Electronically controlled security container for retaining door key

Abstract

A door key is held in a tray which is slidably installed in a container. The tray is retained in the container by a form member pivotally mounted on the container which engages a latch on the tray. A shackle is removably attached to the container for use in retaining the container to a door knob or the like. The shackle has a notched arm which engages a fork member pivotally mounted on the container, thereby retaining the shackle in a closed position. A motor which rotatably drives a drive gear is mounted in the container. When the motor is driven in a first direction, the drive gear drives a tapered release wheel which operates to release the fork member from engagement with the key tray latch, thereby permitting the key tray to be removed. When the motor is driven in an opposite direction, the drive gear drives a second tapered release wheel so as to disengage the notched arm of the shackle from its associated fork member, thereby permitting the shackle to be moved to an open position. The operation of the motor is controlled by an electronic system which employs an infrared control signal.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.