Patent Publication Number: US-2019177089-A1

Title: Home Delivery Box

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A. Technical Field 
     The present invention generally relates to an item delivery and retrieval device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for delivery and retrieval of the items at an unattended location such as to homes, where the residents are away at the time of the delivery. 
     B. Description of Related Art 
     Nowadays, parcel and package delivery services established the ability to deliver packages overnight from practically any source to almost any destination. The packages for home delivery arrive at non-specified time, or mostly were not delivered on expected delivery time. The delivery services deliver packages during the daytime when a consumer, a homeowner, or recipient is not at home. 
     Currently, media has been reporting a rise in theft of the packages left at the door of the residences especially during holiday and gift giving seasons. The security of such packages is always a concern. The adaption of security cameras and other technology are few measures being taken to curb such instances. To initiate a secured delivery of the items, the delivery personnel is provided with a means to have an easy access to an enclosure owned by the consumer. The enclosure is configured to receive the items delivered by the delivery personnel, when the consumer personally cannot receive the items. Thus, the delivery personnel is given a mechanical key, active remote such as a button transmitter, access code, combination, etc., which unlocks the enclosure. However, upon giving such access to the delivery personnel increases the security risk associated with the items present or stored within the enclosure. 
     Further, the security of the enclosure is dependent upon and susceptible to the security procedures of the delivery personnel. The enclosure could be subject to unauthorized access by the delivery personnel i.e., when not associated with the delivery or drop-off of an item. A key provided to the delivery personnel could be duplicated, or lost by the delivery personnel. Further, the requirement of the key to be given to the delivery personnel may be logistically cumbersome. This is because the same delivery personnel is to be enlisted by the consumer prior to the initiation of the delivery process. Hence, a sender may be restricted in its usage of its own preferred delivery personnel and may have to use and coordinate with the regular delivery personnel of the consumer. 
     Currently, theft of delivered packages or items is rampant. Most porches/stoops in a house are unprotected, allowing the thief to amble up, grab, and then walk away with the package or items. Several methods of protection are being employed by the consumers to hinder the theft associated with the delivered items. One such measures employed by the consumer is the use of security cameras in a verandah, or an area to which the items are delivered. The camera is configured to send a warning to the consumer when a person has crossed the arbitrary security threshold. Further, a message is sent to the consumer&#39;s phone so that they can observe the video image of the intruder. The video image is also stored so the authorities can observe the perpetrator. The cameras used for such activities come in many configurations, however, they are unable to protect the delivered items being stolen. They can only passively view the theft in progress. The camera also allows bi-lateral voice communication so that the consumer could talk to the thief and, hopefully, convince them not to take the delivered item or package(s). With more and more online purchases being executed, the loss of delivered package or items is increasing day by day, if the delivered items are unattended by the consumer. 
     In light of the foregoing, there is a need for a solution that enables a secured delivery of the items to the consumer, hindering the access of the delivered items stored within the enclosure. Further, there is a need for a device that keeps the delivered items secured until received by the consumer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device for delivery and retrieval of an item or a package at an unattended location such as to homes, where the residents or homeowners are away at the time of the delivery. The device of the present invention prevents the delivered items from being stolen when unattended by the homeowner. 
     The device of the present invention resolves most of problems associated with the delivery of the items or packages by delivery personnel at unattended locations such as but not limited to homes or place of business. In an embodiment, the device comprises an enclosure, a lid, one or more shelves, and a door. The enclosure is configured to receive and store the items delivered by a delivery personnel. The enclosure with multiple sides defines an interior. The interior of the enclosure includes an upper section or upper chamber and a lower section or lower chamber. The packages are received into the device from the upper section of the enclosure, which is accessible to the delivery personnel for delivering the packages. The received packages are stored within the lower section of the enclosure. The enclosure is configured to receive several or multiple deliveries at once. 
     In an embodiment, the lid covers the upper section of the enclosure. A silicone rubber gasket all around an interior periphery of the lid seals against the upper section of the enclosure. The lid is weatherproof and therefore the enclosure remains dry, dust, and debris free, protecting the packages, until the packages are removed from the device. In one embodiment, an electromagnetic lock is used to close the lid. The lid is opened on activation of the electromagnetic lock. To activate the electromagnetic lock, a label having a barcode is scanned using a barcode scanner. The label bearing the bar code is attached to the top of the device. In order to drop the package into the enclosure, the delivery personnel have to scan the bar code provided on the label on the top of the device. The lid opens as the bar code matches, and the package is placed inside the enclosure. The lid is automatically locked once the delivery of the package is completed. 
     In one embodiment, the shelves positioned within the enclosure are configured to hold the packages dropped into the enclosure. The shelves drop down the package into the lower section of the enclosure, after the weather protective lid is lowered. When the lid is lifted initially, the shelves remain fixed, allowing the delivery personnel to place the package on them within the enclosure. The shelves drops down allowing the package to fall to the lower section of the enclosure as the lid is shut completely after the placement of the package, and then rebound to the fixed secure position. A coating is provided on the lid and the enclosure making them resistant to rust, corrosion, scratch and UV rays. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. To illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and structures disclosed herein. The description of a method step or a structure referenced by a numeral in a drawing is applicable to the description of that method step or structure shown by that same numeral in any subsequent drawing herein. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a package being dropped into an enclosure of the device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3A  exemplary illustrates placement of the package on a shelf provided within the enclosure, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates the package being dropped into a lower section of the enclosure, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates retrieval of the package being from the lower section of the enclosure, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4B  exemplary illustrates the retrieval of the package by a homeowner from the device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5A  is a front view of the device, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates a reinforcing bolt down pad, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5C  illustrates a cross sectional view of the reinforced bolt down pad along the line A-A′ of  FIG. 5B , according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5D  is a side view of the device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a device  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The device  100  is designed or constructed in such a manner that, it fits on a front stoop or a porch of a home or a place of business. The device  100  is secured to the porch or the stoop of a floor using the supplied security hardware. The device  100  facilitates secure delivery of a package  118  at an unattended location such as to homes, where the residents are away at the time of the delivery. In an embodiment, the device  100  comprises an enclosure, or a box, or a container, or a cabinet  102 , a lid  104 , one or more shelves  106 , and a door  108 . The enclosure  102  of the device  100  with multiple sides defines an interior. The interior of the enclosure  102  includes an upper section or upper chamber  110 , and a lower section or lower chamber  112 . The enclosure  102  is configured to receive, and store the packages  118  delivered by a delivery personnel. In one embodiment, the upper section  110 , and the lower section  112  are two separate sections present within the enclosure  102 . The packages  118  are received into the device  100  from the upper section  110  of the enclosure  102 , which is accessible by the delivery personnel for delivering the packages by opening the lid  104 . The received packages are stored within the lower section  112  of the enclosure  102 . The enclosure  102  receives several deliveries. The packages  118  delivered recently or previously are protected within the enclosure  102  until an individual or a homeowner, or a renter, or a recipient or a consumer removes the item or the package  118  from the lower section  112  of the enclosure  102 . 
     In one embodiment, the enclosure  102  is made of steel. In another embodiment, the enclosure  102  is fabricated from ⅛″ thick cold rolled, high strength steel. The enclosure  102  shape is cut out of the sheet stock using a computer controlled water jet-machining center. After the enclosure  102  shape is cut off, it is formed on a flywheel press in a specialty die. It is then placed in a jig, and robotically welded to make a secure enclosure  102 . In another embodiment, 3/16″ thick cold rolled steel ovals are cut out of sheet steel stock, and these are robotically welded in place to reinforce the bolt down pads in a base and back of the enclosure  102 . The lid  104  is stamped to shape after being cut out of the sheet material using the water jet-machining center. A continuous hinge is welded in place on the lid  104 , and the enclosure  102 . In an embodiment, the lid  104  is made of steel. 
     In an embodiment, the lid  104  covers the upper section  110  of the enclosure  102 . The lid  104  is accessible to the delivery personnel, and the package  118  is placed inside the enclosure  102  by opening the lid  104 . The lid  104  comprises a handle  116 . The handle  116  enables the delivery personnel to open and close the lid  104 . A silicone rubber gasket all around an interior periphery of the lid  104  seals against the upper section  110  of the enclosure  102 .  FIG. 2  illustrates the package  118  being dropped into an enclosure  102  of the device  100 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The lid  104  is weatherproof, hence the enclosure  102  remains dry, dust, and debris free, protecting the package  118 , until the package  118  are removed from the device  100 . In an embodiment, the lid  104 , and the enclosure  102  are painted with aliphatic polyurethane coating, which is extremely durable. In one embodiment, the coating on the lid  104 , and the enclosure  102  could be of any polymer material. The coating is supplied in almost any vibrant color, so a distinctive color could be chosen to enhance the device  100  recognition factor, which dramatically improves the market adoption of the device  100 . The coating provided on the lid  104  and the enclosure  102  is rust, corrosion, scratch and UV resistant, making it an optimum coating for this application. 
     In one embodiment, the lid  104  is locked or closed using an electromagnetic lock. A label bearing the barcode is provided at the top of the device  100 . To activate or open the lock, the delivery personnel has to scan the label using a barcode scanner. The lock is activated as the bar code on the label matches on scanning, thereby enabling the delivery personnel to drop the package  118  inside the enclosure  102 . The lid  104  is automatically locked, once the delivery of the package  118  is complete. This alternative method could eliminate an interior hinged shelves or flaps. 
     In an embodiment, the shelves  106  positioned within the enclosure  102  are configured to hold the package  118  dropped into the enclosure  102 . The shelves  106  are positioned such that, it separates the upper section  110 , and the lower section  112  of the enclosure  102 . In one embodiment, the shelves  106  are cut to shape using 1/16″ thick steel material. After cutting, they are stamped on a flywheel press, and a continuous hinge is welded onto a bottom edge of the shelves  106 . Further, the hinges are robotically welded into position after fabrication.  FIG. 3A  exemplary illustrates placement of the package  118  on the shelves  106  provided within the enclosure  102 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment, the shelves  106  are hinged shelves. In use, the delivery personnel lifts the lid  104  for dropping the package  118  into the enclosure  102 . The package  118  is hold by the shelves  106 , before the package  118  is dropped into the lower section of the enclosure  102 . In an embodiment, a security latch  302  comprising a spring  304  is engaged to the shelves  106 . Further, the shelves  106  are spring loaded  304 . The springs  304  in the hinged shelves  106  helps in drop down of the packages into the lower section  110  of the enclosure  102 . As the lid  104  is closed, after placing the package  118  into the enclosure  102 , the security latch  302  is released enabling the shelves  106  to drop down, forced by the weight of the package  118 . The package  118  is then dropped to the lower section  112  of the enclosure  102 , and the shelves  106  rebound, settle for about 30 seconds, and the security latch  302  engages locking the shelves  106  in place. In one embodiment, the hinged shelves  106  are activated as the lid  104  is closed. The shelves  106  are very durable and the mating surfaces are small, so they are difficult to damage enough to remove any packages below. The springs  304  in the security latch  302  are balanced within the shelves  106  weight to allow them to be slightly positive upward when no package resides on the shelves  106 . The latch  302  comprising the spring  304  is commercially available, but have to be engaged properly within the enclosure  102  as mentioned above to serve the objective of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3B  illustrates the package  118  being dropped into the lower section  112  of the enclosure  102 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment, the lower section  112  of the enclosure  110  includes the door  108 . The lower section  112  is accessible to the homeowner by unlocking the door  108 . The door  108  is a side door located at one side of the lower section  112 . A handle  114  provided on the door  108  enables an easy access to the lower section  112  of the enclosure  102 . The homeowner could retrieve the package  118  any time by unlocking the door  108 . The door  108  protects the package  118  from being stolen, when the package  118  is delivered in the absence of the homeowner.  FIG. 4A  illustrates retrieval of the package from the lower section  112  of the enclosure,  102  according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the door  108  is assembled after being cut out of the ⅛″ sheet steel by the water jet-machining center, the supports, the hinge is robotically welded in place, and the door is painted with the enclosure  102  and the lid  104 . The commercially available lock components are attached, and bolted in place after the door  108  is painted. 
     In an embodiment, the device  100  is supplied with a security system that prevents the lid  104  from being opened, if the shelves  106  rotate downward, and cannot return to the horizontal locked position. In such scenario, a lid latch engages to the upper section  110  of the enclosure  102 , and the lid latch is not released until the packages  118  are removed from the lower section  112  of the enclosure  102 , and the shelves  106  are allowed to return to the horizontal and latched position enabling the device  100  to work normally. 
     In some embodiments, the enclosure  102  is blow molded using plastic material. In one embodiment, the plastic material is polypropylene. The enclosure  102 , the lid  104 , the door  108 , and the shelves  106  are separately molded, and assembled using the same commercially available components as for the device  100  made using steel. The plastic material used for molding the enclosure  102  and the lid  104  is pre-colored. The painting of the enclosure  102  and the lid  104  is not required as done for the device  100  made of steel. 
       FIG. 4B  exemplary illustrates the retrieval of the package  118  by the homeowner from the device  100 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. The delivery personnel drop the package  118  to be delivered from the upper section  110  of the enclosure  102 . The package  118  on being dropped into the upper section  102 , initially rest on the shelves  106  for few seconds, and then finally drops into the lower section  112  of the enclosure  102 . The hinged shelves  106  automatically swings up to their original position, and locks into place as the package  118  is dropped into the lower section  112  of the enclosure  102 . The lower section  112  of the enclosure  102  is not accessible, when the upper section  110  of the enclosure  102  is open. The package  118  is accessed via the door  108  located at one side of the lower section  112  of the enclosure  102 . The homeowner unlocks the door  108 , to retrieve the package  118  dropped into the device  100 . The door  108  is locked when not in use, and is accessible only by the homeowner. The lower section  112  of the enclosure  102  is not accessible to the delivery personnel. In an embodiment, the lower section  112  could store and secure multiple packages delivered by the delivery personnel until retrieved by the homeowner. 
       FIG. 5A  is a front view of the device  100 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. The enclosure  102  is constructed using high strength cold rolled steel sheet. The shape of the enclosure  102  is formed after being cut out of the sheet, and robotically welded to make the watertight, tamper resistant enclosure  102 . The weather resistance is slightly compromised by a security mounting holes on a bottom and a back of the enclosure  102 , and shipped with tight fitting plastic plugs to solve the above problem.  FIG. 5B  illustrates a reinforcing bolt down pad, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment, the reinforcing bolt down pads  506  are formed, which are welded to an interior base of the enclosure  102 , to enable the affixing of the device  100  to the porch or the stoop floor.  FIG. 5C  illustrates a cross sectional view of the reinforced bolt down pad  506  along the line A-A′ of  FIG. 5B , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In an embodiment, the shelves  106  are hinged at outer edges. When the lid  104  is lifted initially to deliver the package  118 , the shelves  106  remains in a fixed secured position, allowing the delivery personnel to place the package  118  on the shelves  106 , within the enclosure  102 . However, as the lid  104  is shut completely after the placement of the package  118 , the shelves  106  drops down momentarily allowing the package  118  to fall to the lower section  112  of the enclosure  102 . The shelves  106  then rebound to the fixed secure position. The lid  104  shields the interior of the enclosure  102  from weather, dust, and airborne debris, keeping the package  118  clean and dry until removed from the device  100 . 
       FIG. 5D  is a side view of the device  100 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment, the lid  104  is propped up through a friction wheel  502 , and a support arm  504  mounted on both sides of the enclosure  102 . The friction wheel  502 , and the support arm  504 , fold against the interior sides of the enclosure  102  when the lid  104  is closed. The silicon rubber gasket all around the interior periphery of the lid  104 , seals against the upper section  110  of the enclosure  102 . In an embodiment, the security latch  302  is operated by the lid  104 , as the lid  104  is opened, and closed by the delivery personnel. The enclosure  102  is coated with aliphatic polyurethane coating for providing wear, UV, corrosion resistance. The delivered package is removed from the secure location (lower section  112 ) within the enclosure  102 , and the door  108  is re-closed after the retrieval of the package  118 . In one embodiment, the door  108  is securely locked using a tamper resistant keyed tumbler lock  120 , which has two hardened bars that slide into receivers welded into an interior surface of the enclosure  102 , preventing unwarranted removal of the package. 
     In an embodiment, the device  100  is used for secured delivery and retrieval of packages at unattended locations such as home or place of business. Additionally, the device  100  facilitates the delivery of multiple packages at once. Packages of different size are also accommodated within the device  100 . The device  100  provides a peace of mind to the homeowner expecting the packages to be delivered in the front door of the home. The device  100  is recognizable and easily operated by delivery personnel, and the homeowners for retrieving the delivered packages. The device  100  keeps the lower section  112  secure, while allowing further deliveries into the upper section  110  of the enclosure  102 . The lid  104  allows the packages to be dropped into the device  100 . The hinged shelves  106  drops the packages into the secured lower section  112 . Further, the hinged shelves  106  are activated as the lid  104  is closed enabling the drop of the package to the lower section  112 . The door  108  could be locked when not in use restricting the access of the lower section  112  of the enclosure  102 . Further, the lower section  112  is not accessible from the upper section  110  of the enclosure  102 . The device  100  hides and keeps secure the delivery packages left at the front of the home. Constructed of sturdy and tamper resistance material the device  100  keeps the packages secure and dry until the recipient or homeowners retrieve them. 
     The foregoing description comprise illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used only in generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein.