Padlock

A padlock is a lock for closing simple closures. Padlocks are not incorporated, but only attached to the bracket. Mostly they are hung in the U-bracket of a union case, which covers the proprietary mounting screw heads.

Padlocks are often found at cellar doors, lockers, tool boxes, fences, shutters in front of shop entrances etc. Without practical function can be found padlocks and more often than love castle eg on bridges.

In the padlock a small lock cylinder is usually installed, which requires the typical jagged keys. There are also often padlocks made ​​in keyed alike version or integrated into a locking system. Alternatively, there are also designs that can be opened with one more digit number.

Protection against Aufbrechversuche

Safety-relevant attributes of padlocks are:

• Material thickness of the bracket
• Any hardening of the bracket
• Degree of accessibility for attacks with cutting tools

The less visible from the bracket after closing, the more difficult is the application of a bolt cutter.

There are also the possibilities and procedures for Lockpickings for non-destructive opening with a padlock with usually simple design locking cylinders. With a padlock with the number combination, it is possible to determine by a mechanical scanning with a thin metal film, the correct combination of digits, without having to try a large number of combinations of digits in many cases.

Deadlock

The so-called lock bolt, the bolt is covered by a massive housing part. Because of the overlap to be cut through the material thickness often exceeds the maximum opening width of commercial bolt cutters.

Discus lock

In the discus lock the bracket / stud is shaped as a circular ring segment, the move to close the round lock housing to an elbow - actually filmed - is. Such difficult -to-crack locks are about vending machines that are rarely inspected, or used in business shutters. By completing the lock jaw with one or two locking parts ( ring, chain link strap, perforated thick sheet tab ) the imposition- of the lock is difficult.

Corrosion protection

Earlier, it was common for externally attached padlocks (for example, locks on shed doors) by overlap with an approximately 15 cm × 15 cm piece to protect rubber from a car tire tube from corrosion caused by rain and icing. Today there are more and castles that are built into the object to be protected and protected with flaps against weathering. Examples can be found in electrical boxes, which are outdoors.

Padlocks, made ​​entirely of stainless steel, are expensive due to the high production effort, but are also very resistant to corrosion. Their life span can be increased with a little light oil. On the "keyhole" there may be a protective cover against splashing water.

Padlock with four digit combination

Medieval Padlock ( Kathmandu, Nepal )

Three Padlocks, the right is cut open a view of the inside free