Apparatus for securing mail deliveries

An apparatus for securing mail deliveries is disclosed, including a container dimensioned to receive a mail item. The container includes an opening dimensioned to receive the mail item which is stored within the interior of the perimeter. A frame is provided around the perimeter of the opening having one or more joints to permit the frame to open and close the opening of the container. The frame includes one or more supports having a U-shaped portion to hang from a door. A locking mechanism is in communication with the frame to securely lock the frame in a closed configuration.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments relate to security devices and theft deterrents and, more specifically, relate to devices which secure packages upon delivery to deter theft.

BACKGROUND

Mail is used for the transportation of postcards, letters, and parcels. Services can be public or private, although each perform the similar function of collecting the item to be mailed, shipping the item near its destination, and delivering the item to a final location.

Upon delivery at the final location, some items may require the recipient to be present at the time of delivery. Further, some items may require a signature from a designated party. Many items, however, do not require the presence of the recipient. In these cases, the package may be left unattended for a period of time before it is collected by the recipient. This provides the opportunity for thieves to steal the package with little to no threat of detection.

With the increasing prevalence of online shopping, these types of deliveries for valuable goods have become more common. Consequently instances of package theft have risen. While some shippers attempt to conceal the value of the goods being delivered by using unmarked packaging, this does not conceal the package itself from view or protect it from theft once delivered.

Currently, some devices are available which protect the package such as lock boxes, drop boxes and similar systems. However, many of these are inaccessible or not feasible for home owners and are only implemented in apartments or other living complexes at which mail is delivered to a central location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a variety of concepts in a simplified form that is further disclosed in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The present embodiments disclose an apparatus for securing mail deliveries, including a container dimensioned to receive a mail item. The container includes an opening dimensioned to receive the mail item which is stored within the interior of the perimeter. A frame is provided around the perimeter of the opening having one or more joints to permit the frame to open and close the opening of the container. The frame includes one or more supports having a U-shaped portion to hang from a door. A locking mechanism is in communication with the frame to securely lock the frame in a closed configuration.

The embodiments allow for the recipient to mount the apparatus to a door either permanently or during a time period when a mail item is expected such that the mail deliverer may dispose the mail item within the interior space of the container to deter theft of the mail item.

In one aspect, the frame is comprised of a plurality of joints to permit the frame to be folded.

In one aspect, the container is constructed of a flexible material. The flexible material may be expandable to permit the storage of larger mail items.

In one aspect, the mount permits the door to be closed and locked to retain the container to the door.

In one aspect, the apparatus further comprises a brace on the rear side of the container to support heavy mail items stored within the container.

In one aspect, the apparatus further comprises a locking mechanism in communication with the frame to enclose the mail item within the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are to a system and method of use. Any specific details of the embodiments are used for demonstrative purposes only and no unnecessary limitations or inferences are to be understood therefrom.

As used herein, the term “mail item” refers to any letter, parcel, or other item which is deliverable by public and/or private mail delivery services.

In general, the embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus for securing delivered mail items at the delivery location to prevent theft of the mail item. The apparatus can be mounted to a structure or structure component to secure the apparatus thereto. The apparatus is at least partially enclosed to receive the mail item and retain the mail item out of view.

In reference toFIG.1, the apparatus100is illustrated mounted to a door105of a structure110. The apparatus100is removably engaged with the door105using a securing means such that the recipient of the mail item may mount or remove the apparatus100as desired. The apparatus includes a container115having an interior space wherein the mail item may be disposed by the mail deliverer. A frame120at least partially forms a perimeter around the opening125of the container115. A plurality of supports130,135suspend the container115from the top of the door105.

In some embodiments, the container is constructed of a flexible material to allow for the apparatus to be folded during storage. The flexible material may also be expandable to accommodate various sizes of mail items.

In some embodiments, the frame may be collapsible via a plurality of joints107to permit the frame to fold to facilitate storage of the apparatus. One skilled in the arts will readily understand that the joints107may be provided at various positions along the frame120.

In some embodiments and in further reference toFIG.1, the rear side140of the apparatus100includes a brace145to support the container115. The brace145may be especially useful if a heavy mail item is to be retained within the container115.

FIG.2illustrates the apparatus100disengaged from the door. Each support130,135extends from the container115to a mount150dimensioned to releasably engage with the top of the door while retaining the ability of the door to close and lock such that the apparatus100is fixed to the door while the door is closed. The interior152is dimensioned to enclose a mail item within the container115. Upper connections154connect the container115to the frame120

FIG.3illustrates a perspective view of the frame120separated from the container115. The frame120includes a first support130and second support135each having a retainer portion155,160. Each retainer portion155,160is generally u-shaped to extend over the top of the door and secure the frame120holding the container to the door. In such, when the door is closed, the frame120and apparatus are unable to be removed from the door. The frame120comprises a front portion165having a front member170, and first left and first right side members175,180pivotally engaged with a second left side member185and a second right side member190. In some embodiments, the frame120pivots between an open configuration and a closed configuration. Mail can be delivered by dropping the mail item into the opening of the container when the frame120is in an open configuration. When in a closed configuration, the interior space of the container is sufficiently sealed to prevent the contents (e.g., the mail) from being stolen or otherwise tampered with.

In some embodiments, the frame may be comprised of one or more locking mechanisms195(seeFIG.3) which retains the frame120in a closed and/or open configuration such that the opening of the container may be closed and locked following the delivery and disposal of the mail item within the interior space of the apparatus.

In some embodiments, the locking mechanism195can include a lock and key, a combination lock, or similar locking mechanism known in the arts.

In some embodiments, the locking mechanism195is an electronic locking mechanism in operable communication the users computing device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, laptop computer, or similar network-connected computing device). The electronic locking mechanism may permit the user to lock and/or unlock the apparatus100from a remote location via a transceiver positioned in operable communication with the frame. In some embodiments, the frame120may include on or more actuators to open and close the opening125of the frame120.

In some embodiments, the container115may be comprised of a durable material that is resistant to cutting, tearing, or degradation to prevent unauthorized access to the disposed mail contained therein once the locking mechanism195has been engaged. Further, the container115may be sufficiently waterproof to protect the mail contents from moisture while store within the container115.

During use, the apparatus100is positioned on the door105by hanging the apparatus100on the top of the door105using the supports130,135. The door105is then closed to prevent the removal of the apparatus100. The apparatus100is hung on the door with the frame120in an open configuration (as shown inFIG.1) to allow the items to be placed into the interior152through the opening125. Once the items are placed within the container115, the frame120is folded into a closed configuration and locked via the locking mechanism195. The locking mechanism195may then be unlocked to permit the opening of the container115and the item(s) therein may be retrieved. When not in use, the apparatus100can be removed from the door105, folded and stored.

In some embodiments, the frame120may be constructed of a suitably resilient material such as from various metals, metal alloys, plastics, etc. which prevent cutting, breaking, or otherwise tampering with. The container115and frame120may be connected via stitching, molding, bonding, adhesives, or other means of attachments.