What are patent protected keys? All is revealed in our High Security Keys explained – A Locks Online Guide. A great insight on how these keys secure your home!
A key isnt just a key anymore lets face it. There are so many variations to choose from with so many different locks, so whats so amazing about patent protected keys? The main feature is that they cannot just be copied in a key cutting shop unless the person looking to copy these keys, have proof of ownership and the unique key code that is printed on the lock. In this guide, I will mainly talk about our EPS Euro cylinder door locks and how their keys are of a high security standard!
Check out our EPS Keys and Cylinders here: https://www.locksonline.co.uk/acatalog/Locksonline-EPS-Key-High-Security-Euro-Cylinders.html
So below I have done a diagram of a standard high security key and labelled it for use during this article.

The main feature why these keys are of high security is because they have unique indents carved into the bit. These indents are made uniquely to each cylinder therefore none are ever alike. These keys work alongside the shear bar. This bar acts as a stop or a barrier! When the key is inserted into the keyhole, it will drop the pins in order to turn the plug. Once the pins have dropped, the engraved indents will then push against the side of the shear bar, pushing it out of place therefore opening the lock. If you had a normal key and managed to bypass the pins, the shear bar would then prevent the plug from turning any further. This is how important the indented keys are!
Each key will have a code printed on the bow which can only be identified by a professional key cutter. These EPS keys have several levels of security.
- Solid double action pins
- Integrated check for tampering
- Optimum wear resistance due to use of special nickel silver keys
- Legal protection thanks to copying protection
- Key with optimum bitting angle
- 5 Active scanning components
- Patented longitudinal profile
There are around 32billion different locking codes for these EPS Euro cylinders to ensure nobody will have the same. The good thing about this too is that if you lose your key, we are able to re-pin your cylinder that is in your door to fit a brand new key with a different code. The lost key then will not be able to be used on your door. How good is that?! No more spending money on expensive locks, you simply just re-pin the cylinder that is already in your door, to fit against a new key.
EPS Euro cylinders are not just for home, but are great for commercial business too. Again more so for the key purpose, they cannot be copied without your permission and the high security standard gives optimum peace of mind when it comes to locking up at night.
For more information on our EPS Euro cylinders and their keys, or to simply get a better understanding about how the keys work, please email us on enquiries@locksonline.co.uk or call our team today on 01646 698218.
If your looking to upgrade to a high security lock and key, CLICK HERE