What Are Pin Tumbler Locks and What Advantages Do They Offer?
Locks play a crucial role in ensuring the level of security of any residential property. With the range of locks available in the market, it can get overwhelming for homeowners to weigh the pros and cons of each before replacing or installing a lock for their home. One of the most popular and widely used lock designs in the country, as well as in the world, is a pin tumbler lock.
What are pin tumbler locks?
Also known as circle pin tumbler locks or Yale locks, pin tumbler locks are locks that use several pins of different lengths to allow it to open by inserting only a specifically designed tubular or cylindrical key. These pins secure the lock to prevent it from being opened when a wrong key is inserted. Pin tumblers are seen in cylinder locks and radial locks. These locks are widely used in applications such as doors, cabinets, game machines, elevators, bi-cycles, coin-operated devices (vending machines and washing machines), and padlocks.
Major components of a pin tumbler lock include driver pins (top pins), key pins (bottom pins), plug, cylinder, springs, and a cam. A series of pin stacks are arranged that are pushed down using a spring to keep them in place. A key has to align correctly to separate all the pin stacks at the shear line. When this happens, the plug can easily rotate, triggering the locking bolt to either lock or unlock using the right key. Inserting a wrong key restricts the correct alignment of all the components and blocks the plug's rotation.
Types of pin tumbler locks
In-line pin tumbler locks (In-line PT): As the name suggests, in this type of pin tumbler lock, pins are arranged in a line. A flat key is used to open these locks.
Radial pin tumbler locks (RPT): The pins are arranged radially in this type of lock, and they can be opened using a round key.
History
The discovery of the first known tumbler lock was in the ruins of the Palace of Khorsabad, Iraq. The invention of the pin tumbler lock is dated back to 2000 BC in Egypt. Initially made from wood, the material was later replaced by metal and brass. An American physician Abraham O. Stansbury was awarded the patent for a double-acting pin tumbler, in 1805, in England. He was also granted a patent in the US after a couple of years. The invention of the modern pin tumbler lock is attributed to Linus Yale Sr. in 1948. After that, his son Linus Yale Jr. took inspiration from his father’s work to patent and invent the compact and reliable pin-tumbler locks that we see today.
Advantages of pin tumbler locks
Resistance to severe weather conditions
Cost-effective
Safe
A master key can be formed that can open all the doors of a house or commercial building
Simple to re-key
Convenient to use
Contact a residential and commercial locksmith for more information on installing, repairing, and maintaining pin tumbler locks.
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