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.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/432,665 filed on Jan. 14, 2011, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a lock-out box, and in particular, to a lock-out box with a timer. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many people use certain items such as cell phones, keys, cigarettes, or similar item too many times throughout a day. So much in fact that these people need a way to cut-off access to these items for certain predetermined amounts of times. Lock-out boxes are known and used to prevent a person from accessing certain items or only accessing the items at certain programmed times. 
     Daily life is filled with many distractions for all of us. While most of these distractions are necessary to help keep a balance of work and play in our lives, many people may occasionally have the tendency to allow some of these distractions to take control of their lives. Age is typically not a factor in the amount of distraction time, although the items doing the distracting may change over time. Young children may spend an inordinate amount of time in front of the television or computer, while adults may spend too much time doing some online gambling or spending money on credit cards. Accordingly, while self control and realization of one&#39;s limits is critical, there exists a need for a means by which physical items that allow for such distractions and which allow for unlimited usage impulses can be controlled. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide a lock-out box. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Patent No. 2007/0180873, issued in the name of Yen et al., describes a lockable container for securing items. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,536, issued in the name of Robinson, describes a sealable food storage container with a timed locking mechanism. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,825,753, issued in the name of Cardinale et al., describes a lockbox having a programmable opening to provide access to the contents at desired times. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more disadvantages. Many such devices are not suited for items which need charged from a power source. Other devices are too large in size to be transported by a user. Accordingly, there exists a need for a lock-out box without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a lock-out box with timer. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present embodiments of the invention to solve at least one (1) of these problems. The inventor has addressed this need by developing a lock-out box with a timer. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lock-out box with timer. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide the lock-out box with timer with a housing assembly. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the housing assembly with a hinge, a housing lid, and a housing base. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the housing base with a latching mechanism. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a means to program the time by utilizing an information display and programming buttons. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a first aperture between the housing base and the housing lid to entrap a plug. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a locking cord to secures a target item which is external to the lock-out box. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a power adapter to charge batteries. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide an inner space to retain desired items. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a control module to control the lock-out box. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of using the power adapter to charge the battery, pressing desired programming buttons to activate the lock-out box, placing items within the inner space, closing the lid, programming a period of time during, and restraining the user&#39;s access to the locked items. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a right-side perspective view of a personal lock-out box with timer  10  depicted in a closed state, according to a preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a left-side perspective view of the personal lock-out box with timer  10  depicted in a closed state, according to a preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 3   a  depicts a left-side perspective view of the personal lock-out box with timer  10  depicted in an open state, according to a preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 3   b  depicts a partial break-away right-side perspective view of the personal lock-out box with timer  10  depicting a recoil mechanism portion  54 , according to a preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a left-side section view of a solenoid latching mechanism  25  portion of the personal lock-out box with timer  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 3   a ), according to a preferred embodiment; and, 
         FIG. 5  is an electrical block diagram of the personal lock-out box with timer  10 , according to a preferred embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  personal lock-out box with timer 
               20  housing assembly 
               22  housing base 
               23  battery 
               24  housing lid 
               25  solenoid latching mechanism 
               26  first aperture 
               27   a  first aperture upper half 
               27   b  first aperture lower half 
               28  display 
               29  control module 
               30  battery charge indicator 
               31  hinge 
               32  power button 
               34  mode selection button 
               36  cycle initiation button 
               40  time period button 
               42  numeric button 
               44  indicator lamp 
               46  second aperture 
               47   a  second aperture upper half 
               47   b  second aperture lower half 
               48  inner space 
               50  locking cord 
               52  locking feature 
               53  third aperture 
               54  recoil mechanism 
               60  solenoid 
               61  shot pin 
               62  first keeper aperture 
               63  first post 
               64  second keeper aperture 
               65  second post 
               66  wiring 
               70  power adapter 
               72  adapter socket 
               100  power cord 
               105  key 
               110  cell phone 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present disclosure describes the personal lock-out box with timer (herein described as the “device”)  10 , which provides containment of small items in a locked and inaccessible container for a pre-programmed period of time. The device  10  is preferably suited to reduce distractions and curb impulses. The device  10  includes a clam-shell housing assembly  20  approximately six (6) inches deep, four (4) inches wide, and two (2) inches high. The device  10  is envisioned to be constructed of a durable plastic material which when locked, cannot be opened without damaging the device  10 . A digital display  28  and a plurality of keypad buttons upon a housing lid  24  allows a user to electronically program a locked period of time. The device  10  is powered by one (1) or more disposable or rechargeable batteries  23  located within the housing base  22  which can only be accessed through the interior space  48  of the device  10 . The construction of the device  10  allows the user to place items within the interior space  48  such as cigarettes, power cords  100 , keys  105 , cell phones  110 , prescription drugs, credit cards, and other items that cause a distraction or temptation. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a right side perspective view of the device  10  depicted in a closed state, is disclosed. The plastic clam-shell housing assembly  20  which comprises a hinge  31  along a rear edge provides a means by which a user may selectively pre-program a period of time electronically, during which the housing lid  24  of the device  10  will be locked against a housing base  22 , thereby preventing access to items contained within. The housing base  22  includes a solenoid latching mechanism  25  which when actuated prevents the user from opening the lid (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     Programming of the locking time is performed with the information display  28  and the plurality of programming buttons  34 ,  36 ,  40 ,  42  incorporated into the housing lid  24 . The display  28  is envisioned to be a liquid-crystal-display (LCD) or equivalent technology and is further envisioned to include a bar-graph type battery charge indicator  30  to communicate to the user the remaining life of the internal batteries  23 . The programming buttons  34 ,  36 ,  40 ,  42  preferably include, but are not limited to: a plurality of mode selection buttons  34 , a cycle initiation button  36 , a plurality of time period buttons  40 , and a plurality of numeric buttons  42 . The housing lid  24  further comprises a plurality of indicator lamps  44  envisioned to be located above the display  28 . The mode selection buttons  34  are envisioned to include functions such as “SET DATE”, “SET”, “ENTER”, and the like. The time period buttons  40  are envisioned to indicate selections such as “5 MIN”, “20 MIN”, “1 HOUR”, “12 HOURS”, and the like. The indicator lamps  44  are envisioned to communicate status information such as “SET”, “TIME OUT”, “LOW BATTERY”, and the like. Additionally, the housing lid  24  is envisioned to include a power button  32  to electrically activate the aforementioned electronic features. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a left side perspective view of the device  10  depicted in a closed state is disclosed. The device  10  includes a first aperture  26  being split in half between the housing base  22  and the housing lid  24  along a forward edge into an upper half  27   a  and a lower half  27   b , respectively. The first aperture  26  is sized to entrap a plug from a power cord  100  and enabling the cord  100  to be routed therethrough and similarly shaped objects within the device  10 . The device  10  further includes a locking cord  50  and a second aperture  46 . The locking cord  50  comprises a length of wire-rope which is wrapped around a large target object and secured within a second aperture  46  along an opposite side of the housing assembly  20  (see  FIG. 3   b ). The second aperture  46  is divided into an upper half  47   a  and a lower half  47   b  being positioned along a side edge of the housing lid  24  and the housing base  22 , respectively, in a similar fashion as the aforementioned first aperture  26  and sized to permit the locking cord  50  to pass through and retain the locking feature  52  within the inner space  48  of the device  10 . 
     The device  10  provides a means of operation which utilizes available alternating current (AC) power as well as provides a means to charge the internal batteries  23  via an AC power adapter  70  being removably attached to the housing base  22  via an integral adapter socket  72  along a side surface. The power adapter  70  is envisioned to comprise a standard AC to DC unit having prong portions which plug into and utilize a standard household electrical outlet in a conventional manner. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3   a , a left-side perspective view of the device  10  depicted in an open state, is disclosed. The device  10  includes a generally rectangular inner space  48  capable of concealing personal items such as a pack of cigarettes, power cords  100 , keys  105 , cell phones  110 , prescription drugs, credit cards, and other similarly sized items. The first aperture  26  allows the user to extend the power cord  100  through the first aperture  26 , thereby entrapping a plug portion of the power cord  100  within the device  10 . 
     The housing base  22  also provides a housing and attachment means to the batteries  23  and a control module  29  along a rearward internal area. Said control module  29  provides microprocessor-based electronic control of the device  10  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3   b , a partial break-away right-side perspective view of the device  10  depicting a recoil mechanism portion  54 , according to a preferred embodiment, is disclosed. The recoil mechanism  54  is stationarily mounted to an interior surface of the housing base  22  and provides a winding means to collect the locking cord  50  within. The locking cord  50  in turn secures a target object being external to the device  10 . The said locking cord  50  works in conjunction with a second aperture  46 , a locking feature  52 , and a third aperture  53 . The locking cord  50  is envisioned to include a length of small diameter wire-rope capable of encompassing objects such as a refrigerator, a drawer, or the like. The locking cord  50  comprises a integral button-shaped locking feature  52  permanently affixed to a free end portion which is extended from the internal recoil mechanism  54 ; exits the housing base  22  through a third aperture portion  53 ; wraps around the target object; and is finally secured by entrapping the locking feature  52  within the second aperture  46  along an opposite side of the housing assembly  20 . The retracting function of the recoil mechanism  54  and the locking cord  50  allows the user to cinch up an excess length of the locking cord  50  into said recoil mechanism portion  54  of the device  10 . Said recoil mechanism  54  is envisioned to be similar to commercially available locking devices made by companies such as PACKRIGHT™, LIFEVENTURE™, and the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a left-side section view of a solenoid latching mechanism  25  portion of the device  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 3   a ), according to a preferred embodiment, is disclosed. The solenoid latching mechanism  25  further comprises a solenoid  60 , a shot pin  61 , a pair of first posts  63 , a second post  65 , and an electrical wire  66 . The solenoid portion  60  of the solenoid latching mechanism  25 , when actuated, magnetically motions a spring-return shot pin  61  which is inserted into corresponding first  62  and second  64  keeper apertures of the second post  65  and pair of first posts  63 , respectively. Said keeper apertures  62 ,  64  comprise integrally molded portions of the housing base  22  and housing lid  24 , respectively. Said posts  63 ,  65  comprise appendages with the keeper apertures  62 ,  64  such that they are aligned with each other and with the shot pin  61  along a common centerline when the housing lid  24  is closed. Said solenoid latching mechanism  25  prevents the user from opening the lid. It is understood that other types of locking mechanisms may be utilized with equal benefit without deviating from the teachings of the invention, and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the device  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an electrical block diagram of the device  10 , according to a preferred embodiment, is disclosed. The device  10  comprises one (1) or more rechargeable or disposable batteries  23  which provide power to the control module  29 . The device  10  comprises an AC power adapter  70  which may be utilized to charge said batteries  23  as well as enabling extended operation of the device  10  using available AC power from a standard household electrical outlet. Said control module  29  provides microprocessor-based electronic control of the major components of the device  10  and provides a housing means to electrical and electronic equipment necessary for the operation of the device  10 . The control module  29  contains such items as, but is not limited to: a printed circuit board, microprocessors, memory chips, embedded software, I/O circuitry, relays, and the like. The control module  29  is electrically interconnected to the major components of the device  10  via common copper wiring  66 . The control module  29  is in electronic communication with the previously described programming and activation buttons  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  40 ,  42  to provide programming input signals. Said control module  29  is also in electronic communication with output devices including the display  28 , the indicator lamps  44 , and the solenoid  60 , thereby communicating operational status to the user as well as locking the housing lid portion  24  of the device  10 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be utilized as indicated in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  can be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring an instance of the device  10 ; recharging the batteries  23  using the power adapter  70 ; activating the device  10  by pressing the power button  32 ; placing items such as power cords  100 , keys  105 , cell phones  110 , or the like within the inner space  48 ; closing the housing lid  24  about the hinge  31 ; programming a period of time during which the device  10  will remain locked shut by using the mode selection buttons  34 , time period buttons  40 , and numeric buttons  42 ; observing programmed locking time information on the display  28 ; pressing the cycle initiation button  36  to actuate the solenoid latching mechanism  25  to lock the housing lid  24  and begin the time cycle; restraining the user&#39;s access to the locked items  100 ,  105 ,  110  during the locking time; and, benefiting from forced restraint from tempting items  100 ,  105 ,  110  afforded by the present device  10 . 
     Additional large items such as a refrigerator door, a drawer, and the like can be locked shut using the device  10  by performing the following steps: grasping the locking feature  52  and extending the locking cord  50  outwardly from the third aperture portion  53  of the housing base  22 ; wrapping the locking cord  50  around or through said large item; securing the locking feature portion  52  of the locking cord  50  into the second aperture  46  prior to closing and locking the housing lid  24 ; closing the housing lid  24 ; cinching the locking cord  50  tightly around said large item by allowing any excess locking cord  50  to be retracted into the recoil mechanism  54 ; and, securing the housing lid  24  and programming a locking time as described above. 
     The use of the device  10  allows the user to increase their self-control over distractions of daily life in a manner that is quick, easy, and effective. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.