Abstract: Locking mechanisms and methods of operating the locking mechanisms are disclosed. In one example, a locking mechanism may include a main hub assembly coupleable with a deadbolt, a clutch assembly coupled to the main hub assembly, and an actuator assembly coupled to the clutch assembly. The actuator assembly may include an actuator operable to bias a carriage along a first direction to bring the clutch assembly and the main hub assembly closer to one another along a second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The locking mechanism may further include a thumbturn assembly coupled to the clutch assembly, the thumbturn assembly comprising a thumbturn positionable on an exterior side of a door.