Puzzler from another site

On Mon, 31 May 2010 06:45:46 -0700 (PDT), Jonathan Cook
wrote:

On May 31, 6:57*am, --riverman wrote:

And saying it IS used for something like stalks of wheat, then
pointing out that, as such, it is a flawed instrument, is the
admirably humorous epitome of a strawman argument. :-)

Not really, since at least two replies offered that possibility, but
anyways, since it was found on the beach and looks traditional but not
"old", I wonder if it is something used either on a traditional
fishing boat (net holder?) or a traditional sailing boat (holder for
furled sails?). I looked a little bit but couldn't find anything.

I thought about that very thing - the "handle" could be used to move it up a
tapered mast/boom to a point where rotation would not be impinged by the shape
of the rotating "side." I've never seen such an item on a sailing craft, nor
would I use such a thing, but ??? The only reason that occurred to be is by
virtue of the statement that it was found a beach, not because of anything that
I saw in its design (other than it would be easier to rotate the "side" if moved
to a smaller diameter of a tapered shaft, like a mast or some booms).

IAC, I'd offer that from a design standpoint, a clamp that has a part that, by
its design, forces a manual compression of the item(s) clamped to release the
clamp, when such is not otherwise required, is not a good design.

One question I'd have that might be answered by seeing the actual object is
whether the curve/arc of the pieces was in the material pre-manufacture or was
it caused by being formed upon some rounded object, again assuming it is a
utility item. Another is, "is it complete, as the maker intended?" - I can see
nothing in the picture that indicates that as many "keyed" and/or slotted pieces
similar to the ones shown couldn't be strung together to form a four, ten, or
917-sided "clamp"/whatever. For example, if it had an additional piece,
forming a square, it could be used as a form of collapsible "crank" or handle on
a squared portion of a shaft.
If
it is holding something that needs to be snug but not super-tight,
Richard's idea of a side-access slot might be unsafe getting knocked
about on the seas.

Maybe. The "notch"/opening I suggested, though, would be at the rear of the
key-slot, requiring simultaneous compression, assuming it to be some type of
clamping device, and downward or upward movement, depending on orientation of
the "notch." Think of a safety pin. And no, I'd not want to rely on either the
device as whole or any variation thereupon if it were to be used in a situation
in which the notch could lead to the "clamp" unclamping.

We can offer thoughts on its properties, but if the thing's purpose, as intended
by its maker, is to remain a mystery, making _specific_ guesses about it seems
pointless - it could have been made as a racing car wheel, but made by someone
who had no concept of such, or merely something made to occupy the maker,
serving no other purpose, and once made, discarded. It doesn't appear to be
complex or require a lot in tools, skill or time, so it is not as if they would
have been discarding a "work of art" or useful object. Based solely on the
meager description available and the picture, I'd say it could be made with a
pocketknife in a short time using "scrap" material - IOW, someone whittled a
doo-dad, finished it, and pitched it.

TC,
R
Jon.

Jon.