Lock facts for kids
- For locks on a river or canal, see Lock (water transport)
A lock is a clever device that helps keep things safe and closed. It stops people from opening something, like a door, a box, or a safe, unless they have the right way to open it. Most locks use keys, which are special pieces of metal. But some locks can be opened with an electronic card, a secret set of numbers, or even your fingerprint!
When you "lock" something, it means you are setting the lock so that the door or object stays closed and secure. A person who knows all about locks and can fix or make them is called a locksmith.
How Locks Work: Different Mechanisms
Locks use different ways, or "mechanisms," to stay closed and then open up. Here are some common types:
Key Locks: Turning a Key
A key lock is probably the most common type. To open it, you need a special key. You put the key into the lock and turn it. The key has unique shapes, sometimes called "teeth," that fit perfectly inside the lock's parts. When you turn the key, these parts move, and the lock opens. You'll find key locks on most doors and many small boxes.
Combination Locks: Remembering Numbers
A combination lock doesn't use a key. Instead, it has a dial with numbers on it. To open it, you have to turn the dial to a specific sequence of numbers in the correct order. This secret sequence is called the "combination." Combination locks are often used on safes, bicycle locks, and school lockers.
Electronic Locks: Digital Security
An electronic lock is a modern type of lock that uses technology. It opens when it gets a special signal or "message" from a computer. This message can be stored on a "key card" or "security card" that you swipe or tap. Some advanced electronic locks can even recognize your fingerprint or scan your eye to let you in! These are often used in hotels or high-security buildings.
Time Locks: Waiting for the Clock
Time locks are very special locks, often found in banks on large vaults. These locks are set so they cannot be opened until a specific time has passed. This means that even if someone knows the combination, they can't open the vault until the preset time arrives. This helps keep valuable items safe, especially when the bank is closed.
Types of Locks You Might See
Besides how they work, locks also come in different shapes and are used for different things.
Padlocks: Portable Security
Padlocks are very popular because they are portable. You can carry them around and use them to secure different things, like a locker, a gate, or a bike. They usually have a U-shaped metal loop that snaps shut. Padlocks can be opened with a key or a combination.
Pin Tumbler Locks: Common Door Locks
Pin tumbler locks are very common for doors in homes and buildings. They are sometimes called 'Yale locks' because Linus Yale Jnr invented a popular version of this lock in the 1860s. These locks use small pins inside that must line up perfectly for the key to turn and open the lock.
Deadbolt Locks: Extra Strong Security
A Deadbolt lock is a very strong type of lock often used on outside doors for extra security. Unlike some other locks, the bolt (the part that slides into the door frame) cannot be pushed back into the door unless the lock cylinder is turned with the correct key. This makes them much harder to force open.
Spring Latch Locks: Quick Closing Doors
The Spring latch lock is the common type of lock you find on many indoor doors. It has a slanted bolt that springs out and locks automatically when you pull the door closed. While very convenient for quickly closing a door, it's not as secure as a deadbolt lock.
Keeping Things Secure
No lock is completely unbreakable, but some are much stronger and safer than others. Locks are designed to make it very difficult for unauthorized people to open them.
Sometimes, people try to open locks without a key or combination. This can be done by using a lot of force, like with a crowbar, which is a strong metal tool. Another way is called "lock picking," where special tools are used to manipulate the inside parts of the lock to open it without the key. These tools include skeleton keys or special lock picks. In most places, carrying these tools without a good reason (like being a registered locksmith) is against the law.
