Abstract:
A container includes a web server that can communicate with a web browser to control access and account for asset events that occur when the box is used. A personal identifier must be satisfied to open a drawer of the box. A latching system uses an access actuator for normal opening and closing in response to the personal identifier. Several features secure the box against weather and tampering.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to controlled access to security assets in storage containers. 
         [0002]    A security asset storage container or security box containing a security asset, such as a key, should be secure. It should not easily yield to forced entry, and it should reliably open only to authorized people. A security box should also be readily adaptable to many different locations and mounting arrangements. These often include, but are not limited to, walls structured in various ways. Security boxes should also be weather resistant so that they can be mounted in outdoor locations. As these requirements suggest, security boxes can be made in many different sizes and shapes that can be characterized as enclosures, containers, safes, compartments, etc. This application uses “box” as a simple term covering all of these possibilities. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    An embodiment of the invention disclosed herein can take the form of a security box including an openable closure and an access actuator that can obstruct movement of the closure from a closed position to an open position. Circuitry can be included that can operate the actuator. An input device can be in communication with the circuitry to allow entry of a personal identifier, responsive to which the circuitry can operate the actuator. Embodiments can include a push-to-release feature in which the closure is biased toward the open position so that the actuator is prevented from releasing the closure until the closure is pushed into a housing of the box into a release position. 
         [0004]    Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the invention with the advantages and the features, refer to the description and to the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is an elevation view of a security asset storage container according to embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an elevation view of the container of  FIG. 1  with a drawer portion of the container open according to embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the container shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the container of  FIGS. 1-3  taken along the line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the container of  FIGS. 1-3  taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3  and showing an alternate actuator according to embodiments of the invention disclosed herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    The security asset storage container or security box  10  as illustrated can be mounted on a surface, such as a wall, and can use an openable closure  20 , such as a drawer, door, or lid, that can open from a housing  50  to afford access to a security asset. In some respects, box  10  can resemble an upside-down mailbox, though this need not be the configuration employed in embodiments. In the example shown, closure  20  is shown as a drawer, which can be convenient for several reasons as a way of accessing contents of box  10 . Closure  20  can hold a security asset, such as a key, though things other than keys can also be secured within box  10 . For example, other types of security assets can include smart cards, special tools, or anything of security importance that can fit within box  10  and for which one is willing to go to the expense of controlled access. 
         [0012]    Access to box  10  can be controlled by a personal identifier so that only authorized persons can gain access to box  10 . One simple way that this can be done is with number pad  25  that can be conveniently arranged on a front face of box  10 . Biometric devices such as thumb or fingerprint readers, eye image readers, and possibly others, can also be used so long as such a device can restrict access to box  10  to only the person or people who are authorized. 
         [0013]    Box  10  can use an access actuator  30 , such as a solenoid as shown in the FIGS., arranged in a housing  50  of box  10  or in closure  20  to unlatch closure  20  for opening in response to entry of an authorized personal identifier. Actuator  30  can obstruct motion of closure  20 , such as by maintaining the pin of a solenoid in a path of closure  20  as shown. Actuator  30  can be controlled by circuitry  40  responsive to pad  25  and powered by a power supply (not shown), such as a battery or power over Ethernet (PoE). A suitable hole can be formed in housing  50 , such as in a back wall  52 , to allow passage of an Ethernet cable into box  10  for connection to circuitry  40 , which can include a suitable connector. Circuitry  40  can include a web server  60  to allow remote control and/or monitoring and/or any other suitable communication with box  10 . 
         [0014]    The closed position is illustrated in  FIG. 5  with actuator  30  mounted on a wall  54  inside housing  50 . Here actuator  30  is shown in the form of a solenoid with a pin  32  blocking motion of closure  20  toward an open position. When solenoid  30  is energized, its pin is biased out of obstructing closure  20 . In embodiments, the force exerted by solenoid  30  is inadequate to overcome friction between closure  20  and pin  32  unless closure  20  is pushed slightly into housing  50  into a release position. Once closure  20  is in the release position, pin  32  can retract into solenoid  30 , allowing closure  20  to open, such as by pivoting around a hinge  22  or other pivot arrangement. Closure  20  can be shaped to engage an end of pin  32  while open so as to hold pin  32  out of the way. When closure  20  is returned to the closed position, pin  32  can return to its obstruction of motion of closure  20  toward the open position. 
         [0015]    To enable this push-to-release feature, one or more springs  56  can be arranged in housing  50  to bias closure  20  toward the open position. When access solenoid  30  is actuated, the force of springs  56  pushing on closure  20  frictionally holds pin  32  of solenoid  30  in place. Pushing closure  20  into housing  50  overcomes the spring bias and allows solenoid pin  32  to release which then allows drawer  20  to move under the urging of springs  56  and/or of gravity. 
         [0016]    Securing housing  50  to a wall or other surface can be done in several ways. One way is to place an adhesive material on the surface onto which back wall  52  of housing  50  is pressed so that adhesive can strongly resist any removal of housing  50 . Another way is to use bolts or the like passed through back wall  52 , screws into back wall  52 , or other suitable attachment devices or fasteners  58 , which can also be used in combination with adhesive if suitable and/or desired. Many other arrangements of fasteners, set screws, adhesives, welding, and other expedients can be used to secure housing  50  solidly in place. 
         [0017]    Another embodiment of a security box  80  is shown in  FIG. 8 , and is similar to box  10  except for a different latching arrangement. Access actuator  30  here takes the form of a wire  82  that shrinks when energized by circuitry  40  to bias an obstructing flange  84  out of engagement with closure  20 . In the example shown, flange  84  pivots about a hinge  86  or other suitable pivot and is shaped to bear any load exerted by closure  20 , thus protecting wire  82  from overstress and/or breakage. As with box  10 , springs  54  bias closure  20  toward the open position so that obstructing flange  84  is restrained against releasing closure  20  until closure  20  is pushed into housing  50  into the release position. Once closure  20  is in the release position, wire  82  moves flange  84  out of the way and closure  20  can move to the open position. Closure  20  can hold flange  84  out of the way until returned to the closed position, at which point flange  84  can drop back into the path of closure  20  to prevent opening of closure  20 . 
         [0018]    The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.