Schlage Primus

Schlage Primus

Schlage Primus
Name	Schlage Primus
Manufacturer	Schlage
Lock Type	Cylinder
Lock Design	Pin-tumbler, Sidebar
Patent	replica watches US 4,815,307
Related Locks
Schlage Everest Schlage Primus Everest

The Primus (or Classic Primus, Primus XP) is a UL 437 rated pin-tumbler lock made by Schlage. It uses six pin-tumblers and a sidebar that requires finger pins to be raised and rotated properly. The Primus is functionally identical to the ASSA Twin Combi lock, but it does not include as many anti-lockpicking and key control mechanisms. The patent protection on Primus keys ended in 2007.

The Primus is an updated version of the Schlage Everest. The Schlage Everest Primus is an alternate version of the Primus that enhances key control capabilities.

Principles of operation

See also ASSA Twin Combi

The Primus uses six pin-tumblers and fix sidebar finger pins. Unlike its ASSA counterpart, the Primus does not provide any security pins by default. There are 10 depths available for bottom (key) pins. Key pins are numbered 0-9 sized .165" to .300 with a step of .015". There are eight master pins numbered 2-8 sized 0.030" to 0.135" with a step of .015". Driver pins come in three sizes (1-3) from .235" to .165" with a step of .035". These drivers provide pseudo-balanced pin stacks; a 1 driver is used if the size of the key and master pin stack is 0-3, 2 if 4-6, and 3 if 7-9. Any key/master pin stack larger than 9 is invalid (the master pin would not drop down far enough to align at the shear line. In total, there are 1,000,000 (10⁶) theoretical key differs for the pin-tumbler portion of the lock.

The sidebar, located in the 8 o'clock position, is pushed out by two springs. The sidebar bitting on the key raises finger pins which interface with the sidebar. Sidebar finger pins must be raised and rotated properly for the sidebar to retract. When both the sidebar pins and the pin-tumbler are aligned the plug can rotate.

• 

  The Schlage Primus key.

• 

  The Primus sidebar.

• 

  Sidebar pins properly aligned.

• 

  Sidebar pins rotated by the key.

Notes

• The Primus is available in rated and non-rated cylinders. Non-rated cylinders do not include hardened anti-drill protections.

Key security levels

The Primus offers a variety of key security levels:

Level 1 - Commercially Exclusive

Distributors sell to end users via commercial locksmiths. All Level 1 keys have the same sidebar bitting code.

Level 1+ - Wholesaler/Locksmith Exclusive

Locksmiths resell exclusive wholesaler sidebar bittings. Keys are stamped with unique locksmith ID numbers.

Level 2 - Contract Hardware Dealer Exclusive

Exclusivity limited to contract hardware dealers who sell directly to end users.

Level 3 - End User Exclusive

Exclusivity based on random assignment or the first 2 digits of a zip code.

Level 4 - End User Exclusive

Exclusivity based on time zone or nation.

Disassembly instructions

The Schlage Primus is disassembled in the same way as a traditional pin-tumbler cylinder. Care is taken to account for the sidebar and finger pins. Finger pins are spring biased outwards when the plug is exposed without a key inserted.

1. Remove the cam or C-clip.
2. Insert the key and turn the plug 45-90 degrees.
3. Withdraw the plug from the cylinder. (A plug follower is recommended)

OR

1. Remove the chamber casings and take out each pin-stack individually
2. Remove the cam or C-clip.
3. Withdraw the plug from the cylinder.

Vulnerabilities

• Lockpicking
• Key bumping
• Impressioning
• Decoding

Notes

• Key bumping is possible only with a bump key that has the correct sidebar code.

Gallery

Add to me!

See also

• Sidebar
• Pin-tumbler
• Schlage

US debt downgrade could mean rate hikes for all

NEW YORK — Lawmakers weren’t able to prevent the country from losing its coveted AAA debt rating.

Although the downgrade late Friday by Standard & Poor’s was historic, it wasn’t entirely unexpected. The three main credit agencies, which also include Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings, had warned during the fight over the debt ceiling that if Congress did not cut spending far enough, the country faced a downgrade.

And just like a lower consumer credit score implies that a borrower is a less reliable, a lower credit rating for government bonds implies there is more risk involved in lending money to the government.

Not every type of consumer borrowing replica watches has a direct tie to the government’s credit rating, but there are potential ripple effects for individuals.

Mortgage and home equity loans S&P’s downgrade may have several implications for homeowners.

For starters, early Monday S&P downgraded the credit ratings of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which are both backed by the U.S. government. That could mean higher mortgage rates for new borrowers. Freddie and Fannie together own or guarantee about half of all mortgages in the U.S.

Anyone hoping to buy a home in the near future likely has some time before they’ll see rates climb. Still they should ask their bank or mortgage broker about the process for locking in a rate. Mortgage rates have been at historic lows in recent months, but fixed-rate mortgages are typically directly tied to the yield on 10-year Treasury bonds. Higher mortgage rates would follow any increase in the Treasury yield. But so far it appears that Treasury yields won’t rise simply as a result of the downgrade.

Variable rate mortgages and home equity loans could become more expensive as well.

The high failure rate for adjustable rate mortgages during the housing meltdown means that today the number of new home loans with adjustable rates is minimal — less than 5 percent of the market, according to Stephen Malpezzi, an economics professor at the University of Wisconsin Business School who follows the housing market.

What’s less clear is how many older loans with adjustable rates remain out there, he said. With interest rates low in recent years, many homeowners who held adjustable rate mortgages have refinanced to fixed rates. For homeowners who still have ARMs, any potential change in their interest rates depends on whether their loan was linked to Treasury rates or some other benchmark, like the prime rate or federal funds rate.

Credit cards Consumers across the country, who carry an average $4,950 on their credit cards according to TransUnion, will be relieved to know that any changes as a result of the downgrade won’t be dramatic. And to the extent there are changes, certain protections are in place.

Most accounts with fixed rates were converted to variable rates in 2009 in response to the economic downturn and new regulations.

Banks don’t publicize the rates they’re charging current customers, but nearly 96 percent of the offers sent out for new cards in the first six months of this year carried variable rates, according to Mintel Compermedia, a market research firm.

Right now, banks are offering an average annual interest rate of 14.4 percent, according to Bankrate.com.

The good news is that even if market forces start sending card rates higher, current account balances will be protected from rate hikes under the credit card reforms passed in 2009. That means only new charges would be subject to higher rates. If rates rise several times over a period of months, card users could end up with multiple rates on various balances.