Aspects of the present disclosure generally pertain to an apparatus and method for holding a key for self-defense. Aspects of the present disclosure more specifically are directed toward a self-defense key holder or an apparatus that rapidly converts a key (e.g., house key) into a fighting weapon, for example, for self-defense. The defense key holder may utilize an existing key (e.g., home/office/auto) to replace bulky and often prohibited self-defense aids. This disclosure may be useful for giving a user additional control and force in a variety of motions with a key or other object.

A locking system has a lock housing having first pin slots, a lock cylinder having second pin slots and being supported within the lock housing such that rotation of the lock cylinder is dependent upon a position of tumbler pins within the pin slots, and an idler block defining a keyway to receive a deviated key in which the idler block is rotatable relative to the lock cylinder between an entry position and a pin position aligning the key with the pin slots. One or more translating shields in the idler block are movable from an open position in which the keyway is unobstructed by the shield to allow for insertion or removal of the deviated key and a closed position in which the translating shield protrudes at least partway into a path of the keyway without interfering with rotation of the deviated key with the idler block.

An exemplary lock apparatus includes a housing and a plug assembly rotatably mounted in the housing. The plug assembly includes a tumbler assembly operable to selectively prevent rotation of the plug assembly relative to the housing and a retention mechanism operable to selectively prevent removal of the plug assembly from the housing. A system including the lock apparatus may include a change key configured to actuate the tumbler assembly without actuating the retention mechanism and/or a control key configured to actuate both the tumbler assembly and the retention mechanism.

Apparatus for attaching a lockbox used for retaining a key to a door opened by the key to a door handle and especially a door lever used to open and close the door. The apparatus includes two arms each having a head portion and a bottom portion below the head portion. The arms have an open state in which the head portions are at least partly separated from one another, and a closed state in which two different-sized apertures are defined between the head portions and separately receive the door handle. The arms are positionable around the door handle or removable from such a position when in the open state. The arms are maintained in the closed state and movement thereof from the closed state to the open state is prevented by inserting a shackle of the lockbox through a staple engaged with both arms.

Apparatus for retaining a key on a door handle or lever. The apparatus includes two arms each with a head portion and a bottom portion having a shackle prong extending in a direction away from the head portion. The arms have an open state in which the head portions are at least partly separated from one another, and a closed state defining an aperture therebetween. A key box has a compartment for containing the key, and receptacles that receive the shackle prongs when the arms are in the closed state. The key box transitions from a closed state in which the shackle prongs are locked in the receptacles to an open state in which the shackle prongs are out of the receptacles upon entry of a shackle release code. The key box enables access to the compartment upon receiving an access code different than the shackle release code.

There is provided a lock control device attachable to a locking mechanism, the lock control device including circuitry configured to receive key information and a process request from a first communication device, the key information including authorization information of the first communication device related to a plurality of types of functions of the lock control device, and determine whether the process request is permitted based on the key information, wherein the key information further includes identification information of the first communication device.

A lock system may comprise a lock operating key for operating a lock, with the key including a bow and a blade extending from the bow along a longitudinal axis of the blade. The blade may include a blade wall with an arcuate main wall portion and a pair of side wall portions extending radially inward from opposite sides of the main wall portion. Bitting may be formed on the blade and be positioned on at least one of the side wall portions of the blade wall. The lock system may also include a lock plug defining a keyway having a transverse keyway profile configured to receive the blade of the key, with at least a portion of the keyway having an arcuate shape to receive the arcuate main wall portion of the blade wall of the key.

An electronic lockbox uses a rotary actuator with multiple positions to achieve multiple locking states. Multiple positions of the actuator are detected, using optical sensors. The locking mechanism includes an outer sleeve and an inner cylindrical barrel that are coupled with torsion springs. The lockbox has a shackle and a key bin that are retained by the inner barrel when in the locked state, and the barrel can be rotated to either release the shackle or to release the key bin that typically holds a building's key.

An electronic key includes a mechanical key, a case in which to store the mechanical key, and a restraint member provided to the case and restraining the mechanical key from falling out of the case. The mechanical key includes a key engagement plane which is a plane perpendicular to an axial direction of a bar portion in a lock state. The restraint member includes a lock engagement plane which is a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the bar portion in the lock state and engages with the key engagement plane. At least one of the key engagement plane and the lock engagement plane forms a stepped plane structure including a plurality of engagement planes provided at different positions in the axial direction of the bar portion of the mechanical key and engageable with the other one of the key engagement plane and the lock engagement plane.

Apparatus for attaching a lockbox used for retaining a key to a door opened by the key to a door handle and especially a door lever used to open and close the door. The apparatus includes two arms each having a head portion and a bottom portion below the head portion. The arms have an open state in which the head portions are at least partly separated from one another, and a closed state in which an aperture is defined between the head portions and receives the door handle. The arms are positionable around the door handle or removable from such a position when in the open state. The arms are maintained in the closed state and movement thereof from the closed state to the open state is prevented by inserted a shackle of the lockbox through a staple engaged with both arms.