US20190313826A1

US20190313826A1 - Lockable Security Container

Info

Publication number: US20190313826A1
Application number: US16/385,318
Authority: US
Inventors: David Bickford; Gail E. Bickford
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-04-16
Filing date: 2019-04-16
Publication date: 2019-10-17

Abstract

A lockable security container. The container includes a bottom securely affixed to at least one side wall. A lockable lid may be securely affixed to the at least one side wall, so that an interior volume is defined by the bottom, side walls and lockable lid. A lock is attached to the lid and the at least one sidewall such that the lid can be secured in a closed position. A reinforcing bar is placed inside of the container. The container is secured to an exterior surface, such that the securing device passes through the reinforcing bar.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/658,114 filed on Apr. 16, 2018. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to package protection. More particularly, the present invention provides a lockable security container.
With the rise of companies like Amazon, traditional brick and mortar stores are slowly becoming a thing of the past. As a result, many people are using their phone or computer to order items from the internet. With this massive internet shopping trend, packages are being shipped to houses in much larger numbers. Many of these packages contain valuable products. People are able to order prescriptions online now and have them delivered.
With this massive influx of packages being shipped and left unattended for hours on porches there has also been a rise in thefts. People are now following shipping trucks and stealing packages as they are left. This has become so prevalent that these new thieves have been given their own special designation, “Porch Pirates.” A device is needed that is low cost and can prevent these Porch Pirates from stealing packages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of package delivery systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a Lockable Security Container wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when having packages delivered. The present system comprises a container that is comprised of a bottom securely affixed to at least one side wall. A lockable lid is securely affixed to the at least one side wall, wherein the bottom, at least one side wall, and lockable lid define an interior volume. A lock is attached to the lid and the at least one sidewall such that the lid can be secured in a closed position. A reinforcing bar is placed inside of the container.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a top down view of an embodiment of the lockable security container where there are two reinforcing bars placed along the bottom of the container.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the lockable security container where there is a false bottom.

FIG. 3 shows a top down view of an embodiment of the lockable security container where there are multiple doors and a slidable divider.

FIG. 4A shows a front view of an embodiment of the lockable security container where the container is locked with a push button.

FIG. 4B shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the lockable security container where the container is locked by being closed after a tab is flipped into the container.

FIG. 4C shows a perspective view of a lockable security container where the container is locked with a key.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of an embodiment of the container in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the lockable security container. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, a preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for the lockable security container. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a top down view of an embodiment of the lockable security container 100 with a plurality of reinforcing bars 101 placed in side. The lockable security container 100 is of any suitable shape or dimension for a desired purpose. The present embodiment shows the lockable security container 100 having a plurality of side walls 103, a bottom 104, and a lid 105. An interior volume is defined inside the lockable security container 100. The lockable security container is made out of any suitable material for storing packages. In one embodiment, the lockable security container 100 is made out of a resilient material such that the container 100 is difficult to break. These materials may include hard plastics, solid woods, or metal.
In one embodiment, the at least one side wall 103 and the bottom 104 are directly connected to each other. In an alternate embodiment, the at least one side wall 103 and the bottom 104 are connected via connectors 106. If the at least one side wall 103 and the bottom 104 are directly connected together, the connections are such that it is difficult to break the side walls 103 away from one another and the bottom. This means that a person cannot break into the lockable security container r 100 without the use of substantial force and or tools. If the side walls 103 and bottom are connected via connectors the connectors should be strong enough to withstand substantial damage and not be breakable. In one embodiment steel connectors, bolts, and nuts are used to hold the container together.
In the illustrated embodiment the lid 105 is hingedly attached to at least one side wall 103 at the top of the lockable security container 100. in one embodiment, the hinges 107 are such that the lid 105 is securely affixed to the lockable security container 100. In one embodiment, the lid is defined by a plurality of sections. Each section is capable of being shut and locked into place.
The container 100 is securely bolted in place using an attachment device. The lockable security container 100 is securable to a deck and a patio. Additionally, the lockable security container 100 is securable directly into cement. In some embodiments, the lockable security container 100 is secured to the wall of a structure. Bolts 108 may be used to hold the lockable security container 100 in place. In one embodiment, the c lockable security container 100 further comprises a reinforcing bar 101 placed inside of the container. In one embodiment, the reinforcing bar 101 is placed along one of the bottom 104 or the side walls 103 of the lockable security container 100. In the illustrated embodiment, reinforcing bars 101 are disposed on each of the bottom 104 and the side walls 103 of the lockable security container 100. In some embodiments, more than one bar reinforcing bar 101 are used. The reinforcing bar 101 is made out of any suitable material, such as wood or metal. In other embodiments, the reinforcing bar 101 is composed of steel.
In the illustrated embodiment, the reinforcing bar 101 has holes in it such that one or more bolts 108 are placed therethrough to secure the reinforcing bar 101 to the lockable security container 100. The bolts 108 secure the lockable security container 100 to the ground or a structure wall. In this manner, the lockable security container 100 is not removable. In most embodiments, the bolts 108 are not accessible from the exterior of the lockable security container 100. This will prevent a potential thief from removing the bolts 108 and accessing the container 100.
Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the lockable security container having a false bottom 201. A false bottom 201 is placed in the lockable security container such that the bottom of the containers flat. This will prevent the bolts 108 and the reinforcing bars from being seen when the container is in an open configuration. Further, the false bottom 201 adds a second layer of defense from an individual that tries to remove the bolts 108 before the lockable security container is locked. The false bottom 201 prevents the bolts and reinforcing bars from causing damage to any packages that are placed therein.
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a top down view of an embodiment of the lockable security container having multiple doors 105 and a slidable divider 301. In one embodiment, the lockable security container has several dividers 301 defining different sections in the interior cavity. This allows a person to receive more than one package per day from several different carriers. In one embodiment, the dividers 301 are slidably secured to the interior of the lockable security container. The dividers 301 are capable of being locked in place such that they cannot be slid away from the lid to allow access to the lockable security container. In one embodiment, the dividers further comprises a plurality of pin locks 302 on each side of the lockable security container such that the dividers 301 are lockable in place and not movable. By placing a pin lock on either side of the divider once a portion of the lid is shut the divider will not be movable unless an individual has access to the entire lockable security container. This will ensure that once a package is placed in a portion of the lockable security container the package will remain secured.
In a second embodiment, the lockable security container comprises a pair of lids and a divider 301 that is secured to the lockable security container. The divider 301 is disposed between the pair of lids 105, such that each lid 105 defines a separate internal cavity. This allows the lockable security container to have two separate sections to store packages. In an alternate embodiment, the divider 301 is not movable. The divider can be affixed to a specific place in the lockable security container, effectively creating two separate containers. In this embodiment, the lockable security container could be more secure because the divider 301 is secured directly to the container. Each lid will have its own lock and be functional independent from the other lid.
Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4C, there are shown various embodiments of locks for the lockable security container. While only three embodiments are shown, these embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive as further embodiments are contemplated by this disclosure. For example, a smart home lock can be incorporated into the device, or a key pad lock, in some embodiments a timing lock or biometric lock is used.
Referring now to the embodiment in FIG. 4A, there is shown a lock that is a push button lock 401. In this embodiment, the lockable security container would be left unlocked in the morning. Once a package was delivered the carrier locks the container. The lock is a push button lock 401. This lock would be in a protruding manner when unlock. In order to be locked an individual would have to press the lock in until the lock engaged. Once the lock engages, the container will remain locked until the owner uses a key to unlock the container and retrieve the package.
Referring now to FIG. 4B, an embodiment is provided where the container is locked automatically when closed fully. In the illustrated embodiment, the removable tab 402 prevents the lockable security container lid from contacting the lock. In this embodiment, the tab 402 is connected to the lockable security container such that the tab 402 can be placed over the lock to prevent contact with the lid. The tab 402 is made out of canvas, rubber, or any material that will prevent the container from locking until removed. Once a package is placed in the lockable security container an individual can flip the tab 402 away from the lock and shut the lid. This will lock the lockable security container until the owner returns to unlock it and retrieve their package.
Referring now to FIG. 4C, there is shown a key lock 403. The lid will remain unlocked until and individual locks the lid via a key lock 403. This embodiment is the simplest to implement. While this will work for the device, there is a drawback. In this embodiment a carrier will have to be given keys to lock the lockable security container. This could prove difficult to accomplish.
Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown an embodiment of the lockable security container in use. The lockable security container can be bolted to a deck. Further, the lockable security container can be used as a seat. In the shown embodiment, there are cushions 501 attached to the lids. In this embodiment, the lockable security container is made less obvious to a potential thief. The lockable security container may further have a decorative exterior. This exterior may function as a form of camouflage. Instead of the container looking like a safe or an industrial container it will look like a garden decoration or a container for holding random house hold items. Not a security container for holding potentially valuable packages.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized 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

I claim:

1) A lockable security container comprising:

a bottom securely affixed to at least one side wall;

a lockable lid securely affixed to the at least one side wall,

wherein the bottom, the at least one side wall, and the lockable lid define an interior volume;

a lock attached to the lockable lid and the at least one sidewall such that the lid is securable in a closed position;

at least one reinforcing bar placed inside of the container;

wherein the container is securable to an exterior surface such that a securing device passes through the reinforcing bar for added security.

2) The lockable security container of claim 1, further comprising a slidable divider securely affixed within the container.

3) The lockable security container of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of pin locks to lock the divider in place.

4) The lockable security container of claim 1, wherein the lock is a key lock.

5) The lockable security container of claim 1, wherein the lock is a push button lock.

6) The lockable security container of claim 1, wherein the lock is a removable tab lock.

7) The lockable security container of claim 1, wherein the at least one reinforcing bar is located on the bottom of the container.

8) The lockable security container of claim 1, wherein the at least one reinforcing bar is located on the sidewall of the container.

9) The lockable security container of claim 1, wherein the lid has a plurality of sections.

10) The lockable security container of claim 1, wherein at least one reinforcing bar is placed on the at least one side wall of the lockable security container.

11) The lockable security container of claim 1, wherein at least one reinforcing bar is placed on the bottom of the lockable security container.