diff --git a/lemon/bits/lock.h b/lemon/bits/lock.h
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lemon/bits/lock.h
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+/* -*- mode: C++; indent-tabs-mode: nil; -*-
+ *
+ * This file is a part of LEMON, a generic C++ optimization library.
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2003-2012
+ * Egervary Jeno Kombinatorikus Optimalizalasi Kutatocsoport
+ * (Egervary Research Group on Combinatorial Optimization, EGRES).
+ *
+ * Permission to use, modify and distribute this software is granted
+ * provided that this copyright notice appears in all copies. For
+ * precise terms see the accompanying LICENSE file.
+ *
+ * This software is provided "AS IS" with no warranty of any kind,
+ * express or implied, and with no claim as to its suitability for any
+ * purpose.
+ *
+ */
+
+#ifndef LEMON_BITS_LOCK_H
+#define LEMON_BITS_LOCK_H
+
+#include <lemon/config.h>
+#if defined(LEMON_USE_PTHREAD)
+#include <pthread.h>
+#elif defined(LEMON_USE_WIN32_THREADS)
+#include <lemon/bits/windows.h>
+#endif
+
+namespace lemon {
+  namespace bits {
+
+#if defined(LEMON_USE_PTHREAD)
+    class Lock {
+    public:
+      Lock() {
+	pthread_mutex_init(&_lock, 0);
+      }
+      ~Lock() {
+	pthread_mutex_destroy(&_lock);
+      }
+      void lock() {
+	pthread_mutex_lock(&_lock);
+      }
+      void unlock() {
+	pthread_mutex_unlock(&_lock);
+      }
+
+    private:
+      pthread_mutex_t _lock;
+    };
+#elif defined(LEMON_USE_WIN32_THREADS)
+    class Lock : public WinLock {};
+#else
+    class Lock {
+    public:
+      Lock() {}
+      ~Lock() {}
+      void lock() {}
+      void unlock() {}
+    };    
+#endif
+  }
+}
+
+#endif