Pin Tumbler
The pin tumbler lock (or Yale lock) a locking mechanism that movable able of varying sizes to prevent the lock from opening without the correct key. They are most commonly found in cylinder locks, but may also be used in tubular pin tumbler locks.
Mechanism
Pin tumbler mechanisms are often used in cylinder locks, where the outer casing called the cylinder has a cylindrical hole where the plug is housed. The plug has a straight slot known as the keyway which is open at one end to allow the key to enter the plug.
A series of pins are stacked and pushed down by a spring towards the key hole. The keyway often has ledges that protrude out to prevent the keys pins from falling into the plug. These protrusions are sometimes used to make it more difficult to pick the lock as well. Each stack of pins must be moved to a certain height to allow the pins to separate at a a shear-line.
The key is entered in to the lock in order to elevate the pins. The pins that the key interacts with are called the key pins, and pins that are pushed downward by the spring are called the driver pins . When all pin stacks are moved to the correct height, the plug can freely rotate and a cam on the back of the plug can actuate the bolt or unlock the shackle. An incorrect key will not align the pin stacks correctly, and they will get stuck between the cylinder and the plug. This is known as binding.
A series of pins are stacked and pushed down by a spring towards the key hole. The keyway often has ledges that protrude out to prevent the keys pins from falling into the plug. These protrusions are sometimes used to make it more difficult to pick the lock as well. Each stack of pins must be moved to a certain height to allow the pins to separate at a a shear-line.
The key is entered in to the lock in order to elevate the pins. The pins that the key interacts with are called the key pins, and pins that are pushed downward by the spring are called the driver pins . When all pin stacks are moved to the correct height, the plug can freely rotate and a cam on the back of the plug can actuate the bolt or unlock the shackle. An incorrect key will not align the pin stacks correctly, and they will get stuck between the cylinder and the plug. This is known as binding.