US20230322456A1

US20230322456A1 - Systems and methods to secure delivery of products

Info

Publication number: US20230322456A1
Application number: US17/700,550
Authority: US
Inventors: Manuel Parks
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-03-22
Filing date: 2022-03-22
Publication date: 2023-10-12

Abstract

A security system includes a bag having a first end and a collar at a second end; a string inside the collar that is tightened after delivery of a product in the bag; a bag lock coupled to the collar to securely close the collar; a strap coupled to the first end; and a block coupled to the strap, the block secured to a surface of a door jamb. During use, in another aspect, a security method to secure delivery of a product includes attaching a bag to a secured structure, the bag having a bottom and a collar at a top portion; a string inside the collar that is tightened after delivery of a product in the bag, the bag having a hook and two adjacent straps; placing the product into the bag upon delivering the product; securing the product by closing the collar and locking the collar with a lock to secure the bag; and clipping the bag to a receptable in the secured structure and wrapping the straps around the secured structure.

Description

BACKGROUND

The rise of Internet stores such as Amazon.com and ebay.com has brought to reality the concept of buying items on-line and getting delivering your orders right at your doorstep, all done through a web browser over the Internet. A buyer can visit an online website that offers this service and place her order through the convenience of her own home or office. Most online stores are equipped with a secure payment gateway that allows you to complete the transaction without revealing any credit details.
Many delivery parcels, such as packages and envelopes, are left in an easily accessible area of a building. Sometimes, these delivery parcels are stolen before their rightful owners can collect them. It is therefore important to have systems that decrease the chance of delivery parcel theft.
For online companies, success lies in the timely and safe delivery of products or goods to customers e commerce is exploding and with the booming online business comes an increase in opportunities for criminals the typical strategy employed by criminals in stealing e commerce deliveries is to simply wait for the driver to make a delivery steal the packages from the front porch or doorstep then drive off with the package.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a method to secure delivery of a product includes attaching a bag to a door, the bag having a bottom and a collar at a top portion; a string inside the collar that is tightened after delivery of a product in the bag, a strap coupled to the bag bottom and a block coupled to the strap; placing the product into the bag upon delivering the product; securing the product by closing the collar and locking the collar with a lock to secure the bag; and attaching the bag to a door bottom and tightening the bag bottom to the door bottom.
In another aspect, a security system includes a bag having a bottom and a collar at a top portion; a string inside the collar that is tightened after delivery of a product in the bag; a bag lock coupled to the collar to close the collar and secure the bag; a strap coupled to the bag bottom; and a block coupled to the strap, the block receiving the bottom strap, wherein a recipient tightens the bag bottom to a door bottom.
Implementations may include the following. The security bag can be adapted to be secured to a door comprising a collar including a string inside said collar configured to receive at least one object therein a fastener configured to close said collar a mechanism adapted to tighten said string.
The system address theft in cost effective, easy to use solution that offer effective ways to fight package theft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the summary of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these embodiments. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the following description is merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, which may be applied in various ways to provide many different alternative embodiments. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosure or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. Additionally, it should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary front view of a security bag placed in front of a door.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary side view of the security bag and the door.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary rear view of the door and the door block device to secure the bag.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary bag with lock thereon.

FIGS. 5-8 show a clip-on embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reviewing the figures collectively, a bag 100 has a collar 102 with a string 101 disposed therein. The collar is formed from a material having sufficient tensile strength to retain string in a looped configuration without the assistance of an external force. For example collar may be formed from nylon or other suitable materials as depicted in FIG. 1 . The string extends from a collar opening and is adapted to be looped on a doorknob 52 of a door 50 for securing the bag 100 holding valuable contents to the door 50.
In this embodiment, the string 101 extends around an interior surface of doorknob through holes and provided in collar and through hole provided in ring. While not shown in FIG. 1 , the bag may include a second string that extends between collar and ring a second string enables string to support the weight of bag when the latter is attached to door and as a result doorknob does not bear the weight of bag thereby reducing the likelihood of damage to doorknob when bag is used for deliveries or shipments of parcels. The owner of the parcel will retrieve the parcel by removing the parcel from bag. Since the parcel is attached to door it is important that the string of bag be easy to remove from doorknob for example the diameter of ring should be larger than the diameters of holes and so that the former can be easily removed from the latter by sliding the former over the latter.
The drawstring may be wrapped around the neck of collar the string and is secured at its ends on opposite sides of collar by a securement device. A latch may be slidably disposed on collar to selectively secure drawstring on collar. The latch may have two notches defined therein to allow the latch to pass over a portion of string alternatively the latch may have three notches defined therein to allow the latch to pass over two portions of string the latch is configured to prevent the drawstring from being accidentally removed from collar possible problem although the present invention will help in preventing theft of packages left in areas that are accessible to the public there are still potential problems associated with such an arrangement for example if someone wants to remove a package and take it home with him he can simply untie the string from collar he then leaves the package alone and comes back to pick up the package after a short period of time he can then retie the string to collar and leave with the package without anyone noticing anything unusual conventional latch systems and their problems there are various conventional methods for securing objects together using a cord one of these methods involves using a lanyard or tether to secure items together.
In one embodiment, a lock 104 can be removed by manipulating plug with a screwdriver pliers or any other similar tool. A string inside collar can be pulled out from the collar to remove lock when lock is removed. The security bag is ready to be installed suitably shaped locking. Alternatively, adhesive members (not shown) may be provided on security bag for securing the security bag to a door frame door to prevent theft of delivery parcels placed in the security bag.
The bag 100 has a bottom attached to one end of a bottom string or strap 106. During set up by the homeowner prior to delivery, the bottom strap 106 is slidably placed under the door 50. The other end of the bottom strap 106 is attached to a door block 108. The door block 108 is designed to prevent the removal of the bag from the door once locked. In one implementation, the door block may be a box or bolt that is designed to be placed on the rear side of the door 50 that faces inside the house. When the door block is in place and tightened by the delivery person, the door block device 108 prevents the bag from being opened by blocking its path. The strap 106 does through the door block device 108 and then through a strap claim 110 and emerges as an optional strap handle 112. Strap clamp 110 is inserted under the door, or as shown in FIG. 3 , through a hole in door a cord passes through strap clamp 106 which holds it against the inside of door 50. The door block device 108 may be easily removed by pulling on its end and placing it in a small opening behind door so that it is completely out of the way when needed.
In one embodiment, the bottom string 106 is pulled and top string 101 is released to make the bag have a round appearance when it is necessary to secure a parcel such as for example the parcel on door 50. The security bag is placed over the parcel the bottom string is then pulled to a desired degree and the top string is released if someone attempts to remove the parcel from inside the security bag the bottom string will tighten and give resistance thereby making it harder to steal the parcel. This is an effective theft prevention method since only the delivery person has access to the top string 101 in the collar 102. Once tightened, the bag lock 104 can only be opened by the intended recipient. Further, the bag is secured to the door via the block device 108. As such, the bag 50 is not movable. With the collar secured by the lock 104, the bag 50 is secured against a thief.
Alternatives to the bag lock device can be used. In another embodiment, the bag lock includes a lever rotatably mounted on the collar, said lever having a first end and a second end opposite to said first end said lever being pivotally movable about said axis between a first position wherein said first end is located within said collar and a second position wherein said second end extends outside of said collar and a button adjacent to said lever said button being adapted to receive a force applied thereto so that said lever is pushed against said force whereby said string is tightened in a one way manner by the delivery person. The recipient would have a key to unlock the lever and open the bag.
Other door block devices can be used. For example, a locking bolt can be used and is adapted to be secured in the doorway collar while another locking bolt can be slidably received in the doorway. collar the locking bolt that is secured in the doorway collar is prevented from moving by use of a blocking rod this blocking rod is preferably comprised of flexible material in order to lock the door the locking bolt must be in a position where it blocks the movement of the door thus preventing the bag from being opened.
While FIGS. 1-2 shows the bottom of the bag secured to the bottom of the door, the recipient can secure the bag to any part of a door jamb, which is the flat surface that runs vertically up either side of the door frame. The door jamb is vital to the running of the door. This is where the hinges are placed to hang the door, as well as the striker plate on the opposite door jamb which helps you to open, close and lock your door.
In one embodiment, the collar and bag lock can be secured to the door handle 52. The bag can be constructed with a collar made of strong material such as plastic which contains a string 101 that extends out of collar 102 so that it can be secured to a door or post near the point of delivery. The string 101 has a sufficient length to extend from security bag to the point of delivery the end of string has a loop which is large enough to secure around a conventional lock knob on the door 50 or other secured area at the point of delivery. The string loop also may optionally provide an internal threading or ribbing that allows it to be screwed onto the exterior surface of a door or wall this makes loop virtually impossible to remove without destroying it.
FIG. 4 shows an exemplary bag with lock 104. The bag can be a large Nylon Oversized Plug & Control Cover that provides a tall flexible and durable rip-stop nylon bag.
FIGS. 5-8 show a clip-on embodiment. During use, the delivered product is placed inside the bag and a top string is pulled to secure the product inside the bag and a suitable lock can be used to prevent unauthorized access to the content of the bag as detailed above. The bag in one implementation has a hook on a side that is secured to a corresponding receptacle on a door, a pole, or a solid structure. The bag further has two mounting belts that can be connected to or clasped with the door, pole or solid structure. The mounting belt can further be secured with a suitable lock. The system of FIGS. 5-8 provides a security method that includes:

attaching a bag to a structure, the bag having a bottom and a collar at a top portion; a string inside the collar that is tightened after delivery of a product in the bag, a strap coupled to the bag bottom and a block coupled to the strap;
placing the product into the bag upon delivering the product;
securing the product by closing the collar and locking the collar with a lock to secure the bag;
clipping the bag to a secured structure and tightening the bag to the secured structure with lockable strips or belts.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description.
Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only. The construction and arrangements, shown in the various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.
In various exemplary embodiments, the relative dimensions, including angles, lengths and radii, as shown in the Figures are to scale. Actual measurements of the Figures will disclose relative dimensions, angles and proportions of the various exemplary embodiments. Various exemplary embodiments extend to various ranges around the absolute and relative dimensions, angles and proportions that may be determined from the Figures. Various exemplary embodiments include any combination of one or more relative dimensions or angles that may be determined from the Figures. Further, actual dimensions not expressly set out in this description can be determined by using the ratios of dimensions measured in the Figures in combination with the express dimensions set out in this description.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A security system, comprising:

a bag having a first end and a collar at a second end;

a string inside the collar that is tightened after delivery of a product in the bag;

a bag lock coupled to the collar to securely close the collar;

a strap coupled to the first end; and

a block coupled to the strap, the block secured to a surface of a door jamb.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the bag lock has a plurality of positions to put a lock into.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the string is used to closed the bag and the bag lock is placed proximal to the collar to prevent unauthorized entry through the collar.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the bag comprises rip-stop nylon.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the bag lock has a plurality of positions to put a lock into.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the bag is secured to a door.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the bag is secured to a mailbox.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the bag is secured to a front of the door and the block is secured to a back of the door.

9. The system of claim 1, comprising a strap clamp to secure the block against a door.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the delivery person secures the top of the bag and wherein the recipient secures the bottom of the bag to a door.

11. A security method, comprising:

attaching a bag to a secured structure, the bag having a bottom and a collar at a top portion; a string inside the collar that is tightened after delivery of a product in the bag, the bag having a hook and two adjacent straps;

placing the product into the bag upon delivering the product;

securing the product by closing the collar and locking the collar with a lock to secure the bag; and

clipping the bag to a receptable in the secured structure and wrapping the straps around the secured structure.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the bag lock has a plurality of positions to put a lock into.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the string is used to closed the bag and the bag lock is placed proximal to the collar to prevent unauthorized entry through the collar.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the bag comprises rip-stop nylon.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the bag lock has a plurality of positions to put a lock into.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the bag is secured to a door.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the bag is secured to a mailbox.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the bag is secured to a front of the door and the block is secured to a back of the door.

19. The method of claim 11, comprising a strap clamp to secure the block against a door.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the delivery person secures the top of the bag and wherein the recipient secures the bottom of the bag to a door.