOT connected to a power source. This has lead to a surge in the number of battery powered products, like the brands listed above, entering the market. The primary drawback with these products, is the need to constantly be replacing batteries on the units to maintain operability.

There are many dwellings that use electric strikes and hardwired electric lock systems, but that technology, even though it has been around for over 100 years, is expensive to install and consequently maintain.

The market is heating up and demanding better electronic technology for use in our homes, but there has been little productive solutions to the issue of the lack of power.

Whereas the market will continue to develop and no doubt grow, I just cannot conceivably fathom the perfect or best solution to this power predicament. When the power dilemma finally gets solved, perhaps electronic and smartphone technologies will provide a benefit to us home owners who dont want to spend the required arm and leg to hard wire our doors, when a totally mechanical, environmentally friendly, green mechanical key operated hardware solution continues to provide ultimate comparative security and convenience for our homes.

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Yale Digital Door Locks - Integrated Into SEOS By Assa-Abloy

In September last year, we wrote an article about SEOS, the new access control solution from Assa-Abloy that incorporates NFC (near field communications) into modern access control systems for hotels, institutions, hospitals, dorms, high-rise office buildings and large department companies.

This brilliant system (SEOS) now includes their NFC chips in Yale Digital Door Locks.

We recently learned that this exciting new development will enable more keyless entry solutions for even the average homeowner.

The ability to send a temporary access code to anyone, will avoid the homeowner from requiring to be present for that specialty tradesperson. No more 4 hour windows for arrival by the cable technician.

The Yale deadbolt presented in the video below shows the connectibility to a rim mounted lock system, like the ones used on push bar, panic exit devices that many Authorities Having Jurisdiction require for public dwellings (kindergartens, aged care homes, medical surgeries etc)

Serrature Meroni - Combina Hardware From Italy

Our new product line the fabulous Serrature Meroni - Combina, direct from Italy was showcased a few years in Europe. See how easy it is to operate this handle? It will surpass ADA requirements in both commercial and residential markets. The simplicity of design ensures easy operation by anyone.

No more twisting your hand to open your door, this stylish design is surprisingly, competitively priced compared to mainstream products available elsewhere.

We also offer the entire range of Serrature Meroni products. The choice of colors and styles is impressive.

We will be showing their range in upcoming features!

Wholesale opportunity for fellow locksmiths only.

The Arrow Revolution

Access Control products are increasing in demand today, but very few products seem to live up to the marketed specifications.

One that appears to live up to the hype is the Arrow Revolution. Below is a factory authorised test of the product.

In the recent past, I have displayed my lack of affection for wireless standalone security products. Now I think I may have a reason to cheer.

I strongly suggest that the mechanical backup option be strongly considered and this product can accept our Bilock Extreme Security Bump Proof and Virtually Pick Proof key system.

Price on application (a little under $400).

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Bilock Push Lock

• Sliding Showcase Lock
• Separate Thru-Glass Model Available On Request
• Side Mounted Drawer Lock
• Extension Bolt Available (for deeper penetration)
• $132.00

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Bilock Mortise Keyholes

• Bilock Mortise Cylinder 1-1/4" or 1-1/8" (Please Specify)
• Brass, Satin Chrome, Brown Finish (Please Specify)
• 2 Keys Supplied (with 1st cylinder ordered)
• Cams to suit your specific brand of hardware
• From $105.00

Bump Proof! Copy Proof!

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Cal-Royal - Bilock Hybrid $98.00

Pictured to the left is the Cal-Royal LSD-01 Grade 3 Residential deadbolt.

Construction Features:

1. Mounting screws 8-32 X1 1/2" (Sgl cyl.)8-32 X 2" (Dbl cyl.)
2. 2 1/2" dia. tapered cylinder guard and solid metal insert, turns free with any removal attempt.
3. 2 1/2" dia. tapered cylinder guard and solid metal insert, turns free with any removal attempt.
4. One-piece solid brass housing for extra strength.
5. Hardened steel tail piece.
6. Pick resistant solid brass 6 pin tumbler plug "C".
7. Brass keys.
8. Sturdy, all steel latch case and mechanism.
9. Full 1" throw deadbolt.
10. Latch and strike screws are 8-32x1" combination wood/machine for applications on wood, metal or fiberglass doors and frames.
11. Strike and box.

As the largest Bilock Extreme Security dealer in the mid-west, we are now producing limited numbers of our Hybrid Cal-Royal/Bilock Grade 3 deadbolt. By replacing the standard cylinder that comes with the LSD-01, with a Bilock Extreme Security Cylinder and 2 keys, we can offer a totally bump proof and virtually pick proof lock with keys that cannot be duplicated for about $98.00 (depending on the color).

When you compare the different brands of deadbolts currently on the market, most will vary in price due to the ANSI grade, the brand name and the quality of construction.

Many front or back doors on homes across America, already use Kwikset or Schlage Grade 3 deadbolts as the common product. The average price for these brand name products are between $35 and $70. Considering they do not offer any protection from key duplication, bump or pick attempts, makes this Bilock/Cal-Royal Hybrid combination, a very affordable solution to protecting your family and property.

We will also be introducing a Bilock/Cal-Royal Hybrid deadbolt and Strikemaster II Pro door frame strengthener package, soon. This will enable you to secure your doors with the finest lock system available and combine it with the best door frame strengthener on the market. Complete door kick-in protection and pick/bump proof locks for $199.95. Unbeatable Value!

To purchase this limited edition product at these unbeatable prices, please email us now.

Masterkeying One Lock In My Home

I receive the odd inquiry from time to time from customers who request for another key for a door, but one that doesnt work every other door in their property...like the front door.

Statistically, the front door is less likely to be broken into than virtually any other door. Creating a separate key that works just a particular door requires the actual door lock to be re-keyed. Re-keying the actual lock (where you insert the key) to allow a different and individual key to operate, requires master keying the particular cylinder in question.

Master keying a door lock involves replacing the tumblers in the actual keyhole of the lock in question.

In most locks, found in residential or commercial dwellings, the door lock is most often of the Schlage or Kwikset keyway. These simple every day pin tumbler cylinders are easily master keyed, but remember, master keying will make your locks significantly easier to pick or bump open, unless you decide to purchase Abloy or Bilock key systems.

Bilock is the first and truest guaranteed 100% pin tumbler bump proof and virtually pick proof lock system available today.

Surprisingly, Bilock systems are almost as inexpensive as everyday key systems. Why anyone would prefer to allow (and encourage anyone, potentially) to be able to acquire a key to their property is astonishing.

Is it not vital and important to you, to know whom else can get into your stuff?

Bilock can absolutely control access control to your stuff.

Trilogy - By Alarm Lock - Advanced Wireless Standalone Access Control

Alarm Lock Trilogy, a well known, high quality, superior access control solution for modern commercial premises, recently released their new advanced networking upgrade to their line of high class access control door locking solutions.

The benefits of this new addition to the product line, bring Alarm Lock Trilogy to the forefront of commercial access control solutions.

Known as Networx by Trilogy, Alarm Lock have all but solved the access control dilemnas of many and varied commercial applications.

This product is expertly designed to provide commercial properties with the most modern and easily accessed, managed and audited products of their kind available in todays market.

The ability to use the locks with a swipe card, physical key, numbered keypad or swipe + keypad, significantly increases the uses of this sensational new product.

The added ability of wired or wireless 802.11b/g protocols, enables controllers to modify, audit, control the keyless access to security entrances remotely by secured access via the internet.

There are multiple options available, tailored to the demanding requirements of everyone.

The products are Grade 1 quality and priced accordingly.

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