What is this swiveling hook knob thing

[u/solidus0079]

It’s on the door to my dad’s condo. Neither of us have any idea what function it serves.

Too close to the door to use it to hang anything decorative, and the hook can’t swivel in a way to keep the door open either. It is at about 5.5 feet off the floor give or take.

Edit: this is the outside hallway side of the door, hinge edge

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[u/NubmerSix]

I presume your dad's in a retirement community. My dad's place has that too.

Every night, security goes and flips that thing so it's leaning against the door frame. If/when the resident opens the door, it drops.

They use it to see if the resident has opened the door, and if I they haven't left for a day or two, they call to make sure they're okay.

[u/solidus0079 → u/NubmerSix]

Solved!

Yes he does, that makes a lot of sense. They have an electronic check-in system now, but this might be an older system that was... retired.

[u/blumpkincountry69 → u/solidus0079]

Redundant doesnt mean retired. These systems should always be trained for and in place in case of systems malfunction/failure. That's what keeps things running.

[u/solidus0079 → u/blumpkincountry69]

Makes sense but I've not noticed other doors with these in a flipped-up position. And I've been out in the hallway pretty early coming and going pretty early. I feel like I would have seen one of these flipped up.

[u/Bazlow → u/solidus0079]

Well yea, the other post is saying they would use this in case the electronic system fails. So they CAN go back to basics, but not won't use it unless needed.

[u/solidus0079 → u/Bazlow]

Yeah I misread that post, maybe I should move in here as well. Yikes.

[u/peachielife → u/solidus0079]

I see what you did there

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[u/Earl117 → u/NubmerSix]

First thought, "that's a banana"

[u/aozzzy13 → u/NubmerSix]

Our hospital uses an analogous item to put up when a room has been confirmed empty during evacuation.

Theres a reflective red background behind the toggle when I the up 'clear' position. If someone has reopened the door, it's easier to see with flashlights or through smoke (apparently).

[u/Current_Ranger7468 → u/NubmerSix]

Best answer

[u/---0celot---]

I just came to comment on how pleased I was to see the proper unit of Reddit measurement: the banana, amongst the photos.

Good work redditor! ⭐️💫☄️

[u/solidus0079 → u/---0celot---]

Thanks! Dad was rather confused when I told him I’d need a banana to get proper aid from Reddit (explained to him as ‘the internet’).

[u/---0celot--- → u/solidus0079]

Yes. Had there been no banana, I would’ve been compelled to both mock and admonish you for not providing the banana. 🍌

[u/ColorblindFungi]

Appreciate banana for scale. Is this an interior or exterior door and which side is it mounted on?

Looks like a pivoting door latch and it’s counter part was removed from the door frame. Idk why you’d remove one without the other, but that’s the only thing I can imagine with the context provided.

[u/solidus0079 → u/ColorblindFungi]

Yeah I messed up by not mentioning it's on the outside side of the door, hinge edge. In my mind it was obvious, since I was standing in the hall, but obviously that's not clear in the photo. XD

[u/GeorgeGorgeou]

I see these on the doors of nursing homes. Move it upward, and lean it against the jam. If the door is opened, it will swing down. It lets the staff know whether the occupant has left the room.

[u/gracechaplain]

It is for hanging bananas

[u/solidus0079 → u/gracechaplain]

I don’t think so, as it’s close to the door frame and the bananas would become smooshed. Only suitable for milkshakes or cylinders of imperative nature.

[u/anotherfreakinglogin]

Part of a swivel latch. You're missing the "base" that it would swivel into to lock the door.

swivel latch

[u/solidus0079 → u/anotherfreakinglogin]

Sure looks like it, but I forgot to mention this is on the outside of the door. Would that make sense for this?

[u/Bigbossfredo23]

Wewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwe

[u/solidus0079 → u/Bigbossfredo23]

Hi cat

https://giphy.com/gifs/EFnV02XHwNeIX65Gc7

[u/blumpkincountry69]

Someone removed the other half of a lock and never took it off the door?

edit i think a door prop is more correct since this was obviously intentionally painted around. Any marks on the doorframe op?

[u/jammerfish → u/blumpkincountry69]

Yup. Came to say this

[u/phonnybalonny]

That’s a crank start for your house, like on a model t ford

[u/PantoufleResearch01]

Can you hold up the ripped-off edge of a condom wrapper … for scale?
That bananana just don’t makes no scents!

[u/MassSpectatorVids]

New Elderly prank for the retired Joker...flip all the knobs back up on your way to breakfast.

[u/Fearless-Oven-1223]

Is that a cavendish? I need more info for proper scaling.

[u/Naive_Noise5830]

That’s a banana, you’re welcome

[u/Standard-Reception40]

Could you also point at it

[u/epicmingo]

Idk