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Locks have been widely used in our daily life in the past thousands of years. The development of locks arises psychologically from practical needs on safety for individuals, for groups, or for individuals within groups. Following the progressive development of the society and the technology, the function of locks is getting complete. Not only the design of locks is greatly improved, but also the manufacturing of locks is more precise. Furthermore, the usage of locks has been extended from doors, chests, and boxes to desks, safes, vehicles, … etc.

According to the design principle, ancient Chinese locks have two types including the splitting spring lock and the combination lock. The splitting spring lock is most popular one in ancient Chinese. It uses the simple elasticity and the clever dimensions to tie in with the design of key. The locking and opening functions are generated. Combination locks usually have three to seven wheels. They are of the horizontal round-pillar shape with several tunable wheels of the same size set in array on the central axis of the pillar body. Each wheel has the same amount of carved letters. Once the letters from all wheels are turned to the pre-set order and form a specific word, the lock is ready for opening. This object is a combination lock with three wheels and kirin shape.

L:9.40 cm X W:1.70 cm X H:5.40 cm

Ancient Chinese Locks

1980