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Zephyr Secure Glossary of Locker Locks & Hardware Terms
This Zephyr Secure glossary defines the locker locks and hardware terminology security professionals rely on — from lock components and access-control technology to compliance standards such as the ADA, which requires operable hardware to work with one hand and need no tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist, or more than 5 pounds of force to operate (Source: U.S. Access Board, “Chapter 3: Operable Parts,” ADA Standards §309.4). Backed by over 75 years of USA-based lock engineering, Zephyr Secure is committed to demystifying the terms behind our electronic and mechanical locker locks for every partner.
A
What makes a locker lock ADA compliant?
ADA Accessibility describes a site, facility, or product that a person with a disability can approach, enter, operate, and use safely and with dignity. Zephyr Secure engineers ADA-accessible locker locks and hardware — see our hardware FAQs for common accessibility questions.
What does ADA Accessibility mean?
Refers to a site, facility, or product that is easy to approach, enter, operate, and use safely and with dignity by a person with a disability. For more on our solutions, see our Zephyr Secure hardware FAQs.
What makes a locker lock ADA compliant?
A locker lock is ADA compliant when it can be operated with one hand and requires no tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist, and no more than 5 pounds of force (Source: U.S. Access Board, ADA Standards §309.4). Zephyr Secure has engineered ADA-compliant locker locks for over 75 years of USA-based manufacturing.
What is an anti-shim padlock?
An anti-shim padlock is a padlock engineered with an internal locking mechanism that resists shimming — the technique of releasing a lock by inserting a thin blade against the latch — so the shackle cannot be forced open without the key or combination.
What is automatic locking?
Automatic Locking describes a lock — typically a spring latch — that automatically re-locks itself the moment it closes, with no separate action required from the user.
B
What is a banking smart card?
A banking smart card — also known as a chip card or integrated circuit card (ICC) — is a pocket-sized card with embedded circuits used for identification, authentication, and data storage, and a common credential type for electronic locker locks..
What does brass plated mean?
Brass Plated is a finish in which molecules of brass are electroplated over a base metal, such as steel or zinc, to create a decorative, corrosion-resistant layer.
What is a built-in combination lock?
A built-in combination lock is a lock permanently mounted to a locker door and opened with a dial combination. Most Zephyr Secure models also include supervisory key access for administrative override.
What is a built-in key lock?
A built-in key lock is a lock permanently mounted to a locker door and operated by a user key. Like Zephyr Secure’s combination models, these often include supervisory key access for administrative purpos
C
What is a cam lock?
A cam lock is a locking mechanism consisting of a base and a rotating cam; a key or tool turns the cam within the base to engage a strike and secure a cabinet, drawer, locker, or enclosure. Explore Zephyr Secure’s cam locks for miniature, high-security, and tubular formats.
What is a card key?
A card key is a lock operated by a keycard — a flat, rectangular plastic card that stores a physical or digital signature a door mechanism reads and accepts before disengaging the lock.
What is a casework locker?
Casework refers to commercial-grade cabinets and enclosures, which vary by the materials used in construction, such as wood, laminate, or metal.
What is a chrome plated finish?
Chrome Plated Finish is a technique that electroplates a thin layer of chromium onto a metal or plastic object to add hardness, corrosion resistance, and ease of cleaning.
What is a combination control chart?
A combination control chart is a chart that records the serial numbers and combination sets of all locks installed on a specific application, used to track and administer access.
What is a combination padlock?
A combination padlock is a padlock that opens when its dial is spun to the correct sequence of numbers, requiring no key.
What does core removable mean?
Core Removable describes a compact keying mechanism built into a specific “small format” key cylinder, where a specialized “change” key inserts and extracts the core components for rekeying.
D
What is a dead bolt key lock?
A dead bolt key lock is a built-in key lock that uses a dead bolt to manually engage the locker hasp.
E
What is an electronic lock?
An electronic lock — including Zephyr Secure’s electronic locker locks — opens and closes using a keypad, RFID card, or mobile credential and is powered by batteries, often logging an audit trail of every access event. Explore Zephyr Secure’s electronic locker locks for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty applications.
F
What is a flat key dead bolt lock?
A flat key dead bolt lock is typically a smaller built-in key lock that uses a dead bolt to engage the locker hasp.
K
What is a key blank?
A key blank is a key that has not yet been cut to a specific bitting — the pattern of cuts that matches a key to its lock.
What is a key controlled combination padlock?
A key controlled combination padlock is a padlock intended to be opened primarily by its combination, with a control key override feature for administrative access.
L
What is a laminated steel padlock?
A laminated steel padlock is a padlock built from layers of laminated steel riveted together, producing an exceptionally strong lock body at an economical manufacturing cost.
What is a linear locking mechanism?
A linear locking mechanism is a built-in combination lock mechanism that travels in a straight line to engage, rather than rotating.
M
What is a management card?
A management card is an RFID card that overrides all locks in a series without erasing existing user codes or user card information.
N
What is a nut channel?
A nut channel is an indent or channel in the side body of a built-in combination lock that allows for easier mounting of the installation nuts.
O
What does OEM mean?
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer — a company that produces hardware marketed under another company’s brand name. Zephyr Secure’s custom OEM hardware solutions serve partners who need application-matched components engineered from concept to production.
P
What is a padlock?
A padlock is a detachable lock with a U-shaped shackle hinged at one end, designed to pass through the eyelet or staple of a hasp and then snap shut to secure it.
What is a padlock eye?
A padlock eye is the round hole in a mounted hasp that a padlock’s shackle passes through to secure a door.
What is a padlockable hasp?
A padlockable hasp is a metal fastener with a hinged, slotted piece that fits over a staple and is secured by a pin, bolt, or padlock.
What is polycarbonate?
Polycarbonate is a class of thermoplastics known for high-impact strength, light weight, and flexibility, often used in lock housings and protective hardware components.
R
What is RFID in access control?
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a technology that uses electronic tags to relay identifying information to an electronic reader by radio waves — the credential technology behind Zephyr Secure’s keyless electronic locker locks.
S
What is a shackle?
A shackle is the hinged, curved top bar of a padlock, used to hang the padlock onto a hasp.
What is shimming?
Shimming is the technique of unlocking a lock by analyzing and manipulating its internal components without the correct key or combination — the vulnerability Zephyr Secure’s anti-shim padlocks are engineered to resist.
What is a spring latch key lock?
A spring latch key lock is a built-in key lock that uses a spring bolt to engage the locker hasp.
What is a spring latch combination lock?
A spring latch combination lock is a built-in combination lock that uses a spring bolt to engage the locker hasp.
U
What is a user card?
A user card is an RFID card assigned to a specific individual for personal access.
V
What is a vertical dead bolt lock?
A vertical dead bolt lock is a built-in combination lock that engages the lock bar with a vertical motion, designed for multi-point or gravity-lift style lockers.
Need Help Finding the Right Locker Locks or Hardware Solution?
This glossary is a great starting point, but if you have questions about a specific application — or need a custom-engineered locker lock or hardware solution — Zephyr Secure’s USA-based engineering team is ready to assist, backed by 75+ years of experience and a 99.5% on-time delivery record.