An Unusual Lock

[Tennessee R]

Well, I'm still working on that Travco, no success yet, but, to change the subject just a bit, thought I'd let everyone get a look at this, and tell me what it is.




It has this inscription on one side of the casing:
RA-LOCK Co.
DALLAS. TEXAS
PAT.NO. 2.996.909

I found this, in some junk, I think it's at least 15-20 years old, probably used in the gas-station or car wash business, but it's a typical wafer-pin lock (At least I think so) that, when the key is inserted, allows the plug to turn inside the steel casing (on left) until it presses against whatever is to be locked, in the far left hole in the first photo.

Thought it was pretty neat, but I don't quite understand the dynamics of it. Pressure on even one pin (As you can see, there's 11, repeat eleven of them) seems to at least slightly move all of the rest.

I have never tackled a lock in which you have to work at the top and bottom, but screwed this one into the casing, got out a sort of double-diamond shaped pick, and went at it, to discover that it is incredibly easy. It seems you can't apply too much pressure, just work each side about twice, and it pops (of course, it then catches into the next notch, and you have to perform the operation again and again, to completely remove the plug, but I was quite amazed at how quickly I cracked my it, the very first try. Frankly, I was expecting it to be difficult, being I had never had a chance to try anything like this before.

Does anyone know what this type of lock is used for?

Anyway, I guess this is partly a success story, and partly for everyone elses information.

Tennessee R

[UWSDWF]

it's a double sided wafer lock for a filing cabinet i imagine

[digital_blue]

Yeah, I would say it looks like a double-sided wafer lock. You may have some good success with either a ball or double ball pick, light tension, and a soft scrubbing motion, first top, then bottom, then back, etc.

db

[raimundo]

that is an american type of lock, there is only one spring pushing on all 8 tumblers, you put the tension in the middle of the keyway, and stroke one side of the lock the the other, by the time you stroke the first side again it will pop

[raimundo]

that is an american type of lock, there is only one spring pushing on all 8 tumblers, you put the tension in the middle of the keyway, and stroke one side of the lock the the other, by the time you stroke the first side again it will pop anyway my discription is of the locking principle, it appears that your beast is a special purpose application of that type of cylinder, and you may have to re pick it every 180 degrees, as you unscrew it from whatever. American lock company used to even put these in the heavy steel padlock bodies that they still have.

[Tennessee R]

that is an american type of lock, there is only one spring pushing on all 8 tumblers, you put the tension in the middle of the keyway, and stroke one side of the lock the the other, by the time you stroke the first side again it will pop

PRECISELY!

you couldn't be more correct.

Although, I count 11, still, there appears to be only one spring pushing on all pins, therefore my statement:
"Pressure on even one pin (As you can see, there's 11, repeat eleven of them) seems to at least slightly move all of the rest."

I did put the pressure on the middle of the keyway, and, as I said previously: "just work each side about twice, and it pops"
It seemed that your advice:
"stroke one side of the lock the the other, by the time you stroke the first side again it will pop"
was again, correct.

You may have some good success with either a ball or double ball pick....

Digital_Blue, thank you, that is what I was trying to think of, when I said: "a sort of double-diamond shaped pick"
I didn't know what to call it, but, yes, it was a double ball pick, and it seemed to work extremely well.

I'm still not sure what it is used for, as you can see, the left half of the plug is threaded, and, when it is in the piece to the extreme left, it must be screwed counter-clockwise many many complete turns to remove it.

[btierney]

Tennessee - We have that exact lock on some old Motorola radio communications equipment that we use.

[Tennessee R]

Tennessee - We have that exact lock on some old Motorola radio communications equipment that we use.

Really?
So does a shackle on the equipment fit into the left hole, and the plug fit into a recessed area or something?
That's about the only way I can see it being of use, as if there is no recess, I don't see how you could get the plug tight enough against a smooth surface to do any good.

Tennessee

[btierney]

If memory serves me, the plug worked just like a screw to hold the cover closed. You put the key in, unscrewed the plug, and then you could get in to calibrate the radio. It's been a long time since I messed with it. I'm going to have to find one being trashed and get the lock now!

[Tennessee R]

If memory serves me, the plug worked just like a screw to hold the cover closed. You put the key in, unscrewed the plug, and then you could get in to calibrate the radio. It's been a long time since I messed with it. I'm going to have to find one being trashed and get the lock now!

Well, thank you. I can see how that might work, now.

Incredibly fun lock. It pops so easy. And because it has four security notches each turn, you get to pop it open again and again and again, before it will come out. The whole setup weighs in at 7.1 oz, though, so eventhough it's smaller and lighter than a security master padlock (at 9.8 oz) it's not something you just stick in your pocket for practice.

[5thcorps]

Similar internal design to locks that lock 2 sliding windows together. Like at a doctors office (to lock the windows at the reception window) I also use them where I work