Did You Know...
...that in 1800 ether was first used by partyers as a fun diversion? Sniffing the gas led to hilarious and raucous laughter as people watched each other become more and more intoxicated and silly. Several doctors independently realized the value ether would have to anesthetize surgery patients. Of those who claimed rights to the "discovery," none had a happy ending. One had a seizure and died defending his rights. Another spent his life in an asylum because he had been denied acclaim. A third became addicted to chloroform and, in a New York City jail, he soaked a cloth in the drug, severed an artery and bled to death.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 5794465 | Key lock box assembly The present invention concerns an assembly for removably securing a real estate key box to a fixed structure, such as a door or wall. The assembly is designed so that when the key box is mounted on the assembly and locked, neither the key box nor the asse... | 08/18/1998 |
| 5768921 | Key box device A lid is secured to the base of a key box device that defines an enclosed compartment for securing a spare key. The lid carries push-buttons and a knob for locking the lid to the base. The surface of the lid is generally flush with the plane of the base e... | 06/23/1998 |
| 5705991 | Access control device featuring key ordering or key simultaneity A secure entry system makes use of radio transmissions to communicate with locks, keys, and related components throughout the system. The radio transmissions can be made using a paging system, a cellular telephone system, or any other RF carrier. Some emb... | 01/06/1998 |
| 5654696 | Method for transferring auxillary data using components of a secure entry system Improvements to access control systems include the provision of a database in an access control device (i.e. key) and procedures assuring that the database, and a master database, are kept up to date. In the particular context of a real estate lockbox sys... | 08/05/1997 |
| 5602536 | Data synchronization method for use with portable, microprocessor-based device One or more lock or key units of a secure entry system is equipped with a radio receiver. The receiver permits a memory in the lock or key unit to be updated with new data that is modulated onto a radio frequency signal. By this technique, system-wide cha... | 02/11/1997 |
| 5550529 | Access control system An electronic security enclosure conceals a device, such as a switch, valve, outlet, or lock, behind a movable member. When the movable member is unlocked, by an electronic key, and moved to reveal the concealed device, the key is captured, preventing its... | 08/27/1996 |
| 5475375 | Electronic access control systems An access control system provides a database in an access control device (i.e. key) and includes procedures assuring that the database, and a master database, are kept up to date. In the particular context of a real estate lockbox system, the keys are pro... | 12/12/1995 |
| 5280518 | Electronic security system An electronic real estate lockbox system includes a number of operational features, including facsimile reporting capability, bilateral locking solenoids, improved shackle latching capabilities, improved key-compartment release operation, two-wire bilater... | 01/18/1994 |
| 5267460 | Combination lock A combination lock for a key safe has an over-center spring for biasing a unitary bolt in an extended or retracted position. A switch for actuating the bolt has a break-away button to foil vandals. The bolt includes checkers for engaging notches in a plur... | 12/07/1993 |
| 5245652 | Secure entry system with acoustically coupled telephone interface A comprehensive real estate lockbox system is disclosed which provides a variety of operational features. One of these includes a reader key that can retrieve access data from a system lockbox. The reader key is provided with an audible tone generator whi... | 09/14/1993 |
| 5090222 | Electronic lock box and retention mechanism for use therein A retention mechanism having a housing and a member mounted in the housing for movement between the first and second positions. The member has a shoulder formed thereon. A spring yieldably engages opposite sides of the member and the shoulder to prevent m... | 02/25/1992 |
| 5046084 | Electronic real estate lockbox system with improved reporting capability An electronic real estate lockbox system includes a facsimile reporting capability. More particularly, numeric data detailing the location of a lockbox, dates and times of accesses to the lockbox, and the identities of the keyholders who accessed the lock... | 09/03/1991 |
| 4988987 | Keysafe system with timer/calendar features An electronic lock system is disclosed in which a key can be assigned a limited lifetime, such as by storing data indicative of an expiration date in a key memory. Whenever the key is used with a lock, the lock first examines this key data and verifies th... | 01/29/1991 |
| 4947163 | Electronic security system with configurable key A key for an electronic lock system is provided with circuitry capable of performing a plurality of lock-related functions. Stored in the key is characterization data that determines the key's particular functionality be electronically disabling certain o... | 08/07/1990 |
| 4936894 | Pushbutton lock A lock includes a plurality of elongated buttons, each of which has on the sides thereof a plurality of gates spaced angularly and longitudinally from one another. A case contains the lock and defines a plurality of bores within which the buttons travel. ... | 06/26/1990 |
| 4929880 | Electronic lock system with battery conservation features A battery powered electronic lock system includes a battery monitoring feature that detects three states of the lock system battery. These states correspond to three progressively weaker states of the battery. When the battery is in the first state, the l... | 05/29/1990 |
| 4916443 | Method and apparatus for compiling data relating to operation of an electronic lock system A key is provided with a memory in which, without user intervention, it collects data relating to lock operations each time the key interacts with a lock. This data is subsequently downloaded from the key to a computer. In some embodiments, the keys colle... | 04/10/1990 |
| 4914732 | Electronic key with interactive graphic user interface An electronic key for an electronic lock system is provided with graphical user interface which can display a plurality of symbols corresponding to a plurality of functions that the key can cause the lock to execute. An operator of the key moves a visual ... | 04/03/1990 |
| 4896246 | Electronic lock with energy conservation features Battery power in an electronic lock system is conserved by delaying application of energy to the unlocking mechanism until a movable member, used to open the lock system, is moved.... | 01/23/1990 |
| 4895036 | Key A key for use with a lock having internally lugged tumblers comprises an elongate cylindrical member with a longitudinal keyway to receive the lugs. From the longitudinal keyway extend a plurality of circumferential grooves of coded lengths. From the ends... | 01/23/1990 |
| 4887292 | Electronic lock system with improved data dissemination An electronic lock system is provided with a "lockout list" that identifies keys that are to be prevented from opening system locks. Date coded lockout lists are carried in the memories of both the system's locks and keys. When a lock and key engage, the ... | 12/12/1989 |
| 4831851 | Combination/electronic lock system A lock mechanism having a mechanical combination lock and an electronic lock, wherein the mechanical combination lock serves for effecting a fail safe entry in case of failure of the electronic lock. More specifically, the lock mechanism includes a mechan... | 05/23/1989 |
| 4766746 | Electronic real estate lockbox system A comprehensive real estate lockbox system is disclosed which provides a variety of operational features. Some of these features include the ability to: record all accesses to all lockboxes; transfer all or part of such records from the lockboxes to a sup... | 08/30/1988 |
| 4727368 | Electronic real estate lockbox system Real estate lockbox and key designs are disclosed which provide a variety of operational features. Also disclosed is a comprehensive system that allows real estate boards and agencies to efficiently manage their lockbox operations. Features provided by th... | 02/23/1988 |
| 4626007 | Tilt bolt lock A lock in which a closure structure carries a cammable latch bolt which is spring urged toward a latching position. Stops are provided on the latch bolt and on a member carrying the latch bolt to normally prevent retracting movement of the latch bolt unde... | 12/02/1986 |
| 4578969 | Tumbler lock having peripheral key A peripheral key for a tumbler lock, the key being transversely curved concentrically with the axis of the lock, and having an L-shaped groove to pass a sentry lug on a lock. The L-shaped groove has a longitudinal leg opening longitudinally at the free en... | 04/01/1986 |
| 4407147 | Peripheral key tumbler lock A two-stage tumbler lock wherein there are two sets of discs, one set being actuatable by a key to free the second set for unlocking movement under the influence of the key. The invention also contemplates a lock designed to receive a peripheral key to ca... | 10/04/1983 |
| 4325239 | Key safe having improved bar locking system A safe having a base plate to be covered by a hingedly mounted hood which can be locked in place by a lock carried by the hood, wherein the locking element carried by the hood not only fits under a retainer element on the base plate but also fits in a slo... | 04/20/1982 |
| 4112717 | Key box A key box in which an inaccessible interior latch secures a drawer in place. An exposed lock can be operated to release the latch. A tumbler lock has forward and rearward tumbler receiving notches of different depths to make picking of the lock more diffi... | 09/12/1978 |
