Secured delivered mail repository

• US 10,292,519 B1
• Filed: 09/11/2018
• Issued: 05/21/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sutton & Williams Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Sutton & Williams Holdings LLC
• Inventors: Sutton, Steven M., Williams, Nathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, William L
• Application Number:
  US16/128,075
• Time in Patent Office: 252 Days
• Field of Search: 232 17, 232 19, 232 45, 232 38, 232 34- 36, 340569, 2481631, 3123513, 70 63
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/1226 comprising electrical parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/144 the receptacle being transportable and attachable to a building
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/145 the receptacle comprising means for identifying a deposit; Deposits carrying identification means, e.g. a bar code
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/148 the receptacle comprising a letter box
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/149 with central server link
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/1209 Rural letter-boxes
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/1214 including a receiver located remotely from the letter-box and a transmitter
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/1216 Supports
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/141 comprising electronically controlled locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/16 Combinations with letter-boxes

Abstract

A secure delivered mail repository comprises a durable cuboid box having an automatically locking and unlocking door capable of being irremovably secured to a surface, emergency illumination and an anti-theft concrete and cable tether. The repository has a digital panel capable of user interface in electrical communication with a power source, a plurality of digital cameras and a plurality of speakers. The repository may be monitored from a user'"'"'s internet enabled electronic device which is configured to operate in conjunction with a home security system of a user while the illumination means is configured to visually alert a first responder to an adjacent emergency. The repository facilitates the safe and secure delivery of a package mailed to the user by enabling a delivery service to deposit a package within the repository and secure the same therein.

Claims

1. An unattended parcel delivery and pickup receptacle, comprising:

a delivery location point;

a container body sitting on at least four legs, wherein said at least four legs vary in height, each of said at least four legs are provided with an anchoring point that is utilized with an anchoring system to prevent movement or theft of said unattended parcel delivery and pickup receptacle and its contents, said four anchoring points are visible in each corner of a sealed bottom surface;

a main access door provided on a front portion of said unattended parcel delivery and pickup receptacle through which one or more parcels placed and subsequently removed, said main access door is opened along a hinge via a servo mechanism;

a letter and newspaper slot located directly above said main access door and allows said unattended parcel delivery and pickup receptacle to serve conventional USPS delivery, said letter and newspaper slot allows a one-way passage of letters, magazines, and newspapers but removal of said items would occur through said main access door in order to prevent unauthorized removal;

a user interface panel provided on said front exterior face of said unattended parcel delivery and pickup receptacle, said user interface panel is equipped with an integral camera to provide video communication with an authorized owner of said unattended parcel delivery and pickup receptacle, said user interface panel includes at least one speaker or microphone provided to facilitate usage with a smartphone equipped with a non-transitory storage media, said at least one speaker or microphone emitting tones or pre-recorded messages when activated;

a high-intensity indicator strobe each located at an upper corner of said container body;

a display located on said main access door to provide visual indication of a postal address; and

,

a restraining cable secured to a secure anchor point to prevent theft of said unattended parcel delivery and pickup receptacle;

wherein said high intensity indicator strobes are used as location finding aids, package delivery notification, or an emergency aid indicator;

wherein said anchoring points are configured to break upon impact from a collision with a motor vehicle; and

,

wherein each upper corner of said container body comprises a notch cut-away in a single face of a triangular prism.

2. The unattended parcel delivery and pickup receptacle according to claim 1, wherein an integral camera located inside said unattended parcel delivery and pickup receptacle and allows for direct viewing of said interior of said main access door in either an opened or closed state.

3. The unattended parcel delivery and pickup receptacle according to claim 2, wherein said integral camera is utilized to view and decipher a Quick Response barcode present on delivered packages for purposes of proof of delivery or pickup.

4. The unattended parcel delivery and pickup receptacle according to claim 1, wherein each strobe is embedded within or attached to a socket that extends minimally outward from said notch cut-away and a transparent or translucent cover covers said notch and said strobe.

5. The unattended parcel delivery and pickup receptacle according to claim 4, wherein said transparent or translucent covers form right angle corners to render an overall shape of said container body and cover at said upper corners as right angles.

6. The unattended parcel delivery and pickup receptacle according to claim 1, further comprising an energy source selected from said group consisting of an AC power supply, a photovoltaic cell, or an internal battery bank.

7. The unattended parcel delivery and pickup receptacle according to claim 1, further comprising a GPS module, a Wi-Fi antenna, and a cellular data antenna.

8. The unattended parcel delivery and pickup receptacle according to claim 1, further comprising a center mounted leg holds said restraining cable and is secured by a plurality of fasteners to said bottom surface.

9. The unattended parcel delivery and pickup receptacle according to claim 8, wherein said restraining cable is 48 inches in total length.

10. The unattended parcel delivery and pickup receptacle according to claim 8, wherein said restraining cable is envisioned to be cut-resistant and coated in a weather-resistant silicone insulation.

11. The unattended parcel delivery and pickup receptacle according to claim 10, wherein a distal end of said restraining cable is removably or permanently connected to said secure anchor point.

12. The unattended parcel delivery and pickup receptacle according to claim 1, wherein said anchoring system is selected from said group consisting of bolts, expansion anchors, epoxy anchors, or ground stakes.

13. The unattended parcel delivery and pickup receptacle according to claim 1, wherein said servo mechanism is not functioning and said main access door is opened via a manual lock and a handle.

14. The unattended parcel delivery and pickup receptacle according to claim 1, wherein said display is an LED numerical display.

15. The unattended parcel delivery and pickup receptacle according to claim 1, wherein said main access door, said letter or newspaper slot, said user interface panel, and each of said at least one speaker or microphone are located on a common face of said container body and are oriented in a symmetrical orientation with respect to a common bisecting axial centerline.

16. The unattended parcel delivery and pickup receptacle according to claim 1, wherein said unattended parcel delivery and pickup receptacle is made of material selected from said group consisting of heavy-duty steel, fiberglass, reinforced carbon, or polyvinyl chloride.