How handcuffs work

Postby Harold » Wed May 16, 2012 11:56 am

I'm not talking about police cuffs, but the type sold at Party City and other stores. This type has a "Stop" switch (like the double-lock) and a working pivot connecting the chain to the cuff. When an old one failed I took it apart and took a few pictures. I always break off the safety release and grind it down even further. This cuff has slots in the jaw and only a starwheel comes in contact with it. The way the pawl plate/lever works, the starwheel works as the ratchet.
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Locking mechanism opened

Re: How handcuffs work

Postby Harold » Wed May 16, 2012 12:14 pm

Screwdriver does when key would normally do.
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Cuff with "key" turned to open it.

This shows how the stop switch works. A slot in this small cylinder controlled by the stop switch on other side allows or prohibits the starwheel from moving.
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How stop switch works

Approximate location of hidden parts on working cuff. The starwheel is a little faint.
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Drawings of parts on working cuff.


In the first post, curved plates (look like dish antennas) channel the jaw onto the starwheel.