The super macro guessing game (5)

Chris.R wrote in post #18522883

Yes, entirely

Are they the kind of keys that wind up a spring? (But what to do with the spherical part? )

OhLook wrote in post #18522891
Are they the kind of keys that wind up a spring? (But what to do with the spherical part? )

The keys aren't part of the item.

The partly-spherical part connects a removable item, to what you see.

Chris.R wrote in post #18522894
The keys aren't part of the item.

But are they the kind that winds up a spring?

It connects a removable item to what I see in the macro? Or to what I'd see behind the white surface if it moved aside?

OhLook wrote in post #18522896
But are they the kind that winds up a spring?
It connects a removable item to what I see in the macro? Or to what I'd see behind the white surface if it moved aside?

No, they could be for anything, this item doesn't care. Cars doors, cases, whatever.

The ball thing "latches", you could say, into the part you see. The mechanism for that is covered by the flat ("white") part and operated by the button.

So is the whole object some kind of holder for one or more keys? (But you said: not a container.)

OhLook wrote in post #18522909
So is the whole object some kind of holder for one or more keys? (But you said: not a container.)

Yes. Holder for multiple keys.
Not really a container, which would tend to imply a box or hollow closable thing you put stuff inside. see #15856.
The balls are contained, in the mechanism.

A couple of those words as keys in a google image search, should show a some of these things. A couple come up on Amazon /Ebay.

I'm going to bed

A search turns up assorted products for holding keys, including cabinets, wall-mounted racks, and small metal cases that clip to belts. I didn't find anything with a latch showing like the one in your image. I don't know what your key holder looks like.

Have I won? I won't post a photo unless you confirm that "key holder" is a complete enough answer.

So OhLook got it. It's most likely a key holder lock box commonly used wall mounted or on door knobs for realtors. You key in some code which will allow you to release the cover using the latch release shown. Inside is a hook or cozy to put keys.

Chet, during our kitchen remodel, we had a box like what you describe, for workers to let themselves in. I'd call it a container, though, and Chris said his item wasn't boxlike. So I'm still waiting for the word from him.

OhLook wrote in post #18523002
Chet, during our kitchen remodel, we had a box like what you describe, for workers to let themselves in. I'd call it a container, though, and Chris said his item wasn't boxlike. So I'm still waiting for the word from him.

I know. I looked at thousands of pictures of them and could not find one with a similar type of slide release. But for the life of me I can't picture any other form of key caddy that would serve a function like the pictured item.

It might be a little aluminum dealie that attaches to a belt or a belt loop for jogging or active sports, where keys loose in a pocket could bounce around and fall out. This is just speculation. I hope Chris will post a picture that shows how the thing isn't a container and has a mechanism inside.

The metal looks cast steel with a clear zinc plating, because of the light pitting and color. The bolt /slide looks polished steel, possible stainless. The ball looks to be between 5/16" and 7/16" diameter with the slot in the 1/4" range. Extrapolating from that, the cast material appears to be around 1/8" to 3/16" thick which would be a pretty beefy setup. With this thinking I figured it could only be a key safe. But from my search through Google and EBay, I have not found a match at all. So at this point I'm only speculating.

How about that the thing releases not the key itself but a spherical key fob. Like those big brass ones on hotel keys to stop you walking off with them.

OhLook wrote in post #18522959
A search turns up assorted products for holding keys, including cabinets, wall-mounted racks, and small metal cases that clip to belts. I didn't find anything with a latch showing like the one in your image. I don't know what your key holder looks like.

Have I won? I won't post a photo unless you confirm that "key holder" is a complete enough answer.

I would say you won. This guy uses one similar to the one Chris has posted.

http://www.core77.com …-Use-Detachable-Key-Rings