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A pin tumbler is a crucial component within a cylinder lock. It works in conjunction with other pins to prevent the lock mechanism from moving unless the correct key is inserted. The key's serrations lift these pins to precise heights, allowing the cylinder to rotate and the bolt to retract. This system, an adaptation of an ancient Egyptian principle, forms the basis of the widely used Yale lock.123

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  1. pin tumbler
  2. key
  3. lock

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