US20210401211A1 - Drone delivery container assembly having delivery state assembly having opening/closing assembly and elevator assembly - Google Patents
Drone delivery container assembly having delivery state assembly having opening/closing assembly and elevator assembly Download PDFInfo
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- US20210401211A1 US20210401211A1 US17/458,718 US202117458718A US2021401211A1 US 20210401211 A1 US20210401211 A1 US 20210401211A1 US 202117458718 A US202117458718 A US 202117458718A US 2021401211 A1 US2021401211 A1 US 2021401211A1
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- lid
- assembly
- elevator
- elevator floor
- delivery container
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- 238000013519 translation Methods 0.000 claims description 16
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 12
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000003111 delayed effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004590 computer program Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000015243 ice cream Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G29/00—Supports, holders, or containers for household use, not provided for in groups A47G1/00-A47G27/00 or A47G33/00
- A47G29/14—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels
- A47G29/141—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels comprising electronically controlled locking means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64C—AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS
- B64C29/00—Aircraft capable of landing or taking-off vertically, e.g. vertical take-off and landing [VTOL] aircraft
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64F—GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT; DESIGNING, MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLING, CLEANING, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING AIRCRAFT, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; HANDLING, TRANSPORTING, TESTING OR INSPECTING AIRCRAFT COMPONENTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B64F1/00—Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations
- B64F1/32—Ground or aircraft-carrier-deck installations for handling freight
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64U—UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
- B64U70/00—Launching, take-off or landing arrangements
- B64U70/30—Launching, take-off or landing arrangements for capturing UAVs in flight by ground or sea-based arresting gear, e.g. by a cable or a net
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D43/14—Non-removable lids or covers
- B65D43/16—Non-removable lids or covers hinged for upward or downward movement
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/18—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G29/00—Supports, holders, or containers for household use, not provided for in groups A47G1/00-A47G27/00 or A47G33/00
- A47G29/14—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels
- A47G29/141—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels comprising electronically controlled locking means
- A47G2029/147—Deposit receptacles for food, e.g. breakfast, milk, or large parcels; Similar receptacles for food or large parcels with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles, i.e. food or large parcels comprising electronically controlled locking means the receptacle comprising heating or cooling means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64U—UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
- B64U10/00—Type of UAV
- B64U10/10—Rotorcrafts
- B64U10/13—Flying platforms
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64U—UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES [UAV]; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR
- B64U2101/00—UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications
- B64U2101/60—UAVs specially adapted for particular uses or applications for transporting passengers; for transporting goods other than weapons
Definitions
- the present disclosure is directed to a drone delivery container assembly, and more particularly, to a drone delivery container assembly having an elevator floor assembly and an opening/closing assembly to allow for delivery, such as by drone, of a package into an open top end of the container and lowering of the delivered package into a storage space of the container by the elevator assembly upon movement of a lid from an open position to a closed position by the opening/closing assembly.
- Drone delivery services are becoming increasingly popular to quickly deliver packages. Specifically, drones are loaded with packages, such as food, and deliver the packages to a specified location, such as a house. However, when delivering packages, the drones need a specified place to deliver the package otherwise the packages are merely disposed on a front lawn. Further, there is a risk of delivered packages being stolen or food, such as produce or perishables, spoiling without refrigeration.
- a delivery container assembly for receiving a package includes a container and an elevator assembly disposed within the container.
- the container has at least one wall and an open top end defining a storage space.
- the container includes a lid hingedly coupled to the at least one wall of the container and movable between an open position and a closed position.
- the elevator assembly includes an elevator floor movable between a lowered position and a raised position. The lid is coupled to the elevator assembly such that, upon movement of the elevator floor from the lowered position to the raised position, the lid moves from the closed position to the open position.
- a delivery container assembly in another embodiment, includes a container and an elevator assembly disposed within the container.
- the container has a plurality of walls and an open top end defining a storage space.
- the container includes a lid hingedly attached to one of the plurality of walls and a flexible connector.
- the lid is movable between an open position and a closed position.
- the elevator assembly includes an elevator floor movable between a lowered position and a raised position.
- the flexible connector couples the elevator assembly to the lid.
- the delivery container assembly is configured to delay rotation of the lid as the elevator floor moves between the raised position and the lowered position.
- a method for opening and closing a delivery container assembly includes the steps of receiving at an electronic control unit a delivery signal, upon receiving the delivery signal, moving an elevator floor provided within the container from a lowered position to a raised position, the elevator floor configured to rotate a lid hingedly attached to the container from a closed position to an open position, receiving at the electronic control unit a package delivered signal, and upon receiving the package delivered signal, moving the elevator floor from the raised position to the lowered position, the elevator floor configured to rotate the lid from the open position to the closed position.
- FIG. 1 schematically depicts a perspective view of a drone delivery container assembly in which an elevator floor is in a raised position and a lid is in an open position, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;
- FIG. 2 schematically depicts a front view of the drone delivery container assembly of FIG. 1 , according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;
- FIG. 3 schematically depicts a top view of the drone delivery container assembly of FIG. 1 , according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;
- FIG. 4 schematically depicts an enlarged view of circle C of the drone delivery container assembly of FIG. 1 , according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;
- FIG. 5 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of the drone delivery container assembly taken along the lines 5 - 5 of FIG. 2 , according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;
- FIG. 6 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of the drone delivery container taken along the lines 5 - 5 of FIG. 2 in which the elevator floor is in a lowered position and the lid is in a closed position, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;
- FIG. 7 schematically depicts a perspective view of an elevator assembly of the drone delivery container assembly of FIG. 1 , according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.
- the drone delivery container assembly 1 includes a container 10 having a front wall 12 , a rear wall 14 , a pair of side walls 16 , and a floor 18 .
- the front wall 12 , the rear wall 14 , the pair of side walls 16 , and the floor 18 generally define a storage space 20 within the container 10 .
- the container 10 includes an open top portion 22 through which the storage space 20 is accessed.
- the container 10 includes a lid 24 hingedly connected by a lid hinge 25 to the rear wall 14 of the container 10 for movement between an open position, as shown in FIGS. 1-5 , and a closed position, as shown in FIG. 6 .
- the lid 24 In the open position, the lid 24 is rotated away from the open top portion 22 of the container 10 such that access to the storage space 20 is permitted. In the closed position, the lid 24 covers the open top portion 22 of the container 10 such that access to the storage space 20 is inhibited.
- the drone delivery container assembly 1 includes a temperature regulator assembly 26 configured to regulate an internal temperature of the storage space 20 , and in which the front wall 12 , the rear wall 14 , the pair of side walls, 16 , the floor 18 , and the lid 24 are insulated to inhibit fluctuations of the internal temperature of the storage space 20 .
- the temperature regulator assembly 26 includes a refrigerator 26 A and a heater 26 B configured to cool and heat, respectively, the internal temperature of the storage space 20 .
- the container 10 is a commercially available top loading refrigerator/freezer chest. In some other embodiments, the container 10 is a commercially available top loading refrigerator/freezer chest modified to include the heater 26 B.
- the drone delivery container assembly 1 may also include a user interface 28 that includes a display device 30 and a plurality of inputs 32 .
- the inputs 32 are provided on a numerical key pad on the user interface 28 having a cover 32 A movable between a covered position and an uncovered position, as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the cover 32 A covers the inputs 32 to inhibit access to the inputs 32 and to protect the inputs 32 against the elements, and in the uncovered position, the cover 32 A permits access to the inputs 32 .
- the cover 32 A moves from the covered to the uncovered position in any suitable manner, such as by sliding, pivoting, or entirely removing the cover 32 A from the user interface 28 temporarily, in order to access the inputs 32 .
- the drone delivery container assembly 1 may also include an electronic control unit 34 and a transceiver 35 coupled to the electronic control unit 34 .
- the electronic control unit 34 in communication with the transceiver 35 , the user interface 28 , the display device 30 , the inputs 32 , the temperature regulator assembly 26 , and an electric motor 46 .
- the electronic control unit 34 includes a processor 36 and a memory component 38 coupled to the processor 36 .
- the processor 36 is a central processing unit (CPU).
- the processor 36 includes processing components operable to receive and execute instructions from the memory component 38 .
- the memory component 38 stores detection logic 38 A and control logic 38 B.
- the detection logic 38 A and the control logic 38 B may each include a plurality of different pieces of logic, each of which may be embodied as a computer program, firmware, and/or software/hardware.
- the user interface 28 , the display device 30 , the inputs 32 , the electronic control unit 34 , and the transceiver 35 are provided on or within the container 10 , as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the user interface 28 , the display device 30 , the inputs 32 , the electronic control unit 34 , and the transceiver 35 of the drone delivery container assembly 1 are provided remote from the container 10 and are connected in either a wired or wireless communication.
- the drone delivery container assembly 1 includes a delivery state assembly 40 that is configured to position the drone delivery container assembly 1 between a delivery state and a delivered state. As described in greater detail below, in the delivery state, the drone delivery container assembly 1 is configured to receive a package, and in the delivered state, the drone delivery container assembly 1 is configured to securely store and regulate a temperature of a delivered package.
- the delivery state assembly 40 includes an elevator assembly 42 and an opening/closing assembly 44 . The opening/closing assembly 44 and the elevator assembly 42 operate in conjunction to position the drone delivery container assembly 1 between the delivery state and the delivered state.
- the elevator assembly 42 includes the electric motor 46 , a gear assembly 48 , a support assembly 50 , and a linear motion assembly 52 .
- the electric motor 46 is connected to a power supply (not shown) to supply power to the electric motor 46 .
- the power supply is optionally an external power supply configured to supply power to the electric motor 46 through a power cord (not shown) or an internal power supply such as a power storage device (battery).
- the electric motor 46 includes a drive shaft 54 that rotates upon activation of the electric motor 46 by the control logic 38 B.
- the drive shaft 54 is connected to the gear assembly 48 that is connected to the linear motion assembly 52 .
- the electric motor 46 and the gear assembly 48 are connected to the support assembly 50 .
- the support assembly 50 connects the electric motor 46 and the gear assembly 48 to the container 10 .
- the support assembly 50 includes a support frame 56 having a pair of side edges 56 A, a front edge 56 B, a rear edge 56 C opposite the front edge 56 B, and a lower surface 56 D positioned above the floor 18 .
- the rear edge 56 C connects to the linear motion assembly 52 and optionally abuts an interior surface 14 A of the rear wall 14 .
- the front edge 56 B includes a pair of biasing members 58 that extend between the front edge 56 B and an interior surface 12 A of the front wall 12 .
- the pair of biasing members 58 abut against the interior surface 12 A of the front wall 12 to rigidly support the electric motor 46 within the storage space 20 .
- the biasing members 58 include a threaded shaft 58 A that engages with the front edge 56 B and a flange 58 B at one end of the biasing members 58 .
- the flange 58 B abuts against the interior surface 12 A of the front wall 12 . Rotation of the threaded shaft 58 A varies the distance between the flange 58 B and the front edge 56 B to allow for the support assembly 50 to be disposed within containers having different dimensions.
- the threaded shafts 58 A are rotated until the flanges 58 B abut against the interior surface 12 A of the front wall 12 to secure the support assembly 50 within the storage space 20 of the container 10 . It is appreciated that the biasing members 58 are optionally connected to the rear edge 56 C.
- the gear assembly 48 operatively connects the drive shaft 54 of the electric motor 46 to the linear motion assembly 52 .
- the drive shaft 54 is oriented so as to rotate about a container vertical direction and the gear assembly 48 transfers the rotation of the drive shaft 54 to the linear motion assembly 52 .
- the gear assembly 48 includes a plurality of gear, sprockets, and timing belts to reduce a predetermined rotational output speed of the drive shaft 54 to a predetermined rotational input speed to be input into the linear motion assembly 52 .
- An elevator floor 80 is configured to be moved between a raised position, as shown in FIGS. 1-5 , and a lowered position, as shown in FIG. 6 .
- the elevator floor 80 In the raised position, the elevator floor 80 is at least partially received within the open top end or portion 22 to receive a delivered package.
- the elevator floor 80 In the lowered position, the elevator floor 80 is positioned closer to the floor 18 of the container 10 than when the elevator floor 80 is in the raised position.
- the elevator floor 80 is positioned above the electric motor 46 and below the open top portion 22 such that the elevator floor 80 is entirely received within the storage space 20 in the lowered position.
- the gear assembly 48 may include a sprocket clevis 60 that secures the electric motor 46 to the support frame 56 , a first timing sprocket 62 , a first timing belt 64 , a reducing gear 66 , a second sprocket 68 , a second timing belt 70 , and a third sprocket 72 .
- the first timing sprocket 62 is fixed to the drive shaft 54 to rotate with the rotation of the drive shaft 54
- the first timing sprocket 62 is rotatably attached to the sprocket clevis 60 .
- the reducing gear 66 and the second sprocket 68 are rotatably connected to the sprocket clevis 60 .
- the first timing belt 64 connects the first timing sprocket 62 to the reducing gear 66 .
- the reducing gear 66 is fixed to the second sprocket 68 .
- the second sprocket 68 is connected to the third sprocket 72 by the second timing belt 70 .
- the gear assembly 48 is configured to modify an output rotational speed of the drive shaft 54 to a predetermined input rotational speed at the third sprocket 72 due to the relative sizes of the first timing sprocket 62 , the reducing gear 66 , the second sprocket 68 , and the third sprocket 72 .
- the linear motion assembly 52 translates the rotational movement of the third sprocket 72 into linear movement in a container vertical direction.
- the linear motion assembly 52 includes an externally threaded translation screw drive 74 , an elongated track 76 , an internally threaded trolley 78 , an elevator floor 80 , and a pair of flanges 82 .
- the translation screw drive 74 is connected to the third sprocket 72 such that rotation of the third sprocket 72 rotates the translation screw drive 74 .
- the translation screw drive 74 is disposed within the elongated track 76 that extends along the interior surface 14 A of the rear wall 14 .
- the elongated track 76 extends in the container vertical direction.
- the translation screw drive 74 is received within the internally threaded trolley 78 such that the external threads of the translation screw drive 74 engage with the internal threads of the trolley 78 .
- the trolley 78 is connected to the elevator floor 80 , specifically, a lower surface 84 of the elevator floor 80 connects to the trolley 78 .
- the pair of flanges 82 extend between the lower surface 84 of the elevator floor 80 and the trolley 78 to reinforce the connection between the trolley 78 and the elevator floor 80 .
- the elongated track 76 includes a back wall 86 , a pair of side walls 88 , and a front wall 90 defining an elongated opening 92 which defines a generally C-shaped cross-section of the elongated track 76 .
- the translation screw drive 74 is received within the elongated track 76 and the trolley 78 is partially received within the elongated track 76 with a connection portion extending through the opening 92 of the elongated track 76 to couple the elevator floor 80 to the trolley 78 .
- the trolley 78 includes an internally threaded throughbore through which the translation screw drive 74 extends. In some other embodiments, the trolley 78 includes an internally threaded semicircular cutout that meshes with the external threads of the translation screw drive 74 . In such an embodiment, trolley 78 includes a pair of elongated slots on either side of the trolley 78 and the elongated slots receive side edges 94 of the front wall 90 that define the opening 92 . At an upper end of the elongated track 76 a roller 95 extends between the pair of side walls 88 .
- rollers 87 are provided on a lower portion of the pair of flanges 82 that roll along the front wall 90 on either side of the opening 92 .
- the pair of flanges 82 are spaced apart such that a portion of the electric motor 46 , the gear assembly 48 , and the support assembly 50 are received between the pair of flanges 82 when the elevator floor 80 is in the lowered position.
- the opening/closing assembly 44 includes the lid 24 , a lid hinge biasing member 101 , such as a spring, a flexible connector 102 , a closure lever 104 , and a closure lever biasing member 106 , such as a torsion spring.
- the lid hinge biasing member 101 is positioned between the rear wall 14 and the lid 24 when in an open position. The lid hinge biasing member 101 biases the lid 24 towards the open position.
- a pair of posts 108 extend outwardly from an inner surface 110 of the lid 24 .
- the closure lever 104 is pivotally attached to the pair of posts 108 at a closure lever pivot axis PA.
- the closure lever 104 has a generally L-shape with a back wall 105 and at least one elongated leg 104 A and at least one arm 104 B extending outwardly from the back wall 105 .
- the closure lever 104 is pivotal between a rest position and a rotated position in the directions of arrows B 1 and B 2 of FIG. 5 . In the rest position, the leg 104 A and the back wall 105 of the closure lever 104 is positioned adjacent and/or abuts against the inner surface 110 of the lid 24 , as shown in FIG. 5 .
- the closure lever 104 In the rotated position, the closure lever 104 is rotated about the closure lever pivot axis PA with the arm 104 B abutting the inner surface 110 of the lid 24 , as shown in FIG. 5 .
- the closure lever biasing member 106 biases the closure lever 104 towards the rest position.
- the flexible connector 102 includes a first or lid end 112 and an opposite second or elevator end 114 .
- the lid end 112 is connected to the closure lever 104 .
- the elevator end 114 is secured to the trolley 78 .
- the elevator end 114 is secured to the elevator floor 80 .
- the flexible connector 102 may be a strap, a cord, or a tether.
- the drone delivery container assembly 1 is in the delivered state, as shown in FIG. 6 , in which the lid 24 is in the closed position, the closure lever 104 is in the rotated position, and the elevator floor 80 is in the lowered position.
- a delivery signal is received by the transceiver 35 .
- the package P and/or the drone D includes a transmitter T, such as an RFID, NFC, or Bluetooth transmitter/receiver that transmits the delivery signal to the transceiver 35 .
- the detection logic 38 A detects that a signal has been received by the transceiver 35 and the control logic 38 B controls the drone delivery container assembly 1 to move from the delivered state to the delivery state, as shown in FIG. 5 .
- the control logic 38 B controls the electric motor 46 to rotate the drive shaft 54 in a first direction.
- the drive shaft 54 rotates at the preset input rotational speed in the first direction.
- the rotation of the drive shaft 54 at the preset input rotational speed is received by the gear assembly 48 at the first timing sprocket 62 which rotates the reducing gear 66 through the first timing belt 64 .
- connection between the reducing gear 66 and the second sprocket 68 varies the preset input rotational speed from the drive shaft 54 to a preset rotational output speed and transmits the predetermined output rotational speed to the third sprocket 72 through the second timing belt 70 .
- the third sprocket 72 rotates the translation screw drive 74 at the predetermined rotational output speed.
- the rotation of the translation screw drive 74 drives the trolley 78 and the elevator floor 80 in the container vertical direction such that that the trolley 78 and the elevator floor 80 move in the direction of arrow Al in FIG. 5 .
- the closure lever 104 When the drone delivery container assembly 1 is in the closed position, the closure lever 104 is in the rotated position and the lid 24 is in the closed position. As the elevator floor 80 moves in the direction of arrow Al from the lowered position towards the raised position, a tension on the flexible connector 102 that overcomes the biasing force of the closure lever biasing member 106 is reduced such that the biasing force of the closure lever biasing member 106 biases the closure lever 104 from the rotated position towards the rest position in the direction of arrow B 1 in FIG. 5 .
- the tension of the flexible connector 102 that overcomes the biasing force of the lid hinge biasing member 101 is reduced such that the biasing force of the lid hinge biasing member 101 biases the lid 24 from the closed position towards the open position.
- the tension from the flexible connector 102 is reduced such that the closure lever biasing member 106 biases the closure lever 104 into the rest position.
- the delivery state assembly 40 operates to move the drone delivery container assembly 1 from the delivered state to the delivery state upon movement of the elevator floor 80 into the raised position, the closure lever 104 into the rest position, and the lid 24 into the open position.
- the elevator floor 80 is in the raised position
- the closure lever 104 is in the rest position
- the lid 24 is in the open position.
- the drone delivery container assembly 1 is configured to receive a delivered package.
- the drone departs.
- the departing drone sends a package delivered signal that is received by the transceiver 35 of the drone delivery container assembly 1 .
- the drone delivery container assembly 1 includes sensors to determine that the package has been delivered and the drone D has departed.
- the detection logic 38 A detects the delivered package signal and the control logic 38 B controls the delivery state assembly 40 to move the drone delivery container assembly 1 from the delivery state to the delivered state.
- the delivery state assembly 40 operates to move the drone delivery container assembly 1 from the delivery state to the delivered state.
- the control logic 38 B controls the electric motor 46 to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction.
- the drive shaft 54 Upon activation of the electric motor 46 , the drive shaft 54 rotates in the second direction at the preset output rotational speed.
- the rotation of the drive shaft 54 in the second direction at the preset output rotational speed is received by the gear assembly 48 at the first timing sprocket 62 which rotates the reducing gear 66 through the first timing belt 64 .
- the connection between the reducing gear 66 and the second sprocket 68 varies the preset output rotational speed from the drive shaft 54 to the predetermined rotational input speed and transmits the predetermined rotational input speed to the third sprocket 72 through the second timing belt 70 .
- the third sprocket 72 rotates the translation screw drive 74 at the predetermined rotational input speed.
- the rotation of the translation screw drive 74 drives the trolley 78 and the elevator floor 80 in the container vertical direction such that that the trolley 78 and the elevator floor 80 move in the direction of arrow A 2 in FIG. 6 to move the elevator floor 80 from the raised position towards the lowered position.
- the elevator end 114 of the flexible connector 102 which is connected to the elevator floor 80 and/or the trolley 78 , pulls the flexible connector 102 downward in the direction of arrow A 2 .
- the lid 24 remains in the open position until the closure lever 104 rotates into the rotated position in which the arm 104 B abuts against the inner surface 110 of the lid 24 .
- the flexible connector 102 is provided with a predetermined length such that the elevator floor 80 descends a predetermined distance from the raised position towards the lowered position in the direction of arrow A 2 such that the package disposed on the elevator floor 80 does not interfere with the lid 24 moving from the open position towards the closed position.
- the lid 24 remains in the open position, due to the biasing force of the lid hinge biasing member 101 , until the flexible connector 102 pulls the closure lever 104 to rotate from the rest position to the rotated position.
- the lid 24 is retained in the open position until the closure lever 104 is rotated into the rotated position in which the arm 104 B contacts the inner surface 110 of the lid 24 .
- the closure lever 104 is rotated into the rotated position in which the arm 104 B contacts the inner surface 110 of the lid 24 .
- the flexible connector 102 pulls on the lid 24 to overcome the biasing force of the lid biasing member 101 to move the lid 24 from the open position towards the closed position.
- the arm 104 B abuts the inner surface 110 of the lid 24 and the continued movement of the elevator floor 80 towards the lowered position in the direction of arrow A 2 continues to apply a tension to the lid end 112 of the flexible connector 102 .
- the tension from the pulling of the flexible connector 102 is applied to the lid 24 .
- the tension from the flexible connector 102 overcomes the biasing force of the lid hinge biasing member 101 such that the lid 24 moves from the open position towards the closed position.
- the flexible connector 102 pulls the lid 24 into the closed position and the tension from the flexible connector 102 retains the lid 24 in the closed position.
- the flexible connector 102 prevents the lid 24 from being moved from the closed position to the open position when the elevator floor 80 is in the lowered position due to the tension from the flexible connector 102 and the engagement of the internal threads of the trolley 78 and the external threads of the translation screw drive 74 .
- the elevator floor 80 is inhibited from moving from the lowered position towards the raised position without the rotation of the translation screw drive 74 .
- the delivery state assembly 40 is configured to position the drone delivery container assembly 1 from a delivered state to a delivery state such that the elevator floor 80 is raised from the lowered position to the raised position in order to receive a package at the open top portion 22 while also moving the lid 24 from the closed position to the open position in one operation by controlling the electric motor 46 to rotate the drive shaft 54 in the first direction. Further, the delivery state assembly 40 is configured to position the drone delivery container assembly 1 from the delivery state to the delivered state such that the elevator floor 80 is lowered from the raised position to the lowered position in order to store the package within the storage space 20 while also moving the lid 24 from the open position to the closed position in one operation by controlling the electric motor 46 to rotate the drive shaft 54 in the second direction.
- the delivery state assembly 40 is configured to retain the lid 24 in the closed position until the electric motor 46 is controlled to rotate the drive shaft 54 in the first direction. As such, the delivery state assembly 40 prevents unauthorized users from opening the lid 24 to retrieve the package.
- the drone delivery container assembly 1 includes a fence 122 that extends upwardly from the elevator floor 80 .
- the fence 122 inhibits a package P from falling off the elevator floor 80 during delivery, and inhibits the package P from falling off the elevator floor 80 as the elevator floor 80 is moved between the raised position and the lowered position.
- the drone delivery container assembly 1 includes a light curtain assembly 124 in communication with the electronic control unit 34 .
- the light curtain assembly 124 includes a light transmitter 126 , a pair of light reflectors 128 , and a light receiver 130 .
- the light transmitter 126 is provided on one corner of the rear wall 14
- the pair of light reflectors 128 are provided on the corners of the front wall 12
- the light receiver 130 is provided on the other corner of the rear wall 14 .
- the light transmitter 126 transmits a light beam that is reflected by the pair of light reflectors 128 to the light receiver 130 .
- the control logic 38 B prevents the delivery state assembly 40 from moving between the delivered state and the delivery state when an obstruction is detected.
- the light curtain assembly 124 inhibits operation of the delivery state assembly 40 when obstructions would interfere with the movement of the lid 24 between the open position and the closed position and the elevator floor 80 between the raised position and the lowered position.
- the control logic 38 B may be configured to control the transceiver 35 to transmit a signal to the preauthorized user, the drone D, the delivery person, and/or the delivery service indicating the detection of an obstruction.
- the drone delivery container assembly 1 includes a plurality of anchor feet 132 .
- the anchor feet 132 are configured to be mounted to a surface, such as ground, to prevent unauthorized movement of the drone delivery container assembly 1 .
- the drone delivery container assembly 1 is not limited in use to drone delivery. Specifically, the drone delivery container assembly 1 is configured to allow delivery of a package by human deliverers to be securely retained within the drone delivery container assembly 1 .
- the signal being sent to the transceiver 35 may be sent by the human deliverer via a personal computing device.
- the personal computing device may be a mobile computing device, such as a smartphone, including a CPU.
- the mobile computing device signals to the transceiver 35 to open or close the drone delivery container assembly 1 once the human deliverer enters a code, activates a mobile application in communication with the transceiver 35 , or by any other suitable methods. This allows the drone delivery container assembly 1 to be operated remotely as opposed to being restricted to utilizing the user interface 28 .
- the package P and/or the drone D includes a transmitter T, such as an RFID, NFC, or Bluetooth transmitter/receiver.
- the transmitter T is used to transmit a temperature characteristic of the package to the transceiver 35 in the drone delivery container assembly 1 .
- the temperature characteristic may include preset temperature zones that correlate to “frozen”, “cold”, “cool”, “room temperature”, “warm”, or “hot”.
- the memory component 38 includes pre-stored temperatures for the temperature zones.
- the temperature characteristic may also include a predetermined temperature for the package P. For example, when the package P is ice cream, the temperature characteristic is identified as “frozen” and/or the predetermined temperature.
- the signal from the transmitter T is received by the transceiver 35 and the detection logic 38 A detects the temperature characteristic and the control logic 38 B controls the temperature regulator assembly 26 to regulate the internal temperature of the storage space 20 to the temperature characteristic.
- the delivery service such as the drone D or a delivery person, sends a signal to the drone delivery container assembly 1 that includes the temperature characteristic of the package P.
- the signal is received by the transceiver 35 and the detection logic 38 A detects the temperature characteristic and the control logic 38 B controls the temperature regulator assembly 26 to regulate the internal temperature of the storage space 20 to the temperature characteristic or predetermined temperature.
- the delivery person inputs a temperature characteristic of the package P into the drone delivery container assembly 1 through the user interface 28 .
- the detection logic 38 A detects the temperature characteristic and the control logic 38 B controls the temperature regulator assembly 26 to regulate the internal temperature of the storage space 20 to the temperature characteristic or predetermined temperature.
- the transceiver 35 connects to a processing center of the delivery service, such as through the internet, and receives the temperature characteristic.
- the detection logic 38 A detects the temperature characteristic and the control logic 38 B controls the temperature regulator assembly 26 to regulate the internal temperature of the storage space 20 to the temperature characteristic or predetermined temperature.
- a preauthorized user communicates with the drone delivery container assembly 1 to set a temperature characteristic.
- the preauthorized user utilizes a mobile computer device, such as a smartphone, that communicates with the drone delivery container assembly 1 through the transceiver 35 to input a temperature characteristic.
- the set temperature characteristic and the actual temperature within the drone delivery container assembly 1 may be displayed on the display device 30 .
- the drone delivery container assembly 1 is configured to only move between the delivered state and the delivery state upon input of a predetermined access code.
- the predetermined access code may be an electronic access code that is transmitted to the transceiver 35 of the drone delivery container assembly 1 by the drone D, the package P, the delivery person, and/or the mobile computing device of the preauthorized user.
- the predetermined access code may be a numerical access code that is input into user interface 28 , such as the inputs 32 , by the delivery person and/or the preauthorized user.
- the drone D, package P, the mobile computing device of the preauthorized user, and/or the delivery person transmits an electronic access code to the transceiver 35 of the drone delivery container assembly 1 and the preauthorized user inputs the numerical access code into the user interface 28 , such as the inputs 32 .
- the delivery signal and the package delivered signal may be sent directly to the detection logic 38 A without the use of the transceiver 35 by operation of the user interface 28 .
- unauthorized access to the storage space 20 of the drone delivery container assembly 1 is inhibited by requiring a predetermined access code to be received/input into the drone delivery container assembly 1 in order to move the drone delivery container assembly 1 between the delivered state and the delivery.
Abstract
A delivery container assembly for receiving a package. The delivery container assembly includes a container having at least one wall and an open top end defining a storage space. The container includes a lid hingedly coupled to the container and is movable between an open position and a closed position. The container includes an elevator assembly disposed within the container and including an elevator floor movable between a lowered position and a raised position. The lid is movable from the closed position to the open position upon movement of the elevator floor from the lowered position to the raised position.
Description
- This application is a continuation application of co-pending U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 16/598,572, filed Oct. 10, 2019, for “Drone Delivery Container Assembly Having Delivery State Assembly Having Opening/Closing Assembly And Elevator Assembly”, which claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/744,237, filed Oct. 11, 2018, for “Drone Delivery Container Assembly Having Delivery State Assembly Having Opening/Closing Assembly and Elevator Assembly,” the entire disclosures of which, including the drawings, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
- The present disclosure is directed to a drone delivery container assembly, and more particularly, to a drone delivery container assembly having an elevator floor assembly and an opening/closing assembly to allow for delivery, such as by drone, of a package into an open top end of the container and lowering of the delivered package into a storage space of the container by the elevator assembly upon movement of a lid from an open position to a closed position by the opening/closing assembly.
- Drone delivery services are becoming increasingly popular to quickly deliver packages. Specifically, drones are loaded with packages, such as food, and deliver the packages to a specified location, such as a house. However, when delivering packages, the drones need a specified place to deliver the package otherwise the packages are merely disposed on a front lawn. Further, there is a risk of delivered packages being stolen or food, such as produce or perishables, spoiling without refrigeration.
- It has been known to provide specified containers for the delivery of packages. However, with drone delivery, it is difficult for drones to land within the container and deliver the package on a floor of the container without potential damage to the drone.
- Accordingly, a need exists for an apparatus for receiving packages from a drone, maintaining the package at an optimal temperature to avoid spoilage, and securing the package within the apparatus until it is to be retrieved by the correct recipient.
- In one embodiment, a delivery container assembly for receiving a package includes a container and an elevator assembly disposed within the container. The container has at least one wall and an open top end defining a storage space. The container includes a lid hingedly coupled to the at least one wall of the container and movable between an open position and a closed position. The elevator assembly includes an elevator floor movable between a lowered position and a raised position. The lid is coupled to the elevator assembly such that, upon movement of the elevator floor from the lowered position to the raised position, the lid moves from the closed position to the open position.
- In another embodiment, a delivery container assembly includes a container and an elevator assembly disposed within the container. The container has a plurality of walls and an open top end defining a storage space. The container includes a lid hingedly attached to one of the plurality of walls and a flexible connector. The lid is movable between an open position and a closed position. The elevator assembly includes an elevator floor movable between a lowered position and a raised position. The flexible connector couples the elevator assembly to the lid. The delivery container assembly is configured to delay rotation of the lid as the elevator floor moves between the raised position and the lowered position.
- In yet another embodiment, a method for opening and closing a delivery container assembly includes the steps of receiving at an electronic control unit a delivery signal, upon receiving the delivery signal, moving an elevator floor provided within the container from a lowered position to a raised position, the elevator floor configured to rotate a lid hingedly attached to the container from a closed position to an open position, receiving at the electronic control unit a package delivered signal, and upon receiving the package delivered signal, moving the elevator floor from the raised position to the lowered position, the elevator floor configured to rotate the lid from the open position to the closed position.
- These and additional features provided by the embodiments described herein will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings.
- The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:
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FIG. 1 schematically depicts a perspective view of a drone delivery container assembly in which an elevator floor is in a raised position and a lid is in an open position, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; -
FIG. 2 schematically depicts a front view of the drone delivery container assembly ofFIG. 1 , according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; -
FIG. 3 schematically depicts a top view of the drone delivery container assembly ofFIG. 1 , according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; -
FIG. 4 schematically depicts an enlarged view of circle C of the drone delivery container assembly ofFIG. 1 , according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; -
FIG. 5 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of the drone delivery container assembly taken along the lines 5-5 ofFIG. 2 , according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; -
FIG. 6 schematically depicts a cross-sectional view of the drone delivery container taken along the lines 5-5 ofFIG. 2 in which the elevator floor is in a lowered position and the lid is in a closed position, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; and -
FIG. 7 schematically depicts a perspective view of an elevator assembly of the drone delivery container assembly ofFIG. 1 , according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. - Referring to
FIGS. 1-7 , a drone delivery container assembly 1 is illustrated. The drone delivery container assembly 1 includes acontainer 10 having afront wall 12, arear wall 14, a pair ofside walls 16, and afloor 18. Thefront wall 12, therear wall 14, the pair ofside walls 16, and thefloor 18 generally define astorage space 20 within thecontainer 10. Thecontainer 10 includes anopen top portion 22 through which thestorage space 20 is accessed. Thecontainer 10 includes alid 24 hingedly connected by alid hinge 25 to therear wall 14 of thecontainer 10 for movement between an open position, as shown inFIGS. 1-5 , and a closed position, as shown inFIG. 6 . In the open position, thelid 24 is rotated away from theopen top portion 22 of thecontainer 10 such that access to thestorage space 20 is permitted. In the closed position, thelid 24 covers theopen top portion 22 of thecontainer 10 such that access to thestorage space 20 is inhibited. - In some embodiments, the drone delivery container assembly 1 includes a
temperature regulator assembly 26 configured to regulate an internal temperature of thestorage space 20, and in which thefront wall 12, therear wall 14, the pair of side walls, 16, thefloor 18, and thelid 24 are insulated to inhibit fluctuations of the internal temperature of thestorage space 20. For example, thetemperature regulator assembly 26 includes arefrigerator 26A and aheater 26B configured to cool and heat, respectively, the internal temperature of thestorage space 20. In some embodiments, thecontainer 10 is a commercially available top loading refrigerator/freezer chest. In some other embodiments, thecontainer 10 is a commercially available top loading refrigerator/freezer chest modified to include theheater 26B. - The drone delivery container assembly 1 may also include a
user interface 28 that includes adisplay device 30 and a plurality ofinputs 32. In some embodiments, theinputs 32 are provided on a numerical key pad on theuser interface 28 having acover 32A movable between a covered position and an uncovered position, as shown inFIG. 1 . In the covered position, thecover 32A covers theinputs 32 to inhibit access to theinputs 32 and to protect theinputs 32 against the elements, and in the uncovered position, thecover 32A permits access to theinputs 32. Thecover 32A moves from the covered to the uncovered position in any suitable manner, such as by sliding, pivoting, or entirely removing thecover 32A from theuser interface 28 temporarily, in order to access theinputs 32. - The drone delivery container assembly 1 may also include an
electronic control unit 34 and atransceiver 35 coupled to theelectronic control unit 34. Theelectronic control unit 34 in communication with thetransceiver 35, theuser interface 28, thedisplay device 30, theinputs 32, thetemperature regulator assembly 26, and anelectric motor 46. In some embodiments, theelectronic control unit 34 includes aprocessor 36 and amemory component 38 coupled to theprocessor 36. Theprocessor 36 is a central processing unit (CPU). Theprocessor 36 includes processing components operable to receive and execute instructions from thememory component 38. Thememory component 38stores detection logic 38A andcontrol logic 38B. Thedetection logic 38A and thecontrol logic 38B may each include a plurality of different pieces of logic, each of which may be embodied as a computer program, firmware, and/or software/hardware. In some embodiments, theuser interface 28, thedisplay device 30, theinputs 32, theelectronic control unit 34, and thetransceiver 35 are provided on or within thecontainer 10, as shown inFIG. 1 . In some other embodiments, theuser interface 28, thedisplay device 30, theinputs 32, theelectronic control unit 34, and thetransceiver 35 of the drone delivery container assembly 1 are provided remote from thecontainer 10 and are connected in either a wired or wireless communication. - The drone delivery container assembly 1 includes a
delivery state assembly 40 that is configured to position the drone delivery container assembly 1 between a delivery state and a delivered state. As described in greater detail below, in the delivery state, the drone delivery container assembly 1 is configured to receive a package, and in the delivered state, the drone delivery container assembly 1 is configured to securely store and regulate a temperature of a delivered package. Thedelivery state assembly 40 includes anelevator assembly 42 and an opening/closing assembly 44. The opening/closing assembly 44 and theelevator assembly 42 operate in conjunction to position the drone delivery container assembly 1 between the delivery state and the delivered state. - Referring to
FIGS. 3, 5, 6, and 7 , theelevator assembly 42 includes theelectric motor 46, agear assembly 48, asupport assembly 50, and alinear motion assembly 52. - The
electric motor 46 is connected to a power supply (not shown) to supply power to theelectric motor 46. The power supply is optionally an external power supply configured to supply power to theelectric motor 46 through a power cord (not shown) or an internal power supply such as a power storage device (battery). - As shown more particularly in
FIGS. 5 and 6 , theelectric motor 46 includes adrive shaft 54 that rotates upon activation of theelectric motor 46 by thecontrol logic 38B. Thedrive shaft 54 is connected to thegear assembly 48 that is connected to thelinear motion assembly 52. - The
electric motor 46 and thegear assembly 48 are connected to thesupport assembly 50. Thesupport assembly 50 connects theelectric motor 46 and thegear assembly 48 to thecontainer 10. As shown inFIG. 7 , thesupport assembly 50 includes asupport frame 56 having a pair of side edges 56A, afront edge 56B, a rear edge 56C opposite thefront edge 56B, and alower surface 56D positioned above thefloor 18. The rear edge 56C connects to thelinear motion assembly 52 and optionally abuts aninterior surface 14A of therear wall 14. Thefront edge 56B includes a pair of biasingmembers 58 that extend between thefront edge 56B and aninterior surface 12A of thefront wall 12. - The pair of biasing
members 58 abut against theinterior surface 12A of thefront wall 12 to rigidly support theelectric motor 46 within thestorage space 20. In some embodiments, the biasingmembers 58 include a threadedshaft 58A that engages with thefront edge 56B and aflange 58B at one end of the biasingmembers 58. Theflange 58B abuts against theinterior surface 12A of thefront wall 12. Rotation of the threadedshaft 58A varies the distance between theflange 58B and thefront edge 56B to allow for thesupport assembly 50 to be disposed within containers having different dimensions. The threadedshafts 58A are rotated until theflanges 58B abut against theinterior surface 12A of thefront wall 12 to secure thesupport assembly 50 within thestorage space 20 of thecontainer 10. It is appreciated that the biasingmembers 58 are optionally connected to the rear edge 56C. - The
gear assembly 48 operatively connects thedrive shaft 54 of theelectric motor 46 to thelinear motion assembly 52. In some embodiments, thedrive shaft 54 is oriented so as to rotate about a container vertical direction and thegear assembly 48 transfers the rotation of thedrive shaft 54 to thelinear motion assembly 52. - In some embodiments, the
gear assembly 48 includes a plurality of gear, sprockets, and timing belts to reduce a predetermined rotational output speed of thedrive shaft 54 to a predetermined rotational input speed to be input into thelinear motion assembly 52. - An
elevator floor 80 is configured to be moved between a raised position, as shown inFIGS. 1-5 , and a lowered position, as shown inFIG. 6 . In the raised position, theelevator floor 80 is at least partially received within the open top end orportion 22 to receive a delivered package. In the lowered position, theelevator floor 80 is positioned closer to thefloor 18 of thecontainer 10 than when theelevator floor 80 is in the raised position. Specifically, theelevator floor 80 is positioned above theelectric motor 46 and below the opentop portion 22 such that theelevator floor 80 is entirely received within thestorage space 20 in the lowered position. - Referring again to
FIGS. 5 and 6 , thegear assembly 48 may include asprocket clevis 60 that secures theelectric motor 46 to thesupport frame 56, afirst timing sprocket 62, afirst timing belt 64, a reducinggear 66, asecond sprocket 68, asecond timing belt 70, and athird sprocket 72. Thefirst timing sprocket 62 is fixed to thedrive shaft 54 to rotate with the rotation of thedrive shaft 54, and thefirst timing sprocket 62 is rotatably attached to thesprocket clevis 60. The reducinggear 66 and thesecond sprocket 68 are rotatably connected to thesprocket clevis 60. Thefirst timing belt 64 connects thefirst timing sprocket 62 to the reducinggear 66. The reducinggear 66 is fixed to thesecond sprocket 68. Thesecond sprocket 68 is connected to thethird sprocket 72 by thesecond timing belt 70. - The
gear assembly 48 is configured to modify an output rotational speed of thedrive shaft 54 to a predetermined input rotational speed at thethird sprocket 72 due to the relative sizes of thefirst timing sprocket 62, the reducinggear 66, thesecond sprocket 68, and thethird sprocket 72. - The
linear motion assembly 52 translates the rotational movement of thethird sprocket 72 into linear movement in a container vertical direction. Thelinear motion assembly 52 includes an externally threadedtranslation screw drive 74, anelongated track 76, an internally threadedtrolley 78, anelevator floor 80, and a pair offlanges 82. Thetranslation screw drive 74 is connected to thethird sprocket 72 such that rotation of thethird sprocket 72 rotates thetranslation screw drive 74. Thetranslation screw drive 74 is disposed within theelongated track 76 that extends along theinterior surface 14A of therear wall 14. Theelongated track 76 extends in the container vertical direction. Thetranslation screw drive 74 is received within the internally threadedtrolley 78 such that the external threads of thetranslation screw drive 74 engage with the internal threads of thetrolley 78. Thetrolley 78 is connected to theelevator floor 80, specifically, alower surface 84 of theelevator floor 80 connects to thetrolley 78. The pair offlanges 82 extend between thelower surface 84 of theelevator floor 80 and thetrolley 78 to reinforce the connection between thetrolley 78 and theelevator floor 80. - As shown in
FIG. 7 , theelongated track 76 includes aback wall 86, a pair ofside walls 88, and afront wall 90 defining anelongated opening 92 which defines a generally C-shaped cross-section of theelongated track 76. Thetranslation screw drive 74 is received within theelongated track 76 and thetrolley 78 is partially received within theelongated track 76 with a connection portion extending through theopening 92 of theelongated track 76 to couple theelevator floor 80 to thetrolley 78. - In some embodiments, the
trolley 78 includes an internally threaded throughbore through which thetranslation screw drive 74 extends. In some other embodiments, thetrolley 78 includes an internally threaded semicircular cutout that meshes with the external threads of thetranslation screw drive 74. In such an embodiment,trolley 78 includes a pair of elongated slots on either side of thetrolley 78 and the elongated slots receiveside edges 94 of thefront wall 90 that define theopening 92. At an upper end of the elongated track 76 aroller 95 extends between the pair ofside walls 88. - In some embodiments,
rollers 87 are provided on a lower portion of the pair offlanges 82 that roll along thefront wall 90 on either side of theopening 92. - The pair of
flanges 82 are spaced apart such that a portion of theelectric motor 46, thegear assembly 48, and thesupport assembly 50 are received between the pair offlanges 82 when theelevator floor 80 is in the lowered position. - Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 3-6 , the opening/closing assembly 44 includes thelid 24, a lidhinge biasing member 101, such as a spring, aflexible connector 102, aclosure lever 104, and a closurelever biasing member 106, such as a torsion spring. The lidhinge biasing member 101 is positioned between therear wall 14 and thelid 24 when in an open position. The lidhinge biasing member 101 biases thelid 24 towards the open position. - A pair of
posts 108 extend outwardly from aninner surface 110 of thelid 24. Theclosure lever 104 is pivotally attached to the pair ofposts 108 at a closure lever pivot axis PA. Theclosure lever 104 has a generally L-shape with aback wall 105 and at least oneelongated leg 104A and at least onearm 104B extending outwardly from theback wall 105. Theclosure lever 104 is pivotal between a rest position and a rotated position in the directions of arrows B1 and B2 ofFIG. 5 . In the rest position, theleg 104A and theback wall 105 of theclosure lever 104 is positioned adjacent and/or abuts against theinner surface 110 of thelid 24, as shown inFIG. 5 . In the rotated position, theclosure lever 104 is rotated about the closure lever pivot axis PA with thearm 104B abutting theinner surface 110 of thelid 24, as shown inFIG. 5 . The closurelever biasing member 106 biases theclosure lever 104 towards the rest position. - The
flexible connector 102 includes a first orlid end 112 and an opposite second orelevator end 114. Thelid end 112 is connected to theclosure lever 104. In some embodiments, theelevator end 114 is secured to thetrolley 78. In some other embodiments, theelevator end 114 is secured to theelevator floor 80. A portion of theflexible connector 102 between thelid end 112 and the elevator end 114 contacts theroller 95 positioned between the pair ofside walls 88 of theelongated track 76. In some embodiments, theflexible connector 102 may be a strap, a cord, or a tether. - In order to facilitate a better understanding of the drone delivery container assembly 1, an operation will now be discussed. Initially, the drone delivery container assembly 1 is in the delivered state, as shown in
FIG. 6 , in which thelid 24 is in the closed position, theclosure lever 104 is in the rotated position, and theelevator floor 80 is in the lowered position. When a drone is in proximity to the drone delivery container assembly 1, a delivery signal is received by thetransceiver 35. It is to be understood that the package P and/or the drone D includes a transmitter T, such as an RFID, NFC, or Bluetooth transmitter/receiver that transmits the delivery signal to thetransceiver 35. - The
detection logic 38A detects that a signal has been received by thetransceiver 35 and thecontrol logic 38B controls the drone delivery container assembly 1 to move from the delivered state to the delivery state, as shown inFIG. 5 . Thecontrol logic 38B controls theelectric motor 46 to rotate thedrive shaft 54 in a first direction. Upon activation of theelectric motor 46, thedrive shaft 54 rotates at the preset input rotational speed in the first direction. The rotation of thedrive shaft 54 at the preset input rotational speed is received by thegear assembly 48 at thefirst timing sprocket 62 which rotates the reducinggear 66 through thefirst timing belt 64. The connection between the reducinggear 66 and thesecond sprocket 68 varies the preset input rotational speed from thedrive shaft 54 to a preset rotational output speed and transmits the predetermined output rotational speed to thethird sprocket 72 through thesecond timing belt 70. Thethird sprocket 72 rotates thetranslation screw drive 74 at the predetermined rotational output speed. The rotation of thetranslation screw drive 74 drives thetrolley 78 and theelevator floor 80 in the container vertical direction such that that thetrolley 78 and theelevator floor 80 move in the direction of arrow Al inFIG. 5 . - When the drone delivery container assembly 1 is in the closed position, the
closure lever 104 is in the rotated position and thelid 24 is in the closed position. As theelevator floor 80 moves in the direction of arrow Al from the lowered position towards the raised position, a tension on theflexible connector 102 that overcomes the biasing force of the closurelever biasing member 106 is reduced such that the biasing force of the closurelever biasing member 106 biases theclosure lever 104 from the rotated position towards the rest position in the direction of arrow B1 inFIG. 5 . As theclosure lever 104 is rotated from the rotated position towards the rest position, the tension of theflexible connector 102 that overcomes the biasing force of the lidhinge biasing member 101 is reduced such that the biasing force of the lidhinge biasing member 101 biases thelid 24 from the closed position towards the open position. Upon movement of theelevator floor 80 into the raised position, the tension from theflexible connector 102 is reduced such that the closurelever biasing member 106 biases theclosure lever 104 into the rest position. Once theclosure lever 104 rotates to the rest position such that theleg 104A abuts against theinner surface 110 of thelid 24, the lidhinge biasing member 101 biases thelid 24 from the closed position to the open position. Thus, it is to be appreciated that rotation of thelid 24 to the open position is delayed until theclosure lever 104 is rotated to the rest position against thelid 24. Accordingly, the actuation of theelectric motor 46 to move theelevator floor 80 from the lowered position to the raised position also operates to move thelid 24 from the closed position to the open position. - The
delivery state assembly 40 operates to move the drone delivery container assembly 1 from the delivered state to the delivery state upon movement of theelevator floor 80 into the raised position, theclosure lever 104 into the rest position, and thelid 24 into the open position. In the delivery state, theelevator floor 80 is in the raised position, theclosure lever 104 is in the rest position, and thelid 24 is in the open position. In the delivery state, the drone delivery container assembly 1 is configured to receive a delivered package. - Once a package is delivered onto the
elevator floor 80, the drone departs. In some embodiments, the departing drone sends a package delivered signal that is received by thetransceiver 35 of the drone delivery container assembly 1. In some other embodiments, the drone delivery container assembly 1 includes sensors to determine that the package has been delivered and the drone D has departed. Thedetection logic 38A detects the delivered package signal and thecontrol logic 38B controls thedelivery state assembly 40 to move the drone delivery container assembly 1 from the delivery state to the delivered state. - The
delivery state assembly 40 operates to move the drone delivery container assembly 1 from the delivery state to the delivered state. Upon detection that the drone D has departed and that the package has been received on theelevator floor 80, thecontrol logic 38B controls theelectric motor 46 to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction. - Upon activation of the
electric motor 46, thedrive shaft 54 rotates in the second direction at the preset output rotational speed. The rotation of thedrive shaft 54 in the second direction at the preset output rotational speed is received by thegear assembly 48 at thefirst timing sprocket 62 which rotates the reducinggear 66 through thefirst timing belt 64. The connection between the reducinggear 66 and thesecond sprocket 68 varies the preset output rotational speed from thedrive shaft 54 to the predetermined rotational input speed and transmits the predetermined rotational input speed to thethird sprocket 72 through thesecond timing belt 70. Thethird sprocket 72 rotates thetranslation screw drive 74 at the predetermined rotational input speed. The rotation of thetranslation screw drive 74 drives thetrolley 78 and theelevator floor 80 in the container vertical direction such that that thetrolley 78 and theelevator floor 80 move in the direction of arrow A2 inFIG. 6 to move theelevator floor 80 from the raised position towards the lowered position. - As the
elevator floor 80 moves in the direction of arrow A2 from the raised position towards the lowered position, theelevator end 114 of theflexible connector 102, which is connected to theelevator floor 80 and/or thetrolley 78, pulls theflexible connector 102 downward in the direction of arrow A2. - When the drone delivery container assembly 1 is in the open position, the
closure lever 104 in the rest position and thelid 24 is in the open position. As theelevator floor 80 moves downward in the direction of arrow A2, a tension in theflexible connector 102 overcomes the biasing force of the closurelever biasing member 106, which biases theclosure lever 104 towards the rest position, to rotate theclosure lever 104 from the rest position towards the rotated position. As theflexible connector 102 pulls theclosure lever 104 from the rest position towards the rotated position, the biasing force of the lidhinge biasing member 101 maintains thelid 24 in the open position as thelid end 112 of theflexible connector 102 is connected to theclosure lever 104 which is pivotally connected to theinner surface 110 of thelid 24. Thelid 24 remains in the open position until theclosure lever 104 rotates into the rotated position in which thearm 104B abuts against theinner surface 110 of thelid 24. Theflexible connector 102 is provided with a predetermined length such that theelevator floor 80 descends a predetermined distance from the raised position towards the lowered position in the direction of arrow A2 such that the package disposed on theelevator floor 80 does not interfere with thelid 24 moving from the open position towards the closed position. Specifically, thelid 24 remains in the open position, due to the biasing force of the lidhinge biasing member 101, until theflexible connector 102 pulls theclosure lever 104 to rotate from the rest position to the rotated position. Thus, rotation of thelid 24 to the closed position is delayed until theclosure lever 104 is rotated to the rotated position. Accordingly, when theflexible connector 102 pulls theclosure lever 104 into the rotated position in the direction of arrow B2, theelevator floor 80 has descended a predetermined distance into thestorage space 20 such that the package positioned on theelevator floor 80 does not inhibit movement of thelid 24 from the open position towards the closed position. - As such, the
lid 24 is retained in the open position until theclosure lever 104 is rotated into the rotated position in which thearm 104B contacts theinner surface 110 of thelid 24. Once theclosure lever 104 is rotated into the rotated position in which thearm 104B contacts theinner surface 110 of thelid 24, the continued movement of theelevator floor 80 downward in the direction of arrow A2, theflexible connector 102 pulls on thelid 24 to overcome the biasing force of thelid biasing member 101 to move thelid 24 from the open position towards the closed position. - Once the
closure lever 104 has rotated into the rotated position, thearm 104B abuts theinner surface 110 of thelid 24 and the continued movement of theelevator floor 80 towards the lowered position in the direction of arrow A2 continues to apply a tension to thelid end 112 of theflexible connector 102. As thearm 104B abuts theinner surface 110 of thelid 24, the tension from the pulling of theflexible connector 102 is applied to thelid 24. The tension from theflexible connector 102 overcomes the biasing force of the lidhinge biasing member 101 such that thelid 24 moves from the open position towards the closed position. Upon movement of theelevator floor 80 into the lowered position, theflexible connector 102 pulls thelid 24 into the closed position and the tension from theflexible connector 102 retains thelid 24 in the closed position. - As the
flexible connector 102 has theelevator end 114 connected to theelevator floor 80 and/or thetrolley 78 and thelid end 112 connected to theclosure lever 104 which is connected to thelid 24, theflexible connector 102 prevents thelid 24 from being moved from the closed position to the open position when theelevator floor 80 is in the lowered position due to the tension from theflexible connector 102 and the engagement of the internal threads of thetrolley 78 and the external threads of thetranslation screw drive 74. Specifically, theelevator floor 80 is inhibited from moving from the lowered position towards the raised position without the rotation of thetranslation screw drive 74. - Accordingly, the
delivery state assembly 40 is configured to position the drone delivery container assembly 1 from a delivered state to a delivery state such that theelevator floor 80 is raised from the lowered position to the raised position in order to receive a package at the opentop portion 22 while also moving thelid 24 from the closed position to the open position in one operation by controlling theelectric motor 46 to rotate thedrive shaft 54 in the first direction. Further, thedelivery state assembly 40 is configured to position the drone delivery container assembly 1 from the delivery state to the delivered state such that theelevator floor 80 is lowered from the raised position to the lowered position in order to store the package within thestorage space 20 while also moving thelid 24 from the open position to the closed position in one operation by controlling theelectric motor 46 to rotate thedrive shaft 54 in the second direction. - Further still, the
delivery state assembly 40 is configured to retain thelid 24 in the closed position until theelectric motor 46 is controlled to rotate thedrive shaft 54 in the first direction. As such, thedelivery state assembly 40 prevents unauthorized users from opening thelid 24 to retrieve the package. - In some embodiments, the drone delivery container assembly 1 includes a
fence 122 that extends upwardly from theelevator floor 80. Thefence 122 inhibits a package P from falling off theelevator floor 80 during delivery, and inhibits the package P from falling off theelevator floor 80 as theelevator floor 80 is moved between the raised position and the lowered position. - In some embodiments, the drone delivery container assembly 1 includes a
light curtain assembly 124 in communication with theelectronic control unit 34. Thelight curtain assembly 124 includes alight transmitter 126, a pair oflight reflectors 128, and alight receiver 130. Thelight transmitter 126 is provided on one corner of therear wall 14, the pair oflight reflectors 128 are provided on the corners of thefront wall 12, and thelight receiver 130 is provided on the other corner of therear wall 14. Thelight transmitter 126 transmits a light beam that is reflected by the pair oflight reflectors 128 to thelight receiver 130. When thelight receiver 130 fails to receive the light beam from thelight transmitter 126, thelight receiver 130 sends a signal to thedetection logic 38A indicating that an obstruction has broken or disrupted the light beam. Thecontrol logic 38B prevents thedelivery state assembly 40 from moving between the delivered state and the delivery state when an obstruction is detected. Thelight curtain assembly 124 inhibits operation of thedelivery state assembly 40 when obstructions would interfere with the movement of thelid 24 between the open position and the closed position and theelevator floor 80 between the raised position and the lowered position. Thecontrol logic 38B may be configured to control thetransceiver 35 to transmit a signal to the preauthorized user, the drone D, the delivery person, and/or the delivery service indicating the detection of an obstruction. - In some embodiments, the drone delivery container assembly 1 includes a plurality of
anchor feet 132. Theanchor feet 132 are configured to be mounted to a surface, such as ground, to prevent unauthorized movement of the drone delivery container assembly 1. - It is appreciated that the drone delivery container assembly 1 is not limited in use to drone delivery. Specifically, the drone delivery container assembly 1 is configured to allow delivery of a package by human deliverers to be securely retained within the drone delivery container assembly 1. In this instance, the signal being sent to the
transceiver 35 may be sent by the human deliverer via a personal computing device. The personal computing device may be a mobile computing device, such as a smartphone, including a CPU. In various embodiments, the mobile computing device signals to thetransceiver 35 to open or close the drone delivery container assembly 1 once the human deliverer enters a code, activates a mobile application in communication with thetransceiver 35, or by any other suitable methods. This allows the drone delivery container assembly 1 to be operated remotely as opposed to being restricted to utilizing theuser interface 28. - As noted above, the package P and/or the drone D includes a transmitter T, such as an RFID, NFC, or Bluetooth transmitter/receiver. In some embodiments, the transmitter T is used to transmit a temperature characteristic of the package to the
transceiver 35 in the drone delivery container assembly 1. The temperature characteristic may include preset temperature zones that correlate to “frozen”, “cold”, “cool”, “room temperature”, “warm”, or “hot”. Thememory component 38 includes pre-stored temperatures for the temperature zones. The temperature characteristic may also include a predetermined temperature for the package P. For example, when the package P is ice cream, the temperature characteristic is identified as “frozen” and/or the predetermined temperature. The signal from the transmitter T is received by thetransceiver 35 and thedetection logic 38A detects the temperature characteristic and thecontrol logic 38B controls thetemperature regulator assembly 26 to regulate the internal temperature of thestorage space 20 to the temperature characteristic. - In some other embodiments, the delivery service, such as the drone D or a delivery person, sends a signal to the drone delivery container assembly 1 that includes the temperature characteristic of the package P. The signal is received by the
transceiver 35 and thedetection logic 38A detects the temperature characteristic and thecontrol logic 38B controls thetemperature regulator assembly 26 to regulate the internal temperature of thestorage space 20 to the temperature characteristic or predetermined temperature. - In some other embodiments, the delivery person inputs a temperature characteristic of the package P into the drone delivery container assembly 1 through the
user interface 28. Thedetection logic 38A detects the temperature characteristic and thecontrol logic 38B controls thetemperature regulator assembly 26 to regulate the internal temperature of thestorage space 20 to the temperature characteristic or predetermined temperature. - In some embodiments, the
transceiver 35 connects to a processing center of the delivery service, such as through the internet, and receives the temperature characteristic. Thedetection logic 38A detects the temperature characteristic and thecontrol logic 38B controls thetemperature regulator assembly 26 to regulate the internal temperature of thestorage space 20 to the temperature characteristic or predetermined temperature. - In some other embodiments, a preauthorized user communicates with the drone delivery container assembly 1 to set a temperature characteristic. For example, the preauthorized user utilizes a mobile computer device, such as a smartphone, that communicates with the drone delivery container assembly 1 through the
transceiver 35 to input a temperature characteristic. In either instance, the set temperature characteristic and the actual temperature within the drone delivery container assembly 1 may be displayed on thedisplay device 30. - In some embodiments, the drone delivery container assembly 1 is configured to only move between the delivered state and the delivery state upon input of a predetermined access code. The predetermined access code may be an electronic access code that is transmitted to the
transceiver 35 of the drone delivery container assembly 1 by the drone D, the package P, the delivery person, and/or the mobile computing device of the preauthorized user. The predetermined access code may be a numerical access code that is input intouser interface 28, such as theinputs 32, by the delivery person and/or the preauthorized user. In some embodiments, the drone D, package P, the mobile computing device of the preauthorized user, and/or the delivery person transmits an electronic access code to thetransceiver 35 of the drone delivery container assembly 1 and the preauthorized user inputs the numerical access code into theuser interface 28, such as theinputs 32. It is to be understood that the delivery signal and the package delivered signal may be sent directly to thedetection logic 38A without the use of thetransceiver 35 by operation of theuser interface 28. - Accordingly, unauthorized access to the
storage space 20 of the drone delivery container assembly 1 is inhibited by requiring a predetermined access code to be received/input into the drone delivery container assembly 1 in order to move the drone delivery container assembly 1 between the delivered state and the delivery. - While particular embodiments and aspects of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Moreover, although various aspects have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the embodiments shown and described herein.
Claims (20)
1. A delivery container assembly for receiving a package, the delivery container assembly comprising:
a container having at least one wall and an open top end defining a storage space, the container including a lid hingedly coupled to the at least one wall of the container and movable between an open position and a closed position; and
an elevator assembly disposed within the container, the elevator assembly including an elevator floor movable between a lowered position and a raised position, the lid coupled to the elevator assembly such that, upon movement of the elevator floor from the lowered position to the raised position, the lid moves from the closed position to the open position.
2. The delivery container assembly of claim 1 , wherein, upon movement of the elevator floor from the raised position to the lowered position, the lid moves from the open position to the closed position.
3. The delivery container assembly of claim 2 further comprising:
a closure lever pivotally coupled to the lid; and
a connector coupling the closure lever to the elevator assembly, the connector having a first end and an opposite second end, the first end coupled to the closure lever and the second end coupled to the elevator floor.
4. The delivery container assembly of claim 3 , wherein the closure lever includes a leg and an arm extending outwardly from the leg, the closure lever is pivotally coupled to the lid between a rest position and a rotated position, in the rest position the arm is spaced apart from an inner surface of the lid and in the rotated position the arm abuts the inner surface of the lid, and
wherein a closure lever biasing member biases the closure lever towards the rest position.
5. The delivery container assembly of claim 4 , wherein, as the elevator floor moves from the raised position to the lowered position, the connector pulls the closure lever from the rest position to the rotated position prior to rotation of the lid from the open position to the closed position.
6. The delivery container assembly of claim 4 , wherein, as the elevator floor moves from the lowered position to the raised position, the connector allows the closure lever to pivot from the rotated position to the rest position prior to rotation of the lid from the closed position to the open position.
7. A delivery container assembly comprising:
a container having a plurality of walls and an open top end defining a storage space, the container including a lid hingedly attached to one of the plurality of walls and a connector, the lid movable between an open position and a closed position; and
an elevator assembly disposed within the container, the elevator assembly including an elevator floor movable between a lowered position and a raised position, the connector coupling the elevator assembly to the lid, the delivery container assembly configured to delay rotation of the lid as the elevator floor moves between the raised position and the lowered position.
8. The delivery container assembly of claim 7 further comprising:
a lid hinge biasing member that biases the lid towards the open position;
a closure lever pivotally attached to the lid, the closure lever movable between a rest position and a rotated position; and
a closure lever biasing member that biases the closure lever towards the rest position, the connector pulling the closure lever from the rotated position as the elevator floor moves from the raised position to the lowered position.
9. The delivery container assembly of claim 7 further comprising:
a temperature regulator assembly including at least one of a refrigerator and a heater, the temperature regulator assembly configured to regulate a temperature of the storage space of the container.
10. The delivery container assembly of claim 9 further comprising:
an electronic control unit; and
a transceiver coupled to the electronic control unit, the transceiver configured to receive a signal including temperature characteristics, the electronic control unit configured to control the temperature regulator assembly to regulate the temperature of the storage space based on the temperature characteristics.
11. The delivery container assembly of claim 7 further comprising:
a motor;
a transceiver; and
an electronic control unit coupled to the transceiver and the motor, the electronic control unit configured to operate the motor to move the elevator floor to the raised position upon the transceiver receiving a delivery signal, the lid moves from the closed position towards the open position as the elevator moves from the lowered position towards the raised position.
12. The delivery container assembly of claim 7 further comprising:
a motor;
a transceiver; and
an electronic control unit, the electronic control unit configured to operate the motor to move the elevator floor to the lowered position upon the transceiver receiving a package delivered signal, the lid moves from the open positon towards the closed position as the elevator floor moves from the raised position towards the lowered position.
13. The delivery container assembly of claim 7 , wherein the elevator assembly further comprises:
a motor including a drive shaft; and
a linear motion assembly coupled to the motor and the elevator floor such that operating of the motor moves the elevator floor between the raised position and the lowered position.
14. The delivery container assembly of claim 13 , wherein the linear motion assembly includes an externally threaded translation screw drive, an elongated track, and an internally threaded trolley, the internally threaded trolley coupled to the elevator floor.
15. A method for opening and closing a delivery container assembly comprising the steps of:
receiving at an electronic control unit a delivery signal;
upon receiving the delivery signal, moving an elevator floor provided within the container from a lowered position to a raised position, the elevator floor configured to rotate a lid hingedly attached to the container from a closed position towards an open position upon movement of the elevator floor from the lowered position towards the raised position;
receiving at the electronic control unit a package delivered signal; and
upon receiving the package delivered signal, moving the elevator floor from the raised position to the lowered position, the elevator floor configured to rotate the lid from the open position to the closed position.
16. The method for opening and closing a delivery container assembly of claim 15 further comprising:
rotating a closure lever pivotally attached to the lid prior to rotating the lid as the elevator floor moves between the lowered position and the raised position.
17. The method for opening and closing a delivery container assembly of claim 16 , wherein the lid includes a lid hinge biasing member biasing the lid to the open position and the closure lever includes a closure lever biasing member biasing the closure lever to a rest position, the closure lever biasing member biasing the closure lever prior to the lid hinge biasing member biasing the lid.
18. The method for opening and closing a delivery container assembly of claim 16 further comprising:
receiving at the transceiver a temperature characteristic of a package to be delivered; and
upon receiving the temperature characteristic, controlling a temperature regulator assembly including a refrigerator and a heater to adjust an internal temperature of the container.
19. The method for opening and closing a delivery container assembly of claim 17 wherein, as the elevator floor moves from the raised position towards the lowered position, the connector pulls the closure lever from the rest position towards the rotated position prior to rotation of the lid from the open position towards the closed position.
20. The method for opening and closing a delivery container assembly of claim 17 wherein, as the elevator floor moves from the lowered position towards the raised position, the connector allows the closure lever to pivot from the rotated position towards the rest position prior to rotation of the lid from the closed position towards the open position.
Priority Applications (1)
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US17/458,718 US20210401211A1 (en) | 2018-10-11 | 2021-08-27 | Drone delivery container assembly having delivery state assembly having opening/closing assembly and elevator assembly |
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US201862744237P | 2018-10-11 | 2018-10-11 | |
US16/598,572 US11122925B2 (en) | 2018-10-11 | 2019-10-10 | Drone delivery container assembly having delivery state assembly having opening/closing assembly and elevator assembly |
US17/458,718 US20210401211A1 (en) | 2018-10-11 | 2021-08-27 | Drone delivery container assembly having delivery state assembly having opening/closing assembly and elevator assembly |
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US16/598,572 Continuation US11122925B2 (en) | 2018-10-11 | 2019-10-10 | Drone delivery container assembly having delivery state assembly having opening/closing assembly and elevator assembly |
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US17/458,718 Abandoned US20210401211A1 (en) | 2018-10-11 | 2021-08-27 | Drone delivery container assembly having delivery state assembly having opening/closing assembly and elevator assembly |
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US16/598,572 Active US11122925B2 (en) | 2018-10-11 | 2019-10-10 | Drone delivery container assembly having delivery state assembly having opening/closing assembly and elevator assembly |
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US11122925B2 (en) * | 2018-10-11 | 2021-09-21 | Loren Shobe | Drone delivery container assembly having delivery state assembly having opening/closing assembly and elevator assembly |
US11497335B2 (en) * | 2019-06-14 | 2022-11-15 | Rebecca Romanucci | Parcel safe remote vehicle alignment system |
US11583122B2 (en) * | 2019-07-30 | 2023-02-21 | Orlando Rogers | Secure package receptacle for receiving drone deliveries |
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US20210371128A1 (en) * | 2020-05-27 | 2021-12-02 | Luis Rodriguez | Drone Landing Pad System for Receiving Parcels & Packages |
US20220061573A1 (en) * | 2020-08-26 | 2022-03-03 | Justin Jertberg | Package Securing Container |
US20230080317A1 (en) * | 2020-11-09 | 2023-03-16 | Michelle Williams Prescott | Drone Integrated Box System (D.I.B.S) |
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US20200113365A1 (en) | 2020-04-16 |
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