U.S. patent application number 09/801556 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-09 for interlocking door seam.
Invention is credited to Noblet, C. Dale, Packer, Stephen R..
Application Number | 20010011679 09/801556 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23044976 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010011679 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Noblet, C. Dale ; et
al. |
August 9, 2001 |
Interlocking door seam
Abstract
An interlocking door seam provides a stronger seam for double
doors, making them less subject to attack by prybars and the like.
Particularly for central mail stations (CMS) and central box units
CBU, double doors present there are subject to attack by prybars
and the like that force the locks and allow thieves to rifle the
contents of the enclosed mail boxes. Attachment of interlocking
door seam of the present invention to the first edge of the first
double doors protects that first edge from prybar attacks. The
adjoining edge of the second double door then releasably fits into
a convex strip that protects the adjoining edge of the second
double door, thereby protecting it from prybar attack. The
interlocking door seam allows normal operation of the double doors
while decreasing the risk to the central mail station of prybar
attack at the seam between the double doors. Flanges present along
the free edge of the convex strip provide easy engagement of that
free edge. Gaps between such flanges accommodate shelving inside
the central mail station. Construction of the interlocking door
seam of the present invention by tempered steel or hard and durable
materials provides enhanced protection from prybar attack.
Inventors: |
Noblet, C. Dale; (San
Bernardino, CA) ; Packer, Stephen R.; (Las Vegas,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CISLO & THOMAS, LLP
233 WILSHIRE BLVD
SUITE 900
SANTA MONICA
CA
90401-1211
US
|
Family ID: |
23044976 |
Appl. No.: |
09/801556 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09801556 |
Mar 7, 2001 |
|
|
|
09273682 |
Mar 22, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
232/45 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 292/79 20150401;
A47G 29/16 20130101; A47G 29/1201 20130101; E06B 5/113 20130101;
E05B 17/2003 20130101; E06B 3/365 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
232/45 |
International
Class: |
B65G 011/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An interlocking door seam for preventing double doors having
adjoining edges from being pried apart, comprising: a first concave
strip conforming to a first adjoining edge of a first door of said
double doors, said first concave strip attachable to said first
adjoining edge, said first concave strip generally extending along
the entirety of said first adjoining edge to shield said first
adjoining edge from prybars and the like; and a second convex strip
connected to and generally aligned with said first concave strip,
said second convex strip able to releasably receive a second
adjoining edge of a second door of said double doors, said second
convex strip generally extending along the entirety of said second
adjoining edge to shield said second adjoining edge from prybars
and the like; whereby a seam present between two double doors may
be protected from attack by prybars and the like by attaching said
first concave strip to said first door and fitting said second door
into said second convex strip when said first and second doors are
closed.
2. The interlocking door seam of claim 1, further comprising: said
first concave and said second convex strips accommodating an
overlap of the double doors to prevent exposure of a pryable seam
between overlapping double doors.
3. The interlocking door seam of claim 1, further comprising: said
first concave strip having a relatively wide interstitial space to
accommodate an angled edge of said first adjoining edge of said
first door.
4. The interlocking door seam of claim 1, wherein said second
convex strip further comprises: angled flanges, said angled flanges
angled away from said second convex strip and said first concave
strip, said angled flanges facilitating reception of said second
adjoining door edge by said second convex strip.
5. The interlocking door seam of claim 4, wherein said angled
flanges further comprise: angled flanges defining gaps between said
angled flanges, said gaps able to receive and accommodate
protruding shelves.
6. The interlocking door seam of claim 1, further comprising: said
first concave and second convex strips sharing a common side.
7. The interlocking door seam of claim 1, wherein said first
concave strip further comprises: an extending flange, said
extending flange providing greater connective surface for
attachment of said first concave strip to said first adjoining door
edge.
8. The interlocking door seam of claim 1, wherein the interlocking
door seam complies with postal regulations and accommodates double
doors used for central postbox stations.
9. The interlocking door seam of claim 1, further comprising: said
first concave and second convex strips forming a cross section
generally similar to an "S" or "Z" shape.
10. An interlocking door seam for preventing double doors having
adjoining edges from being pried apart, the interlocking door seam
complying with postal regulations and accommodating double doors
used for central postbox stations, comprising: a first concave
strip conforming to a first adjoining edge of a first door of said
double doors, said first concave strip attachable to said first
adjoining edge, said first concave strip generally extending along
the entirety of said first adjoining edge to shield said first
adjoining edge from prybars and the like, said first concave strip
having a relatively wide interstitial space to accommodate an
angled edge of said first adjoining edge of said first door, said
first concave strip having an extending flange, said extending
flange providing greater connective surface for attachment of said
first concave strip to said first adjoining door edge; and a second
convex strip connected to and generally aligned with said first
concave strip, said second convex strip able to releasably receive
a second adjoining edge of a second door of said double doors, said
second convex strip generally extending along the entirety of said
second adjoining edge to shield said second adjoining edge from
prybars and the like, said second convex strip having angled
flanges angled away from said second convex strip and said first
concave strip, said angled flanges facilitating reception of said
second adjoining door edge by said second convex strip, said angled
flanges defining gaps between said angled flanges, said gaps able
to receive and accommodate protruding shelves or the like; said
first concave and second convex strips sharing a common side and
accommodating an overlap of the double doors to prevent exposure of
a pryable seam between overlapping double doors, said first concave
and second convex strips forming a cross section generally similar
to an "S" or "Z" shape; whereby a seam present between two double
doors may be protected from attack by prybars and the like by
attaching said first concave strip to said first door and fitting
said second door into said second convex strip when said first and
second doors are closed.
11. A central mail box station for providing a plurality of mail
delivery post boxes, comprising: an external body having an
interior and protecting said interior from ambient weather
including wind and rain; first and second oppositely opposed double
doors opening outwardly from a shared central area coupled to said
external body; a first concave strip conforming to a first
adjoining edge said first, said first concave strip connected to
said first adjoining edge, said first concave strip generally
extending along the entirety of said first adjoining edge to shield
said first adjoining edge from prybars and the like; and a second
convex strip connected to and generally aligned with said first
concave strip, said second convex strip able to releasably receive
said second door, said second convex strip generally extending
along the entirety of said second adjoining edge to shield said
second adjoining edge from prybars and the like; whereby a seam
present between said first and second doors may be protected from
attack by prybars and the like by attachment of said first concave
strip to said first door and fitting said second door into said
second convex strip when said first and second doors are
closed.
12. The central mail box station of claim 11, wherein said
interlocking door seam further comprises: said first concave and
said second convex strips accommodating an overlap of said first
and second double doors to prevent exposure of a pryable seam
between said overlapping double doors.
13. The central mail box station of claim 11, wherein said
interlocking door seam further comprises: said first concave strip
having a relatively wide interstitial space to accommodate an
angled edge of said first adjoining edge of said first double
door.
14. The central mail box station of claim 11, wherein said
interlocking door seam further comprises: angled flanges, said
angled flanges angled away from said second convex strip and said
first concave strip, said angled flanges facilitating reception of
said second adjoining door edge by said second convex strip.
15. The central mail box station of claim 11, wherein said angled
flanges further comprise: angled flanges defining gaps between said
angled flanges, said gaps able to receive and accommodate
protruding shelves present in said interior of said central mail
box station.
16. The central mail box station of claim 11, wherein said
interlocking door seam further comprises: said first concave and
second convex strips sharing a common side.
17. The central mail box station of claim 11, wherein said first
concave strip further comprises: an extending flange, said
extending flange providing greater connective surface for
attachment of said first concave strip to said first adjoining door
edge.
18. The central mail box station of claim 11, wherein said
interlocking door seam complies with postal regulations and
accommodates double doors used for central postbox stations.
19. The central mail box station of claim 11, wherein said
interlocking door seam further comprises: said first concave and
second convex strips forming a cross section generally similar to
an "S" or "Z" shape.
20. A central mail box station for providing a plurality of mail
delivery post boxes, comprising: an external body having an
interior and protecting at least one postbox present in said
interior from ambient weather including wind and rain; first and
second oppositely opposed double doors opening outwardly from a
shared central area, said first and second double doors coupled to
said external body; a first concave strip conforming to a first
adjoining edge of said first double door, said first concave strip
attached to said first adjoining edge, said first concave strip
generally extending along the entirety of said first adjoining edge
to shield said first adjoining edge from prybars and the like, said
first concave strip having a relatively wide interstitial space to
accommodate an angled edge of said first adjoining edge of said
first double door, said first concave strip having an extending
flange, said extending flange providing greater connective surface
for attachment of said first concave strip to said first adjoining
door edge; and a second convex strip connected to and generally
aligned with said first concave strip, said second convex strip
able to releasably receive a second adjoining edge of said second
double door, said second convex strip generally extending along the
entirety of said second adjoining edge to shield said second
adjoining edge from prybars and the like, said second convex strip
having angled flanges angled away from said second convex strip and
said first concave strip, said angled flanges facilitating
reception of said second adjoining door edge by said second convex
strip, said angled flanges defining gaps between said angled
flanges, said gaps able to receive and accommodate protruding
shelves or the like; said first concave and second convex strips
sharing a common side and accommodating an overlap of the first and
second double doors to prevent exposure of a pryable seam between
said overlapping double doors, said first concave and second convex
strips forming a cross section generally similar to an "S" or "Z"
shape; whereby a seam present between said first and second double
doors may be protected from attack by prybars and the like by
attachment of said first concave strip to said first door and
fitting said second door into said second convex strip when said
first and second double doors are closed.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is related to U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/273,682 filed Mar. 22, 1999 for
INTERLOCKING DOOR SEAM, which application is incorporated herein by
this reference thereto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to door protection and the like and
more particularly to a pry-proof seam for interlocking mail station
doors.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In the past, mail boxes for the delivery and receipt of mail
have been associated with individual dwellings such as single
family residences. The mailperson on foot could deliver mail to the
mail box, or by driving a mail truck or the like, deliver the mail
to mail boxes situated adjacent to the road.
[0006] Recently, tampering with mail left in such mail boxes has
become a problem such that the mail must be secured under lock and
key. This also provides some privacy for the recipient of the mail.
Additionally, central box units or central receiving stations are
often installed in new home developments. These central units
contain a plurality of individual mail boxes for several of the
residents in the adjacent area. The mailperson then only has to
stop at the central station to deliver mail to a number of people
simultaneously, allowing him or her to cover a larger number of
residents with mail delivery.
[0007] The central box units used in such new housing developments
often have a five sided box unit with the sixth side accessible via
lockable double doors. These double doors often have a central seam
as they are hinged on their outward sides. By unlocking the double
doors, they swing outward to open up the central postbox area for
simultaneous delivery by the mailperson. The side opposite of the
double doors may have a number of individually locked mail boxes so
that each individual with a mail box may retrieve their mail
separately and securely as each key is unique to the appropriate
mail box.
[0008] Postal regulations control the construction of such central
box units in order to provide durable and accessible mail stations
to which the mailperson can deliver mail. However, such postal
regulations may presume that the mail stations are subject only to
environmental attack, such as by wind or rain. Unfortunately, it is
not difficult to take a prybar, such as a crowbar or the like, and
force it in between the seam present between the two double doors.
The doors are then jimmied by popping the lock bar out from its
place behind the second door. Upon so forcing the double doors
open, the mail is available to any thief such as the one who
originally used the prybar. Checks and other financial instruments
may be stolen and fraudulently converted into cash, providing the
incentive to break and enter into other central post box stations
or even the same one on an intermittent or regular basis.
[0009] Consequently, there is a need in the art to provide means by
which the seam between the two double doors in central post box
stations may be less subject to attack by prybars and the like. The
present invention provides a solution to this criminal problem
while maintaining the easy and desirable access necessary for the
central post box station.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention provides means by which the central
seam between two double doors of the central post box station may
be protected from prybars and the like. This prevents thieves from
jimmying the lock or otherwise forcing the doors open with prybars
so that the contents of the mail station can be rifled in order to
steal valuable mail contained therein.
[0011] The interlocking door seam of the present invention has a
first strip generally extending straight along its length. An
extending flange along this first concave strip allows it to
securely attach to a first one of the double doors in the central
post box station. The edge of the first double door is confined and
protected by the interstitial space defined by the concave nature
of the first strip. The first strip bends around the edge of the
first door holding it therein even though the edge of the door may
be angled at its end thus occupying slightly more space than a
straight door would.
[0012] While the first concave strip is attached to the first
double door, the free end of the first concave strip bends around,
backing away from the concave interstitial space of the first
concave strip. In the bending away from the first concave strip, a
second convex strip is defined that can receive the second double
door at its free end. The interstitial space defined by the second
convex strip allows the release or engagement of the free end
opposite the hinges of the second door. When the second double door
edge fits into the second convex strip, it is protected and
shielded from the active end of a prybar or the like. In an
additional embodiment, flanges may be present that aid and guide
the entry of the second double door edge into the convex strip.
Such flanges may define gaps between them in order to accommodate
shelving defining individual post boxes within the central mail
station.
[0013] By providing an interlocking door seam for central post box
stations, the central stations are rendered more secure from forced
entry, thereby creating more privacy and less risk of holding mail
in the central mail station. Additionally, the interlocking door
seam of the present invention is easily accommodated by existing
central post box stations, or central base units, with their post
boxes in a retrofit procedure.
[0014] The interlocking door seam may be incorporated en masse into
a cluster box unit (CBU) in order to provide a more secure mail
delivery system. Additional security measures may also be taken
beyond that of protecting the common seam between the two double
doors in such a CBU. With respect to the double doors, a central
sliding linkage may be used that slidably engages door pins present
on the facing sides of the double doors so that they are held
closed until the sliding linkage is lifted from place. Held
downward by its own weight under gravity, the sliding linkage
prevents the door pins from disengaging the sliding linkage.
However, upon the post person opening the mail retrieval door and
lifting the sliding linkage lever, the entire sliding linkage
disengages the door pins so that both doors are able to swing free
and expose all of the interior mail slots.
[0015] Additional security is provided by the individual mailbox
slot doors. Instead of having a cam simply protrude through the
mailbox slot door frame, an extending side flange to the mailbox
slot door is also present and is a physical structure through which
the cam passes in order to securely and fully lock the mailbox slot
door. By providing the flange mailbox slot door, attack upon the
lock, as by a slide hammer or the like, does not allow the thief or
perpetrator to open the mailbox slot door. The cam does not
disengage from the mailbox slot door as it passes through the side
flange. If the side flange were absent, the slide hammer attack
against the mailbox slot door would allow the cam to disengage from
the door, allowing the door to swing open freely.
[0016] The CBU may be made of 18 gauge or other heavy stainless
steel to provide a strong barrier against physical attack and in
order to protect the mail inside.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0017] It is an object of the present invention to provide a more
secure central box unit for central mail stations.
[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
interlocking door seam that better secures double doors on central
post box stations.
[0019] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
interlocking door seam that is easily retrofittable to existing
central post box stations.
[0020] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
an interlocking door seam for central post box stations that
accommodates existing internal structures such as shelving and the
like.
[0021] It is another object of the present invention to secure
double doors from being pried apart with a prybar or the like.
[0022] It is an additional object of the present invention to
pry-proof double doors by providing an interlocking door seam that
protects and shields the otherwise exposed adjoining edges of the
double doors.
[0023] It is an object of the present invention to provide a more
secure cluster box unit (CBU) to protect mail.
[0024] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent from a review of the following
specification and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the interlocking door seam
of the present invention with the top edge at the bottom of the
figure.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a top and side perspective view of the
interlocking door seam of the present invention shown in
conjunction with a central post box station, the central post box
station shown in phantom.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a side cross sectional view of the interlocking
door seam of FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a side cross sectional view of the interlocking
door seam of FIG. 1 taken along line 4-4.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a rear plan view of the interlocking door seam of
FIG. 1.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a front plan view of the interlocking door seam of
FIG. 1.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a right side elevational view of the interlocking
door seam of FIG. 1.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a left side elevational view of the interlocking
door seam of FIG. 1.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a right top perspective view of the cluster box
unit (CBU) of the present invention with its double doors
closed.
[0034] FIG. 10 is a right front view of the CBU with the right door
fully and the left door partially open. Individual mail box slot
doors are also shown in an open position.
[0035] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the closed double doors
taken from an area generally corresponding to Circle 11 in FIG.
9.
[0036] FIG. 12 is a partial left side perspective view of the
sliding linkage latch system as indicated by Circle 12 in FIG.
10.
[0037] FIG. 13 is a top inside perspective view of an individual
mailbox slot door with a protruding cam as indicated by Circle 13
in FIG. 10.
[0038] FIG. 14 is a top side perspective view of a mailbox door
slot frame, corresponding to a mailbox slot door in FIG. 13, as
generally indicated by Circle 14 in FIG. 10.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0039] The detailed description set forth below in connection with
the appended drawings is intended as a description of
presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not
intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention
may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the
functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating
the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments.
However, it is to be understood that the same or equivalent
functions and sequences may be accomplished by different
embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the
spirit and scope of the invention.
[0040] Beginning with FIG. 1, the interlocking door seam 30 of the
present invention is shown with its concave 32 and convex 34
strips. The interlocking door seam 30 may be made of tempered steel
or the like in order to provide strength and constructural
integrity, particularly should it be subject to attack by a prybar
or the like. The concave strip 32 defines the interstitial space 36
into which one of two double doors present in a central mail
station (CMS) fits. The interstitial space of the concave strip 32
is sufficiently wide and deep to accommodate the edge of the first
double door A including the situation where the edge of double door
A is angled.
[0041] Additionally, the concave strip 32 may have an extending
flange 38 into which holes or apertures 40 may be present, allowing
attachment of the interlocking door seam 30 to the first double
door A. The extending flange 38 provides additional protection for
the edge of double door A while allowing greater securement of
attachment of the interlocking door seam 30 to double door A.
Whereas, screws, bolts, or the like may be used to secure the
interlocking door seam 30 to the first double door A by attachment
through the flange apertures.
[0042] The convex strip 34 curves away from the concave strip 32
thus giving rise to the general geometrical language used herein to
describe the concave nature of concave strip 32 with respect to
double door A and the convex nature of the convex strip 34 with
respect to double door A. The concave strip 32 and convex strip 34
share a common edge 50 giving rise to the compact nature of the
interlocking door seam 30 of the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 1 shows the interlocking door seam in a manner that
might be considered upside down and backwards from the
configuration shown in FIG. 2. The lower part of the interlocking
door seam 30 in FIG. 1 corresponds to the upper part of the
interlocking door seam 30 in FIG. 2. However, due to the relative
proportions enjoyed between the concave 32 and convex 34 strips, in
order to better show the interlocking door seam 30 of the present
invention, the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 was achieved.
[0044] As the concave 32 and convex 34 strips share the common edge
50, a compact and efficient interlocking door seam 30 is achieved
that optimizes the material and space used to prevent prybar attack
upon the double doors A, B of the central mail station (CMS). The
convex strip 34 is generally aligned with the concave strip 32 in
order to accommodate the alignment between the two double doors A,
B. The interstitial space 52 present between the opposite sides of
the convex strip 34 is sized to accommodate the free edge of double
door B. Generally, such second double doors do not have angled
edges such as those that might be present in double door A to which
the interlocking door seam 30 may be attached. Consequently, the
interstitial space 52 of the convex strip 34 may be correspondingly
smaller in order to provide a closer fit and enhanced
shielding.
[0045] Running along the free edge 60 of the convex strip 34 are a
number of spaced flanges 62. These flanges 62 provide means for
guiding the free adjoining edge of double door B into the
interstitial space 52 of the convex strip 34. The flanges 62 are
angled outwardly from the convex strip 34 in order to provide a
greater area available to receive the free edge of double door B.
Upon contacting the flange of 62, the free end of double door B is
guided into the interstitial space 52 present along the convex
strip 34.
[0046] The flange of 62 may be spaced apart by gaps 70. The gaps 70
may be present in order to accommodate shelving or other internal
supporting structures which would otherwise interfere with the
closing of double doors A, B when the flanges 62 are pressed into
the confines of the central mail station (CMS) by the closing of
the double doors A, B. The shelving may fit into the gaps 70 and be
accommodated thereby. Additionally, vertical retention of the
interlocking door seam 30 may be achieved as the shelving may
interfere with the vertical travel of the flanges 62. Should the
interlocking door seam move vertically, the flanges 62 will abut
the adjacent shelves. This prevents stress upon the hinges of the
double doors A, B and enhances their stability.
[0047] Once the interlocking door seam 30, the present invention,
has been attached to double door A or the like by rivets or
otherwise, the interlocking door seam 30 is ready to prevent pry
bars and the like from forcing open the double doors A, B.
[0048] Once the interlocking door seam 30 has been attached to
double door A, the concave strip 32 protects the free edge of
double door A from attack by prybars or the like. When the double
doors A, B are closed, the free edge of double door B fits into the
interstitial space 52 of the convex strip 34. The free end of
double door B is thereby protected from prybar attack and the like,
as is the seam between double doors A, B. The exposed curve 80
present between the two opposing portions of the concave strip 32,
is generally not subject to prybar attack due to its strength,
durability, and lack of an exposed edge. When a prybar is used to
force its way into the interstitial space 52 of the convex strip
34, the prybar will encounter the second double door B and find
little, if any, edge upon which to exercise its leverage. The close
fit between double door B and the common edge 50 serve to prevent
prybar attack thereupon. It is difficult for a prybar to get a grip
or edge there, as is true for the entire interlocking door seam 30.
In fact, when prybar attack is made there, the interstitial space
52 serves to force the convex strip 34 closer to the concave strip
32 thereby enhancing the security effect of the interlocking door
seam 30 of the present invention.
[0049] While the interstitial space 52 of the convex strip 34 is
narrow, the flanges 62 serve as means by which the free edge of
double door B may be easily fitted into the convex strip 34.
Additionally, as shown in the cross section FIGS. 3 & 4, there
is an offset 72 present between the common edge 50 (between the
concave 32 and the convex 34 strips) and the flanges 62. Thus, when
the free edge of double door B is guided toward the convex strip 34
by the flanges 62, that free edge will travel along the flanges 62
until it engages the common edge 50 where it is guided into the
interstitial space 52.
[0050] As the interlocking door seam 30 of the present invention
provides greater means by which the seam present between double
doors A, B may be secured, thieves will be deterred from
successfully prying open the central mail station (CMS) and rifling
the contents therein for personal gain. Material currently used for
central mail stations (CMS) may continue to be used for such
stations, however, with the fortified seam provided by the
interlocking door seam 30, such central mail stations (CMS) are
less subject to successful attack.
[0051] The interlocking door seam of the present invention may also
be incorporated ab initio into a cluster box unit (CBU) in order to
provide a more secure mail station for the temporary holding of
delivered mail until it can be received by the recipient.
[0052] As shown in FIGS. 9-14, the CBU 100 of present invention
appears generally to be a nondescript mail station for the
temporary holding of mail for its recipients. However, upon closer
inspection (FIG. 10), the CBU 100 has many security features in
order to defeat the interest of an mischievous thief from
interfering with the proper delivery of mail.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 9, the CBU 100 is generally encased in a
thick shell 102 of 18 gauge or other stainless steel that
circumscribes five of the six sides of the generally-rectangular
prism defined by the CBU. Rivets or other reinforced attachments
may sturdily connect different sections of the CBU. Furthermore, a
pedestal P may provide vertical support, lifting the CBU 100 off of
the ground for easier access. Furthermore, a shroud or extended
flange 106 may circumscribe the double doors 108, 110 on three
sides to provide protection from the elements, such as wind and
rain.
[0054] Referring now to FIG. 9, the double doors 108, 110 both
articulate with respect to the main portion 112 of the CBU 100. The
reinforced, protected, or otherwise secure hinges 114 provide the
pivot upon which the doors 108, 110 articulate. When closed, the
doors 108, 110 securely enclose the slotted or shelved confines of
the main or chassis portion 112 of the CBU. By articulating upon
hinges 114, the double doors 108, 110 provide open, free, and full
access to the confines of the chassis 112 when the double doors
108, 110 are open. The present invention provides several different
mechanisms by which the confines of the CBU chassis 112 are
securely confined so that the mail left for a particular recipient
is held in safekeeping until retrieval.
[0055] As set forth above, first and foremost of the means by which
such mail is secured is the use of heavy and/or reinforced
materials that withstand physical attack without breaking. 18 gauge
stainless steel or the like is advantageously used in the present
circumstances and can form the entirety of the CBU 100. Other
similar or durable materials may also be used to good
advantage.
[0056] Beyond the use of resilient strong and tamper-resident
materials, the articulating elements of the CBU 100 are each
individually subject to securement and/or locking in order to
provide secure, but selectable, access to the confines of the CBU
100 on an individual basis or in its entirety.
[0057] As set forth above for the interlocking door seam 30, each
of the doors 108, 110 is circumscribed by a flange 120, 122
(respectively). The flanges 120, 122 serve to extend the
circumference of the doors 108, 110 in order to eliminate edges
against which a pry bar or the like might be applied. As is well
known, pry bars, such as crowbars and the like, could be used to
jimmy or force open a door, particularly one with an exposed edge
that lends itself to such attack. As set forth in more detail
below, the most vulnerable edges, namely those establishing the
shared seam between the doors 108, 110, are generally secured in a
redundant manner.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 10, and more particularly in greater detail
in FIG. 12, the double doors 108, 110 are held closed by a sliding
linkage 130. The sliding linkage 130 is generally positioned
central to the CBU in between the two double doors 108, 110. Pins
132 present on the adjacent slides of the double doors 108, 110
engage the sliding linkage 130 and hooks or recesses 134 especially
designed to received such pins 132. The sliding linkage is slidably
attached to the CBU chassis 112, but is generally held in its most
downward position by gravity. By lifting upon the lever 136 of the
sliding linkage 130, the sliding linkage 130 may be lifted along
bolts passing into the sliding linkage 130 through gaps or the
like, in order to raise the sliding linkage 130. As the hooks or
recesses 134 need only be as long as the pins 132 are wide, the
displacement of sliding linkage 130 required to release the door
pins 132 can be correspondingly small and well within the easy
articulation of the human hand.
[0059] The weight alone of the sliding linkage is sufficient to
hold it down, locking the doors 108, 110 in place. As the double
doors 108, 110 cannot move vertically upon their hinges, the doors
108, 110 cannot move in a way to disengage the sliding linkage 130
once they are thereby engaged. The doors 108, 110 only move
horizontally, a direction which is against the
vertically-articulating sliding linkage 130 when the doors 108, 110
are locked by the sliding linkage 130.
[0060] In order to provide securement for the door pins 132, the
hooks or recesses 134 should be sufficiently reinforced in order to
provide a strong barrier to the travel of the door pins 132 and the
attached doors 108, 110 should the pins be brought into contact
with the hooks 134. Such a circumstance could arise from a pry bar
attack on the double doors 108, 110. As for the entirety of the CBU
100, 18 gauge stainless steel or other similarly durable and
resilient materials may be used to construct the sliding linkage
130. As shown in FIG. 10, a special post person mail slot door 138
may be used to access the lift lever 136 to thereby provide access
to the entire interior confines of the CBU 100. The post person's
mail slot box door 138 may itself have a insertion slot 140 into
which letters, cards, and sufficiently small parcels may be
inserted for pickup by the post person.
[0061] As is known in the art with respect to prior mailbox units,
parcels may be delivered to individuals by means of the larger
mailbox slots 150, 152. Keys fitting the doors that individually
secure these parcel slots 150, 152 may be left in the mailbox slot
for the person receiving the parcel. Parcels for a single
individual can be left in either or both of the parcel boxes 150,
152 with the keys for their doors left in the person's mailbox slot
by the post person. In this manner, persons may retrieve parcels
from the CBU 100 without having to travel to the local post office
in order to pick them up. Upon retrieving their parcels from the
parcel slots 150, 152, the recipient may return the keys to the
post person by inserting them through the insertion slot 140. As
the receipt of parcels may only be made on an intermittent basis,
such keys may actually be stored in the parcel slots 150, 152
themselves until needed.
[0062] As for the first interlocking door seam 30, above, the
opposing flanges 160, 162 of the double doors 108, 110,
respectively, participate in coordinated tandem in order to provide
a more protected and less vulnerable shared seam which might be
subject to attack by a thief. As indicated in FIGS. 9 and 11, the
double doors 108, 110 may be constructed so that one double door,
in this case the right double door 108, is dedicated as an interior
double door that when closed is always interior to the outer double
door, in this case door 110.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 11, the protruding flange 160 of the inner
double door 108 fits into a receiving shroud 164 that receives and
protects the exposed flange 160. The receiving shroud 164 could be
added on into the interior of the outer double door 110 during
construction adjacent its extending flange 162. Alternatively, a
shroud 164 may be formed integrally with the door 110 in order to
provide the smallest possible gap or separation 170 between the
inner double door 108 with its flange 160 and the outer double door
with its flange 162. For example, such a shroud 164 could be
achieved without the use of the outer side of the shroud 174,
trapping the inner door flange 160 between the inner side 172 of
the shroud 164 and the outer door flange 162. When the receiving
shroud 164 is added separately to the outer door 110, the outermost
portion adjacent flange 162 may be extended farther in order to
provide a significantly smaller space, if any, that might be used
to insert the leading edge of a pry bar.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 11, the would-be thief has to work against
several individual layers of strong metal or the like, in order to
defeat the securement of the flange 160 of the inner door 108 in
order to obtain access to the confines of the CBU 100.
[0065] For example, in order to defeat the receiving shroud 164 and
its protection of the inner door flange 160, the thief has to
engage in several arduous tasks. First, the thief must peel back
the entirety of the external extending flange 162 to completely
expose the inner internal flange 160. Initially, a thief might
think by prying upon the seam 170 between the two doors, that the
outer door 110 will be popped or otherwise liberated from its
locking mechanism in order to allow that door to swing free.
Instead, the thief must peel back the outer extending flange 162 to
completely expose the inner protruding flange 160. In so doing, the
thief must work against the inner extending flange 160 which itself
presses against the inner portion of 172 of the receiving shroud
164. As the receiving shroud 164 is attached to the outer door 110,
the thief is actually working the outer door 110 against itself. In
prying back the outer extending flange 162, the thief is actually
holding the outer door 110 in place via the inner edge of 172 the
receiving shroud 164.
[0066] As the receiving shroud 164 generally extends the entire
length of the extending flange 162, the thief must work all along
the entire length of the outer door extending flange 162. As the
thief is generally working against the 18 gauge stainless steel or
other similar material, this takes some time. During such time, the
thief subjects himself to detection and arrest for tampering with
mail, a federal felony.
[0067] If the thief should persist in the peeling back of the outer
door extending flange 162, he or she will then encounter the inner
door extending flange 160 which then must also be peeled back from
the inner side 172 of the receiving shroud 164. As the thief must
then work in the tighter confines of the remnants of the peeled
back outer door extending flange 162, the pry bar may be limited in
its working room in order to engage any gap or seam between the
inner door extending flange 160 and the receiving shroud 164.
[0068] However, should the diligent thief pursue his or her
efforts, upon subjecting him or herself to the second arduous task
of peeling back the inner door extending flange 160, the thief now
encounters the inner side 172 of the receiving shroud 164. This
third layer must also be peeled away in order to obtain access to
the sliding linkage 130 and/or the door pins 132 which must be
disengaged from one another in order to allow the doors 108, 110 to
swing upon their hinges and allow access to the confines of the CBU
100.
[0069] As can be seen by the foregoing, thieves who are looking for
quick and easy access to the CBU 100 are generally defeated by the
difficulty encountered in forcing open the double doors 108, 110 at
the common seam 170. Other doors known in the art subject to such
attack and are generally easily opened if they do not have such
mechanical measures taken to prevent such unauthorized access.
[0070] If a thief should, instead of attacking the entirety of the
double doors, instead attack one of the individual mailbox slot
doors 180 (FIGS. 10, 13 and 14), that thief will find that similar
measures have been taken to ensure that such unauthorized excess is
not easily achieved.
[0071] In order to provide full and complete access to the interior
of the CBU 100, each of the double doors 108, 110 swing fully away
from the central CBU chassis 112 area opening up the individual
mail slots 182 for insertion of delivered mail. Each of the doors
108, 110 provide a frame in which a number of individual mailbox
slot doors 180 articulate upon reinforced or otherwise protected
hinges. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, each of the individual mailbox
slot doors 180 has a lock 184 which may be pivoted by insertion of
the proper key 186 in order to pivot a locking cam 188. The mailbox
slot door 180 is not a flat plate, but instead is flanged on all
three sides, those sides not connected to the mailbox slot door
hinge. The side flange 190 has a slot or gap 192 through which the
cam 188 articulates. If for some reason, the lock 184 should fail,
the mailbox slot door 180 will not necessarily open as the cam 188
will not be displaced (by the lock failure) from its position (in a
locked state) of travel through the side flange gap 192.
[0072] Turning now to FIG. 14, the right double door 108 provides a
number of mailbox slot door frames 200 over which the mailbox slot
doors 180 fit. Shrouds 202, much like the double door receiving
shroud 164, receive the leading edges of the mailbox slot door
flanges, including the side flange 190, in order to protect them
from attack. Additionally, the mailbox slot door frame 200 has a
cam slot 204 corresponding to the side flange slot 192 in the
mailbox slot 180. In order to close the mailbox slot door 180, the
key 186 must be turned in the lock 184 in order to pivot the cam
188 away from the side flange slot 192. The individual mailbox slot
door 180 then closes with the flanges, with the frame flange
receiving shrouds 202 receiving the mailbox slot door flanges,
including the side flange 190. When the mailbox slot door 180 is
completely closed, the side flange slot 192 is directly opposite
and aligned with the frame cam slot 204. The key 186 may then be
turned the opposite direction in lock 184 in order to bring the
locking cam 188 to travel through both the side flange slot 192 and
then frame cam slot 204, thereby locking the mailbox slot door 180
into the double door 108. Upon removal of the key 186, the mailbox
slot door 180 has been locked into place and cannot be opened until
the key is inserted and turned in the lock 184.
[0073] The unlocking and opening of the individual mailbox slot
door 180 allows a person to pick up their own mail without
providing access to the other mailbox slots. The mailbox slot door
key 186 for one individual mailbox slot door does not fit any of
the other mailbox slot doors.
[0074] In order to obtain unauthorized access to the mailbox slot
182 by defeating the lock mechanism 184, as by using a pry bar, the
would-be thief encounters several difficulties.
[0075] Should the thief attempt to defeat the lock mechanism 184
with a slide hammer or the like, the thief will first turn the
slide hammer mechanism into the key slot (not shown) of lock 184.
Upon so engaging the lock, the thief will then engage the slide
hammer by slamming the sliding weight against the far end to
attempt to defeat the lock 184. If the thief should succeed in the
attempt, the thief will find that the side flange 190 with its
flange slot 192 preserves the secure nature of the mailbox slot
182. Although the lock may be defeated 184, the lock's defeat does
not remove the cam 188 from its position as inserted through both
the side flange 190 through the side flange slot 192 and into the
mailbox slot door frame 200 through the cam slot 204.
[0076] Although the owner or user of the mailbox slot 182 will no
longer be able to access his or her mail via the mailbox slot door
180, the mailbox slot door 180 will not open as the side flange 190
engages the cam, preventing the mailbox slot door 180 from
opening.
[0077] If the side flange 190 were not present, defeating the lock
184 would generally allow easier access to the mailbox slot 182 as
the cam 188 could generally be pried away from the door frame 200
at frame cam slot 204. Such a defeat of the cam 188 becomes a more
difficult endeavor with the presence of the side flange 190 with
its side flange cam slot 192.
[0078] If, in addition to or alternatively, the thief attempts to
pry the mailbox slot door 180 open, the thief encounters the same
difficulties described above in conjunction with FIGS. 9 and 11
regarding the receiving shroud 164 and its engagement of the inner
door extending flange 160.
[0079] When the thief tries to pry open the mailbox slot door 180,
the thief does so by inserting the pry bar between the mailbox slot
door frame 200 and one of the extending flanges present along the
mailbox slot door 180, such as side flange 190, (FIG. 13). As the
thief attempts to pry the door open, the flanges are secured by the
receiving shrouds 202. The receiving shrouds 202 reinforce the side
flanges (referred to generally herein by reference number 210). The
reinforcement of the side flanges 210 by the receiving shrouds 202
effectively doubles, or even triples, the thickness of the side
flanges 210. Because there is some separation, difference, and
distinction between the side flanges 210 and their respective
receiving shrouds 202, the strength available from the
flange-shroud combination generally exceeds that of a piece of
metal of the same thickness much in the same way that a cable
provides greater strength than a single strand of metal of the same
thickness.
[0080] A thief interested in an easy target will readily find that
the CBU 100 of the present invention provides one of the least
desirable targets with respect to mail theft. Consequently, it is
of some advantage to provide a degree of high visibility to the
CBU's of the present invention so that they may be easily
recognized and easily avoided by thieves.
[0081] By providing shrouded flanges for intersecting door seams on
both the double doors 108, 110 and the individual mailbox slot
doors 180, the CBU 100 of the present invention provides enhanced
barrier means preventing forced entry into the CBU. Additionally,
the use of the sliding linkage 130 provides a greater degree of
security as the extending door pins 132 are easily disengaged from
the sliding linkage 130 by a post person with authorized access yet
provide a significant and very difficult barrier to a thief.
[0082] While the present invention has been described with regards
to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional
variations of the present invention may be devised without
departing from the inventive concept.
[0083] While the present invention has been described with regards
to particular embodiments, it is recognized that additional
variations of the present invention may be devised without
departing from the inventive concept.
* * * * *