MAILBOX WITH DETECTION MEANS

• US 20170105564A1
• Filed: 06/10/2015
• Published: 04/20/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: iTALMEK S.r.l
• Original Assignee: iTALMEK S.r.l
• Inventors: GALLUZZI, Settimio
• Granted Patent: US 9,913,555 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/1226 comprising electrical parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/1229 activated by the letter flap
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/1214 including a receiver located remotely from the letter-box and a transmitter
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/1225 Signalling devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/126 Lids for access slits

Abstract

A mailbox has detection means inside the mailbox to detect the presence of mail and a warning device that is operatively connected to the detection means to inform a user of the presence of mail in the mailbox.

Claims

1. Detection unit for mail boxes comprising:

a mailbox comprising a frame, an oscillating door that can be used by the postman to insert the mail and a front door that can be opened by the user to collect the mail;

detection means provided inside said mailbox to detect the presence of mail; and

a warning device operatively connected to the said detection means to inform a user of the presence of mail in the said mailbox, the said warning device comprising light signaling means and a telecommunication module intended to send a text message and/or an email to a user electronic device,

wherein

said detection means are two magnetic sensors coupled with respective magnets disposed in the oscillating door and in the front door of the mailbox.

2. The detection unit of claim 1, wherein said magnetic sensors are reed contacts.

3. The detection unit of claim 1, wherein said magnetic sensors comprise two plates of ferromagnetic material, provided with electrical contacts, separated and sealed in a glass bulb filled with inert gas, wherein the ends of the plates opposite to the contacts protrude from the bulb, representing the contact terminals of the sensor.

4. The detection unit of claim 1, wherein said magnetic sensors are mounted on a printed circuit board and connected to a chip that controls the said light signaling means and the said telecommunication module.

5. The detection unit of claim 4, comprising a battery pack to power said light signaling means, wherein said light signaling means are flashing LEDS, with low energy consumption, powered by the said battery pack through the said chip

6. The detection unit of claim 4, wherein said magnetic sensors are configured in such manner to send a load signal to the chip when the said oscillating door is opened and an unload signal when said front door is opened.

7. The detection unit of claim 6, wherein said chip is configured in such manner to compare the duration of the load signal with a predefined time interval and reset the system when the duration of the load signal exceeds the said predefined time interval.

8. The detection unit of claim 5, also comprising a LED mounted on the said printed circuit board and connected to said chip to inform that the battery pack is exhausted.

9. The detection unit of claim 1, wherein said communication module is a GSM cellular telephony module.