Key box

• US 4,112,717 A
• Filed: 04/15/1977
• Issued: 09/12/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Supra Products, Inc. (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Supra Products, Inc. (Carrier Global Corporation)
• Inventors: Bradley, Terrag W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Moore, Richard E.
• Application Number:
  US05/787,837
• Time in Patent Office: 515 Days
• Field of Search: 70/63, 70/351, 70/404, 70/422
• US Class Current: 70/63
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/0005 Key safes E05B35/086 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5031 Receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7525 Longitudinal

Abstract

A key box in which an inaccessible interior latch secures a drawer in place. An exposed lock can be operated to release the latch. A tumbler lock has forward and rearward tumbler receiving notches of different depths to make picking of the lock more difficult.

Claims

1. In a key box,

a case,

a drawer slidable into the case,

first locking means within the case for locking the drawer against removal,

and second locking means exposed at the exterior of the case for actuating the first locking means and for pushing said drawer outwardly,

said second locking means having a lost motion action to facilitate actuation of the first lock means prior to exerting a pushing force against said drawer.

2. A key box as recited in claim 1 wherein said first locking means includes a flexible latch leaf secured to the interior of said case,

a stop on the drawer engaged by the leaf in the locked position of the drawer,

said second lock means including an arm engageable with a portion of said drawer to actuate said drawer,

said arm also being operable to inactivate said leaf,

said arm being disposed relative to said portion and said leaf so as to inactivate said leaf prior to actuating said drawer.

3. In a key box as recited in claim 1 wherein said second locking means includes axially slidable tumblers of different effective lengths,

a cylinder means having notches to receive said tumblers,

said notches being of different depths to make difficult picking of the lock.

4. A lock having a housing means having an axis,

a barrel turnable in said housing means formed with axially extending radial slots,

tumblers axially slidable in said slots,

said housing means providing a set of notches to receive ends of said tumblers in extreme positions of movement of said tumblers,

said notches being of different depths.

5. A lock as recited in claim 4 wherein said housing means provides a second set of notches for receiving other ends of said tumblers,

said second set of notches also being of different depths.