Reversible Shackle with Angled Bends for Door Handle Mounting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic lockboxes with U-shaped shackles are limited in their ability to be mounted on door handles or door knobs, as they do not provide sufficient flexibility in orientation to ensure proper alignment and stability.

Innovation Solution

The electronic lockbox features a reversible shackle with two pairs of angled bends, allowing it to be mounted on door handles or door knobs with the angled bends facing either towards the rear or the front of the lockbox, ensuring proper alignment and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a U-shaped shackle with straight legs is used, then the lockbox structure is simple, but the lockbox cannot be properly mounted on door handles or door knobs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting capability on door handlesVSAvoidshackle structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shackle is divided into multiple segments including first and second legs, a U-shaped middle portion, and angled bends. This segmentation allows each part to serve a specific function: the straight legs provide structural support while the angled bends enable proper mounting orientation on door handles and knobs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shackle incorporates asymmetric angled bends at specific locations along the legs. These bends create an asymmetric geometry that allows the lockbox to be mounted in the correct orientation on door handles and knobs, solving the adaptability problem while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Adaptability or versatility

If the shackle is fixed in one orientation, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the lockbox cannot accommodate different door hardware configurations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in mounting orientationVSAvoidshackle manufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The shackle design with angled bends and U-shaped middle portion creates a universal mounting solution that can accommodate various door hardware configurations including different types of door handles and knobs. The same shackle structure provides multiple mounting orientations without requiring different components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the lockbox is mounted without proper alignment, then installation is quick, but the lockbox experiences accidental contact or movement during use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability during useVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The angled bends are pre-formed into the shackle structure during manufacturing, establishing the correct mounting orientation before installation. This preliminary action ensures that when the lockbox is installed, the shackle is already aligned properly, providing stability during use without complicating the installation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250034910A1Lockbox with double bend shackle

Publication Date: 2025.01.30 SENTRILOCK LLC

AI summary

An electronic lockbox having a reversible shackle that exhibits two pairs of angled bends so that the lockbox can be mounted on door handles or door knobs, with the angled bends facing toward the rear of the lockbox, or by reversing the shackle, the angled bends can be arranged to be facing toward the front of the lockbox.