A key safe ( 10 ) includes a main container ( 14 ) defining an access port ( 20 ), an antechamber ( 16 ) and a primary hook ( 22 ) located within the antechamber ( 16 ). The antechamber ( 16 ) is movable between a first position in which a user is permitted access thereto and to the primary hook ( 22 ) from outside the main container ( 14 ) via the access port ( 20 ), and a second position in which the user is not permitted access to either the antechamber (16) or the primary hook ( 22 ) from outside the main container ( 14 ). The key safe ( 10 ) further includes a plurality of secondary hooks ( 26 ) located within the main container ( 14 ), which secondary hooks ( 26 ) are not directly accessible to a user. In use, transport means ( 18 ) transport keys between the primary hook ( 22 ) and a secondary hook ( 26 ) when the antechamber ( 16 ) is in the second position.
1. A key safe including:
a main container defining an access port;
an antechamber;
a primary hook located within the antechamber;
the antechamber being movable between a first position in which a user is permitted access thereto and to the primary hook from outside the main container via the access port, and a second position in which the user is not permitted access to either the antechamber or the primary hook from outside the main container;
a plurality of secondary hooks located within the main container, which secondary hooks are not directly accessible to a user; and
an arm movable within the main container to transport keys between the primary hook and a secondary hook when the antechamber is in the second position, wherein said arm includes a free end, and wherein one of:
(i) the free end of the arm; or
(ii) the secondary hooks and the primary hook,
includes two fingers sufficiently spaced from each other to at least partially receive therebetween the other of:
(i) the free end of the arm; and
(ii) the secondary hooks and the primary hook.
2. A key safe according to claim 1 , further including a sensor for sensing whether a key is located on the primary hook when the antechamber is in the first position.
3. A key safe according to claim 2 , wherein the secondary hooks are arranged in circular arrays.
4. A key safe according to claim 3 , including at least two axially displaced circular arrays of secondary hooks.
5. A key safe according to claim 4 , wherein the arm is movable along the longitudinal axis of the circular arrays and rotatable about such longitudinal axis.
6. A key safe according to claim 5 , wherein the arm defines a notch near its free end for locating a keyring associated with a key to be transported thereby therein.
7. A key safe according to claim 1 , wherein the antechamber is rotatable between the first and second positions.
8. A key safe according to claim 7 , further including means for identifying a key.
9. A key safe according to claim 8 , wherein the identifying means is an RFID reader located either within the antechamber or within the main container.
10. A key safe according to claim 9 , further including a database for associating each key with the secondary hook on which it is stored.
11. A key safe according to claim 10 , further including input means for a user to select a key to be dispensed from the key safe.
12. A key safe according to claim 11 , wherein each secondary hook is not movable relative to the main container.
13. A key safe according to claim 12 , wherein the antechamber with primary hook, the secondary hooks and the movable arm are connected to a frame sized to fit within the main container.