SAFETY LOCK BOX AND KEY ORGANIZATION UNIT
A key storage and organization unit includes a lockbox and a set of key file cards for retaining and storing keys in an organized manner. The lockbox includes a base and a cover that are secured by two closure latching members. When the two closure latching members are applied to the base and cover, a single locking mechanism can be applied to secure the lockbox. The lockbox is designed to receive multiple locking mechanisms, each capable of securing access to the lockbox.
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This application is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 10/906,952, filed on Mar. 14, 2005, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/521,220 filed Mar. 12, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to a key storage and organization unit, and more specifically, a lockbox that can secure a number of keys in an organized manner with a single lock or with multiple locks.
BACKGROUNDKeys for various objects, such as doors, equipment, or locks, are often stored in a central location so that numerous persons can obtain access to the keys. However, in some situations it is desirable to prevent people from accessing the central key storage bin. This might be the case for general security measures or for safety measures, such as when access to a locked area or piece of equipment has the potential to place someone at risk of injury. In such cases, it may be desirable to secure the central storage bin with multiple locks to ensure that each person is out of harms way prior to granting access to the keys in the central storage bin. It is also often desirable to provide a means for organizing the keys stored in the central storage bin.
A key storage and organization unit is provided herein. The key storage and organization unit provides a means for securing keys with a single locking mechanism or with multiple locking mechanisms. As long as at least one locking mechanism is applied, access to the keys stored in the unit is denied. In one embodiment the key storage and organization unit includes a lockbox having a base, cover and closure latching member. The key storage and organization unit may also include one or more key file cards for securing and organizing the keys being stored in the unit. In some embodiments, the cover includes a key slot that allows keys to be dropped into the unit.
In the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, embodiments of the invention are illustrated, which, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below serve to illustrate the principles of this invention.
The lockbox 10 shown in
The lockbox 10 includes closure latching members 40, a cover 42 and a lower body 44. The cover 42 can either be a removable component or hingedly attached to the lower body 44, as shown in
When the closure latching members 40 are positioned to secure the cover 42 to the main body 44, the shackle holes 55 on the closure latching members 40 line up with the shackle holes 56 on the flange 49 of the safety lock box body 44. When the respective shackle holes 55, 56 align, a padlock, hasp, or other locking mechanism 60 can be placed through the shackle holes. Once the locking mechanism 60 is in place, the closure latching member 40 can not be removed or repositioned, and therefore, the cover 42 can not be opened to allow access to the keys 30 storage within the lockbox 10. Multiple sets of shackle holes 55, 56 allow for use of multiple locking mechanisms 60 on a single lockbox 10.
To open the safety lock box cover 42, all locking mechanisms 60 must be removed from the shackle holes 55, 56 and then both closure latching members 40 must be pulled outward away from the cover 42. Once the closure latching members 40 clear the edge 46 of the cover 42, the cover 42 can be opened.
The safety lock box 10 may have a tinted translucent cover 42 through which key file cards 20 and keys 30 are viewable. Additionally, labels or marking can be secured to, or molded into, the cover 42 to provide additional information about the contents of the lockbox or about accessing the lockbox.
The lock box 10 may include a slot 66 for inserting keys 30 into the bulk storage area 68 within the main body 10. As shown in
As shown in
To insert a key 30 into a key holder 74, the tab 78 is depressed and the key 30 is slid past the tab 78, blade first, into the key blade sleeve 76 until the head passes the edge 79 of the tab 78. As shown in
The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Clearly, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. The scope of the invention and claims are not limited in any way by the description of the preferred embodiments, which are provided only to illustrate various examples of the invention.
Claims
1. A key storage card comprising:
- a card including a planar key mounting surface; and
- one or more key retaining mechanisms disposed on the card, the key retaining mechanisms comprising a key retention tab having a key support surface that is substantially co-planar with the key mounting surface and a retaining edge that projects from the key retention tab; the key retention tab being configured to be deflected to a key installation position in which the key support surface is placed below the key mounting surface and a top surface of the retaining edge is substantially co-planar with the key mounting surface.
2. The key storage card of claim 1 wherein the key retaining mechanism comprises a sleeve that projects from the key mounting surface, the sleeve configured to maintain an installed key in a position in which the key rests upon the key mounting surface.
3. The key storage card of claim 1 wherein the retaining edge is configured to closely surround a key head of an installed key.
4. The key storage card of claim 1 comprising a handle connected to the card.
5. The key storage card of claim 4 wherein the handle comprises a pair of connected first and second handle portions disposed at an angle to one another, wherein the first handle portion is substantially co-planar with the mounting surface.
6. The key storage card of claim 1 comprising a pair of L-shaped hooks disposed at opposing top corners of the card, each L-shaped hook including a first leg projecting from the card parallel to a top edge of the card and a second leg projecting downward from a distal end of the first leg.
7. A key storage card comprising:
- a card including a planar key mounting surface;
- one or more key retaining mechanisms disposed on the card; and
- a pair of L-shaped hooks disposed at opposing top corners of the card, each L-shaped hook including a first leg projecting from the card parallel to a top edge of the card and a second leg projecting downward from a distal end of the first leg.
8. The key storage card of claim 7 wherein the key retaining mechanisms comprise a key retention tab having a key support surface that is substantially co-planar with the key mounting surface and a retaining edge that projects from the key retention tab; the key retention tab being configured to be deflected to a key installation position in which the key support surface is placed below the key mounting surface and a top surface of the retaining edge is substantially co-planar with the key mounting surface.
9. The key storage card of claim 8 wherein the key retaining mechanism comprises a sleeve that projects from the key mounting surface, the sleeve configured to maintain an installed key in a position in which the key rests upon the key mounting surface.
10. The key storage card of claim 8 wherein the retaining edge is configured to closely surround a key head of an installed key.
11. The key storage card of claim 8 comprising a handle connected to the card.
12. The key storage card of claim 11 wherein the handle comprises a pair of connected first and second handle portions disposed at an angle to one another, wherein the first handle portion is substantially co-planar with the mounting surface.
13. A method for storing keys comprising:
- providing a card that comprises a planar key mounting surface and one or more key retaining mechanisms, the key retaining mechanisms comprising a key retention tab having a key support surface that is substantially co-planar with the key mounting surface and a retaining edge that projects from the key retention tab;
- deflecting the key retention tab such that the key support surface is below the key mounting surface and a top edge of the retaining edge is substantially co-planar with the key mounting surface;
- sliding a key along the key mounting surface to an installation position; and
- releasing the key retention tab such that the key support surface abuts the installed key.
14. The method of claim 13 comprising:
- sliding the key along the key mounting surface into a sleeve that surrounds a portion of the key.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of releasing the key retention tab is performed such that a side edge of the retaining edge abuts the installed key.
16. The method of claim 13 comprising suspending the card in a filing cabinet by engaging the filing cabinet with L-shaped hooks that project from opposing top corners of the card.
17. A method for storing keys comprising:
- providing a card that comprises a planar key mounting surface and one or more key retaining mechanisms;
- installing a key in a key retaining mechanism;
- releasing the key retention tab such that the key support surface abuts the installed key; and
- suspending the card in a filing cabinet by engaging the filing cabinet with L-shaped hooks that project from opposing top corners of the card.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the key retaining mechanisms comprise a key retention tab having a key support surface that is substantially co-planar with the key mounting surface and a retaining edge that projects from the key retention tab and wherein the step of installing a key in a key retaining mechanism is performed by:
- deflecting the key retention tab such that the key support surface is below the key mounting surface and a top edge of the retaining edge is substantially co-planar with the key mounting surface;
- sliding a key along the key mounting surface to an installation position; and
- releasing the key retention tab such that the key support surface abuts the installed key.
19. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of installing the key further comprises:
- sliding the key along the key mounting surface into a sleeve that surrounds a portion of the key.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of releasing the key retention tab is performed such that a side edge of the retaining edge abuts the installed key.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 10, 2008
Publication Date: Sep 4, 2008
Applicant: MASTER LOCK COMPANY LLC (Oak Creek, WI)
Inventors: Mark Van Handel (Milwaukee, WI), Michael Brojanac (Jackson, WI)
Application Number: 12/100,678
International Classification: A47G 29/10 (20060101);