SECURE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY MAILBOX

Abstract

The present invention is a secure and environmentally friendly mailbox with components for reducing and eliminating junk or unwanted mail, as well as preventing the unauthorized tampering with or access to the mailbox. This secure and environmentally friendly mailbox comprises a stand or mount, having a top portion and a bottom portion, a base at the bottom portion of the mount, a mailbox affixed to the mount, a shredding device contained in a housing which is connected to the underside of the mailbox, a receptacle located under the housing of the shredding device, a security keypad affixed to the front of the receptacle, a series of programmable motion sensor lights affixed to the mailbox stand, and a 360-degree camera mounted on the top portion of the mailbox stand. This invention eliminates paper waste in an environmentally efficient manner while deterring tampering with or unauthorized access to the mailbox.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention has been created without the sponsorship or funding of any federally sponsored research or development program.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to mailboxes designed to be secure and environmentally friendly.

BACKGROUND

In today's society, there is an increased awareness about and effort towards finding sustainable ways to live, including finding opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint. Despite this awareness, and individual or corporate efforts to minimize paper waste, we still receive junk mail on a daily basis which clutters our mailboxes, our kitchen counters, our dining tables, and even our living room furniture. We tend to receive junk mail and bring it inside our dwelling with the intention to shred or throw it out but seem to never get around to it until it becomes a mountain or a giant mess. This remains an issue even with the advent of online or digital options to receive our bills, statements, announcements, or advertisements. In addition, we are living at a time in history when crime and violence are on the rise globally, including the theft of and/or tampering with mail. This increased interference with one's private mail includes nosy neighbors, identity stealers, and/or mischievous teenagers up to no good. It is quite common for individuals to throw away unopened and/or opened mail in the garbage without removing personal identifying information. Whether it is in the mailbox or the trash, mail and/or personal documents are no longer safe, but subject to the malintent of others.

The traditional mailbox has remained one dimensional in function, i.e., serves as a receptacle for the deposit or retrieval of mail. Even with the advent of modern designs, mailboxes lack the utility to address environmental and security concerns. There may exist a mailbox that does one or the other in some limited form, however they still do not provide a comprehensive solution for both problems.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention aims to provide a secure and environmentally friendly mailbox by improving on the traditional mailbox. The present invention is a mailbox that includes a shredding device and security features compromising a 360-degree camera, secure locks, and auto/sensor lights. The present invention is essentially a mailbox with additional components for reducing and eliminating junk or unwanted mail and preventing the unauthorized tampering with a mailbox. The present invention comprises a stand or mount, a base for stable upright orientation, a modern mailbox affixed to the mount, a shredder connected to the mailbox, a receptacle located under the shredder to collect shredded material, a security keypad affixed to the receptacle, motion sensor lights affixed to the mailbox stand, and a 360-camera mounted on the top portion of the mailbox stand. The components of this present invention are optimally arranged to withstand the natural elements and/or man-made/induced hazards.

The present invention adds another dimension and functionality to a standard or traditional mailbox, combining existing components in a novel way in order to provide security and to dispose of junk mail in an environmentally friendly way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the present invention as assembled for carrying out the stated function;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the utility of the present invention by an end user;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a front view of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before the subject invention is described further, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments of the invention described below, as variations of the particular embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. One skilled in the art to which this invention belongs will recognize, however, that the techniques described can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well known structures, materials or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring certain aspects.

In this specification, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention 5 comprises the following components: a stand or mount 10, having a top portion 15 and a bottom portion 20, a base 25 at the bottom portion 20 of the mount 10, a modern mailbox 30 affixed to the mount 10, and a secure lock 35 located at the upper portion of the modern mail box 30, a shredding device 40 contained in a housing 45 which is connected to the underside or bottom of the mailbox 30, a receptacle 50 located under the housing 45 of the shredding device 40, and the receptacle 50 having a handle 55 for opening, a security keypad 60 affixed to the front of the receptacle 50, a series of motion sensor or automatic lights 65 affixed to the mailbox 30 stand 10, and a 360-degree camera 70 mounted on the top portion 15 of the mailbox 30 stand 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the stand or mount 10 and its base 25 provide a stable upright orientation for the apparatus of the present invention 5, and also serves as the unit to or on which the other components of this invention are attached or connected. The modern mailbox 30 is removably affixed to the mount 10; the shredding device 40 is located beneath the mailbox 30 and is also attached to the rear of the mount 10; the receptacle 50 is located beneath the housing 45 of the shredding device 40 and is also attached to the rear of the mount 10; the keypad 60 is affixed to the front of the receptacle 50, and provides secure access to the receptacle 50; the handle 55 of the receptacle 50 is located opposite to the keypad 55, where both are affixed to the front of the receptable 50; the motion sensor lights 65 are affixed along the length of the mount 10 and are arranged vertically from the top portion 15 to the bottom portion 20 of the mount 10; and the 360-degree camera 70 is mounted to the top portion 15 of the stand 10.

FIG. 2 illustrates the present invention 5 from the rear, providing a view of the arrangement of the components of the present invention 5 and their location on the mount 10 and in relation to each other. The arrangement of the components of the invention 5 on the stand 10 may vary. The location of the mailbox 30 may be adjusted along, up or down the unit of the stand for aesthetics or improved functions. Similarly, the location of the motion sensor lights 65, or the shredding device 40, or the receptacle 50 may be arranged in a different manner on the mount 10 and in relationship to each other. Any alternate arrangement of the components of the present invention 5 would be achieved to maintain optimal function as known by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the mailbox 30 includes a secure lock or keyhole 35 located at the top portion 15 of the mailbox 30 that provides secure access to the mailbox. As shown in FIG. 3, the present invention 5 is being used by an end user 75. The end user 75 is able to deposit and retrieve mail 80 by accessing the keyhole 35 to open and pull down the mailbox 30 as shown in FIG. 4. Upon retrieving mail 80 from the mailbox 30 the user 75 is able to sort through mail 80 received and determine whether there is junk mail 80. If there is junk mail 80, the user 75 is able to insert it into the shredding device 40, shred the unwanted mail 80 and the shredded paper is collected by the receptacle 50. When the receptacle 50 is full, the shredding device 40 may not operate and the user 75 must empty the receptacle 50. The user 75 opens the receptacle 50 by entering a secure code on the keypad 60, pulls the handle 55 of the receptacle 50, and empties the contents of the receptacle 50 into a garbage bin or other garbage disposal mechanism. The end user 75 has the ability to control whether or not junk mail is carried into his or her dwelling by having the convenience of the apparatus of this invention 5 situated within close proximity to the dwelling. The end user 75 is able to walk into his or her dwelling without the excess and unwanted paper material which would usually lead to clutter, negative environmental impact, or breach of personal security. Thus, junk mail 80 is securely and environmentally eliminated.

Although not depicted, the present invention 5 may be positioned in front of the user's 75 home or residence or any other building. The security features included in the modern mailbox 30 serves to ward off potential identity thieves, nosy neighbors or other mischievous or criminal elements a community. The motion sensor lights 65 may be programmable to turn on at dusk and turn off at a determined time (e.g., 10 pm, 11 pm, or midnight) depending on the user's 75 preference and needs. These same lights 65 once turned off are able to detect motion within a determined radius of the mailbox 30. The radius may be 1 foot from the mailbox 30 or extend to the measured distance between a residence or building and the mailbox 30. The series of bright lights 65 serve to deter any bad actor from attempting to access the mailbox 30. In addition, the 360-degree camera 70 is able to capture movement and activity within a defined radius of the mailbox 30. The 360-degree camera 70 range may be up to and including the measured distance between the residence or a building and the mailbox 30. Alternatively, the 360-degree camera 70 may be programmed to sense motion within a defined range up to or beyond the measured distance between the residence or a building and the mailbox 30. The combination of a series of motion sensor lights 65 and a motion sensor activated 360-degree camera 70 provide robust security against mailbox 30 tampering and/or criminal activities. These two components serve individually and collectively as deterrent and the camera 70 preserves evidence.

In other embodiments of this invention, the shredding device 40 may include a start/stop button, and the shredding mode may include straight cutters, crosscutters, or strip-cutters. The receptacle 50 may have locking or other security feature, including but not limited to lock-key setup, digital locks, biometrically enabled locking mechanism, to guard against theft, vandalism or the natural elements getting to the contents of the receptacle 50.

The mailbox 30 and the additional components that comprise the apparatus of the present invention 5, may be made of metal, durable plastic or other suitable material to ensure the structural integrity of the entire apparatus 5. The stand or mount 10 of the present invention 5 may be made of wood, metal, durable plastic or other suitable material known to one of ordinary skill in the art to which it belongs. In the preferred embodiment of the invention 5, the shredding device 40 is located on the underside of the mailbox 30, however in other embodiments, the shredding device 40 may be positioned otherwise to accommodate the size, location, or dimensions of the mailbox 30 and the other components of the present invention 5. The shredding device 40 may comprise standard mechanical parts, including revolving or rotating blades, knives, or metal teeth, and may be motorized via a circuit and/or series powered by batteries or solar energy or other viable power source known to one of ordinary skill in the art field of power sources or may become known to one of ordinary skill in the art field of power sources. Additionally, the receptacle 50 may utilize other security mechanism such as a code enabled touch pad, biometric sensors and identification features, a magnetically enabled key card, a QR coded or barcoded system, or other technology known or may become known by one of ordinary skill in the art field of security.

The shredding device 40 may be removably or permanently affixed to the modern mailbox 30, so long as it is securely attached in a manner that prevents tampering, unauthorized removal, or removal due to the elements or natural hazards.

The present invention may be adaptable to residential buildings such as condominium or apartment complexes. The shredding device may be affixed or incorporated into a mailroom with multiple mailbox slots in a manner to accommodate individual use. Due to the number of end users and mailboxes, the number of shredding devices may also increase, or the size of the shredding device may be increased to meet the need.

As various changes may be made in the above-described subject matter without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention, it is intended that all subject matter contained in the above description, or shown in the accompanying drawings, will be interpreted as descriptive and illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

EQUIVALENTS

Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims.

Claims

1. A secure and environmentally friendly mailbox apparatus comprising: a stand having a front portion, a top portion, a bottom portion, and a base that extends from the bottom portion; anda mailbox located at the top portion, a shredding device encased in a housing located directly below and adjacent to the mailbox, and a hollow receptacle for collecting shredded material located directly below and adjacent to the shredding device, all of which are integrally arranged and affixed to the front portion of the stand extending down from the top towards bottom portion of the stand; anda security keypad affixed to the front of the receptacle; anda series of motion sensor lights arranged vertically from the top portion to the bottom portion of the stand, and along a right side of the stand; anda 360-degree camera affixed to the top portion of the stand, which is operably integrated with the series of motion sensor lights; andthe shredding device is operable to shred unwanted mail directly into the receptacle; andthe combination of the security keypad, series of motion sensor lights, 360-degree camera, and the mailbox integrally arranged with the shredding device and receptacle enhances security and reduces waste.

2. The apparatus in claim 1 where the stand, base, mailbox, shredding device, receptacle and security keypad are made of durable plastic material.

3. The apparatus in claim 1 where the stand, base, mailbox, shredding device, receptacle, and security keypad are made of metal.

4. The apparatus in claim 1 where the stand, base, mailbox, shredding device, receptacle, and security keypad are made of metal alloy.

5. The apparatus in claim 1 where the receptacle has a biometric security feature.

6. The apparatus in claim 1 where the receptacle has a digitally enabled security feature.

7. The apparatus in claim 1 where the receptacle has a lock and key security feature.

8. The apparatus in claim 1 where the receptacle has a barcode enabled security feature.

9. The apparatus in claim 1 where the receptacle has a magnetically enabled card security feature.

10. The apparatus in claim 1 where the receptacle has a magnetically enabled fob security feature.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 where the lights are programmable to turn on and off.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 where the lights are programmable to turn on and off from dusk up to midnight and are motion sensor activated from after midnight up to dusk.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the 360-degree camera is continuously in an on position.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the 360-degree camera is motion sensor activated coupled in combination with the series of motion sensor lights.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the receptacle has a handle for opening which is positioned on the front of the receptacle horizontally parallel to the keypad.