Group lockout box comprising mechanical seal
AssigneeTradebase Holdings LC
InventorSean Levi Hennessy
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A group lockout box for securely storing keys is disclosed. The group lockout box includes a housing to receive and store the keys. The group lockout box includes a cover disposed on the body to allow or prevent access into an interior of the body, a handle, and a fastener that receives a padlock to securely close the cover and to prevent access into the interior of the body. A slot disposed on the cover is configured to allow passage of a key into the interior of the body without opening the cover. A mechanical seal is disposed within the slot to allow passage of the key through the slot into the interior without opening the cover, and then seal the slot upon passage of the key through the slot to prevent access into the interior of the body.
Claims12
A group lockout box for securely storing keys therein, the group lockout box comprising:
- a housing defining an interior for receiving one or more keys, the housing comprising:
- a body;
- a cover coupled to the body so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position in which access to the interior is prevented;
- a cover locking mechanism configured to secure the cover in the closed position;
- a slot disposed in the cover, the slot being dimensioned to allow passage of at least one key into the interior without opening the cover;
- and
- a mechanical seal disposed adjacent to the slot and configured to permit one-way insertion of the key into the interior and to prevent retrieval of the key through the slot after insertion.
A mechanical seal for a lockout box slot, comprising:
- a cover plate sized larger than the slot;
- and
- a spring hinge biasing the cover plate to a closed position, wherein the mechanical seal permits one-way insertion of a key through the slot and prevents retrieval of the key after insertion.
A group lockout box for securely storing keys therein, the group lockout box comprising:
- a housing defining an interior for receiving one or more keys, the housing comprising:
- a body;
- a cover coupled to the body so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position in which access to the interior is prevented;
- a cover locking mechanism configured to secure the cover in the closed position;
- a slot disposed in the cover, the slot being dimensioned to allow passage of at least one key into the interior without opening the cover;
- and
- a spring-biased mechanical seal disposed within or adjacent to the slot and configured to permit one-way insertion of the key into the interior and to prevent retrieval of the key through the slot after insertion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.