Multiple user lockbox
AssigneeMaster Lock Company LLC
InventorsMatthew T. Dudgeon, Scott B. Stevens
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lockbox includes a body and a lid connected to body and pivotable between a closed position and an open position. The body defines an enclosure and includes a body aperture and the lid includes a first lid aperture positioned adjacent to the body aperture when the lid is in the closed position, such that insertion of a padlock shackle through the body aperture and the lid aperture prevents pivoting movement of the lid from the closed position to the open position. The lockbox includes a slot intersecting one of the body aperture and the lid aperture for insertion of an item into the enclosure when the lid is in the closed position. A padlock shackle inserted through the body aperture and the lid aperture prevents passage of an item through the slot.
Claims21
A lockbox for secure storage of one or more items, the lockbox comprising:
- a body including first, second, third, and fourth perimeter walls each extending outward from a rear wall to define a storage enclosure therebetween;
- and
- a lid connected to body and pivotable between a closed position blocking access to the enclosure and an open position permitting access to the enclosure, the lid including first, second, third, and fourth perimeter edge portions that align with corresponding ones of the first, second, third and fourth perimeter walls when the lid is in the closed position;
- wherein the first perimeter wall includes a first body aperture and the first perimeter edge portion includes a first lid aperture positioned adjacent to the first body aperture when the lid is in the closed position, such that insertion of a padlock shackle through the first body aperture and the first lid aperture prevents pivoting movement of the lid from the closed position to the open position;
- and
- wherein the lockbox further comprises a first slot intersecting and extending beyond opposite ends of one of the first body aperture and the first lid aperture for insertion of an item into the enclosure when the lid is in the closed position, wherein the one of the first body aperture and the first lid aperture has a first width sized to receive a padlock shackle and the first slot has a second width smaller than the first width, such that a padlock shackle inserted through the first body aperture and the first lid aperture prevents passage of an item through the first slot.
A method of securely storing a plurality of keys associated with a plurality of authorized users, the method comprising:
- providing a lockbox comprising a body defining a storage enclosure and a lid connected the body and pivotable between a closed position blocking access to the enclosure and an open position permitting access to the enclosure;
- with the lid in the closed position, inserting a first key associated with a first authorized user through a first key slot into a first compartment disposed within the enclosure;
- securing a first padlock associated with the first authorized user through a first body aperture disposed in the body and through a first lid aperture disposed in the lid to secure the lid in the closed position;
- inserting a second key associated with a second authorized user through a second key slot into a second compartment disposed within the enclosure;
- and
- securing a second padlock associated with the second authorized user through a second body aperture disposed in the body and through a second lid aperture disposed in the lid to secure the lid in the closed position.
A lockbox comprising:
- a body including first, second, third and fourth perimeter walls extending outward from a rear wall to define a storage enclosure therebetween;
- a lid connected to body and pivotable between a closed position blocking access to the enclosure and an open position permitting access to the enclosure, the lid including first, second, third, and fourth perimeter edge portions that align with corresponding ones of the first, second, third and fourth perimeter walls when the lid is in the closed position;
- a latch assembled with the lid and slideable between a latching position, in interlocking engagement with a latch engaging portion of the body when the lid is in the closed position, and a releasing position disengaged from the latch engaging portion of the body;
- wherein the first perimeter wall includes a first end flange positioned to abut the first perimeter edge portion of the lid when the lid is in the closed position, the first end flange including a first body aperture that aligns with a first lid aperture in the first perimeter edge portion of the lid, such that insertion of a lock member through the first body aperture and the first lid aperture prevents pivoting movement of the lid from the closed position to the open position;
- further wherein when the latch is in the latching position, a first cutout of the latch aligns with the first lid aperture, such that insertion of a lock member through the first body aperture and the first lid aperture further prevents sliding movement of the latch from the latching position to the releasing position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.