GB2467189A

GB2467189A - Multifunctional secure container

Info

Publication number: GB2467189A
Application number: GB0908495A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Efim Rabinovitch; Alexander Rabinovitch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-01-27
Filing date: 2009-05-18
Publication date: 2010-07-28
Anticipated expiration: 2029-05-18
Also published as: GB0901301D0; GB0908495D0; GB2467189B

Abstract

A multifunctional secure container comprises a main compartment 1 with an aperture 7, a security means 8,9,10 to hinder undesirable access and introduction of undesirable items and/or withdrawal of stored items through the aperture, at least one optional additional compartment(s) 35, and a retention means and fixing means. A flap 12 is provided immediately near the aperture or in a slot, and when opened it functions as part of the security means. An internal compartment 19 may also be provided in the main compartment so that it has at least one wall, which is not shared with walls of the main compartment. A vertical wall 36 of the internal compartment, which is not shared with walls of the main compartment, is positioned and shaped as a baffle, which prevents stored items 6 from obstructing the security means. A hermetic seal (21, Fig.3) may be fitted around the edge of the aperture. A fixed or movable sleeve mount means (32, Fig.7) may be provided a slot (17) to protect against fire, vandalism, forced entry etc. The container maybe fitted indoors or outdoors, either individually or into an assembly of individual units (Fig.9).

Description

MULTIFUNCTIONAL SECURE CONTAINER

This invention relates to multifunctional containers with compartments that are used for fulfillment of numerous objectives and requirements, in particular to multifunctional containers in combination with letter and mail boxes, which are well known and developed in multitude of designs and are suitable for storing certain items and fulfilling certain functions apart from receiving and storage of incoming mail items.

A prior art known from the Chinese patent CN1389172 describes a multifunctional box comprising a letter and newspaper box, a milk box, a door bell box, building door bell intercommunicating telephone box, telephone box and lamp and electric appliance switch box.

The disadvantage of the prior art is that it is not suitable for fitting at low level indoors and/or outdoors. Also the letter and newspaper box aperture is not protected against unauthorised access, introduction of undesirable items, especially liquid substances, and theft.

To overcome these disadvantages the present invention proposes a multifunctional secure container comprising a main compartment, which is suitable for fitting indoors and/or outdoors for storing items, which are delivered through an aperture with optionally adjustable dimensions, a security means for hindering undesirable access and introduction of undesirable items and/or withdrawal of the stored items through the aperture, a flap, which matches the dimensions of the aperture, which protects the aperture against influences of the environment when closed and functions as a member of the security means when opened, which is provided preferably hinged, co-operating with an axle, spring-loaded, non-liquid-tight, adapted to open inwards and with an optional locking means, with the flap positioned immediately near the aperture or in a slot, which is anaged in a structure, and fixed to the main compartment using either its own fixing means or provided built-in a letterplate, which is fixed by the letterplate fixings, an internal compartment, which is positioned entirely or in part in the main compartment and has at least one wall, which is not shared with walls of the main compartment, which serves as a baffle for preventing stored items obstructing the security means function and delivery of items through the aperture, and which also influences the capacity of the main compartment, any number of optional additional compartments, which are provided entirely or in part in the main compartment and/or outside it and/or inside the internal compartment and/or inside one another, an individual and/or shared walls and access means to the compartments, which confine and fully or partly separate the compartments and inner spaces of the compartments, which are feasible in various shapes, materials, makes, surface finishes and patterns, which are endowed with various features, which are provided fully or partly opaque or transparent, passive or dynamic, and which provide internal and external platforms and spaces for positioning of various items and technology solutions, an appropriate retention means, which is provided internally or externally or both in all or some of the compartments to stop the stored items and items, which are positioned inside or outside the compartments, from sliding into the aperture and from falling off, and an appropriate fixing means, which allows fixing indoors or outdoors either individually or into an assembly of individual units first with an option of further fixing of the assembly to a structure, a support stand, etc. With many possible embodiments of the proposed invention, only a few specific ones will now be described solely by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows side sectional view of the first embodiment of the proposed invention fixed by a fixing means, for example, screws to a structure in the form of a support stand. The first embodiment is suitable for introduction of items against the force of gravity. A letterplate, which comprises a flap and the letterplate fixings, is provided immediately near an aperture of a main compartment and attached by the letterplate fixings to the brackets with fixing and regulation slots, which are positioned in the vicinity of the aperture.

Figure 2 shows side sectional view of the first embodiment of the proposed invention fixed to the structure by using a fixing means, for example, screws in the slots, which are provided in the wall of the main compartment.

Figures 3 and 4 show side sectional view of the first embodiment of the proposed invention fixed to the structure by using a fixing nut, which is positioned on each of the letterplate fixings and set against a jut means, which is provided in the structure. lit is also connected to the structure by a fastening means. The letterplate is provided in a slot, which is arranged in the structure, and attached by the letterplate fixings to the brackets with fixing and regulation slots, which are positioned in the vicinity of the aperture outside (Figure 3) and inside (Figure 4) the slot.

Figure 5 shows side sectional view of the second embodiment of the proposed invention fixed to the structure by using a fixing means, for example, screws in the slots, which are provided in the wall of the main compartment. The force of gravity facilitates introduction of the items. The flap is attached immediately near the aperture of the main compartment. The brackets with fixing and regulation slots are fixed by a fixing means, for example, screws and nuts, in the vicinity of the aperture.

Figure 6 shows side sectional view of the second embodiment of the proposed invention fixed to the structure by using a fixing nut, which is positioned on each of the letterplate fixings and set against a jut means, which is provided in the structure. It is also connected to the structure by a fastening means. The letterplate is provided in the slot, which is arranged in the structure, md attached by the letterplate fixings to the brackets with fixing and regulation slots, which are positioned in the vicinity of the aperture outside the slot.

Figure 7 shows side sectional view of the first embodiment of the proposed invention flexibly fixed to the structure by using a fixing nut, which is positioned on each of the letterplate fixings and set against a jut means, which is provided in the structure and a spring means, which is positioned on the letterplate fixings, for allowing interim horizontal displacement of the main compartment for delivery of inflexible items and reestablishment of its original position. It is also connected to the structure by a fastening means. The letterplate is provided in the slot, which is arranged in the structure, and attached by the letterplate fixings to the brackets with fixing and regulation slots, which are positioned in the vicinity of the aperture outside the slot.

Figure 8 shows side sectional view of the first embodiment of the proposed invention flexibly fixed to the structure by using a fixing nut, which is positioned on each of the letterplate fixings and set against a jut means, which is provided in the structure, a hinge means and a spring means, which is positioned on the letterplate fixings, for allowing interim rotational displacement of the main compartment for delivery of inflexible items and reestablishment of its original position. It is also connected to the structure by a fastening means. The letterplate is provided in a slot, which is arranged in the structure, and attached by the letterplate fixings to the brackets with fixing and regulation slots, which are positioned in the vicinity of the aperture outside the slot.

Figure 9 shows six units of the first embodiment of the proposed invention assembled on a frame.

An additional compartment with an electronic screen for multimedia advertising, multimedia information and interactive communications is provided outside the main compartment.

Referring to the drawings the multifunctional secure container comprises a main compartment 1 with a front wall 2, a top wall 3, a bottom wall 4, a rear wall 5 and the side walls 46. The main compartment 1 can be provided suitable for fitting indoors and/or outdoors and for receiving and storage of items 6, for example, mail items, delivered through an aperture 7. The main compartment 1 is provided fully or partly demountable and the aperture 7 is provided with optionally adjustable dimensions.

The security means for hindering undesirable access and introduction of undesirable items andlor withdrawal of stored items through aperture 7 may comprise some or all of the following components: brackets 8 with fixing slots 9 and regulation slots 10, which are positioned in the vicinity of aperture 7 outside or inside a slot 17, which is ananged in a structure 16, and attached to a letterplate 14 with a built-in flap 12 by using the letterplate fixings 15 in fixing slots 9 or to structure 16 or both; a directing means 11, which, for example, is provided as two slotted corner profiles, which is adjustably attached to brackets' 8 regulation slots 10 or to structure 16, an optionally adjustable hinge means 37, which matches the dimensions of the flap 12 and which connects flap 12 to a barrier 13 and to a guide 38, which in use, moves along directing means 11; a lattice means with free hanging elements 18, which is positioned across aperture 7 and wherein in use its free hanging elements 18 are deflected away from aperture 7 by insertion of items 6 thereto and afterwards return to their original position under the force of gravity or by a driving means or by both whilst prevented from swinging towards aperture 7.

Flap 12, which matches aperture 7, protects it against influences of the environment, such as weather, odours, etc., when closed and functions as a member of the security means when opened. It is provided preferably hinged, co-operating with an axle, spring-loaded, non-liquid-tight, adapted to open inwards and with an optional locking means (not shown). It is positioned immediately near aperture 7 or in slot 17, and fixed to the main container 1 using either its own fixing means 39, as shown on Figure 4, or provided built-in the letterplate 14, which is fixed to the main container 1 by the letterplate fixings 15.

In the process of introduction of items 6 into the main compartment 1 through aperture 7 the directing means 11 creates an obstacle for flap 12 full opening (as shown on Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 5), or for further movement of guide 37, which is connected to flap 12, hinge means 37 and barrier 13 (as shown on Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8). As a result, aperture 7 height gets reduced by flap 12 (as shown on Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 5), or by flap 12 concunently with hinge means 37 and banier 13 (as shown on Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8). The reduced height of the aperture 7 hinders an undesirable access and introduction of the undesirable items through aperture 7, while items, which are flexible, like most of the regular mail items, can be easily introduced.

Brackets 8 are adjustably fixed to front wall 2 by using a fixings 40, for example, machine screws with nuts, in fixing slots 9 and in the fixing slots, which are provided in front wall 2 at both sides of aperture 7 (as shown on Figure 4).

The brackets 8 also allow adjustably fixing the main compartment 1 to letterplate 14 by using the letterplate fixings 15 in fixing slots 9 (as shown on Figure 1 and Figure 2) or to letterplate 14 and to structure 16 with the arranged slot 17 (as shown on Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8).

The free hanging elements 18 of the lattice means can be provided, for example, as a number of cotter pins 18 suspended on an axle and spaced apart thereon by spacers (not shown), which obstruct displacement of the individual cotter pins 18 in the horizontal plane. The lattice means' axle is adjustably attached to brackets 8 so the cotter pins 18 are positioned across aperture 7.

Wherein in use the cotter pins 18 are deflected away from aperture 7 by the inserted items 6 (as shown on Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 7 and Figure 8) and afterwards return to their original position under the force of gravity or by a driving means (not shown) or by both whilst prevented from swinging towards aperture 7. In their original position cotter pins 18 create an obstruction to withdrawal of stored items 6 through aperture 7 and it would be difficult to overcome numerous obstacles created by numerous individual cotter pins 18.

Slot 17 top or bottom surface or both surfaces are provided in the horizontal plane (as shown on Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8) or inclined, for example, as shown on Figure 3 and Figure 4, or inclined in a variety of ways.

In the process of items 6 deliveries into the main compartment 1 through aperture 7 the flap 12 alone (or with the attached hinge means 37 and barrier 13 when those components are provided) enters inside slot 17 and the main compartment 1. Since cotter pins 18 are pushed by delivered items 6 they enter inside the main compartment 1 too (as shown on Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 7 and Figure 8). Brackets 8 also may take up space in the main compartment 1 in the vicinity of aperture 7 (as shown on Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8).

Therefore for unobstructed performance of the security means a certain amount of free space must be provided in the main compartment 1 in the vicinity of aperture 7. If stored items 6 take up the required free space they will create an obstacle to the security means performance and to delivery of items 6 through aperture 7.

An internal compartment 19 is provided in the main compartment 1 so that it has at least one wall, which is not shared with walls of the main compartment 1. This wall is positioned and shaped as a baffle, which stops stored items 6 from approaching the security means, obstructing the security means performance and obstructing delivery of items 6 through aperture 7.

In the examples of the embodiments of the proposed invention on Figure 1 and Figure 5 internal compartment 19 is provided in assembly of all its walls entirely within the main compartment 1.

A vertical wall 36 of internal compartment 19, which is not shared with walls of the main compartment 1, is positioned and shaped as a baffle, which prevents stored items 6 from approaching the security means. Internal compartment 19 has an individual access means, which is approachable from the main compartment 1, and its inner space is provided separated from the inner space of the main compartment 1.

Internal compartment 19 is provided partly demountable. In the examples of the embodiments of the proposed invention on Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8 internal compartment 19 is shown with some of its walls demounted but with wall 26 staying in place and serving as the baffle. Wall 26 can be formed, for example, as a fold out from aperture 7. Stored items 6 can rest against wall 26 and the wall width affects the main compartment 1 capacity: the closer wall 26 is extended to wall 5 -the smaller is the capacity of the main compartment 1. In these examples the inner space of internal compartment 19 is shared with inner space of the main compartment 1. The access means to internal compartment 19 and to the main compartment 1 are shared too. Part of the main compartment 1 front wall 2 is shared with the wall of internal compartment 19.

The main compartment 1 can be provided with means for adjusting its capacity without changing its external dimensions. This can be achieved, for example, by providing threaded slots with regulation screws 44 in the baffle (as shown on Figure 2) allowing adjusting the width of the baffle.

Apart from internal compartment 19 any number of optional additional compartments 35 is provided entirely or in part in the main compartment 1 and/or outside it and/or inside internal compartment 19 and/or inside one another.

The access means to the additional compartments 35 can be provided approachable from inside and/or from outside the main compartment 1 and/or from internal compartment 19 or both. On Figure 1 two additional compartments 35 are provided outside the main compartment 1, with their access means approachable from outside the main compartment 1.

On Figure 5 the additional compartment is provided inside the main compartment 1 with its access means approachable from inside the main compartment 1.On Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8 the additional compartment is provided in the space, which is shared by the main compartment 1 and internal compartment 19. It has an individual access means, which is approachable from this space.

The additional compartments 35 can be provided fully or partly demountable. By comparing Figure 2 with Figure 1 it is noticeable that one additional compartment 35 remains provided outside the main compartment 1, while another one is partly demounted with only wall 26 remaining to serve as the baffle. In this example the internal compartment 19 does not have individual access means. Instead it shares the access means with the main compartment 1. The access means to the main compartment 1 can be provided assembled of top wall 3, bottom wall 4, rear wall 5 and the sidewalls (not shown) and attached by a hinge means (not shown) to front wall 2.

The compartments and their inner spaces are confined and fully or partly separated by an individual and/or shared walls and access means to the compartments, which are feasible in various shapes, materials, makes, surface finishes and patterns. They are endowed with various features, provided fully or partly opaque or transparent, passive or dynamic, and provide internal and external platforms and spaces for positioning of various items and technology solutions.

For example, the inclined bottom wall 4 of the main compartment 1 facilitates faster passage of substances, particularly liquid, out of the main compartment 1 due to the force of gravity (as on Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 7 and Figure 8).

With the inclined top wall 3 of the main compartment 1 large-sized flexible items will have to move along rear wall 5 and then follow the bend to move along top wall 3 (as in the embodiments on Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 7 and Figure 8). This allows introduction of large-sized flexible items without increasing the main compartment 1 height.

The inclined side wall of the main compartment 1 allows indoors fitting with less obstruction to door full opening against a wall.

The compartments, walls and access means have all or some of the following features: fully or partly demountable, weather protected, hermetic, liquid-tight, fire-resistant, security rated, etc., provided with an electronic means for multimedia advertising/information, and interactive communication, a signalling means allowing learning from a distance if the compartment was accessed, and with means allowing local or distance locking-unlocking by using any kind of ordinary or key differed locks, which may belong to a group, so a separate key is required to open the key differed lock although one master key will open all key differed locks in the group.

Items, which are located in the compartments with wholly or partly transparent walls andlor access means, will be visible from outside. Some items, like multimedia advertising/information and interactive communications means can be provided mounted onto the walls and/or access means or fitted into them.

For example, Figure 9 shows six individual units of the first embodiment of the proposed invention assembled on a frame 28. This assembly can be easily fixed to a structure, a panel, etc., using screws in the holes, which are provided in frame 28. To identify each unit it has a plate 29 with an individual number, which is related to the owner of this unit and which is displayed on front wall 2. Each individual unit is provided with individual access means to the main compartment 1, which is lockable by a locking means 41.

The additional compartment 35, which is provided outside the main compartment 1, is attached to front wall 2 and its access means (not shown) is approachable from outside the main compartment 1. It is fitted with an electronic screen for multimedia advertising, multimedia information and interactive communications.

The examples shown on the drawings are not all inclusive with many other positions and shapes of the compartments, the walls and the access means possible.

A sealing gasket (not shown) can be fixed around the perimeter of the access means for making the compartment liquid-tight or hermetic.

An appropriate retention means are provided in all or some of the compartments internally and externally to stop stored items and items, which are positioned inside or outside the compartments, from sliding into aperture 7 and from falling off.

For example, a bracket 27, which is provided in the vicinity of bottom wall 4, stops the stored items 6 from sliding down the inclined bottom wall 4 into aperture 7 and further into slot 17.

Together with a fastener 33, which is attached to rear wall 5, it stops the stored items 6 from falling off when the access means to the main compartment 1 is open. A suspension means 34, for example, hooks (as shown on Figure 1 and Figure 2), which is attached to wall 2, allows retention of items, which are mounted in the internal compartment 19.

A hermetic seal 21 is provided between front wall 2 and structure 16 around the perimeter of aperture 7 (as shown on Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8). The hermetic seal 21 can be provided flexible enough for allowing the main compartment 1 interim horizontal (as shown on Figure 7) or rotational (as shown on Figure 8) displacement for delivery of inflexible items and reestablishment of its original position.

A fixed (not shown) or a movable (as shown on Figure 7 and Figure 8) sleeve mount means 32 can be provided in slot 17 or in hermetic seal 21 or both for protection against damaging actions or events such as fire, vandalism, forced entry, etc. and/or against elements entering inside the hollow structure. Sleeve mount means 32 can be provided as a whole chute or assembled from individual components, for example, top, bottom and side ones.

The proposed invention is provided with an appropriate fixing means, which allows fixing indoors or outdoors either individually or into an assembly of individual units first, for example, on frame 28, as shown on Figure 9, with an option of further fixing of the assembly to a structure, the support stand, etc. For example, the fixing means for fixing individually to a structure 16 is provided as screws 45 or machine screws with nuts, which are used in slots, which are provided in the walls (as shown on Figure 2 and Figure 5), and/or a support bracket 22, which is attached near the aperture 7 top or bottom for positioning inside the slot 17, for example, provided as a fold out from the aperture 7 top or bottom (as shown on Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8), and/or a fixing nut 23, which is positioned on each of the letterplate fixings 15 and set against a jut means 24, which is provided in the structure 16 (as shown on Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8), and/or a fastening means 25, which allows attaching to the structure 16, for example, a double-sided adhesive tape, or merely resting against it, for example, a timber block (as shown on Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8), and/or a spring means 30, which is positioned on the letterplate fixings 15 for allowing interim horizontal displacement of the main compartment 1 for delivery of inflexible items (as shown on Figure 7) and reestablishment of its original position, and/or the spring means 30 concurrently with a hinge means 31 (as shown on Figure 8), which links the main compartment 1 to the structure 16 in the vicinity of the slot 17 for allowing its interim rotational displacement for delivery of inflexible items and reestablishment of its original position.

The jut means 24 in hollow structure 16 can be provided by a skin layer of structure 16 or by a filling means.

An outlet 42 for allowing outflow or faster outflow of liquid from the main compartment 1 can be provided underneath flap 12 and/or letter plate 14 (as shown on Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 7, and Figure 8) and/or in the main compartment 1 bottom wall 4 or near it (as shown on Figure 5).

An optional non-liquid-tight draught seal means 43, for example, brush strips, can be provided in outlet 42 for protection against environmental influences, such as weather, odours, etc., through outlet 42 (as shown on Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 5, Figure 7 and Figure 8).