Patent ID: 8136718

Claim:
An after hour depository, including: a framework including a first sidewall and a second sidewall, and having a front opening, a hopper assembly including a door having a front face and bottom portion, a handle disposed on an upper end of the front face, and a deposit hopper on the inside of the door, a horizontal shaft fixed to and extending from at least one side of the bottom portion of the hopper assembly, the horizontal shaft having an end portion extending through the first sidewall, the horizontal shaft and the hopper assembly being pivotable within the framework between a closed position in which the door covers the front opening of the framework, and a full open position in which the front opening is uncovered, a lever arm fixed to the end portion of the horizontal shaft at a rotary angle, the lever arm including a distal arm end extending radially, and a gas spring secured pivotably at a first end to the distal end of the lever arm, and secured pivotably at a second end to the first sidewall at an anchor position, wherein the gas spring exerts a torsional force on the distal end of the lever arm to deliver a torque on the horizontal shaft that reduces the pulling force on the handle required to initiate the movement of the hopper assembly from the closed position toward the full open position.