Chicago Lock Co. is a

lock Lock(s) may refer to: Common meanings *Lock and key, a mechanical device used to secure items of importance *Lock (water navigation), a device for boats to transit between different levels of water, as in a canal Arts and entertainment * ''Lock ...

manufacturer, founded in Chicago in 1920. Since 1933, it has sold a

tubular pin tumbler lock A tubular pin tumbler lock, also known as a circle pin tumbler lock, radial lock, or the trademark Ace lock popularized by manufacturer Chicago Lock Company since 1933, is a variety of pin tumbler lock in which a number of pins are arranged in a c ...

marketed under the registered trademark "Ace." Millions of Ace locks have been sold; for instance, these locks are used in

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's Triple Play

bulk vending Bulk vending is the sale of unsorted confections, nuts, gumballs, toys and novelties (in capsules) selected at random and dispensed generally through non-electrically operated vending machines. Bulk vending is a separate segment of the vending ...

machine. In 2004 it was widely publicized that the barrel of a cheap ballpoint pen would act as an effective lock pick for many brands of tubular lock.

History

Chicago Lock Co was located on the northside of Chicago, from 1920 until 1964, at Racine and Clyborn avenues. In 1964, the company relocated to the northwest side of the city at Belmont and Lowell avenues. In 1995, the company again relocated this time to

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. The company was family owned and operated for 80 years. The popular history of the company was that it began as a lightning rod manufacturer, later they grew into a furniture builder that incorporated locks in some of the pieces they created. This then began their long history of lock making. The company engineered locks to their customer's specific needs, furniture, vending, car alarms, military, and wall safes were among the specialty products.

Acquisition

Chicago Lock was acquired in November 1999 by CompX, and its products continue to be manufactured at a facility in

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References

Manufacturing companies based in Chicago 1920 establishments in Illinois {{manufacturing-company-stub