The Operation of a Pin Tumbler Lock

When you unlock a padlock or most common locks, odds are you are opening a pin tumbler lock. These locks use several pins that move up to detect if the key inserted is the correct one to open the door.

History

• The first pin tumbler locks were used more than 4,000 years ago by the ancient Egyptians, but it wasn't until the mid-1800s that Yale Lock Co. created the first commercially available pin tumbler lock.

Mechanism

• When a key is inserted into the lock, a number of pins come into contact with the raised grooves on the key. This lifts the pins to a specific height. If the key is correct, the pins will align in the correct way and allow the key to turn. If the pins do no line up, the key will not turn.

Warning

• Most pin tumbler locks have four or five pins, but they are fairly easy to pick using a standard lock picking kit. While these locks may be easy to pick, they are also inexpensive and commonly used for padlocks and other locks that require keys.