古中國木鎖

Ancient Chinese Wooden Locks

不論是古中國或是其他古文明國家，鎖具的使用都已有數千年的歷史。隨著社會的變遷與科技的進步，鎖具不僅在功能與安全性方面越加完備，其設計與製作形式也是日新月異。鎖具的組成包含固定裝置、障礙物、及開啟裝置等三個基本部份。木鎖是古中國最早的具體鎖具，分為閂鎖(Bolt locks)與栓鎖(Pin tumbler locks)兩種。最初的閂鎖，由厚重的門閂與門板構成，僅能從門內開啟。在不斷的改進之下，發展出各種不同構造與開啟方式的古中國木栓鎖。本文首先論述鎖具基本組成，接著簡要說明鎖具歷史發展，最後介紹各種不同類型的古中國木鎖。依不同的鑰匙材質，古中國木鎖可分為下指頂(無鑰匙)、金屬鑰匙、及竹木鑰匙等三類，其中，以竹木鑰匙作為開啟裝置的木鎖，類型最多、使用範圍也最廣。若依鑰匙的插入方式與開啟方法，則可分為下指頂、門閂插入、門固插入、複合式竹木鑰匙、竹木鑰匙外加保險銷等五類。古中國木鎖的類型多樣、各具巧思創意，充份展現古代匠人不凡的工藝技術。

No matter ancient China or other ancient civilizations, the uses of locks and keys were over several thousands of years. Following the progressive development of the society and the technology, the function and the safety of locks are getting complete. Not only the design of locks is greatly improved, but also the manufacturing of locks is more precise. A lock basically consists of a fixed device, an obstacle and an opening device. Wooden lock is a definite lock in ancient China. There are two types such as bolt lock and pin tumbler lock. The earliest bolt lock includes a bolt and the door. It only can be opened inside. In the continuous improving, ancient Chinese pin tumbler wooden locks have a lot of types. The basic component of lock is mentioned first in this work. Then, the historical development of lock is presented briefly. The different types of ancient wood locks are introduced finally. According to the material of key, there are three types of ancient wooden locks, including finger pushing (no key opening), metal key, and bamboo & wooden key. According to the position of key inserting and the open method, wooden locks include finger pushing, lock bolt inserting, lock body inserting, compound bamboo & wooden key, and bamboo & wooden key with extra safe pin. Ancient Chinese wooden locks have many different types with clever designs. It shows the outstanding skills of ancient craftsmen.