GB2500977A

GB2500977A - A delivery box

Info

Publication number: GB2500977A
Application number: GB1302580.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Julian Peter Bramley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-02-21
Filing date: 2013-02-14
Publication date: 2013-10-09
Also published as: GB201302580D0; GB201202943D0; GB2499598A

Abstract

A delivery box 1 comprising a securing means 21(27, 29, 35 fig.5) for removably securing the delivery box 1 through a letter slot (23) of a door (25) and at least one lockable chamber (7, 13) for receiving delivery of multiple mail items, wherein the or each lockable chamber (7, 13) is configured to be locked and unlocked with the delivery box (1) secured to a door (25).

Description

Detachable Delivery Box The present invention relates to a device for receiving mail, particularly parcels.

The increased popularity of on-line shopping services has increased the volume and frequency of parcel deliveries to households. Standard letterboxes are too small to allow for the delivery of larger parcels. If the householder is not at home to accept delivery, the parcel is taken back to the mail depot to await collection by the householder. This significantly decreases the convenience of on-line shopping because the shopper is inconvenienced by the time and effort involved in collecting the parcel. In a typical year over 50 million items of undeliverable mail are sent back to mail sorting depots in the UK. In addition to the inconvenience to the addressee of the parcel, the time, administrative burden and transport costs placed on the delivery service are also increased when a parcel cannot be delivered, especially if the delivery provider is obliged to attempt a further delivery.

It is also possible that, if the householder is not at home to accept delivery, the parcel will be left outside the door. This can obviously lead to damage to the parcel and there is a risk that the parcel may be stolen.

Alternatively, the householder may have a mailbox outside of their house, but again the size of parcel that can be delivered is limited to the size of the access slots or doors of the mail box. Mailboxes, such as that disclosed in US7048177, need to be permanently fixed into the ground outside of the house or to a wall of the house. This is inconvenient, may cause damage to the property and relies on the householder having enough space to secure the device in place.

Prior art devices addressing the above-referenced problems include those disclosed in GB2372291 and GB2424919. The device of GB2372291 requires a parcel to be placed inside a protective mesh/fabric bag by the postman. The parcel is locked inside the bag and the bag is secured through a letterbox aperture using a "non-return", spring-loaded anchor mechanism. In the device of G62424919 the parcel is placed within a container, which is attached to an anchor mechanism by a flexible cable which passes through a letter box. Thus, the parcel is protected and secured to the door until the householder returns. Once inserted through the letterbox from outside of the door, the protective bag/container can only be released from the letterbox from inside the door. The protective bag or container must then be unlocked to extract the parcel. The parcel or mail item can only be removed from the protective bag/container when the bag/container is released from the door, which increases the time and inconvenience of using such devices. Furthermore, this delivery device and method can only be used for a single delivery. Once the delivery device is in place, the letter box aperture is obstructed such that further delivery of parcels or letters is prevented. This is a significant problem when the average household will receive deliveries from multiple sources in any one day.

The present invention sets out to provide a mail delivery device configured to allow parcels to be conveniently delivered, which alleviates the problems described above by providing a delivery device which allows for the safe and convenient delivery of multiple parcels and letters.

The present invention provides a delivery box comprising a securing means for removably securing the delivery box through a letter slot on a door and at least one lockable chamber for receiving delivery of multiple mail items, wherein the or each lockable chamber is configured to be locked and unlocked with the delivery box secured to a door.

The delivery box of the present invention gives a user the convenience of being able to easily attach or remove the box from the letter slot of a door and also allows a user to access mail without removing the device from the door each time. The device is also configured to receive multiple mail items at different times so that a user can be confident that parcels and letters from multiple sources will be safely stored for long periods before the box needs to be emptied.

Preferably, the delivery box comprises at least two lockable chambers for receiving delivery of multiple mail items.

Preferably, the or each lockable chamber has a capacity of between about 6 and 24 litres.

Multiple mail-receiving compartments allow for different types of mail to be segregated. For example, this prevents more fragile envelopes and smaller parcels being damaged by larger, heavy parcels.

Preferably, the securing means comprises a female member configured to moveably mate with a male member on the delivery box.

By allowing the securing means to be separable from the delivery box, a user can attach the securing means through the letter slot of the door before the delivery box is attached. This two-stage process allows the securing means to be easily and conveniently secured in place before the heavier and more cumbersome delivery box is locked to the securing means and so to the door. This also reduces the risk of any damage being caused to the door when the delivery box is attached.

More preferably, the securing means comprises a bracket configured to slide over a protruding track on the delivery box.

By allowing the bracket to slide over the protruding track, the height of the delivery device can be adjusted according to a user's preference.

Alternatively, the securing means is integral with the delivery box.

Preferably, the securing means comprises at least one clamping member configured to clamp the device through a letter slot of a door.

Optionally, the securing means comprises at least one hooking member configured to hook around the letter slot of a door.

A clamping or hooking mechanism allows the delivery device to be conveniently secured through the letter slot of a door.

Preferably, the at least one clamping member comprises a clamping block with at least one curved outer surface.

The curved shape of the clamping block/s allows the securing mechanism to compensate for any irregularities in the surface of the door or slight incorrect positioning of the clamping block/s. The curved surface effectively allows the clamping block/s to "roll over" the surface of the door to which the block/s are fixed, allowing them to be locked in a secure position. Effective securing of the clamping block/s allows the delivery box to support its own weight and the significant weight of any parcels it receives, without any risk of the delivery box damaging the door or coming loose from the letter slot.

Preferably, the securing means comprises at least two curved clamping blocks.

Preferably, the or each clamping block is coated with a deformable material.

By coating the curved clamping block/s with a deformable material, such as foam, the door is cushioned from any movement of the clamping block/s. This ensures that the clamping block is held securely against the door and also prevents damage to the outer surface of the door and the letter slot.

Optionally, the clamping means comprises at least two clamping arms rotatable about a rotatable bolt.

Preferably, the clamping arms are both rotatable through 360 degrees around the rotatable bolt.

Preferably, the distal end of each clamping arm further comprises a cushion pad.

Preferably, the cushion pad is made of a deformable material, such as foam.

A cushion pad prevents the pressure exerted by the clamping arm/s causing damage to the surface of the door to which they are clamped.

Preferably, the delivery box further comprises at least one support member at a distance from the securing means.

A further support member ensures that the delivery box is securely held in place, preferably parallel to the major face of the door. The support means prevents damage to the door by preventing any movement of the delivery box against the door.

More preferably, the support member is telescopic.

The length of the telescopic support member can be adjusted according to the distance the delivery box is required to be held away from the door.

By providing a telescopic support, for example at the base of the delivery box, which in use rests against the door, the delivery box is held firmly in place and will not move with respect to the door. A telescopic support also allows for the delivery box to be fixed to the door, whilst compensating for any door furniture, such as numbers or door knockers that protrude from the surface of the door.

Preferably, the delivery box has a total volume of about thirty litres.

The delivery box has a volume which allows for multiple items to be delivered and can allow for the delivery of large parcels.

Preferably, the delivery box is made of a material such as plastic, carbon fibre or glass fibre.

A lightweight material allows the delivery box to be easily moved and lifted during installation, whilst reducing the pressure put on the letter slot of the door.

Alternatively, the delivery box is made of stainless steel, mild steel or aluminium.

Within this specification, the term "about" is interpreted to mean optionally ±20%, preferably optionally ±10°k, more preferably optionally ± 50/0.

Preferably, the securing means of the delivery box comprises a first and second U-shaped clamping means.

U-shaped clamping members allow the clamp to be spaced from the planar surface of the doors and allow the delivery box to accommodate for any protruding door fittings, such as door knockers, bells, numbers etc. More preferably, the width and/or depth of the or each clamping means is

adjustable.

By allowing for adjustment of the width of the clamp and or the depth of the clamp, the delivery box can be securely fitted to a wide range of doors regardless of the size of the letter slot through which they are secured or the size of any door fittings that need to be accommodated for.

Preferably, the securing means comprises a threaded locking member.

A threaded locking member allows the delivery box to be securely and conveniently fitted to a door, for example the locking member can be fitted by hand without the need for any additional tools.

Preferably, the securing means comprises a threaded locking member passing through at least one aperture in the first and second clamping means.

Preferably, the delivery box further comprising a letter flap protector.

More preferably, the letter flap protector comprises a flexible disc.

Ey ensuring that any flap hinged to a letter slot is protected, any possibility of damage to the letter slot and its fitting is eliminated Preferably, the securing means comprises at least one bracket removably attachable to the rear of the delivery box.

More preferably, the securing means comprises a locking means for locking the delivery box to the or each bracket.

Preferably, the locking means for locking the delivery box to the or each bracket is integral with a lockable chamber.

Preferably, the or each lockable chamber comprises a hinged door.

More preferably, the hinging of the door and/or lid of the lockable chamber acts to lock and unlock the delivery box to and from the or each bracket.

Preferably, movement of the door and/or lid towards a closed position acts to lock the delivery box to the or each bracket.

By integrating the locking of the chamber with the locking of the delivery box to the bracket the ease with which the device is fitted is much improved and the risk of incorrect locking of the delivery box is reduced.

For the purposes of clarity and a concise description, features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments however it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front of a delivery box constructed in accordance with the present invention, in a closed position; Figure 2 is a perspective view from the rear of the delivery box of Figure 1, in a closed position showing the securing mechanism of a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view from the front of the delivery box, showing a parcel-receiving compartment in an open position; Figure 4 is a perspective view from the rear of the delivery box of Figure 1, showing a letter-receiving compartment in an open position; Figures 5 (a) to (f) are perspective views showing the operation of the securing mechanism of the delivery box of Figure 2; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the delivery box installed against a door; Figures 7 (a) to (d) are perspective views from the side showing the operation of a securing mechanism of a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 (a) and (b) shows possible orientations of the securing mechanism of Figures 7 with the securing mechanism secured to a letter slot; Figure 9 is a perspective view of an inner clamp of a delivery box constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 is a perspective view from inside a door showing the inner clamp of Figure 9 connected to an outer clamp in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 is a perspective view from outside a door showing the inner clamp of Figure 9 connected to the outer clamp of Figure 10 and a door bracket in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12 is a perspective view showing a delivery box attached to a door in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 9 to 11; is a perspective view from outside a door showing the outer clamp connected to a letter slot in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 13 is an enlarged perspective of a locking mechanism of the delivery box of Figures 9 to 12; Figure 14 is a perspective view from inside a door showing the inner and outer clamp connected through a letter slot to a delivery box in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 15 is a perspective rear view showing a bracket of a delivery box in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 17 is a perspective view of a plant pot attachable to the bracket shown in Figure 16; Figure 18 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 19 shows a perspective view of the bracket of Figure 18.

Referring to Figure 1, the detachable delivery box 1 of the present invention comprises a cuboidal box made of a lightweight material such as plastic, carbon fibre, or glass fibre. The box has a height of 500mm, a width of 300mm and a depth of 200mm. The box has a capacity of about litres. The delivery box has rounded corners and a handle 3 for ease of carrying. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in Figures 1 to 4, the delivery box has two compartments configured to separately receive letters and parcels. A letter slot S is provided in an upper section of the delivery box, through which envelopes and small items of mail can be posted. The letter slot 5 has a width of 300mm and a height of between 40mm and 6ommmm. As shown in Figure 4, the letter slot 5 opens into a first compartment 7 for storing the envelopes and small items of mail. The first compartment 7 has a height of 100mm, a width or 300mm and a depth of 200mm providing a capacity of about 6 litres. The first compartment 7 is lockable and can be accessed by unlocking and lifting a hinged cover panel or lid 9.

A hinged door 11 is provided on the front of the delivery box 1, which covers a parcel compartment 13. As shown in Figure 3, the door 11 hinges outwardly to allow parcels and larger items of mail to be placed inside.

The parcel compartment 13 has a height of 400mm, a width of 300mm and a depth of 200mm providing a capacity of about 24 litres. The parcel compartment 13 is lockable by means of a rotating handle 15. The parcel compartment 13 can be locked by any known locking means and a push-button on the outer face of the compartment can be used to lock the compartment after a delivery.

In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the parcel compartment comprises two separate chambers, wherein a first receiving chamber is accessible to receive a parcel when the hinged door is open.

When the hinged door is closed, the parcel then passes to a second storage chamber, which is not accessible when the hinged door is opened.

It is envisaged that the storage chamber could be unlocked by a user to retrieve parcels stored therein.

The parcel compartment of the delivery device may also have an indicator to show when a delivery has been made and/or to show whether the parcel compartment is locked or open. The parcel compartment may also have a transparent window to allow a user to view the contents of the parcel compartment.

Referring to Figure 2, on the back wall of the delivery box 1 is a protruding track 17. The protruding track 17 is configured to slideably mate with a bracket 19 attached to a securing mechanism 21. It is envisaged that in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the securing mechanism is permanently fixed to the delivery box.

As shown in Figures 5 (a) to 5(e) and Figure 6 the securing mechanism 21, in use, engages with a letter slot 23 in a door 25. The securing mechanism 21 comprises two curved clamping blocks 27, 29 each with a hemispherical cross section, which are connectable to each other along their curved surfaces by a threaded rod 31 running transversely through the centre of the first clamping block 27. The curved surfaces of the clamping blocks 27, 29 are covered in a deformable material, such as foam. The first hemispherical block 27 is attached to the bracket by one or more transverse rods 31. The rod/s 31 allow for adjustment of the distance between the first curved clamping block 27 and the door 25, which allows for any door furniture protruding from the door; for example, if there is a door knocker or a protruding frame around the letter slot. The second curved clamping block 29 is bisected by a central transverse slot 33. The elongate rod 31 passing through the first clamping block 27 is rotatable by means of a weighted gripping means 35. The gripping means has a length of between 20 and 22mm and is resiliently biased along its length towards the first clamping means 27 by a spring.

Referring to Figures 5 a) to d), in use, the bracket 19 of the securing mechanism is secured through the letter slot 23 of a door (not shown).

For the purposes of this description the outer face of the door, to which the delivery box is attached, is referred to as the "door-side". The inner face of the door is referred to as the "house-side".

The first, door-side curved clamping block 27 is brought into contact with the letter slot 23 of a door from outside the door, with the curved surface of the clamping block 27 adjacent to the letter slot 23. The elongate rod 31 and gripping member 35 pass through the letter slot 23 [Figures 5 a) and 5 b)] and are rotated through ninety degrees as shown in Figure 5 c), under the action of a weight inserted below the centre point of the gripping member 35. Following rotation, the gripping member 35 extends transverse to the length of the letter slot 23 to hook the first clamping block 27 and the bracket 19 on the door-side of the securing mechanism in place. Although the bracket 19 is not held rigidly in place, it is hooked/clamped to the letter slot 23 securely enough to allow the door to be moved. As shown in Figures 5 d) to 1), a user then attaches the second curved clamping block 29 to the securing mechanism on the "house-side" of the door, with its curved surface adjacent to the letter slot 23. The two curved blocks 27, 29 are secured together by retracting the resiliently biased gripping member and sliding the central transverse slot 33 of the second curved block 29 over the gripping member 35. The gripping member 35 is then rotated to tighten the contact between the two curved surfaces of the first and second clamping blocks 27, 29. When the gripping member 35 cannot be rotated any further the securing mechanism is in the locked position. In the locked position the bracket 19 of the securing mechanism is securely held parallel to the outer surface of the door.

As shown in Figures 2 and 6, with the securing mechanism in the locked position, the protruding track 17 on the back plate of the delivery box 1 is slid into the bracket 19 of the securing mechanism. This secures the delivery box 1 parallel to the door 25 through the letter slot 23.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 7 and 8, the second clamping means comprises a first 37a and a second 37b substantially U-shaped clamping arm extending from the gripping means 35. The clamping arms 37a, 37b are rotatable about the gripping means and are connected to the door-side clamping block 27 by a rotatable bolt 39. The distal end of each clamping arm 37a, 37b (furthest from the gripping means 35) is covered with a cushion pad 41, such as a circular foam pad, which protects the house-side surface of the door 25 from the pressure exerted thereon by the clamping arms 37a, 37b. The door-side clamping block 27 is attached to the letter slot as described for the above-referenced first embodiment. As previously described the distance between the bracket 19 and the first clamping block 27 can be adjusted to allow for any door furniture protruding from the door 25. Referring to Figures 7 a) to c), the first and second clamping arms 37a, 37b are rotated about the gripping means 35 to lie parallel to each other and to the length of the letter slot 23. As shown in Figure 7c, the clamping arms 37a, 37b are then fed through the letter slot 23 to bring the curved surface of the door-side clamping block 27 into contact with the letter slot 23. As shown in Figure 7 d), the clamping arms 37a, 37b are then rotated to secure the clamping arms 37a, 37b to through the letter slot 23 and hold the first clamping block 27 and the bracket 19 to the door 25. Two possible clamping orientations for the clamping arms 37a, 37b are shown in Figures 8 (a) and Figure 8 (b).

Referring to Figure 8 (a) the clamping arms 37a, 37b are rotated away from each other to extend parallel to the length of the letter slot 23.

Referring to Figure 8 (b) the clamping arms 37a, 37b are rotated away from each other to extend perpendicularly to the length of the letter slot 23. With the clamping arms 37a, 37b resting against the house-side surface of the door, the gripping means 35 is then rotated to rotate and tighten the bolt 39 between the door-side clamping block 27 and the clamping arms 37a, 37b. When the gripping means 35 cannot be rotated any further the bracket 19 is securely clamped to the door through the letter slot 23. In the locked position the bracket 19 of the securing mechanism is securely held parallel to the outer surface of the door.

As previously described in relation to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 2, with the securing mechanism in the locked position, the protruding track on the back plate of the delivery box is slid into the bracket of the securing mechanism. This secures the delivery box parallel to the door through the letter slot.

It is to be understood that in alternative embodiments of the present invention, the securing mechanism is fed through the letter slot in the opposite direction to the embodiments described above. That is, the clamping blocks/arms are secured on the outer face of the door. The securing mechanism thus exposed on the outer face of the door would be concealed by the attachment of the delivery box.

Referring to Figures 9 to 15, in a third embodiment of the present invention the detachable delivery box 1' is attached through a letter slot of a door by alternative removable securing means. As shown in Figure 9, the first component of the securing means is an inner clamp 51 comprising a substantially U-shaped body with an elongate member 53 having two arms 55 at each of its ends. The position of the arms 55 along the elongate member 53 is adjustable, according to the length of the letter slot to which the device is to be attached. The elongate member 53 comprises an elongate, shaped aperture 57 having a central circular aperture 57a surrounded by opposing rectangular apertures 57b. Elastic cords 59 are threadable through the elongate shaped aperture 57 and can be held in place by knots or toggles 59a at the end of the elastic cords 59.

The elastic cords 59 pass through the elongate member of the inner clamp 51 through a spacing block 61 to a letter slot protector 63. The spacing block 61 is cuboidal with a hollow 61a running through its centre. The letter slot protector 63 is a flexible disc with a central circular aperture 63a therein.

Referring to Figure 10, the second component of the securing means is an outer clamp 65 comprising a substantially U-shaped body with an elongate member 67 having two arms 69 at each of its ends. As described with reference to the inner clamp 51, the position of the arms 69 along the elongate member 67 is adjustable, according to the length of the letter slot to which the device is to be attached. A third component of the securing means is a box bracket 71. The box bracket 71 is also shown in Figure 11, having multiple apertures 73 along its length. The box bracket 71 has a base 75 and a shaped bracket projection 77.

Referring to Figures 12 and 13, the detachable delivery box 1' of the third embodiment of the invention is as previously described, having two compartments configured to separately receive letters and parcels. A letter slot 5' is provided in an upper, hinged cover panel or lid 6 of the delivery box 1'. The upper hinged lid 6 covers a letter compartment 6'. A hinged door 11' is provided on the front of the delivery box 1', which covers a parcel compartment 13'. The parcel compartment 13' is lockable by means of a rotating handle 15' or a similar convenient locking mechanism. As shown in Figure 13, the upper, hinged lid 6 of the delivery box 1' has a locking mechanism 8 on its rear wall. The rear wall is understood to be the wall that, in use, is closest to the door to which the delivery box 1' is attached. The locking mechanism 8 comprises three internal lid projections 81, which protrude into the letter compartment 6'.

Each of the internal lid projections 81 is effectively a "cut-out" bent inwardly from the rear wall of the delivery box 1'. Each internal lid projection 81 has a rectangular aperture through it. The locking mechanism 8 also comprises locking members or fingers 83, which are each configured to pass through a rectangular aperture in the respective internal lid projection 81 when the upper hinged lid 6 is closed. The upper hinged lid also has a lock 85, which is key-operated.

Referring to Figure 14, in use, the securing mechanism of the third embodiment engages with a letter slot of a door (not shown). The letter slot in the embodiment shown in Figures 9 to 14 runs transverse to the height of the door. As shown in Figure 9, the elastic cords 59 are threaded through the slot protector 63, the spacing block 61, and the circular aperture 57a of the inner clamp 15, from outside of the door to the inside of the house. The elastic cords 59 are slid apart from each other and along the shaped aperture 57 on opposing sides of the circular aperture 57a. In use, the spacing block 61 sits inside a letter slot, protruding therefrom, to hold any flap over the letter slot in an open position. The spacing block and flap protector are strong enough to resist a spring-loaded letter slot flap without causing damage. The flexible flap protector 63 prevents any damage to the letter slot or flap being caused by the force exerted by the securing mechanism. The U-shaped configuration of the inner clamp 51 ensures that the inner clamp 51 is spaced apart from any internal door fittings to prevent the risk of damage.

As shown in Figure 10, with the inner clamp 51 held to the house-side perimeter of the letter slot, the outer clamp 65 is brought into engagement with the outside-face of the perimeter of the letter slot. The arms 69 of the outer clamp 65 rest against the door, i.e. adjacent to the perimeter of the letter slot such that the elongate member 67 is spaced apart from any external door fittings to prevent the risk of damage. It is envisaged that the length of the arms on the inner clamp 51 and the outer clamp 65 are both adjustable to allow for any door fittings protruding from the internal or external surfaces of the door, for example up to a fitting distance from the door of about 110mm. For example, the arms may be rotatable between different orientations providing different arm lengths.

The box bracket 71 is then aligned with the outer clamp 65 according to the desired position of the delivery box 1. As shown, the length of the box bracket 71 is perpendicular to the length of the inner and outer clamps 51, 65. In the embodiment shown in Figures 10 and 14 the letter slot is central to the height of the door and so the securing mechanism is best secured centrally with respect to the height of the delivery box. However, in alternative configurations (not shown) where the letter slot is positioned at the base of the door, the box bracket 71 and securing mechanism are best secured at the base of the delivery box, with a user aligning the outer clamp 65 with an aperture at the base of the box bracket 71. If the letter slot is positioned at the top of a door the box bracket 71 and securing mechanism are best secured at the top of the delivery box, with a user aligning the outer clamp 65 with an aperture at the top of the box bracket. In a further configuration, if the letter slot runs parallel to the length of the door, the box bracket 71 is positioned parallel to the length of the inner and outer clamps 51, 65.

With the inner clamp 51, outer clamp 65 and box bracket 71 in position, the securing mechanism is held in place by a locking rod 82. The locking rod 82 comprises a hollow cylindrical tube with a threaded bore configured to receive a corresponding threaded bolt. The locking rod 82 passes from the door side of the securing mechanism through the selected aperture 73 in the box bracket 71, through the central aperture 64 of the outer clamp 65, through the aperture in the flap protector 63, through the hollow 61a in the spacing block 61 and out through the circular aperture 57a in the inner clamp 51. When the locking rod 82 has been rotated to secure the inner clamp 51, outer clamp 65 and box bracket 71 to the letter slot, the securing means is locked into place by locking knob 79. The key-operated locking knob 79 fits over the house-side end of the locking rod 82.

As shown in Figures 12, 13 and 14, with the securing mechanism in place, the delivery box 1' is brought into contact with the outside face of the door to which it is to be removably secured. The upper hinged door 6 of the delivery box 1' is held open to allow a user to align and insert the shaped bracket projection 77 of the box bracket 71 through an aperture 83 in the rear wall of the delivery box and into alignment with an internal lid projection 81 in the back of the letter compartment of the delivery box 1'. The upper hinged cover panel or lid 6 of the deliver box 1' is then closed so that the locking members 83 pass through the internal lid projections 81 and shaped bracket projection 77 to lock the delivery box 1 to the box bracket 71 of the securing mechanism. The upper hinged lid 6 is locked so that the deliver box is locked securely in place.

The multiple internal lid projections and apertures 84 allow a user to align the delivery box 1' with the box bracket 71 as desired. In the embodiment shown in Figures 13 and 14, the delivery box 1' is aligned centrally with the box bracket 71, but in alternative configurations the box could be positioned to the right or left of the box bracket 71. In any configuration, the securing mechanism and delivery box do not interfere with the normal opening and closing of the door. To remove the delivery box, the process described above is simply reversed so that the upper hinged cover panel r lid 6 is unlocked and lifted upwards to unlock the locking members 83 from the internal lid projections and bracket projections 77, 81. The delivery box 1' is removed from the box bracket 71. The locking knob 79 is unlocked to allow the locking rod 82 to be unscrewed and removed through the inner clamp 51, the outer clamp, 65 and the box bracket 71.

The elastic cords 59 are then removed through the letter slot to release the inner clamp 51. It is envisaged that the entire fitting and removal process will take a user less than 5-10 minutes.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the securing mechanism used to secure the delivery box through the letter slot of the door comprises an inflatable member. An inflatable member is fed through the letter slot when deflated leaving a valve exposed through the letter slot of the door. The inflatable member is attached to a plate, bracket or track to which a delivery box can be secured. The inflatable member is then inflated by pumping air through the exposed valve. When the inflatable member is fully inflated it securely holds the plate, bracket or track securely to the letter slot. When a delivery box is then secured on the door-side of the letter slot to the plate, bracket or track it is held securely in place, as described for the above-referenced embodiments.

The inflatable member can easily be deflated by releasing the valve to allow air to escape and the deflated member to be fed back through the letter slot.

Referring to Figure 15, in a still further embodiment of the invention a bracket 90 is provided for fixing a delivery box 1' to a wall, including to a wall of a house. The bracket comprises two apertures 91 through which screws can be inserted for screwing the bracket 90 to a wall. As shown in Figure 16, when the bracket 90 is not in use the base 93 of the bracket 90 is removably attached to a plant pot 95. This allows a user to disguise the bracket 90 with a plant until the delivery box 1' is re-attached.

The above described embodiment has been given by way of example only, and the skilled reader will naturally appreciate that many variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, it is envisaged that in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the bracket and protruding track of the securing mechanism and delivery box are replaced by a securing mechanism that is integrally formed with the delivery box.

Claims

Claims 1. A delivery box comprising a securing means for removably securing the delivery box through a letter slot of a door and at least one lockable chamber for receiving delivery of multiple mail items, wherein the or each lockable chamber is configured to be locked and unlocked with the delivery box secured to a door.
2. A delivery box according to claim 1 comprising at least two lockable chambers for receiving delivery of multiple mail items.
3. A delivery box according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the securing means comprises a female member configured to moveably mate with a male member.
4. A delivery box according to any preceding claim wherein the securing means comprises a first and second U-shaped clamping means.
5. A delivery box according to any preceding claim wherein the width and/or depth of the or each clamping means is adjustable.
6. A delivery box according to any of claims 3 to 5 wherein the securing means comprises a threaded locking member.
7. A delivery box according to claim 6 wherein the securing means comprises a threaded locking member passing through at least one aperture in the first and second clamping means.
8. A delivery box according to any preceding claim further comprising a letter flap protector.
9. A delivery box according to claim 8 wherein the letter flap protector comprises a flexible disc.
10.A delivery box according to any preceding claim wherein the securing means comprises at least one bracket removably attachable to the rear of the delivery box.
11.A delivery box according to claim 10 further comprising a locking means for locking the delivery box to the or each bracket.
12.A delivery box according to claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the locking means is integral with a lockable chamber.
13.A delivery box according to any preceding claim wherein the or each lockable chamber comprises a hinged door and/or lid.
14.A delivery box according to any of claims 11 to 13 wherein the hinging of the door and/or lid of the lockable chamber acts to lock and unlock the delivery box to and from the or each bracket.
15.A delivery box according to claim 14 wherein movement of the door and/or lid towards a closed position acts to lock the delivery box to the or each bracket.
16. A delivery box according to any preceding claim wherein the securing means comprises a female member configured to moveably mate with a male member on the delivery box.
17.A delivery box according to claim 3 wherein the securing means comprises a bracket configured to slide over a protruding track on the delivery box.
18.A delivery box according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the securing means is integral with the delivery box.
19.A delivery box according to claim 18 wherein the securing means comprises at least one clamping member configured to clamp the device through the letter slot of a door.
20. A delivery box according to any of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the securing means comprises at least one hooking member configured to hook over the letter slot of a door.
21.A delivery box according to claim 19 wherein the at least one clamping member comprises a clamping block with at least one curved outer surface.
22.A delivery box according to claim 19 wherein the securing means comprises at least two clamping blocks, wherein each clamping block comprises at least one curved outer surface.
23. A delivery box according to any of claims 20 to 22 wherein the or each hooking member or clamping member is coated with a deformable material.
24. A delivery box according to claim 19 wherein the clamping member comprises at least two clamping arms rotatable about a rotatable bolt.
25. A delivery box according to claim 24 wherein the clamping arms are both rotatable through 360 degrees around the rotatable bolt.
26. A delivery box according to claim 24 or claim 25 wherein the distal end of each clamping arm further comprises a cushion pad.
27. A delivery box according to claim 26 wherein the cushion pad is made of a deformable material, such as foam.
28. A delivery box according to any of claims 17 to 27 further comprising at least one support member spaced from the securing means.
29. A delivery box according to claim 28 wherein the support member is telescopic.
30. A delivery box according to any preceding claim wherein the delivery box has a volume of about 30 litres.
31. A delivery box substantially as hereinbefore described or referred to in Figures 1 to 15.