New Lock Designs

[thequantaleaper]

For some reason I've been working with a number of designs for locks.. and I would like to dedicate this post to those.

I would encourage feedback and think it would be cool if those of you out there with lock design ideas to post them here.

This first simple one of mine is basically a pin-tumbler with a tube at the bottom and curved top to make the use of a torque wrench more difficult. I will say that it looks like you could use it between the tube part and the pin.. but I am working on that now.

And please keep in mind that I am not an artist.

[thequantaleaper]

And as a side note.. I was thinking of keeping this in the not so high security level. But rather simple changes in design to make the locks a tad bit more difficult to pick.

[n2oah]

Uhhh, that isn't going to work.

[timelord]

If you want to make a new sort of lock, I would move away from thinking about pins.

[linty]

looks like you'd need a custom key machine just to make duplicates.

[Shrub]

Thers a cpouple of threads on this subject already and one big long one.

Your lock above would only need a tube with a small lip on to tension it.

[jimb]

I think you will have some problems getting that key into and even out of the lock.

[timelord]

In that case it might keep everybody out!

[HeadHunterCEO]

looks like an expensive key blank

[vector40]

I get your idea, but as has been mentioned, it would require a prohibitive logistical infrastructure for no real advantage -- you could still tension from the top of the keyway, or in any number of other ways.

[Raccoon]

I think a tube key would be an ideal start to a high security lock, as it can shield tools from entering the lock easily. This can be seen in warded/lever locks which have a pin that the shaft of the key slides over. Handcuff keys, for example.

A bigger pin and shaft as seen in your key would make it quite difficult for wires to wrap around and reach the levers.

Check out this thread for diagrams of simple warded locks. Diagrams of lever locks would be more useful, but this is close enough.

viewtopic.php?t=7620

[n2oah]

Handcuff keys, for example.

Oh, you mean the ones you can pick with paperclips?

[NKT]

How on earth is the center piece that slides into the key supported? It's a huge long pipe for no reason. At least turn it into an active part of the key or something...

Take a look at the Bramah or a tubular lock design, and see how they use the tube shape of the lock, and you could try adding the pin cylinder design to that.

I'm still not sure how that key you drew would turn, though? Where's the pivot point?

[Aqua]

If I understand correctly - the tube under the keyhole is connected with the cam, and with the cam only. It looks to me as it would be prone to bending down or even braking off. And when bent or broken - it gives a whole lot more space to operate with a pick than you might have in a typical pin-tumbler. If someone would like to avoid bending/breaking the tube, then a 2 ended tension wrech would solve the problem of hard tensioner access (i always forget how is this tool called, but you should know what i mean).
One more thing - it seems, by looking at the key, that the pins have a flat end instead of a spike-like end? A lockpickers' dream.

And as to the ideas: How about a round keyway and a round dimple key with a flattened tip? There would be 5 or 6 pins located along the keyway (could be one or more sheerlines), and there would be 2 pins at the end, one for each side of the flattened end of the key to push to the correct depth, so that the cylinder would catch with the cam. A round dimple key would also give a great opportunity to use different angles for the pins. I would classify the idea as a design for a medium security lock.
I've seen similar locks to the one i've described, but with the tension added at the beggining of the keyway, and without the pins at the end i've mentioned. Oryginally, each sheerline was at 90 degrees turn from the other sheerline (16 pins = 4 pins from 4 sides).

Aye.

[CapnCurry]

A tubular key is difficult to manufacture or duplicate, but if we're going to do it this way, let's capitalize on it. Let's put the keyway right smack in the middle of the cylinder, and have four bitted blades radiating out (like a cross key). Then, at the tip of the key, we cut bitting into it around the blades like it's a tubular key. So, it'd be like a cross between a tubular key and a cross key, and if your tolerances are good, I can't imagine any other way to pick it than to use a cross-key pick for a bit, then a tubular pick for a bit, the a cross-key pick for a bit, then.... well, it's not impossible to pick, but it's at least up to a four-aspirin problem.