Ever wondered the working of how locks work, or the types that exist, or any of the intricacies that go with them? Allow us to give you an in-depth investigation and explanation into what a lock is.
What is a Lock?
Well, easy place to start, so “What is a lock?”; a lock is a mechanism for keeping any opening device (Door, lid, etc.) fastened, and typically opened by a specific key, code, or similar item. Locks are traditionally used to secure specific items within an enclosure.
How Do Locks Work?
When it comes to door locks, many similarities exist when it comes to the makeup of the lock itself. One part of the lock is fitted to the door frame, typically a strong, metal reinforcement for a hole cut into the door. The other part of the lock is a metal mechanism that fits into a rectangular hole in the door; it moves a heavy bolt into or out of the reinforced hole.
Types of Locks
There are a few different kinds of locks that are used for door security:
- Ward Lock – The oldest and most straightforward type of lock. They look very similar to most other locks, but earn their name from the parts on its interior, where it has metal pieces fitted inside of it that line up with the holes in a particular key. These pieces are known as wards.
- Tumbler locks – a lock mechanism that uses pins of varying lengths to prevent the lock from opening without the correct key.
- Electronic Locks – The name kind of speaks for itself, in that these are locks that utilize a specific code entered into the device to allow entry.
- Biometric Locks – Locks that incorporate the interaction of someone’s physical self, such as fingerprint readers and iris scanners.
