Closure for a compartment

• US 20060097034A1
• Filed: 03/17/2004
• Published: 05/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telezygology, Inc. (TZ Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Telezygology, Inc. (TZ Ltd.)
• Inventors: Rudduck, Dickory, Goldspink, Lachlan
• Granted Patent: US 7,878,389 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 232/45
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/1226 comprising electrical parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/1201 Letter-box assemblies for apartment buildings
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/1225 Signalling devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/124 Appliances to prevent unauthorised removal of contents
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 41/00 Locks with visible indication as to whether the lock is locked or unlocked indicator lights E05B17/10
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0009 with thermo-electric actuators, e.g. heated bimetals
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/025 for lockers
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/77 using wireless control
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2999/00 Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/62 Comprising means for indicating the status of the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00912 for safes, strong-rooms, vaults or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45482 and operator therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]

Abstract

The invention provides a closure (106) for a compartment (100) having one or more walls (112, 114, 116 and 118) and an opening (110) defined by at least one of the walls (112, 114, 116 and 118). The closure (106) is associated with at least one fastener located inside the compartment (100). The fastener can hold the closure (106) in a first position (eg. closed) relative to the opening (110). The fastener is adapted to cause the closure (106) to assume a second position (eg. open) relative to the opening (110) upon receipt of a suitable signal. The closure (106) has at least on indicium (108) visible from outside the compartment (110). The indicium (108) is adapted to provide a visual indication of a status of the closure (106) or the compartment (110), such as closure open, closure closed, compartment empty, compartment occupied. Instead of indicium (108) or in addition to it, the closure of the invention can include in the fastener means for communicating to a remote device, a status of the closure or the compartment. The closure and the compartment may form an array with other closures and compartments having similar fasteners. In that event, the fastener in each compartment may be addressable.

Claims

1. A closure for a compartment having one or more walls and an opening defined by at least one of the walls, the closure being associated with at least one fastener located inside the compartment and adapted to hold the closure in a first position relative to the opening, the fastener being adapted to cause the closure to assume a second position relative to the opening upon receipt of a suitable signal, wherein the closure comprises at least one indicium visible from outside the compartment and adapted to provide a visual indication of a status of the closure or the compartment.

2. The closure of claim 1, wherein the fastener further comprises means for communicating to a remote device information relating to the closure, the compartment or its contents.

3. The closure of claim 1, wherein the compartment forms an array with other compartments having similar fasteners, the first-mentioned fastener is addressable and the signal is provided by means external to the compartment and capable of addressing the first-mentioned fastener.

4. The closure of claim 1, wherein the compartment is a mail box or locker.

5. The closure of claim 4, wherein the compartment is a mail box having an internal opening for deposit of mail.

6. The closure of claim 1, having a slot provided at one end of or through the closure.

7. The closure of claim 1, wherein the closure is hinged to the compartment at the opening.

8. The closure of claim 1, wherein in the first position the closure closes the opening.

9. The closure of claim 8, wherein the fastener located inside the compartment is adapted to hold the closure in the first position relative to the opening without input of energy.

10. The closure of claim 1, wherein in the second position the closure permits access to the opening upon receipt of the signal.

11. The closure of claim 1, wherein the fastener further comprises a fastening element having a flexible beam and an engagement means;

and actuating means attached to the fastener and including a material adapted to contract when activated;

the beam being moveable, upon contraction of the material, between an engagement position and a disengagement position.

12. The closure of claim 11, wherein the material adapted to contract when activated is chosen from the group;

shape memory wire, shape memory strip and shape memory alloy in sputter form.

13. The closure of claim 11, which comprises two of the actuating means attached to the fastening element.

14. The closure of claim 13, wherein one of the actuating means is adapted to cause the beam to move to the disengagement position and the other actuating means is adapted to cause the beam to move to the engagement position.

15. The closure of claim 1, wherein the fastener is a fastener assembly for releasably securing an element, the element including a post having a groove, the assembly including a bar adapted to engage the groove to secure the element, the assembly also including a connecting means attached to the bar and comprising of or including shape memory material which, upon application of suitable energy, is adapted to change shape and draw the bar out of engagement with the groove thus releasing the element.

16. The closure of claim 15, wherein the element has more than one post, each having a groove.

17. The closure of claim 16, wherein the bar is adapted to engage the groove in more than one post.

18. The closure of claim 15, wherein the shape memory material is a titanium-nickel wire and the suitable energy is heat.

19. The closure of claim 1, wherein the fastener is adapted to cause the closure to assume the second position relative to the opening by releasing the closure, the closure adapted to fall open under the influence of gravity.

20. The closure of claim 1, wherein the closure is adapted to return to the first position from the second position by the application of pressure of the closure against the opening.

21. The closure of claim 1, the closure being associated with two or more fasteners.

22. The closure of claim 1, wherein each fastener is located on the closure.

23. The closure of claim 1, wherein each fastener is located on a wall of the compartment.

24. The closure of claim 1, wherein the indicium shows one or more of the following:

(i) whether the closure is in the first position or the second position;

(ii) whether the compartment contains contents or is empty.

25. The closure of claim 1, wherein the indicium takes a form of one or more light emitting diode chips.

26. The closure of claim 25, wherein the fastener is linked to the light emitting diode chip or chips.

27. The closure of claim 2, wherein the remote device is a computer and the means for communicating is adapted to communicate by email to the computer.

28. The closure of claim 2, wherein the remote device is a mobile phone and the means for communicating is adapted to communicate a text message to the mobile phone.

29. A compartment having the closure of claim 1.

30. The compartment of claim 29, when associated with means for reading identifying indicia to be placed within the compartment.

31. An array of compartments as claimed in claim 29.

32. The array of claim 31, linked to a smart card reader.

33. The array of claim 31, wherein the fasteners are connected in series.

34. The array of claims 31, wherein each fastener is addressable on an individual basis or as part of a group.

35. The array of claim 32, wherein the smart card reader is configured to deduct a fee each time a smart card is read by the smart card reader.

36. The array of claim 35, wherein the fee is deducted against a credit on the smart card or from a remote account.

37. The array of claim 32, wherein the smart card is adapted to open another closure and/or to operate as a credit card.

38. A closure for a compartment having one or more walls and an opening defined by at least one of the walls, the closure being associated with at least one fastener located inside the compartment and adapted to hold the closure in a first position relative to the opening, the fastener being adapted to cause the closure to assume a second position relative to the opening upon receipt of a suitable signal, wherein the fastener comprises means for communicating to a remote device information relating to the closure, the compartment or contents of the compartment.

39. The closure of claim 38, wherein the compartment forms an array with other compartments having similar fasteners, the first-mentioned fastener is addressable and the signal is provided by means external to the compartment and capable of addressing the first-mentioned fastener.

40. The closure of claim 38, wherein the compartment is a mail box or locker.

41. The closure of claim 40, wherein the compartment is a mail box having an internal opening for deposit of mail.

42. The closure of claim 38, having a slot provided at one end of or through the closure.

43. The closure of claim 38, wherein the closure is hinged to the compartment at the opening.

44. The closure of claim 38, wherein in the first position the closure closes the opening.

45. The closure of claim 44, wherein the fastener located inside the compartment is adapted to hold the closure in the first position relative to the opening without input of energy.

46. The closure of claim 38, wherein in the second position the closure permits access to the opening upon receipt of the signal.

47. The closure of claim 38, wherein the fastener further comprises a fastening element having a flexible beam and an engagement means;

and actuating means attached to the fastener and including a material adapted to contract when activated;

the beam being moveable, upon contraction of the material, between an engagement position and a disengagement position.

48. The closure of claim 47, wherein the material adapted to contract when activated is chosen from the group;

shape memory wire, shape memory strip and shape memory alloy in sputter form.

49. The closure of claim 47, which comprises two of the actuating means attached to the fastening element.

50. The closure of claim 49, wherein one of the actuating means is adapted to cause the beam to move to the disengagement position and the other actuating means is adapted to cause the beam to move to the engagement position.

51. The closure of claim 38, wherein the fastener is a fastener assembly for releasably securing an element, the element including a post having a groove, the assembly including a bar adapted to engage the groove to secure the element, the assembly also including a connecting means attached to the bar and comprising of or including shape memory material which, upon application of suitable energy, is adapted to change shape and draw the bar out of engagement with the groove thus releasing the element.

52. The closure of claim 51, wherein the element has more than one post, each having a groove.

53. The closure of claim 52, wherein the bar is adapted to engage the groove in more than one post.

54. The closure of claim 51, wherein the shape memory material is a titanium-nickel wire and the suitable energy is heat.

55. The closure of claim 38, wherein the fastener is adapted to cause the closure to assume the second position relative to the opening by releasing the closure, the closure adapted to fall open under the influence of gravity.

56. The closure of claim 38, wherein the closure is adapted to return to the first position from the second position by the application of pressure of the closure against the opening.

57. The closure of claim 38, the closure being associated with two or more fasteners.

58. The closure of claim 38, wherein each fastener is located on the closure.

59. The closure of claim 38, wherein each fastener is located on a wall of the compartment.

60. The closure as claimed in claim 38, wherein the fastener is adapted to read information on an article located inside the compartment and to communicate information regarding the article to the remote device.

61. The closure of claim 38, wherein the information relates to status of the closure and is chosen from the group being closure open, closure closed and closure damaged.

62. The closure of claim 38, wherein the information relates to status of the compartment and is chosen from the group:

compartment empty, compartment occupied, compartment occupied by dangerous contents.

63. The closure as claimed in claim 38, wherein the remote device is a computer and the means for communicating is adapted to communicate by email to the computer.

64. The closure as claimed in claim 38, wherein the remote device is a mobile phone and the means for communicating is adapted to communicate a text message to the mobile phone.

65. A compartment having the closure of claim 38.

66. The compartment of claim 65, when associated with means for reading identifying indicia to be placed within the compartment.

67. An array of compartments as claimed in claim 65.

68. The array of claim 67, linked to a smart card reader.

69. The array of claim 67, wherein the fasteners are connected in series.

70. The array of claim 67, wherein each fastener is addressable on an individual basis or as part of a group.

71. The array of claim 68, wherein the smart card reader is configured to deduct a fee each time a smart card is read by the smart card reader.

72. The array of claim 71, wherein the fee is deducted against a credit on the smart card or from a remote account.

73. The array of claim 71, wherein the smart card is adapted to open another closure and/or to operate as a credit card.

74. A closure for a compartment having one or more walls and an opening defined by at least one of the walls, the closure being associated with at least one fastener located inside the compartment and adapted to hold the closure in a first position relative to the opening, the fastener being adapted to cause the closure to assume a second position relative to the opening upon receipt of a suitable signal, wherein the compartment forms an array with other compartments having similar fasteners, the first-mentioned fastener is addressable and the signal is provided by means external to the compartment and capable of addressing the first-mentioned fastener.

75. The closure of claim 74, wherein the compartment is a mail box or locker.

76. The closure of claim 75, wherein the compartment is a mail box having an internal opening for deposit of mail.

77. The closure of claim 74, having a slot provided at one end of or through the closure.

78. The closure of claim 74, wherein the closure is hinged to the compartment at the opening.

79. The closure of claim 74, wherein in the first position the closure closes the opening.

80. The closure of claim 79, wherein the fastener located inside the compartment is adapted to hold the closure in the first position relative to the opening without input of energy.

81. The closure of claim 74, wherein in the second position the closure permits access to the opening upon receipt of the signal.

82. The closure of claim 74, wherein the fastener comprises a fastening element having a flexible beam and an engagement means;

and actuating means attached to the fastener and including a material adapted to contract when activated;

the beam being moveable, upon contraction of the material, between an engagement position and a disengagement position.

83. The closure of the claim 82, wherein the material adapted to contract when activated is chosen from the group;

shape memory wire, shape memory strip and shape memory alloy in sputter form.

84. The closure of claim 82, which comprises two of the actuating means attached to the fastening element.

85. The closure of claim 84, wherein one of the actuating means is adapted to cause the beam to move to the disengagement position and the other actuating means is adapted to cause the beam to move to the engagement position.

86. The closure of claim 74, wherein the fastener is a fastener assembly for releasably securing an element, the element including a post having a groove, the assembly including a bar adapted to engage the groove to secure the element, the assembly also including a connecting means attached to the bar and comprising of or including shape memory material which, upon application of suitable energy, is adapted to change shape and draw the bar out of engagement with the groove thus releasing the element.

87. The closure of claim 86, wherein the element has more than one post, each having a groove.

88. The closure of claim 87, wherein the bar is adapted to engage the groove in more than one post.

89. The closure of claim 86, wherein the shape memory material is a titanium-nickel wire and the suitable energy is heat.

90. The closure of claim 74, wherein the fastener is adapted to cause the closure to assume the second position relative to the opening by releasing the closure, the closure adapted to fall open under the influence of gravity.

91. The closure of claim 74, wherein the closure is adapted to return to the first position from the second position by the application of pressure of the closure against the opening.

92. The closure of claim 74, the closure being associated with two or more fasteners.

93. The closure of claim 74, wherein each fastener is located on the closure.

94. The closure of claim 74, wherein each fastener is located on a wall of the compartment.

95. The closure of claim 74, where there is more than one fastener associated with the closure, but only one fastener is addressable.

96. The closure of claim 74, wherein at least one fastener is encrypted.

97. The closure of claim 74, wherein the array is linked to a smart card reader.

98. The closure of claim 74, wherein in the array the fasteners are connected in series.

99. The closure of claim 74, wherein in the array each fastener is addressable on an individual basis or as part of a group.

100. The closure of claim 95, wherein the smart card reader is configured to deduct a fee each time a smart card is read by the smart card reader.

101. The closure of claim 98, wherein the fee is deducted against a credit on the smart card or from a remote account.

102. The closure of claim 95, wherein the smart card is adapted to open another closure and/or to operate as a credit card.