Patent Application
20220338659
The present invention generally relates to a mailbox device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a mailbox device that incorporates a protective mechanism for outdoor use.
A mailbox device with a protective mechanism for outdoor use is in demand. As online sales have become increasingly common, many consumers from around the world have become able to shop online.
Many online companies deliver purchased items to customers' doors by courier, but their transit time to the delivery point specified by the customer is often unknown, and even when the exact delivery date is known, not all customers can be available all day long to receive an item in person.
In such cases, when no one is available to sign for a package and receive it, a courier may leave the item at the door, with advance permission. However, such items are often vulnerable to theft.
Conventional mailboxes that can be used outdoors are designed to receive small items and do not include a protective mechanism that allows delivery personnel to put items inside the mailbox without a key while securing them in the mailbox. Thus, there is a need to develop a device to solve these problems.
The present invention is intended to address problems associated with and/or otherwise improve on conventional systems and devices through an innovative mailbox device that can be used outdoors and that is designed to provide a convenient and safe means of receiving items while incorporating other problem-solving features.
In accordance with the present invention, a mailbox device is provided that requires a first right side member, a second right side member, a first left side member, a second left side member, a front member, a back member. The present invention further includes a first protective panel and a second protective panel configured to protect items put inside the present invention. The present invention further includes a bottom member and a top member configured to move between an open position and a closed position.
In one embodiment, the first and second right sides can be panels with same dimension hinged together so that the first and second right sides can be folded inside, toward the inner space of the present invention.
In another embodiment, the first and second left sides can also be panels with same dimension hinged together so that the first and second left sides can be folded inside, toward the inner space of the present invention.
In some embodiments, the bottom member can include a first bottom member and a second bottom member that can be attached by a pivot and configured so that the first bottom member can be folded up and locked to the front member when the present invention is not being used.
In some embodiments, the top member can include a first top member and the second top member attached by a pivot so that the first top member can be configured to fold down. This folded state of the present invention may provide a compact structure that can be moved and stored conveniently.
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention provides a mailbox device designed to be of benefit to online shoppers. The present invention can be used to receive small to midsized packages whose contents were ordered online. The present invention can be used outdoors so that delivery personnel can simply put packages inside it without fear of theft and without exposing them to potentially adverse weather conditions (e.g., heat, humidity, rain, wind).
The present invention can be attached to an outside wall when in use and can also be detached, folded down, and put away when users are not expecting a delivery.
As
In some embodiments, the bottom member 60 can include a first bottom member 62 and a second top member 65.
In some embodiments, the top member 10 can include a first top member 12 and a second top member 15.
In some embodiments, the mailbox device 100 can include first and second right side posts 80, 85 and first and second left side posts 90, 95.
In such embodiments, first left side post 90 can be hinged to the first left side member 40. The front member 20 can be hinged to the first right side post 80, wherein the first right side post 80 is hinged to the first right side member 30. The back member 50 can be hinged to the second right side post 85, second left side post 95, the second top member 15, and the second bottom member 65, wherein the second right side post 85 is hinged to the second right side member 35 and the second left side post 95 is hinged to the second left side member 45.
The top member 10, side members (first and second right side members 30, 35 and first and second left side members 40, 45), front member 20, back member 50, and bottom member 60 can include one or more flat panels and be attached together using any fastener known in the art.
The present invention can be large enough to receive small to medium-sized packages and can be made of any material suitable for protecting them, whether metal, wood, plastic, or the like.
The inner space of the present invention can be fully opened and closed by the means of the top member 10, attached by a hinge to the top edge of the back member 50.
In some embodiments, the second top member 15 can be attached to the first top member 12 to form the top member 10 and the second top member 15 can be hingedly attached to the edge of the back member 50.
In some embodiments, the first top member 12 and the second top member 15 can be attached by a pivot so that the first top member can be configured to fold down, as shown in
In some embodiments, the top member 10 can include a handle 200 positioned in any place suitable for helping open and close the top member 10.
The bottom member 60 can be mounted on the bottom edge of the back member 50 in such a way that the back member 50 can extend upward from the floor to stand perpendicular to the bottom member 60.
In some embodiments, the first bottom member 62 and the second bottom member 65 can be attached by a pivot. The first bottom member 62 can be configured to fold up and lock to the front member 20 using any locking means when the present invention is not being used.
In some embodiments, the bottom member 60 can include a support structure 55 (of any suitable shape and size) attached on the bottom surface of the bottom member 60, to provide stability.
In some embodiments, the bottom member 60 can include a plurality of wheels 57 attached on the bottom surface so that the present invention can be moved easily. The plurality of wheels 57 can also be attached to any other suitable places of the present invention including the back surface of the back member 50.
One of the edges of the front member 20 can be attached by a hinge to one of the first right side member 30 or the first left side 40 member, providing front access to the inner space by opening and closing the front member 20.
The front member 20 can include a locking mechanism known in the art so that the front member 20 can be locked for safety and opened by the user to take the delivered item out of the inner space, as shown in
The first and second right side members 30, 35 can be flat panels hinged together to provide a foldable surface. The first and second left sides 40, 45 can also be flat panels hinged together to provide a foldable surface.
In the preferred embodiment, the first and second right side members 30, 35 can be panels with same dimension hinged together so that the first and second right side members 30, 35 can be folded inside, toward the inner space.
The first protective panel 70 and second protective panel 75 can be flat panels. The second protective panel 75 can be attached by a pivot to the top portion of the back member 50, and the first protective panel 70 can be attached by a pivot to the top portion of the front member 20, as shown in
In the preferred embodiment, the first protective panel 70 and second protective panel 75 are connected to the top member 10 by two chains 25 attached substantially near the corners (opposite the hinged areas) of the bottom surface of the top member 10 and the top surface of the first protective panel 70 and second protective panel 75, as shown in
The present invention thus secures such packages until the user (owner) of the box opens the front member (front door).
When not in use, the first and second right side members 30, 35 and first and second left sides 40, 45 can be folded inside, allowing the top member 10 to be folded down and the bottom member 60 to be folded up and locked to the front member 20, as shown in
In one aspect, the present invention may include a handle attached to the front member 20.
In some aspect, the present invention may include padding known in the art, which may include rubber, plastic, foam, synthetic material, or the like, to provide shock absorption with a view to protecting fragile contents of packages.
In another aspect, the present invention may include any type of insulation materials known in the art to keep the package cool inside the present invention.
In yet another aspect, the present invention may include a fastening mechanism configured to attach the present invention to an outside wall when expecting delivery of a package and detach it from the wall when no delivery is expected.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63180286 | Apr 2021 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 29832420 | Mar 2022 | US |
| Child | 17707796 | US |
