GB2557332A

GB2557332A - Letter plate apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2557332A
Application number: GB1620809.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dolman Terry
Original assignee: Assa Abloy Ltd
Current assignee: Assa Abloy Ltd
Priority date: 2016-12-07
Filing date: 2016-12-07
Publication date: 2018-06-20
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-07
Also published as: GB201620809D0; GB2557332B

Abstract

A letter plate apparatus 10, comprising: a letter aperture 5 defined by a height extending in a first dimension, and a length extending in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension; a letter flap 50 rotatable between a closed and an open position; and a letter flap support arranged for the flap to rotate about an axis of rotation coincident with the letter aperture and spaced from the letter aperture in a third dimension, orthogonal to the first and second dimensions. The height of the letter aperture maybe in the range of 35-50mm. The axis of rotation maybe positioned at least 30mm from the lower edge and spaced at least 20mm away from the aperture. The support may comprise a canopy 31 extending outwardly from a door and downwardly, and may comprise first 32 and second 33 side screens. The letter flap may also comprise first and second side screen portions. The letter flap may define at least one recess; and the canopy comprising at least one edge that is arranged to enter the recess. A housing arrangement may provide at least one spring 91, 92, arranged to bias the letter flap closed, positioned between the housing side screen and flap side screen. The assembly may also include a draught excluder 45.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Assa Abloy Limited (Incorporated in the United Kingdom)

Portobello, School Street, Willenhall, West Midlands, WV13 3PW, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Terry Dolman (51) INT CL:

A47G 29/124 (2006.01) A47G 29/12 (2006.01) A47G 29/126 (2006.01) (56) Documents Cited:

GB 2546327 A GB 2538045 A

GB 2103479 A KR 100783650 B1

NL 001017279 C (58) Field of Search:

INT CLA47G

Other: WPI, EPODOC, Patent Fulltext (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Abel & Imray

Westpoint Building, James Street West, Bath, BA1 2DA, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Letter plate apparatus

Abstract Title: A letter plate apparatus with flap rotating on an axis spaced away from the letter aperture (57) A letter plate apparatus 10, comprising: a letter aperture 5 defined by a height extending in a first dimension, and a length extending in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension; a letter flap 50 rotatable between a closed and an open position; and a letter flap support arranged for the flap to rotate about an axis of rotation coincident with the letter aperture and spaced from the letter aperture in a third dimension, orthogonal to the first and second dimensions. The height of the letter aperture maybe in the range of 35-50mm. The axis of rotation maybe positioned at least 30mm from the lower edge and spaced at least 20mm away from the aperture. The support may comprise a canopy 31 extending outwardly from a door and downwardly, and may comprise first 32 and second 33 side screens. The letter flap may also comprise first and second side screen portions. The letter flap may define at least one recess; and the canopy comprising at least one edge that is arranged to enter the recess. A housing arrangement may provide at least one spring 91,92, arranged to bias the letter flap closed, positioned between the housing side screen and flap side screen. The assembly may also include a draught excluder 45.

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TITLE

Letter Plate Apparatus

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the invention relate to a letter plate apparatus. In particular, they relate to a letter plate apparatus with improved security features.

BACKGROUND

A letter plate apparatus is an apparatus that fixes to a door of a building and allows the passage of mail through the door. A letter plate apparatus comprises a letter aperture and a letter flap which is rotatable between a closed position and an open position. When the letter flap is in the closed position, the letter aperture is concealed. When the letter flap is rotated into the open position, the letter aperture is revealed to enable mail to pass through it.

A letter plate apparatus in an external door of a building may be subject to attack from thieves attempting to enter the building or steal items from within the building. One attack involves a thief attempting to pass an arm through the letter aperture and open the door from the inside. Another involves a thief passing a rod through the letter aperture in order to try to fish for items in the room adjacent the door, such as car keys.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a letter plate apparatus, comprising: a letter aperture defined by a height, extending in a first dimension, and a length, extending in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension; a letter flap, rotatable between a closed position and an open position; and a letter flap support arranged to enable the letter flap to rotate about an axis of rotation that is at least partially coincident with the letter aperture in the first and second dimensions and spaced from the letter aperture in a third dimension, orthogonal to the first and second dimensions.

The letter flap may be arranged to conceal the letter aperture in the closed position and arranged to at least partially reveal the letter aperture in the open position. The height of the letter aperture may be defined by a lower edge and an upper edge. The height of the letter aperture may be in the range 35 millimetres to 50 millimetres.

The axis of rotation of the letter flap may be positioned at least 30 millimetres from the lower edge. The axis of rotation may extend substantially in the second dimension. The height of the axis of rotation, in the first dimension, may be in the range 20 millimetres to 25 millimetres above the lower edge.

The axis of rotation may be spaced from the letter aperture by at least 20 millimetres. The axis of rotation may be spaced from the letter aperture by between 20 millimetres and 60 millimetres.

The letter flap support may comprise a canopy. The canopy may be arranged to extend outwardly from a door in the third dimension and downwardly in the first dimension. The canopy may comprise first and second side screens portions, arranged to be positioned either side of the letter aperture in the second dimension. Each of the first and second side screen portions of the canopy may have a length aligned with the first dimension, a width aligned with the third dimension and a thickness aligned with the second dimension. The length and the width may each be greater than the thickness.

The letter flap may comprise a main portion, a first side screen portion and a second side screen portion. Each of the first and second side screen portions of the letter flap may have a length aligned with the first dimension, a width aligned with the third dimension and a thickness aligned with the second dimension. The length and the width may each be greater than the thickness.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a letter plate apparatus, comprising: a letter flap, rotatable from a closed position to an open position in a first rotational direction, the letter flap defining at least one recess; and a canopy comprising at least one edge that is arranged to enter the at least one recess, when the letter flap is moved from the closed position to the open position in the first rotational direction.

Entry of the at least one edge into the recess may prevent further rotation of the letter flap, beyond the closed position, in the first rotation direction. The recess may be a channel has a length extending along the letter flap.

The letter plate apparatus may further comprise a letter aperture defined by a height, extending in a first dimension, and a length, extending in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension. The length of the channel may be substantially aligned with the second dimension.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a letter plate apparatus, comprising: a letter aperture defined by a height, extending in a first dimension, and a length, extending in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension; a letter flap, rotatable between an open position and a closed position, having first and second side screen portions; a letter flap support arranged to support the letter flap and comprising a canopy that includes first and second side screen portions, wherein the letter flap support is arranged to enable the letter flap to rotate about an axis of rotation that is spaced from the letter aperture in a third dimension, orthogonal to the first and second dimensions, and wherein the first and second side screen portions of the letter flap are dimensioned so as not to extend beyond the first and second side screen portions of the canopy when the letter flap is in its closed position.

The letter flap may be arranged to conceal the letter aperture in the closed position and arranged to at least partially reveal the letter aperture in the open position.

The first and second side screen portions of the canopy may be arranged to be positioned either side of the letter aperture in the second dimension. Each of the first and second side screen portions of the canopy may have a length aligned with the first dimension, a width aligned with the third dimension and a thickness aligned with the second dimension, the length and the width each being greater than the thickness.

Each of the first and second side screen portions of the letter flap may have a length aligned with the first dimension, a width aligned with the third dimension and a thickness aligned with the second dimension, the length and the width each being greater than the thickness. Each of the first and second side screen portions of the canopy may extend, in the third dimension, at least 30 millimetres from the letter aperture.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a letter plate apparatus, comprising: a letter aperture defined by a height, extending in a first dimension, and a length, extending in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension; a letter flap, rotatable between a closed position and an open position, comprising a side screen portion; a housing arrangement comprising a side screen portion; at least one spring, arranged to bias the letter flap into its closed position, positioned at least partially between the side screen of the housing and the side screen of the letter flap when the letter flap is in its closed position.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a letter plate apparatus, comprising: a letter flap, rotatable between a closed position and an open position, the letter flap comprising a side screen portion having a first abutment; and a letter flap support arranged to support the letter flap, the letter flap support comprising canopy and a cartridge, wherein: the canopy includes a side screen portion; and the cartridge includes a second abutment and a spring, the spring being arranged to abut the first abutment and the second abutment. .

The cartridge may be positioned within a recess in the side screen of the canopy. The letter plate apparatus may further comprise a letter aperture defined by a height, extending in a first dimension, and a length, extending in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension. The cartridge may be positioned between the between the side screen of the canopy and the side screen of the letter flap in the second dimension.

The letter flap may include an aperture for a pivot pin defining an axis of rotation of the letter flap. The cartridge may include an aperture for the pivot pin.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a letter plate apparatus, comprising: a first housing part comprising a letter aperture and a first side screen portion, the letter aperture being defined by a height, extending in a first dimension, and a length, extending in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension; a letter flap, rotatable between a closed position and an open position, comprising a second side screen portion; and a second housing part comprising a canopy which has a third side screen portion, wherein the second side screen portion is at least partially positioned between the first side screen portion and the third side screen portion.

The second side screen portion may be at least partially positioned between the first side screen portion and the third side screen portion when the letter flap is in its closed position. The second side screen portion may be at least partially positioned between the first side screen portion and the third side screen portion when the letter flap is in its closed position. The letter flap may be rotatable from the closed position to the open position in a first rotational direction. The extremity to which the letter flap is rotatable in the first rotational direction may be the open position.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a letter plate apparatus, comprising: a housing arrangement comprising a letter aperture; and a draught excluder arranged to extend downwardly from the housing arrangement such that the downwardly extending draught excluder substantially covers the letter aperture.

The letter aperture may have a height. The downwardly extending draught excluder may substantially span the height of the letter aperture.

The height of the letter aperture may be defined, in a first dimension, by a lower edge and an upper edge. The downwardly extending draught excluder may have a lower edge that is substantially aligned with, or positioned lower than, the lower edge of the letter aperture in the first dimension. The lower edge of the draught excluder may be unsecured. An upper edge of the draught excluder may be secured to the housing arrangement.

The letter plate apparatus may further comprise a letter flap. The downwardly extending draught excluder may be arranged to deflect mail, passing through the letter aperture and towards the letter flap, in a downwards direction.

According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided examples as claimed in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

For a better understanding of various examples that are useful for understanding the detailed description, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figs 1A and 1B illustrate first and second exploded views of a letter plate apparatus; Figs 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D illustrate a front perspective view, a rear perspective view, a side view and a rear view of a first housing part of the letter plate apparatus respectively;

Figs 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D illustrate a front perspective view, a rear perspective view, a front view and a rear view of a second housing part of the letter plate apparatus respectively;

Figs 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D illustrate a front view, an underside view, a front perspective view and a side view of the letter flap of the letter plate apparatus respectively;

Figs 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate a side view, a perspective view and a front view of a cartridge of the letter plate apparatus respectively;

Figs 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D illustrate a perspective view, a front view, a plan view and a side view respectively of the letter plate apparatus with the letter flap in its closed position;

Figs 7A, 7B and 7C illustrate a perspective view, a front view and a side view respectively of the letter plate apparatus when the letter flap is in its open position;

Fig 8A illustrates a front view of the letter plate apparatus when the letter flap is in its closed position and Fig 8B illustrates a cross-section of the letter plate apparatus through the line A-A in Fig 8A;

Fig 9A illustrates the letter plate apparatus when the letter flap is in its open position and Fig 9B illustrates a cross-section of the letter plate apparatus through the line AA in Fig 9A;

Fig 10A illustrates a cross-sectional schematic of the letter plate apparatus;

Fig 10B illustrates a cross-sectional schematic of the letter plate apparatus with a rod passing through the letter plate apparatus;

Fig 10C illustrates a cross-sectional schematic of the letter plate apparatus with mail passing through the letter plate apparatus;

Fig 11A illustrates a cross-section of the letter plate apparatus;

Fig 11B illustrates a cross-section of the letter plate apparatus with mail passing through the letter plate apparatus; and

Fig. 11C illustrates a cross-section of the letter plate apparatus in which the draught excluder is deflecting the mail downwardly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention relate to a letter plate apparatus 10 with improved security features. The letter plate apparatus 10 may be fixed to an external door that provides access to a building from the outside. The external door may have an internal face and an external face. The internal face is positioned on the inside of the building. The external face is positioned on the outside of the building.

Various aspects of the letter plate apparatus 10 are described below with reference to the appended figures. Cartesian coordinate axes 90 comprising orthogonal x, y and z axes are illustrated in the figures to help the reader to orientate the figures relative to each other. Each of the x, y and z axes define a dimension. Those dimensions are referred to as the x, y and z dimensions hereinafter.

Figs 1A and 1B illustrate front and rear exploded views of the letter plate apparatus 10, respectively. In the illustrated example, the letter plate apparatus 10 comprises a housing arrangement 8, a draught excluder 45 and a letter flap 50. The housing arrangement 8 includes a first housing part 20, a second housing part 30, a first cartridge 61, a second cartridge 62, a first spring 71, a second spring 72, a first pivot pin 81 and a second pivot pin 82.

The second housing part 30, the first and second cartridges 61, 62, the first and second springs 71, 72, and the first and second pivot pins 81, 82 collectively provide a letter flap support. The letter flap support is arranged to support the letter flap 50 and enable it to rotate about an axis 66 defined by the pivot pins 81, 82. The letter flap 50 is rotatable between a closed position and an open position. The letter flap 50 is rotatable from the closed position to the open position in a first rotational direction, and rotatable from the open position to the closed position in a second rotational direction that is opposite to the first rotational direction. The open position represents the extremity to which the letter flap 50 is rotatable in the first rotational direction and the closed position represents the extremity to which the letter flap 50 is rotatable in the second rotational direction.

The letter flap support is configured to bias the letter flap 50 into the closed position, in the absence of an external force. The letter flap 50 is arranged to conceal the letter aperture 5 in the closed position and arranged to at least partially reveal the letter aperture 5 in the open position.

Figs 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D illustrate a front perspective view, a rear perspective view, a side view and a rear view of the first housing part 20, respectively.

The first housing part 20 comprises a letter aperture 5 that has a height H and a length L. The height H extends in the y dimension and the length extends in the x dimension, as is best seen in Fig 2D. The letter aperture 5 is defined by a lower edge 11, a first side edge 12, an upper edge 13 and a second side edge 14. The upper edge 11 and the lower edge 14 define the length of the letter aperture 5 and the side edges 12, 14 define the height of the letter aperture 5. The height of the letter aperture may be in the range 35 millimetres to 50 millimetres, for example. In this document, the letter aperture 5 is considered to be a two-dimensional area.

The first housing part 20 comprises a rear portion 25 that is positioned behind the letter aperture 5 which defines a channel through which mail may pass. In use, the rear portion 25 is positioned in an internal cavity of a door.

The first housing part 20 also comprises a first side fixing portion 26 and a second side fixing portion 28. The first and second side fixing portions 26, 28 are positioned either side of the length L of the letter aperture 5 in the x dimension. The first and second side fixing portions 26, 28 include apertures 27, 29 which enable the first housing part 20 to be fixed to the second housing part 30 and enable the first and second housing parts 20, 30 to be fixed to the internal face of a door.

The first housing part 20 further comprises a first side screen portion 21 and a second side screen portion 22. The first and second side screen portions 21, 22 are positioned either side of the length L of the letter aperture 5 in the dimension defined by the x axis. The first and second side screen portions 21, 22 extend outwardly in the z dimension in the figures and are substantially planar in nature. That is, the extent of each of the first and second side screens 21, 22 in the y and z dimensions is (much) greater than the thickness of each of the first and second side screens 21, 22 in the x dimension.

The first and second side screen portions 21, 22 each comprise a protrusion 23, 24 that enables the first housing part 20 to interlock with the second housing part 30 and the letter flap 50. This is described in further detail later.

Figs 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D illustrate a front perspective view, a rear perspective view, a front view and a rear view of the second housing part 30, respectively. The second housing part 30 comprises a canopy 31, a first side fixing portion 36 and a second side fixing portion 38. The first and second side fixing portions 36, 38 include apertures 37, 39 that are positioned for alignment with the apertures 27, 29 in the first housing part 20. When the letter plate apparatus 10 is fixed to an internal face of a door, fasteners pass through the apertures 27, 29, 37, 39 in the first and second housing parts 20, 30 and into the internal face of the door. End caps 41 (as shown in Figs 1A and 1B) may also be positioned at least partially in the apertures 37, 39 in the second housing part 30 to conceal the fasteners from view.

The canopy 31 which comprises an overhanging portion 31a and first and second side screen portions 32, 33. The overhanging portion 31a has a protruding front portion 34 with an edge 35. The overhanging portion 31a is arranged to extend outwardly from a door in the z dimension, and downwardly in the y dimension. The protruding portion 34 defines an inner recess 44, as can be seen best in Fig 3B.

The first and second side screen portions 32, 33 are arranged to be positioned either side of the letter aperture 5 in the x dimension. The first and second side screen portions 32, 33 have a length aligned with the y dimension, a width aligned with the z dimension and a thickness aligned with the z dimension. The length may be greater than, the same as, or smaller than the width. The thickness is (much) smaller than both the length and the width.

The first and second side screen portions 32, 33 may extend, in the z dimension, at least 30 millimetres from the letter aperture 5.

The first side screen portion 32 defines an inner recess 42 and the second side screen portion 33 defines an inner recess 43.

Figs 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D illustrate a front view, and underside view, a front perspective view and a side view of the letter flap 50, respectively. The letter flap 50 includes a main portion 51, a first side screen portion 52 and a second side screen portion 53. The main portion 51 of the letter flap 50 comprises a ridge 54 that extending along a length of the letter flap in the x dimension. A recess 55, defining an elongate channel in the x dimension, is positioned beneath the ridge. First and second apertures 59, 60 are positioned in the sides of the ridge 54. The first and second apertures 59, 60 are shaped to receive the first and second pivot pins 81, 82 respectively and define the axis of rotation 66 of the letter flap 50.

The first and second side screen portions 51, 52 have a length aligned with the y dimension, a width aligned with the z dimension and a thickness aligned with the x dimension. The length may be greater than, the same as, or smaller than the width. The thickness is (much) smaller than both the length and the width.

A stop 57a and an abutment 57b are positioned of the first side screen 52. In the illustrated example, the stop 57a and the abutment 57b are positioned at an upper periphery of the first side screen 52. As will be explained in further detail later, the stop 57a is for stopping movement of the letter flap 50 and the abutment 57b is provided to abut the first spring 71.

The second side screen 53 has a shape and configuration that corresponds with that of the first side screen 52. In this regard, it includes a stop 58a for stopping movement of the letter flap 50 and an abutment 58b which is provided to abut the second spring 72.

The main portion 51 of the letter flap 50 further comprises a lower protrusion 56 at its lower extremity. The lower protrusion 56 enables a user to grip the letter flap 50 in order to apply a force to move the letter flap 50 between its closed position and its open position.

Figs 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate a side view, a perspective view and a front view of the second cartridge 62. The first cartridge 61 and the second cartridge 62 have a corresponding shape and configuration. In this regard, each of the first and second cartridges 61, 62 includes an aperture, a stop for stopping movement of the letter flap 50 and an abutment for a spring 71, 72.

In the illustration of the second cartridge 62 in Figs 5A to 5C, the stop for stopping movement of the letter flap 50 is designated with the reference numeral 63b, the abutment for the second spring 72 is labelled with the reference numeral 64b and the aperture is designated with the reference numeral 65b.

The first pivot pin 81 passes through the aperture in the first cartridge 61 and the second pivot pin 82 passes through the aperture 65b in the second cartridge 62. The axis of rotation 66 for the letter flap 50 extending through the aperture 65b.

Each of the apertures in the first and second cartridges 61, 62 is located in a boss which supports a spring 71, 72. The boss in the first cartridge 61 supports the first spring 71 and the boss 67b in the second cartridge 62 supports the second spring 72.

Figs 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D illustrate a front perspective view, a front view, a plan view and a side view of the letter plate apparatus 10 respectively, when the letter flap 50 is in its closed position. In Figs 6C and 6D, a further housing arrangement 140 and a further letter flap 150 of the letter plate apparatus 10 are also shown. In use, the further housing arrangement 140 is fixed to an outer face of an external door.

Figs 7A, 7B and 7C illustrate a perspective view, a front view and a side view of the letter plate apparatus 10 respectively, where the letter flap 50 is in its open position. Figs 7B and 7C also show the further housing arrangement 140 and the further letter flap 150. The further letter flap 150 is shown in its open position.

A process of assembly for the letter plate apparatus 10 will now be described, which will best be understood by referring back to Figs 1A and 1B. The first and second springs 71, 72 are positioned on the bosses 67b of the first and second cartridges, 61, 62. The first and second cartridges 61, 62 are then brought together with the letter flap 50 such that the first pivot pin 81 extends through the first aperture 59 in the letter flap 50 and the aperture 65a in the first cartridge 61, and such that the second pivot pin 82 extends through the second aperture 60 in the letter flap 50 and the aperture 65b in the second cartridge 62. In this state, one end of the first spring 71 abuts the abutment 57b in the first side screen portion 52 of the letter flap 50 and another end of the spring 71 abuts the abutment in the first cartridge 61. Similarly, one end of the second spring 72 abuts the abutment 58b in the second side screen portion 53 of the letter flap and the other end of the second spring 72 abuts the abutment 64b in the second cartridge 72.

Bringing the cartridges 61, 62 together with the letter flap 50 in this manner pretensions the letter flap 50 such that the springs 71, 72 bias the letter flap 50 towards its closed position. The letter flap 50 and the first and second cartridges 61, 62 are then placed into the second housing part 30, such that the first cartridge 61 is positioned in the inner recess 42 in the first side screen portion 32 of the canopy 31 and the second cartridge 62 is positioned in the inner recess 43 in the second side screen portion 33 of the canopy 31.

The first housing part 20 is brought together with the second housing part 30 and the draught excluder 45 is secured between them, such that the draught excluder 45 extends downwardly within the housing arrangement 8. In this example, the draught excluder 45 is a single, flexible item. The draught excluder 45 comprises an upper edge 45a, two side edges 45b, 45d and a lower edge 45c. The upper edge 45a is secured between the first and second housing parts 20, 30 in the illustrated example, and the side edges 45b, 45d and the lower edge 45c are unsecured. This enables the draught excluder 45 to flex/bend while remaining secured to the housing arrangement 8.

The draught excluder 45 is arranged to substantially cover the letter aperture 5, in order to prevent or reduce cold air flow through the letter aperture 5 in the -z direction.

The first and second housing parts 20, 30 are aligned such that the protrusions 23, 24 in the first and second side screen portions 21, 22 of the first housing part 20 each enter a gap positioned between the overhanging portion 31a of the canopy 31 and an upper extremity of the letter flap 50 (which, in this case, is provided by the ridge 54 in the letter flap 50). This creates an interlock between the first housing part 20 and the second housing part 30 and the letter flap 50.

The first and second side screen portions 52, 53 of the letter flap 50 are dimensioned so as not to extend beyond the first and second side screen portions 32, 33 of the canopy when the letter flap 50 is in its closed position (e.g. in the z dimension), as is best seen in Fig. 6D.

Fig 8A illustrates a front view of the letter plate apparatus 10 and Fig 8B illustrates a cross-section of the letter plate apparatus 10 through the line A-A in Fig 8A. Although the assembly on one side of the letter aperture 5 is only being shown and described here, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the assembly on the other side of the letter aperture 5 corresponds with that illustrated in Fig 8B.

The second cartridge 62 (and therefore also the second spring 72) is located within the recess 43 in the second side screen portion 33 of the canopy 31. When the letter flap 50 is in its closed position, the second side screen portion 53 of the letter flap 50 is at least partially located between the second side screen portion 32 of the first housing part 22 and the second side screen portion 33 of the canopy 31 in the x dimension.

Advantageously, access to the second spring 72 via the letter aperture 5 is prevented by the positioning of the second side screen portion 53 of the letter flap 50 and the second side screen portion 22 of the first housing part 20. This prevents a thief from accessing the spring via the letter aperture 5.

The positioning of the second side screen portion 22 of the first housing part 20 inside the second side screen portion 53 of the letter flap 50 also prevents a thief from using a tool, such as a screwdriver, to enter a gap between the second side screen portion 53 of the letter flap 50 and the second cartridge 62, and using the tool as a lever to prise the letter flap 50 from the rest of the apparatus 10.

In Fig 8B, a first end of the second spring 72 is labelled with the reference numeral 73 and a second end of the second spring 72 is labelled with the reference numeral 74. The first end 73 of the spring abuts the abutment 57b in the first side screen portion 52 of the letter flap 50 and the second end 74 of the spring abuts the abutment 64b in the second cartridge 62.

Fig 9A illustrates a front view of the letter plate apparatus 10 when the letter flap 50 is in its open position and Fig 9B illustrates a cross-sectional view through the line A-A in Fig 9A. Here, the letter flap 50 has been rotated about its axis of rotation 66 (extending in the x dimension) in an anti-clockwise direction by an applied force. This causes the abutment 58b in the second side screen portion 53 of the letter flap 50 to move towards the abutment 64b in the second cartridge 62, generating potential energy in the second spring 72. Rotation of the letter flap 50 beyond the open position illustrated in Figs 9A and 9B is prevented by three different means in this example. Firstly, the stop 58a in the second side screen portion 53 of the letter flap 50 abuts the stop 63b in the second cartridge 62, preventing further rotation of the letter flap 50. Secondly, a similar action also occurs on the other side of the letter plate apparatus 10 in relation to the abutments in the first side screen portion 52 of the letter flap 50 and the first cartridge 61. Thirdly, the edge 35 of the protruding front portion 34 of the canopy 31 enters the recess 55 in the letter flap 50 and abutment of the letter flap 50 and the edge 35 prevents further rotation of the letter flap 50.

The second side screen portion 53 of the letter flap 50 continues to be partially positioned between the second cartridge 62 and the second side screen portion 22 of the first housing part 22 when the letter flap 50 is in its open position. The second side screen portion 53 of the letter flap 50 therefore also continues to be partially positioned between the second side screen portion 33 of the canopy and the second side screen portion 22 of the first housing part 22 when the letter flap 50 is in its open position.

The first side screen portion 52 of the letter flap 50 is similarly positioned with respect to the first cartridge 61, the first side screen portion 21 of the first housing part 20 and the first side screen portion 32 of the canopy.

This positioning of the side screen portions 52, 53 of the letter flap 50 is advantageous because it prevents a thief from using a tool, such as a screwdriver, to enter a gap between the second side screen portion 53 of the letter flap 50 and the second cartridge 62, and using the tool as a lever to prise the letter flap 50 away from the rest of the apparatus 10.

Fig 10A illustrates a schematic of a cross-section of the letter place apparatus 10. The axis of rotation 66 of the letter flap 50 is at least partially positioned in front of the letter aperture 5. That is, the axis of rotation 66 is at least partially coincident with the letter aperture 5 in the x dimension and the y dimension. Furthermore, the axis of rotation 66 is spaced from the letter aperture 55 in the z dimension.

The positioning of the axis of rotation 66 in the letter plate apparatus 10 depends upon the nature of the mail that will pass through the letter aperture 5. The inventor proposes that a suitable position for the axis of rotation 66 is at least 30 millimetres from the lower edge 11 of the letter aperture 5. A radius of 30 millimetres from the lower edge 11 of the letter aperture 5 is illustrated in Fig 10A by the dotted line labelled with the reference numeral 85. Advantageously, this enables the letter plate apparatus 10 to provide a clearance area for mail which is approximately 30 millimetres or greater.

Typically, an internal door handle will protrude no further than approximately 60 millimetres from the internal face of a door. The inventor proposes that it is preferable for the letter plate apparatus 10 not to protrude further from the internal face of the door than a standard door handle, so preferably the letter plate apparatus 10 protrudes no further than 60 millimetres from the internal face of the door. In the particular example illustrated in Fig 10A, the outer extremity of the letter plate apparatus 10 in the z dimension is approximately 52 millimetres from the internal face of the door. A suitable position for the axis of rotation 66 may be somewhere in the region designated by the dotted line labelled with the reference numeral 86 in Fig 10A.

In some embodiments, the height of the axis of rotation 66 in the dimension aligned with the y axis in Fig 10A is in the range 20 millimetres to 25 millimetres above the lower edge 11 of the letter aperture 5. The axis of rotation 66 may be spaced from the letter aperture 5 in the z dimension by at least 20 millimetres and, preferably, between 20 millimetres and 60 millimetres.

Fig 10B illustrates a schematic of a cross-section of the letter plate apparatus 10 in which a rod 87 has been passed through the letter aperture 5. The letter plate apparatus 10 is shown in a situation where the letter flap 50 is in its open position and cannot open any further. Advantageously, the angle at which the rod 87 can be placed through the letter aperture 5 is constrained by the letter flap 50, greatly restricting the possibility of a thief successfully fishing for valuables using the rod 87.

Fig 10C is a cross-section schematic of the letter plate apparatus 10 with mail passing through it. Three sets of dotted lines 88a, 88b and 88c illustrate the mail in different positions as it passes through the letter aperture 5.

Fig 11A illustrates a cross section of the letter plate apparatus 10, excluding the further housing arrangement 140 and the further letter flap 150. The draught excluder 45 is shown in its rest position. It can be seen in Fig. 11A that the downwardly extending draught excluder 45 substantially covers the letter aperture 5. That is, the downwardly extending draught excluder 45 is co-incident with the letter aperture 5 in the x and y dimensions and substantially spans the height H and the length L of the letter aperture 5.

The lower edge 45c of the draught excluder 45 may be substantially aligned with, or positioned lower than, the lower edge 11 of the letter aperture 5 in the y dimension.

Fig. 11B also illustrates a cross section of the letter plate apparatus 10. In Fig. 11B, the further housing arrangement 140 and the further letter flap 150 are also shown. Mail 88 is illustrated that is passing through the letter plate apparatus 10. It can be seen in Fig. 11B that if the mail 88 were to take a straight path in the y-z plane when moving in the +z direction, the mail 88 might strike the canopy 31, making it difficult to push the mail 88 completely through the letter plate apparatus 10.

The draught excluder 45 is arranged to deflect incoming mail downwards (i.e. in the y direction), as shown in Fig. 11C. When the mail 88 strikes the draught excluder 45 (prior to reaching the canopy 31 or the letter flap 50), it causes the draught excluder 45 to flex, generating potential energy in the draught excluder 45. The draught excluder 45 then acts to return to its rest position, thereby producing a force having a component in the -y direction. This advantageously deflects the mail 88 downwards and assists in successful passage of the mail 88 through the letter flap 50.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, while first and second pivot pins are provided in the examples described above and illustrated in the figures, a single pivot pins might instead be provided that extends through the entire length of the letter flap 50.

Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

l/we claim:

Claims

1. A letter plate apparatus, comprising:

a letter aperture defined by a height, extending in a first dimension, and a length, extending in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension; a letter flap, rotatable between a closed position and an open position; and a letter flap support arranged to enable the letter flap to rotate about an axis of rotation that is at least partially coincident with the letter aperture in the first and second dimensions and spaced from the letter aperture in a third dimension, orthogonal to the first and second dimensions.

2. The letter plate apparatus of claim 1, wherein the letter flap is arranged to conceal the letter aperture in the closed position and arranged to at least partially reveal the letter aperture in the open position.

3. The letter plate apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the height of the letter aperture is defined by a lower edge and an upper edge.

4. The letter plate apparatus of claim 3, wherein the height of the letter aperture is in the range 35 millimetres to 50 millimetres.

5. The letter plate apparatus of claim 3 or 4, wherein the axis of rotation of the letter flap is positioned at least 30 millimetres from the lower edge.

6. The letter plate apparatus of claim 4, wherein the axis of rotation extends substantially in the second dimension and the height of the axis of rotation, in the first dimension, is in the range 20 millimetres to 25 millimetres above the lower edge.

7. The letter plate apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the axis of rotation is spaced from the letter aperture by at least 20 millimetres.

8. The letter plate apparatus of any of the preceding claims , wherein the axis of rotation is spaced from the letter aperture by between 20 millimetres and 60 millimetres.

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9. The letter plate apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the letter flap support comprises a canopy.

10. The letter plate apparatus of claim 9, wherein the canopy is arranged to extend outwardly from a door in the third dimension and downwardly in the

10 first dimension.

11. The letter plate apparatus of claim 9 or 10, wherein the canopy comprises first and second side screens portions, arranged to be positioned either side of the letter aperture in the second dimension.

12. The letter plate apparatus of claim 11, wherein each of the first and second side screen portions of the canopy has a length aligned with the first dimension, a width aligned with the third dimension and a thickness aligned with the second dimension, the length and the width each being greater than

20 the thickness.

13. The letter plate apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the letter flap comprises a main portion, a first side screen portion and a second side screen portion.

14. The letter plate apparatus of claim 13, wherein each of the first and second side screen portions of the letter flap has a length aligned with the first dimension, a width aligned with the third dimension and a thickness aligned with the second dimension, the length and the width each being greater than

30 the thickness.

15. A letter plate apparatus, comprising:

a letter flap, rotatable from a closed position to an open position in a first rotational direction, the letter flap defining at least one recess; and a canopy comprising at least one edge that is arranged to enter the at least one recess, when the letter flap is moved from the closed position to the open position in the first rotational direction.

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16. The letter plate apparatus of claim 15, wherein entry of the at least one edge into the recess prevents further rotation of the letter flap, beyond the closed position, in the first rotation direction.

17. The letter plate apparatus of claim 15 or 16, wherein the recess is a channel

10 has a length extending along the letter flap.

18. The letter plate apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a letter aperture defined by a height, extending in a first dimension, and a length, extending in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension, wherein the length of

15 the channel is substantially aligned with the second dimension.

19. A letter plate apparatus, comprising:

a letter aperture defined by a height, extending in a first dimension, and a length, extending in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension;

20 a letter flap, rotatable between an open position and a closed position, having first and second side screen portions;

a letter flap support arranged to support the letter flap and comprising a canopy that includes first and second side screen portions, wherein the letter flap support is arranged to enable the letter flap to rotate

25 about an axis of rotation that is spaced from the letter aperture in a third dimension, orthogonal to the first and second dimensions, and wherein the first and second side screen portions of the letter flap are dimensioned so as not to extend beyond the first and second side screen portions of the canopy when the letter flap is in its closed position.

20. The letter plate apparatus of claim 19, wherein the letter flap is arranged to conceal the letter aperture in the closed position and arranged to at least partially reveal the letter aperture in the open position.

21. The letter plate apparatus of claim 19 or 20, wherein the first and second side screen portions of the canopy are arranged to be positioned either side of the letter aperture in the second dimension.

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22. The letter plate apparatus of claim 21, wherein each of the first and second side screen portions of the canopy has a length aligned with the first dimension, a width aligned with the third dimension and a thickness aligned with the second dimension, the length and the width each being greater than the thickness.

23. The letter plate apparatus of any of claims 19 to 22, wherein each of the first and second side screen portions of the letter flap has a length aligned with the first dimension, a width aligned with the third dimension and a thickness aligned with the second dimension, the length and the width each being

15 greater than the thickness.

24. The letter plate apparatus of any of claims 19 to 23, wherein each of the first and second side screen portions of the canopy extends, in the third dimension, at least 30 millimetres from the letter aperture.

25. A letter plate apparatus, comprising:

a letter aperture defined by a height, extending in a first dimension, and a length, extending in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension; a letter flap, rotatable between a closed position and an open position,

25 comprising a side screen portion;

a housing arrangement comprising a side screen portion; at least one spring, arranged to bias the letter flap into its closed position, positioned at least partially between the side screen of the housing and the side screen of the letter flap when the letter flap is in its closed position.

26. A letter plate apparatus, comprising:

a letter flap, rotatable between a closed position and an open position, the letter flap comprising a side screen portion having a first abutment; and a letter flap support arranged to support the letter flap, the letter flap support

35 comprising canopy and a cartridge, wherein:

the canopy includes a side screen portion; and the cartridge includes a second abutment and a spring, the spring being arranged to abut the first abutment and the second abutment.

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27. The letter plate apparatus of claim 26, wherein the cartridge is positioned within a recess in the side screen of the canopy.

28. The letter plate apparatus of claim 25 or 26, further comprising a letter aperture defined by a height, extending in a first dimension, and a length,

10 extending in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension, wherein the cartridge is positioned between the between the side screen of the canopy and the side screen of the letter flap in the second dimension.

29. The letter plate apparatus of any of claims 26 to 28, wherein the letter flap

15 includes an aperture for a pivot pin defining an axis of rotation of the letter flap, and the cartridge includes an aperture for the pivot pin.

30. A letter plate apparatus, comprising:

a first housing part comprising a letter aperture and a first side screen portion,

20 the letter aperture being defined by a height, extending in a first dimension, and a length, extending in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension;

a letter flap, rotatable between a closed position and an open position, comprising a second side screen portion; and

25 a second housing part comprising a canopy which has a third side screen portion, wherein the second side screen portion is at least partially positioned between the first side screen portion and the third side screen portion.

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31. The letter plate apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein the second side screen portion is at least partially positioned between the first side screen portion and the third side screen portion when the letter flap is in its closed position.

32. The letter plate apparatus as claimed in claim 30 or 31, wherein the second side screen portion is at least partially positioned between the first side screen portion and the third side screen portion when the letter flap is in its open position.

33. The letter plate apparatus as claimed in claim 32, wherein the letter flap is rotatable from the closed position to the open position in a first rotational direction, and the extremity to which the letter flap is rotatable in the first rotational direction is the open position.

34. A letter plate apparatus, comprising:

a housing arrangement comprising a letter aperture; and a draught excluder arranged to extend downwardly from the housing arrangement such that the downwardly extending draught excluder

15 substantially covers the letter aperture.

35. The letter plate apparatus as claimed in claim 34, wherein the letter aperture has a height, and the downwardly extending draught excluder substantially spans the height of the letter aperture.

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36. The letter plate apparatus as claimed in claim 34 or 35, wherein the letter aperture has a height defined, in a first dimension, by a lower edge and an upper edge, the downwardly extending draught excluder has a lower edge that is substantially aligned with, or positioned lower than, the lower edge of the letter aperture in the first dimension.

37. The letter plate apparatus as claimed in claim 36, wherein the lower edge of the draught excluder is unsecured.

38. The letter plate apparatus as claimed in claim 36 or 37, wherein an upper

30 edge of the draught excluder is secured to the housing arrangement.

39. The letter plate apparatus as claimed in any of the claims 34 to 38, further comprising a letter flap, wherein the downwardly extending draught excluder is arranged to deflect mail, passing through the letter aperture and towards the letter flap, in a downwards direction.

40. A letter plate apparatus as hereinbefore described with reference to the appended drawings.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1620809.2