GB2403509A

GB2403509A - Mail delivery box

Info

Publication number: GB2403509A
Application number: GB0313452A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Thomas Barrow; Philip Neil Barrow
Original assignee: APPLIED STORAGE PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: APPLIED STORAGE PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 2003-06-11
Filing date: 2003-06-11
Publication date: 2005-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 2023-06-11
Also published as: GB0313452D0; GB2403509B; GB2426999A; GB0615001D0; GB2426999B

Abstract

A box (10) includes a deposit opening (30) covered by a flap (20) and an abutment (40). In a first configuration, the flap is movable to at least partially uncover the opening, its movement being limited by contact with a locked abutment. In a second configuration (Figure 3) the unlocked abutment is pivoted out of the path of the flap allowing the opening to be fully exposed. Preferably the flap further comprises a baffle section and it is the baffle section which in the first configuration contacts the abutment. The abutment may comprise an elongate bar pivotally hinged (27) to an enclosure (50) of the box. In a second invention a flap of a delivery box defines a receptacle which communicates with an enclosure of the box.

Description

Mail Delivery Box

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to mail delivery boxes.

Background to the Invention

lo Most homes and other premises have a letterbox or separate mail container for receiving mail deliveries. A letterbox comprises an opening to allow mail to be posted into a building, whereas a separate mail container can be provided for mail to be delivered to and subsequently removed by the intended recipient.

However, problems can arise when a large item of mail such as a parcel is to be delivered. Large items may not fit through a standard letterbox, and it is undesirable to provide a large letterbox as this may facilitate unauthorized access to the building. Furthermore, a separate mail container may not offer a secure place for a parcel to be left if the intended recipient is absent.

It is an aim of preferred embodiments of the present invention to allow mail, in particular parcels to be left securely at premises. Further aims and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the

description below.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a mail delivery box comprising an opening suitable for receiving parcels; a flap portion; and an abutment means; wherein the abutment means is arrangeable in a first configuration in which the flap portion is movable to at least partially uncover the opening, and wherein the flap portion abuts the abutment means to inhibit further uncovering of the lo opening.

Suitably, the abutment means is arrangeable in a second configuration in which the flap portion is movable to further uncover the opening. Suitably, in the second configuration the abutment means is arranged such that further uncovering of the opening is uninhibited by the abutment means.

Suitably, the abutment means is arranged to be pivot on a hinge between the first configuration and the second configuration.

Suitably, the mail delivery box further comprises an enclosure suitable for receiving parcels therein, wherein the opening is defined in the enclosure.

Suitably, the abutment means is arranged to locate within the opening in the first configuration. Suitably, the abutment means is arranged to transfer a load applied thereto by abutment with the flap portion to the hinge and/or to a portion of the enclosure.

Suitably, the abutment means is arranged to be maintained in the first position by a lock. Suitably, the abutment means comprises an elongate bar.

Suitably, the flap portion is pivotally mounted at the opening.

Suitably, the flap portion comprises a baffle. Suitably, the baffle of the flap portion is arranged to abut the lo abutment means and thereby inhibit further uncovering of the opening. I In a second aspect, the present invention provides a mail delivery box comprising an opening suitable for receiving parcels therethrough; an enclosure; and a flap portion arrangeable in a first configuration to at least partially uncover the opening; wherein in the first configuration the flap portion defines a reception space communicative with the enclosure.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a side sectional view of a mail delivery box according to a first embodiment of the present invention arranged with the abutment means in a first configuration and the flap portion closed over the opening; Figure 2 shows a side sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 1 arranged with the abutment means in a first configuration and the flap portion moved to partially uncover the opening and allow the passage of parcels through the opening, and abutting the abutment means to inhibit further uncovering of the opening; and Figure 3 shows a side sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 1 arranged with the abutment means in a second configuration and the flap portion is moved to further uncover the opening.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Figure 1 shows a side sectional view of a mail delivery box 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention.

The mail delivery box 10 comprises a flap portion 20, an opening 30, an abutment means 40, an enclosure 50 and a lock 60.

The mail delivery box 10 is designed to be installed outside a home or other building to receive parcels and other items of mail when the intended mail recipient is absent. The mail delivery box 10 is arranged with the abutment means 40 locked in the first configuration by the lock 60 as shown in Figures 1 and 2 to allow the secure reception of parcels.

The flap portion 20 of the mail delivery box 10 can be opened by a delivery person to the extent shown in Figure 2. It is prevented from opening further by abutment of a baffle 22 of the flap portion 20 with the abutment means 40. The delivery person can insert a parcel 1 to be delivered through the opening 30, and then lower the flap portion 20 to the position shown in Figure 1. The parcel 1 can then slide off the baffle 22 and into the enclosure 50.

With the flap portion 20 in a position between the configurations of Figures 1 and 2, it is impossible for a would-be thief to reach around the baffle 22 to remove any parcels from within the enclosure 50. The abutment means is arranged in a first configuration to prevent the flap portion 20 from being opened further than the lo arrangement shown in Figure 2.

The intended recipient of the parcel can use a key 62 as shown in Figure 3 to unlock the lock 60. With the lock 60 opened, the abutment means 40 can be moved from the first configuration to a second configuration by simple rotation. In the second configuration the abutment means is arranged so that the flap portion 20 can be opened fully without contacting the abutment means. With the flap portion 20 fully opened the intended recipient can retrieve the parcel 1 from within the enclosure 50.

In more detail, the flap portion 20 comprises a lid 24 arranged to cover the opening 30 when the flap portion 20 is as shown in Figure 1. The flap portion 20 is pivotally mounted to the enclosure 50 at an edge of the opening 30 by a hinge 27. The abutment means 40 comprises an elongate lock bar pivotally mounted to the enclosure 50 at an opposite edge of the opening 30 to the hinge 27. The abutment means 40 is mounted on a hinge 42.

The abutment means 40 is arranged to pivot on the hinge 42 between the first configuration and the second configuration and can be maintained in the first configuration by the lock 60 when the lock 60 is locked.

The baffle 22 comprises a plate 26 supported on both sides by side portions 28. The plate 26 is arranged to prevent the insertion of a hand or tool into the enclosure 50 when the flap portion 20 is between the configuration of Figure 1 and the configuration of Figure 2, and thereby prevent the removal of any items from within the enclosure 50.

The side portions 28 hold the plate 26 in position relative to the lid 24. The side portions 28 define the shape and position of the baffle 22, and are arranged to ensure that the baffle 22 can abut the abutment means 40 when the abutment means 40 is arranged in the first configuration. The abutment of the baffle 22 with the abutment means 40 inhibits further uncovering of the opening 30. Inhibiting further uncovering of the opening prevents the flap 20 from being fully opened, and thereby prevents removal of items from within the enclosure by persons without the key 62.

The baffle 22 is arranged to contact the abutment means along the length of the abutment means 40 at the front edge of the plate 26. Furthermore, the abutment means 40 is arranged to transfer a load applied by the baffle 22 to the hinge 42 and to the body of the enclosure 40. Any load applied to the flap portion 20 in an attempt to force open the mail delivery box 10 is passed through the baffle 22 to the abutment means 40, and on to the hinge 42 and the body of the enclosure 40. The lock 60 is prevented from being exposed to excessive loads, and in fact an attempt to force open the mail delivery box 10 by pulling or levering open the flap portion 20 will force the abutment means into the first configuration, and not away from it. The abutment means 40 and hinge 42 can extend across a large proportion of the front edge of the opening 30 to give a large contact area with the plate 26, and to increase load distribution between the plate 26 and the side portions 28, and the hinge 42 and enclosure 50. The side portions 28 and/or front edge of the plate 26 may extend parallel to the end of plate 26, or alternatively lo may extend parallel to the front edge of the side portions 28 beyond the extent of the baffle 22 shown in the accompanying figures. The extended parts of the baffle 22 can be arranged to come into contact with the lock bar 40 only when the baffle 22 is deformed by application of extreme force. In this way the extended parts of the baffle provide extra security for the mail delivery box 10 in the event of a concerted attempt to force open the flap portion 20.

The side portions 28 and plate 26 are further arranged to provide an open back arrangement to the baffle 20. The region R shown on Figure 2 is open, and allows larger parcels to be received in the space defined by the baffle 22 than would be possible if the back of the baffle 22 were closed. This is because the flap portion defines a reception space communicative with the enclosure 50 at the region R. The region R is available to receive parcels when the flap portion is arranged as in Figure 2, but there is nothing present at the rear of the baffle 22 to prevent the flap portion 20 from being lowered down to assume the position of Figure 1. If a solid back portion were provided, the flap portion 20 would be prevented from closing, or the maximum size of parcel that a mail delivery box of given external dimensions could receive As is shown in Figure 3, the mail delivery box 10 can further include a support means 70 to support the flap portion 20 in a full open configuration. The support means 70 comprises a first expanding gas strut pivotally mounted to the edge of the baffle 22 at a first end, and pivotally mounted to an interior surface of the enclosure lo 50 at a second end. The support means 70 can further comprise a second gas strut (not shown) mounted on the opposite side of the mail delivery box 10 and substantially identical to the first. The second gas strut provides redundancy in the support means, increasing safety in the event of one gas strut failing to operate correctly. The flap 30 is arranged to lower under gravity from the position of Figure 2 to the position of Figure 1.

The lock 60 can be of any suitable construction, and can be a key operated lock as described above, or alternatively a combination or other lock. Preferably, a seven-lever lock is used for added security.

The lock 60 can be arranged to engage the abutment means 40 in a number of way, however in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 the lock comprises a projection that extends from the lock 60 when the lock is locked, and locates within the lock 60 when the lock is unlocked. The lock 60 is a deadlock, i.e. the key 62 is required to change the lock 60 from locked to unlocked, and from unlocked to locked. When locked, the projection extends into a recess formed in the abutment means. The projection prevents rotation of the abutment means 40 from the first configuration to the second configuration by engaging with the internal surfaces of the recess in the abutment means. The lock 60 is secured to the front of the mail delivery box 10 in such a way that it cannot be removed from the mail delivery box 10 from outside.

The abutment means 40 and lock 60 are further protected from attack when the abutment means is arranged in the first configuration by the presence of the flap portion lo 20. The flap portion 20 prevents easy access to the abutment means 40 and lock 60 within the opening 30, and can hinder the use of a lever or other tool against the abutment means 40 and/or lock within the opening 30.

The flap portion 20, abutment means 40 and enclosure 50 of the mail delivery box 10 can be conveniently manufactured from a steel, or other metallic, plastics or composite material having suitable strength and toughness to withstand attempts to break into the mail delivery box 10.

The desired degree of break in resistance can be considered when selecting materials for the mail delivery box 10. Preferably, the mail delivery box 10 comprises a welded steel construction. The external portions of the mail delivery box 10 can be powder coated, painted or otherwise covered to give a degree of weather resistance and/or provide an aesthetically pleasing finish.

The mail delivery box described enables a delivery person to deliver a parcel or other item, which is too large to pass through a standard letterbox, even when the intended recipient is absent from the delivery address.

The delivery person does not require a code or physical key to use the delivery box, and a number of deliveries can be made to the same box without the intended recipient having to remove each parcel between deliveries. As e- commerce activities such as on-line shopping increase, these characteristics of the mail delivery box become of considerable benefit. In addition, the mail delivery box described allows relatively large parcels to be received without overly increasing the external dimensions of the opening and the flap portion. I lo The mail delivery box enables a single opening to be used by both the delivery person and the intended recipient, and therefore reduces the number of potential weak points for a would-be thief to attack. Furthermore, the top opening flap portion means that the box does not need to have a large operational footprint allow a front-loading; or unloading door to be accessed. The mail delivery box can be secured in position either to a wall, or to the ground. The mail delivery box may include a facility for it to be secured to the ground and/or a structure to prevent it from being moved.

The mail delivery box is resistant to attempts to force the flap portion open by pulling on the flap portion, and avoids transferring the loads generated in this way to the lock mechanism. This enables a more economical lock to be used without sacrificing security.

The mail delivery box described herein as a first embodiment of the invention is intended as a separate box which can be positioned outside a house or other building.

However, the flap portion and abutment means could be applied to other openings that require more than one extent of permitted uncovering, for example recycling or rubbish bins, laundry chutes and the like.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and I documents are incorporated herein by reference.

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.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). 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 mail delivery box comprising an opening suitable for receiving parcels; a flap portion; and an abutment means; wherein the abutment means is arrangeable in a first configuration in which the flap portion is movable to at least partially uncover the opening, and wherein the flap portion abuts the abutment means to inhibit further uncovering of the opening.

2. The mail delivery box of claim 1, wherein the abutment means is arrangeable in a second configuration in which the flap portion is movable to further uncover the opening.

3. The mail delivery box of claim 2, wherein in the second configuration the abutment means is arranged such that further uncovering of the opening is uninhibited by the abutment means.

4. The mail delivery box of any preceding claim, wherein the abutment means is arranged to locate within the opening in the first configuration.

5. The mail delivery box of any preceding claim, wherein the abutment means is arranged to be pivot on a hinge between the first configuration and the second configuration.

6. The mail delivery box of any preceding claim further comprising an enclosure suitable for receiving parcels therein, wherein the opening is defined in the enclosure.

7. The mail delivery box of claim 5, or of claim 6 as dependent on claim 5, wherein the abutment means is arranged to transfer a load applied thereto by abutment with the flap portion to the hinge and/or to a portion of the enclosure.

8. The mail delivery box of any preceding claim, wherein the abutment means is arranged to be maintained in the first configuration by a lock.

9. The mail delivery box of any preceding claim, wherein the abutment means comprises an elongate bar.

10. The mail delivery box of any preceding claim, wherein the flap portion is pivotally mounted at the opening.

11. The mail delivery box of any preceding claim, wherein the flap portion comprises a baffle.

12. The mail delivery box of claim 11, wherein the baffle of the flap portion is arranged to abut the abutment means and thereby inhibit further uncovering of the opening.

13. A mail delivery box comprising an opening suitable for receiving parcels therethrough; an enclosure; and a flap portion arrangeable in a first configuration to at least partially uncover the opening; wherein in the first configuration the flap portion defines a reception space communicative with the enclosure.

14. A mail delivery box substantially as herein described, with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.