ELECTRONIC LOCKBOX WITH EMBEDDED INSERT

Abstract

An electronic lockbox including a key bin having an embedded insert. The insert is embedded during a die cast process. The insert enhances the attack resistance of the lockbox from hammering, chiseling, and drilling attacks. The insert includes “3D features” that help with the casting process and attack resistance, including at least one through-hole, at least one slot, and at least one ridge. A housing portion is constructed over multiple drawing stages to increase its hardness and strength, thereby increasing resistance to prying attacks.

Claims

1. An electronic lockbox comprising: (a) a housing that covers an electronically-controlled lock; and (b) a closable secure container that includes a base portion; wherein: (i) said base portion including an embedded steel plate, said steel plate exhibiting a material thickness of at least 0.0762 cm (0.03 inches); and (ii) said secure container is lockable if inserted into said housing, and said secure container is at least partially removable if unlocked.

2. The lockbox of claim 1, wherein: (a) said steel plate is heat treated before being embedded; and (b) said steel plate is embedded during a die casting process that forms said secure container.

3. The lockbox of claim 1, wherein, said secure container comprises one of: an aluminum-based alloy, and a zinc-based alloy.

4. The lockbox of claim 1, wherein: (a) said housing comprises a steel alloy; and (b) said housing is constructed by a drawing process, using multiple drawing stages.

5. The lockbox of claim 1, wherein: (a) said steel plate is embedded during a die casting process that forms said secure container; and (b) said steel plate includes at least one opening proximal to a perimeter of the steel plate, such that molten metal alloy flows through said at least one opening during said die casting process.

6. The lockbox of claim 1, wherein: (a) said steel plate is embedded during a die casting process that forms said secure container; (b) said steel plate includes at least one inclined tab proximal to the perimeter of said steel plate, and said at least one inclined tab includes at least one opening; and (c) a material of said at least one inclined tab is partially annealed in only a localized manner during said die casting process.

7. The lockbox of claim 1, wherein: (a) said steel plate is embedded during a die casting process that forms said secure container; (b) said steel plate is substantially planar with a perimeter, said steel plate exhibiting at least one inclined tab proximal to said perimeter, said steel plate exhibiting a plurality of openings, said steel plate exhibiting at least one ridge or channel running along its surface; said steel plate exhibiting at least one slot proximal to said perimeter; and (c) said steel plate is embedded in a wall portion of said secure container during said die casting process.

8. An electronic lockbox comprising: (a) a housing that covers an electronically-controlled lock; and (b) a closable secure container including a base portion; wherein: (i) said base portion including an embedded steel plate, said steel plate being hardened by heat treatment, and exhibiting a material hardness of between 52 and 58 on the Rockwell “C” scale; and (ii) said secure container is lockable if inserted into said housing, and said secure container is at least partially removable if unlocked.

9. The lockbox of claim 8, wherein: (a) said housing comprising of low carbon nickel stainless steel; and (b) said housing exhibiting a material hardness between 38 and 42 on the Rockwell “C” scale.

10. The lockbox of claim 8, wherein, said secure container comprises one of: an aluminum-based alloy, and a zinc-based alloy.

11. The lockbox of claim 8, wherein: (a) said steel plate is embedded during a die casting process that forms said secure container; and (b) said steel plate includes at least one opening proximal to a perimeter of the steel plate, such that molten metal alloy flows through said at least one opening during said die casting process.

12. The lockbox of claim 8, wherein: (a) said steel plate is embedded during a die casting process that forms said secure container; (b) said steel plate includes at least one inclined tab proximal to the perimeter of said steel plate, and said at least one inclined tab includes at least one opening; and (c) a material of said at least one inclined tab is partially annealed in only a localized manner during said die casting process.

13. The lockbox of claim 8, wherein: (a) said steel plate is embedded during a die casting process that forms said secure container; (b) said steel plate is substantially planar with a perimeter, said steel plate exhibiting at least one inclined tab proximal to said perimeter, said steel plate exhibiting a plurality of openings, said steel plate exhibiting at least one ridge or channel running along its surface; said steel plate exhibiting at least one slot proximal to said perimeter; and (c) said steel plate is embedded in a wall portion of said secure container during said die casting process.

14. A housing for an electronic lockbox, said housing comprising: (a) an outer housing constructed of a solid material including an open bottom portion; (b) a releasable secure container, said secure container being lockable if positioned inside said housing, and being releasable when unlocked; and (c) said secure container exhibiting a base portion which includes an embedded insert.

15. The housing of claim 14, wherein: said outer housing is constructed of 304L stainless steel.

16. The housing of claim 14, wherein: said secure container is constructed of A360 aluminum alloy.

17. The housing of claim 14, wherein: said insert is constructed of SK5 steel, or an equivalent high carbon steel.

18. The housing of claim 14, wherein, to form said secure container: said insert is mounted in a mold cavity, then molten A360 aluminum is forced into the mold cavity and around said insert, thus embedding said insert in said base portion of the secure container.

19. The housing of claim 18, wherein, during the formation of said secure container: (a) a temperature of said molten A360 aluminum is in the range of 1100-1200 degrees Fahrenheit; and (b) a temperature of said mold cavity is around 650 degrees Fahrenheit.

20. The housing of claim 14, wherein: (a) said insert is embedded during a die casting process that forms said secure container; (b) said insert is substantially planar with a perimeter, said insert exhibiting at least one inclined tab proximal to said perimeter, said insert exhibiting a plurality of openings, said insert exhibiting at least one ridge or channel running along its surface; said insert exhibiting at least one slot proximal to said perimeter; and (c) said insert is embedded in a wall portion of said secure container during said die casting process.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the technology disclosed herein, and together with the description and claims serve to explain the principles of the technology. In the drawings:

[0033] FIG. 1 is a front, top-down perspective view of the entire lockbox as constructed according to the principles of the technology disclosed herein.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a front, top-down perspective view of the lockbox of FIG. 1, showing the shackle and key bin detached.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of an insert to be embedded within the lockbox of

[0036] FIG. 1.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a front, top-down perspective view of the insert of FIG. 3.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a cutaway view of the insert along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

[0039] FIG. 6 is a cutaway view of the insert along the line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

[0040] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a key bin of FIG. 2, showing the embedded insert in dashed lines.

[0041] FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view of the bottom half of the key bin of FIG. 2, showing the embedded insert in dashed lines.

[0042] FIG. 9 is a front, top-down perspective view of the key bin of FIG. 8, showing the embedded insert in dashed lines.

[0043] FIG. 10 is a rear, bottom-up perspective view of the key bin of FIG. 8, showing the embedded insert in dashed lines.

[0044] FIG. 11 is a rear, bottom-up perspective view of a casting block used to cast the key bin of FIG. 8, showing the relative position of the insert of FIG. 3 before the casting procedure takes place.

[0045] FIG. 12 is a rear, bottom-up perspective view of a casting block and a cavity block for the key bin of FIG. 8, showing the insert held in place by locating pins.

[0046] FIG. 13 is a side view of the casting block and the cavity block for the key bin of FIG. 8, showing the finished casting with the embedded insert in dashed lines.

[0047] FIG. 14 is a rear, bottom-up perspective view of the key bin of FIG. 8 also showing the ornamental bottom cover.

[0048] FIG. 15 is a front, top-down perspective view of the housing of the lockbox of FIG. 1.

[0049] FIG. 16 is a rear, bottom-up perspective view of the housing of the lockbox of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals indicate the same elements throughout the views.

[0051] It is to be understood that the technology disclosed herein is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The technology disclosed herein is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” or “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, or mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” or “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

[0052] The terms “first” or “second” preceding an element name, e.g., first inlet, second inlet, etc., are used for identification purposes to distinguish between similar or related elements, results or concepts, and are not intended to necessarily imply order, nor are the terms “first” or “second” intended to preclude the inclusion of additional similar or related elements, results or concepts, unless otherwise indicated.

[0053] In addition, it should be understood that embodiments disclosed herein include both hardware and electronic components or modules that, for purposes of discussion, may be illustrated and described as if the majority of the components were implemented solely in hardware.

[0054] However, one of ordinary skill in the art, and based on a reading of this detailed description, would recognize that, in at least one embodiment, the electronic based aspects of the technology disclosed herein may be implemented in software. As such, it should be noted that a plurality of hardware and software-based devices, as well as a plurality of different structural components may be utilized to implement the technology disclosed herein. Furthermore, if software is utilized, then the processing circuit that executes such software can be of a general purpose computer, while fulfilling all the functions that otherwise might be executed by a special purpose computer that could be designed for specifically implementing this technology.

[0055] Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of an electronic lockbox is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The lockbox has an outer housing (or enclosure or casing) 52, a shackle 50, and showing a bottom wall structural portion 56 of a movable key bin 40 (this item 56 is also referred to herein as a “base,” a “base portion,” a “floor portion,” or a “wall”) which is located proximal to the bottom portion of the casing 52.

[0056] The upper housing of lockbox 10 includes two receptacles (openings) that receive a shackle 50. The shackle 50 has an upper portion and two shackle extensions 66, 68 (see FIG. 2) that fit through the receptacles. The front of the lockbox has a keypad 58, which can be used by a sales agent or other authorized person to enter data to the lockbox's control system. Above the keypad is an indicator LED lamp 19, which will indicate various status states of the lockbox during its operations, and a label, or display, 54.

[0057] Behind the keypad 58, and internal to the housing 52, is a “locking mechanism” (or electronically-controlled “lock”) 20. The lock 20 secures both the shackle extension 66 and a secure container 40 (see FIG. 2). This type of lock is disclosed in detail in Published Application No. US 2020/0308870, commonly owned by SentriLock, LLC, and incorporated by reference herein. In other words, the lockbox 10 has the ability to be “locked” or “unlocked” according to user action and under control of the electronic controller (at least for the unlocking action). As disclosed in detail in the above patent application, the mechanical design allows the lockbox to be “locked” without further action of the electronic controller, when a user fully inserts the movable key bin back into the main body of the lockbox, although other mechanical designs are certainly possible to meet the criterion of being able to lock (or “close”) and unlock (or “release”) the key bin.

[0058] The keypad 58 may also be referred to as a “data input circuit,” in which a human user may press one or more of the keys to enter data, such as numeric information. It will be understood that future versions of electronic lockboxes may someday include a touchscreen display, and in such a design, the keypad will be incorporated directly into that display, and thus the touchscreen display itself would become the data input circuit.

[0059] As noted above, electronic lockbox 10 includes a shackle 50 that is typically used to attach the lockbox 10 to a door handle or other fixed object. Electronic lockbox 10 also includes a secure key compartment 64 which typically holds a building key (not shown), and which can be accessed via the releasable key bin (or “secure container”) 40 (which also can be referred to as a “movable portion” of the electronic lockbox). The electronic lockbox 10 has a front housing portion 42 and a rear housing portion 44.

[0060] Referring now to FIG. 2, the electronic lockbox 10 is shown with the shackle 50 released, and the key bin 40 detached. It should be noted that key bin 40 is unable to completely detach as illustrated; however, the key bin (i.e., the “secure container”) 40 is at least partially removable from the housing 52. The lockbox 10 can be locked or unlocked and, once unlocked, the releasable secure container 40 can “fall out” of the electronic lockbox 10 only a certain distance so that a user can access the key compartment 64. When done, the user can “push up” (insert) the closeable secure container 40 back into the electronic lockbox 10 so that it locks back in place. The key bin 40 includes an upper portion (or top half) 39, a lower portion or (bottom half) 41, and the base portion 56. Note that the key bin 40 is both “releasable” and “closable” by virtue of its ability to become an integral part of the lockbox when it is inserted into the main body of the lockbox (i.e., it “closes” into the lockbox), and later to come at least partially loose from the lockbox main body when it is released, so that access to the secure compartment 64 becomes possible.

[0061] Referring now to FIG. 3, a bottom view of an insert 80 is shown. This insert 80 is to be embedded in the base 56 of the secure container 40 during a die cast process (see FIGS. 11-13). The insert 80 has a planar portion 81 having outer edges (a perimeter). The planar portion 81 exhibits a plurality of ridges 86, and a plurality of inclined tabs or raised edges 88, 89, 95, 96, 98. The inclined tabs 88, 89, 95, 96, 98 are located at the outer edges of the insert 80. The inclined tabs 88, 89 are located along the transverse edges, and the inclined tabs 95, 96, 98 are along the longitudinal edges. It should also be noted that the inclined tabs are of varying sizes; inclined tabs 88, 89 and 95, 96 are smaller than the single large inclined tab 98, and inclined tab 95 is smaller than inclined tab 96.

[0062] Proximal to the inclined tab 95 is an opening or gap 94 along the longitudinal edge, and a through-hole 99. The insert 80 exhibits a plurality of through-holes 99, and their functionality will be described in further detail below. Proximal to the inclined tabs 96 are a plurality of small slots along the longitudinal edge 84. These small slots 84 are located along both sides of the inclined tabs 95, 96 along the bottom longitudinal edge (in this view), and the opening 94 acts as a large slot or gap where it meets the inclined tab 95. The inclined tabs 95, 96 exhibit a small through-hole 82 in each inclined tab.

[0063] The inclined tabs 88, 89 exhibit a plurality of large slots 92 along the transverse edges, and these large slots 92 are located along both sides of the inclined tabs 88, 89. Proximal to the inclined tabs 88, 89 are a plurality of through-holes 85 on the planar portion 81 of the insert 80. These through-holes 85 will be discussed in further detail below.

[0064] The single large inclined tab 98 exhibits a plurality of small through-holes 82, and on each side of the inclined tab 98 are large slots 90 along the upper longitudinal edge (in this view). The planar portion 81 exhibits two through-holes 99 near the outermost longitudinal edge proximal to each large slot 90. The planar portion 81 also exhibits a single large through-hole 83 near the left transverse edge (in this view).

[0065] Referring now to FIG. 4, a front, top-down perspective view of the insert 80 is shown. Note that the ridges 86 appear as “channels” in this view, due to the orientation of the insert 80 as illustrated. The inclined tabs 88, 89, 95, 96, 98 are shown projecting at an inclined angle from the insert 80 in an “upward” orientation. Of course, it would be possible to design the inclined tabs to project at various angles, “upwards” or “downwards,” as long as they achieve the desired effect (i.e., increasing attack resistance of the lockbox).

[0066] The inclined tabs 88, 89, 95, 96, 98 are one “3D feature” used here to better secure the insert 80 to the key bin floor 56 during the die casting process, thereby improving the attack resistance by making it more difficult to break through or around the insert. The inclined tabs 88, 89, 95, 96, 98 tend to prevent complete annealing of the insert 80 during the die casting process. Another “3D feature,” the small holes 82, through-holes 85, and large through-hole 83, allow the molten alloy material to flow through and around the insert during the die cast process. A third “3D feature,” the small slots 84, large slots 90, and large slots 92, also allow the molten alloy material to flow through and around the insert during the die cast process, similar to the plurality of through-holes.

[0067] Referring now to FIG. 5, the insert 80 is shown in a cutaway view along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3. The inclined tabs 88, 89, 95, 96 are shown projecting at an inclined angle with respect to the plane of the insert 80, thus providing a “3D feature” useful for increasing attack resistance. It should be noted that the insert 80 is constructed of an attack resistant material, and is relatively thin, having a desired thickness of at least 0.0762 cm (0.03 inches), for example. Note the thinner the material, the easier it is to work with, the cheaper it is to make, and the lower the weight of the final product.

[0068] Referring now to FIG. 6, the insert 80 is shown in a cutaway view along the line 6-6 of FIG. 3. Again, the inclined tabs 88, 96, 98 are depicted projecting at an inclined angle with respect to the plane of the insert 80, providing a desired “3D feature.” The insert 80 preferably has a hardness of Rockwell “C” between 52-58, for example, in order to resist drilling attacks.

[0069] Referring now to FIG. 7, a bottom view of the base 56 showing the embedded insert 80 in dashed lines is illustrated. It should be noted that the insert 80 does not completely “cover” the base 56; however, the insert 80 is large enough to better protect the base 56 from attacks to open the lockbox 10.

[0070] The insert 80 is preferably constructed from SK5 steel or an equivalent high carbon steel, for example. Steel is strong enough to increase the resistance to hammering, chiseling, and drilling attacks on the base 56 of the lockbox 10. The bottom half of the key bin 41 is preferably constructed from A360 aluminum, for example, although there are many variants of die casting alloys that can also be used.

[0071] The casing 52 is preferably constructed of 304L stainless steel, for example.

[0072] The casing 52 is formed through a drawing process utilizing multiple draws. Not only does this process provide a single-piece durable housing, but can also provide a variety of casing shapes. Due to this drawing process, the casing 52 exhibits increased resistance to prying attacks. The casing 52 preferably has a hardness of Rockwell “C” between 38-42, for example.

[0073] Referring now to FIG. 8, the bottom half of the key bin 41 is illustrated in a side view with the embedded insert 80 shown in dashed lines. The inclined tabs 89, 95, 98 are shown projecting at an “upward” angle (in this view). Note that the ridges 86 project outwardly toward the base 56. The ridges 86 provide structural support to the insert 80, making it tougher and stronger. It should also be noted how “thin” the insert 80 is, in proportion to the base 56. However, due to the material that the insert 80 is constructed with (preferably steel, as mentioned above), the “thin” insert is strong and durable, and provides the base 56 with increased resistance to attack.

[0074] Referring now to FIG. 9, the bottom half of the key bin 41 is shown in a front, top-down perspective view with the insert 80 in dashed lines embedded in the floor portion 56. The inclined tabs 88, 98, 95, 96, 98 project “upwards” into the floor 56. These inclined tabs help prevent the insert 80 from simply being “ripped” out of the base 56, in the event that the bottom of the key bin 40 is somehow compromised. The insert 80 is not simply “sandwiched” between the upper and lower layers of the base 56; instead, the insert is embedded into the base in a “3D” manner for a more durable, resistant final construct. The inclined tabs 88, 89, 95, 96, 98 are embedded “deeper” into the key bin alloy material, so that the insert 80 is quite secure. For example, if the insert were a strictly flat planar design and if the base 56 was cracked open, the insert might tend to fall out. However, by providing the inclined tabs 88, 89, 95, 96, 98, the insert 80 is incapable of simply “falling out;” it would have to be cut out of the key bin 40.

[0075] Referring now to FIG. 10, the bottom half of the key bin 41 is shown in a rear, bottom-up perspective view with the insert 80 in dashed lines embedded in the wall 56. The ridges 86 are shown, which provide additional structural strength to the insert 80. Note that the insert 80 does not cover the entire base 56; however, the insert does cover a majority of the base. A small open area around the periphery of the insert is helpful for securely casting the key bin while simultaneously securely embedding the insert in the base 56.

[0076] Referring now to FIG. 11, a casting block 100 is shown with the insert 80. The insert 80 is secured in the casting block 100 by three locating pins 106 (as shown in FIG. 12), and then the die casting process is initiated to embed the insert into the key bin.

[0077] Referring now to FIG. 12, the casting block 100 is shown with a cavity block 102. The insert 80 is held in place using the plurality of locating pins 106. The insert 80 is aligned on the plurality of locating pins 106 by using the plurality of through-holes 99. The cavity block 102 exhibits a cavity mold 108 that defines the final shape of the bottom half of the key bin 41. It should be noted that the “holes” 90 for mounting with the locating pins 106 do not necessarily need to be “through-holes.” Instead, the type of structure for receiving the locating pins could merely be indentations or depressions that are sized and shaped to ‘mate’ to the tips of the locating pins 106.

[0078] To cast the key bin, the casting block 100, having secured the insert 80 inside with the plurality of locating pins 106, is temporarily mated to the cavity block 102. A molten die casting material (comprising A360 aluminum, for example) is then poured into the casting block 100 and the cavity block 102. The molten material surrounds and engulfs the insert 80, by passing through the small holes 82, the individual hole 83, and the through-holes 85, and also through the small slots 84, large slots 90, and large slots 92. These particular “3D features” in the insert 80 provide structural integrity for the final product during this casting process. The other “3D feature,” the inclined tabs 88, 89, 95, 96, 98, help securely embed the insert 80 into the base 56 as the die cast material begins to cool, and those tabs also provide further structural integrity.

[0079] If aluminum alloy is used, its casting temperature is around 1100-1200 degrees Fahrenheit, for example, with a die temperature around 650 degrees Fahrenheit, for example. The specific heat of SK5 steel, if chosen as the material for the insert 80, is sufficient that the heat transfer from the casting material does not reach the ‘complete’ annealing temperature, because it does not “sit” there long enough (i.e., the “3D features” help the material flow during casting) for the grain structure of the steel to significantly change.

[0080] Referring now to FIG. 13, the casting block 100 and cavity block 102 are shown separated along with a fully cast key bin bottom half 41 exhibiting the embedded insert 80 in dashed lines. Note that the plurality of locating pins 106 remain in the casting block 100 after the die halves have separated and the die casting process is completed.

[0081] Referring now to FIG. 14, the bottom half of the key bin 41 is illustrated in a rear, bottom-up perspective view. The base 56 exhibits a plastic cover 74 to protect the metal. This plastic cover 74 has a flap 72, and the flap can be pulled open to reveal a QR code, for example, and/or used to pull the key bin 40 out of the lockbox 10. The plastic cover 74 is secured to the base 56 using a plurality of fasteners or screws 70. It should be noted that the fasteners 70 along the transverse edges secure into the through-holes 85.

[0082] Referring now to FIG. 15, the “main” lockbox housing 52 is illustrated in a front, top-down perspective view. Its elongated side wall front portion 42 exhibits three openings 46 along its front side, a flared portion 36 proximal to the base, and extends to a top wall 38. The keypad 58 is mounted to the housing via fasteners (not shown) placed at the openings 46, and a ribbon cable (not shown) is fed through a ribbon cable slot 32 in the top wall 38, so that the ribbon cable can be plugged into an internally mounted motherboard. The top wall 38 exhibits a large opening 34 for the shackle extension 66, and a small opening 35 for the shackle extension 68.

[0083] Referring now to FIG. 16, the housing 52 is illustrated in a rear, bottom-up perspective view. The rear housing portion 44 of the side wall exhibits two openings 47, a side opening 48, and a similar flared portion 36. Note that the rear housing portion 44 and the front housing portion 42 both exhibit flared portions 36. The base of the housing 52 has a perimeter 45, and a bottom open area 30. This bottom open area 30 is for receiving the key bin 40 when it is removably inserted into the housing 52.

[0084] It will be understood that the “main” lockbox housing 52 is designed to exhibit a sufficient hardness and structural strength so as to comprise a major “intruder-defeating” element for the overall lockbox 10. Part of this strength and hardness is due to the metal material that is used to create the housing 52. Moreover, additional strength and hardness is provided by the staged drawing process that “stretches” the housing during its manufacture, as described above. The reality of manufacturing costs does not permit this important structural element to literally be invulnerable, and instead, it is designed to be sufficiently difficult to break or cut open that a potential thief will be significantly slowed down in the attempt to drill or cut into the overall lockbox. The bottom wall (or floor) portion 56 of the key bin 40 is similarly designed to meet those criminal-defeating objectives.

[0085] It will also be understood that the location, shape, and number of slots and openings of the metal insert 80 can be varied without departing from the principles of technology disclosed herein. For example, the insert could be of a symmetrical design. As another example, the through-holes 82, 83, 85 are used to allow the molten metal to flow during the casting process; however, for a different shaped insert the through-holes may need to be moved, resized, or have more or fewer through-holes. Furthermore, the sizes and shapes of the inclined tabs certainly could be somewhat altered, as well as the rather elongated ridges 86; some or all of those tabs and ridges could perhaps be eliminated, although the overall utility of the embedded insert 80 might be comprised to some extent.

[0086] Some additional information about “basic” lockbox embodiments, including advanced features, are more fully described in earlier patent documents by some of the same inventors, and assigned to SentriLock, Inc. or SentriLock LLC, including: U.S. Pat. No. 7,009,489, issued Mar. 7, 2006, for ELECTRONIC LOCK SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ITS USE; U.S. Pat. No. 6,989,732, issued Jan. 24, 2006, for ELECTRONIC LOCK SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ITS USE WITH CARD ONLY MODE; U.S. Pat. No. 7,086,258, issued Aug. 8, 2006, for ELECTRONIC LOCK BOX WITH SINGLE LINEAR

[0087] ACTUATOR OPERATING TWO DIFFERENT LATCHING MECHANISMS; U.S. Pat. No. 7,420,456, issued Sep. 2, 2008, for ELECTRONIC LOCK BOX WITH MULTIPLE MODES AND SECURITY STATES; U.S. Pat. No. 7,193,503, issued Mar. 20, 2007, for ELECTRONIC LOCK SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ITS USE WITH A SECURE MEMORY CARD; U.S. Pat. No. 7,999,656, issued Aug. 16, 2011, for ELECTRONIC LOCK BOX WITH KEY PRESENCE SENSING; U.S. Patent No. 7,734,068, issued Jun. 8, 2010, for ELECTRONIC LOCK BOX USING A BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION DEVICE; U.S. Pat. No. 8,451,088, issued May 28, 2013, for ELECTRONIC LOCK BOX WITH TRANSPONDER BASED COMMUNICATIONS; U.S. Pat. No. 8,164,419, issued Apr. 24, 2012, for ELECTRONIC LOCK BOX WITH TIME-RELATED DATA ENCRYPTION BASED ON USER-SELECTED PIN; U.S. Pat. No. 8,151,608, issued Apr. 10, 2012, for ELECTRONIC LOCK BOX WITH MECHANISM IMMOBILIZER FEATURES; U.S. Pat. No. 9,208,466, issued on Nov. 18, 2015, for ELECTRONIC LOCK BOX SYSTEM WITH INCENTIVIZED FEEDBACK; U.S. Pat. No. 8,593,252, issued Nov. 26, 2013, for ELECTRONIC LOCK BOX PROXIMITY ACCESS CONTROL; U.S. Pat. No. 8,912,884, issued Dec. 16, 2014, for ELECTRONIC KEY LOCKOUT CONTROL IN LOCKBOX SYSTEM; U.S. Pat. No. 9,053,629, issued on May 20, 2015, for CONTEXTUAL DATA DELIVERY TO MOBILE USERS RESPONSIVE TO ACCESS OF AN ELECTRONIC LOCKBOX; U.S. Pat. No. 9,478,083, issued on Oct. 5, 2016, for ELECTRONIC KEY LOCKOUT CONTROL IN LOCKBOX SYSTEM; U.S. Pat. No. 9,704,315, issued on Jun. 21, 2017, for CONTEXTUAL DATA DELIVERY TO OTHER USERS AT AN ELECTRONIC LOCKBOX; U.S. Pat. No. 10,068,399, issued on Aug. 21, 2018, for CONTEXTUAL DATA DELIVERY TO OTHER USERS AT AN ELECTRONIC LOCKBOX; U.S. Pat. No. 10,026,250, issued on Jun. 27, 2018, for CONTEXTUAL DATA DELIVERY TO USERS AT A LOCKED PROPERTY; and U.S. Patent Application No. 2020-0308870 A1, published on Oct. 1, 2020, for ELECTRONIC LOCKBOX. These patent documents are incorporated by reference herein, in their entirety.

[0088] All documents cited in the Background and in the Detailed Description are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the technology disclosed herein.

[0089] As used herein, the term “proximal” can have a meaning of closely positioning one physical object with a second physical object, such that the two objects are perhaps adjacent to one another, although it is not necessarily required that there be no third object positioned therebetween. In the technology disclosed herein, there may be instances in which a “male locating structure” is to be positioned “proximal” to a “female locating structure.” In general, this could mean that the two male and female structures are to be physically abutting one another, or this could mean that they are “mated” to one another by way of a particular size and shape that essentially keeps one structure oriented in a predetermined direction and at an X-Y (e.g., horizontal and vertical) position with respect to one another, regardless as to whether the two male and female structures actually touch one another along a continuous surface. Or, two structures of any size and shape (whether male, female, or otherwise in shape) may be located somewhat near one another, regardless if they physically abut one another or not; such a relationship could still be termed “proximal ” Or, two or more possible locations for a particular point can be specified in relation to a precise attribute of a physical object, such as being “near” or “at” the end of a stick; all of those possible near/at locations could be deemed “proximal” to the end of that stick. Moreover, the term “proximal” can also have a meaning that relates strictly to a single object, in which the single object may have two ends, and the “distal end” is the end that is positioned somewhat farther away from a subject point (or area) of reference, and the “proximal end” is the other end, which would be positioned somewhat closer to that same subject point (or area) of reference.

[0090] It will be understood that the various components that are described and/or illustrated herein can be fabricated in various ways, including in multiple parts or as a unitary part for each of these components, without departing from the principles of the technology disclosed herein. For example, a component that is included as a recited element of a claim hereinbelow may be fabricated as a unitary part; or that component may be fabricated as a combined structure of several individual parts that are assembled together. But that “multi-part component” will still fall within the scope of the claimed, recited element for infringement purposes of claim interpretation, even if it appears that the claimed, recited element is described and illustrated herein only as a unitary structure.

[0091] All documents cited in the Background and in the Detailed Description are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the technology disclosed herein.

[0092] The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the technology disclosed herein to the precise form disclosed, and the technology disclosed herein may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Any examples described or illustrated herein are intended as non-limiting examples, and many modifications or variations of the examples, or of the preferred embodiment(s), are possible in light of the above teachings, without departing from the spirit and scope of the technology disclosed herein. The embodiment(s) was chosen and described in order to illustrate the principles of the technology disclosed herein and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the technology disclosed herein in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to particular uses contemplated. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the technology disclosed herein using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this technology disclosed herein pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.