Abstract: A flat strip is bent into a discontinuous loop with an end of one limb slanted to contact the inner side of the other limb so that two semi-circles are separated by one continuous limb length and one discontinuous limb length. The continuous length is slotted for at least one-half of its long dimension, with a wider aperture at the upper end. Key hooks, preferably for individual keys, that have a large head and a large closed circle at opposite ends of a small shank fit into the slot, retained by the end of the discontinuous limb that slants across the space between limbs. The loop provides passage for a belt or other support above a thruster that affords a way of separating the limbs to move key hooks in and out of the loop past the slanted limb end or lock.More than one key hook may be used and one way of separating hooks includes a small disc or drum rotatably seated at the bottom of the slot in the continuous limb.

Abstract: A key keeper is held in a belt loop within a small closed bend thereof. The keeper has opposed small and large half loops. Straight side rods connect the loops, being tangent to both. One side rod is split to place keys on the keeper. A trough or clip fixed to a rod at the split releasably secures the rod in place. One loop is about twice the diameter of the other, the large half loop imparting resiliency to the keeper to reduce the need for expensive spring steel wire for the keeper. The keeper is made by winding a continuous wire on a mandrel wherein two end plates with pivots support a large and a small arbor. Each arbor has a cylindrical outer segment in contact with the wire. A clamping bar holds the wire in place after winding, insuring that the wire accepts the shape of the arbors. A cutter then severs the strands of wire on one side of the mandrel, separating the wound length into segments each having the configuration set forth above.

Abstract: A key keeper is held in a belt loop within a small closed bend thereof. The keeper has opposed small and large half loops. Straight side rods connect the loops, being tangent to both. One side rod is split to place keys on the keeper. A trough or clip fixed to a rod at the split releasably secures the rod in place. One loop is about twice the diameter of the other, the large half loop imparting resiliency to the keeper to reduce the need for expensive spring steel wire for the keeper. The keeper is made by winding a continuous wire on a mandrel wherein two end plates with pivots support a large and a small arbor. Each arbor has a cylindrical outer segment in contact with the wire. A clamping bar holds the wire in place after winding, insuring that the wire accepts the shape of the arbors. A cutter then severs the strands of wire on one side of the mandrel, separating the wound length into segments each having the configuration set forth above.