U.S. patent application number 13/937936 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-09 for lock box for package delivery.
The applicant listed for this patent is Charlene Pfeiffer. Invention is credited to Charlene Pfeiffer.
Application Number | 20140008246 13/937936 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49877690 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140008246 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pfeiffer; Charlene |
January 9, 2014 |
LOCK BOX FOR PACKAGE DELIVERY
Abstract
A lock box secured to a landing or porch in front of a
residential home. The lock box may be used for delivering and
picking up packages. A user may place a package for delivery in the
lock box and then lock it. A delivery person may then unlock the
lock box and retrieve the package. Alternatively, the delivery
person may place the package within the lock box and lock it. Then
the user that lives at the residential home may unlock the box to
retrieve their package.
Inventors: |
Pfeiffer; Charlene; (Palm
Bay, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Pfeiffer; Charlene |
Palm Bay |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49877690 |
Appl. No.: |
13/937936 |
Filed: |
July 9, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61669527 |
Jul 9, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/1.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/00 20130101;
A47G 29/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/1.5 |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/00 20060101
A45C011/00 |
Claims
1. A package holding device comprising: a bottom side, and at least
one sidewall having a top rim, wherein the bottom side and the at
least one sidewall form a receptacle in between and an opening at
the top rim; a mounting mechanism configured to mount the bottom
side of the receptacle to a surface; a lid hinged to the top rim of
the at least one sidewall, wherein the lid is formed to cover the
opening; and a locking mechanism comprising a locked position and
an unlocked position, wherein the locked position comprises the lid
secured in a closed position, and the unlocked position comprises
the lid capable of being opened and closed.
2. The package holding dev ice of claim 1, wherein the mounting
mechanism comprises at least one bolt formed to fit through at
least one opening in the bottom side, wherein the bolt is secured
to an anchor in the surface.
3. The package holding device of claim 1, wherein the surface is a
landing or front porch of a residential home.
4. The package holding device of claim 1, wherein the locking
mechanism comprises a first key lock and a second key lock, wherein
the first key lock and the second key lock are locked and unlocked
by two different keys.
5. The package holding device of claim 1, comprising the dimensions
of about a 20 inch width, a 20 inch depth, and a 30 inch
length.
6. The package holding device of claim 1, wherein the at least one
sidewall and bottom comprise a solid plastic.
7. A method of protecting a mailing package comprising: providing a
lock box comprising: a bottom, and at least one sidewall having a
top rim, wherein the bottom and the at least one sidewall form a
receptacle and an opening at the top rim; a lid hinged to the top
rim of the at least one sidewall, wherein the lid is formed to
cover the opening; and a locking mechanism comprising a locked
position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked position
comprises the lid secured in a closed position, and the unlocked
position comprises the lid capable of being opened and closed;
mounting the lock box to a front porch of a residential home;
opening the lid of the lock box and placing a package for delivery
within the lock box; and locking the lid in the locked
position.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a
first key lock and a second key lock, wherein the first key lock
and the second key lock are locked and unlocked by two different
keys.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the lid is locked by a first user
using a first key.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of unlocking
the lid by a second user using a second key.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
provisional application number 61/669,527, filed Jul. 9, 2012, the
contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a lock box and, more
particularly, to a lock box mounted in front of a residential home
for package delivery.
[0003] Package delivery or parcel delivery is the shipping of
packages (parcels) or high value mail as single shipments. While
the service is provided by most postal systems, private package
delivery services have also existed in competition with and in
place of public postal services. When delivering a package to a
residential neighborhood including townhouses or single family
homes, the package may be delivered and left on the front porch.
This is typically done regardless of the weather conditions.
Therefore, during rain or snow, the package may become wet, which
may result in a ruined package. Further, the packages are out in
the open and therefore are easy to steal.
[0004] As can be seen, there is a need for a lock box that prevents
damage and theft of packages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, a package holding
device comprises: a bottom side, and at least one sidewall having a
top rim, wherein the bottom side and the at least one sidewall form
a receptacle in between and an opening at the top rim; a mounting
mechanism configured to mount the bottom side of the receptacle to
a surface; a lid hinged to the top rim of the at least one
sidewall, wherein the lid is formed to cover the opening; and a
locking mechanism comprising a locked position and an unlocked
position, wherein the locked position comprises the lid secured in
a closed position, and the unlocked position comprises the lid
capable of being opened and closed.
[0006] In another aspect of the present invention, a method of
protecting a mailing package comprises: providing a lock box
comprising: a bottom, and at least one sidewall having a top rim,
wherein the bottom and the at least one sidewall form a receptacle
and an opening at the top rim; a lid hinged to the top rim of the
at least one sidewall, wherein the lid is formed to cover the
opening; and a locking mechanism comprising a locked position and
an unlocked position, wherein the locked position comprises the lid
secured in a closed position, and the unlocked position comprises
the lid capable of being opened and closed; mounting the lock box
to a front porch of a residential home; opening the lid of the lock
box and placing a package for delivery within the lock box; and
locking the lid in the locked position.
[0007] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention shown
in use;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a detail perspective view of the dual key lock
shown in FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the present invention
demonstrated with the lid of FIG. 1 in an open configuration;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention
showing a mounting mechanism of the present invention; and
[0012] FIG. 5 is a detail section view of the present invention
along line 5-5 of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,
but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general
principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is
best defined by the appended claims.
[0014] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a
lock box secured to a landing or porch in front of a residential
home. The lock box may be used for delivering and picking up
packages. A user may place a package for delivery in the lock box
and then lock it. A delivery person may then unlock the lock box
and retrieve the package. Alternatively, the delivery person may
place the package within the lock box and lock it. Then the user
that lives at the residential home may unlock the box to retrieve
their package.
[0015] The present invention facilitates the safe and dry delivery
of packages. In certain embodiments, the lockbox of the present
invention may be made of plastics, stainless steel or another metal
that does not rust to sustain harsh weather conditions. In certain
embodiments, the present invention may be used for securing other
items, such as lawn accessories. The dimensions of the lock box may
be about 20 inches in width, 20 inches in depth, and 30 inches in
length. However, the lockbox is not limited to the dimensions
mentioned above and may be any dimensions desired.
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention may
include a lock box 10. The lock box 10 may include at least one
sidewall having a top rim and a bottom side. For example, the lock
box 10 may include four sidewalls. The sidewalls and the bottom
side form a receptacle in between and an opening at the top rim.
The lock box 10 may further include a lid 12. The lid 12 may be
connected to the top rim of the sidewall by a hinge 20. The lid 12
may close to cover the receptacle and open to reveal the inside of
the receptacle.
[0017] In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a
mounting mechanism. The mounting mechanism may be used to mount the
bottom side of the lock box 10 to a surface 18. In certain
embodiments, the surface 18 may be a porch or landing in front of a
residential home, such as a concrete porch. The mounting mechanisms
may include bolts 16 going through openings in the bottom side of
the lock box 10. The bolts 16 may be mounted to an anchor 26 that
is within the surface 18. Therefore, the bolt 16 and anchor 26 may
secure the lock box 10 to the surface 18.
[0018] In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a
locking mechanism 14. The locking mechanism 14 may be in a locked
position and an unlocked position. The locked position may secure
the lid 12 in a closed position, preventing the lid 12 from being
opened and thereby securing the contents within the lock box 10.
The locking mechanism 14 may be in an unlocked position in which
the lid 12 may be opened and closed freely.
[0019] In certain embodiments, the locking mechanism may include a
first key lock and a second key lock, as illustrated in the
Figures. The first key lock may be opened by a first key and the
second key lock may be opened by a second key. For example, the
owner of a residential home may own a first lock and may lock and
unlock the lock box 10. The user may place a package 22 within the
lock box 10 and lock the lock box 10 using the first key. A
delivery person may use a second key to unlock the lock box 10 and
remove the package 22 for delivery. Further the delivery person may
deliver a package by opening the lock box 10 with the second key
and place the package 22 within the lock box 10. The user or owner
of the home may open the lock box 10 with the first key to obtain
the package. The lockbox 10 therefore prevents the package 22 from
being weather damaged and stolen.
[0020] A method of securing a package may include the following.
The lock box mentioned above may be provided. A user may mount the
lock box to a front porch or landing of a residential home. The
user may then open the lid of the lock box and place a package for
delivery within the lock box. The user may then lock the lid in the
locked position. In certain embodiments, the locking mechanism may
include a first key lock and a second key lock. A first key may
unlock the first key lock and a second key may unlock the second
key lock. In such embodiments, the user may lock the first key lock
with the first key, and a second user may access the package by
unlocking the lock box with the second key.
[0021] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *