Patent Application
20220061573
The present invention relates generally to a container for securing packages. More specifically, the invention relates to a package securing container that can be used to store a plurality of packages within a body of the security container until retrieved by the rightful owner. Accordingly, the present specification makes specific reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally amenable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.
Many individuals now shop online and have the purchased merchandise delivered directly to their home from the postal service and other third-party delivery companies/vendors such as Amazon, FedEx, UPS, etc. Unfortunately, package theft from unsecured residential drop off locations is an increasingly common problem resulting in significant financial hardship to companies and purchasers alike. These unattended packages are regularly targeted and stolen from the front porches or stoops of residences in such crimes. It can be difficult for purchasers to prevent the theft of these packages even with preventative measures such as surveillance. Delivery drop boxes are often used to assist in deterring theft. However, the drop boxes themselves are at risk for being stolen.
Current solutions to this problem are cumbersome and usually inconvenient. The purchaser may attempt to schedule a delivery when they will be home, but this is usually not practical for both the purchaser and the delivery company. Others add delivery instructions for the delivery company to hide the package somewhere on the premises, but then the purchaser may not know that the package has been delivered. Another solution is to provide the delivery service with a garage code so that the package can be secured in the garage. This unfortunately allows the delivery driver with access to the residence. A video doorbell can alert the resident when someone is stealing a delivery, but that does not stop the theft. The only other option is to avoid deliveries and shop in person.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a package security container that secures a package or a plurality of packages against theft. There is also a long felt need in the art for a package security container that secures a package and prevents the container itself from being stolen with the package(s) inside. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a package security container that secures a package that can alert others in the event that someone tampers with the container or attempts to steal the package. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a package security container that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and that is both safe and easy to use.
The package security container of the present invention, in each of its various potential embodiments, accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives, adequately securing one or more packages within the container and subsequently protecting them against theft. The package security container is also securable so that the container cannot be removed from the securing location. Finally, the package security container is configured to alert others if a theft is taking place.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a package securing container. The package securing container comprises a container body and a lid. The container body is open at the top and defines an interior cavity. The container body comprises a front wall, a back wall, a pair of side walls, and a bottom. The front wall comprises an upper lip and a key port penetrating the upper lip. A protective plate covers a portion of a top rail of the upper lip. The pair of side walls comprise a plurality of air vents penetrating each sidewall near the bottom. A pair of wheels attach to an intersection between the bottom of the container body and one of the sidewalls. The lid is hinged to the back wall of the container body along a plurality of hinges. The lid comprises a handle integrated into or attached to the lid.
The package securing container further comprises a locking mechanism, a user input component, and a messaging element. The locking mechanism is integrated into the lid and comprises an electrical locking element and a mechanical lock. The electrical locking element is controlled by the user input component or a key insertable within the key port in the upper lip of the front wall. The mechanical lock is a bolt movably housed within a bolt recess in the lid. The bolt moves to engage the upper lip of the front wall to secure the lid to the container body.
The user input component is integrated into the lid and comprises a display and a keypad. A user uses the keypad to input a code or command to unlock or lock the locking mechanism to access the interior cavity of the package securing container. The messaging element is attached to the lid and configured to provide instructions for a delivery person to access the interior cavity.
The package securing container further comprises a strap attachment component and a securing strap. The strap attachment component is attached to one of the sidewalls of the container body. The strap attachment component comprises a handle plate comprising a pair of eyelets and a locking rod securable to the handle plate through the pair of eyelets via a pair of locking bolts. The securing strap is a cut-resistant strap comprising a looped end and a quick release end. The locking rod of the strap attachment component engages the looped end to attach the securing strap to the container body. The quick release end is used to attach the securing strap to a fixed object, such as an interior doorknob. The securing strap is thin enough to fit between a door and a doorjamb.
The package securing container further comprises an alarm system component. The alarm system component is integrated into the container body and is in electronic communication with the user input component. The alarm system comprises a motion sensor and at least one alarm. The at least one alarm may comprise an audible alarm, a visual alarm, a vibrating mechanism, or a combination thereof. The at least one alarm is configured to activate when motion is detected by the motion sensor without a proper code input into the user input component after a predefined interval of time. The at least one alarm may also be configured to activate when an improper code is entered into the user input component.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof.
As noted above, there exists in the art a long felt need for a way to allow purchasers to protect delivered packages from theft by a third party. The present invention provides a package securing container configured to retain and protect delivered packages in a secure manner. The package securing container is also protected from theft by a durable strap that slips through a door jamb and secures the package securing container to an interior doorknob. The package securing container may be paired with a motion activated warning system. An electronic locking keypad integrated into the package securing container is used by delivery personnel and the recipient to open the package securing container to access the delivered packages. The package securing container is wheeled for easy deployment. The invention provides a simple and convenient storage unit for purchasers to safely receive packages while traveling, at work, or otherwise not at home during a delivery.
The package securing container comprises an electronically locking lid, a securing strap, a plurality of ventilation holes, a handle, wheels, and an instruction element for providing delivery instructions. The interior volume of the container is large enough to receive several average sized packages. When a package is expected, the user simply rolls the package securing container to the delivery location outside the front door and secures the package securing container to the door with the strap. Delivery personnel may enter a code, such as a single use code, into the keypad to open the container or simply open the lid if the container is unlocked and engage a locking mechanism once the package is placed inside.
Once the lid is closed and locked with a package secured within the package securing container, an alarm system is activated. Any further attempt to move the package securing container will activate the alarm system resulting in high intensity vibrations and an audible alarm. The recipient can access the package by inputting a code into the keypad to disarm the alarm system and open the locking mechanism. The package securing container is also weather resistant to protect packages rom damage due to inclement weather.
Referring initially to the drawings,
As illustrated in
The lid 134 is hinged to the back wall 114 of the container body 102 along a plurality of hinges 136. The plurality of hinges 136 may be mechanical hinges or living hinges. The lid 134 comprises a handle 138 integrated into or attached to the lid 134. The handle 138 allows a user to easily open the lid 134 to access the contents of the package securing container 100. As illustrated in FIG.4, a deadbolt recess 140 extends into the lid 134 adjacent to a mated recess in the upper lip 106 of the front wall 104 extending inward from the key port 112.
The package securing container 100 further comprises a messaging element 146. The messaging element 146 is attached or affixed to the lid 134. The messaging element 146 provides a means to receive or present instructions to a delivery person. The messaging element 146 may be an erasable whiteboard surface or a protective casing or film protector to secure a piece of paper with written instructions. Alternatively, the messaging element 146 may be a digital display screen that presents the delivery instructions or a code to unlock the package securing container 100.
The package securing container 100 further comprises a locking mechanism 141 and a user input component 148. The locking mechanism 141 is integrated into the lid 134 and comprises an electrical locking element 143 and a mechanical lock 144. The electrical locking element 143 is controlled by the user input component 148 or a key insertable within the key port 112 in the upper lip 106 of the front wall 104. The mechanical lock 144 is a bolt movably housed within the deadbolt recess 140 in the lid 134. The bolt 144 moves to engage the mated recess in the upper lip 106 of the front wall 104 to secure the lid 134 to the container body 102 when electronically engaged by the electrical locking element 143 or mechanically engaged by a key turning in the key port 112.
As further illustrated in
The package securing container 100 further comprises a strap attachment component 122 and a securing strap 170. The strap attachment component 122 is attached to one of the sidewalls 118 of the container body 102. The sidewall 118 may be contoured or recessed to better attach the strap attachment component 122. As illustrated in
The securing strap 170 is a cut-resistant strap comprising a looped end 172 and a quick release end 174. The locking rod 128 of the strap attachment component 122 engages the looped end 172 to attach the securing strap 170 to the container body 102. As illustrated in
The securing strap 170 is typically manufactured from a cut-resistant and slash/shear resistant material such as, but not limited to, braided metal, Kevlar, etc., wherein said material prevents an individual from attempting to remove or cut the securing strap 170 from the container body 102 in order to steal the package securing device 100. To secure the package securing device 100 to the interior doorknob, the securing strap 170 is looped around the doorknob and back through the ratchet component 176. The ratchet component 176 allows the user to easily tighten or loosen the quick release end 174 around the doorknob. The ratchet component 176 further ensures that the securing strap 170 cannot be removed from around the doorknob, which would in-turn allow a would-be thief to steal the package securing device 100.
As illustrated in
The audible alarm 162 may emit an audible tone that is trigged by the motion sensor 160 if a would-be thief attempts to move the package securing container 100 after the motion sensor 160 has been set. The tone may be projected by an integrated speaker (not shown) that emits the tone for a pre-selected and user determined interval of time. The vibrating mechanism 166 may be a high-intensity vibration alarm that can occur simultaneously along with the audible alarm 162 and may also be trigged by the motion sensor 160. The vibration alarm further alerts a user via the vibration waves traveling through the securing strap 170 and into the doorknob and door of the user's home, which in turn amplifies the vibration noise. The vibrations also serve as an immediate deterrent for a would-be thief who picks up the package securing container 100 in an attempt to carry it away. The visual alarm 166 may comprise a plurality of lights that flash in response to a trigger form the motion sensor 160.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the package securing container 100 can by any suitable size, shape, and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the shape and size of the package securing container 100 and its various components, as show in the FIGS. Are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other shapes and sizes of the package securing container 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although dimensions of the package securing container 100 and its components (i.e., length, width, and height) are important design parameters for good performance, the package securing container 100 and its various components may be any shape or size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits user need and/or preference.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/070,301, which was filed on Aug. 26, 2020 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63070301 | Aug 2020 | US |
