What is a Lever Lock?
What is a Lever Lock?
Lever locks have been around for centuries and are still a popular lock today. This type of lock utilizes a lever to keep the bolt from moving in the lock. When in action, the lever raises the tumbler above the bolt, allowing it to pass through the lock. The number of tumblers can vary. The greater the number, the more secure the lock will be. Lever locks are operated by means of a bitted key. This type of key is cut with bittings; these are the parts of the key that come into contact with the tumblers and maneuver them to activate the lock. Each notch on the key is cut to different depths to make the key unique. The bitting code is provided by the lock manufacturer and is represented as a series of numbers or letters. This allows the locksmith to cut the correct keys for the lock.
The First Lever Locks
The double acting lever lock was invented by British locksmith Robert Barron in 1778. It operated by means of a lever which had a slot cut into it. The lever has to be raised to exactly the correct height in order to allow it to function. Jeremiah Chubb and his brother Charles advanced Barron’s lock in 1827 replacing the fence and gate mechanism by attaching bolts and levers and a device known as a detector which enabled the lock to be reset of the main levers were lifted to far. This meant that the lock was not as vulnerable to lock-picking and the owner could tell if the lock had been tampered with. In 1851 a new design was patented by Tucker and Reeves. This lock had a shifting bolt which made it more resistant to lock picking than previous designs. The Parson’s lock was developed in 1832. This lock incorporated seven separate levers that were connected to a common midpoint rather than being hinged at a single endpoint.
Though still popular today, lever locks are not the most secure of all lock types as some of them are quite vulnerable to lock-picking and decoding.