Personal lock-out box with timer

• US 8,950,223 B1
• Filed: 01/17/2012
• Issued: 02/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sean T. Joyce
• Original Assignee: Sean T. Joyce
• Inventors: Joyce, Sean T.
• Primary Examiner(s): GALL, LLOYD A
• Application Number:
  US13/351,288
• Time in Patent Office: 1,120 Days
• Field of Search: 70/30, 70/49, 70/58, 70/63, 70266-274, 70159-162, 702/77, 702/781, 702/787, 702/791, 206/1.5, 439/134
• US Class Current: 70/63
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/321 combined with other articles
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/20 Chains or bands A45C13/185 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 15/00 Purses, bags, luggage or other receptacles covered by groups A45C1/00 - A45C11/00, combined with other objects or articles A45C1/08, A45C3/14, A45C11/321, A45C13/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 15/06 with illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/002 for portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/003 for portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/005 Portable strong boxes, e.g. which may be fixed to a wall or the like E05G1/08, E05G1/14 take precedence; devices to prevent theft or loss of bags, trunks, baskets, or the like A45C13/18; coin boxes for coin freed apparatus G07F9/06
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00634 Power supply for the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00833 by code input from switches
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/0069 actuated in a predetermined sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00912 for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/435 Flexible shackle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5031 Receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5544 Pivoted
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5553 Dead bolt
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5558 Latching bolt
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7006 Predetermined time interval controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7068 Actuated after correct combination recognized [e.g., numerical, alphabetical, or magnet[s] pattern]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7102 And details of blocking system [e.g., linkage, latch, pawl, spring]

Abstract

A personal lock box with a timer comprising a hinged strongbox with an internal cavity that is large enough to contain small personal items therein. The lock box is controlled by an electronic circuit. The lock box further comprises a user interface, a timer, a power source, and associated circuitry. The user interface allows a user to activate the device, selectively program a locked time, and initiate a locked cycle during which time the lockbox cannot be opened. Additionally, the lock box comprises a retractable locking cord for securing the lock box to large items.

Claims

1. A programmable lock-out box for preventing unauthorized access to items stored therein, said programmable lock-out box comprising:

a housing assembly including;

a housing base having a third aperture and a first half aperture, said housing assembly further including a housing lid having a second half aperture and which is pivotally coupled to said housing base, wherein said first half aperture mates with said second half aperture to form a second aperture;

a control module located within said housing assembly;

a solenoid latching mechanism located within said housing assembly and communicatively coupled to said control module;

a plurality of programming buttons located on said housing lid and communicatively coupled to said control module for electronically programming a period of time during which said solenoid latching mechanism maintains said housing lid locked to said housing base; and

,

a locking cord anchored within said housing assembly and having a locking feature at a free end, said locking cord for extending from said third aperture through said second aperture such that said locking feature is retained in said housing assembly.

2. The lock-out box of claim 1, wherein said solenoid latching mechanism is detachably latched to said housing lid and permanently coupled to said housing base.

3. The lock-out box of claim 1, wherein said second aperture is positioned along a side edge of said housing assembly.

4. The lock-out box of claim 1, further comprising a recoil mechanism that cinches up said locking cord.

5. The lock-out box of claim 1, wherein said

locking feature is button shaped.

6. The lock-out box of claim 1, wherein said solenoid latching mechanism comprises:

a solenoid;

a shot pin attached to said solenoid;

a plurality of first posts having a plurality of first keeper apertures respectively; and

,

a second post having a second keeper aperture;

wherein said solenoid is selectively actuated by said control module and thereby magnetically motions said shot pin to linearly exit from said first keeper apertures as well as said second keeper aperture.

7. A programmable lock-out box for preventing unauthorized access to items stored therein, said programmable lock-out box comprising:

a housing assembly including;

a housing base having a half aperture and a housing lid having a half aperture pivotally coupled thereto, wherein said half aperture of said housing base mates with said half aperture of said housing lid to form a first aperture;

a control module located within said housing assembly;

a solenoid latching mechanism located within said housing assembly and communicatively coupled to said control module;

a plurality of programming buttons located on said housing lid and communicatively coupled to said control module for electronically programming a period of time during which said solenoid latching mechanism maintains said housing lid locked to said housing base; and

,

wherein said first aperture can entrap a power cord plug within said housing assembly.

8. The lock-out box of claim 7, wherein said solenoid latching mechanism is detachably latched to said housing lid and permanently coupled to said housing base.

9. The lock-out box of claim 7, wherein said solenoid latching mechanism comprises:

a solenoid;

a shot pin attached to said solenoid;

a plurality of first posts having a plurality of first keeper apertures respectively; and

,

a second post having a second keeper aperture;

wherein said solenoid is selectively actuated by said control module and thereby magnetically motions said shot pin to linearly exit from said first keeper apertures as well as said second keeper aperture.

10. A programmable lock-out box for preventing unauthorized access to items stored therein, said programmable lock-out box comprising:

a housing assembly including a housing base having a first half aperture, a second half aperture and a third aperture, said housing assembly further including a housing lid having a fourth half aperture and a fifth half aperture, wherein said housing lid is pivotally coupled to said housing base, wherein said first half aperture mates with said fourth half aperture to form a first aperture when said housing lid pivots onto said housing base, and wherein said second half aperture and said fifth half aperture forms a second aperture when said housing lid pivots onto said housing base;

a control module located within said housing assembly;

a solenoid latching mechanism located within said housing assembly and communicatively coupled to said control module;

a plurality of programming buttons located on said housing lid and communicatively coupled to said control module for electronically programming a period of time during which said solenoid latching mechanism maintains said housing lid locked to said housing base; and

,

a locking cord anchored within said housing assembly and having a locking feature at a free end, said locking cord for extending from said third aperture through said second aperture such that said locking feature is retained in said housing assembly.

11. The lock-out box of claim 10, wherein said solenoid latching mechanism is detachably latched to said housing lid and permanently coupled to said housing base.

12. The lock-out box of claim 10, wherein said second aperture is positioned along a side edge of said housing assembly.

13. The lock-out box of claim 10, further comprising a recoil mechanism that cinches up said locking cord.

14. The lock-out box of claim 10, wherein said locking feature is button shaped.

15. The lock-out box of claim 10, wherein said solenoid latching mechanism comprises:

a solenoid;

a shot pin attached to said solenoid;

a plurality of first posts having a plurality of first keeper apertures respectively; and

,

a second post having a second keeper aperture;

wherein said solenoid is selectively actuated by said control module and thereby magnetically motions said shot pin to linearly exit from said first keeper apertures as well as said second keeper aperture.

16. The lock-out box of claim 10, wherein said first aperture can entrap a power cord plug within said housing assembly.