GB2504558A

GB2504558A - Delivery aid

Info

Publication number: GB2504558A
Application number: GB201215655A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Janet Sallis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-09-01
Filing date: 2012-09-01
Publication date: 2014-02-05
Anticipated expiration: 2032-09-01
Also published as: GB2504558B8; GB201215655D0; GB2504558B

Abstract

A delivery aid for identifying the location of a delivery address comprises a recognition body 7, a user-defined messaging portion 3, a light source 2 acting to illuminate the recognition body, and a means of attachment to a window such as a suction cup or adhesive-covered foam.

Description

A DELIVERY AID

* Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a delivery aid for aiding a delivery driver, more particularly but not exclusively to a delivery aid for alerting a delivery driver to a location.

Background and Prior Art

Many people or users receive number of deliveries to their home or place of work.

More often than not these are not just postal items but deliveries of food and goods that have been ordered.

Often delivery drivers have to cover large distribution areas and therefore may not know the exact location. To overcome this many use a Global Positioning System (GPS), however GPS may not provide the exact final location and when in an area with lots of houses it may be difficult to distinguish the final destination, particularly where house numbers or names are not very visible from the road.

In these situations delivery drivers may spend a considerable amount of time trying to find the correct location often having to walk into a premises, garden or drive to ascertain if it is the correct address.

To help in these situations delivery drivers are often provided with a customer's contact telephone number so that they can call on arrival or on route to advice of delivery and to seek directions. However, this adds to the delivery driver's time and also means a requirement for mobile communication which is an additional cost to the business. In addition or the alternative mobile phone reception may be limited in some areas thus rendering it not possible to contact the customer.

Also as working hours extend a number of deliveries are made in the evening, at night or in the early mornings, often when there is no or reduded light. Therefore a delivery driver has even greater difficulty identifying the correct premises for delivery.

In contrast the present invention provides a visible customisable aid for delivery drivers, also combining identification and communication purposes.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a delivery aid comprising: a recognition body, a user-defined messaging portion, a light source acting to illuminate the recognition body! and a means of attachment.

In preferred embodiments the recognition body comprises a disc primarily formed of a lightweight material such as cardboard or synthetic plastic. In this way the delivery aid may be easily attached to a surface, for example wherein the disc may be attached by suction to glass or a window interior.

It is envisaged furthermore that in preferred embodiments the recognition body is coloured or provides solid and/or translucent or luminescent properties.

Typically the recognition body is a circular or square ring surrounding the user-defined messaging portion, drawing attention to and/or being generally larger than the user-defined messaging portion. In other embodiments the delivery aid may be ovaloid or any multi-edged shape.

The delivery aid may in some embodiments include a carcass, pocket or wallet, said wallet protecting the delivery aid and/or providing an outer skin on at least one side or face.

In all preferred embodiments the delivery aid is of a size that can be viewed from a distance to allow a delivery person to be able to see it from the road without having to enter a premises drive, or garden. Preferably the delivery aid has a diameter greater than 0.lm and less that 0.2 m.

In a preferred embodiment a front face of the delivery aid is visible to the delivery person and proves the recognition body designed in colours or livery of, or with the company logo of, a delivery company or product provider, so that the delivery person or driver can easily spot the correct location. Corporations or individuals may be preferred users.

In alternate embodiments the recognition body may be on a cardboard disc that is accepted into a transparent wallet that joins to, covers or forms the recognition body, thus enabling the disc to be changed so as to be usable for more than one delivery service.

In other embodiments the recognition body is permanently included on the delivery aid, wherein for example the user provides the delivery aids to clients for deliveries.

Ideally in addition or the alternative the user-defined messaging portion is where it may possible to include a house name or number for further communication to such as the driver or user that they have reached a correct address and other communications such as where to leave a delivery.

It is envisaged that this is written in by the user but in another embodiment the recognition body, and/or the user-defined messaging portion may be pre-printed with the name or number, or may come with a selection of arrangeable letters and numbers.

In preferred embodiments the light source serves to light up a front face of the delivery aid so that a delivery person is clearly able to see the messaging portion which may include house name or number or other message, even in low or minimal light.

In embodiments of the delivery aid that include lights it is envisaged that part of, or the whole of the recognition body is formed of a translucent, transparent, reflective, luminescent or fluorescent material so that the delivery aid appears to glow when the lights are switched on.

In addition in preferred embodiments the light source includes or comprises a light emitting diode (LED) that is powered by a battery mounted on the back of the delivery aid.

In another embodiment the delivery aid may include a solar reactive panel to generate energy for the light source.

In some embodiments advantageously the light source may be LEDs arranged in a circle so as to ensure full illumination of the delivery aid. Alternatively the location of the lights may be arranged to match the shape of the delivery aid or the design, for example the lights may be central, on the outer edge of the body or randomly positioned.

In a further embodiment one or more of the lights may be coloured or colourable so as to match the design.

The LEDs may also be intermittent, and/or changeable in intensity, colour or flashing so as to attract attention.

Advantageously the light source has a control switch so that it may be turned on when required, and switched off when not needed.

In another embodiment the light source may. be activated by or on a sensor that is triggered when surrounding light falls below a predetermined level. It is envisaged said sensor is positioned on a front face or face of the delivery aid facing towards the driver, so as not to be affected by extraneous light sources.

In some further embodiments the light source acts in cooperation with a timing facility, wherein for example it may be lit during one hour periods, or a morning or afternoon. In yet further embodiments there may be included wireless connectivity in order to control lighting. For example in some embodiments the delivery aid may be lit on receipt of a signal from linked apparatus, such as may be in use by a delivery driver or vehicle. In this way the light source may be activated by presence of a delivery solely. Yet further embodiments may include other means of alerting delivery drivers or vehicles, such as cooperation with global positioning system hardware and signalling.

In most preferred embodiments it is envisaged the front face of the delivery aid includes luminescent material so as to glow in dark. Typically the luminescent material may be all or part of the design, the numbers and lettering.

Some embodiments of the delivery aid include a method of attachment that allows the delivery aid to be attached to a surface. Preferably the delivery aid therefore includes at least one aperture or lanyard attachment point that can be placed over a hook, protrusion or nodule.

Typically the hook is mounted on or is part of a sucker so that is can be removably attached to a surface such as a window or door.

In the alternative or addition the recognition body may include adhesive or suction pads which stick to a surface or the lanyard attachment point may accept a line or lanyard that can be used to tie the delivery aid to an object.

In yet further embodiments the delivery aid may be suitable for use in an outdoor exterior environment where the delivery aid may be placed at an entrance to the premises. Typically the delivery aid is tied to an object such as a gate or tree in order that it may not be blown away by wind. It is envisaged exterior embodiments of the delivery aid are formed of waterproof materials or can be placed in a waterproof pouch to prevent water damage.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an exploded isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the delivery aid; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a reverse view of the embodiment of Figure 1; and Figure 4 shows a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

The pictured and preferred embodiment consists of a lightweight plastic disc containing LEDs, mounted behind a ring of translucent plastic, to give a glowing effect to enhance visibility of the delivery aid, and includes the following: Translucent plastic with LEDs behind 1 LEDs 2 Space for attaching a sticker or label which shows the house number 3 Coin cell battery 4 Battery cover 5 Lightweight plastic casing 6 Coloured translucent ring 7 and Lanyard attachment point 8 Such an embodiment of the delivery aid may be typically attached to a window by an adhesive covered foam for a strong hold which won't damage the glass, or suction attachment.

In further embodiments the delivery aid includes a chain or tether attached to the lanyard attachment point, and said chain attaching in turn to a suction cup with a hook, which is pushed onto the window to hold the disc, the coloured translucent ring 7, in place on a tether or hanger. In this way, when a delivery is expected, the disc for example is turned on and hung in the window to attract a driver's attention.

The light source is powered by the coin battery 4, and the label on the front of the disc, the coloured translucent ring 7, has a blank space in which the user can write their house number. In some embodiments the label may be slid into a wallet. In other embodiments an adhesive sticker is used.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore! the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A delivery aid comprising: a recognition body, a user-defined messaging portion, a light source acting to illuminate the recognition body, and a means of attachment.
2. A delivery aid according to claim 1, wherein the recognition body consists of company livery.
3. A delivery aid according to either of claims 1 and 2, wherein the recognition body is a disc capable of suction attachment to glass.
4. A delivery aid according to claim 3, wherein the disc is primarily formed of a lightweight material such as cardboard or synthetic plastic.
5. A delivery aid according to any of claims 1 to 4, including a solar reactive panel.
6. A delivery aid according to any of claims 1 to 5, including light emitting diodes.
7. A delivery aid according to any preceding claim including transparent material.6. A method of attracting attention of a delivery driver, according to any of the preceding claims or with reference to the figures.