EP2910153A1 - Device for holding letters, packages and/or goods shipments - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for receiving at least one letter, parcel and / or consignment, in particular mailbox (1), with a housing (2), a receiving space formed in the housing (2), which through an opening (3). the housing (2) is accessible, wherein the opening (3) by means of a door (4) is closable, wherein the door (4) by means of at least one hinge (5) is pivotally mounted on the housing (2) and between a closed position and a Opening position is pivotable, wherein the hinge (5) consists of mutually corresponding and integral with the housing (2) and / or the door (4) formed sheet metal strip, wherein a first sheet metal strip is formed into a roll and a second, corresponding to sheet metal strip a lug is formed, and wherein at least one roller and at least one tab having mutually corresponding openings for the implementation of a hinge pin (9).

Description

The invention relates to a device for receiving at least one letter, parcel and / or consignment, in particular letterbox, with a housing, a receiving space formed in the housing, which is accessible through an opening of the housing, wherein the opening by means of a door closed is, wherein the door by means of at least one hinge between a closed position and an open position is pivotable, wherein the hinge of mutually correspondingly and integrally formed with the housing and / or the door sheet metal strip or at least one welded to the housing or the door hollow cylinder and at least a arranged on the door or the housing, sheet metal strip consists.

Such devices are well known in the art. Several such devices for receiving letter, parcel and / or consignments can also be connected to a delivery station.

In the manufacture of the devices is in the foreground to be able to produce them in a rationalized as possible manufacturing process without a variety of manual activities must be performed manually. For this purpose, it is advantageous to produce the housing of the device from as few components as possible, which are connected to each other in a simple manner, preferably by machine.

On the other hand, it plays a role that a generic device should be as robust as possible. Already the proper handling of a device means one considerable material load. This is because the door is often opened and closed, with no particular care being taken on the part of the user. Rather, it must be assumed that the door is often moved into the stop area of the hinges. In addition, a certain security is expected in generic devices. The goods received in the devices, in particular parcel and / or consignments, often have a not inconsiderable value. The devices are therefore often subjected to manipulation attempts with the aim of a violent opening.

In order to meet the ever-increasing demands in terms of simple and cost-effective production of the device, robustness and tamper resistance, the invention proposes to solve the problem that the door in terms of their movement and / or their speed of movement at least in a portion of the path of movement a substantially rod-shaped and with the door translationally movable relative to the housing damping element is limited, which is arranged on the one hand to the housing and on the other hand to the door.

According to the invention, a device is provided in which the door is limited in terms of its movement path and / or its movement speed at least in a partial region of the movement path by means of a substantially rod-shaped damping element which is arranged on the one hand on the housing and on the other hand on the door. The rod-shaped damping element limits the opening movement of the door, in particular an uncontrolled tearing, which could lead to increased stress and in particular damage to the hinge. In this case, the damping element can limit both the possible path of movement of the door, as well as the speed at which the door can be opened.

According to the invention, the damping element is bent in a hook-shaped manner in a first end region, wherein the hook-shaped end region is arranged in a corresponding hole of the housing or the door. The hook-shaped arc at the end region allows for a fastening of the damping element within the hole of the housing, and on the other hand, a spring action by the hook shape. If the damping element is made of a flexible material, such as a metal wire or a thin sheet or plastic, the hook shape can be deformed under load, so that a soft stop with respect to the limitation of the movement path and a resilient buffer with respect to the limitation of the movement speed results. The fact that the mechanical loads are compensated by means of a deformation of the damping element, the material wear is low.

The invention further provides that the damping element has a second end region, which is formed in one piece or from two form-fitting interlocking sub-elements, and which is engageable in a arranged on a portion of the door or the housing hole.

According to a first embodiment, the integrally formed end portion is deformable and cylindrical or cup-shaped. It is essential that the end area is deformed by the action of force so that its diameter widened locally or aufbördelt. As a result of this widening, the second end region can no longer be removed from the hole of the door or the housing provided for this purpose. For this purpose, the second end region is guided through a hole formed in the door or the housing, so that it partially projects beyond the wall of the door or of the housing. The protruding portion of the cylinder or cup shape may then be subjected to a force such that the rim portion of the cylinder or cup widens and prevents backward movement of the cylinder or cup through the hole of the door or housing. Thus, the second end portion of the damping element is inseparably connected to the door or the housing of the device.

Likewise, according to a further embodiment, the second end region can have two form-fitting interlocking sub-elements which are a ring-shaped or cup-shaped element and a bolt designed to correspond to a corresponding shape. In this case, a portion of the door or the housing has a hole, in which a portion of the bolt can be arranged. This results in the same advantage as previously carried out with respect to the deformable cylinder or cup shape. In the embodiment with a bolt, however, an additional separate element, namely the bolt, is used, so that the portion of the door or the housing is clamped between the ring-shaped or cup-shaped element and the bolt. The bolt is inserted into the one-sided open end of the ring or cup shape and screwed by hand or by means of a tool, hammered or clamped. This creates a connection similar to a rivet connection.

The formation of the hinge or hinges offers several advantages. On the one hand, the production of such a hinge is very simple. On the plate from which later the housing or the door is made, metal strips are formed, which are rolled into rolls in a separate manufacturing step. In this case, neither separate hinge elements must be attached to the housing or the door, even more complicated shapes are formed from the base plate. On the other hand, the roles of their cylindrical shape provide a relatively large contact area between the roller and the hinge pin, which in turn allows stable guidance of the hinge pin within the hinge. In addition, manipulations of the hinge in the field of roles are not very successful because the roles represent stable hinge elements, which can be bent or damaged only with considerable effort. The corresponding to the roles of part of the hinge is formed into a tab. This tab is also made of a metal strip, which is located on the base plate of the door or the housing. The tabs are formed, for example, from a punched out of the base plate metal strips and folded orthogonal to the rest of the base plate. Also, this training requires no separately mounted hinge elements, which would need to be attached to the device with additional fasteners and also could loosen due to frequent mechanical stress on the device. The rollers and the tabs have mutually corresponding openings for the implementation of a hinge pin. The opening of the roller is formed parallel to its longitudinal axis, while the opening of the tab is drilled or punched in the tab. When installing the hinge, a roll and a tab are superimposed so that their openings correspond to each other, d. H. lie directly next to each other. The hinge pin is passed through these corresponding openings, wherein the cylindrical configuration of the roller provides an advantageous guidance of the hinge pin.

An alternative embodiment according to the invention provides that the hinge consists of at least one hollow cylinder welded to the housing or the door and at least one metal strip arranged on the door or the housing, which is integrally formed with the door or housing and formed into a tab , wherein the hollow cylinder and the tab mutually corresponding openings for the Performing a hinge pin.

In this alternative embodiment, it is provided that the hollow cylinder is welded to the housing or the door. In particular, laser welding has proven to be preferred, since with such a laser welding very fine and barely visible welds can be designed, which therefore does not affect the aesthetic design of an object in question here. In addition, the connections between the hollow cylinder and housing or door achieved with the laser welding are formed with a sufficiently high strength, so that the required manipulation security can be achieved. Instead of a role, a hollow cylinder is used here. This may for example be a section of a profile element which is welded to the housing or to the door. The hollow cylinder also has the advantage that it has a higher strength, as a rolled tab, which ultimately has a break, which may also be suitable for the approach of burglary tools. Finally, the hollow cylinder with respect to the leadership of the hinge rod with a higher accuracy in a simple manner. It is envisaged that the roller (s) or the hollow cylinder on the housing and the tab (s) are arranged on the door. This training is particularly advantageous because thereby the roller (s) or hollow cylinder, which in contrast to the or the tab (s) are formed solid, are arranged on the stationary part of the device, while the tab (s) with the Door to be moved when opening and closing the device. This results from the weight advantage of the tab (s) relative to the rollers or hollow cylinders a smooth running when opening the door.

Alternatively, however, the rollers or hollow cylinders may conversely also be arranged on the door, while the tabs are arranged on the housing.

A further embodiment provides that the rollers or hollow cylinders and the tabs are each arranged both on the door and on the housing. This mixture of rollers or hollow cylinder and tabs allows a particularly uniform stable connection of the housing and door. In addition, the security against manipulation of the device increases, since various fasteners are to be overcome, which may require different tools.

It is further contemplated that both the rollers or hollow cylinder and the

Tabs are arranged in pairs on the housing or the door. In this case, in each case a roller or a hollow cylinder may be arranged immediately adjacent to a tab, wherein the two tabs advantageously receive the two rollers or hollow cylinder between them. With this configuration, the rollers or hollow cylinders limit the movement of the door in a direction parallel to the hinge pin. This principle of motion limitation would also work with a system that provides a roller or a hollow cylinder in conjunction with two limiting tabs. It would also be possible for two rollers or hollow cylinders to accommodate two tabs between them.

Particularly advantageously, the device is formed when two rollers or hollow cylinders are arranged in the region between two tabs, wherein between the rollers or hollow cylinders, a portion of an intermediate element is arranged, which corresponds to the openings of the rollers or hollow cylinders and the tabs opening having. This intermediate element is advantageously designed so that the portion which projects between the two rollers or hollow cylinder is also formed as a tab with a bore or punching, while a further portion of the intermediate element is in the form of a protective cap, which the rollers or Hollow cylinder and the tabs in the longitudinal direction of the hinge completely and in the circumferential direction of the hinge covers at least with respect to the outwardly facing part of the housing. The intermediate element serves as a protective cap, which protects the hinge against unauthorized manipulation attempts from the outside. The protective cap completely surrounds the hinge region, which can be seen from the outside on the housing of the device. In addition, the protective cap can be formed with reinforced elements which reliably prevent manipulation with tools. By the intermediate element additionally positively filling exactly the distance between the two adjacent rollers or hollow cylinder, the entire hinge rollers or hollow cylinders, lugs and intermediate element is completely formed so that a tilting of the components to each other is not possible and thus, for example, an intrusion of tools such as screwdrivers becomes impossible.

It is further provided that the inner diameter of at least one roller is smaller than the outer diameter of the hinge pin. By this configuration, the role when inserting the hinge pin is easily opened by bending apart, so that there is a clamping action between the roller and the hinge pin. As a result, the hinge pin is held by the roller, so that the hinge pin can not slip through the openings of the rollers and tabs down. For a reliable holding of the hinge pin can satisfy a single clamping role depending on training and strength, but it is recommended that multiple or even all roles form so that their inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the hinge pin.

In the context of the invention, it is also advantageous that the hinge pin is a one-piece hinge rod. The one-piece design reduces the number of parts needed to form the hinge. In addition, this results in an increased stability of the hinge and thus a more resilient design of the entire device.

The invention may also provide that the hinge has both at least one roller and at least one hollow cylinder. The hollow cylinder is welded to the housing or the door, wherein a laser welding is provided here, with the very accurate and invisible welds are possible, yet allow an extremely high strength of the connection of the components.

Fig. 1:

eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung in geschlossenem Zustand,

Fig. 2:

die Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1 in geöffnetem Zustand,

Fig. 3 a):

ein Scharnier,

Fig. 3 b):

ein erfindungsgemäßes Zwischenelement in einer Ansicht von außen,

Fig. 4 a):

das Scharnier gemäß Fig. 3 a) mit voneinander getrennten Rollen und Laschen,

Fig. 4 b):

das Zwischenelement gemäß Fig. 3 b) in einer Ansicht von innen,

Fig. 5:

eine vergrößerte Teildarstellung der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2,

Fig. 6:

ein erfindungsgemäßes Dämpfungselement,

Fig 7:

eine vergrößerte Teildarstellung des Gehäuses der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 2 in einer zweiten Ausführungsform und

Fig 8.

die Teildarstellung gem. Fig. 7 mit an dem Gehäuse angeordneter Tür.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an example. Show it:

Fig. 1:

a device according to the invention in the closed state,

Fig. 2:

the device according to Fig. 1 in open condition,

Fig. 3 a):

a hinge,

Fig. 3 b):

an inventive intermediate element in a view from the outside,

Fig. 4 a):

the hinge according to Fig. 3 a) with separate roles and tabs,

Fig. 4b):

the intermediate element according to Fig. 3 b) in a view from the inside,

Fig. 5:

an enlarged partial view of the device according to Fig. 2 .

Fig. 6:

an inventive damping element,

Fig. 7:

an enlarged partial view of the housing of the device according to Fig. 2 in a second embodiment and

Fig. 8

the partial view acc. Fig. 7 with arranged on the housing door.

Fig. 1 shows a device 1 for receiving at least one letter, parcel and / or consignment, in which, for example, packages can be parked. If this device 1 is additionally equipped with a throw-in slot, this device 1 can advantageously also be used as a mailbox 1. The device 1 has a housing 2 and a door 4 connected to the housing 2.

Fig. 2 shows the device 1 according to Fig. 1 in the open state, wherein the receiving space formed in the housing 2 is accessible through the opening 3. The housing 2 and the door 4 are pivotally connected to each other by means of a hinge 5. The hinge 5 has a guided by the individual hinge elements, integrally formed hinge pin 9. In addition, the path of movement of the door 4 is limited in relation to the housing 2 by means of a damping element 12.

The detailed view of the hinge 5 according to Fig. 3 a) shows the sub-elements of the hinge 5. According to the embodiment shown, two rollers 6, two tabs 7 and an intermediate element 10 are installed, the two rollers 6 are arranged between the two tabs, and wherein between the two rollers 6, the intermediate element 10 is arranged. The hinge pin 9 is guided through both the rollers 6 and through the tabs 7 and the intermediate element 10. The Fig. 3 b) shows the intermediate element 10 in a view from the outside, ie when looking at the device from the outside.

The rollers 6 may be formed of a metal strip which is integrally formed with the housing 2 and the door 4 connected thereto. This metal strip of each roller 6 is wound so that a circular opening 8 results, wherein the metal strip may also be wound over more than 360 degrees, so that the metal strip may be formed double or multi-layer in partial areas of the rollers 6. Instead of rolled metal strips and pipe sections can be used, which are connected to the designated location with the housing, in particular welded.

The FIGS. 4 a) and b) show the hinge 5 according to the FIGS. 3 a) and b) in disassembled condition. In this case, the two rollers 6 are formed on the housing 2, while the tabs 7 are arranged on the door 4. Both the rollers 6 and the tabs 7 have openings 8, which are formed with respect to the rollers 6 by the cylindrical shape and are executed with respect to the tabs 7 as punches or holes. Fig. 4b) shows the intermediate element 10 in a view from the inside, it is on the one hand recognizable the portion which is inserted between the two rollers 6, and on the other hand, the portion which serves as a protective cap.

This in FIG. 4 b) illustrated intermediate element 10 has a single portion which is disposed between the two rollers 6. Alternatively, it is also possible to provide two subregions, which are arranged at a distance from each other on the intermediate element 10, so that these above and below the two rollers 6 in FIG. 4 a) are arranged and the rollers 6 separate from the tabs 7. In an embodiment of the intermediate element 10 made of plastic, the subregions then serve as sliding elements, so that a direct contact between the two metallic elements, namely the rollers 6 and the tabs 7 is avoided. A further embodiment provides that the intermediate element 10 has three partial areas, wherein the embodiment according to FIG. 4 b) is supplemented by two further sub-areas according to the above description.

In Fig. 5 is shown in detail the structure of the device in the hinge area. In this case, housing 2 and door 4 of the device 1 by means of a hinge 5 are pivotally connected. The hinge 5 has in each case two rollers 6, two tabs 7 and an intermediate element 10. By the rollers 6, the tabs 7 and the intermediate element 10 of the hinge pin 9 is inserted, wherein the hinge pin 9 connects three individual Tellscharniere together. In the upper level in the image plane between the door 4 and the housing 2, a rod-shaped damping element 12 is arranged.

This in Fig. 6 rod-shaped damping element 12 shown in more detail has a first end portion 13 and a second end portion 14. The first end portion 13 is hook-shaped, wherein the hook-shaped end portion 13 can be arranged in a corresponding hole of the housing 2. Due to its special shape, the first end portion 13 resilient properties. The second end portion 14 of the rod-shaped damping element 12 is cup-shaped, so that a bolt 15 substantially corresponds with this form-fitting manner. Between the cylindrical second end portion 14 and the bolt 15, a portion of the door 4 is clamped.

The hinge according to the invention has rollers 6, which have an inner diameter which is smaller than the outer diameter of the guided through the rollers 6 hinge pin 9. As a result, the rollers 6 are widened during insertion of the hinge pin 9, so that due to the restoring force a jamming connection between the rollers 6 and the hinge pin 9 results. An additional element for holding the hinge pin in a constant position, such as end caps, preventing slippage is no longer required. The rolling hinge shown in the embodiments has three subregions, each of which has two rollers 6, two tabs 7 and an intermediate element 10. In each case, the two rollers 6 are arranged between the two tabs 7 and between the two rollers 6 each have a portion of the intermediate element 10. The portion of the intermediate element 10, which is arranged between the two rollers 6, has the shape of a tab and has exactly a height corresponding to the distance between the two rollers. As a result, the intermediate element 10 fits seamlessly into the juxtaposition of tabs 7 and rollers 6, so that a tilting of the individual components to one another is no longer possible. Likewise, by the flush stringing an intervening lever by means of, for example, a screwdriver impossible. The intermediate element 10, viewed from outside the housing 2 in the form of a protective cap which completely surrounds the rollers 6 and the tabs 7 in the longitudinal direction of the hinge 5 and the rollers 6 and the tabs 7 in the circumferential direction of the hinge 5 at least with respect to outside facing part of the housing 2 covers. Thus, the elements of the hinge 5 are additionally protected against manipulation attempts.

In order to limit the movement path and / or the movement speed of the door 4 in relation to the housing 2, a rod-shaped damping element 12 is arranged between the housing 2 and the door 4. This rod-shaped damping element 12 is advantageously a metal wire, which has an elasticity due to its strength and material properties. The rod-shaped damping element 12 has a first end region 13 and a second end region 14, of which the first end region 13 is in engagement with the housing 2 and the second end region 14 is in engagement with the door 4. The first end portion 13 is bent like a hook and engages in a corresponding hole of the housing 2. The fact that the hook is also formed from the metal wire and also has a certain elasticity due to its hook shape, results in a soft stop or a resilient buffer when opening the door 4. In addition, the elasticity reduces the wear of the damping element 12 due to frequent opening of the Door.

The second end region 14 of the damping element 12 is essentially cup-shaped, the cup shape pointing with its opening in the direction of the upper edge of the door 4. In the corresponding region of the door 4, a hole is formed, through which a bolt 15 can engage from above, so that it comes into engagement with the cup shape of the second end portion 14 of the damping element 12.

As an alternative to the attachment of the damping element 12 by means of a bolt 15, the second end portion 14 can also be secured by being partially inserted through the hole of the door 4 and then widened by means of a tool so that the widened portion is not withdrawn through the hole can. In this respect, the same effect as with the aid of the bolt 15 results, with the additional advantage that no separate element, namely a bolt 15, is required.

FIG. 7 shows a portion of a housing 2 of a mailbox 1, this section substantially coincides with the representation in FIG. 5 is, as far as the design of a part of the hinge 5 is concerned. Evident is the transition region of the housing 2 between a side wall 16 and a cover 17. In the region of the cover 17 it can be seen that this is U-shaped in cross-section and above the opening 3 has an L-shaped angled sheet metal element 18, which in the closed state of the mailbox 1 of the in FIG. 2 Door 4 is not shown covered. This sheet metal element 18 is used to reject rainfall that can penetrate between the closed door 4 and housing 2 and are to be derived in such a way that they can not get into the interior of the mailbox 1.

The sheet metal element 18 is formed integrally with the lid 17.

In the area of the side wall 16 is a hollow cylinder 6.1. fixed, wherein the hollow cylinder 6.1 has a bore for receiving the in FIG. 7 Has not shown hinge pin 9. The hollow cylinder 6.1 is connected by laser welding to the outer circumferential surface of the side wall 16 with the side wall 16. It can be seen that the outer wall 16 is L-shaped, wherein a short leg 20 extends at right angles to the second leg of the side wall 16 in the opening 3. The hollow cylinder 6.1 is arranged on this leg 20 directly in the region for transition into the second leg of the side wall 16. Below the hollow cylinder 6.1, the leg 20 is formed with a recess 21. This recess serves the passage of a tab 7, according to FIG. 8 is arranged on the door 4, wherein the door 4 engages behind the leg 20 with a web 22. In this way it is ensured that both the hollow cylinder 6.1 and the tab 7 are covered both in the open and in the closed state of the door 4 of this. In the closed state is thus a manipulation of the hollow cylinder 6.1. or the tab 7 and the hinge pin 9 not immediately possible.

From the FIG. 8 It can be seen that over the height of the housing 2 a total of 3 hinges 5 are arranged at regular intervals from each other. Each hinge 5 consists of a hollow cylinder 6.1 and two tabs 7, which are arranged on the door 4, wherein the distance between each two tabs 7 in the region of a hollow cylinder 6.1 substantially correspond to the axial extent of the hollow cylinder 6.1, so that in each case a tab 7 above and a tab 7 is disposed below the hollow cylinder 6.1. The tabs 7 and the hollow cylinder 6.1 are penetrated by the hinge pin 9, which can also be referred to as a hinge rod in the illustrated embodiment. There is also the possibility that the hinge pin 9 is divided into three sections, so that each hinge 5 has a separate section of the hinge pin 9. <B> LIST OF REFERENCES </ b>: 1 mailbox 17 cover 2 casing 18 sheet metal element 3 opening 19 drilling 4 door 20 leg 5 hinge 21 recess 6 role 22 web 6.1 hollow cylinder 7 flap 8th opening 9 hinge pin 10 intermediate element 11 opening 12 damping element 13 first end area 14 second end area 15 bolt 16 sidewall

Claims (10)

Apparatus for accommodating at least one of a letter, parcel and / or consignment, in particular mailbox (1), with a housing (2), a receiving space formed in the housing (2), which through an opening (3) of the housing (2 ), wherein the opening (3) by means of a door (4) is closable, wherein the door (4) by means of at least one hinge (5) between a closed position and an open position is pivotable, wherein the hinge (5) from each other and sheet metal strips formed integrally with the housing (2) and / or the door (4) or at least one hollow cylinder (6.1) welded to the housing (2) or the door (4) and at least one on the door (4) or Housing (2), arranged sheet metal strips,
characterized,
in that the door (4) is delimited with regard to its movement path and / or its speed of movement at least in a partial area of the movement path by means of a substantially bar-shaped damping element (12) which is translationally movable relative to the housing (2) with the door (4). which is arranged on the one hand on the housing (2) and on the other hand on the door (4). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping element (12) in a first end region (13) is bent like a hook, wherein the hook-shaped end portion (13) in a corresponding hole of the housing (2) or the door (4) is arranged. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the damping element (12) has a second end portion (14) which is formed integrally or from two form-fitting interlocking sub-elements, and which in one at a portion of the door (4) or the housing (2) arranged hole is engageable. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the one-piece trained end portion (14) is formed and formed cylindrical or cup-shaped. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the two form-fitting interlocking sub-elements are an annular or cup-shaped element and a form-fitting corresponding trained trained bolt (15). Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the portion of the door (4) or the housing (2) is clamped between the annular or cup-shaped element and the bolt (15). Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the damping element (12) is a metal wire. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a first sheet metal strip of the hinge (5) is formed into a roll (6) and a second, corresponding sheet metal strip to a tab (7) is formed, and wherein at least one roller (6) and at least one tab (7) mutually corresponding openings (8) for the implementation of a hinge pin (9). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the sheet metal strip of the hinge (5) integral with the door (4) or the housing (2) and formed into a tab (7), wherein the hollow cylinder (6.1) and the tab ( 7) have mutually corresponding openings (8) for the implementation of a hinge pin (9). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hinge pin (9) is a one-piece hinge rod.

Images