Security plays an important role in all our lives, especially in the homes where we live and keep our possessions. The central mechanism that is used in home security is the lock and key, an instrument of security that has a long history of use all around the world. A key is an instrument that is used in combination with a lock, in order to safeguard physical possessions, maintain personal safety, and control entry and exit within a building. Locking mechanisms come in a variety of different types and configurations, from high tech electronic locks through to basic but effective lock barrel (Schließzylinder) devices that work with keys. Barrel locks are available in a variety of styles and for a wide range of uses, from domestic security through to their use on boats, automobiles, and while travelling.
Barrel locks are also known as cylinder locks, and describe a type of mechanism that is made from a cylinder that can be easily removed by a locksmith. This makes the process of refitting keys much easier, while still offering the security that is needed wherever locks are installed. A variety of locking mechanisms can be used in barrel locks, including pin tumbler locks, wafer tumbler locks, and disc tumbler locks. Cylinder locks can be changed without messing with the boltwork hardware, which is a major advantage of these types of locks.
In a standard barrel lock configuration, pin tumbler or wafer tumbler mechanisms are used. These locks are closed in the rest position, and used with a key which has a series of grooves on both sides of the key. This is known as the blade or the key blade, and limits the type of lock that any individual key can use. As the key enters the lock, the key grooves on both sides of the blade are made to align with the keyway mechanism. If the right key blade is used for the right barrel, entry to the cylinder will be provided. If the key is able to access the barrel or cylinder, the series of internal teeth and notches on the key try to move into alignment with the inner and outer cylinder, which allows the cylinder or barrel to rotate and the lock to open. Barrel mechanisms are crucial to a number of locking devices, and used all over the world for safety and security.