GB2430973A

GB2430973A - Letterbox conveyor apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2430973A
Application number: GB0612046A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ivor J Swinhoe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-17
Filing date: 2006-06-19
Publication date: 2007-04-11
Also published as: GB0612046D0; GB0512522D0

Abstract

A letterbox has height adjustable conveyors 6, 7 for conveying mail of different thicknesses and object detection means. Two conveyor are provided, preferably in the form of rollers which may be rubber coated. The object detection means may comprise a switch activated by the opening of a flap. Conveyor moving means 8 which adjust the height of at least one conveyor preferably comprise a pivoting arm upon which a conveyor is mounted and a rotatable cam 14 which causes the arm to pivot such that the conveyor means are moved between open and object engaging positions. The cam will not activate more than twice in response to a single signal from the detector. After two activations, if the detector still detects an object, alarm means may send an alarm to a variety of devices such as a telephone or camera. In use the apparatus prevents portions of mail remaining on the exterior of a letterbox.

Description

Letterbox Conveyor Apparatus The present invention relates to an apparatus

for conveying letters and parcels which are being posted through a letterbox and relates particularly, but not exc]usively to, an apparatus mounted on the door of a building.

In some countries, in particular in the UK, it is commonplace for a door to be provided with a letterbox. That is a slot which extends through the door which allows mail, that is letters and small parcels, newspapers and other small items to be posted through the letterbox and into the building.

However, such a letterbox relies on the person delivering the mail to push the item of mail sufficiently through the letterbox in order that it does not remain extending partially outside of the building. If a letter or parcel is left extending partially out of the letterbox, this has the disadvantage that, in wet weather conditions, the item of mail may become wet. Furthermore, if an item of mail is noticed to be sticking out of a letterbox for a number of days, this can be taken as an indication that the building is unoccupied and may result in the building being burgled.

An example of a device designed to prevent items of mail from being left extending out of a door is described in UK patent No. 1533000. The device described therein uses a pair of rubber coated rollers, one of which is driven by a motor and the other free to rotate. The non-driven roller is caused to rotate by its engagement with the first roller. The two rollers rotate in opposite directions and encourage letLers to pass between them and into the building. However, such a device has the disadvantage that it has a very limited range of thickness of object than can be passed between the pair of rollers and it requires accurate placement of a letter in the nip between the two rollers in order to ensure that the letter is taken in. Furthermore, in order to accommodate different thicknesses of object, a spongy material is used as a coating on the rollers. Such a material will have the disadvantage that it is likely to absorb any moisture coming through a letterbox opening and deposit this onto the letters as they are conveyed.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome disadvantages of the prior art including, but not ]Jmited to, those set out above.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for moving an object through an aperture forming part of a letter box, the apparatus comprising:- object detection means for detecting at least one object extending into or through an aperture forming part of a letter box; first and second conveyor means adapted to engage at least one said object therebetween, wherein said first and/or second conveyor means is adapted to be driven to convey the object through said aperture; and conveyor moving means for moving at least one of said first and second conveyor means towards the other such that said first and second conveyor means engage said object therebetween.

By providing an apparatus for moving an object through an aperture forming part of a letterbox, the apparatus having object detection means, two conveyor means and a conveyor moving means for moving at least one of the conveyor means towards the other, the advantage is provided that when the apparatus is not in use, the aperture of the letterbox is open, that is not blocked by the conveyor means. This allows objects to be easily inserted into the letterbox without meeting the obstruction of the conveyor means, this being a manner familiar to people inserting objects into the letterbox. It is therefore not necessary to wait for the first object to be moved through the letterbox before further objects can be inserted. Furthermore, the limit in terms of the size of the object which can be inserted through the letterbox is determined by the dimensions of the letterbox and not by factors relating to the conveyors such as their separation or the depth of spongy material used. It is also the case that the apparatus of the present invention is less likely to become blocked by larger objects posted through the letterbox or objects which are incorrectly posted at an angle and therefore do not engage between the rollers. Furthermore, in the event of a loss of power, the apparatus remains in an open condition and therefore does not block the letterbox allowing it to remain in use. This is not the case in the prior art.

In a preferred embodiment the object detector means comprises at least one switch activated by the opening of at least one flap of the letter box and said flap is preferably an inner flap.

By using the inner flap as the trigger for the apparatus the advantage is provide that the apparatus is less likely to be accidentally trigger. For example, strong winds may be sufficient to move the outer flap but are less likely to be sufficiently strong to move the inner flap.

At least one of said first and second conveyor means may comprise at least one respective roller.

In a preferred embodiment at least one roller includes at least one rubber coating.

By providing a roller with a rubber coating, the advantage is provided that the conveyor means is more easily able to apply a gripping or engaging force to the object and therefore move it through the letterbox. -4-.

The conveyor moving means may comprise at least one pivoting arm on which at least one of said first and second conveyor means is mounted and at least one rotatable cam which causes said arm to pivot such that said conveyor means moves between an open position and an object engaging position.

By using a pivot arm and a rotating cam to move the conveyor means, the advantage is provided that the conveyor means need only move sufficiently far so as to engage the object. Where one conveyor means moves relative to the other but is rotatably underdriven whilst the other remains stationary but is rotatably driven, the moving conveyor means can ensure that sufficient force is applied to the object so that it engages the rotatably driven conveyor means and moves through the letterbox.

In a preferred embodiment said conveyor moving means is adapted to be activate not more than twice in response to a single signal from the object detector means.

The apparatus may further comprise alarm means for sending a signal in response to the object detection means continuing to detect an object after two activations of the conveyor moving means.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a sectional side view of an apparatus of the present invention; Figure 2 is a rear view of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1 including an external cover; and Figures 4 - 8 are perspective views of the apparatus of the present invention in five of the positions during use.

Referring to Figures 1-3 an apparatus for moving an object inserted through an aperture (19) forming part of a letterbox (20) has an object detection means (1) for detecting an object extending into or through the aperture (19) . The apparatus for detecting an object has limit switch (5) and the apparatus for moving an object has first and second conveyor means (6) and (7) . In the example shown conveyor means (6) is a non- driven first roller whilst the second conveyor means (18) includes a driven second roller (7) . The apparatus also includes a conveyor moving means (8) which moves the first roller (6) towards the second roller (7) such that they both engage an object inserted therebetween, and as a result, the object is pushed into engagement with the second roller which rotates to convey the object through the aperture.

The object detection means (1) is internally mounted flap mounted on a pivot (2) and pressed into closed engagement with limit switch (5) by springs (3-4) . When an object passes through aperture (19) it pushes open flap (1) which disengages from switch (5) and as a result, the apparatus can detect an object being pushed through a letterbox. First roller (6) is not driven and is rotatably mounted so that it can freely rotate. The second roller (7) of second conveyor means (18) is rotatably mounted on an axle and has a first gear wheel (22) at one end. The first gear wheel (22) is engaged with second gear wheel (12), which is driven by a motor (11) see Figure 4.

The conveyor moving means (10) has first roller (6) rotatably mounted on a pivot arm (8) which is in turn mounted on a pivot (9) . The pivot arm (8) is biased by springs (15-16) so as to move the pivot arm and first roller (6) towards the second roller (7) . This pivoting movement is controlled by cam (14) which has a first cam surface (21) in engagement with pivot arm (8). The rotation of cam (14), in an anti-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 6, which causes first roller (6) to move towards second roller (7) . When first cam surface (21) re-engages pivot arm (8) the arm is lifted and first roller (6) moves away from second roller (7) . Cam (14) has a second cam surface (13) which engages a second switch (17) and which counts the rotations of cam (14) and as a result movement of pivot arm (8), see Figure 7.

Referring to Figures 4 - 8 when the apparatus is installed but at rest, that is when no objects have been inserted through the aperture and the apparatus is in standby position, the flap (1) is in a lowered position and applies pressure to switch (5) as seen in Figure 4.

When an object is inserted through the aperture, the flap (1) opens as shown in Figure 5 and the switch (5) is triggered. If the object passes straight through the aperture, within a predetermined time period, say one second, and the flap (1) closes and applies pressure to the switch (5) , the apparatus is not activated since there is nothing in the aperture to convey. However, if the object remains in the aperture to longer than the time period, with the flap remaining open and disengaged from the switch, the apparatus is activated.

The first action of the apparatus upon activation is for the cam (14) to rotate in an anticlockwise direction. As the cam surface (21) moves towards pivot (9) and eventually becomes disengaged from the lower surface of pivot arm (8) . The pivot arm (8) and first roller (6) rotate through an arc in a clockwise direction under the force of springs (15-16) this causes first roller (6) to move towards second roller (7) . At the same time, second roller (7) begins to rotate as a result of the rotation of second gear wheel (12) and its engagement with first gear wheel (22) When the cam (14) is not in engagement with pivot arm (8) and first roller (6) are biased towards the closest possible engagement with second roller (7) . This position is shown in Figure 6 in which the object passing through the letterbox is not shown and as a result, the first and second rollers (6) and (7) are in direct contact. If a thick object is inserted through the letterbox, the first roller (6) may not come into direct engagement with second roller (7) but the biasing force of springs (15-16) presses the first roller (6) onto the object which is in turn pressed into engagement with driven second roller (7) . Because the second roller is driven, in an anti-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1, the object is conveyed in a direction from right to left, that is towards the inside of the building, as viewed in Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 7, the cam (14) continues to rotate until the cam surface (21) comes into engagement again with the pivot (8) which is then lifted so as to move first roller (6) away from the second roller (7) and the completion of a cycle of the cam (14) is detected by a second cam surface (13) activating switch (17) . Because the cam (14) rotates relatively slowly and cam surface (21) is not engaged with pivot arm (8) for a long period of this cycle, the object inserted through the letterbox should have had an opportunity to be conveyed by the first and second rollers (6) and (7) through the aperture. Once the object is through the aperture, the flap (1) can return to its closed position, as shown in Figure 4 and the cycle has come to an end. However, if the object has not been entirely conveyed through the apparatus, and the flap (1) remains open. This is detected by limit switch (5) and the process of rotation of cam (14) is repeated.

In the event that after two cycles of the cam (14) the flap (1) remains open and therefore an object is still detected within the apparatus, no further cycles are undertaken an alarm signal is produced. This alarm could be in the form of an audio signal, could be connected to a homemobile telephone so as to provide automatic contact to a nominated telephone number, either by voice message or text message or other similar means, and could include digital camera. The number of cycles before an alarm is raised could be altered by a switch (not shown) on the device.

The telephone connection with the letterbox can also be used to receive information. For example, the device can be used to warn a householder that a package is due to be delivered shortly. In the UK, many delivery companies use a barcode which encodes information including the postcode and house number or name, thereby identifying the delivery address.

The delivery company can use this information to contact the household, via the telephone connection in the letterbox device. The letterbox can have one or more lights to indicate the likely time at which a package will be delivered or this information could be displayed on a simple scrolling text display.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiment has been described by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations are possible without departure from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, this apparatus can be used on letterboxes other then those found in the doors of buildings, for example in a large box separate from a building.

The object detection devise could be any suitable means for protecting an object being inserted through an aperture, for example a light beam and detector. The conveyor means can be other suitable devices than rollers, for example conveyor belts, and other means for moving these conveyors maybe also used, for example, a conveyor belt or roller located in a slot so as to move in a vertical linear fashion.

In the example shown above, the motor (11) is adapted to provide driven output for the cam (14) and gear wheel (12) However, as an alternative two separate motors could be used.

Any suitable power source could be used with this device, this could include mains electrical power, battery power or solar power. Since the apparatus has a default open position in the event of power failure, the letterbox is not blocked.

Claims 1. An apparatus for moving an object through an aperture forming part of a letter box, the apparatus comprising:- object detection means for detecting at least one object extending into or through an aperture forming part of a letter box; first and second conveyor means adapted to engage at least one said object therebetween, wherein said first and/or second conveyor means is adapted to be driven to convey the object through said aperture; and conveyor moving means for moving at least one of said first and second conveyor means towards the other such that said first and second conveyor means engage said object therebetween.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said object detector means comprises at least one switch activated by the opening of at least one flap of the letter box.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of said first and second conveyor means comprises at least one respective roller.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein at least one roller includes at least one rubber coating.

5. An apparatus according Lo any one of the preceding claims, wherein said conveyor moving means comprises at least one pivoting arm on which at least one of said first and second conveyor means is mounted and at least one rotatable cam which causes said arm to pivot such that said conveyor means moves between an open position and an object engaging position.

6. An apparatus according to any one of the preoeding claims, wherein said conveyor moving means is adapted to be activate not more than twice in response to a single signal from the object detector means.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising alarm means for sending a signal in response to the object detection means continuing to detect an object after two activations of the conveyor moving means.

8. An apparatus for moving an object through an aperture forming part of a letter box, the apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Claims

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. An apparatus

for moving an object through an aperture forming part of a letter box, the apparatus comprising:- object detection means for detecting at least one object extending into or through an aperture forming part of a letter box; first and second conveyor means adapted to engage at least one said object therebetween, wherein said first and/or second conveyor means is adapted to be driven to convey the object through said aperture; and conveyor moving means for moving at least one of said first and second conveyor means towards the other such that said first and second conveyor means engage said object therebetween.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said object detection means comprises at least one switch activated by the opening of at least one flap of the letter box.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the conveyor means is activated by at least one flap of the letter box remaining open for a predetermined time period.
4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of said first and second conveyor means comprises at least one respective roller.
5. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein at least one roller includes at least one rubber coating.
6. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said conveyor moving means comprises at least one pivoting arm on which at least one of said first and second conveyor means is mounted and at least one rotatable cam which causes said arm to pivot such that said conveyor means moves between an open position and an object engaging position.
7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said conveyor moving means is adapted to be activated not more than a predetermined number of times in response to a single signal from the object detection means.
8. An apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising alarm means for sending a signal in response to the object detection means continuing to detect an object after a predetermined number of activations of the conveyor moving means.
9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus includes a telephone connection.
10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the apparatus includes means for transmitting and/or receiving a telephone signal.
11. An apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising an alert and/or a display means to notify a user of information relating to the delivery of mail, the said information being transmitted to the alert and/or display means by the means for transmitting and/or receiving a telephone signal.
12. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus includes a digital camera.
13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising a power source wherein the power source is mains electrical power, battery power or solar power.
14. An apparatus for moving an object through an aperture forming part of a letter box, the apparatus substantially as hereinbefore describes with reference to the accompanying drawings. S.