That sounds like a mechanical pick-up tool, often called a claw grabber or retrieval tool.
🛠️ mechanical pick-up tool
What it does:
When you press the plunger at the top, small metal claws extend from the bottom so you can grab small or hard-to-reach objects.
Common uses:
- Retrieving dropped screws or bolts
- Picking up jewelry from tight spaces
- Grabbing items behind appliances
- Fishing small objects out of drains (before the trap)
How it works:
Inside the tube is a flexible cable attached to the plunger. Pressing the plunger pushes the cable down, opening the claws. Releasing it closes them to grip the object.
It’s usually flexible so it can bend around corners — very handy in kitchens and bathrooms.
If you’d like, you can describe the size or share where it was stored, and I can confirm whether it’s the standard version or a specialized kitchen variant.
