Automated collection point

• US 9,082,247 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2010
• Issued: 07/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bybox Holdings Limited
• Original Assignee: Bybox Holdings Limited
• Inventors: Turner, Daniel, Pichet, Fabien, Michel, Philippe
• Primary Examiner(s): Troy, Daniel J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wright, Kimberley S
• Application Number:
  US13/498,740
• Publication Number:
  US 20120194043A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,750 Days
• Field of Search: 235/382, 340/5.72, 340/545.6, 340/545.1, 340/568.13, 340/5.73
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/00 Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5097 Cabinet

Abstract

A modular automated collection point (ACP) comprises an array of electronically controlled lockers for receiving items for sale or for delivery to customers, a controller and user interface, a parcel weighing and dimensional measuring unit, and a package deposit unit with a one-way door for depositing items for subsequent delivery to other customers or ACPs. Each door preferably moves rapidly from the fully-open position to a partially-open position, and then slowly from the partially-open position towards a fully-closed position. Each locker may comprise a retractable handle and an elongate, rotating closure element which moves the locker door between the fully-closed (locked) position and a nearly-closed (unlocked) position. Preferably the closure element has a cylindrical outer wall which conforms slidingly to the fascia of the lockerbank so as to present a seamless appearance and prevent prising.

Claims

1. An automated collection point including:

a plurality of lockers,

a local electronic controller,

and a local user interface cooperating with the controller,

each of the lockers having a door mounted in a doorframe,

a closing mechanism for moving the door from a fully-open position towards a fully-closed position,

and a lock controlled by the controller for locking and unlocking the door;

the door having an opening edge which is displaced away from the doorframe when the door is moved to the fully-open position and lies adjacent the doorframe when the door is in the fully-closed position,

the opening edge having a length;

wherein the closing mechanism is configured to move the door at a first speed in a first phase of movement from the fully-open position to a partially-open position, and then at a second, slower speed in a second phase of movement from the partially-open position to a nearly-closed position,

wherein the door is arranged to be re-openable by a user during both the first and second phases; and

wherein the lock comprises a closure element coupled to an actuator, the actuator being controlled by the controller, and the closure element is arranged to move the door in a third phase from the nearly-closed position to the fully-closed position, and to lock the door when it reaches the fully-closed position.

2. An automated collection point according to claim 1, wherein the closure element has an elongate first engaging surface which extends in parallel with the opening edge of the door and substantially along the length thereof in the fully-closed position,

the closure element being movable by the actuator between an unlocked position in which the door is free to move, and a locked position in which the first engaging surface engages one of the opening edge and the doorframe so as to secure the door in the fully-closed position;

and

wherein the closure element is arranged to engage the said one of the opening edge and the doorframe so as to move the door between the fully-closed position and the nearly-closed position as the closure element moves between the locked position and the unlocked position.

3. An automated collection point according to claim 1, wherein the closing mechanism is arranged to automatically move the door during both the first phase and the second phase.

4. An automated collection point according to claim 1, wherein the door is provided with a handle, and wherein the handle is arranged to retract when the door is locked and to extend when the door is unlocked.

5. An automated collection point including:

a plurality of lockers;

a local electronic controller; and

a local user interface cooperating with the controller;

each of the lockers having a door mounted in a doorframe;

the door having an opening edge which is displaced away from the doorframe when the door is moved to a fully-open position and lies adjacent the doorframe when the door is in a fully-closed position,

the opening edge having a length;

the door having a closing mechanism,

the closing mechanism being arranged to move the door from the fully-open position to a nearly-closed position;

wherein each locker includes an elongate closure element coupled to an actuator, the actuator being controlled by the controller;

the closure element having an elongate first engaging surface which extends in parallel with the opening edge of the door and substantially along the length thereof in the fully-closed position,

the closure element being movable by the actuator between an unlocked position in which the door is free to move, and a locked position in which the first engaging surface engages one of the opening edge and the doorframe so as to secure the door in the fully-closed position; and

wherein the closure element is arranged to engage the said one of the opening edge and the doorframe so as to move the door between the fully-closed position and the nearly-closed position as the closure element moves between the locked position and the unlocked position.

6. An automated collection point according to claim 5, wherein the closing mechanism is arranged to automatically move the door during both the first phase and the second phase.

7. An automated collection point according to claim 5,

wherein the closure element is mounted for rotation about an axis parallel with the first engaging surface.

8. An automated collection point according to claim 7, where the closure element includes a second engaging surface spaced apart from the first engaging surface,

wherein as the closure element moves between the locked position and the unlocked position, the said one of the opening edge and the doorframe is received between the first and second engaging surfaces, such that as the closure element is rotated in a first direction, the first engaging surface engages the said one of the opening edge and the doorframe so as to draw the door towards the fully-closed position, and

wherein as the closure element is rotated in a second, reverse direction, the second engaging surface engages the said one of the opening edge and the doorframe so as to urge the door towards the nearly-closed position.

9. An automated collection point according to claim 8, wherein the first and second engaging surfaces form two end faces of a wall which is curved about the axis of rotation of the closure element;

and wherein the doorframe is attached to a fascia, and the curved wall slidingly abuts the fascia as the closure element rotates.

10. An automated collection point including:

a plurality of lockers;

a local electronic controller; and

a local user interface cooperating with the controller;

each of the lockers having a door mounted in a doorframe;

the door having an opening edge which is displaced away from the doorframe when the door is moved to a fully-open position and lies adjacent the doorframe when the door is in a fully-closed position;

the opening edge having a length;

the door having a closing mechanism;

the closing mechanism being arranged to move the door from the fully-open position to a nearly-closed position;

wherein each locker includes an elongate closure element coupled to an actuator, the actuator being controlled by the controller;

the closure element having an elongate first engaging surface which extends in parallel with the opening edge of the door and substantially along the length thereof in the fully-closed position;

the closure element being movable by the actuator between an unlocked position in which the door is free to move, and a locked position in which the first engaging surface engages one of the opening edge and the doorframe so as to secure the door in the fully-closed position; and

wherein the closure element is arranged to engage the said one of the opening edge and the doorframe so as to move the door between the fully-closed position and the nearly-closed position as the closure element moves between the locked position and the unlocked position;

wherein the closure element includes a second engaging surface spaced apart from the first engaging surface,

wherein as the closure element moves between the locked position and the unlocked position, the said one of the opening edge and the doorframe is received between the first and second engaging surfaces, such that as the closure element is rotated in a first direction about an axis parallel with the first engaging surface, the first engaging surface engages the said one of the opening edge and the doorframe so as to draw the door towards the fully-closed position, and

wherein as the closure element is rotated in a second, reverse direction about the axis parallel with the first engaging surface, the second engaging surface engages the said one of the opening edge and the doorframe so as to urge the door towards the nearly-closed position.

11. An automated collection point according to claim 10, wherein the first and second engaging surfaces form two end faces of a wall which is curved about the axis of rotation of the closure element;

and wherein the doorframe is attached to a fascia, and the curved wall slidingly abuts the fascia as the closure element rotates.

12. An automated collection point according to claim 10, wherein the closing mechanism is arranged to automatically move the door during both the first phase and the second phase.