Key to unlock other keys?
April 12, 2013 5:49 PM Subscribe
What is this called and where can I get one cheaply or make one?
The way it works is you put your key in the top keyhole and it unlocks the entire keyring while keeping your key. I've tried Googling it with no luck. Any idea what this is actually called?
The way it works is you put your key in the top keyhole and it unlocks the entire keyring while keeping your key. I've tried Googling it with no luck. Any idea what this is actually called?
Here's the link from Best (scroll down to "KRD-2 BEST Core Model").
It's a two-core retaining device. One can be released at a time.
posted by deezil at 5:58 PM on April 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
It's a two-core retaining device. One can be released at a time.
posted by deezil at 5:58 PM on April 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
The US Postal Service uses the same type of key for delivering packages to cluster mailboxes. They call it a parcel locker key. I don't think that helps with finding one to buy (maybe, though), but I do think it points you to an organization that has bought millions of these. Why not ask someone at your local post office?
posted by Houstonian at 6:34 PM on April 12, 2013
posted by Houstonian at 6:34 PM on April 12, 2013
It's actually a pretty common device, mostly used in industrial settings. Go to a decent locksmith shop and they will be able to order it.
posted by ryanrs at 6:40 PM on April 12, 2013
posted by ryanrs at 6:40 PM on April 12, 2013
It's not quite a key trap, because (I assume) that when you put the borrowed key back in, you can then retrieve your key again. The post office parcel lockers don't quite work that way.
What these are is basically two standard mortise locks that have cams in the rear that prevent each other from being in the "insert and release" position at the same time. Like a mechanical man-trap door at the bank, convenience store or a rib place. It takes advantage of the fact that you can't pull the key out unless it is in the home position, and each cylinder prevents the other one from being in that position when the other is. I'm sure you could make one; I don't think there is anything special about the cores. Just the mechanical guts on the inside that make it work.
posted by gjc at 6:42 PM on April 12, 2013
What these are is basically two standard mortise locks that have cams in the rear that prevent each other from being in the "insert and release" position at the same time. Like a mechanical man-trap door at the bank, convenience store or a rib place. It takes advantage of the fact that you can't pull the key out unless it is in the home position, and each cylinder prevents the other one from being in that position when the other is. I'm sure you could make one; I don't think there is anything special about the cores. Just the mechanical guts on the inside that make it work.
posted by gjc at 6:42 PM on April 12, 2013
Scientist: "Is there any reason why the keyrings cannot simply be kept in locked boxes, or even a single locked box? That would seem to me to be the more usual solution to the kinds of problems that the device you are depicting seems it would solve."
A locked box doesn't identify who took the locked key. By making a person leave something (the unlocking key) to get something (the unlocked key) you can know who has the unlocked key. The unlocked key is often a master or security key.
posted by Mitheral at 7:05 PM on April 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
A locked box doesn't identify who took the locked key. By making a person leave something (the unlocking key) to get something (the unlocked key) you can know who has the unlocked key. The unlocked key is often a master or security key.
posted by Mitheral at 7:05 PM on April 12, 2013 [1 favorite]
Look for key management systems (many of them now digital), key control, key retainer, key retention, and similar terms. I have seen several mentions [e.g.] of the BEST lock system as being ideal for this purpose, but there seem to be a number of different ways you can go with this.
posted by dhartung at 7:49 PM on April 12, 2013
posted by dhartung at 7:49 PM on April 12, 2013
In my mind's eye I think you can kluge together something like this with a couple key cam locks with a homemade cams (the swinging lever on the back side). The key cam locks need to be of the flavor that retains its own key when unlocked.
Lets start on the two boxes on the left:
- the top lock is in its locked position with its key removed.
- the bottom lock is in its open position with its key retained.
- the cam on the top lock is shaped and positioned to prevent the cam on the bottom lock from rotating.
When the top lock key is inserted and turned to its unlock position:
- the top lock's cam moves clear of the bottom lock's cam.
- the top lock's key is retained.
When the bottom lock is turned to its unlock position:
- the bottom lock's custom cam moves to prevent the cam on the top lock from rotating.
- the bottom lock's key is released.
It might be tricky to design this so it can't be defeated by turning both keys at the same time.
My first thought on the box is to use a cast aluminum electrical enclosure from BUD Industries or similar. Unfortunately, they're a little pricey.
A big manufacturer of cam locks is Southco.
posted by tinker at 9:52 PM on April 12, 2013
Lets start on the two boxes on the left:
- the top lock is in its locked position with its key removed.
- the bottom lock is in its open position with its key retained.
- the cam on the top lock is shaped and positioned to prevent the cam on the bottom lock from rotating.
When the top lock key is inserted and turned to its unlock position:
- the top lock's cam moves clear of the bottom lock's cam.
- the top lock's key is retained.
When the bottom lock is turned to its unlock position:
- the bottom lock's custom cam moves to prevent the cam on the top lock from rotating.
- the bottom lock's key is released.
It might be tricky to design this so it can't be defeated by turning both keys at the same time.
My first thought on the box is to use a cast aluminum electrical enclosure from BUD Industries or similar. Unfortunately, they're a little pricey.
A big manufacturer of cam locks is Southco.
posted by tinker at 9:52 PM on April 12, 2013
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posted by Scientist at 5:57 PM on April 12, 2013