Keyhole Guard Company, Shepardson Providence R.I. Key?

[stratmando]

I went to a Yard sale Yesterday, and like many people here, bought Keys with no locks, and bought a Lock with no Key.
Most interesting was the Keyhole Guard Co. Key. Anyone know of any info, I'm sure they are out of business and may have read they were established in about 1824?
Thanks.

[stratmando]

Correction, Established 1872.

[straightpick]

Google c.a.brickley keyhole guard Co.

[stratmando]

Straightpick, You are good, it is the one at the top, looks like this was Invented In 1919.
Do you know what it operated?
Thanks
c.a.brickley added to the search is what found it.

[straightpick]

The keyhole guard was a device that was inserted into the lock with a special key. When that key was removed, the device remained in the lock, the purpose of which was to prevent the introduction of any keys, picks, or other tools into the lock for the purpose of trying to bypass or pick the lock. It had to be removed in order to insert the key which would operate the lock. The link below shows a better description of the device and its operation.


http://www.freepatentsonline.com/1728065.pdf

[stratmando]

Straightpick, After your info, I searched and found the use for these, also found many through the Years, Interesting:
http://www.google.com/patents/about?id= ... e+guard+Co
Thanks again.
I will have to dig mine out later, I tried removing the key, it wouldn't come out, thought it was intentional to not be removable, I didn't want to apply excessive force which might damage it.