The Cobra Padlock line consists of the Universal PUCK Padlock, FLEX® Padlock, 8100 Series, 8200 Series and Our Brass Padlocks.    Our 8100 Series and 8200 Series are designed to be compatible for the popular American Padlock Line. We also have a Patent Pending on the FLEX Padlock®.  Click HEREto be taken to our Cobra Padlock page where you can get additional information and download specification sheets.

The Abloy Padlocks are designed to operate in extreme environmental conditions.  This is possible due to the “rotating discs” that are used instead of standard pins.  Abloy Padlocks are protected by U.S patents on the key and keyway which gives high levels of key control.  The Abloy Padlock provides a very high level of  physical security in the way the padlock is constructed.  For additional information and to download specification sheets click HERE.

Medeco is a clear winner in providing “High Security” Locks and their padlock line is no different.  From a solid steel mechanical padlock with patented lock cylinders to the new NexGen XT electronic padlock you can count on Medeco.  NO padlock can be considered “High Security” without someone providing “Key Control” and Locking Systems International is the leader in providing both mechanical and electronic “Key Control”.  For additional information and to download specification sheets click HERE.

The name Master Padlock is what most people think about when we the word padlock is mentioned or talked about.  Master has been making padlocks for many years and they supply many different models and types.  You can buy Master Padlocks at most hardware stores and big box stores, so why does Locking Systems International offer the Master Padlock line?  It’s simple we can offer our customers something that other suppliers cannot, custom keying and key control.  The big box stores stock Master Padlocks with certain lock codes either key alike or key different, these codes will repeat themselves, so other may have your key.  We pin the padlocks to your exact order;  for example  1 padlock with 10 keys, or 10 padlocks with 1 keys the options are endless, this is something the big box stores can’t do.  For additional information and to download specification sheets click HERE

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The “Web” changed the way keys are secured by bringing access control and real time monitoring  to the “Key Box”.  Our GFMS™ (Global Facilities Management Software™) App uses web based technology to provide real time reporting and remote access to ourelectronic storage and monitoring devices. Additionally we employ numerous user identification optionsincluding biometric, card, RFID authorization grant physical and information access. Be it key storage, ammunition and weapons auditing, narcotics distribution or environmental monitors, the status of your assets is available wherever the web reaches you.

Some features:

• Provides audit trail for every movement
• Only keys authorized to that user can be removed
• Alerts ensure that keys are taken or returned at certain times
• Programmable user functions for up to 800 users
• PC compatible for remote monitoring via local intranet or the internet.

When you think of these types of key boxes you should consider not only keys being secured, but other items.

For some additional information please visit key our Key Systems Page.

You can also check out the Key Systems Web Site.

By far the most important function of the KeyBak in “Key Control”.  I have blogged about how important “Key Control” is in my High Security Lock post.  KeyBak keeps your keys always at you side and always in your control.

KeyBak also has what we call the “Mini-Bak” Retractable Reels.  These can be used for ID cards and Door Access Control Cards.  You will never have to remove your ID card, just pull the card outward, use it and it will self retract….. always in your control.

For additional information on KeyBak click HERE.

The standard PUCK padlocks have been around for a while now, they all offer physical security of a padlock without a visible shackle.  What they don’t offer is the ability for the end user to change the security of the padlock themselves.  You get whatever security level the padlock was at the time you purchased it.  To change the security you must purchase another padlock.

Three years ago Locking Systems International, Inc. designed, developed and manufactured the “Universal PUCK Padlock”, it was so unique that is was awarded a U.S. Patent.  By incorporating a universal  sleeve into the padlock we were able to allow the end user to change the security level of the padlock simply by changing the lock cylinder.  We are utilizing the vending lock cylinder.  Some of the vending lock cylinders that fit are the Cobra 7, CobraMatic 7, Medeco High Security Lock, Abloy Vending Cylinder, these are just a few.

So how does this Universal PUCK padlock work with different vending lock cylinders?

One option would be to combine the Universal PUCK Padlock with the CobraMatic 7, both are patented products, so you get both physical security and the security of the CobraMatic 7 patent.  As an added feature the CobraMatic 7 allows the end user the change the lock code to one of eight (8) different lock codes increasing the overall padlock security.

Universal PUCK Padlock

Another option would be to add a Medeco High Security vending lock cylinder to the Universal PUCK Padlock, this will provide “Extreme” physical security and the key control of the Medeco vending Lock.

For additional information on the Universal PUCK Padlock click HERE.

LSI Trade Show Booth

The Exhibitor must spend a lot of money to exhibit at a trade show:  There is the booth itself  which can cost $3500.00 or more for a standard 10×10 booth, there are travel expenses if the trade show is out of town, and there are some intangibles, such as the booth personnel , they can’t conduct their regular daily business activities when at the show.  There are the rentals for your booth such as booth space, carpet, tables, chairs, signage, cleaning and booth transportation.  Yes it can cost many thousand of dollars to exhibit at a Trade Show.  So how do you figure out your Return on Investment (ROI).  This is the most difficult part and can take many months after the show to get the answer.  First there is the direct measure, how many orders did I take at the show and the value of those orders.  Everything else is indirect such as the contacts made, future sales appointments, brand and product awareness, networking to name a few, all of these indirect measures can take many months for you to get your true ROI.

So are Trade Shows Worth It?  I think that it all depends on the individual exhibitor, only that particular exhibitor can truly answer the question.  As for our Company Trade Shows are indeed worth it, they have helped us build brand and product awareness, our sales come months or a year later, this is a long term investment.

The Attendee must also spend money to attend Trade Shows, travel expenses and lost work hours.  So what does the Attendee get out of Trade Shows; show specials that will save the Attendee money on items purchased at the Shows, education….most Trade Shows also have educational classes with subject matter related to the Attendees business, networking…get to meet Exhibitors and fellow Attendees all with the common interest in you and you business.

I believe that the answer for Attendees is simple… Trade Shows are are Great way to build your business knowledge, save money on product purchases, meet people all with the same interest, and yes maybe a few extra days vacation.

Gentoo Penguins

Very Friendly

I went on a South American Cruise and that is what this blog is going talk about.   When you look at some on the photo’s I think that you will agree that this was a very interesting cruise and one I can recommend to everyone.   We flew into Santiago, Chile and transferred to Valparaiso, Chile where we boarded the Star Princess, the cruise proceeded south, and the further south  we went the colder it got.  We made a stop in the Falkland Islands where we visited a Penguin Rookery,  this was incredible as we walked amoung hundreds of Penguins and took hundreds of photo’s.

We stopped in Punta Arenas, Chile and Ushuaia, Argentina both claiming to be the “Bottom of the World”, well it turns out that Ushiaia, Argentina is the last town before you go to Antarctica.  This is also where the smaller cruise ships and boats start out from on their trips into Antarctica.  It was very cold and windy.

Cape Horn

Cape Horn Weather Station

Of course the big highlight of the trip is going around Cape Horn, where we crossed from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean.  We were very lucky as the weather was very good and we got to circle Cape Horn and was able to see the weather station.   Most time the weather is so bad that the ships can’t get very close.  We were truly at “The Bottom Of the World”

This last photo is of “Christ the Redeemer” statue in Rio de Janeiro.

We will start this conversation off by looking at the different type the three basic door locks; the knob door lock, lever door lock and the deadbolt lock.    The knob door lock has a round

Knob Type Door Lock

style knob that you turn to open or close the door, the lever door lock has a lever that you push or pull down to open or close, most lever locks are designed to be ADA compliant.  The deadbolt lock is a separate lock that usually goes on the same door as the knob or lever lock to provide extra security.  Deadbolt locks have a 1″ bolt that will securely fit into a hole in the door jam providing excellent protection from physical attack.  All three will be available in three different “Grades” these “Grades” are standards that each lock must pass, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) have established these standards.

Grade1:
Meets commercial building requirements, provides best security.
Door locks must withstand:

• 800,000 cycles
• 6 door strikes
• 360 pound weight test

Deadbolts must withstand:

• 250,000 cycles
• 10 door strikes (hammer test)

Lever Style Door Lock

Grade2:

• 150,000 cycles
• 5 door strikes (hammer Test)

Grade 3:

Meets residential security requirements only.

Door locks must withstand:

• 200,000 cycles
• 2 door strikes
• 150 pound weight test

Deadbolts must withstand:

• 100,000 cycles
• 2 door strikes (hammer test)

If the choice is yours always choose either a Grade 1 or 2 type lock never a grade 3.  Below I will show a few photos of the different types of door locks:

 

DeadBolt lock

Cam locks come in the following sizes 3/8″, 5/8″,7/8″, 1 1/8″ , 1 3/8″ are the most popular.  These measurements are for the length of the cam lock most cam locks have a 3/4″ diameter.  The single bitted cam lock has the key cut on one side only, the double bitted cam lock has the key cut on both sides, the tubular cam lock has a round key and high security cam locks have keys and keyways that are protected by a U.S Patent.  I won’t go into the inner workings of each cam lock as each one could take many pages to explain.

Below are some photos of cam locks.

Cobra-7 Cam Lock

 The Cobra-7 is an example of the Tubular style cam locks—-this lock has improvements over standard tubular locks and is patented.  Go to our cam lock page 

Medeco High Security Cam Locks

These are examples of a High Security Cam Lock.  Go HERE for more information

Single Bitted Cam Lock

This is an example of a Single Bitted Cam Lock. See our cam lock page for more information

Well now let’s turn to locks and the future of locks.  For the past 2-3 years there has been a lot of talk about the death of the mechanical lock, while I think that mechanical locks will eventually be replaced by another type of lock…but what type.

Touch Screen Lock with Mechanical Over-Ride

Will it be the electronic lock, will it have an electronic key, or maybe it will be a bio-metric type lock that will read finger prints or maybe the eye iris.  All of these locks are being manufactured today and all of these manufacturers think that they have the next best lock and maybe they do.  The facts are that even today with everything being electronic, electronic locks account for less then 1% of total locks in use.   Mechanical locks will have the largest in use market share for many years to come, they will eventually be totally replaced but not in our lifetime.

High Quality Mechanical Lock

Those manufacturers that are turning ALL of there engineering and manufacturing toward the “Locks of the Future” are missing the boat, there should be a balance between the future locks and mechanical locks.

Electronic Lock with Electronic Key

A High Security Lock actually starts with the key, yes I said the key and also what is known in the industry as the “Keyway” .  Let me define what the word Keyway actually means;  in simple terms a keyway is the part of the lock that matches up with the key so that the key can be inserted into the lock.  For example take the Cobra 7 cam lock it has a unique 7-sided design on the front of the key and the lock also has the same unique 7-sided design, these two match and the key can be inserted into the lock.

Below is another example of another unique keyway design, this time I am showing you the Abloy Lock with a cut-away view.   Look at the lock front and you can see that it matches the design of the key allowing insertion of the key into the lock for operation.

Now that we know what a “Keyway” is how does all of this make a lock “High Security”?  When a manufacturer designs a true High Security Lock they must obtain a patent on the lock, keyway and key, this provides the security necessary to protect the lock and offer true “High Security” to the end users.

Another important aspect of “High Security” is Key Control.  Key control is restricting the access of the key blanks to those authorized to have them usually service centers or distributors and this is controlled contractually.  The key can now be controlled and tracked from the manufacturer, to the service center, to the end user.  It then becomes the end users responsibility to control and track the key with their organization.

Below you will see keys from three High Security manufacturers, Medeco on the Right, Cobra Lock (LSI), in the center and Abloy on the left.  All three of these manufacturers protect their locks and keys with U.S. Patents and are able to control their keys as described above.

I hope this helps you to understand the term “High Security”. In future articles I will show different High Security locks and discuss electronic locks.