Crazy idea, let's discuss

[scriptguru]

As many other "lockpickers" I have been thinking a lot about new locks, more pick resistant, better, more convenient, etc - for months, or even years. Couple weeks ago I came to idea which still looks interesting to me, so I decided to share it. Currently it's rather idea, so technical implemetation is impossible without big discussion and finding certain technical solutions (partially, that's why I am posting it here).

Firstly, let me describe main features (picture alone wouldn't explain anything).
1. Two-way security: lock is also a key, and key is also a lock. It adds some interesting and beneficial features, such as secure keys which are much harder to decode or duplicate.
2. Many keys in one. One keychain-sized key may contain many (up to 8, maybe) keys, they all are inside the same "box", and feel much more comfortable in a pocket (also this way keys never make a hole in a pocket). No need to choose right key - just insert whole "device" in a "keyhole", and right key will be used autimatically.
3. Fully mechanical solution, no electronics. Quite simple inside though.
4. Optional - keys are easy to destroy, but it would never happen accidentally.
5. Allows different kinds of keys in one "key pack".

I don't think the whole system will ever be implemented in reality, but it looks so cool to me, so I can't hold it inside anymore
And it looks like nobody but you guys would understand the idea, maybe appreciate it, maybe discuss pros and cons.

Now drawing the picture - will return in a hour or two.

[scriptguru]

The sketch of the "key" (which is in fact a locked container for few keys).


Numbers on picture:
1. Handle. User holds it when inserting the "key" into the "lock", and rotates it like a regular key when the "key" is inserted.
2. Body. Contains everything. Must be quite tough.
3. Keys. In the inactive position they are inside container, so they cannot be decoded. When activated (by handle turn, when in lock), they are outside lock body, so the lock can use their data (diples, cuts, whatever you want) and open the door. The keys made of tempered glass, so they are tough enough, hardly ever worn, but can be easily destroyed by simple mechanism when the "key" is thrown on the hard surface with force (optional security feature). A "key" cannot be extracted from a lock in active positions, because all keys change their position and go into special flat keyholes inside the lock, so they block key extraction. Therefore, normally user don't ever see keys bitings, dimples, etc.
4. The locking part of the "key". It uses a small tubular-like lock (the kind which sometimes can be found in vending machines, etc - with flat surface instead of tubular keyhole). It prevents handle from rotation when the "key" is not inserted into the lock. If you insert the "key" into right lock, user can rotate the handle, and keys go out of "key" body, and open the lock. Otherwise, the "key" will block itself - the handle cannot be rotated.
5. Rotating part of the locking part of the "key".
6. Pins, which must be pushed by special key in the lock. Therefore, user inserts "key" in the lock, and lock will push pins and activate the "key".

In general, the system is quite easy to imagine. The "key" is a container with an axle inside of metal body. Glass petal-shaped keys are fixed on the axle. The axle is connected with the locking part of "key", so it can be rotated only if the "key" is inserted into the right lock (which has a kind of key to do that).

The mechanism of lock itself is not described here because there may be different kinds of locks which share the same principle of key container and shape of the key.

If any additional images are needed, please ask - I will try to illustrate what you want.

Sorry for poor English

[vov35]

It does sound pretty interesting, but I can't imagine how keys rotated to that angle would be able to interact with most mechanisms. Also I think a tube-lock on the key would lead to specialized impressioning tools to decode keys. Plus, I don't understand how the lock would select which key to employ.

[scriptguru]

Wow, first answer! I thought nobody would not reply.

The good side of this conception is that each key may use completely different code storage principle: for example, first key may use dimples, second one may have chip embedded, third could store code as a combination of transparent and opaque points, etc. And all these keys still can be stored in a compact form in a handy way.

The bad side is that all these magic locks are not invented yet. However,I believe they are not that hard to create.

How a lock would chose right key?
There are two possible solutions, both with pros and cons.
1. Elegant solution: depending on lock, key pack inserts right key into the lock. How it works? Well, as you remember, lock presses pins on the "key pack" when it is inserted in the lock. Therefore, "key pack" can choose right key for the lock. It is not that hard to do technically, but of course it makes "key pack" quite sophisticated (more sophisticated than average modern lock).
2. Straightforward solution: "key pack" always inserts all keys into any lock (any lock which has right "key" to open the "key pack"), and then lock reads a key at preprogrammed position. For example, home lock always reads first key, car lock reads second key, etc. This solution, however, makes locks more sophisticated, because they should be able to read key even though there are many keys which are located quite close to each other.

How the key would open locks?
I think it should store user's key rotation energy in springs, and when key is rotated to the final position (90 degreed), the lock reads code from key, and if the code is correct, the lock moves deadbolt, etc. Much like the pistols and revolvers work, but they shoot always, in contrast to lock that opens only if the code on key is right This way it would be nearly impossible to open with force, because the force appllied to lock mechanism is strictly limited with the spring which temporarily stores energy.

I really appreciate the fact that there are at least one person who understands the idea and discusses it with me Even if the idea may be not usable in real world, it is something absolutely new and may bring new ideas.

[landeroth]

from the basic idea of it, it almost sounds like a reverse lever lock, where the key would be a lever pressed up against the pins, or are you saying the turning force pushes the key out, like say by an axle that is wider on the back and pushes the keys straight out into the lock? if you were talking about the second one, you could actually make it into a knob to turn to open the lock, although how it would actually lock escapes me on the design.