So This Was Obvious

Bassem B.

OK, Jonhy, RuBBa_cHiKiN, ururk, and anyone else who doesn't understand how this might work. If you look at a normal key ring, the piece of wire that gets twisted to shape the ring gets doubled up. The key blade is only attached to one of those layers, the other layer is free to flex. So you would thread your other keys on normally and they would attach to the ring.

Luther Bell

@mikegriffin: It has the same probability of breaking that any current key has. It has the same amount of the key blade connecting to the key bow as many other keys. Plus, if you have a clean functioning lock, then there's no reason why you should be wrenching on your key hard enough to break it anyway.

Luther Bell

@[en.wikipedia.org]

Tvhargon

@werk: +1 for all the commenters who don't like this, -1 for the "artist"

tinyhands

@Sockpuppet: I am on page 3
No one will bother to read
Should have been quicker

Sockpuppet

@Sockpuppet: I'm heikuing today
Work is dull getting me down
The humanity

Sockpuppet

No keychain for me
The other keys sit on his head
He is my Keymaster!

Sockpuppet

This really cannot work... think about it - a key ring works because the hole for a key is small enough to pass completly around the split ring. This looks like the key is welded/cast to the split ring... hence a key hole wouldn't pass around it. Now, if the key blank were attached ot a small metal tube, it would be plausible, but in the photo/rendering it is hard to see if it is or not.

umm... only fits some key types? And how sketch is that website?

Kyle Bowles

@RainyDayInterns:

cool. i'll take two~

kyot

Hmm. If the key is welded to the keyring, how would you get more keys on the keyring? You have to wind the key around the ring until both parts pass through the ring, but the key welded to the ring would prevent that, wouldn't it?

RuBBa_cHiKiN

how do you put other keys on it? I mean usually you have to feed the key round one full turn then its on. but wont the "key" bit get in the way?

So, what's going on? Ohhh.....Good thing I read the des. on their site.

Zzaman Khan

It's a bad design for a key. The reason there's a round piece is so that you can easily torque the key.

And a bunch of the keys together is going to be bulkier than regular keys.

dcartist

@Guymann: I just had an ingenious idea, perhaps it's been made before, but I've never seen it.

Basically, you'd have this small rectangle container that you open up, and place your key in, with a little pole on one end to stick into the key's hole at the top. You close it back up, and your key is completely sealed in this case.

Now here's the awesome part: The other end of the case is it's own piece sitting inside the top portion. It has a spring inside pushing on it to keep it extended. When you push on the end, it get's pushed into the main part of the case, and out sticks the teeth of your key from the slit in the bottom and right into the lock socket.

*Whips up quick mockup*

Kakkoister

I already grind the heads off of most of my keys so they fit in my pocket better. These new fangled keys with a chips in them piss me off it means I have to have a big fat key in my pocket.

@werk: It would work great for me. I carry exactly two keys. One for the car, one for the house. They don't lay flat anyway, because of course car keys these days must have the digital chips and the door locks on them.

@Xeno: I guess I shouldn't be surprised that I'm not the only one that thought of that... I thought I was special for a while :-\

@IcemanD: I only need one key at a time. I have a car key by itself for the car I drive. The car has a garage door opener, which lets me into the house. Inside is a mailbox key that I use a few days a week to check the mail. Somewhere we have a key for the front door but I have never used it.

Nice try but that type of key is really painfull to use and to weak to survive an ape like twist of the lock that most people do.

Chris Hendrick

@Xeno: Ya. Simple concept that has worked for years.

Scandal.ous

@Hello Mister Walrus:

So what happens when it comes time to move and you have to give the keys to the new owners?

The Architect of Tartaros

@Xeno: No no, you're doing it all wrong!

Phone in RIGHT pocket, keys in LEFT. sheesh, get it right!

DPeezy

It will break.

mikegriffin

@Hello Mister Walrus: If it was large enough you could get a King Albert. It's just like a Prince Albert but it loops through your anus.

I'm pretty sure what I am writing right now is inappropriate.

So I should stop.

@tande04: still only need one in this situation... One that has the keyring.. and the rest of your current keys will attach to the keyring one.

tsdexter

@brandeis1: they're called Caribiners?! I learned something new while at work. A first for me! thanks brandeis1!

hypocalypto

I give it a "meh". What if you have 2 or 3 of those kinds of keys?

NagChampa

@Xeno:
Proved efficient to me too... Although the earbud cord of my phone is somehow a little too short. Curse you, Nokia!

@Fractal the Meek: Wait, so it's not for putting it in my pants, but not in my pocket? There goes my double entendre about seeing where my key fits.

Sbudda

Two of these would make an interesting set of nipple rings.

@GizMadone: Auto start would be nice as well.
(I have actually walked up to my front door and pressed the fob.)

stevejobsmultitouchedme

This is really only useful if you need one or two keys.

In other key related news: Why do we all still use keys?

Kris Aubuchon

@Hello Mister Walrus: Unless it's freezing cold outside...

I agree with the criticisms of Hello Mister Walrus and others. This looks like a step backward. I think it would be bulkier, and harder to use. As for not being able to recognize your main key, mark it with a marker, sticker, tape or something like that.

@tamaudio: How about the Ringkey?

@Xeno: Caribiners.

They solve EVERYTHING. Except maybe world hunger.

@werk: Oh, I had no idea that was called a Prince Albert.
I thought it was just called the "Hey look at the pansy that sits down to pee" piercing.

IcemanD

@aquajaws: With no keyring how am I gonna attached my Paris Hilton BFF keychain?

IcemanD

@James Cooper - Chief Geek at TJSL: I don't live alone, but plenty of people either live alone, or with an odd number of people.

When people get keys copied, they usually get one copy of the key. Now, since this is new, at first people will probablymake a copy for themselves and one for a roommate or spouse or whatever, but assuming this gets some market penetration, the need for individual blanks should increase.

And @tande04 - I have multiple keys but they all go on one key ring.

@slammed323beater: That's why I use the ingenious method of keys in right pocket, phones in left pocket.

Xeno

That'll break after the first few uses. Plus not to mention it'll be the one key in the bunch that won't lay flat with the rest while in your pocket. Jab Jab

Kelfire

@ttech10: I would call it a 'keyring key', or 'The key-ring'

tamaudio

I actually like using key-chains! I get so many creative keychain gifts, and besides I like lanyards so I can give it to kids to play with. That's surprisingly easy entertainment for them! This key+ring ain't gonna cut it. Add an mp3 player and a video game console, and I'll think about it.

@Fractal the Meek: Oh wait... it'd basically just be a keyring then. Heh.

Fractal the Meek

@werk: +1 for not fitting nicely in the pocket as drawn. But if they put the ring and key at 90 degrees with each other, it's semi clever.

Further, that key could be your house key which you presumably need all the time and a good reference on the ring. I use my big car key to figure out where all my other smaller, similarly sized keys are by touch.

Fractal the Meek

@joestoner: You only have one key in your life? Must be nice.

Its a pair of blanks so you could use the second for something else.

tande04

Wouldn't the other keys attached to the loop be at right angles to the loop key, thus taking up more room than necessary?

I'll need quite a few of these..

[Yawn.] Wait - add a bottle opener. Then it's a church key (ring).

Kajo

@IcemanD:
google image search, safesearch OFF
GO!

@JessicaAiPhone: I dunno...anything that cuts down on the chances of getting scratches in the very middle of the screen of whatever gadget is in my pocket is worth a shot.

srsly, it's like a half second in the pocket w/keys and the screen of your brand-new ipod/cellphone/whatever is almost sure to be f*cked all up. One of Murphy's laws?

slammed323beater

@Hello Mister Walrus: Ugh...

@Kaiser-Machead:
I've got R2-D2 on my work keychain. I used to have Boba Fett on my house/car keychain, but the little chain broke. Now he just sits on top of my desk with all my other Boba Fetts (and Darth Vaders).

@Eavangel: Wish I knew about it last night ...

Steeb2er

@lucidlyseen: I kind of agree. I had a keypad that unlocked my front door and I replaced it with a deadbolt that uses a key. I miss it soooo much I hate having more than my car key on my key ring.

maven2k

@MJDeviant:
[img196.imageshack.us]

Here we go, a little bigger........i hate computers and the internet sometimes.....and myself.

MJDeviant

dang it... well, the image is here but screwed up... [img196.imageshack.us]

MJDeviant

I think this is just stepping backwards to skeleton keys again. My grandma's house still has a skeleton key entrance, and it's awesome, but I wouldn't want all those kinds of keys in my pocket. I was thinking maybe a key like this:



Where you could put 2 keys on one and have it spin and click. Just have the sides be different colors. <- Copyright 2009

MJDeviant

Ok, so what the heck is it? Im lost...

iFOREIGNi

@Guymann: This won't change that at all!

JessicaAiPhone

@joestoner: You don't!

IHateiPhones

you say "Buy this real working blank key and join the future" this is not the future at all - it's still a key! The future is keyless with retinal or finger scanning, why carry more items when we have unique keys built into our body...

lucidlyseen

What we need is one ring...to rule them all.

I'm waiting for a keyless entry system for my apartment that works with my VW key fob.

I want the "all windows down" feature, too.

@werk: The biggest problem for me would be identifying keys. I have about 8 total keys on my keychain and about 5 of them all look the same except for the big part (which this ring thing would remove). It'd take forever trying to get into doors because I wouldn't know which to choose.

this key+sticking lock=$300 for the locksmith

elchimpo

@Vroomtrap: Ooh..ooh..."See the keychain...BE the keychain...nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh..."

@Purple Monkey Dishwasher: It's covering their bases.

Most people, when thinking of this thing, would search for 'keychain key' or just 'key' rather than 'split ring key'.

The point is to not make ALL your keys like this, but to combine your key ring with one of your keys. The rest of your keys stay the same. At least thats my thought.

aquajaws

@ScottRose: But...it's ART!!!! It doesn't have to make sense, as long as it makes a statement.

Actually, the only use I could see for this is if you only bought one and used it for the main key, like your house key or P.O. box key or something else you don't want to have to fumble for. Then, it makes a little sense.

I don't know how awesome and/or obvious this is. Sure, it's slighter smaller than the typical split ring, but as has been pointed out, has the disadvantage of boning you if the king you need to remove happens to BE the split ring. And it's still old tech, since the key still are still essentially sequentiality accessed. As opposed to something like say, a key wallet, which allows direct key access.

junyo

@IcemanD: If you only have one key, why would you care about the key ring? The point of the ring is to keep multiple keys together.

aquajaws

@joestoner: I'm guessing you live alone?

@joestoner: Maybe for people that live with either a roommate, children or a partner, meaning they would need 2 copies of the key.

@IcemanD: "or something" Ah, there's the rub!

@rDub: If you live in NY, the necessity for more keys generally goes up, as you'd need a key for the second lock, more likely have a locked mailbox in the lobby of your apartment building, require a key for the lock of your bicycle, and a key to scratch taxi cabs and Lincoln Towncars with when they park illegally or stop right on the cross walk at a red light.

Kaiser-Machead

@werk: +1. we are not all idiots - just the few that think this is better than what we've got.

adhir

@IcemanD: lol you're probably better off not knowing...
@Hello Mister Walrus: It would solve the problem of where the keys go when you go for a jog...

@OrbitalGun: The only idiots are the ones who think this is a really great idea. See werk's comments above.

yeti

@Kaiser-Machead: Ahh those same people who also do not own a car to use to meet up with the people that they do not know...

I dont know anyone like that, but then again I dont live in New York

rDub

@Hello Mister Walrus: With a little practice, it could therefore solve the issue of how to unlock your door when you have grocery bags in both hands.

AmphetamineCrown

@ScottRose: I think also when you actually put this key into your lock it would be harder to turn the key because all the other crap is hanging off of the end. You are also putting more stress on the key

Purple Monkey Dishwasher

@Hello Mister Walrus: I don't know who or what a Prince Albert is, but I think you make a good point. You could just loop this on a belt loop or something and therefore not need pockets.

Although, I don't think I ever seen a belt capable pair of pants without pockets.

OMG! My million dollar idea!

IcemanD

agreed. I will buy one for everyone in my family so as to spawn better genes so this doesn't happen again. I suggest you do the same.

speaknspell23

@werk: yeah I thought the same when I saw the photo. It would make my key ring worse.

redkamel

@Serolf Divad:

Er... I meant to say any keychain that insn't a mini etch-a-sketch

Any keychain that's also a functional, mini etc-a-sketch isn't worthy of the name, IMHO.

@Hello Mister Walrus:
protip: put it on one of those janitor's retractable keyrings so you don't have to go through contortions to open your door. Just be careful of the line snapping back!

@OrbitalGun: No, were not. It's really not a great idea.

IcemanD

@werk: "regular keys won't sit flat against the keyring key, possibly making it bulkier than a regular keyring."

That was my first thought. Seems worse than a regular keyring with regular keys, by far.

Also I've had to replace key rings because they got a little out of shape over time. Never had to replace a key for that reason. I guess this would give me the pleasure of doing both at the same time, for more money. Brilliant!

You guys are missing the significance of this. Now I can just Prince Albert my house key, and not need to worry about pockets.

Hello Mister Walrus

I think the lame excuse might involve liability. Seriously though, we've been using key cards for offices for ages.

@IcemanD: People who have mail slots on their doors, and no friends or family to name.

Kaiser-Machead

"No no blank key, you have to become the key chain!"

Hmmm, I guess it's then a question of whether or not the key you use this for is a key that you'd ever be likely to remove to let someone borrow, cuz it'd be annoying to remove several things from the one ring than to simply remove the key itself from a common one.

No matter, this will never replace my LEGO shadow trooper keychain.

Kaiser-Machead

@IcemanD: Now that I think about it. I guess if you only have one key this is better. But who only has one key?

IcemanD

I still don't see how that's any better.

IcemanD

I'm just concerned about structural integrity... oh, no wait, it's awesome.

earthlingdave

Damn, that was obvious. We are all idiots.

It doesn't really make a lot of sense if you think about it.
1) A bunch of them linked together in your pocket is going to be bulkier than a bunch of regular keys on a regular keyring, since they won't sit flat against each other.
2) So you just have one of these with a bunch of regular keys on it...what's the point? You've saved the equivalent of a nickel's worth of metal in your pocket. And again, regular keys won't sit flat against the keyring key, possibly making it bulkier than a regular keyring.

So your tags are interesting, the link says it's a split-ring-key but is it a key, a keychain, or a keychain key??

Purple Monkey Dishwasher

I just got new locks and keys made... wish i knew about these a week ago... >.<

Eavangel

Why would you need two though? Seems like you only need one of these.

Sweet! I am so going to buy one of these. I'm tired of my keys gnarling up my pocket chi.