# US 2022/0284751 A1 · Electronic lockbox with embedded insert > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0284751 A1 - Document ID: US20220284751A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/680,922 - Filed: 2022-02-25 - Published: 2022-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2021-03-03 - Assignees: SentriLock, LLC - Applicants: SentriLock, LLC - Inventors: Scott R. Fisher; Matthew K. Caskey; Jeffrey W. Stone - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220284751A1 ## CPC - G07C 9/00896: {specially adapted for particular uses} - E05B 15/1614: {of hard materials, to prevent drilling (E05B67/04, E05B67/38 take precedence)} - E05B 19/0005: {Key safes (E05B35/086 takes precedence)} - E05B 67/22: Padlocks with sliding shackles, with or without rotary or pivotal movement - E05G 1/005: {Portable strong boxes, e.g. which may be fixed to a wall or the like (E05G1/08, E05G1/14 take precedence; devices to prevent theft or loss of bags, trunks, baskets, or the like A45C13/18; coin boxes for coin freed apparatus G07F9/06)} - E05G 1/04: Closure fasteners (locks E05B) - E05B 67/38: Auxiliary or protective devices {(weather protection E05B17/002; armoured cases E05B67/04)} - G07C: TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS - E05G: SAFES OR STRONG-ROOMS FOR VALUABLES; BANK PROTECTION DEVICES; SAFETY TRANSACTION PARTITIONS ({devices to prevent theft of bags, trunks or baskets A45C13/18;} alarm arrangements per se G08B) ## Abstract An electronic lockbox including a key bin having an embedded insert. The insert is embedded during a die cast process. The insert enhances the attack resistance of the lockbox from hammering, chiseling, and drilling attacks. The insert includes “3D features” that help with the casting process and attack resistance, including at least one through-hole, at least one slot, and at least one ridge. A housing portion is constructed over multiple drawing stages to increase its hardness and strength, thereby increasing resistance to prying attacks. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electronic lockbox comprising: (a) a housing that covers an electronically-controlled lock; and (b) a closable secure container that includes a base portion; wherein: (i) said base portion including an embedded steel plate, said steel plate exhibiting a material thickness of at least 0.0762 cm (0.03 inches); and (ii) said secure container is lockable if inserted into said housing, and said secure container is at least partially removable if unlocked. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The lockbox of claim 1, wherein: (a) said steel plate is heat treated before being embedded; and (b) said steel plate is embedded during a die casting process that forms said secure container. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The lockbox of claim 1, wherein, said secure container comprises one of: an aluminum-based alloy, and a zinc-based alloy. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The lockbox of claim 1, wherein: (a) said housing comprises a steel alloy; and (b) said housing is constructed by a drawing process, using multiple drawing stages. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The lockbox of claim 1, wherein: (a) said steel plate is embedded during a die casting process that forms said secure container; and (b) said steel plate includes at least one opening proximal to a perimeter of the steel plate, such that molten metal alloy flows through said at least one opening during said die casting process. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The lockbox of claim 1, wherein: (a) said steel plate is embedded during a die casting process that forms said secure container; (b) said steel plate includes at least one inclined tab proximal to the perimeter of said steel plate, and said at least one inclined tab includes at least one opening; and (c) a material of said at least one inclined tab is partially annealed in only a localized manner during said die casting process. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The lockbox of claim 1, wherein: (a) said steel plate is embedded during a die casting process that forms said secure container; (b) said steel plate is substantially planar with a perimeter, said steel plate exhibiting at least one inclined tab proximal to said perimeter, said steel plate exhibiting a plurality of openings, said steel plate exhibiting at least one ridge or channel running along its surface; said steel plate exhibiting at least one slot proximal to said perimeter; and (c) said steel plate is embedded in a wall portion of said secure container during said die casting process. ### Claim 8 An electronic lockbox comprising: (a) a housing that covers an electronically-controlled lock; and (b) a closable secure container including a base portion; wherein: (i) said base portion including an embedded steel plate, said steel plate being hardened by heat treatment, and exhibiting a material hardness of between 52 and 58 on the Rockwell “C” scale; and (ii) said secure container is lockable if inserted into said housing, and said secure container is at least partially removable if unlocked. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The lockbox of claim 8, wherein: (a) said housing comprising of low carbon nickel stainless steel; and (b) said housing exhibiting a material hardness between 38 and 42 on the Rockwell “C” scale. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The lockbox of claim 8, wherein, said secure container comprises one of: an aluminum-based alloy, and a zinc-based alloy. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The lockbox of claim 8, wherein: (a) said steel plate is embedded during a die casting process that forms said secure container; and (b) said steel plate includes at least one opening proximal to a perimeter of the steel plate, such that molten metal alloy flows through said at least one opening during said die casting process. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The lockbox of claim 8, wherein: (a) said steel plate is embedded during a die casting process that forms said secure container; (b) said steel plate includes at least one inclined tab proximal to the perimeter of said steel plate, and said at least one inclined tab includes at least one opening; and (c) a material of said at least one inclined tab is partially annealed in only a localized manner during said die casting process. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The lockbox of claim 8, wherein: (a) said steel plate is embedded during a die casting process that forms said secure container; (b) said steel plate is substantially planar with a perimeter, said steel plate exhibiting at least one inclined tab proximal to said perimeter, said steel plate exhibiting a plurality of openings, said steel plate exhibiting at least one ridge or channel running along its surface; said steel plate exhibiting at least one slot proximal to said perimeter; and (c) said steel plate is embedded in a wall portion of said secure container during said die casting process. ### Claim 14 A housing for an electronic lockbox, said housing comprising: (a) an outer housing constructed of a solid material including an open bottom portion; (b) a releasable secure container, said secure container being lockable if positioned inside said housing, and being releasable when unlocked; and (c) said secure container exhibiting a base portion which includes an embedded insert. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The housing of claim 14, wherein: said outer housing is constructed of 304L stainless steel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The housing of claim 14, wherein: said secure container is constructed of A360 aluminum alloy. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The housing of claim 14, wherein: said insert is constructed of SK5 steel, or an equivalent high carbon steel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The housing of claim 14, wherein, to form said secure container: said insert is mounted in a mold cavity, then molten A360 aluminum is forced into the mold cavity and around said insert, thus embedding said insert in said base portion of the secure container. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The housing of claim 18, wherein, during the formation of said secure container: (a) a temperature of said molten A360 aluminum is in the range of 1100-1200 degrees Fahrenheit; and (b) a temperature of said mold cavity is around 650 degrees Fahrenheit. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The housing of claim 14, wherein: (a) said insert is embedded during a die casting process that forms said secure container; (b) said insert is substantially planar with a perimeter, said insert exhibiting at least one inclined tab proximal to said perimeter, said insert exhibiting a plurality of openings, said insert exhibiting at least one ridge or channel running along its surface; said insert exhibiting at least one slot proximal to said perimeter; and (c) said insert is embedded in a wall portion of said secure container during said die casting process.