US20230414026A1

US20230414026A1 - Multiple-Compartment Mailbox Device

Info

Publication number: US20230414026A1
Application number: US17/935,215
Authority: US
Inventors: Eric Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-06-24
Filing date: 2022-09-26
Publication date: 2023-12-28

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multiple-compartment mailbox device primarily comprised of a body, further comprised of at least one lid with at least one hinge, at least one interior space, and at least one divider wall. The device may be comprised of two interior spaces. One for outgoing mail and packages, and one for incoming mail and packages. In one embodiment, both compartments have mail lids. In a different embodiment, only the incoming mail compartment has a mail lid. The device may be comprised of at least one motion sensor, at least one transmitter, and at least one battery. The motion sensors detect when mail has been delivered or received by the postal worker, and electrically communicates with the mobile application via the transmitter, thus providing a notification on the user's smart device. The mobile application allows a user to know precisely when their mail was delivered.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/355,110, which was filed on Jun. 24, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of mailboxes. More specifically, the present invention relates to a multiple-compartment mailbox device primarily comprised of a body, further comprised of at least one lid with at least one hinge, at least one interior space, and at least one divider wall. In one embodiment, the device is comprised of two interior spaces. One for outgoing mail and packages, and one for incoming mail and packages. In one embodiment, both compartments have mail lids. In a different embodiment, only the incoming mail compartment has a mail lid. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

Individuals are forced to place outgoing mail and packages in the same mailbox as incoming mail and packages. This can lead to misplaced mail or may cause a postal worker to miss outgoing mail. Mail and packages may be easily stolen or damaged because there is no way to securely lock a mailbox. Further, there is no easy way for an individual to know that their mail has been delivered. As a result, it may be days before the mail is retrieved which can lead to the mail being damaged by adverse weather conditions.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved mailbox. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a mailbox comprised of multiple compartments for incoming and outgoing mail and packages. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a mailbox device that provides a way for mail and packages to stay out of adverse weather conditions for long periods of time. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a mailbox device that alerts the user when mail is dropped off or received by the postal worker via mobile application. Finally, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a mailbox device that provides a way for mail to be safely stored without the risk of theft.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a multiple-compartment mailbox device. The device is primarily comprised of a body, further comprised of at least one lid with at least one hinge, at least one interior space, and at least one divider wall. Further, the device is comprised of at least one motion sensor that alerts a user that mail was either delivered or received by the postal worker. The motion sensor is in electrical communication with the user's smart device via at least one transmitter and mobile application. The device is also comprised of two compartments that are separated via at least one divider wall. The divider wall and the two compartments provide an area for the postal worker to place incoming mail and packages, as well as an area for the postal worker to receive the outgoing mail and packages. The two compartments further may be comprised of at least one mail lid that allows the mail and packages to be secured in the interior space without the risk of theft.
In this manner, the multiple-compartment mailbox device of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides a novel mailbox device that allows a user to place outgoing and incoming mail in their respective compartments. Further, the device provides a user with a way to know when their packages and mail have been delivered in order to receive their mail in a timely fashion.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a multiple-compartment mailbox device. The device is primarily comprised of a body, further comprised of at least one lid with at least one hinge, at least one interior space, and at least one divider wall.
The body may be comprised of a rear wall comprised of at least one fastener. The fastener attaches the device to the wall to prevent the device from falling off the wall. The device is also comprised of at least one lid that allows the device to be shut to protect the contents from adverse weather conditions and theft. The lid is operated via at least one hinge. The lid may further be comprised of at least one fastener that attaches to at least one reciprocating fastener located on the front wall of the body. The fasteners allow the device to be closed and prevent the lid from opening. The lid further may be comprised of at least one handle located on the surface of the lid.
In one embodiment, the device may be comprised of at least one mail lid located over the incoming mail compartment. The mail lid may further be comprised of at least one hinge. The device is further comprised of at least one mail flag. In one embodiment, the mail flag is further comprised of at least one motion sensor, at least one transmitter, and at least one battery. When a postal worker moves the mail flag up in the air, the motion sensor detects the movement and relays that information to the user's smart device via a transmitter and mobile application. The motion sensor is powered by at least one battery.
In one embodiment, the device is comprised of two compartments, with only one compartment having a mail lid. In the preferred embodiment, the two compartments are separated via at least one divider wall. The incoming mail compartment is comprised of the mail lid, while the outgoing mail compartment does not have a mail lid. The mail lid may be comprised of at least one hinge. The mail lid is further comprised of at least one fastener. In the preferred embodiment, the fastener is a lock to prevent thieves from stealing the contents of the interior space.
The mail lid may be comprised of at least one opening. The opening is preferably large enough to allow a plurality of mail to fit through the opening. In one embodiment, the mail lid may be comprised of at least one motion sensor, at least one battery, and at least one transmitter. The motion sensor is in electrical communication with a mobile application via the transmitter. The motion sensor may be located anywhere on/in the mail lid to allow the motion sensor to detect when mail or packages have been delivered into the opening. The transmitter further relays that movement has been sensed to the mobile application providing a notification on the user's smart device. The transmitter and motion sensor are further powered by at least one battery.
In one embodiment, the device is comprised of two compartments that both are comprised of mail lids. The mail lids are also comprised of at least one hinge located on each of the mail lids. In one embodiment, the mail lid for the incoming mail has an opening, while the mail lid for outgoing mail does not have an opening. Both mail lids further are comprised of at least one fastener. The fasteners close the mail slots preventing them from opening.
In the preferred embodiment, both the incoming and outgoing mail lids are further comprised of motion sensors, transmitters, and at least one battery. The device also may be comprised of indicia located on the mail slots. The indicia may be in any form that provides instructions to the postal worker or identifies which slot is incoming mail and which is outgoing mail.
The mobile application sends at least one notification to a user that either the mail has been delivered or the outgoing mail has been picked up by the postal worker. Further, the mobile application will send notifications to the user's smart device when the mail flag has been moved from the up position to the down position or vice versa.
Accordingly, the multiple-compartment mailbox device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a mailbox device that has multiple compartments so outgoing and incoming mail does not get interchanged and lost. Further, the device provides a way for a user to conveniently track when their packages are delivered or in the possession of the postal worker via a mobile application. In this manner, the multiple-compartment mailbox device overcomes the limitations of existing mailboxes known in the art.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a multiple-compartment mailbox device of the present invention with one mail lid and while open in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates an enhanced perspective view of a mail lid of one potential embodiment of a multiple-compartment mailbox device of the present invention with one mail lid and while open in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates an enhanced perspective view of a mail lid of one potential embodiment of a multiple-compartment mailbox device of the present invention with two mail lids and while open in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a graphical view of a mobile application of one potential embodiment of a multiple-compartment mailbox device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved mailbox. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a mailbox comprised of multiple compartments for incoming and outgoing mail and packages. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a mailbox device that provides a way for mail and packages to stay out of adverse weather conditions for long periods of time. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a mailbox device that alerts the user when mail is dropped off or received by the postal worker via a mobile application. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a mailbox device that provides a way for mail to be safely stored without the risk of theft.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a multiple-compartment mailbox device. The device is primarily comprised of a body, further comprised of at least one lid with at least one hinge, at least one interior space, and at least one divider wall. Further, the device is comprised of at least one motion sensor that alerts a user that mail was either delivered or received by the postal worker. Further, the motion sensor is in electrical communication with the user's smart device via at least one transmitter and a mobile application. In the preferred embodiment, the device is comprised of two compartments. Wherein one compartment is for outgoing mail, and one is for incoming mail. The two compartments further may each be comprised of at least one mail lid, further comprised of at least one hinge, at least one fastener, at least one motion sensor, at least one battery, and at least one transmitter.
Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a multiple-compartment mailbox device 100 of the present invention with one mail lid 142 and while open in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 is primarily comprised of a body 110, further comprised of at least one lid 120 with at least one hinge 122, at least one interior space 130, and at least one divider wall 140.
The body 110 may be manufactured from any material in the art such as, but not limited to, wood, plastic, metal, etc. In one embodiment, the device 100 is manufactured form a plastic material such as, but not limited to: acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, thermoplastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, acetal, nylon, fiberglass, etc. The plastic may be manufactured to resemble the wall and/or wall material the device 100 is fastened to, such as, but not limited to, brick, stone, stucco, etc. In another embodiment, the device 100 may be manufactured from a metal material such as, but not limited to, stainless steel or aluminum. The device 100 may further be manufactured in any shape or size known to one skilled in the art.
The body 110 is further comprised of a rear wall 118 comprised of at least one fastener 119. The fastener 119 attaches the device to the wall to prevent it from falling off the wall. The fastener 119 may be any fastener known in the art such as, but not limited to: nut and bolt, screw, anchor, adhesive, tongue and groove, magnetic, etc.
The device 100 is also comprised of at least one lid 120 that allows the device to be shut and protects the contents from adverse weather conditions. The lid 120 further is moved via at least one hinge 122. There is a plurality of hinge 122 types that may be used such as, but not limited to: an offset blind hinge, a knuckle hinge, a butt hinge, a rising butt hinge, a gravity pivot hinge, a ball bearing hinge, a barrel hinge, a concealed hinge, a knife hinge, a piano hinge, a strap hinge, a pivot hinge, a gas-piston hinge, an injection molded hinge, a locking hinge, etc. The lid 120 may further be comprised of at least one fastener 124 that attaches to at least one reciprocating fastener 124 located on the front wall 112 of the body 110. The fasteners 124 allow the device 100 to be closed and prevent it from opening. In differing embodiments, there are a plurality of fasteners 124 that may be used such as, but not limited to: lock, magnet, hook and loop, tongue and groove, latch, adhesive, etc. The lid 120 further may be comprised of at least one handle 124 located on the surface of the lid 120.
In one embodiment, the device may be comprised of at least one mail lid 142 located over the incoming mail compartment. The mail lid 142 may further be comprised of at least one hinge 148. There is a plurality of hinge 148 types that may be used such as, but not limited to: an offset blind hinge, a knuckle hinge, a butt hinge, a rising butt hinge, a gravity pivot hinge, a ball bearing hinge, a barrel hinge, a concealed hinge, a knife hinge, a piano hinge, a strap hinge, a pivot hinge, a gas-piston hinge, an injection molded hinge, a locking hinge, etc.
The device 100 may be comprised of at least one mail flag 150. The mail flag 150 alerts a postal worker that there is outgoing mail in the device 100. In one embodiment, the mail flag 150 is further comprised of at least one motion sensor 152, at least one transmitter 154, and at least one battery 156. When a postal worker moves the mail flag 150 up in the air, the motion sensor 152 detects the movement and relays that information to a user's smart device via the transmitter 154 and a mobile application 200.
The motion sensor 152 is further powered by at least one battery 156. The battery 156 can be in the form of an alkaline, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride battery, etc., such as any 3V-12-volt DC battery 156 or other conventional battery 156 such as A, AA, AAA, etc., that supplies power to the motion sensor 152. Throughout this specification the terms “battery” and “batteries” may be used interchangeably to refer to one or more wet or dry cells or batteries 156 of cells in which chemical energy is converted into electricity and used as a source of DC power. References to recharging or replacing batteries 156 may refer to recharging or replacing individual cells, individual batteries 156 of cells, or a package of multiple battery cells as is appropriate for any given battery 156 technology that may be used.
FIG. 2 illustrates an enhanced perspective view of a mail lid 142 of one potential embodiment of a multiple-compartment mailbox device 100 of the present invention with one mail lid 142 and while open in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In one embodiment, the device 100 is comprised of two compartments, with only one compartment having at least one mail lid 142. In the preferred embodiment, the two compartments are separated via at least one divider wall 140. The incoming mail compartment is comprised of the mail lid 142, while the outgoing mail compartment does not have a mail lid 142.
The mail lid 142 may be comprised of at least one hinge 148. The hinge 148 may be any hinge known in the art. The mail lid 142 is further comprised of at least one fastener 146. In the preferred embodiment, the fastener 146 is a lock (of any lock type known in the art) to prevent thieves from stealing the contents of the interior space 130. There is a plurality of locks that may be used such as, but not limited to, a padlock, a deadbolt lock, a cam lock, a rim/mortise lock, a euro profile cylinder lock, an interchangeable core cylinder lock, a furniture latch lock, a rim latch lock, a biometric fingerprint scanning lock, an RFID key fob lock, a mechanical dial lock, a numerical combination lock, a pedestal lock, a draw lock, a fixed core lock, etc.
The mail lid 142 may also be comprised of at least one opening 144. The opening 144 is preferably large enough to allow a plurality of mail to fit through the opening 144. In one embodiment, the mail lid 142 may be comprised of at least one motion sensor 128, at least one battery 127, and at least one transmitter 129. The motion sensor 128 is in electrical communication with a mobile application 200 via the transmitter 129. The motion sensor 128 may be any motion sensor known in the art. The motion sensor 128 may be located anywhere on/in the mail lid 142 which allows for the motion sensor 128 to detect when mail or packages have been delivered into the opening 144. The transmitter 129 further relays that movement has been detected to the mobile application 200 providing a notification 210 on the user's smart device. The transmitter 129 and motion sensor 128 are further powered by at least one battery 127. The battery 127 may be any battery known in the art.
FIG. 3 illustrates an enhanced perspective view of a mail lid 142 of one potential embodiment of a multiple-compartment mailbox device 100 of the present invention with two mail lids 142 and while open in accordance with the disclosed architecture. In one embodiment, the device 100 is comprised of two compartments that both are comprised of mail lids 142. The mail lids 142 are each comprised of at least one hinge 148 located on each of the mail lids 142. The hinges 148 may be located in any orientation that allows for both the mail lids 142 to be opened individually. In one embodiment, the mail lid for the incoming mail has an opening 144, while the mail lid for outgoing mail does not have an opening 144. Both mail lids further are comprised of at least one fastener 146. The fasteners 146 close the mail slots 142 thereby preventing them from opening. The fasteners 146 may be any fastener such as, but not limited to, latch, lock, magnet, adhesive, hook and loop, clasp, etc.
In the preferred embodiment, both the incoming and outgoing mail lids 142 are further comprised of motion sensors 128, transmitters 129, and at least one battery 127. The motion sensors 128 will communicate via electrical communication with the transmitters 129 when mail has been dropped into the mail lid 142. The transmitters 129 will then wirelessly and electrically communicate with the mobile application 200 which will show a notification 210 on the user's smart device. The device 100 further may be comprised of indicia 300 located on the mail slots 146. The indicia 300 may be in any form that provides instructions to the postal worker or identifies which slot is incoming and outgoing mail. The indicia 300 may be any indicia known in the art such as, but not limited to, logos, images, symbols, words, phrases, pictures, slogans, etc.
FIG. 4 illustrates a graphical view of a mobile application 200 of one potential embodiment of a multiple-compartment mailbox device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The mobile application 200 sends notifications 210 to a user that either the mail has been delivered or the outgoing mail has been picked up by the postal worker. Further, the mobile application 200 will send notifications 210 to the user's smart device when the mail flag 150 has been moved from the up position to the down position or vice versa.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “multiple-compartment mailbox device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the multiple-compartment mailbox device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the multiple-compartment mailbox device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the multiple-compartment mailbox device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the multiple-compartment mailbox device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the multiple-compartment mailbox device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the multiple-compartment mailbox device 100 may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A multiple-compartment mailbox device comprising:

a body;

an interior space;

a divider wall;

a lid;

a mail lid comprised of an opening and a hinge; and

a mail flag.

2. The multiple-compartment mailbox device of claim 1, wherein the body is comprised of a material that resembles a brick, a stone, or a stucco material.

3. The multiple-compartment mailbox device of claim 1 further comprising a fastener on the rear wall.

4. The multiple-compartment mailbox device of claim 3, wherein the fastener is a select one of a nut and bolt, a screw, an anchor, an adhesive, a tongue and groove, or a magnetic fastener.

5. The multiple-compartment mailbox device of claim 1, wherein the lid attaches to the body via a first hinge.

6. The multiple-compartment mailbox device of claim 1, wherein the mail lid attaches to the body via a second hinge.

7. A multiple-compartment mailbox device comprising:

a body;

an interior space;

a divider wall;

a lid having a first fastener;

a motion sensor;

a transmitter;

a mail lid having an opening, a second fastener and a hinge; and

a mail flag.

8. The multiple-compartment mailbox device of claim 7, wherein the motion sensor is positioned on the mail lid.

9. The multiple-compartment mailbox device of claim 8, wherein the motion sensor is powered by a battery.

10. The multiple-compartment mailbox device of claim 7, wherein the interior space is comprised of a first compartment and a second compartment formed by the divider wall.

11. A multiple-compartment mailbox device comprising:

a body having a first fastener;

an interior space;

a divider wall;

a lid having a second fastener;

a first hinge;

a mail lid having an opening, a third fastener, a first motion sensor, a first transmitter, and a second hinge;

a mail flag; and

a mobile application.

12. The multiple-compartment mailbox device of claim 11, wherein activation of the first motion sensor is sent to the mobile application via the first transmitter.

13. The multiple-compartment mailbox device of claim 11, wherein activation of the second motion sensor is sent to the mobile application via the second transmitter.

14. The multiple-compartment mailbox device of claim 11, wherein the mobile application notifies a user that mail has been delivered or picked up via input from the first transmitter or the second transmitter.

15. The multiple-compartment mailbox device of claim 11, wherein the first fastener and the second fastener are comprised of reciprocating fasteners that lock the lid to the body.

16. The multiple-compartment mailbox device of claim 11, wherein the lid is comprised of a handle.

17. The multiple-compartment mailbox device of claim 11, wherein the third fastener is a padlock, a deadbolt lock, a cam lock, a rim/mortise lock, a euro profile cylinder lock, an interchangeable core cylinder lock, a furniture latch lock, a rim latch lock, a biometric fingerprint scanning lock, an RFID key fob lock, a mechanical dial lock, a numerical combination lock, a pedestal lock, a draw lock, or a fixed core lock.

18. The multiple-compartment mailbox device of claim 11, wherein the mail slot is comprised of indicia in the form of a word.

19. The multiple-compartment mailbox device of claim 11, wherein the third fastener is comprised of a latch, a magnetic fastener, an adhesive, a hook and loop fastener, or a clasp.

20. The multiple-compartment mailbox device of claim 11, wherein the mail flag is comprised of a second motion sensor and a second transmitter.