Shear line on X and Y axis

[vinnie]

So assume the X axis is the normal direction you'd shear the pins at in a lock. If the Y axis is depth, from front to back of the lock, how much more difficult would it be to pick a lock where to open it on would have to align the pins so the cylinder could be pushed inwards before being turned to open the lock? It seems like it would be very straight forward and simple to make, it's just a matter of spacing the pins a touch more so there is at least enough space between them for a pin to fit, having a forward pushing spring on the cylinder, and having simple teeth blocking it from rotating when it hasn't been pushed in first but the teeth align to allow rotation when it has. In my mind it would seem straight forward enough to pick, instead of using a torque wrench you just push inwards and follow the same principle. But maybe it wouldn't be so simple since the shear line has all the pins lined up. Also, it would certainly pose a huge problem for someone trying to pick a lock like that if they didn't know before hand that you'd have to push rather than turn and they'd never get it!

thoughts?

[MacGyver101]

If I understand your question correctly, it wouldn't be much of a change to picking: you'd just be applying gentle pressure against the face of the lock, rather than gently rotating it with a tension wrench.

To get you thinking of other options, an excellent example of pins that work in two axes, have a look at a Medeco camlock: the pins need to be lifted and rotated. (I realize that most of the Medeco locks rely on two-axis operation, but the lifting/rotating are most tightly coupled in their camlocks... with the camlocks, you can't first pick the pins to a shearline and then rotate them for the sidebar, or vice-versa.)

[GWiens2001]

The Schlage keypad deadbolts I installed on my house works kind of the opposite. After turning the key (if you are not using the keypad) about 90 degrees, the lock cylinder drops in about 1/4", which allows it to engage the cam, allowing the external knob to be turned, retracting or extending the bolt.

Of course, the key function is disabled on my locks now, but that is how they used to work!

Gordon

[dll932]

I flew a Piper that you had to push in the lock before the key would turn.

[Quickpicknpay]

i have an old padlock that works similar to this. You insert the key and push in the cylinder core a few millimetres inside the lock and that pushes the shackle out, then you turn it. Cool padlock but easy to pick as you just need to pull on the shackle and rake the pins.