Patent US2353446A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5177484A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent FR563091A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4615281A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Key safe
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1985-08-26
•
Granted: 1986-10-07
•
Expires: 2005-08-26
Abstract
Abstract In combination with a building door, there is provided a key safe for a door key comprising an open ended housing secured within and projecting through the door. A safe door is hinged to and closes one end of the housing and has a retractable latch bar engageable with the building door to lock the safe door. A combination lock on the safe door includes a normally open printed circuit connected to a power source. A solenoid is connected to the circuit and includes a plunger connected to the latch bar. A tamper proof key tray is nested within the housing and normally spring biased for ejection inwardly of the building door. A first detent assembly is interposed between the safe door and tray so that any forceful opening of the safe door disengages the detent assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E. Gaston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 16:24
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05B; E05B19/00; E05B19/0005; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T70/00; Y10T70/50; Y10T70/5009; Y10T70/5031; Y10T70/70; Y10T70/7441; Y10T70/7763
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
In combination with a building door having inner and outer sides and a transverse aperture therethrough; a key safe comprising an open ended housing nested and retained in said aperture and having one open end in registry with said outer side; a safe door hinged within and normally closing said one open end of said housing flush with said building door; a normally closed latch bar slidably and reciprocally mounted upon and within said safe door interlocked with a strike plate upon said building door; a combination lock on said safe door including a normally open printed circuit connected to a power source; a solenoid within said safe door connected to said circuit and having a spring biased plunger connected to said latch bar; energization of said solenoid retracting said latch bar permitting opening of the safe door and access to a key for said building door stored within said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
In combination with a building door having inner and outer sides and a transverse aperture therethrough; a key safe comprising an open ended housing nested and retained in said aperture and having one open end in registry with said outer side; a safe door hinged within and normally closing said one open end of said housing flush with said building door; a normally closed latch bar slidably and reciprocally mounted upon and within said safe door interlocked with a strike plate upon said building door; a combination lock on said safe door including a normally open printed circuit connected to a power source; a solenoid within said safe door connected to said circuit and having a spring biased plunger connected to said latch bar; energization of said solenoid retracting said latch bar permitting opening of the safe door and access to a key for said building door stored within said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
In the key safe of claim 1, said housing having inner and outer telescoping sections to accomodate different door thicknesses; and an outturned right angular stop flange at one end of said inner section retainingly engaging said inner side.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
In the key safe of claim 1, fasteners securing said housing to said building door.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
In the key safe of claim 1, said lock being a push button combination lock, the correct combination closing said circuit to said solenoid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
In the key safe of claim 1, said power source being a storage battery nested within said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
In the key safe of claim 1, a handle on said safe door.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
In the key safe of claim 1, an open ended key tray slidably mounted within said housing receiving said key; spring means interconnecting said tray and housing normally urging said tray through the other open end of said housing; and first detent means interconnecting said safe door and tray, normally retaining said tray within said housing; any forceful opening of safe door when latched disconnecting said first detent means, said tray automatically moving inwardly upon the interior of said door, dumping said key.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
In the key safe of claim 7, said spring means including at least one coil spring at its ends respectively connected to said housing and tray.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
In the key safe of claim 8, there being a pair of said coil springs upon opposite sides of said tray.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
In the key safe of claim 7, said tray on inward movement tilting angularly downward over the edge of said housing, the key sliding out of said tray.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
In the key safe of claim 7, said first detent means including a tray detent projecting from one end of said tray; and a door catch upon and projecting inwardly of said safe door interlocked with said tray detent, any forceful opening of said safe door disconnecting said tray detent and door catch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
In the key safe of claim 7, second detent means on said latch bar and tray, being normally disconnected, retration of said latch bar under the control of said solenoid permitting opening of said safe door disconnecting said first latch means and interconnecting said second latch means retaining said tray within said housing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
In the key safe of claim 12, said second detent means including a catch projecting from said tray; and a tray stop inwardly of and connected to said latch bar, normal retraction of said latch bar moving said tray stop into interlocking retaining engagement with said tray catch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2732816A
Cited
GB190109420A
Cited
GB299213A
Cited
DE698724C
Cited
US2253332A
Cited
US2737910A
Cited
US3084008A
Cited
US3411046A
Cited
US3795417A
Cited
US4296617A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-10-06 | 1990-04-07 | 1990-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-10-06 | 1994-04-07 | 1994-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-10-06 | 1998-04-07 | 1998-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |