Secure parcel receptacle, lock assembly therefore and associated method

• US 6,412,688 B1
• Filed: 04/02/2001
• Issued: 07/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solar Group Incorporated (Gibraltar Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Solar Group Incorporated (Gibraltar Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Tucker, Clifton A., Holder, Eric, Dry, Derrick, Robinson, Larry D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, J. J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Miller, William L.
• Application Number:
  US09/824,138
• Publication Number:
  US 20020023949A1
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 232/45, 232/44, 232/17, 292/DIG.54, 292/DIG.65, 292/344, 701/61, 70/80
• US Class Current: 232/45
• 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 2029/146 the receptacle comprising identification means, e.g. a bar code
• 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: Y10S 292/54 Attachments and adjuncts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5106 External catch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5553 Dead bolt

Abstract

A parcel receptacle having a housing and a door member coupled to the housing, the door member structured to move between an open position and a closed position, and a lock assembly. The lock assembly includes a cam lock, a lock set assembly and a lock catch assembly. The cam lock having a latch member structured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position. The lock set assembly having a first position and a second position. The lock catch assembly having a catch member. The cam lock is coupled to the parcel receptacle door. The lock set is coupled to the parcel receptacle door adjacent to the cam lock. The catch member coupled to the housing so that the catch member is positioned to engage either the cam lock latch member or the lock set assembly when the door member is moved into the closed position. When the lock set assembly is in the first position and the door member is moved into the closed position the lock set assembly engages the catch member, and when the lock set assembly is in the second position and the door is moved into the closed position the cam lock latch member engages the catch member.

Claims

1. A parcel receptacle comprising:

a housing;

a door member pivotally coupled to said housing;

said door member structured to move between an open position and a closed position;

a lock assembly comprising;

a cam lock having a latch member structured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position;

a lock set assembly having a first position and a second position;

a lock catch assembly having a catch member;

said cam lock coupled to said parcel receptacle door;

said lock set coupled to said parcel receptacle door adjacent to said cam lock;

said catch member coupled to said housing and structured to engage either said cam lock latch member or said lock set assembly when said door member is moved into said closed position; and

wherein when said lock set assembly is in said first position and said door member is moved into said closed position said lock set assembly engages said catch member, and when said lock set assembly is in said second position and said door is moved into said closed position said cam lock latch member engages said catch member.

2. The parcel receptacle of claim 1, wherein, said lock set assembly includes a generally L-shaped member structured to pivot between said first position and said second position.

3. The parcel receptacle of claim 2, wherein, said L-shaped member is structured to move into said second position by the force of gravity or inertia when said door member is moved into said open position.

4. The parcel receptacle of claim 3, wherein, said L-shaped member is structured to be biased by an external force into said first position when said door member is moved into said closed position.

5. The parcel receptacle of claim 2, wherein:

said L-shaped member has a first leg and a second leg;

said first leg having a first side and a second side;

said second leg having a first side and a second side;

said first leg first side having a first color; and

said second leg second side having a second color; and

wherein said lock set is structured so that said first leg first side is visible outside said door when said lock set is in said first position and said second leg second side is visible outside said door member when said lock set is in said second position.

6. The parcel receptacle of claim 5 wherein:

said L-shaped member includes a wedge member extending between said first leg second side and said second leg second side; and

said wedge structured to engage said catch member when said lock set assembly is in said first position and said door member in moved into said closed position.

7. The parcel receptacle of claim 1 wherein said cam lock is structured to not engage said lock catch when said cam lock is in said unlocked position.

8. A lock assembly for a parcel receptacle having a housing and a door member coupled to said housing, said door member structured to move between an open position and a closed position, said lock assembly comprising:

a cam lock having a latch member structured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position;

a lock set assembly having a first position and a second position;

a lock catch assembly having an elongated catch member;

said cam lock coupled to said parcel receptacle door;

said lock set coupled to said parcel receptacle door adjacent to said cam lock;

said catch member coupled to said housing and structured to engage either said cam lock latch member or said lock set assembly when said door member is moved into said closed position; and

wherein when said lock set assembly is in said first position and said door member is moved into said closed position said lock set assembly engages said catch member, and when said lock set assembly is in said second position and said door is moved into said closed position said cam lock latch member engages said catch member.

9. The lock assembly of claim 8, wherein, said lock set assembly includes an L-shaped member structured to pivot between said first position and said second position.

10. The lock assembly of claim 9, wherein, said L-shaped member is structured to move into said second position by the force of gravity or inertia when said door member is moved into said open position.

11. The lock assembly of claim 10, wherein, said L-shaped member is structured to be biased by an external force into said first position when said door member is moved into said closed position.

12. The lock assembly of claim 10, wherein:

said L-shaped member has a first leg and a second leg;

said first leg having a first side and a second side;

said second leg having a first side and a second side;

said first leg first side having a first color; and

said second leg second side having a second color; and

wherein said lock set assembly is structured so that said first leg first side is visible outside said door member when said lock set is in said first position and said second leg second side is visible outside said door member when said lock set is in said second position.

13. The lock assembly of claim 12 wherein:

said L-shaped member includes a wedge member extending between said first leg second side and said second leg second side;

said wedge structured to engage said catch member when said lock set is in said first position and said door member in moved into said closed position.

14. The lock assembly of claim 8 wherein said cam lock is structured to not engage said catch member when said cam lock is in said unlocked position.

15. A method of using a parcel receptacle having a housing, a door member pivotally coupled to said housing, said door member structured to move between an open position and a closed position, a lock assembly comprising:

a cam lock having a latch member structured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position, a lock set assembly having a first position and a second position, a lock catch assembly having a catch member, said cam lock coupled to said parcel receptacle door, said lock set coupled to said parcel receptacle door adjacent to said cam lock, said catch member coupled to said housing so that said catch member is positioned to engage either said cam lock latch member or said lock set assembly when said door member is moved into said closed position, wherein when said lock set assembly is in said first position and said door member is moved into said closed position said lock set assembly engages said catch member, and when said lock set assembly is in said second position and said door is moved into said closed position said cam lock latch member engages said catch member, said method comprising the steps of;

a) placing said door member in said closed position, said lock catch assembly in said first position, and said cam lock in said locked position;

b) opening said door member;

c) allowing gravity or inertia to move said lock set assembly into said second position;

d) placing a parcel in said housing; and

e) closing said door member to effect locking said lock assembly.

16. The method of claim 15 comprising the further steps of:

a) providing a key which corresponds to said cam lock;

b) unlocking said lock assembly;

c) opening said door; and

d) removing said parcel from said housing.

17. The method of claim 15 comprising the further step of:

a) resetting said parcel receptacle by placing said lock catch assembly in said first position, said door member in said closed position, and said cam lock in said locked position.