Public/Private key demonstration box/lock

[Switch]

Right. what I need is a lock that can be locked by one key, but not unlocked.
And unlocked by another key.

This is basicly to practically demonstrate how public private key encryption works at university.
Ideally some sort of lever tumbler lock would be ideal as the keys are easy to identify as being different to the students.

The end result is to be able to make a box, with the lock on it. so that something can be placed in it. Locked (encrypted) with the public key and then cannot be unlocked again by anyone who's stolen a copy of the "public key".

So then the other student in question can then unlock it using the 2nd (Private) key.


So what I want to know is does what I want exist? (it must, as surely the mechanics for 2 keys shouldn't be that hard at all to implement in a Lever Mortice Lock.

Thanks

[Rickthepick]

have you seen the lefty loosey right tighty thread

[Rickthepick]

sorry i assumed it was a pin tumbler...

but lever lock hmmm i have an idea

[Rickthepick]

you could use a closed lever lock such as the 3g114 and file all the gates of the lock wide open in the locking direction.

this way you would lock it with any chubb key... or even a screwdriver to be honest but you would need the proper key to open it

[Switch]

So there's nothing "on the market" that does this out of the box?

[Squelchtone]

So there's nothing "on the market" that does this out of the box?

There might be, but please be patient in waiting for an answer, this isn't 1-800-askalockie. Some of us are busy at work and more people will check the forum as the day goes by.

Abloy had something like this for shop keeps who would open the store in the morning with 1 key, and then an employee closing up for the night could turn the lock to the closed position with another key, but could not come back in the middle of the night and unlock the store in order to steal. I have heard of some mortise cylinders being modified for this purpose, and as I'm in the USA, we don't have many lever locks here such as Chubb or ERA, but I'm sure you'll get some good answers by the end of the day.

Cheers,
Squelchtone

[Switch]

Awesome. Didn't mean to sound impatient (as there's no rush) was just continuing the conversation with above afterlooking at the lock he had suggested....

[Josh K]

So there's nothing "on the market" that does this out of the box?

Technically with public / private key encryption aren't you encrypting with their public key and then they decrypt it with their private key? Then they can respond with your public key and you use your private key?

If you don't mind spending a good chunk of change, Abloy makes a deadbolt that is lockable from both sides, but can be unlocked from the inside with a special "emergency key."

[Schuyler]

While the lever lock might be the best option for aesthetics, using those ridiculously colored aluminum blanks for a pin-tumbler version might provide the visual distinction you would need.

The pin tumbler one is just incredibly easy to make, so if you don't find a more appropriate answer, this will walk you through modifying a pin tumbler:

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=15918

Or, if you like, I'll happily just do one up for you and send it over.

[JackNco]

I imagine there will be safety deposit locks on the market that do this.

[Switch]

Well for starters I'm English, which means postage might hit up you up a bit.

But I see how the filing works, allows the top half of a pin to slide out one side (at a lower height), and not the other, so it would be easy to make a key that can only lock the lock, and then make one that can lock AND unlock,

As all you would have to do is file down the peak on the key that you want to only have one function. and still works with the stock key

right?

In other news I know virtually nothing about locks and keys (short of the set of Comb Picks I have for dealing with irritating automotive related padlocks..........)

[Schuyler]

You'd pay the shipping

And welcome to the community. Lot of crossover between locks & crypto it seems, only I know virtually nothing about your end of things

[Switch]

Well I find things which can amuse my hands while doing other things or waiting for things to happen fun.

Like Electronics. and building this box is something to keep me amused with practical/educational application.