how does one understand the mechanics behind a push-button lock?

davidbenjamindix

ive searched all over the internet and the public library. i cannot find a single drawing/specification/diagram of the interior mechanisms of a mechanical (non-electronic) push-button keyless lock like this one:
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT8dJtlQlCXNT33Lyob1r-AP6lQqIOE5GoREAoYApsIgz3VKE6z9g

i consider it an antique lock because everything’s gone electronic. not for me though. i want to build my own push-button (posted on one of my other threads), and understanding the mechanics behind this will solve one of my problems on the other thread. is there a similar locking mechanism somewhere that would actually have a diagram or schematic so i can see how it works?

wylk

A rougly-similar lock is made by Simplex (now Kaba-Ilco) using five buttons. These have been around for a long time and you might some detailed information on the web. See also US patents 3,115,765 and 6,026,665. A further patent search for the newer ones like the image in your post might also yield some details but dealing with a patent search is a little more work.

Ultimately, the best understanding is probably achieved by taking one apart and seeing how it works.

Dean Nickel

I have rebuilt hundreds of Simplex locks when the combination chamber fails. It isn’t as simple as http://www.codelocks.us/ and their lock. But the simple lock is easyer to overcome. If you go to Kaba Ilco Simplex the L1000 manual has a drawing in their instructions of the insides Kaba Access Control - Literature Grid (Simplex - Mechanical Pushbutton Locks - PBL)
The codelocks might be easer to understand being it is a binary lock and the simplex is a series lock.

Series lock - Each button must be pushed in series or it will not open.
Binary lock - All the buttons must be pushed in order for the lock to open and order isn’t important.