Non-destructive lock-picking of a historical treasure chest by means of X-ray computed tomography.

An innovative approach to a non-destructive lock mechanism examination by means of X-ray computed tomography (CT) was involved in a careful opening of a locked 19th century chest missing the key, as an interdisciplinary cooperation with the restorers. In regard of the exploration and conservation of...

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Main Authors: Eva Zikmundová, Tomáš Zikmund, Vladimír Sládek, Jozef Kaiser
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2020-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0235316&type=printable
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author Eva Zikmundová
Tomáš Zikmund
Vladimír Sládek
Jozef Kaiser
author_facet Eva Zikmundová
Tomáš Zikmund
Vladimír Sládek
Jozef Kaiser
author_sort Eva Zikmundová
collection DOAJ
description An innovative approach to a non-destructive lock mechanism examination by means of X-ray computed tomography (CT) was involved in a careful opening of a locked 19th century chest missing the key, as an interdisciplinary cooperation with the restorers. In regard of the exploration and conservation of such locked objects, their opening is important to the restorers. However, the opening may be complicated, if not impossible, without damaging the object when the key is missing. Moreover, the historical locks might be equipped with protective mechanisms. Despite the exceeding dimensions and the weight of the steel chest, a CT analysis was performed, which enabled a detailed exploration of the lock based on a system of levers and bolts handled by a single key, located in a case on the inside of the chest lid, including the dimensions essential for manufacturing of a new key copy. Moreover, two secret protective mechanisms were revealed, as well as all the damages of the object.
format Article
id doaj-art-cfc3d16e293a4f63abf86df37f645453
institution OA Journals
issn 1932-6203
language English
publishDate 2020-01-01
publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
record_format Article
series PLoS ONE
spelling doaj-art-cfc3d16e293a4f63abf86df37f6454532025-08-20T02:00:46ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032020-01-01157e023531610.1371/journal.pone.0235316Non-destructive lock-picking of a historical treasure chest by means of X-ray computed tomography.Eva ZikmundováTomáš ZikmundVladimír SládekJozef KaiserAn innovative approach to a non-destructive lock mechanism examination by means of X-ray computed tomography (CT) was involved in a careful opening of a locked 19th century chest missing the key, as an interdisciplinary cooperation with the restorers. In regard of the exploration and conservation of such locked objects, their opening is important to the restorers. However, the opening may be complicated, if not impossible, without damaging the object when the key is missing. Moreover, the historical locks might be equipped with protective mechanisms. Despite the exceeding dimensions and the weight of the steel chest, a CT analysis was performed, which enabled a detailed exploration of the lock based on a system of levers and bolts handled by a single key, located in a case on the inside of the chest lid, including the dimensions essential for manufacturing of a new key copy. Moreover, two secret protective mechanisms were revealed, as well as all the damages of the object.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0235316&type=printable
spellingShingle Eva Zikmundová
Tomáš Zikmund
Vladimír Sládek
Jozef Kaiser
Non-destructive lock-picking of a historical treasure chest by means of X-ray computed tomography.
PLoS ONE
title Non-destructive lock-picking of a historical treasure chest by means of X-ray computed tomography.
title_full Non-destructive lock-picking of a historical treasure chest by means of X-ray computed tomography.
title_fullStr Non-destructive lock-picking of a historical treasure chest by means of X-ray computed tomography.
title_full_unstemmed Non-destructive lock-picking of a historical treasure chest by means of X-ray computed tomography.
title_short Non-destructive lock-picking of a historical treasure chest by means of X-ray computed tomography.
title_sort non destructive lock picking of a historical treasure chest by means of x ray computed tomography
url https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0235316&type=printable
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