Abstract:
A lock box device having a unit with a pepper spray dispenser or a signal transmitter, or both, each of which can be selectively actuated or actuated simultaneously. The device allows selective discharge by a user of an irritant, such as a pepper spray, and selective actuation of a transmitter to emit a distress signal.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/169,524 filed on Dec. 7, 1999, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/169,994 filed on Dec. 3, 1999, the complete disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of safety and protection devices, and more particularly to lock boxes of the type commonly used in commercial and residential real estate to regulate access to a property. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Lock boxes are widely used in the commercial and residential real estate businesses for providing easy access to properties so that an agent may show the property to his or her clients. A lock box is a particularly useful device in that it saves time by allowing a key to a building (or other means) to be stored within the box. The box generally has a covered opening which can be accessed by a realtor with a code, combination, master key or other element to access the key to the building. This enables the exclusion of others, except for certain designated realtors, from admittance to the building. To this effect, a realtor may bring a client to several property sites and gain access to each without having to obtain keys at a central office. For example, often commercial and residential properties are listed through different real estate agents who have different offices. The offices may be located close to each other or may be very distant. In either case, it is a nuisance for a realtor who wishes to show several properties to a client to visit each listing office in order to obtain a key. Furthermore, not only is obtaining the keys from several locations time consuming, but after the property is shown to a client, the keys must be returned. While drop boxes are established at most real estate offices for returning the keys, the process is often compounded in terms of the time taken by office personnel having to sort through a mass of keys and then organize the keys in some fashion so that the returned keys are then available to agents in the future who desire to show the properties to their clients. 
     The lock box generally is a device which attaches to the door, such as the door knob or handle, or some other fixed structure and contains a key which will unlock the property at which the lock box is situated. The key is maintained in the box in a secure manner so that only those authorized personnel, such as real estate agents who have obtained the combination or means to access the key in the box, are able to open the box and remove the key. Lock boxes are often constructed out of a hardened steel or other strong material which makes them difficult to force open. Furthermore, a lock box must be secure against thieves who realize that the key to a dwelling is in there and that should they succeed in opening the lock box, they will have access to the dwelling. In some cases, the house may not contain any valuables or items of the homeowner, which is usually the case when the homeowner has moved, or where commercial space has been vacated. However, at other times, the homeowner has valuables therein which make it attractive to individuals looking to steal such items. 
     Lock box examples and control circuitry are illustrated in the following U.S. Pat No. 4,609,780—“Electronic Secure Entry System, Apparatus and Method”, issued on Sep. 2, 1986 to Keith S. Clark; U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,637—“Digital Electronic Lock System”, issued on Jun. 10, 1986 to Sidney Falk; U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,556—“Solenoid Activation Circuitry Using High Voltage”, issued on Oct. 11, 1988 to Mir A. Imran; U.S. Pat. No. 4,800,255—“Electronic Access Card with Visual Display”, issued on Jan. 24, 1989 to Mir A. Imran; U.S. Pat. No. 4,864,115—“Electronic Access Card Having Key Pads and Coils and Combination Using the Same”, issued on Sep. 5, 1989 to Mir A. Imran and Keith S. Clark; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,987—“Keysafe System with Timer/Calendar Features”, issued on Jan. 29, 1991 to Philip D. Barrett, Walter G. Henderson and Wayne F. Larson. The complete disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     While lock boxes offer an easy way to access a building in a manner which helps to secure the home and its contents, there are situations where would-be thieves will try to circumvent a lock box. Realtors showing properties, are particularly vulnerable. Often the realtor does not know the client, who may have simply called the realtor and indicated he or she wishes to look at a particular property. In many cases, it is not practical for more than one realtor to show a property and, as is often the case, a single realtor may meet an individual at a location and show one or more properties. In some cases, a would-be thief, posing as a client, may simply accompany the realtor to the property and memorize or obtain the combination to the lock box. The A would-be thief knowing the combination may then return when the realtor is not present to gain unauthorized access to the property through the combination which he or she obtained. 
     However, there are those situations where the realtor may be placed in danger and can be the victim of a criminal act. Incidents of violence such as rapes, batteries, assaults against realtors when showing a property to a client have been known to occur. Often, in these cases, individuals pose as clients with no real intention to purchase the property, but only to carry out acts against the realtor. In order to use a lock box, the realtor must arrive at the property and enter a code or combination to open the lock box. This enables the realtor to gain access to the key stored in the lock box which can be used to unlock the door. Once the lock box is opened, the realtor, after using the key to open the door, will generally hold the key in his or her possession until the completion of the showing of the property to a client. Most lock boxes provide a detachable face or key carrier which detaches from the portion of the lock box held on the door when the box is opened. In many cases, the realtor will carry this portion of the lock box while showing the house. It is a common practice to attach the key to a chain, and in many cases, to the removable portion of the lock box so that the key and removable portion will remain together to be carried by the realtor. 
     Often, the realtor does not know the client and proceeds to meet with and show the client a property, usually with no one else present. While it is impractical for a realtor to carry a weapon, as legitimate clients may be frightened by this practice, the realtor may have a cell phone to call for help in an emergency situation. However, this may not provide a fast enough response should the individual to whom the property is being showed attempt to use force or violence against the realtor. 
     While current lock boxes provide a way to secure a property against unauthorized access, the lock box does not protect the realtor, and rather can actually make the realtor a potential target since those who would desire to commit criminal acts might see the lock box as an opportunity. 
     A need, therefore, exists to provide a lock box with a security feature which will aid to protect realtors in situations where the client threatens harm or other acts which must be defended directly and immediately, before any other help can arrive. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a lock box device which can assist to protect an individual in situations where the individual is threatened with impending harm or fears for his or her safety. A lock box device in a preferred embodiment is provided with the ability to issue a distress signal which can be picked up and responded to by appropriate individuals. The lock box device in another preferred embodiment, comprises a replaceable cartridge containing an irritant, such as pepper spray, which can be actuated with the hand of an individual by pressing to cause a release of a stream of pepper spray. In yet another preferred embodiment of the lock box device, a pepper spray cartridge and a transmitter are provided. 
     Lock boxes generally have a body with a removable cover or insert. In many cases, the key is stored in the body or insert, or can be chained to the insert so that when the insert or cover is removed the individual can carry it with the key. In one embodiment according to the present invention, the lock box device comprises a replaceable insert cartridge which is installed in the removable cover of a lock box. This enables the user of the lock box, such as a realtor, to carry the armed pepper spray cartridge with the key when showing the property. In addition thereto, or alternately, a transmitter may be included in the insert or removable cover portion the lock box. The transmitter device can be provided with a button or other actuator which can be depressed at any time by the realtor while carrying it during the showing of the property. The present invention may provide a transmitting device, a pepper spray cartridge or both. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the lock box device includes a transmitter and a pepper spray cartridge. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a lock box device having safety features, and which can store a key to a property therein. 
     It is another object of the present invention to accomplish the above object where the lock box device has a wireless transmitter for emitting a distress signal of actuation. 
     It is another object of the present invention to accomplish the above objects where the lock box device had a cartridge containing a pepper spray which can be actuated to selectively release pepper spray in situations of distress. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to accomplish the above objects where the transmitter and/or pepper spray cartridge is discretely provided. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a lock box device which has a transmitter which can be actuated to transmit a signal to a receiver at a location remote from the transmitter. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a lock box device which has a transmitter and a pepper spray cartridge each of which can be separately actuated, or simultaneously actuated. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a lock box device which has selectively attachable safety features, including a pepper spray cartridge, a transmitter, or both. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a lock box device according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lock box device of FIG. 1, displayed with the front panel removed. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the unit of the lock box device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, looking at the front of the unit. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the unit of the lock box device shown in FIG. 3, looking at the rear of the unit. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the unit of the lock box device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, as viewed to show the bottom of the unit and the transmitter. 
     FIG. 6 is a second alternate embodiment of a lock box device according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a rear elevation view of the insert shown in FIG. 6, shown in a separate view. 
     FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the pepper spray unit of FIG. 6, shown in a separate view. 
     FIG. 9 is a third alternate embodiment of a lock box device according to the present invention shown in an exploded view. 
     FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of a fourth alternate embodiment of a lock box device according to the present invention. 
     FIGS. 11-16 are separate views showing the components of the lock box device embodiment of FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 17 is a front elevation view of a fifth alternate embodiment of a lock box device according to the present invention, shown with the lock box cover attached and the locking member in the locked position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference now being made to the drawings, there is shown a lock box device constructed in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a lock box  10  with security means. The lock box  10  has a body portion  11  with a front wall  12  having an opening  13  therein. A face plate  14  is provided to attach to the body portion  11  and cover the lock box opening  13 . In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the security means comprises a unit  15  which contains an irritant that can be selectively emitted. The unit  15  has actuation means for selectively actuating the release of the irritant. Attachment means is provided to attach the unit  15  to the rear face  16  of the lock box face plate  14 . The attachment means can comprise any suitable means for attaching the unit  15  to the face plate  14 , such as the screws  16 ,  17  which extend through apertures  18 ,  19 , respectively provided in a mounting tab  21  of the unit  15  to secure the unit  15  to the face plate  14 . The attachment means, while shown in a preferred embodiment comprising screws  16 ,  17 , alternately, as shown in FIG. 4, can comprise an adhesive, such as a self-sticking adhesive  40  which is preapplied to the rear wall  42  on a paper, pad or the like  43  (which itself can be adhered to the surface of the unit&#39;s rear wall  42 , and contains a removable backing  41 . 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the face plate  14  has a locking mechanism of the type commonly known and used in the art for securing lock box panels, such as the face plate  14 , to a box body portion  11 . For example, a dial type combination lock mechanism can be used, as is shown in FIG. 1, where a dial  22  is rotated in a particular manner, stopping at predetermined points, to open a lock of the locking mechanism and thereby permit release of the face plate  14  from the body portion  11 . Indicia, such as letters, numbers or the like  23  is generally provided on the face plate near the dial  22  and an arrow  23   a  on the face plate  14 . An attachment bar  24  is provided to secure the lock box body  11  to a door knob (not shown) in the manner known to those in the art. A latch  35  is provided on the face plate  14  for retracting a pawl  36  of the face plate from a keeper  37  provided on the lock box body portion  11 . The combination-type locking mechanism shown herein is widely used and commercially available. The latch  35  can be released when the correct combination is entered through the rotation of the dial  22  to predetermined stops (usually coinciding with a series of three letters, accomplished through a first clockwise rotation to a first letter, a second counterclockwise rotation past the first letter to a second letter, and a third clockwise rotation to a third letter). 
     Referring to FIG. 3, the unit  15  is shown with the actuating means comprising a depressible tab  25  which can be operated by pressing the end  26  of the tab  25  to release the contents of the unit  15  through an opening or nozzle  27 . Safety means is provided to prevent the accidental release of the unit&#39;s contents. The safety means is shown comprising a shelf  28  which is positioned to interfere with the tab  25  so that the tab  25  cannot be depressed when positioned over the shelf  28 . The tab  25  is pivotally provided on the unit  15  to be pivoted in the direction indicated by arrow “a”, from a first position where it cannot be depressed, to a second position, where the tab  25 ′ shown in broken-line representation can be depressed. The safety means prevents unintentional release of the unit contents, such as, for example, when a person is removing the face plate  14  from the lock box  10 . 
     Label means for identifying unit contents is provided. The label means comprises a label  30  containing indicia of the unit contents and preferably is affixed to the front wall  31  of the unit  15 . The label  30  may contain a warning, expiration date, or other information. 
     The unit  15  comprises sealed container means for sealingly containing the unit contents, such as a pepper spray, therein. The container means can comprise the walls of the unit  15 , including the front wall  31 , the rear wall  42 , the first side wall  45 , second side wall  46 , bottom wall  47 , and top wall  48 . Preferably, the unit  15  is comprised of a composition which will not be corroded by the unit contents. After the unit  15  has been actuated, and the contents released or spent, the unit  15  can be removed from the face plate  14  and a new unit  15 , which contains fresh content, such as the pepper spray installed thereon. Alternately, the unit  15  can receive a canister or cartridge (not shown) which can be held within the unit  15 , and can be replaced as needed. Preferably, the cartridge can contain the actuator  25  which can be rotated by the user, as described above, to a depressible, operable position  25 ′. 
     While the unit contents have been referred to herein as pepper spray, it is understood that the contents of the unit  15  can comprise other commercially obtainable, non-lethal irritants, consistent with the principles of the invention as described herein. Preferably, the unit  15  can contain pepper spray which is under pressure, such that when the tab  25  is actuated, a seal is broken and the pepper spray released through the opening or nozzle  27 . 
     Referring to FIG. 5, the security means can alternately, or additionally, comprise an alerting device, such as, for example, a wireless transmitter  50 . The transmitter  50  is provided with circuitry of the type commercially available and known to those having skill in the art, to emit a signal when actuated by a user. The transmitter  50 , preferably, can be any of those which are commercially available and known in the art which produce a signal upon actuation by a user, and where the signal is picked up by a receiving unit (not shown) which, for example, is connected to a phone line and programmed to automatically dial a number, such as an emergency number (911), or another predetermined, preprogrammed number, when a signal from the transmitter  50  is received. The receiver can have its own power supply such as a rechargeable battery, and/or an electrical power supply which can be plugged into an outlet. The receiver also connects to a phone jack so that it has access to the phone line when the signal from the transmitter is emitted. Alternately, the receiver can be preprogrammed to dial a monitoring station or some other location where the call will alert others to the receiver&#39;s location and will provide an opportunity for others to send help. 
     Furthermore, alternately, or in addition to the receiver, the transmitter  50  can be a transmitter which can provide a signal to a satellite for direct transmission from the satellite to a monitor at a location off of the property site. For example, the signal emitted from the transmitter  50  can be sent via satellite to be received at a location remote from the transmitter  50 , such as a monitoring station, where an appropriate response can be undertaken by those receiving the signal, such as summoning police or proceeding to the location to assist the individual who issued the signal. In addition, the signal generated may be coupled with a global positioning system, either provided in the transmitter or some other remote location, where the exact location of the distress signal emission can be pinpointed to aid those coming to the aid of the user who issued the signal. 
     The unit  15  preferably carries the transmitter  50 . The unit  15  has an area, such as a slot  51  formed therein, in which the transmitter  50  can be carried. Suitable means for retaining the transmitter  50  on the unit can be employed, and can comprise a flexible rubber gasket, screws, compression elements, and the like. A screw  55  is shown for insertion into a threaded bore  56  provided in the side wall  45  of the unit  15  and to secure to a threaded bore  57  of the transmitter  50 . 
     Actuation means is provided for actuating the transmitter  50  when the user desires to send an alert signal. The actuation means can comprise a button  53  on the unit which, when depressed, will cause the emission of a signal. The button  53  can be located in a recess so as to minimize the potential for accidental actuation. The transmitter  50  preferably contains its own power source, such as a battery (not shown), which can be incorporated into the circuitry. The battery can be a long-lasting energy cell or a rechargeable battery unit. Any suitable known signal generating components, such as those commercially available and known for producing a signal which can be remotely monitored, can be used. The actuation means associated with the transmitter  50  can be separately provided, or alternately, or additionally can be joined with the actuating means controlling the release of the pepper spray from the unit  15 , so that when the pepper spray is released, a signal is also emitted by the transmitter  50 . 
     Referring to FIG. 6, a second alternate embodiment of a lock box device is shown constructed in accordance with the present invention. A lock box  110  has a body portion  111  with a removable insert  112  which has a space  113  therein for storage of a key. The lock box  110  has security means. Preferably, the lock box insert  112  carries the security means. The insert  112  carries a unit  114  which can dispense a pepper spray from a nozzle or opening  115 . The lock box device has actuation means for selectively actuating the release of the pepper spray from the unit  114 . Labeling means is placed on the insert for identifying the contents of the insert, and displaying other indicia, such as expiration dates, warnings and the like. The labeling means can comprise the label  116  placed on the front of the insert  112  or the lable  116   a  placed on the unit  114  (FIG.  8 ). 
     The security means can alternately, or additionally, comprise an alerting device, such as, for example, a wireless transmitter  150 , provided to operate in the manner described above in connection with the transmitter  50 . The transmitter  150  has circuitry for emitting a distress signal when actuated by a user. The transmitter  150  is preferably carried by the insert  112 , and, as shown in FIG. 6, is connected to the bottom of the insert  112 . The lock box body  111  can be elongated to accommodate the transmitter  150  and a slot can be provided in the insert  112  in which the transmitter  150  can be disposed. Preferably, however, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the transmitter  150  can be attached to extend from the bottom of the insert  112 . As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the insert  112  extends beyond the bottom of the body  111 . The transmitter  150  can be housed in a false bottom  155  which can provide the lock box with the appearance of being a longer single unit. Suitable means for retaining the transmitter  150  on the insert can be employed, and can comprise a flexible rubber gasket, screws, compression elements, or the like. Preferably, the transmitter  150  is attached to the insert  112  so that when the insert  112  is secured to the lock box body  111 , the transmitter  150  will be secured as well. Retaining means such as those known which are used to secure an insert  112  of a lock box  110  to a lock box body  111 , such as the mounting posts  156 ,  157 , can be employed. The retaining means can be unlatched when the proper combination is entered in the locking mechanism to release the insert  112  from the lock box body  111 . The locking mechanism, while not shown, is understood to comprise any of the locking mechanisms which can be used to secure lock boxes, such as those commercially available mechanisms. The signal emitted from the transmitter  150  can be received at a location remote from the transmitter  150 , such as a monitoring station, where an appropriate response can be undertaken by those receiving the signal, such as summoning police or proceeding to the location to assist the individual who issued the signal. Actuation means is provided for actuating the transmitter  150  to cause it to emit a distress signal. The actuation means can comprise a button  170  disposed on the insert  112  which can be selectively depressed by a user when needed. Preferably, the button  170  is disposed in a location on the insert which requires access to the key, in order to prevent unauthorized or accidental actuation of the transmitter  150 . While not shown, it will be understood that a safety catch can be provided to interfere with the button  170  to prevent accidental actuation. The safety catch, while not shown, can comprise a rotatable collar such as those known in the art and commercially available, which is associated with the button  170  to hold it from being depressed, until the catch is rotated to a predetermined position. 
     The actuation means for actuating the release of the pepper spray preferably comprises a button  160  as shown in FIG. 8, which can be operated by the thumb of a user. Safety means comprising a safety release lever  161  is pivotally mounted to the cartridge  114  with a suitable pivot member, such as the pivot screw  162 . The lever  161  interferes with the button  160  in one position and when pivoted to a second position  161 ′ permits the button  160  to be depressed to release pepper spray from the nozzle  163 . A stop  164  is provided on the cartridge  114  to maintain the lever  161  in an interfering position with the button  160 , until selectively released by moving the lever  161  over the stop  164 . The cartridge  114  is configured for positioning within the insert  112 , as shown in FIG.  6 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 9, a lock box device  210  according to the present invention is shown comprising a lock box  211  with a body  214 , a front cover  212  and a locking mechanism  213  for securing the front cover  212  to the lock box body  214 . The lock box  211  functions similar to the lock boxes described herein. Adapter means is shown for holding pepper spray and/or a transmitter unit on the lock box  211 . The adapter means preferably comprises an adapter  217  having a first adapter element  215  for attachment to the lock box  211  with suitable securing means such as the double sided tape  216  shown in FIG.  9 . Preferably, the first adapter element  215  of the adapter means has a storage space  220  therein with an opening  221  at one end thereof. The storage space  220  is used to store a pepper spray unit (not shown) therein as well as an optional transmitter, which can also be contained therein. The adapter means further comprises a second adapter element  225  which has a connecting portion  226  for connecting to the removable cover  212  of the lock box  211 . The second adapter element  225  further has covering means for covering the opening  221  of the storage space  220  of the first adapter element  215 . Preferably, the covering means comprises a flange  227  disposed on the second adapter element  225  which is positioned over the opening  221  of the first adapter element  215  when the second adapter element  225  is installed on the lock box front cover  212  and the lock box front cover  212  is closed and connected to the lock box body  214 . Similarly, when the lock box front cover  212  is removed from the lock box body  214 , the second adapter element  225  is removed therewith to expose the opening  221  of the first adapter element and thereby permit access to the pepper spray unit and the transmitter, or other items contained in the storage space  220 . While double sided tape  216  is shown for attaching the first adapter element  215  to the lock box  211 , it will be understood that screws, bolts, rivets, adhesive, or like suitable fastening means can also be employed to secure the first adapter element  215  to the lock box  211 . Also, the second adapter element  225  can be secured to the lock box cover  212  with suitable attachment means, such as screws, rivets, adhesive, double sided tape, and the like. 
     Referring now to FIG. 10, another alternate embodiment of a lock box device according to the present invention is shown comprising an adapter  310  with a first adapter element  311  and attachment means for attaching the adapter body portion  311  to a lock box, such as, for example, the lock box  312  which can be the type shown in FIG. 6, above, where the bottom portion  313  of the lock box  312  is removably provided to be maintained in a locked position and opened to be released from the lock box body  314 . The lock box  312  pictured in FIG. 10 can comprise any lock box which has a bottom opening feature such as the removable bottom portion  313  which releases from an end, here the bottom of the lock box body  314 , to permit access to a key stored in a storage cavity of the body  314 . The adapter further has a cover element  315  which is secured to the removable lock box bottom portion  313  with screws, rivets, tape, adhesive or other suitable attachment means. The cover element  315  has a plug portion  316  which extends upwardly from the base  317  of the cover element  315 . The first adapter element  311  has a bore  320  therein to receive the socket portion  316  of the cover element  315 . An insert  322  is provided and is carried within the inner wall  323  of the socket portion  316  of the cover element  315 . The insert  322  can comprise a hollow body with a space  325  therein for storing items, such as pepper spray and/or a transmitter. The storage space  325  is enclosed and access to the storage space  325  is restricted until the cover element  315  is lowered with the removable cover element  313  of the lock box  312 . 
     Preferably, the first element or body  311  of the adapter is attached to the lock box  312  with suitable attachment means, such as the tape  330  shown in FIG.  10 . While not shown, it is understood that the first adapter element  311  can be integrally formed with the lock box body  314 . The first adapter element  311  is maintained on the lock box  312  at all times, whereas the cover element  315  is provided to be lowered with the lock box removable portion  313 . When the cover element  315  is lowered, the socket portion  316  is lowered out of the bore  320  of the first adapter element  311  and the insert  322  lowered therewith. The insert  322  is thereby removed from the first element  311  and can be lifted off of the socket portion  316  of the cover element  315  so that the insert space  325  may be accessed so that the contents stored therein can be used. FIGS. 11 through 16 further show different views further illustrating the lock box device according to the present invention. 
     Referring now to FIG. 17, an alternate embodiment of a lock box device  410  according to the present invention comprising a lock box  411  with a body  414 , a front cover  415  and a locking mechanism  413  for securing the front cover  415  to the lock box body  414 . The lock box  411  functions similar to lock boxes described herein. The lock box device  410  has security means for facilitating the protection of an individual. The security means is shown comprising a container  420  attached to the lock box body  414  on one side thereof with suitable securing means. The securing means can comprise a strip of double-sided adhesive tape  421  or can comprise any other suitable means for attaching the container  420  to the lock box body  414 . While not shown, it is understood that the container  420  can be integrally formed with the lock box body  414 . The container  420  preferably has a removable door  422  which is shown swingably attached to the container body portion  423  with hinge means, such as hinge  424 . The hinge  424  holds the door  422  on the container body  423  and, preferably is provided with finger recesses  425 ,  426  on each opposite end of the door  422  for facilitating opening of the door  422  with the user&#39;s fingers or thumbs. The security means of the lock box device embodiment  410  further comprises a locking member  430  for locking the door  422  in a closed position in relation to the container body  423 . The locking member  430  has attachment means which can comprise mounting flanges  431 ,  432  for mounting the locking member  430  onto the front cover  415  of the lock box  411 . The locking member also has a body  434  which connects the mounting flanges  431 ,  432  with a locking arm  435  which extends over the door  422  and prevents the door  422  from being opened. 
     The lock box  411  can be of the type that has a button mechanism  436  which can be depressed, and when the correct combination has been entered in the locking mechanism  413 , causes the release of the front cover  415  from the lock box body  414 . The release of the front cover  415  also removes the locking member arm  435  out of the way of the door  422  so that the door  422  may be opened. The locking member  430  is attached to the front cover  415  and is removed therewith when the front cover  415  is detached from the lock box body  414 . 
     While double sided tape has been shown to secure the container  420  to the lock box body  414  and the locking member mounting flanges  431 ,  432  to the front cover  415 , it will be understood that any suitable attachment means, such as screws, rivets, bolts adhesive or the like, can be used consistent with the principles of the resent invention. It will be further understood that the attachment can be accomplished by integrally forming the locking member arm  435  and front cover  415 . 
     These and other advantages of the present invention are provided, and the invention is to be broadly construed in accordance with the Background of the Invention, the Summary of the Invention, the Brief Description of the Drawing Figures, the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments and the appended claims.