Interchangeable core lock cylinder
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An interchangeable core lock cylinder is a lock cylinder that can be removed by using a special key (control key) that is combinated into the pin segments of the cylinder. Interchangeable cores can be removed from one type of lock (bored cylindrical lock, mortise lock, padlock, etc.) and placed into another lock.
The interchangeable core was invented by Frank Best in 1912. Frank Best went on to found Best Universal Lock Company which eventually came to be Best Access Systems, Inc.
The Best style of interchangeable core has become the most well known type of interchangeable core cylinder. This type of cylinder is also offered by many other commercial lock manufacturers and is often referred to as a small format interchangeable core (SFIC).
Additionally, other formats of interchangeable core cylinders are also available from various other manufacturers, including Schlage, Medeco, Sargent, Corbin-Russwin and Yale Lock.