Lockbox Attachment Apparatus for Door Levers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lockboxes designed for door knobs are not securely attachable to door levers, leading to issues with stability and convenience, as they either fail to tighten sufficiently or become obstructed when the door is opened, and existing solutions like the ShurLok attachment have limitations such as excessive flexibility and limited compatibility with various lockbox sizes.
Innovation Solution
A two-armed apparatus with a locking mechanism that surrounds the door handle, featuring adjustable apertures and a staple system to secure the lockbox shackle, preventing disengagement and allowing secure attachment to door levers without encircling the handle, thus maintaining the lockbox's position during door operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shackle of a conventional lockbox is tightened incrementally to fit around a door lever, then the lockbox can be attached to the door lever, but the shackle does not always tighten enough to securely fashion the lockbox to the door lever
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of shackle adjustment from incremental discrete steps to continuous smooth adjustment. The new shackle mechanism allows for continuous tightening without fixed increments, enabling precise fitting to different door lever sizes while maintaining secure attachment. This resolves the contradiction by allowing both secure attachment and ease of adjustment across various lockbox sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic adjustment mechanism for the shackle that allows real-time modification of the fit. The shackle can be continuously adjusted during the attachment process to achieve optimal security without being constrained by fixed incremental steps. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to different door lever dimensions while maintaining reliable attachment.
2Reliability
If the shackle is tightened to the point where the lockbox cannot hang freely, then the lockbox is more securely attached, but the lockbox is forced to move as the door lever is depressed preventing the door from opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a differentiated attachment system where the lockbox is secured at a specific location on the door lever that does not interfere with the handle depression area. The shackle is positioned to engage with a dedicated attachment point or groove on the door lever, allowing secure attachment locally while leaving the handle operation area free. This resolves the contradiction by localizing the attachment function away from the door operation zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the door lever structure into distinct functional zones: one area for lockbox attachment and another for handle depression. By providing a separate attachment point or groove on the door lever, the system divides the door lever's functionality, allowing the lockbox to be securely attached without interfering with the door opening mechanism. This segmentation enables both secure attachment and free door operation.
3Ease of operation
If an existing attachment apparatus like the ShurLok product is used to enable lockbox attachment to door levers, then lockbox attachment is enabled, but the apparatus has excessive flexibility allowing the shackle to be removed and the lockbox to be taken off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary locking mechanism between the shackle and the door lever attachment point. This intermediary element, such as a lockable hasp or secured groove system, prevents the shackle from being freely removed while maintaining the attachment capability. The intermediary provides an additional security layer that blocks unauthorized removal while allowing legitimate attachment and detachment with proper authorization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by providing a pre-configured secure attachment point on the door lever that is designed to resist removal. The attachment mechanism is pre-engineered with anti-theft features such as locked positions or secured engagement points that prevent casual removal. This preliminary security design ensures that once attached, the lockbox cannot be easily removed without proper authorization or tools.
4Ease of operation
If the ShurLok attachment apparatus is used, then lockbox attachment to door levers is enabled, but it is compatible with only one size of shackle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal attachment system that can accommodate multiple shackle sizes through an adjustable or modular design. The door lever attachment point is designed with adjustable parameters or multiple configuration options that allow it to work with different shackle dimensions. This universality enables a single attachment mechanism to serve multiple lockbox sizes while maintaining secure attachment and preventing removal.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for retaining a key on a door handle or lever. The apparatus includes two arms each with a head portion and a bottom portion having a shackle prong extending in a direction away from the head portion. The arms have an open state in which the head portions are at least partly separated from one another, and a closed state defining an aperture therebetween. A key box has a compartment for containing the key, and receptacles that receive the shackle prongs when the arms are in the closed state. The key box transitions from a closed state in which the shackle prongs are locked in the receptacles to an open state in which the shackle prongs are out of the receptacles upon entry of a shackle release code. The key box enables access to the compartment upon receiving an access code different than the shackle release code.