-B-

b-t

abb. bow-to-tip

 

B label

n. a classification by Underwriters Laboratories for doors with 1 1/2 hour rated fire protection

 

back plate

n. a thin piece of metal, usually with a concave portion, used with machine screws to fasten certain types of cylinders to a door

 

backcheck

n. the resistance provided by a door closer as a door is opened

 

backset

n. the distance between the center of a cross-bore and the bolt edge of a door or drawer

 

balance (a combination)

v. to dial a combination 1 number high and 1 number low to verify a correct combination setting

 

ball bearing

n. 1. a metal ball used in the pin stack to accomplish some types of hotel or construction keying, 2. a ball, usually made of steel, used by some lock manufacturers as the bottom element in the pin stack in one or more pin chambers, 3. any metal ball used as a tumbler's primary component, 4. used as a means of repairing a drilled hole in a safe when welded in place

 

ball bearing hardplate

n. a hardplate that contains metal balls, typically two types, imbedded in a honeycomb pattern, or free moving within a hardplate envelope

 

ball bearing hinge

n. a hinge which uses ball bearings between its knuckles to reduce friction

 

ball catch

n. a latch which uses spring pressure to force a ball bearing into a recess in its strike

 

ball check

n. a spring loaded ball bearing in a door closer arm assembly that acts to limit arm travel

 

ball locking

adj. a method of locking a padlock shackle into its case using ball bearing(s) as the bolt(s)

 

barium ferrite card

n. an access control system credential consisting of magnetized ferrite embedded in a plastic card with polarity and location being important features

 

barrel bolt

n. a surface mounted slide bolt which has a cylindrical shape

 

barrel key

n. a type of bit key with a hole drilled into the shank from the tip

 

barrier free

n. having to do with the absence of restrictions to access by the handicapped

 

Barron, Robert

the Englishman credited with the invention of the double-acting lever tumbler in 1778

 

Basic Building Code

n. former name for BOCA National Building Code

 

battery eliminator

n. an electric device designed to provide energy to equipment normally requiring batteries for operation

 

BBC

abb. Basic Building Code

 

bell box

n. the protective enclosure for a bell or other alarm sounding device

 

Bell type key

n. a key whose cuts are in the form of wavy grooves milled into the flat sides of the key blade. The grooves usually run the entire length of the blade.

 

bevel (of a door)

n. the pitch on the leading edge of a door which allows clearance for closing

 

bevel (of a lock)

n. the pitch of the face designed to match the bevel of a door. Some locks have an adjustable bevel.

 

bezel

n. a threaded collar commonly used to secure certain cylinder or lock assemblies

 

BHMA

abb. Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association

 

bible

n. that portion of the cylinder shell which normally houses the pin chambers, especially those of a key-in-knob cylinder or certain rim cylinders

 

bicentric cylinder

n. a cylinder which has two independent plugs, usually with different keyways. Both plugs are operable from the same face of the cylinder. It is designed for use in extensive master key systems.

 

bicycle padlock

n. a padlock with sufficient shackle clearance to secure a bicycle

 

bi-directional cylinder

n. a cylinder which may be operated in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction by a single key

 

bi-fold door

n. a door with two or more sets of hinges, the additional set(s) allows the door to have an accordion action when opened

 

Bilevel capable

n. typically a key that can operate two compatible mechanisms which have different security features

 

binary cut key

n. a key whose combination only allows for two possibilities in each bitting position: cut/no cut

 

binary type cylinder or lock

n. a cylinder or lock whose combination only allows for two bitting possibilities in each bitting position

 

biometric

adj. of or pertaining to a lock with a hybrid mechanism, part of the mechanism identifies a physical attribute such as finger print, voice print, etc. while another part is a mechanical mechanism

 

bit

n. 1. the part of the key which serves as the blade, usually for use in a warded or lever tumbler lock 2. v. to cut a key

 

bit height

n. a measurement from the post of a bit key outward to the end of the bit

 

bit key

n. a key with one or more projecting bits

 

bit thickness

n. a measurement of the bit from one side to the other side

 

bit width

n. as inserted into a lock, a measurement from the leading edge to the trailing edge of a bit

 

bitting

n. 1. the number(s) which represent(s) the dimensions of the key 2. the actual cut(s) or combination of a key

 

bitting depth

n. the depth of a cut which is made into the blade of a key

 

bitting list

n. a listing of all the key combinations used within a system. The combinations are usually arranged in order of the blind code, direct code, and/or key symbol.

 

bitting orientation

n. the specification of how a written combination is to be applied to bitting positions of a key (tip-to-bow, etc.)

 

bitting position

n. the location of a key cut

 

blade

n. the portion of a key which may contain the cuts and/or millings

 

blank

adj. uncut, see also "key blank"

 

blind code

n. a designation, unrelated to the bitting, assigned to a particular key combination for future reference when additional keys or cylinders may be needed

 

block master key

n. the one pin master key for all combinations listed as a block in the standard progression format

 

blocking lever

n. a lever in a safe deposit lock which blocks the renters key from completely entering the lock until the guard key has been inserted and turned

 

BMK

abb. block master key

 

BOCA

abb. Building Officials and Code Administration International (formerly Basic Building Code)

 

BOCA National Building Code

n. the model building code developed and published by BOCA

 

bolt

n. any movable projection which blocks the movement of one object relative to another

 

bolt cup

n. a thimble shaped device in a safe door frame that a locking bolt extends into when the door is closed and the bolt(s) are extended

 

bolt head

n. the part of a bolt that enters a strike 

 

bolt motor

n. 1. a mechanical device that extends and retracts the door bolt(s)of a safe, normally engaged by closing the door and disengaged by a time lock, 2. a mechanical device (usually electrically powered) that extends and retracts the bolt of a safe lock. It is commonly disengaged by an electronic input such as that from a keypad.

 

bolt sensor switch

n. a switch installed to detect when a lock bolt is extended or retracted

 

bolt shim

n. a plate or plates mounted to the frame of a vault to provide equal gapping for each locking bolt

 

bolt tail

n. the part of a bolt retained in the lock case that contains the bolt slot and maintains bolt alignment

 

boltwork button

n. the component which automatically triggers extension of the locking bolt(s) when the door is in the closed position

 

boltworks

n. 1. the combination of bars, rods, plates and linkages in a safe door designed to hold the door in the locked or unlocked position depending on the status of the lock itself, 2. any part of a lock other than a cylinder, turnpiece, or operating handle that affects movement of, or the ability to move, the bolt

 

bond box

n. the removable container within a safe deposit box compartment

 

bored lock

n. a lock for a door prepared with one or more cross-bores and one or more edge-bores

 

borescope

n. an internally lighted optical instrument for viewing normally concealed or inaccessible components

 

boring jig

n. a tool, temporarily affixed to a door, which provides a template structure to guide drill bits properly when preparing for the installation of specific hardware

 

bottom of blade

n. the portion of the blade opposite the cut edge of a single bitted key

 

bottom pin

n. usually a cylindrical shaped tumbler which may be conical, ball shaped or chisel pointed on the end which makes contact with the key

 

bounce

v. a method used to open certain safes involving dropping the safe and relying on gravity and inertia to move the bolt and open the safe

 

bow

n. the portion of the key which serves as a grip or handle

 

bow stop

n. a type of stop located near the key bow

 

bow to tip

n. a specification that a bitting combination is recorded starting at the bow and proceeding to the tip

 

box of wards

n. a complete unit of intricate wards installed in or on a lock case

 

box strike

n. a strike equipped to line the bolt cavity for both aesthetic and protective purposes

 

brace Lock

n. a deadbolt lock that engages an independent bolt, one end of which is mounted in the floor away from the door

 

Bramah, Joseph

the Englishman who had the world's first patent of a locking mechanism in 1784. It was the first lock incorporating a cylinder whose key did not contact the lock bolt directly.

 

Bramah type lock

n. a lock or cylinder using a mechanism with sliders, normally arranged in a circle

 

bridge assembly

n. a removable frame that contains the wheel pack and wheel post that is often found in mechanical vault locks

 

bridge ward

n. a center ward attached to the interior of a lock by means of a bracket

 

broach

n. 1. a tool used to cut the keyway into the cylinder plug 2. v. to cut the keyway into a cylinder plug with a broach

 

building master key

n. a master key which operates all or most master keyed looks in a given building

 

build-up dimension

n. 1. the distance between two different shear lines, as expressed in units of the manufacturer's increment or as an actual measurement, 2. the dimension of the buildup pin required in a particular chamber, which will allow one key to operate at the plug shear line and a different key to operate at a different shear line

 

build-up pin

n. the additional element of a pin stack required to allow operation at different shear lines in a cylinder

 

bullet catch

n. a friction catch with a projecting latch which is spherical or dome shaped

 

bump key

n. a lock picking key with uniform steeples between cuts that is forced further into the lock via impact

 

burglar alarm

n. a system designed to detect and report conditions, which may indicate intrusion or attempted intrusion

 

burglar resistant

adj. of or pertaining to a security container designed to resist forcible entry for a specified period of time determined by the rating of the container

 

button knob

n. the knob in a key-in-knob lock that includes a push or turn button

 

bypass key

n. the key which operates a key override cylinder

 

by-pass tool

n. a device that neutralizes the security of a locking device, or its application hardware, often taking advantage of a design weakness

 

by-passing door lock

n. a lock with a bolt that extends to block parallel movement of another door

 

by- passing sliding door

n. Two doors mounted on tracks parallel to each other that when one or both are slid to opposite extremes block the opening. Typically, one may be moved behind the other to allow access.

This listing of the Locksmith Dictionary is courtesy of