US 12,480,333 B2
Electronic lockbox
Scott R. Fisher, West Chester, OH (US); Alan F. Deardoff, Morrow, OH (US); Nancy C. Griffiths, West Chester, OH (US); Daniel C. Cambron, Lexington, KY (US); and Matthew K. Caskey, Loveland, OH (US)
Assigned to SentriLock, LLC, Cincinnati, OH (US)
Filed by SentriLock, LLC, Cincinnati, OH (US)
Filed on Aug. 23, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/237,181.
Application 18/237,181 is a division of application No. 18/105,510, filed on Feb. 3, 2023, granted, now 11,802,421.
Application 18/105,510 is a division of application No. 16/699,312, filed on Nov. 29, 2019, granted, now 11,598,120.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/824,494, filed on Mar. 27, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0392412 A1, Dec. 7, 2023
Int. Cl. E05B 19/00 (2006.01); E05B 47/00 (2006.01); E05B 65/52 (2006.01); E05G 1/00 (2006.01); E05G 1/04 (2006.01); E05G 1/10 (2006.01); G07C 9/00 (2020.01)
CPC E05B 19/0005 (2013.01) [E05B 47/0012 (2013.01); E05B 65/5246 (2013.01); E05G 1/005 (2013.01); E05G 1/04 (2013.01); E05G 1/10 (2013.01); G07C 9/00571 (2013.01); G07C 9/00896 (2013.01); E05B 2047/0073 (2013.01); G07C 2009/00936 (2013.01); G07C 2209/08 (2013.01); G07C 2209/62 (2013.01)] 5 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A latching apparatus for an electronic lockbox comprising:
(a) a movable actuator having the general shape of a hollow cylinder with at least two open ends, said hollow cylinder including at least one interior protrusion; the movable actuator including:
(i) a cylindrically-shaped rotatable barrel;
(ii) a movable two-piece outer sleeve, including a bottom sleeve and a top sleeve; and
(iii) a first torsion spring mechanically coupled to said cylindrically-shaped rotatable barrel and said top sleeve, in a configuration that holds said first torsion spring under tension to a predetermined torque;
(iv) a second torsion spring mechanically coupled to said top sleeve and said bottom sleeve in a configuration that holds said second torsion spring under tension to a predetermined torque in a direction opposite said first torsion spring; and
(b) a first latch hook at the distal end of a first latch pin;
(c) wherein: an interior protrusion of said at least one interior protrusions exhibits a helical geometry surface, such that if said first latch pin is inserted into said cylindrically-shaped rotatable barrel, said first latch pin slides along said helical geometry surface, forcing said barrel to rotate, and once said first latch pin mechanically clears a final portion of said helical geometry surface, said first latch pin latches with said interior protrusion, and said cylindrically-shaped rotatable barrel rotates back to a neutral position, due to the tension of said first torsion spring and said second torsion spring.