System and apparatus for storing objects

• US 10,198,888 B2
• Filed: 09/01/2017
• Issued: 02/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Key Control Holding Incorporated (Reynolds & Reynolds Company)
• Original Assignee: Key Control Holding Incorporated (Reynolds & Reynolds Company)
• Inventors: Brockman, Robert T., Besosa, John Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Garcia, Santiago
• Application Number:
  US15/693,759
• Publication Number:
  US 20180075682A1
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 3405681
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/0005 Key safes E05B35/086 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0048 Circuits, feeding, monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0068 Door closed
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0004 said core being linearly movable
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0603 the detent moving rectilinearly
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0619 by blocking the rotor
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/0075 for safes, strongrooms, vaults, fire-resisting cabinets or the like safes, closures and fastenings therefor E05G
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/025 for lockers
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/04 Closure fasteners locks E05B
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/08 secured individually
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 2700/00 Safes or accessories thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00936 for key cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture

Abstract

The modular asset storage system includes a main panel, the main panel including a computer command module and one or more asset containment modules. The asset containment modules are in data communication with the computer command module.

Claims

1. A modular asset storage system comprising:

a main panel, the main panel including a computer command module and one or more asset containment modules, wherein one or more of the asset containment modules comprises a control board in data communication with the computer command module and wherein the asset containment module further comprises a row board and a card presence sensor or a key presence sensor, the row board being in data communication with the card presence sensor or key presence sensor,

wherein the asset containment module is configured to receive an instruction from the command module, determine whether the asset is present in the asset containment module by querying a card presence sensor or key presence sensor and, if the asset is present, communicate the presence of the asset from the asset containment module to the computer command module and provide access to the asset.

2. The modular asset storage system of claim 1, wherein the each asset containment module is positioned within an expansion bay.

3. The modular asset storage system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the asset containment modules includes a face plate, the face plate having a plurality of slots.

4. The modular asset storage system of claim 3, wherein the asset containment module includes a door, the door positioned so as to restrict access to the slots.

5. The modular asset storage system of claim 4, wherein the asset containment module further includes one or more indicator lights, wherein each indicator light is associated with a single slot or the door.

6. The modular asset storage system of claim 1, wherein the asset containment modules include one or more locker box modules, card modules, key modules, or a combination thereof.

7. The modular asset storage system of claim 1, wherein the main panel includes a housing within which the computer command module and the one or more asset containment modules are contained.

8. The modular asset storage system of claim 1 further comprising one or more expansion panels, each expansion panel having one or more expansion bays.

9. The modular asset storage system of claim 8, wherein each of the one or more expansion panels is in data communication in a serial connection or parallel connection with the main panel.

10. The modular asset storage system of claim 8 comprising two or more main panels and one or more expansion panels, wherein the one or more expansion panels is in data communication in a network with the two or more main panels.

11. The modular asset storage system of claim 1 wherein the row board is in data communication with a plurality of locking solenoids, and wherein the asset containment module further comprises

a plurality of card carriers or lock cylinders, each of the card carriers or key lock cylinders associated with a locking solenoid.

13. The modular asset storage system of claim 11, wherein the asset containment module further comprises a plurality of lock cylinders, wherein each lock cylinder is configured to receive a key.

12. A modular asset storage system comprising:

a main panel, the main panel including a computer command module and one or more asset containment modules, the asset containment modules in data communication with the computer command module, wherein the asset containment module is configured to determine whether the asset is present in the asset containment module by querying a presence sensor and, if the asset is present, communicate the presence of the asset from the asset containment module to the computer command module and provide access to the asset, and wherein the asset containment module comprises;

a control board, the control board in data communication with the computer command module;

a row board, the row board in data communication with a plurality of locking solenoids; and

a plurality of card carriers or lock cylinders, each of the card carriers or key lock cylinders associated with a locking solenoid;

wherein the asset containment module further comprises a plurality of U-shaped brackets, wherein each U-shaped bracket is configured as a support and sliding surface for the card carrier.

14. A modular asset storage system comprising:

a main panel, the main panel including a computer command module and one or more asset containment modules, the asset containment modules in data communication with the computer command module, wherein the asset containment module is configured to determine whether the asset is present in the asset containment module by querying a presence sensor and, if the asset is present, communicate the presence of the asset from the asset containment module to the computer command module and provide access to the asset, and wherein the asset containment module comprises;

a control board, the control board in data communication with the computer command module;

a row board, the row board in data communication with a plurality of locking solenoids;

a plurality of card carriers or lock cylinders, each of the card carriers or key lock cylinders associated with a locking solenoid; and

a door and a door actuator system, the door actuator system comprising;

a door solenoid;

a cam actuator, the cam actuator in mechanical connection with the door solenoid;

a cam latch, the cam latch in mechanical connection with the cam actuator; and

a door latch, the door latch affixed to the door and disengageably coupled to the cam actuator.

15. The modular asset storage system of claim 14 further comprising a door sensor system, wherein the door sensor system is a reed switch, push-button switch, micro-switch, acoustic sensor, optical sensor, or magnetic hall-effect sensor.

16. The modular asset storage system of claim 15 further comprising a card presence sensor, the card presence sensor configured to determine the presence of a card within the card carrier.

17. The modular asset storage system of claim 15 further comprising a key presence sensor, the key presence sensor configured to determine the presence of a key within the lock cylinder.

18. An asset unlocking method, the asset unlocking method comprising:

providing a main panel, the main panel including a computer command module and one or more asset containment modules, wherein one or more of the asset containment modules comprises a control board in data communication with the computer command module and further comprises a row board and a card presence sensor or a key presence sensor, the row board being in data communication with the card presence sensor or key presence sensor;

transmitting an instruction from the computer command module to the asset containment module wirelessly or over a wire from the computer command module to the control board of an asset containment module so as to allow access to an asset;

receiving the instruction at the control board of the asset containment module;

determining whether the asset is present in the asset containment module by querying a card presence sensor or key presence sensor;

if the asset is present, communicating the presence of the asset from the asset containment module to the computer command module; and

providing access to the asset.

19. The asset unlocking method of claim 18 wherein the asset containment module further comprises an indicator light, and wherein the row board is in data communication with the indicator light, and wherein the step of communicating the presence of the asset comprises energizing the indicator light.

20. The asset unlocking method of claim 19, wherein the asset containment module further comprises a plurality of card carriers and a plurality of locking solenoids, each of the card carriers associated with a locking solenoid, wherein each locking solenoid is in electrical communication with the row board, and wherein the step of providing access to the asset comprises de-energizing the solenoid.

21. The asset unlocking method of claim 19, wherein the asset containment module further comprises a plurality of lock cylinders and a plurality of locking solenoids, each of the lock cylinders associated with a locking solenoid, wherein each locking solenoid is in electrical communication with the row board, and wherein the step of providing access to the asset comprises energizing the solenoid.

22. The asset unlocking method of claim 18 wherein the asset containment module further comprises a door, and wherein the step of providing access to the asset further comprises unlocking the door.