Locks provide us with a sense of security, knowing that our home and belongings are equipped with a safeguard to prevent other people from readily gaining entry. However, if you lose your key, they can be just as effective at barring you. Luckily, a locksmith can help you get back inside. If you've ever wondered about the mechanics behind these systems, the guide below explains. 

How Do Locks Work? 

A lock is a mechanical device that requires a rotary motion to turn a bolt so that it either blocks or unblocks access to a room, vehicle, or safe. In the case of doors, both the door and frame are drilled with adjacent holes, often protected by metal reinforcement.

Built into the door is a cylinder containing a crank, cam, or lever that can make a bolt slide in or out of the hole in the frame.

In most cases, a key provides the rotary motion necessary to move the mechanism. The knob is also built with a unique combination of fixed and movable metal pieces, usually called wards and tumblers, so that they only accommodate keys with a corresponding design. Without the right key, you couldn’t operate the crank, cam, or lever, which wouldn’t move the bolt. You’d have to call a locksmith for help. 

What Types of Locks Exist? 

The oldest and most classic lock is the ward lock, which is fitted with the aforementioned metal wards that only let a matching key slide inside. However, they offer limited security because they’re easy to pick. Tumbler locks are considered to be superior; they use a circle of differently sized cylindrical pins to block a bolt from moving without the right key. 

Modern electronic locks can be programmed to respond specifically to signals from certain key cards and security passcodes. However, they often come with more traditional locks so that you can open them with a key if the electronic mechanisms fail or become unavailable.

If you need help getting back inside your house or car, contact one of our team at Lincoln Lock & Safe. Serving Lincoln, NE, and the surrounding areas, we’ve spent more than 50 years building a reputation as friendly, honest, and dependable commercial and residential locksmiths. Because we care about your security, we support our expertise with only the most up-to-date tools and equipment. To request assistance 24/7, call (402) 475-0002. Visit the website to learn more about our offerings.