Secure and Portable Apparatus for Accepting Parcels and Deliveries

• US 20150305538A1
• Filed: 04/08/2015
• Published: 10/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kumar Sundaresan
• Original Assignee: Kumar Sundaresan
• Inventors: Sundaresan, Kumar
• Granted Patent: US 9,364,112 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/1257 comprising a lock on the outlet door
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/144 the receptacle being transportable and attachable to a building
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/124 Appliances to prevent unauthorised removal of contents
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/141 comprising electronically controlled locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/20 with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0005 using chains, cables or the like chain- or cable-locks of the padlock type E05B67/003; lockable clothing hangers or hanger racks E05B69/006

Abstract

This invention is a secure and portable apparatus and is of parcel bag-type receptacle that can be placed for a limited time, outside a front-door or place of access to a mail carrier. The apparatus can be securely connected to a pre-existing doorknob of the front door or pre-existing door handle on or near the front door for a mail carrier to deliver a package, lock up the parcel bag, so that only the resident or authorized recipient can access the parcel upon their return. The locking mechanism in the parcel bag is one-way, thereby, once locked; even the package delivery person will not be able to access the package. The secure storage system neither damages nor requires any permanent alterations to the property structures at or near the front-door. It is portable and can be carried along during one'"'"'s travel.

Claims

1. A system for securely receiving or exchanging a parcel at a residence or any place of stay comprising:

a. an attachment to an existing doorknob or door handle by use of a first tamper-proof cable, said attachment enclosed in a tamper-proof housing;

b. a parcel bag attached to said housing by said a second tamper-proof cable;

c. a one-way locking mechanism located in said housing, operatively attached to said parcel bag;

said one-way locking mechanism operating said second tamper-proof cable;

d. wherein said package is delivered, said one way locking mechanism is activated such that said parcel bag may only be opened by way of an unlocking mechanism.

2. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said system is portable and can be attached or detached and does not require any frame or mounting bracket assembly for its operation.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, further including an audible intrusion alarm that sounds to deter any unauthorized tampering or forceful entry or actions to retrieve contents of the parcel bag.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said unlocking mechanism includes an electronic system for identifying the authorized individual and opening.

5. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein said electronic system includes an RFID for identifying the authorized individual and opening.

6. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein said unlocking mechanism includes a wireless receiver.

7. A method for securely receiving a parcel, comprising:

a. providing portable and detachable doorknob lock assembly that can be securely connected to a pre-existing door handle or circular door knob or non-circular doorknob including a straight doorknob;

b. providing a doorknob locking assembly to securely lock the doorknob assembly in its place once affixed to a doorknob so as to not be able to remove the doorknob lock assembly from the doorknob;

c. providing a tamper-proof parcel bag;

d. providing a tamper-proof and cut-resistant cable mechanism or set up that can be used to connect the parcel bag to the doorknob lock assembly;

e. providing a locking mechanism in the parcel bag, wherein, one is allowed to place a parcel inside the bag and lock the parcel bag, but not allow the parcel bag to be opened subsequently by any unauthorized individual.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein, the portable and detachable doorknob lock assembly can be connected to a doorknob or door handle, and disconnected from them only by authorized individuals.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein, a cable is integrated with the doorknob lock assembly in such a way so as to wrap or connect itself, around or to a doorknob, to eliminate or prevent or minimize movement or loosening of the cable, thereby the doorknob locking assembly is always securely and tightly connected to the doorknob to ensure and prevent removal of the doorknob lock assembly from the doorknob.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein, a stem of variable length, size, shape and variable geometry and strength can be designed and integrated to the doorknob assembly in such a fashion, so as to eliminate or minimize or reduce the risk of the cable from being exposed so as to prevent or reduce tampering or cutting of the cable.

11. A device for securely receiving a delivery, comprising:

a securing cable, said securing cable embedded in a cable sleeve;

said securing cable being made of a tamper-proof material and configured at a first end to fit around a doorknob or door handle such that it cannot be dislodged;

said securing cable connected to and protected by a door security enclosure, said door security enclosure including a first lock;

said security enclosure attached to a secure delivery capsule via a securing cable at a second end;

said secure delivery capsule configured such that it can only be opened by a security device;

said security device operational and locked after being activated by a delivery event.

12. The device for securing a delivery as recited in claim 11, wherein said securing cable is comprised of two parts with a complimentary parts of a lock securing said two parts.

13. The device for securing a delivery as recited in claim 11, wherein said complimentary parts include an RFID.

14. The device for securing a delivery as recited in claim 11, wherein said delivery capsule is a tamper-proof bag made of a rugged material.

15. The device for securing a delivery as recited in claim 11, wherein said door security enclosure included a locking gear and release mechanism allowing said door security enclosure to be released from said doorknob or handle.

16. The device for securing a delivery as recited in claim 15, wherein said second security device includes an RFID.

17. The device for securing a delivery as recited in claim 15, wherein said second security device is a lock.

18. The device for securing a delivery as recited in claim 15, wherein said door security enclosure includes a doorknob or door handle tampering guard.

19. The device for securing a delivery as recited in claim 15, further including a detector and an alarm;

said detector operatively connected to said alarm, so that when alarm is activated when said securing cable or securing enclosure are tampered with.

20. The device for securing a delivery as recited in claim 19, wherein said alarm notifies a receiving device upon activation.

21. The device for securing a delivery as recited in claim 11, wherein said security device is automatically activated by the placement of a delivery in said delivery capsule.

22. The device for securing a delivery as recited in claim 11, further including a messaging pouch attached to said security enclosure.

24. The device for securing a delivery as recited in claim 22, wherein said unlocking mechanism is activated wirelessly.

23. A device for securing a delivery, comprising:

a. a delivery receptacle including at least two or more receptacle ports;

said delivery receptacle including an individual security cover for each of said receptacle ports;

said each of said individual security covers activated once an item is placed inside said receptacle port;

b. each of said individual security covers unlocked by an unlocking mechanism;

c. said delivery receptacle connected to a door security apparatus via a first security cable;

d. said door security apparatus including a retractable second security cable, said second security cable securing said door security apparatus to a door without using permanent structure.

25. The device for securing a delivery as recited in claim 23, further including a messaging pouch attached to said delivery receptacle.