Utility Locks
Utility locks should be very familiar to us, these are locks that are used every day.
Some examples of these are cabinet, locker, tool box, storage and mailbox locks.
These are just a few examples to get you thinking about the uses for these types of locks.
One of the biggest examples is the single bitted or SB Cobra locks.
These are very inexpensive to manufacture and sell from $2.
50 to $3.
50 each.
SB Utility Lock Features:
However this type can be made into different designs such as cabinet, display case or locker locks.
They can also be incorporated directly into many other types of devices made by any manufacturer.
An example of this is the "paddle handle" found on the storage (basement) doors on RV's.
The lock is incorporated into the handle itself.
Not all cabinet, locker or storage locks are utility locks.
They might have been upgraded to a higher security such as a push button or electronic style.
Most times the actual item will be sold with a traditional mechanical utility lock.
The end user then will decide if this is enough security, if not most items can be upgraded to a higher security lock.
As stated earlier cam and utility locks are often used to describe the same thing.
This is not accurate as cam locks are a complete category to themselves.
They have many different designs and security levels all the way to electronic cam locks.
Cam locks can be used as utility locks, however some utility locks cannot be used in the place of a cam lock.
I think that in the security industry you will find many different terms that mean the same thing.
I don't think that this is meant to confuse the consumer, but it is an industry that has gone through many different versions of the same lock, sometimes identifying them by different names.
In many instances this is done for marketing purposes to show a new lock (that looks like the older lock) is better, more secure or for some other reason.
Some examples of these are cabinet, locker, tool box, storage and mailbox locks.
These are just a few examples to get you thinking about the uses for these types of locks.
One of the biggest examples is the single bitted or SB Cobra locks.
These are very inexpensive to manufacture and sell from $2.
50 to $3.
50 each.
SB Utility Lock Features:
- Usually made of a zinc alloy through a di-casting process
- Is usually sold with two keys and a cam for one low price
- Is available with a stainless steel cap in different colors
- Dust cover
- Can be keyed alike or keyed different
- Comes in five or six different lengths
- Cuts are on one side of the key
However this type can be made into different designs such as cabinet, display case or locker locks.
They can also be incorporated directly into many other types of devices made by any manufacturer.
An example of this is the "paddle handle" found on the storage (basement) doors on RV's.
The lock is incorporated into the handle itself.
Not all cabinet, locker or storage locks are utility locks.
They might have been upgraded to a higher security such as a push button or electronic style.
Most times the actual item will be sold with a traditional mechanical utility lock.
The end user then will decide if this is enough security, if not most items can be upgraded to a higher security lock.
As stated earlier cam and utility locks are often used to describe the same thing.
This is not accurate as cam locks are a complete category to themselves.
They have many different designs and security levels all the way to electronic cam locks.
Cam locks can be used as utility locks, however some utility locks cannot be used in the place of a cam lock.
I think that in the security industry you will find many different terms that mean the same thing.
I don't think that this is meant to confuse the consumer, but it is an industry that has gone through many different versions of the same lock, sometimes identifying them by different names.
In many instances this is done for marketing purposes to show a new lock (that looks like the older lock) is better, more secure or for some other reason.
