Secure transport container

• US 9,842,449 B1
• Filed: 04/26/2017
• Issued: 12/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Motogo, LLC
• Original Assignee: Motogo, LLC
• Inventors: Ruth, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Jiang, Yong Hang
• Application Number:
  US15/498,012
• Time in Patent Office: 230 Days
• Field of Search: 340 561, 340 573
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/16 hinged for upward or downward movement cigar or cigarette receptacles A24F15/00; suitcases, ètuis A45C; casings for cosmetic substances with hinged covers A45D40/22; toolboxes B25H3/02; hinges of door or similar type E05D ; boxes for switchboards with hinged covers H02B1/066
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/22 Devices for holding in closed position, e.g. clips
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 55/02 Locking devices; Means for discouraging or indicating unauthorised opening or removal of closure B65D41/32 takes precedence; protective covers for bottles B65D23/08; protective cap-like outer covers for bottle or jar closures B65D41/62; pressure-applying means B65D45/00; closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal of closures B65D50/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/005 Portable strong boxes, e.g. which may be fixed to a wall or the like E05G1/08, E05G1/14 take precedence; devices to prevent theft or loss of bags, trunks, baskets, or the like A45C13/18; coin boxes for coin freed apparatus G07F9/06
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00238 the transmittted data signal containing a code which is changed
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00634 Power supply for the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00642 by battery
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0092 for cargo, freight or shipping containers and applications therefore in general
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/0069 actuated in a predetermined sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses

Abstract

A transport container for secure transport of packages. In one embodiment, the transport container includes a body, a cover, a cover lock, a locking bar, and an electronic controller. The cover is coupled to the body. The cover is movable from a closed state covering the opening to an open state. The cover lock is configured to engage the cover and keep the cover in the closed state. The locking bar is coupled to the base. The locking bar is configured for attachment to anchor points. The electronic controller is electrically coupled to the cover lock and to the locking bar. The electronic controller is configured to adjust the cover lock between a locked state and an unlocked state. The electronic controller is also configured to adjust the locking bar between the locked state and the unlocked state.

Claims

1. A transport container, comprising

a base;

a membrane including

a first end coupled to the base, and

a second end coupled to the base;

a membrane lock adjustable between a locked state and an unlocked state, the membrane lock configured to engage the second end of the membrane while in the locked state;

a locking bar coupled to the base and configured for attachment to anchor points, the locking bar adjustable between the locked state and the unlocked state; and

an electronic controller disposed within the base, the electronic controller electrically coupled to the membrane lock and to the locking bar, the electronic controller configured to adjust the membrane lock between the locked state and the unlocked state, and adjust the locking bar between the locked state and the unlocked state.

2. The transport container of claim 1, wherein the membrane includes an electrically conductive material.

3. The transport container of claim 2, wherein the electronic controller is further configured to

determine a change in an electrical property of the membrane, and

transmit an alert signal when the change in the electrical property of the membrane is greater than a threshold.

4. The transport container of claim 3, wherein the electrical property of the membrane includes at least one selected from a group consisting of capacitance, inductance, resistance, and continuity.

5. The transport container of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism positioned on or within the base, the locking mechanism is coupled to the membrane such that the locking mechanism pulls the membrane toward the base.

6. The transport container of claim 1, wherein the locking bar is a first locking bar coupled to a first end of the base, wherein the transport container further includes a second locking bar coupled to a second end of the base opposite from the first end of the base.

7. The transport container of claim 6, wherein the electronic controller is further configured to

attach the first locking bar to a first anchor point by adjusting the first locking bar from the unlocked state to the locked state,

confirm a locking acknowledgement of the first locking bar to the first anchor point, and

upon confirming the locking acknowledgement, release the second locking bar from a second anchor point by adjusting the second locking bar from the locked state to the unlocked state.

8. The transport container of claim 7, wherein the electronic controller confirms the locking acknowledgement by

determining a movement of the transport container, and

confirming the locking acknowledgement when the movement of the transport container is less than a threshold.

9. The transport container of claim 8, further comprising a movement sensor electrically coupled to the electronic controller, wherein the electronic controller determines the movement of the transport container via the movement sensor.

10. The transport container of claim 7, further comprising a transceiver electrically coupled to the electronic controller, wherein the electronic controller confirms the locking acknowledgement based at least in part on a signal received via the transceiver.