A time lock (also timelock) is a part of a locking mechanism commonly found in bank vaults and other high-security containers. The time lock is a timer designed to prevent the opening of the safe or vault until it reaches the pre set time, even if the correct combination(s) are known. Time locks are mounted on the inside of the safe's or vault's door. Time locks were originally created to prevent criminals from kidnapping and torturing the person(s) who knows the combination, and then using the extracted information to later burgle the safe or vault, or to stop entry by staff at unauthorised times.

Modern electronic time locks can have many functions, such as multiple different codes (as in an electronic lock), settable time delays, pre-set vacation times, dual code facility, and a full audit trail providing a detailed record of the lock history showing who opened the lock at what time and how long it was open. They also use non-volatile memory so that no information is lost if the batteries are discharged, but will be openable when the batteries are changed.

Ace Ventura is a fictional character, created by screenwriters Jack Bernstein, Tom Shadyac and Steve Oedekerk. Ace was played by Jim Carrey in the films (Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, released in 1994, and Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, released in 1995.) He was voiced by Michael Daingerfield (credited as Michael Hall) in the animated television series.

Ace is a Miami-based private detective specializing in the retrieval of missing animals, said to be the son of Ron Ventura and descendant of such as "Ernest Ventura Shackleton" and "Jacques Ventura Costeau". It is not known whether the animated television series was contiguous with the feature-films; but if it was it may take place before them because the only one of his pets to appear in the series is his capuchin monkey, Spike. During the second film, Ace attempts monasticism after a failed rescue attempt of a raccoon; only to be called out of retirement to investigate a missing sacred animal. By the events portrayed in Ace Ventura, Jr. it is established that Ace has disappeared somewhere in the Bermuda Triangle, and never appears in the film itself.