GB2487595A

GB2487595A - Temporary post box

Info

Publication number: GB2487595A
Application number: GB1101599.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Len Saunders
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-01-31
Filing date: 2011-01-31
Publication date: 2012-08-01
Also published as: GB201101599D0

Abstract

A post box 1 comprises a container 2 for receiving packages and the like that is accessible via a lockable lid 6. The post box is designed to attach to a door 8 of a house or other building by the inclusion of mounting means (20, Fig 2) that pass though the letter box (22, Fig 2) in the door in order for the container to be mounted adjacent a first side of the door and a part of the mounting means to be located adjacent a second part of the door. In this way, the post box may be temporarily mounted to a door to provide a means of receiving packages when a recipient is not present. The post box may include an access opening 6 which enables a delivery person to open via a combination lock for which he has been given the pass code. In addition, the post box includes a letter box opening to enable conventional post to still be delivered since the usual letter box of the door is not operational due to the mounting of the post box.

Description

Post Box

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an apparatus for receiving packages and to a method of temporariiy attaching such an apparatus to a door or wail. in particular this invention relates to an apparatus for receiving packages that may be locked.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

In recent years a greater number of people are using internet shopping or are getting packages delivered to their home. Although this method of shopping may be easier and more time efficient at the time of purchase, most deliveries rely on the recipient being at home to receive, and typically sign for, the package being delivered.

This causes problems because it is often necessary to remain at home for prolonged periods of time to wait for the delivery as it is not always possible to guarantee that the package will be delivered at a particular time. This may mean that the recipient must take a day off work or must disrupt other plans.

Alternatively, if a person is not there to receive a delivery, either a different delivery time has to be arranged or the delivery driver will take the package to a local depot for the customer to collect themselves. In either event, there is a significant delay before the package reaches the customer, and additional journeys must be made by either the delivery driver or the customer.

A number of systems are known that provide a secure receptacle into which packages may be placed if the owner is not available. However, these systems are typically such that the owner must fix them securely to an outside wall, or provide a suitable area away from the house for standing a receptacle, which may not always be possible.

Other systems may be provided to be secured between two structures, for example a door and a door frame. However, the space between the two structures will vary greatly between users and many doorways now have flanges or sealing systems around them which prevent the use of such devices.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a more convenient apparatus for receiving packages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a post box comprising a container and mounting means for mounting the container to a structure, the container comprising a lockable access opening and a storage space wherein the access opening provides access to the storage space in order for articles of post to be placed within the storage space, the mounting means comprising a mounting member which is arranged, in use to project through an opening provided by the structure in order for the container to be mounted adjacent a first side of the structure and a part of the mounting member to locate adjacent to a second side of the structure.

The post box may be arranged to be temporarily suspended from a letterbox of a door in order for the access opening to be accessible to a delivery person.

The mounting member may be arranged to be inserted through a letterbox provided in a door in order for the post box to be suspended from the door.

The mounting member may be arranged to be initially inserted through a letterbox provided in a door and then a clamping member may be engaged with the mounting member and for the clamping member to be adjusted in order to clamp the door between the container and the clamping member.

Preferably the opening comprises an enclosed aperture.

Preferably the opening comprises a complete outer periphery.

Preferably the structure comprises a door.

Preferably the opening comprises a Jetter box located within a door.

Preferably the mounting means is arranged to suspend the post box from the structure.

Preferably the mounting means is arranged, in use, to be mounted at a position spaced from the ground.

Preferably the mounting means is arranged, in use, to temporarily mount the post box to the structure.

The mounting means may be arranged, in use, to prevent relative movement between the post box and the structure.

The mounting means may be removably secured to the container.

Preferably the mounting means is arranged, in use, to be secured to a rear face of the container and preferably is removably secured to the rear face of the container.

The mounting means may comprise a mounting bracket and clamping means.

The clamping means may comprise a clamping member and an actuator. The clamping member may be retained in a slot provided in the mounting bracket. The actuator may be adjustable in order to limit the location of the clamping member within the slot. The clamping member may comprise a locking bar. The locking bar may be longer than the width of the opening. The actuator may comprise an adjustment member.

Preferably the clamping means is arranged to move the container relative to a mounting member. Preferably the container locates adjacent to a first side of the structure and the clamping member locates adjacent to a second side of the structure.

Preferably, the clamping means is arranged to clamp a part of the structure between the clamping member and the container.

The container may comprise auxiliary clamping face plates in order to locate between the container and the structure and the structure may be clamped directly between a clamping face plate and the clamping member.

The auxiliary clamping face plates may locate around the opening in the structure.

The post box may comprise at least one spacer or separator member in order to space a rear face of the container from the structure. The post box may comprise a plurality of spacer or separator members.

The or each separator member may be arranged, in use, to locate between the rear face of the container and an outer surface of the structure.

The or each separator member may be located on one or both sides of the container.

The or each separator member may be located adjacent to the bottom of the container.

The actuator may comprise a screw mechanism and the actuator may be screwed into a corresponding threaded hole provided in the mounting bracket.

Preferably the post box comprises locking means to lock the access opening which may prevent or inhibit unauthorised access to the storage space.

The locking means may require a key to enable the storage space to be accessed through the access opening.

The locking means may comprise a combination lock which may require a code to unlock the locking means.

Preferably the locking means is arranged to automatically lock on closure of the access opening which may comprise the closure of a lid.

The post box may comprise identification means in order for the post box to be individually identified. The identification means may be located in the container.

Preferably the access opening comprises a lid. The lid may comprise a handle.

The handle may be movable (and preferably pivotable) relative to the lid. The lid may be movable from a retained position to an operational position. The handle may be retained within a recess in the retained position. The lid may be hinged to the post box.

The lid may extend across substantially the full width of the container. The lid may extend across substantially the full depth of the container.

The lid may be retained in a recessed area within the post box. The recessed area may comprise a recessed annular area extending around the post box. The lid may be arranged to be substantially flush with the post box in a closed position.

The recessed area may comprise drainage means. The drainage means may enable water to flow out of the recessed area and away from the storage space.

Preferably the post box comprises a second opening which preferably comprises a letter box opening or slot.

The letter box opening may be covered by a flap. The flap may be lockable by flap locking means. The flap locking means may be located within the post box (preferably within the storage space and/or specifically a second storage space).

The flap locking means may comprise a locking member which can be moved into and out of a locking position and may be simply moved manually by a user.

The letter box opening may comprise a first (external) flap and a second (internal) flap.

The post box may comprise partition means in order to create a first storage space and a second storage space.

Preferably the first storage space is associated with the access opening and the second storage space is associated with the second opening. The first storage space may be arranged to store parcels. The second storage space may be arranged to store conventional postage, for example letters.

The second storage space may comprise an insert and preferably comprises a removable insert to enable the contents of the second storage space to be easily removed from the post box.

The lid may comprise an arcuate or curved lid.

Preferably the mounting means prevents or inhibits unauthorised removal of the post box from the structure from the first side of the structure. Preferably the post box is removable from a structure by operation of an actuator located on the second side of the structure.

The container may be collapsible.

The post box may be arranged to be mounted to a bracket and preferably to a wall mounted bracket. The post box may comprise retaining means to retain the post box to the bracket. The retaining means may be operated from within the container such that the user requires access to the container in order to mount or remove the post box from the bracket.

The post box may comprise a guide member in order to aid the mounting of the post box to the structure. Preferably the guide member is arranged to retain a flap at the opening in an open configuration. The guide member may be arranged to retain a first flap and a second flap of the opening in open configurations. The guide member may comprise a wedge member.

Preferably the guide member is arranged to be pushed into a letter box in order to retain one or more letter box flaps in an open configuration.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an assembly comprising a structure and a post box, the post box comprising a container and mounting means for mounting the container to the structure, the container comprising a lockable access opening and a storage space wherein the access opening provides access to the storage space in order for articles of post to be placed within the storage space, the mounting means comprising a mounting member which is arranged, in use to project through an opening provided by the structure in order for the container to be mounted adjacent a first side of the structure and a part of the mounting member to locate adjacent to a second side of the structure.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing a temporary post box comprising inserting a mounting member located on the post box through an opening defined in a structure, the method comprising suspending the post box from the opening and wherein the post box comprises a container including a lockable access opening and a storage space, the method comprising enabling articles of post to be placed within the storage space.

The method may comprise providing a temporary post box mounted from a letter box of a door wherein articles of post can still be delivered when the addressee is absent.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a post box comprising a container and mounting means for mounting the container to a structure, the container comprising a lockable access opening and a storage space wherein the access opening provides access to the storage space in order for articles of post to be placed within the storage space, the mounting means comprising a suspension bracket including a projecting leg wherein the suspension bracket is arranged to be mounted to a structure and for the projecting leg to be removably engaged with the container in order to removably suspend the container from the structure.

The suspension bracket may comprise a substantially L-shaped bracket and may include a leg portion and an arm portion. The projecting leg may be arranged, in use, to be engaged in a slot defined in the container. The post box may include retaining means to retain the projecting leg to the container. The retaining means may lock the projecting leg to the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention attached to a door; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the container of Figure 1 showing mounting means for securing the container to the door, means for accessing storage compartments within the container and packages held within the storage compartments; Figure 3a is a perspective view of part of the container of Figure 1 showing the mounting means for securing the container through a letterbox and locking mechanism including a combination lock located on a first access cover; Figure 3b is a cross-sectional side view of the locking mechanism of Figure 3a; Figure 4 shows the container of Figure 1 with the lid to the main compartment closed and a storage insert located in a lower part of the container; Figure 5 shows details of locking means for securing a cover over a second opening that provides access to the storage insert; Figure 6 shows the container with the lid removed for clarity and shows the storage insert of Figure 4 being removed from the container; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a first style of letterbox showing the direction of opening of covers over the front and rear faces of the letterbox; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the letterbox of Figure 7 showing a guide member, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, passing through an opening in the letterbox; Figure 9 shows the guide member of Figure 8 passing through an opening in a second style of letterbox; Figure 10 shows a part of the mounting means of the container being inserted into the opening in the letterbox of Figure 8; Figure 11 is a front perspective view of the mounting means showing a locking member and an adjustment member; Figure 12 is a rear perspective view of the mounting means of Figure 11 secured through a letterbox; Figure 13 is an exploded view of the mounting means of Figure 11 showing attachment means and spacer plates for attaching the mounting means to the container; Figure 14 shows a container according to a further embodiment of the present invention having a base spacer plate and an identification plate fixed within the main compartment of the container; Figure 15 is a view of a container with mounting block, and an associated bracket for fixing the container to a wall or similar; Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view from the side of an upper portion of the container of Figure 15; Figure 17 is a perspective view of the wall bracket of Figure 15 showing a locking pin; Figure 18 is a view of a container showing an alternative mounting block having locking tabs; Figure 19 shows the position of the locking pin between the locking tabs when locked; Figure 20 shows a further embodiment of the present invention comprising a collapsible container; and Figures 2lato 21f show the stages in collapsing the containerof Figure 20.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS -11 -

Figure 1 shows a post box 1 according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention. The post box 1 comprises a container 2 for receiving packages 4 and the like that is accessible via a lockable lid 6. The post box 1 is designed to attach to a door 8 of a house or other building by the inclusion of mounting means 20 that pass though an opening and, specifically the letter box 22 in the door 8. In this way, the post box 1 may be temporarily mounted to a door 8 to provide a means of receiving packages 4 when a recipient is not present to receive the package in person.

The post box I comprises a substantially rectangular container 2 having opposing front and rear faces 23, 24, opposing sides 25, 26 extending perpendicular to and joining the front and rear faces 23, 24, a top face 27 and a bottom face 28. An upper portion of the front face 23 of the container 2 includes a lid 6 covering a first opening 30 that provides access to the internal space 32 of the container 2 defined by the front and rear faces 23, 24, the sides 25, 26 and the top and bottom faces 27, 28, as shown in Figure 2.

In this embodiment, the lid 6 comprises a front panel 10 and side walls 12. The lid 6 extends for the full width of the post box I to maxim ise the size of package 4 that may be deposited in the container 2. In particular, the width of the lid 6 is such that there is a sliding fit of the side walls 12 within the sides 25, 26 of the container 2, as shown most clearly in Figure 4. A handle 14 is provided on the front panel of the lid 6. The handle 14 is preferably mounted within a recess 15 in the front panel 10. In this embodiment, the handle 14 is hinged along one edge so that, in a first position, the handle 14 lies flat within the recess 15. In use, the handle is lifted and rotated about the hinge (not shown) to a second position in which a part of the handle 14 protrudes from the front panel 10 of the lid 6. The handle 14 can then be used to lift and move the post box 1 to the required location. The handle 14 may also be used to lift the lid 6 if required.

In this example, the front panel 10 of the lid 6 is curved in one direction such that the distance between the front and rear faces 23, 24 at the top 27 of the container 2 is less than the distance between the front and rear faces 23, 24 in a mid-section 29 of the container 2. The lid 6 is hinged along a top edge 34 so that the container 2 is opened by lifting a lower edge 35 of the lid 6 upwards and away from the container 2, as indicated in Figure 2.

An upper edge 16 of the front face 23 of the container 2 in the mid-section 29 of the container 2 is formed by a lip 16 that extends into the internal space 32. When the lid 6 is in a closed position, the lower edge 35 of the lid 6 makes contact with thelipl6.

The post box I is designed such that the lid 6 is lockable. In this example and as shown in Figure 3a, the lock 36 is mounted on the lower edge 35 of the lid 6 within a recess 37 in the centre of a lock plate 38. A slid eable cover 40 is provided which can be slid into a position that covers the lock 36 for protection from the weather and for security. The lock 36 may be of any type but is preferably a combination lock so that a separate key is not required. The combination lock 36 may comprise a series of rotatable numbered wheels 39, as shown in Figure 3a, or a

keypad for example.

The locking mechanism further comprises a pair of locking pins 42 that extend from the lower edge 35 of the lid 6 into a channel or hollow 43 in the lip 16 of the front wall 23. When the lid 6 is locked, the locking pins 42 are in an engaged position in which the pins 42 extend from the lid 6 into the channel 43 and prevent the lid 6 being lifted, as shown most clearly in Figure 3b. When the lid 6 is unlocked, the pins 42 move to a retracted position in which the pins 42 do not extend into the front wall 23, so that the lid 6 is free to be lifted. In the particular embodiment shown in Figure 3a, to unlock the lid 6 the numbered wheels 39 are rotated until the required code is displayed, and a further wheel 39' is then rotated to cause the locking pins 42 to retract.

In use, when a delivery is expected but the recipient is not available to receive the package in person, it is envisaged that the recipient would temporarily fix the post box 1 of the present invention to the door 8 of their house. The delivery driver would then be informed of the combination required to open the lock 36 to permit the package 4 to be safely deposited in the container 2. Once the package 4 has been delivered it is preferable if the post box I automatically re-locks when the lid 6 is closed so that the container 2 remains secure. In embodiments in which the lock 36 comprises rotatable wheels 39 it would be necessary for the wheels to be rotated to positions that do not display the correct numbers for the lid 6 to remain locked.

In embodiments of the post box I in which the side walls 12 of the lid 6 fit within the sides 25, 26 of the container 2, it is possible that rain water, for example, may flow down between the lid 6 and the sides 25, 26 and enter the internal space 32 of the container 2. To prevent packages 4 held within the container 2 getting wet in this way, it is preferable to include drainage holes or passages 18 in the front 23 of the container 2 below the lid 6. As shown in Figure 3b, the drainage passages 18 preferably extend from an inner edge of the lip 18 outwards and downwards to the front face 23 of the container 2.

Because the post box I is preferably mounted to a door 8 via the letter box 22, this method of attachment means that the letter box 22 in the door cannot be used for the delivery of normal mail. Furthermore, the lid 6 of the post box I can only be opened by an authorised person, such as a delivery driver, who has been given the combination to the lock 36. Therefore, in this embodiment the container 2 includes a second opening 44 in the form of a rectangular slot 44 located in a lower portion 45 of the front face 23. This slot 44 is covered externally by a first flap 46 and internally by a second flap 46' both flaps being hinged along their respective top edges 47, 47', as shown most clearly in Figure 6. Additionally, a partition 48 is formed within the container 2 a small distance above the top edge of the slot 44. The partition 48 divides the internal space 32 into a main compartment 50 accessible only through the first opening 30 and a second compartment 52 located below the main compartment 50 and accessible only -14 -through the second opening 44. As such, the second opening 44 and second compartment 52 of the container 2 are provided for the receipt of letters and other post that would typically be delivered through the letter box 22.

As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the partition 48 and second compartment 52 are formed by a removable storage insert 54. The storage insert 54 is a substantially rectangular box having opposing top and bottom faces 55, 56, opposing side walls 57, 58 and a rear wall 59. The dimensions of the perimeter of the top and bottom faces 55, 56 of the storage insert 54 are approximately equal to the internal dimensions of the container 2, that is the distance between the front and rear faces 23, 24 and the sides 25, 26 of the container 2. The depth of the storage insert 54, defined as the distance between the top and bottom faces 55, 56, is such that when the insert 54 is placed in the bottom of the container 2, the top face of the insert 54 forms the partition 48 a small distance above the top edge of theslot44.

In this way, an opening 60 in the front of the storage insert 54 aligns with the slot 44 in the container 2 and letters that are posted through the second opening 44 fall into the storage insert 54. The arrangement of external and internal flaps 46, 46' means that the opening 44 functions in the same way as a traditional letter box, with the internal flap 46' preventing someone putting their hand in and removing letters or similar from the second compartment 52, or storage insert 54.

The storage insert 54 is removed from the container 2 by lifting it up and out through the large first opening 30 as shown in Figure 6, and preferably the top face 55 of the insert 54 includes a finger hole 61 to allow a user to hold the insert 54 to remove it easily from the container 2.

In some embodiments it may be desirable if at least one of the flaps 46, 46' over the second opening 44 can be latched in a closed position. This may be desirable if the storage insert 54 has not been placed in the container 2, for example if the recipient required the full internal volume of the container 2 for the receipt of a package 4.

As shown in Figure 5, locking means 49 for the flaps 46, 46' comprises a rotatable disc 49 having a cut-out 51. The rotatable disc 49 is located on the inside of the front wall 23 of the container 2. In an unlocked position, the cut-out 51 is aligned with an upper corner of the flap 46' such that the flap 46' is able to be opened.

When the disc 49 is rotated to a locked position a part of the disc 49 covers the upper corner of the flap 46'. In this way the flap 46' cannot be lifted as movement of the flap 46'is prevented by the presence of the disc 49. In a preferred embodiment, the disc 49 is mounted inside the container 2, and the disc 49 further comprises a handle portion 53 projecting from a surface of the disc. To rotate the disc 49 between a locked and unlocked position a user reaches down inside the container 2 and rotates the disc 49 by gripping the handle portion 53.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5 the mounting means 20 for mounting the post box I to a letter box 22 is attached to rear portion of the container 2. In a preferred embodiment, a first end of the mounting means 20 locates in a recess 62 in the rear face of the container 2. This recess 62 is proximate the top 27 of the container 2 and extends across the container 2 for the full width of the container 2.

The recess 62 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape and comprises two opposing, parallel side walls 63, 64 extending across the width of the container 2 and a base plate 65. The end walls of the recess 62 are formed by a part of each of the side walls 25, 26 of the container 2 respectively.

Figures 8 to 13 show preferred mounting means 20 for securing the post box 1 to a letter box 22. A letter box 22 in a door 8 typically comprises a frame 66 that extends through the thickness of the door and forms the perimeter walls of the opening through the door 8. As shown in Figure 7, a rim 67, 68 extends outwards around each end of the frame 66 forming first and second borders 67, 68 around the letter box 22 on first and second sides of the door respectively. Usually, the opening is covered by flaps 70, 70' on both sides of the door, and in the example shown in Figure 7, both flaps 70, 70' are hinged along a top edge and each open outwards away from the door (not shown).

To permit easy attachment of the post box 1 to the door, the mounting means 20 comprises a guide member 72 that passes through the opening of the letter box 22 and retains both flaps 70, 70' in a substantially open position.

The guide member 72 comprises an elongate member 72 having a first section 73 and a second section 74 joined end to end. The first section 73 has opposing parallel top and bottom faces 75, 76 and opposing parallel first and second side faces 77, 78 so that the first section 73 has a uniform rectangular cross-sectional shape. The first section 73 includes an elongate slot 80 that extends along the length of the member 72 and passes from the first side 77 through to the second side 78.

The second section 74 has opposing first and second side faces 77, 78 that are continuous with the first and second side faces of the first section 73. The bottom face 76 of the second section 74 is continuous with the bottom face of the first section 73, however, the top and bottom faces 79, 76 of the second section 74 are not parallel. The top face 79 is at an angle to the bottom face 76 so that the distance between the top and bottom faces 79, 76 increases towards the end 81 of the second section 74. The second section 74 includes a hole 82 that passes from the first side 77 to the second side 78. This hole 82 is provided so that a user may more easily insert the guide member 72 into and remove the guide member 72 from the letter box 22 by putting his or her finger through the hole 82.

In use, the guide member 72 is pushed through the letter box 22 from a first side to a second side. In this way, a free end 71 of the first section 73 protrudes from the second side of the letter box 22, pushes against the flap 70' on the second side of the door and maintains it in a partially open position. The free end 81 of the second section 74 remains protruding from a first side of the door so that the free end 81 of the second section 74 holds the first flap 70 in an open position.

The increased thickness of the guide member 72 at the end 81 of the second section 74 causes the first flap 70 to be held in a fully open position, preferably at an angle of 900 or more to the door, as shown in Figure 8. This enables the rest of the mounting means 20 to be inserted easily in the letter box 22 opening, as described below.

Figure 9 shows the guide member 72 in position through an alternative type of letter box 22' in which the flap 70" on a first side rotates inwards to an open position. These types of letter box 22' are typically installed in wooden doors. In this example, the first flap 70" is held open by the presence of a central portion of the member 72 and the second free end 81 of the member 72 remains protruding from the face of the door.

Figure 10 shows a body 84 of the mounting means 20 being inserted into the letter box 22. The body 84 comprises a substantially rectangular box section 84 having first and second opposing major faces 86, 87 and opposing sides 88, 89. The body 84 is preferably solid except for a channel 90, proximate a rear end 92 of the body 84, that extends for the full width of the body 84 from a first side 88 to a second side 89. The channel 90 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape, the longer sides being oriented parallel to the length of the body 84, as shown most clearly in Figure 11.

A rectangular face plate 94 is attached to a front end 91 of the body 84. The front end 91 of the body 84 is attached centrally to a rear side 95 of the face plate 94 and the plane of the face plate 94 is perpendicular to the length of the body 84.

An adjustment member 96 locates in a threaded hole 98 in the rear end 92 of the body 84. The adjustment member 96 comprises a threaded shaft 97 and a head 99 at one end of the shaft 97. When engaged in the threaded hole 98, the adjustment member 96 is positioned centrally relative to the width of the body 84, and the shaft 97 extends towards the front end 91 of the body 84. The length of the shaft 97 is such that a distal end portion 100 of the shaft 97 extends into the channel 90 in the body 84, as shown most clearly in Figure 11.

When the body 84 of the mounting means 20 is located through a letter box 22, as shown in Figure 12, the channel 90 in the body 84 aligns with the slot 80 in the guide member 72, such that at least a part of the channel 90 and slot 80 are accessible from a second side of the letter box 22. A locking bar 102 is passed fully through the slot 80 and channel 90 to retain the body 84 of the mounting means 20 within the letter box 22.

The locking bar 102 comprises a rod 102 having a circular cross-sectional shape.

The rod 102 has a main section 103 and a handle portion 103'. The handle portion 103' is formed at one end of the rod 102 by a part of the rod bent substantially perpendicularly to the main section 103. The length of the main section 103 is such that the locking bar 102 extends beyond the rim 67 of the letter box 22. In this way, the locking bar 102 prevents the mounting means 20 being removed from the letter box 22 while the locking bar 102 is in place.

The adjustment member 96 is used to clamp the mounting means 20 tightly to the door 8. As the adjustment member 96 is turned in a first direction, the threaded shaft 97 moves into the body 84, and in particular the end 100 of the shaft 97 protrudes further into the channel 90. The end 100 of the shaft 97 contacts the locking bar 102, and as the adjustment member 96 is turned the locking bar 102 is urged towards the front 91 of the body 84. Once the locking bar 102 is in such a position that it is pressing against the rear rim 67 of the letter box 22, or in alternative embodiments the second side of the door, continued tightening of the adjustment member 96 causes the face plate 94 to move towards the front rim 68 of the letter box 22. The purpose of this means of adjustment will be described further later.

The face plate 94 of the mounting means 20 attaches to a rear portion of the container 2 of the post box 1. In a preferred embodiment the face plate 94 is fixed to the base plate 65 in the recess 62 in the rear face 24 of the container 2.

Attachment means 104, 104' are provided on both the face plate 94 and the base plate 65 and in this example corresponding pairs of holes 104, 104' are formed proximate the ends of both the face plate 94 and the base plate 65. Bolts, washers and nuts 105 are then use to secure the mounting means 20 to the container 2, through these holes 104, 104'.

When the mounting means 20 are secured through a letter box 22, tightening of the adjustment member 96 as described above causes the rear face 24 of the container 2 to be pulled towards a face of the door 8. Preferably the mounting means 20 are adjusted until the rear face 24 of the container 2 lies against the surface of the door 8. Because doors may be of varying thicknesses, spacer inserts or gaskets 106 are provided that may be located between the face plate 94 and the base plate 65, as shown in Figure 13. The inclusion of spacer inserts 106 increases the distance between the rear face 24 of the container 2 and the channel 90 in the body 84 of the mounting means 20 through which the locking bar 102 passes. This allows thicker doors to be accommodated, for example those with additional mould ings on one or both sides.

In this example the spacer inserts 106 comprises a rectangular frame 106 with a perimeter slightly smaller than that of the base plate 65 or face plate 94. The central region of the frame 106 is open so that the bolts 105 used to secure the face plate 94 to the base plate 65 are able to pass through this region. Preferably the spacer inserts 106 are provided in a range of thickness and are designed such that one or more spacer inserts 106 may be positioned between the face plate 94 and base plate 65.

In some embodiments a further spacer plate 108 is provided that may be attached to the bottom face 28 of the container 2. Preferably the means of attaching the plate 108 to the container 2 allows the position of the plate 108 relative to the container 2 to be adjusted so that at least a part of the plate 108 protrudes from the rear surface 24 of the container 2. In the example shown in Figure 14 the spacer plate 108 is rectangular with the width of the spacer plate 108 being approximately equal to the width of the container 2. The spacer plate 108 and the -20 -bottom 28 of the container 2 include corresponding rows of holes 110, 110'. The rows 110 in the bottom of the container 2 extend from proximate the rear surface 24 towards the front 23 of the container 2. Likewise, the rows of holes 110' in the spacer plate 108 extend from proximate a rear edge 107 to proximate a front edge 109.

The spacer plate 108 is attached to the container 2 by aligning a pair of holes 110, 110' in the plate 108 and container 2 and passing a screw or bolt 112 or similar through the holes 110, 110'. By aligning different pairs of holes 110, 110' the plate 108 can be attached so that the rear edge 107 of the plate 108 protrudes from the rear surface 24 of the container 2 by different distances.

In a similar manner, a preferred embodiment of the post box 1 also comprises spacer brackets 111 that attach to one or both sides 25, 26 of the container.

These brackets 111 are attached to the container 2 in a similar way to the spacer plate 108, and the position of the brackets 111 may be adjusted so that a rear edge of each of the brackets 111 protrudes from the rear surface 24 of the container 2.

When the post box I is attached to a door 8, the spacer plate 108 and spacer brackets 111 can be adjusted so that the post box I is held vertically against the front of the door 8.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention an identification plate 115 is located within the main compartment 50 of the container 2. If a package 4 is being delivered that must be signed for, when the delivery man deposits the package 4 in the container 2 he can record a unique identity code given on the identification plate 115. The identity code may be a numerical code or an alphanumeric code for example. In some embodiments a bar code 113 may be provided on the identification plate 115 50 that the delivery person can scan the bar code 113 when the package 4 is delivered.

-21 -The post box I is designed to be mounted only temporarily on a door 8, when a delivery is expected for example. However, as mentioned previously, the method of mounting the post box 1 through the letter box 22 means that the letter box 22 cannot then be used in the normal way. For some people who receive a lot of post, in the form of newspapers or magazines for example, the second compartment 52 in the post box I may not be large enough for these items. In these situations it is desirable to provide a bracket 114 that may be fixed to a wall or other suitable structure, so that the post box 1 may be secured to the bracket 114 leaving the letter box 22 free to use in the normal way. Figures 15 to 17 show how the post box 1 may be hung on a bracket 114 that may be fixed on a wall.

The bracket may be permanently fixed to a wall such that the post box I can be mounted in position when required. Accordingly, the post box is not permanently mounted to the bracket but is only mounted temporarily when a delivery is expected by the user.

The bracket 114 comprises a rectangular mounting plate 116 and an L-shaped support member 118. The support member 118 comprises a plate bent at right angles to form an arm portion 119 and a leg portion 120. The arm portion 119 of the support member 118 is fixed at one end to the front surface of the mounting plate 116 proximate a top edge 122, and preferably extends for the full width of the mounting plate 116. In some embodiments the mounting plate 116 and support member 118 may be integrally formed. The support member 118 extends from the mounting plate 116 and is oriented such that the leg 120 of the support member 118 is parallel with the mounting plate 116 and the free end of the leg 120 is parallel with the top edge 122 of the mounting plate 116. In this way a channel 124 is formed between the leg 120 of the support member 118 and an upper region 117 of the mounting plate 116.

The mounting plate 116 includes screw holes 126 for fixing the bracket 114 to a wall or other structure by means that are well known in the art.

A pair of aligned holes 128, 128' are also formed in the leg 120 of the support -22 -member 118 and the upper region 117 of the mounting plate 116. The purpose of which will be described below.

Additionally, a slot 130 is formed in the side wall 63 of the recess 62 closest to the top 27 of the container 2. Preferably the slot 130 extends for most of the width of the container 2. The width of the siot 130 is slightJy greater than the thickness of the support member 118, and the distance between the slot 130 and the rear surface 24 of the container 2 is approximately equal to the width of the channel 124 of the bracket 114. An aperture 132 is formed in the rear face 24 of the container 2 a small distance above the side wall 63 of the recess 62.

To mount the post box 1 on the bracket 114, a user must first remove the mounting means 20 by detaching the face plate 94 from the base plate 65. The container 2 is then hung on the bracket 114 by inserting the support member 118 into the recess 62 in the rear of the container 2 and lowering the container 2 so that the leg 120 of the support member 118 protrudes through the slot 130 in the side wall 63.

When the bracket 114 is fully inserted, the holes 128, 128' in the leg 120 of the support member 118 and the upper region 117 of the mounting plate 116 align with the aperture 132 in the rear face 24 of the container 2. A locking member 134, comprising a rod 134 having a circular cross-sectional shape, is then inserted through each of the aligned holes and aperture 128, 128', 132, as shown in Figures 16 and 17 to secure the container 2 to the bracket 114.

In a further embodiment, shown in Figures 18 and 19, two tabs 136, 138 extend from the external surface of the side wall 63 of the recess 62 into an upper region of the container 2. A first tab 136 extends from the side wall 63 in the same plane as the base plate 65 of the recess 62. A second tab 138 is parallel to and spaced apart from the first tab 136 and is positioned between the first tab 136 and the slot 130. The tabs 136, 138 may be of any suitable shape but in this example are trapezoid.

-23 -The first tab 136 includes a slot 140 extending the full depth of the tab 136. The second tab 138 includes a hole 142 that is aligned with the centre of the slot 140 in the first tab 136. Both the hole 142 and the slot 140 are also aligned with the aperture 132 in the rear face 24 of the container 2.

In embodiments in which the locking member 134 has a main shaft 133 and a handle portion 135, the handle portion 135 being formed at one end of the member 134 by a part of the member 134 being bent substantially perpendicularly to the shaft 133, the handle portion 135 of the locking member 134 may be retained between the tabs 136, 138 when used to secure the container 2, as shown in Figure 18.

The shaft 133 of the locking member 134 is inserted through the slot 140 in the first tab 136, the hole 142 in the second tab 138, the hole 128 in the leg 120 of the support member 118, the aperture 132 in the rear 24 of the container 2 and the hole 128' in the mounting plate 116. During this insertion, the handle 135 is oriented so that it also passes through the slot 140 in the first tab 136. Once fully inserted the locking member 134 is rotated so that the handle 135 lies between the two tabs 136, 138, to prevent the locking member 134 sliding out of the holes 128, 128'. Preferably the gap 144 between the two tabs 136, 138 is just slightly larger than the diameter of the locking member 134.

In some embodiments, the locking member 134 used to secure the container 2 to the bracket 114 may be the same as the locking bar 102 used to secure the mounting means 20 through a letter box 22, however, in other embodiments it may be necessary to provide a locking member 134 having a shorter shaft 133 than the main section 103 of the locking bar 102.

In some cases a user may not have enough space to store the post box 1 when not in use. It may, therefore, be preferable if the container 202 was collapsible as shown in Figures 20 and 21. In this example, the container 202 is made from -24 -separate panels hinged along their edges such that the container 202 may be folded flat as shown in Figures 21a to 21f. The container 202 may then be stored in a flat configuration when not in use.

The post box 1 may be utilised by the user in order to store a key for a larger storage area, for example a garage, outdoor shed, porch area, outdoor cupboard etc. In this situation, if the user is expecting a large delivery which would not fit into the post box, the delivery person may be able to retrieve the key in order to gain access to the larger storage area. The delivery item could then be safely left within this storage area and the delivery person can replace the key in the post box 1 once the item has been locked in the larger storage area.

Claims

-25 -CLAIMS1. A post box comprising a container and mounting means for mounting the container to a structure, the container comprising a lockable access opening and a storage space wherein the access opening provides access to the storage space in order for articles of post to be placed within the storage space, the mounting means comprising a mounting member which is arranged, in use to project through an opening provided by the structure in order for the container to be mounted adjacent a first side of the structure and a part of the mounting member to locate adjacent to a second side of the structure.
2. A post box according to Claim 1 in which the post box is arranged to be temporarily suspended from a letterbox of a door in order for the access opening to be accessible to a delivery person.
3. A post box according to Claim I or Claim 2 in which the mounting member is arranged to be inserted through a letterbox provided in a door in order for the post box to be suspended from the door.
4. A post box according to any preceding claim in which the mounting member is arranged to be initially inserted through a letterbox provided in a door and then a clamping member is engaged with the mounting member and for the clamping member to be adjusted in order to clamp the door between the container and the clamping member.
5. A post box according to any preceding claim in which the opening comprises an enclosed aperture.
6. A post box according to any preceding claim in which the structure comprises a door.
7. A post box according to any preceding claim in which the opening -26 -comprises a letter box located within a door.
8. A post box according to any preceding claim in which the mounting means is arranged to suspend the post box from the structure.
9. A post box according to any preceding claim in which the mounting means is arranged, in use, to prevent relative movement between the post box and the structure.
10. A post box according to any preceding claim in which the mounting means is removably secured to the container.
11. A post box according to any preceding claim in which the mounting means comprises a mounting bracket and clamping means and wherein the clamping means comprises a clamping member and an actuator.
12. A post box according to Claim 11 in which the clamping member is retained in a slot provided in the mounting bracket and the actuator is adjustable in order to limit the location of the clamping member within the slot.
13. A post box according to Claim 11 or Claim 12 in which the clamping member comprises a locking bar which is longer than the width of the opening.
14. A post box according to anyone of Claim 11 to Claim 13 in which the clamping means is arranged to move the container relative to a mounting member.
15. A post box according to any one of Claim 11 to Claim 14 in which the clamping means is arranged to clamp a part of the structure between the clamping member and the container.
16. A post box according to any preceding claim in which the post box comprises at least one spacer or separator member in order to space a rear face -27 -of the container from the structure.
17. A post box according to any preceding claim in which the locking means comprises a combination lock which requires a code to unlock the locking means.
18. A post box according to any preceding claim in which the locking means is arranged to automatically lock on closure of the access opening which comprises the closure of a lid.
19. A post box according to any preceding claim in which the post box comprises identification means in order for the post box to be individually identified.
20. A post box according to Claim 19 in which the identification means is located in the container.
21. A post box according to any preceding claim in which the post box comprises a second opening which comprises a letter box opening or slot.
22. A post box according to Claim 21 in which the letter box opening is covered by a flap which is lockable by flap locking means.
23. A post box according to Claim 22 in which the flap locking means is located within the post box.
24. A post box according to any preceding claim in which the post box comprises partition means in order to create a first storage space and a second storage space.
25. A post box according to Claim 24 in which the first storage space is associated with the access opening and the second storage space is associated with a second opening.

-28 -
26. A post box according to Claim 24 or Claim 25 in which the first storage space is arranged to store parcels and the second storage space is arranged to store conventional postage, for example letters.
27. A post box according to any one of Claim 24 to Claim 26 preceding claim in which the second storage space comprises a removable insert to enable the contents of the second storage space to be easily removed from the post box.
28. A post box according to any preceding claim in which the mounting means prevents or inhibits unauthorised removal of the post box from the structure from the first side of the structure.
29. A post box according to any preceding claim in which the post box is removable from a structure by operation of an actuator located on the second side of the structure.
30. A post box according to any preceding claim in which the container is collapsible.
31. A post box according to any preceding claim in which the post box is arranged to be mounted to a wall mounted bracket.
32. A post box according to Claim 31 in which the post box comprises retaining means to retain the post box to the bracket and wherein the retaining means is operated from within the container such that the user requires access to the container in order to mount or remove the post box from the bracket.
33. A post box according to any preceding claim in which the post box comprises a guide member in order to aid the mounting of the post box to the structure.

-29 -
34. A post box according to any preceding claim in which the guide member is arranged to retain a flap of the opening in an open configuration.
35. A post box according to Claim 33 or Claim 34 in which the guide member comprises a wedge member.
36. A post box according to any one of Claim 33 to Claim 35 in which the guide member is arranged to be pushed into a letter box in order to retain one or more letter box flaps in an open configuration.
37. An assembly comprising a structure and a post box, the post box comprising a container and mounting means for mounting the container to the structure, the container comprising a lockable access opening and a storage space wherein the access opening provides access to the storage space in order for articles of post to be placed within the storage space, the mounting means comprising a mounting member which is arranged, in use to project through an opening provided by the structure in order for the container to be mounted adjacent a first side of the structure and a part of the mounting member to locate adjacent to a second side of the structure.
38. A method of providing a temporary post box comprising inserting a mounting member located on the post box through an opening defined in a structure, the method comprising suspending the post box from the opening and wherein the post box comprises a container including a lockable access opening and a storage space, the method comprising enabling articles of post to be placed within the storage space.
39. A post box comprising a container and mounting means for mounting the container to a structure, the container comprising a lockable access opening and a storage space wherein the access opening provides access to the storage space in order for articles of post to be placed within the storage space, the mounting means comprising a suspension bracket including a projecting leg wherein the -30 -suspension bracket is arranged to be mounted to a structure and for the projecting leg to be removably engaged with the container in order to removably suspend the container from the structure.
40. A post box substantially as herein described, with reference to, and as shown in, any of the accompanying drawings.
41. An assembly comprising a structure and a post box substantially as herein described, with reference to, and as shown in, any of the accompanying drawings.
42. A method of providing a temporary post box substantially as herein described, with reference to, and as shown in, any of the accompanying drawings.