EP2340747A1 - Device for holding letters, packages and/or goods shipments - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a damping element designed as a stop damper (16), hydraulic and/or gas damper, and as a friction damper e.g. torsion spring. A cabinet comprises an aperture that is lockable by a door (9), which is pivotable between a closing position and an open position. The damping element limits movement and/or moving velocity of the door between the closing position and the open position in a portion of the door movement. The friction damper is arranged in a region of axles (8) between the cabinet and door, and the stop damper is formed from elastomer.

Description

The invention relates to a device for receiving at least one letter, parcel and / or consignment, in particular a mailbox, with a housing having a bottom and a receiving space formed in the housing for the mail, parcel and / or consignment, said the housing has an opening which can be closed by means of a door, which door is pivotable about an axis extending substantially parallel to the floor between a firing position and an open position.

Various generic devices, in particular letterboxes are known from the prior art. Such devices or mailboxes are usually made of plastic or metal, in particular sheet steel, aluminum sheet or higher quality metals. For example, high-quality mailboxes are also made of high-grade stainless steels, which consequently have a high corrosion resistance, which are of such quality for mailboxes, since appropriate mailboxes are usually exposed to weather, in particular rainfall. The weight of such a mailbox is usually determined by the type of material and the material thickness. A visually high-quality impression is achieved in the production of such mailboxes in particular by recognizable thick-walled components, in which case the door, which may also be designed as a flap, appears here in the first place. The choice of thick-walled components, in particular a thick-walled door has also crucial in terms of the prevention of unauthorized access.

From the DE 20 2006 020 612 U1 For example, a generic device for receiving at least one letter, parcel and / or consignment, in particular a mailbox is known, which has a housing and a receiving space formed in the housing for the mail, parcel and / or consignment, the Housing has an opening which is closed by means of a door. The door or the housing have an actuatable locking element and the housing or the door has a locking element corresponding to the locking element. In this prior mailbox, it is advantageous that the locking of the door in the housing without the aid of a key with which a lock is actuated, is possible. Only for the opening process, such a key is needed, but then, after the opening process of the castle can be deducted. The door can then be transferred without reuse of the key in the locked position.

In this prior mailbox, the door is designed like a flap and mounted on a pivot axis on the housing. The axis of rotation is provided in the lower region of the housing, whereas the locking of the door or flap is provided at the opposite end of the door or flap.

Another mailbox is from the DE 20 2004 004 052 U1 known and corresponds in its basic structure to the letter box described above, in which case additionally a guide and holding element is provided, which is arranged between the housing and the door or flap, so that on this guide and holding element, the open position of the door or Flap is determined.

The devices or mailboxes described above have proven themselves in practice. However, with regard to these known mailboxes has the disadvantage that when using larger material thicknesses for the construction elements, in particular the door and / or flap a lot of effort in terms of leadership of this door and / or flap is required to exclude damage inappropriate handling to be able to.

Based on this prior art, the invention has the object , a generic device such that even with improper handling of the door and / or flap damage to the door and / or flap and / or on the housing, especially in the transfer of door and / or flap can be avoided in the open position.

The solution to this problem provides in a generic device that the door is limited in its path of movement and / or its possible speed of movement between the closed position and the open position, at least in a partial region of the movement path by means of a damping element.

In the apparatus according to the invention thus a damping element is provided which limits the movement of the door or flap in the open position damping. This damping element can be designed both as a stop damper or as a friction damper, which limits the possible speed of movement of the door, the latter, for example, can be provided only over a limited movement path of the door or flap, so that the door or flap over a portion of the movement path unattenuated is movable and only at the end of its movement path is limited by the closed position in the open position on the friction damper in their movement speed. It is therefore possible to arrange the stop damper visually imperceptible within the receiving space and thus with the device closed and / or in the outer region of the housing.

The stop damper is preferably arranged in a region of the door facing the housing and / or in a region of the housing facing the housing. The stop damper may for example be arranged on the door or flap so that it is supported in the opening position of the door or flap on a housing part. By such a stop damper, for example, the load on the axis of rotation is limited by a cantilevered door or flap with a high weight.

Alternatively or additionally, the friction damper can be arranged in the region of the axis between the housing and the door and / or in the region of a guide and retaining element connecting the door to the housing. As far as above or below the door is mentioned, in this regard, a flap may be meant, which basically has a function identical to the door, namely a discharge opening closes and if necessary in an open position can be transferred, so that stored in the device letter -, parcel and / or consignments can be accessed.

The stop damper is preferably made of an elastomer having a hardness or elasticity, which allows a material-friendly energy conversion of the kinetic energy of moving in the open position door in deformation work. Such an elastomer is preferably formed in two layers, wherein a layer consists of, for example, an open-pored foam material. The open porosity here allows the deformation work to convert the kinetic energy of moving in the open position door, without causing damage to the door, housing and / or joints. However, it is also conceivable that a closed-cell foam material is used which, inter alia, offers better protection against environmental influences, for example precipitation. Also conceivable are mixed-cell foams, ie those foams which had both open and closed cells. So-called integral foams which have a closed outer skin and a cellular core, the density of the foam decreasing towards the inside, are particularly advantageous as impact absorbers.

As a friction damper in particular as torsional claimable power storage elements, in particular torsion springs are used, which are stretched during the transfer of the door or flap in the open position so that the kinetic energy of moving in the open position door or flap in the energy storage in shape change work converted is stored. Such a friction damper also has the advantage that the stored in the open position of the door or flap kinetic energy when transferring the door or flap in the closed position to support this movement can be used.

In a preferred embodiment it is provided that the friction damper has an opening in which the guiding and holding element is guided. In this case, the friction damper is part of the guiding and retaining element and can additionally serve as a stop damper for a arranged on the guide and holding element stop.

Preferably, the friction damper is secured to the housing and the guiding and retaining member is secured to one end of the door. Such a guiding and holding element may comprise a rod-shaped, guided in the friction damper element, which end has a stop which rests in the end position on the friction damper. Preferably, the guiding and holding element has a widening free second end, which is arranged opposite to the door attached to the first end opposite. About the widening free second end, the friction in the friction damper is increased, so that the possible speed of movement of moving in the open position door or flap due to the friction damper in the increasing friction between the friction damper and the guide and holding element significantly reduced.

Finally, according to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that the axle is divided into at least two axle sections and that at least one energy accumulator is arranged as a damping element between the axle sections. In this embodiment, an axle portion is movable relative to the housing, which axis portion but then relative to the door or flap is not movable, that is rotatably connected to the door or flap, while the second portion in a reverse rotation with the housing and rotatable on the Flap or door is stored. Between the two Achsabschnitten an energy storage, such as a torsion spring or a rubber spring element is then arranged, which is stretched in the movement of the door or flap in the open position and absorbs the kinetic energy of the moving door or flap.

It is also conceivable that the axis consists of several axle sections, for example, three axle sections, wherein two outer axle sections rotatably connected to the door or flap and a central shaft portion rotatably connected to the housing and wherein at least one friction damper is disposed between the axle sections.

• Fig. 1 eine Vorrichtung zur Aufnahme von wenigstens einer Brief-, Paket- und/oder Warensendung mit geschlossener Tür in perspektivischer Ansicht;
• Fig. 2 die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 mit teilweise geöffneter Tür in perspektivischer Ansicht;
• Fig. 3 einen Teil der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 in geschnitten dargestellter Seitenansicht entlang der Schnittlinie III-III in Fig. 1;
• Fig. 4 einen Teil der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 in geschnitten dargestellter Seitenansicht entlang der Schnittlinie IV-IV in Fig. 2;
• Fig. 5 ein als Anschlagdämpfer ausgebildetes Dämpfungselement in Seitenansicht;
• Fig. 6 einen Abschnitt einer Tür für eine Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 bzw. Fig. 2 in perspektivischer Ansicht;
• Fig. 7 einen Teilabschnitt einer Vorrichtung gemäß den Fign. 1 oder 2 in perspektivischer Ansicht;
• Fig. 8 eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Teilabschnitts einer Vorrichtung gemäß den Fign. 1 oder 2 in perspektivischer Ansicht und
• Fig. 9 eine Detailansicht eines Führungs- und Halteelementes in perspektivischer Ansicht.

Further features and advantages of the device according to the invention will become apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of a device according to the invention are shown. In the drawing show:

• Fig. 1 a device for receiving at least one letter, parcel and / or consignment of goods with a closed door in a perspective view;
• Fig. 2 the device according to Fig. 1 with partly open door in perspective view;
• Fig. 3 a part of the device according to Fig. 1 in sectional side view along the section line III-III in Fig. 1 ;
• Fig. 4 a part of the device according to Fig. 2 in sectioned side view along the section line IV-IV in Fig. 2 ;
• Fig. 5 a trained as a stop damper damping element in side view;
• Fig. 6 a section of a door for a device according to Fig. 1 respectively. Fig. 2 in perspective view;
• Fig. 7 a section of a device according to the FIGS. 1 or 2 in perspective view;
• Fig. 8 a further embodiment of a portion of a device according to the FIGS. 1 or 2 in perspective view and
• Fig. 9 a detailed view of a guide and retaining element in a perspective view.

Fig. 1 shows a device for receiving at least one letter, parcel and / or consignment, namely a mailbox 1. The mailbox 1 consists of a housing 2, a bottom 3, two side walls 4, a lid 5 and a rear wall, not shown having. The rear wall opposite and aligned parallel thereto and aligned at right angles to the bottom 3, the lid 5 and the side walls 4, a front wall 6 is provided which has a closed slot 7 with a flap and a door 8 pivotable about an axis 9, which is between a in the FIGS. 1 and 3 shown closed position and one in the FIGS. 2 and 4 , shown opening position is movable. The mobility is for example in Fig. 2 represented by an arrow 10.

The axis is substantially parallel to between the bottom 3 and the Front wall 6 extending edge 11 of the housing. 2

In the FIGS. 1 to 4 additionally shown is a locking device 12, which consists of a lock 13 with a key and a latch 14. About the inserted into the lock 13 key, the latch 14 can be moved relative to the door 9.

Like from the FIGS. 3 and 4 it can be seen, the door 9 in the area of the axis 8 a stop 15 with a stop damper 16, which in a position of the door 9 in the open position according to Fig. 4 comes to rest on the front wall 6, so that the door 9 is limited in their movement.

The stop damper 16 is in Fig. 5 shown in detail. The stop damper 16 is made of an elastomer 17, which has a hardness or elasticity, which allows a material-friendly energy conversion of the kinetic energy of moving in the open position door 9 in deformation work. For this purpose, the elastomer 17 is formed in two layers, wherein a first layer 18 consists of an open-cell foam material, which foam material is formed compressible. The foam material is connected to a second layer 19, which is closed-celled and generally has a higher density than the first layer 18.

Out Fig. 5 It can also be seen that the elastomer 17 in the region of the layer 18 has a circular arc section-shaped surface 20 which comes into contact with the front wall 6 in the open position of the door 9.

Fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of a door 9 with an axis 8. The axis 8 is divided into three axis sections, wherein the central axis portion 22 rotatably connected to the door 9 and the two outer shaft portions 21 and 23 rotatably connected to the housing 2, namely the front wall 6 are. Between the axle sections 21, 22 and 23, friction dampers 24 are arranged in the form of torsion-claimable force-storing elements, for example torsion springs. By moving the door 9 from the closed position to the open position, these friction dampers 24 are subjected to torsion such that the path of movement and / or the speed of movement of the door 9 between the closed position and the open position is limited.

Another embodiment of a device according to the invention is in Fig. 7 shown in the clipping. Evident is the door 9, which is connected via the axis 8 with the housing 2 pivotally relative to each other. On the side wall 4 of the housing 2, a hinge joint 25 is arranged, which has two lever arms 26 and 27, which are connected to each other via a rotary joint 28. The lever arm 27 is at its end facing away from the pivot 28 with the door 9 and the lever arm 26 is connected with its end facing away from the pivot 28 with the side wall 4, wherein both lever arms 26, 27 each at least limited rotatable to the door 9 and the side wall 4 are attached.

In the rotary joint 28, a non-illustrated friction damper is arranged, which limits at least the movement speed of the door 9 between its closed position and its open position. In addition, further friction dampers can also be arranged in the articulation points of the lever arms 26, 27 on the side wall 4 or on the door 9.

Of course, in addition, a further friction damper can be integrated into the axle 8 and / or a stop damper according to the FIGS. 3 and 4 be provided.

In Fig. 8 a further embodiment of a mailbox 1 is shown. Evident is a guiding and retaining element 29, which is rod-shaped and is struck with one end to the door 9. In this area, the guide and retaining element 29 is at least limited pivotally mounted to the door 9 at this.

The second end of the guiding and holding element 29 is guided in a holding arm 30, which in this respect has a bore 31 which is penetrated by the rod-shaped guiding and holding element 29. At the free end of the guide and retaining element 29, a stop damper 16 is provided, which consists of an elastomer. The holding arm 30 is rotatably supported relative to the side wall 4, so that the guide and holding element 29 and the holding arm 30 are constantly arranged in a position relative to each other during the movement of the door 9, the movement of the guide and holding element 29 relative to the holding arm 30th allows. The stop damper 16 is therefore arranged in the receiving space of the mailbox 1 and not visible when the flap 7 is closed.

An alternative embodiment of the guide and retaining element 29 and the support arm 30 is in Fig. 9 shown. In this embodiment, a friction damper 24 made of an elastomer is used in the bore 31, which is penetrated by the guide and retaining element 29. This guide and holding member 29 has a flared diameter to its free end, so that the friction between the friction damper 24 and the guide and holding member 29 is increased with increasing opening movement of the door 9, so that this increased friction, the speed of movement and At the end, the movement path between the closed position and the open position of the door 9 is reduced and finally limited. In addition, the guide and retaining element 29 according to Fig. 9 also a stop damper 16 according to Fig. 8 exhibit.

In addition to the shear-resistant guiding and retaining elements 29 described above, other guiding and retaining elements can of course also be used. For example, here also elastic guiding and holding elements can be used, which have sufficient elasticity to limit the path of movement of the door between the closed position and the open position damping.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments presented above. Rather, changes and / or additions are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, other forms of dampers are conceivable that reduce or limit the speed of movement or the path of movement of the door between the closed position and the open position.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

mailbox

2

casing

3

ground

4

Side wall

5

cover

6

front wall

7

flap

8th

axis

9

door

10

arrow

11

edge

12

closing device

13

lock

14

latch

15

attack

16

stop damper

17

elastomer

18

layer

19

layer

20

surface

21

intercept

22

intercept

23

intercept

24

friction damper

25

hinge

26

lever arm

27

lever arm

28

swivel

29

Führung-, holding element

30

holding arm

31

drilling

Claims (13)

Device for receiving at least one letter, parcel and / or consignment, in particular letterbox (1), with a housing (2) having a bottom (3) and a receiving space for the letter, parcel, formed in the housing (2) - And / or consignment, wherein the housing (2) has an opening which is closable by a door (9), which door (9) about a preferably substantially parallel to the bottom (3) extending axis (8) between a closed position and an open position is pivotable,
characterized,
in that the door (9) is delimited in its path of movement and / or its possible speed of movement between the closed position and the open position, at least in a partial area of the movement path by means of a damping element (16, 24). Device according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the damping element is designed as a stop damper (16). Device according to claim 1,
characterized,
in that the damping element is designed as a friction damper (24) which limits the possible speed of movement of the door (9). Device according to claim 2,
characterized,
in that the stop damper (16) is arranged in a region of the door (9) facing the housing (2) and / or in a region of the housing (2) facing the door (9). Device according to claim 3,
characterized,
that the friction damper (24) in the region of the axis (8) between housing (2) and door (9) and / or in the region of the door (9) with the housing (2) connecting guide and holding element (25, 29) is arranged. Device according to claim 2,
characterized,
in that the stop damper (16) is formed from an elastomer (17) which has a hardness or elasticity which permits a material-sparing energy conversion of the kinetic energy of the door (9) moving into the open position in deformation work. Device according to claim 6,
characterized,
that the elastomer (17) is formed at least in two layers, wherein a layer (18) consists of a foam material, for example, open pored. Device according to claim 3,
characterized,
in that the friction damper (24) is designed as a force-storing element that can be subjected to torsion, in particular as a torsion spring. Device according to claim 1,
characterized,
that the damping element is designed as a hydraulic and / or gas damper. Device according to claim 5,
characterized,
in that the friction damper (24) has an opening (31) in which the guiding and retaining element (29) is guided. Device according to claim 5,
characterized,
in that the friction damper (24) on the housing (2) and the guiding and retaining element (25, 29) are fastened at one end to the door (9). Device according to claim 11,
characterized,
in that the guiding and holding element (29) has a widening free second end, which is arranged opposite the first end fixed to the door (9) Device according to claim 3,
characterized,
in that the axle (8) is divided into at least two axle sections (21, 22, 23) and that at least one energy accumulator is arranged as damping element (24) between the axle sections (21, 22, 23).

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