Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to provisional application Serial No. 60/259,817, filed on Jan. 4, 2001. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to devices for protecting a real estate agent&#39;s lock box and the object to which the lock box is connected (usually a front door). Specifically, the present cover provides a flexible, cushioning sleeve for a lock box that protects both the box and also objects that could be damaged by the box. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Real estate agents usually use a lock box to secure a key to a property that is listed for sale. An exemplary lock box includes an electronic keypad on a front surface. When authorized real estate agents and service personnel enter the proper code into the keypad, the lock box releases the secured key so that the property may be accessed. Other common lock boxes include access means other than an electronic keypad. For example, one type of lock box includes an infrared sensor on a front surface. Authorized personnel open the lock box using an infrared transmitting device, such as a handheld keypad. 
     Lock boxes are typically manufactured with a hard rubberized casing known to mark up, dent and ding the object from which they hang (usually a front door to a house). In addition, these lock boxes can be damaged, and cause damage, when they roll around inside the trunk of a real estate agent&#39;s vehicle. The boxes also weather poorly, collecting dirt and suffering other damage as a result of being exposed to the elements. When a lock box becomes damaged to the point that it is not pleasing to the eye, most real estate agents will replace the lock box, at their own expense, even if the lock box is still perfectly functional. The real estate business is highly competitive, and any unattractive feature, even something as seemingly minor as an unsightly lock box, can have a negative impact on the real estate agent&#39;s ability to make a sale. Thus, the rapid weathering of lock boxes can put a financial strain on struggling real estate agents. Further, when a lock box causes damage to a door from which it hangs, someone, most often the home buyer, must pay to have the damage repaired. Thus, the damage potential of lock boxes can cause new home buyers unnecessary aggravation and financial detriment. 
     Previous attempts at protecting lock boxes, and at protecting objects from lock boxes, have comprised plastic “cards” that hang on the front and on the back of the lock box. These cards are not aesthetically appealing and do not stay securely on the lock box. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,339 to Krell discloses a molded foam protective cover. However this design tends to be fragile and break or dent when impacted. It also is not adapted to work with the newer electronic lock box configuration, which dispenses the key by opening at the bottom. The Krell design blocks the bottom from opening, making the design impractical for use with modem lock boxes. Further, this cover, which is made from molded foam, is likely to crack and fade after exposure to the elements, and is likely to dent and crack as a result of being bounced around in the trunk of a moving car. 
     Thus, a cover for a lock box that is compatible with modem electronic lock boxes, and is durable and resistant to cracking, fading and denting, would be a great benefit to real estate agents and home buyers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The preferred embodiments of the protective lock box cover have several features, no single one of which is solely responsible for their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of this protective lock box cover as expressed by the claims that follow, its more prominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments,” one will understand how the features of the preferred embodiments provide advantages, which include compatibility with modem lock boxes, durability and resistance to cracking, fading and denting, and provision of a compartment for holding the realtor&#39;s business cards. 
     A preferred embodiment of the protective cover for a realtor&#39;s lock box comprises a rear panel, a right-side panel adjacent a first edge of the rear panel, and a left-side panel adjacent a second edge of the rear panel opposite the first edge. At least one strap is connected at a first end adjacent a lower-front corner of the right-side panel, and is connected at a second end to a lower-front corner of the left-side panel. The strap provides the fourth boundary to an opening in a bottom end of the cover. 
     Another preferred embodiment comprises a covered lock box system. The system comprises a lock box including a back panel, first and second side panels, a front panel, a bottom panel and a top panel. The front panel includes a key pad for entering an access code. The bottom panel opens outwardly upon entry of the access code. The top panel has a locking member for securing the lock box to a door opener. The system further comprises a protective jacket comprising a resilient material and at least one strap. The jacket is adapted to cover a portion of the top, back and side panels of the lock box, whereby the key pad and opening bottom panel remain substantially uncovered. Further, the portion of the jacket covering the top panel does not impede operation of the locking member, and the at least one strap is adapted to secure the jacket to the lock box. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The preferred embodiments of the protective lock box cover, illustrating its features, will now be discussed in detail. These embodiments depict the novel and non-obvious protective lock box cover shown in the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only. These drawings include the following figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts: 
     FIG. 1 is a top-right-front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the protective lock box cover according to the present invention, illustrating the cover in place around a standard realtor&#39;s lock box; 
     FIG. 2A is a front elevation view of the protective lock box cover of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 2B is a top plan view of the protective lock box cover of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 2C is a bottom plan view of the protective lock box cover of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 2D is a right-side elevation view of the protective lock box cover of FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom-right-front perspective view of the protective lock box cover of FIG. 1, illustrating the cover in place around a standard realtor&#39;s lock box with the key compartment of the lock box open. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the protective lock box cover  10  disposed about a standard modem lock box  12 . The lock box  12  is shaped substantially as a six-sided rectangular box having top, bottom, front, back, left side and right side panels. A substantially U-shaped shackle  14  projects upwardly from the top panel. Posts  16  of the shackle  14  are received in mating ports (not shown) that project into the lock box  12  through the top panel. The U-shaped shackle  14  is adapted to be placed around, for example, a door knob in order to secure the lock box  12  to a property that is for sale. An interior key compartment  18  (FIG. 3) holds a key that is used to access the property. For example, the key compartment  18  may hold a key for the front door from which the box  12  hangs. The front panel of the lock box  12  includes a combination keypad  20 . When the proper combination is entered into the keypad  20 , the key compartment  18  ejects from the lower panel, allowing access to the key. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the lock box  12  need not include a keypad  20 . The lock box may instead include an alternative means for accessing the interior of the lock box, such as the examples discussed above. For such lock boxes, the cover  10  can be modified as appropriate to provide openings for leaving the access means exposed. 
     The cover  10  comprises rear  22  (FIGS.  2 A- 2 C), a left-side panel  24  and right side panel  26  (FIG.  2 A), each adapted to rest against the rear, left side and right side panels, respectively, of the lock box  12 . Each of these panels  22 ,  24 ,  26  preferably comprises a resilient material, such as neoprene or foam, for example. Preferably, the resilient material is sandwiched between two layers of fabric, such as nylon, for example. In the pictured embodiment, the inner and outer layers of fabric of the three panels  22 ,  24 ,  26  each comprise one continuous sheet. A separate piece of fabric  28  wraps around the edges of the fabric comprising the panels  22 ,  24 ,  26 . Stitching  30  secures this separate piece  28  to the two fabric layers and secures the two fabric layers to one another, thereby forming a fabric envelope containing the resilient layer. 
     The envelope is divided into three separate compartments by two rows of stitching (not shown). A first row of stitching traces a border between the rear panel  22  and the left-side panel  24 , and a second row of stitching traces a border between the rear panel  22  and the left-side panel  26 . Each compartment preferably contains a separate piece of resilient material, such that the fabric envelope is easily foldable along the rows of stitching. One of skill in the art will appreciate that these three panels  22 ,  24 ,  26  could also be constructed in a variety of alternative ways. For example, each panel could be constructed separately, and the separate panels sewn together, rather than using two continuous sheets of fabric. Alternatively, each panel could comprise a resilient layer with a single layer of fabric sewn or otherwise attached to one surface. In such a configuration, the fabric layer, which is more durable than the resilient layer, preferably comprises the outer layer of the cover  10 . Alternatively, the cover  10  may comprise only a single resilient layer, without any protective fabric layer. 
     A top/front edge panel  32  (FIGS. 1,  2 A and  2 B) is secured to the top edges  34  and front edges  36  (FIG. 2A) of the left-side panel  24  and right side panel  26 . A width of the panel  32  is substantially equal to a width of the rear panel  22 . A substantially rectangular gap  38  (FIG. 2B) separates the top/front edge panel  32  from the rear panel  22 . The U-shaped shackle  14  of the lock box  12  protrudes through this gap  38  when the cover  10  is disposed about the lock box  12 . The top/front edge panel  32  adjoins the top edge  34  of the left-side panel  24  and right side panel  26  forward to a top/front corner  40  (FIG. 1) of each. The top/front edge panel  32  continues along the front edge  36  of each side panel  24 ,  26  for a short distance. This front facing portion  42  (FIGS. 1 and 2A) of the top/front edge panel  32  covers an upper portion of a front face of the lock box  12  when the cover  10  is disposed about the lock box  12 . 
     One of skill in the art will appreciate that the top/front edge panel  32  may adopt a number of other configurations. For example, the top facing portion  44  of the panel  32  and the front facing portion  42  of the panel  32  may comprise separate panels. Alternatively, the panel  32  may comprise only a top facing portion, or only a forward facing portion. Further, the panel  32  in the illustrated embodiment is attached to the side panels  24 ,  26  with stitching. Alternative methods of attaching the panel  32  to the side panels could also be used. For example, the panel  32  could be attached to the side panels  24 ,  26  with glue, buttons, snaps or hook and loop fastener. The configuration of the pictured embodiment should in no way be interpreted as limiting. 
     A pair of lower front straps connect lower front corners  46  (FIGS. 2A and 2C) of the left side panel  24  and right side panel  26 . A front-facing strap  48  (FIGS. 1 and 2A) is connected just above the corner  46  of each panel  24 ,  26  and adjoins a short length of the front edge  36  of each panel  24 ,  26 . A bottom-facing strap  50  (FIG. 2C) is connected just below the corner  46  of each panel  24 ,  26  and adjoins a short length of the bottom edge  52  of each panel  24 ,  26 . A width of each strap  48 ,  50  is substantially equal to the width of the rear panel  22 . The straps  48 ,  50  are preferably constructed of a fabric that stretches, but returns back to a pre-stretched length when the stretching force is removed. A preferred material is elasticized nylon. 
     The illustrated configuration of the straps  48 ,  50  is merely exemplary. The straps  48 ,  50  could, for example, be joined to one another to comprise one continuous piece, rather than two separate pieces. Alternatively, one of the straps could be eliminated. Further, although the straps  48 ,  50  in the illustrated embodiment are both sewn to the side panels  24 ,  26 , the straps could be joined to the side panels  24 ,  26  using other methods of attachment. For example, the straps could be glued to the side panels  24 ,  26 , or they could be attached using removable fasteners such as buttons, snaps or hook and loop fastener. 
     A bottom end of the cover  10  comprises a rectangular opening  54  (FIG. 2C) bordered by lower edges  52  of the rear panel  22 , left-side panel  24  and right-side panel  26  and a rear edge  56  of the bottom-facing strap  50 . When the elastic straps  48 ,  50  are stretched, the cover  10  thus slides easily over the top of the box  12  and fits snugly about the outside of the box  12 . The left-side panel  24 , rear panel  22 , and right-side panel  26  rest against their respective panels of the lock box  12 . The top facing portion  44  of the top/front panel  32  rests against the top panel of the lock box  12 , while the front facing portion  42  of this panel  32  rests against the front panel of the lock box  12 . The shackle  14  protrudes through the gap  38  between the rear panel  22  and the top/front panel  32 . The cover  10  thus provides a protective buffer around all edges and corners of the lock box  12 . The cover  10  protects both the lock box  12  and objects that contact the lock box  12  from damage. 
     Because the bottom of the cover  10  includes a large opening  54 , the key compartment  18  of the lock box  12  is unobstructed. As shown in FIG. 3, when a real estate agent enters the proper code on the key pad  20 , the key compartment  18  ejects downward from the lock box  12 . By removing the key from the key compartment  18 , the real estate agent is able to access the property for sale. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2D, the cover  10  preferably includes a sleeve  58  on at least one panel. The sleeve  58  advantageously holds business cards displaying the real estate agent&#39;s name and contact information. Thus, when a potential buyer visits a property on his or her own, if he or she is interested in talking to the agent who is handling the sale of that property, he or she can take the agent&#39;s business card from the sleeve  58 . Alternatively, the sleeve  58  may hold a card or cards displaying information about the property for sale, advertisements, etc. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve  58  is located on the left-side panel  26 . Those of skill in the art will appreciate, however, that the sleeve  58  could be located on any of the panels of the cover  10 . Preferably, the sleeve  58  is substantially rectangular and sized to be a little larger than a standard business card. Three edges  60 ,  62 ,  64  (FIG. 2D) of the sleeve  58  are secured to the left-side panel  26 . The edges  60 ,  62 ,  64  may be secured by stitching  66 , by an adhesive, or by any other suitable means. An interior space between the sleeve  58  and the left-side panel  26  is accessible beneath the fourth, unattached, edge  68 . The fourth edge  68  preferably includes at least one indentation  70  to facilitate grasping the contents of the sleeve  58 . The sleeve  58  preferably is made from a transparent material, such as plastic, so that the contents of the sleeve  58  are visible to prospective buyers. 
     SCOPE OF THE INVENTION 
     The above presents a description of the best mode contemplated for the present protective lock box cover, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use this protective lock box cover. This protective lock box cover is, however, susceptible to modifications and alternate constructions from that discussed above which are fully equivalent. Consequently, it is not the intention to limit this protective lock box cover to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications and alternate constructions coming within the spirit and scope of the protective lock box cover as generally expressed by the following claims, which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of the protective lock box cover.

Technology Category: 4