GB2548547A

GB2548547A - Time locked box

Info

Publication number: GB2548547A
Application number: GB1603040.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kelly Adam; Kelly Daniel
Original assignee: Voorpret Ltd
Current assignee: Voorpret Ltd
Priority date: 2016-02-22
Filing date: 2016-02-22
Publication date: 2017-09-27
Also published as: GB201603040D0

Abstract

A time-locked container 20 comprising a storage compartment 22 and a lid 21, attachable to the storage compartment, and a lock 23 and a timer which when activated the lock cannot be unlocked until the timer reaches a predetermined time interval and adjustment of the time interval is physically prevented when the lid is locked to the storage compartment. The lock mechanism and the timer may be located within the lid and may have means for adjusting a time delay until release, or a release date, which are accessible only when the box is in an unlocked state. The box may further include a display for showing information relating to an unlock date. There may be an internal battery pack and the lock may be driven by an electric motor. The box may typically be a money box. There may be an software application, for example on a mobile phone or other mobile device which can alert the user when the timer has expired.

Description

Time Locked Box Field of the Invention

This invention relates to storage devices, containers, boxes, capsules and the like. More particularly, it relates to such items where entry to the contents therein is regulated by a locking mechanism that is connected to a timer.

Background

People have kept coins, and even notes, in money boxes for hundreds of years. They act as a convenient storage means, and also act to keep the money out of sight, so reducing temptation to spend money that should be being saved for other purposes. The owner of the box always knows that it is there, and so there may be a temptation lurking in their minds to retrieve some or all of the money from the box.

To get around this problem, it is known to provide locks on moneyboxes that are connected to a timer of some sort. Typically, the box will have a time-lock that keeps the box locked until a predetermined length of time has expired. Thus, the money in the box. will stay inaccessible for this duration. However, there may be a temptation for a user to fiddle with the lock or the timer to try to circumvent the lock.

Embodiments of the invention have the object of addressing one or more of the above shortcomings of the background art.

Brief Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a container having a storage compartment and a lid for covering the storage compartment, the container comprising a lock for locking the lid to the storage compartment, and a timer having a control means for setting a time interval, where the timer is connected to the lock such that, when activated, the lock cannot be unlocked until the timer reaches the predetermined time interval, and further wherein adjustment of the time interval is physically prevented when the lid is locked to the storage compartment.

The invention therefore provides a lockable storage box that is arranged to discourage its owner, or a family member etc., from casual or systematic interference with the controls. This thus helps to reduce the temptation to attempt to open the container before the due date, and also prevents needless button pressing that may result in increased current draw from a battery, for those embodiments that use a battery to power the lock and/or timer. The control means may be arranged to sit within the storage compartment when the lid is fitted to the compartment, thus preventing any access to the control means.

Advantageously, the timer and lock may be electrically driven, with the source of electricity coming from one or more of: an integral battery, a solar panel, or an external power supply. Thus the timer may comprise an integrated circuit timer. Advantageously a microcontroller may be used to implement a timing circuit, and may also be used to control an actuator to provide a locking mechanism.

Advantageously, the container may comprise, for those embodiments having a battery power source, a battery life monitoring circuit, that is arranged to predict an expected remaining life of the battery. In some such embodiments, the container may be arranged to provide an alert at some point before an expected end of the battery life. Some embodiments may provide an audible alert for a duration before the end of the battery life. Some embodiments may alternatively or as well, provide a visual indication on the display.

Conveniently, embodiments may comprise means, such as a connector, to allow an external power source to be provided to the container should any batteries present expire. In the event of failure of a battery power pack, then conveniently the timer is arranged to store, in non-volatile memory, the time interval remaining until the device is due to unlock. Thus, on application of a power supply, such as an external power supply, to the connector, the timer circuit can continue counting the time interval from the time at which the batteries expired.

In some embodiments the external power source may be used to recharge the internal battery pack, so having the benefit that the external power source is not needed for whole duration of the remaining time interval.

Conveniently, the timer and lock may be located within the lid. This keeps the moving parts (e.g.. those involved with locking and unlocking the lid), and those components requiring electrical power together in a single unit. This obviates any need for an electrical connection to pass between the lid and the storage compartment, if the power source is also located in the lid.

Advantageously, the lid may be completely detachable from the storage compartment, when not locked to the compartment. This provides for a more convenient access to the control means for setting the timer, particularly those aspects of the control means that are, when the container is in a locked configuration, hidden from access. The lid may conveniently have one or more protruding catches, lips, hooks, fingers or clasps arranged to engage with a slot or orifice in the storage compartment that, when coupled with the locking mechanism, prevents the lid from being removed from the storage compartment when in a locked configuration. The catch or clasp etc. may, upon suitable rotational orientation of the lid with respect to the storage compartment (when the lid is not locked to the compartment), allow complete detachment of the lid from the compartment. Of course the catch or clasp etc. arrangement may instead or as well be located on the storage compartment, with corresponding suitable orifices being located on the lid.

Conveniently, the container may comprise control means for adjusting the time, said control means comprising of one or more buttons on an underside of the lid. The buttons may be any convenient form of button, such as a short throw button for providing an electrical signal to a corresponding circuit. Touch control buttons, such as resistive or capacitive touch sensor elements may also be used.

The timer may, in some embodiments, have a first button for increasing a time delay, and a second one for decreasing the time delay. The buttons may be arranged to only be active when the lid is unlocked. This provides a further security measure, in that any pressing of the buttons when the container is locked by, for example, pressure from objects within the storage compartment, will have no effect on the operation of the timer. The timer may be arranged to have a maximum time interval of anything convenient. The maximum time may be constrained by an expected life of the power source, such as a battery pack, or may be constrained by a number of digits on the display. Typically, the maximum time interval may, in some embodiments, be around 365 days, while some other embodiments may have a maximum of 100 days, 200 days, 500 days or 999 days.

In some embodiments, the timer is arranged, when activated, and when the lid is closed, to maintain the lock in a locked configuration until a time delay set therein expires, or a preset expiry date is reached. The lock thus prevents any access to the contents of the storage compartment during the period between activating the lock (and closing the lid), and the time the set period expires. The lack of any means (except for smashing the container) to gain access helps to remove, in the mind of the user, any temptation to fiddle or interfere with the container.

Advantageously, some embodiments of the invention have a lid that has a display on a surface that is visible when the container is locked, upon which can be displayed information relating to an unlock time. This may be, for example, a countdown timer showing the number of days (or hours, minutes or seconds etc.) until the container may be unlocked. Alternatively, a date upon which the container may be unlocked may be displayed.

Upon expiry of the time delay, or upon arrival of the unlock date, then some embodiments of the invention may be arranged automatically unlock. Other embodiments may instead provide an indication that they may be unlocked at will by, for example, activating a control on the container.

Some embodiments may have a display that is, in general, blanked, but which is activated by activation of a control on the container, and wherein the display then remains activated for a predetermined amount of time, such as 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes or 10 minutes. Thus, the display may enter a power saving mode if the visible controls are not activated within this time period. A button or the like may be provided to activate the display. The button may have other functions, such as confirming a prior set delay time etc. Conveniently, the button may be located on an upper part of the container, and preferably on an upper part of the lid. In some embodiments, activation of any button or other control means acts to wake up the display.

Conveniently, the container may in some embodiments be arranged wherein the timer and lock allow the time to be set, and confirmed before the lid is locked onto the storage compartment. Alternatively, in some embodiments the time set may only be able to be confirmed once the lid is located on the storage compartment. The time (e.g. the time interval, or a future unlock date) may be displayed on the display. Confirmation of the time set may be done by activation of a separate control, such as an additional button.

Alternatively, confirmation may be done by attaching the lid to the storage compartment, at which point the lid will lock itself to the compartment and the timer will start counting down to the release time.

Preferably, the timer and lock are arranged such that the locking means cannot be activated unless the lid is attached to the storage compartment. An interlock, which may comprise a recessed switch on the lid operable by e.g. a part, such as a projection on the storage compartment when the lid is properly located thereon, may be used to prevent the lock from operating until the lid is correctly seated on the container.

Conveniently, in some embodiments, the container may comprise an electric motor arranged to drive an arm or bolt between a first, unlocked position, and a second, locked, position. Other embodiments may use other electromechanical actuators, such as a solenoid, or an electro magnet, or some other form of actuator.

Preferably, the motor, solenoid etc. is arranged to draw current only during a transition from a locked to an unlocked position, or from an unlocked to a locked position. This reduces current consumption when the lock is not transitioning.

Advantageously, the container may have located thereon an orifice allowing objects to be put into the storage compartment whilst the container is locked. The orifice may comprise a hole or slot, arranged to receive items such as coins, banknotes or similar items. There may be means, such as a flap covering the orifice on the inside that prevents items inside the compartment from falling or being drawn out thereof. Accordingly, container may be a money box.

Advantageously, some embodiments may have, or be suppled along with, an associated software application, or “app” arranged to run on a device, such as a mobile device, of the user, that features a timer that may be manually synchronized with the timer on the container. The app may comprise of machine readable instructions that implement, when run on a suitable mobile device, the timer. In this way, with such an embodiment, a user will be able to access the remaining time until the container is able to be unlocked, without needing direct access to the container.

Advantageously, the app further comprises means for alerting a user when the timer reaches predetermined time intervals. For example, the app may be arranged to alert the user when the timer has 1 month, 2 weeks, 1 week, 3 days and/or 1 day left before it reaches zero, and may also be arranged to alert the user when it reaches zero.

The app may also be arranged to manually record, via inputs from the user, the amount of money stored in the container (for those embodiments used as a money box). The app may advantageously be downloadable from a cloud based service (such as Google Play or Apple Itunes).

Some embodiments of the container may also be electronically linkable to the app, via, for example, a WIFI or Bluetooth™ connection. The user may, via an app linked to the container, also be able to monitor remaining battery life.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention are further described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 diagrammatically illustrates a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 diagrammatically illustrates a perspective view of an underside of the lid of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 3 diagrammatically illustrates a view showing a the underside of a lid, having been separated from the top of the storage compartment of an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a first embodiment of the present invention is a container 1 comprising of two main components - a storage compartment 2 and a lid 3. The lid 3 is shown fitted on to the storage compartment 2. The lid 2 has located on an upper surface (in its normal orientation) a display 4, and a control button 5. On an underside of the lid - visible in Figure 2 - are two buttons 6, 7 that function as control means for an electronic timer circuit (not shown) that is built into the lid. The buttons 6, 7 are located on a face of a housing 8 that contains the timer circuitry, the display 4 and an electromechanical lock (not shown), and their associated electronic control circuitry and battery pack. The storage compartment 2 has an inset lip at its upper edge (not visible), which is arranged to sit flush with an inside surface of the lid, and so provide a close-fit thereto.

The storage compartment 2 has near its top, a slot 10 that provides a means for allowing objects, such as coins or notes to be inserted into the compartment 2 even while the lid is locked. Thus, the container 1 can be used as a moneybox for storing money which is accessible when the timer duration expires.

The housing has slot 9 through which a locking bolt protrudes when the lid is locked, and into which the bolt retracts in the unlocked state. The bolt (not shown, as the lid is in its unlocked state) engages when locked with a corresponding housing in a lip of the storage compartment 2. A motor (not shown) within the housing is used to drive the bolt between locked and unlocked positions. The housing 8 also contains a replaceable battery pack, that is used to provide power to the electrical circuitry therein. The lid 3 also has a DC jack (not shown) for providing power to the circuitry should the battery pack fail. The timer circuit uses a non-volatile memory to store the remaining time before the lock is to open. Thus, in the event of a battery failure the time information is not lost.

Circuitry (not shown) within the lid is arranged to monitor the voltage supplied by the battery pack and, when the lid is locked to the storage compartment, to provide an alert if the circuitry estimates that the batteries will not have sufficient charge to operate the lock and timer for more than a further three months. Thus, during the last approximately three months of battery life, the circuitry is arranged to produce an intermittent notification sound or beep, and to provide a low battery indication on the display. An external power source may be applied to take over operation of the timer and locking circuitry should the batteries fail.

The housing 8 also has contained therein a microswitch, functioning as an interlock, that is actuated by the lip on the storage compartment when the lid is firmly attached thereto. This therefore allows the circuitry within the housing to know when the lid has been put onto the storage compartment.

The lid 3 is, when not locked to the storage compartment 2, completely detachable therefrom. This allows convenient handling, such as for insertion of a replacement battery pack, or for setting the timer.

An example setup of the container will now be described. On installation of a fresh battery pack or other reconnection of power, the electronic circuitry within the housing will be activated. The circuitry comprises of a microcontroller that acts as the main processor, and peripheral drivers for controlling the other electrical elements. Upon initial activation, the microcontroller commands the display to display a welcome message, followed by a time set message. The underside buttons 6 and 7 are then monitored by the microcontroller. These are used to set a locking duration, with the first button 6 acting as a day increment, and the second button 7 acting as a day decrement. Once a desired number of days has been selected, the lid is placed on the storage compartment, and the box locked by pressing and holding the control button 5 on the top surface of the lid for a period of approximately five seconds. The timer setting buttons are, at this stage, locked away from access, and so further adjustment of the time interval set is prevented.

In another embodiment the timer is set to a desired time as explained above, and the control button 5 held in for a period of five seconds. The timer is now primed, and will be started once the lid is placed onto the storage compartment, as detected by the microswitch. A user should ensure that the storage compartment 2 is filled with whatever it is the user wishes to be locked away, before the lid attached to the compartment 2. However, small items such as coins or notes can be placed inside the storage container using the slot 10, even with the lid on. When the microswitch is activated, the microcontroller knows that timing can now start, and it activates the locking motor, which drives its bolt out of slot 9, and into the associated recess in the storage compartment. The lid is now locked onto the storage compartment, and access to items therein is prevented for the duration previously set up on the timer. The control buttons 6 and 7 are also now inaccessible.

During the period the container is locked, the display can, on demand, show, for a short period of time, such as for 30 seconds the time duration remaining. This can be done by pressing control button 5. Switching the display off after this short period promotes battery life by not providing an unnecessary drain on the battery. The time duration remaining cannot be changed however.

Of course, other embodiments may allow different setup steps to be used, without straying from the scope of the invention. For example, some embodiments may forego the requirement for pressing and holding the control button 5 to confirm a selected delay time, and instead may rely upon the activation of the micro switch to provide this confirmation and hence activate the lock. Other embodiments may forego the microswitch, and instead rely just upon the confirmation signal from control button 5 before activating the lock and starting the timer operation. This latter embodiment, while coming under the scope of the invention, is however not preferred, as it is more likely to lead to inadvertent or accidental locking of the container.

Other embodiments may also incorporate means to reset the timer, and unlock the box. For example, a hidden microswitch may be provided that, when pressed for a duration of time, activates this reset function.

The embodiment may be supplied along with an app that has a corresponding timer, which may be manually synchronized with the timer on the container.

Shown in Figure 3 is an embodiment of the invention showing more clearly the locking mechanism employed. A container 20 comprises primarily of a lid 21 and a storage compartment 22. The lid is shown from the underside, the lid illustrated separated from the storage compartment. As in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the lid 21 has a housing 23 that contains a locking mechanism, timer circuitry, and a display. The timer circuitry, display, and general operation work as per the embodiment of Figure 1. The lid has a lip or rim 24 that fits tightly over a corresponding inset rim 25 on the storage compartment, so that the outside of the lid lies flush with the outside of the storage compartment when mounted thereon.

The rim 25 on the storage compartment has a slot 26 located thereon that forms part of the lock. The lid housing 23 has a port 27 through which bolt 28 protrudes when the lid is in a locked position, as shown. As indicated by a dotted line 29, the bolt rotates inside the housing when in an unlocked position. A motor unit (not shown) within the housing is controlled by the timer circuit to move the bolt 28 between the locked and unlocked positions, and vice versa.

When the lid is located on the storage compartment, the bolt is able to rotate into its locked position to engage with slot 25 to secure the lid to the compartment. Upon expiry of any set time duration, and subsequent unlocking of the container, the motor rotates the bolt back to the unlocked position 29.

The container may be made from any suitable material. For applications where high security is not required, a plastic material, such as HDPE, may be used. Other applications may use a stronger material, such as aluminium, steel or some other metal.

The functions described herein as provided by individual components could, where appropriate, be provided by a combination of components instead. Similarly, functions described as provided by a combination of components could, where appropriate, be provided by a single component.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of them mean “including but not limited to”, and they are not intended to (and do not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A container having a storage compartment and a lid for covering the storage compartment, the container comprising a lock for locking the lid to the storage compartment, and a timer having a control means for setting a time interval, where the timer is connected to the lock such that, when activated, the lock cannot be unlocked until the timer reaches the predetermined time interval, and further wherein adjustment of the time interval is physically prevented when the lid is locked to the storage compartment.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the adjustment of the time interval is prevented due to the control means for adjusting the time interval being hidden from access when the lid is locked to the storage compartment.

3 A container as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the timer and lock are located within the lid.

4. A container as claimed in any of the above claims wherein, when in an unlocked state, the lid is completely detachable from the storage compartment.

5. A container as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4 wherein the control means for adjusting the time comprises one or more buttons on an underside of the lid.

6. A container as claimed in claim 5 wherein the control means for adjusting the time comprises a first button for increasing the time delay, and a second one for decreasing it.

7. A container as claimed claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the timer is arranged, when activated, and when the lid is closed, to remain locked until a time delay set therein expires.

8. A container as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7 wherein the lid has a display on a surface that is visible when the container is locked, upon which can be displayed information relating to an unlock time.

9. A container as claimed in claim 8 wherein control means for activating the display is provided on a surface accessible when the container is locked.

10. A container as claimed in any of the above claims wherein the timer and lock allow the time to be set, and confirmed before the lid is locked onto the storage compartment.

11. A container as claimed in any of the above claims wherein an interlock prevents the locking means from activating before the lid is closed onto the container.

12. A container as claimed in any of the above claims wherein the lock comprises an electric motor arranged to drive an arm between a first, unlocked position, and a second, locked, position.

13. A container as claimed in claim 12 wherein the motor is arranged to draw current only during a transition from a locked to an unlocked position, or from an unlocked to a locked position.

14. A container as claimed in any of the above claims wherein the container has an internal battery pack used to power the timer and lock.

15. A container as claimed in claim 14 wherein the container has means for measuring an expected remaining battery life, and for providing an audio or visual indication if the expected remaining battery life drops below a predetermined duration.

16. A container as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15 wherein the timer has a nonvolatile memory that is adapted to store a remaining timer interval should the battery pack expire, and to resume counting down from the remaining interval upon application of a further power source.

17. A container as claimed in any of the above claims wherein the container has a connection allowing an external power source to be applied.

18. A container as claimed in any of the above claims wherein the container has located thereon an orifice allowing objects to be put into the storage compartment whilst the container is locked.

19. A container as claimed in claim 18 wherein the container is a money box.

20. A container as claimed in any of the above claims wherein, associated with the container, is a software application consisting of machine executable instructions suitable for execution on a device such as a mobile device, wherein the application comprises a timer arranged to be synchronisable with the timer on the container.

21. A container as claimed in clam 20 wherein the associated application further comprises means for alerting a user when the timer reaches predetermined time intervals.

22. A container as claimed in claim 20 or 21 wherein the container further comprises a wireless link allowing communication to the device, and through which is arranged to pass information relating to the remaining time interval.

23. A container as hereinbefore described, with reference to any of the Figures.