WO2002045556A1

WO2002045556A1 - Transmitter unit for a mail delivery system

Info

Publication number: WO2002045556A1
Application number: PCT/DK2001/000803
Authority: WO
Inventors: Allan Dalgaard; Hans Østergaard HANSEN
Original assignee: Postin K/S
Priority date: 2000-12-08
Filing date: 2001-12-04
Publication date: 2002-06-13
Also published as: AU2002220527A1

Abstract

A transmitter unit (1) for a radio signal-based mail delivery system comprising such transmitter unit (1) for being mounted on a mailbox or mail slot flap, and a receiver unit (2) for being located at a distance from the transmitter unit (1). The transmitter unit (1) is provided with a movement sensor for detecting movement of the mailbox or mail slot flap (4); and a transmitter with power supply for transmitting a radio signal depending on movement of the mailbox or mail slot flap (4). The transmitter unit (1) is configured as an elongate unit that is relatively flat and in one other dimension relatively narrow, whereby it can be mounted on all usual types of mailbox or mail slot flaps (4). Additionally a mail delivery system comprising such transmitter unit.

Description

Transmitter unit for a mail delivery system

The present invention relates to a transmitter unit for a radio signal-based mail delivery system comprising such transmitter unit for being mounted on a mailbox or mail slot flap and a receiver unit for being located at a distance from the transmitter unit, which transmitter unit is provided with a movement sensor for detecting movement of the mail box or the mail slot flap and a transmitter with power supply for transmitting a radio signal depending on the movement of the flap of the mailbox or the mail slot flap.

Such transmitter unit is known from US patent No. 4,872,210 that shows a cordless mail delivery system for use in connection with a mailbox of American type in the form of an upwardly rounded container with a plane wall at the one end and a flap that is, at the bottom end, hinged to the container at the other end. The transmitter unit shown in that disclosure is configured as a relatively large box-shaped unit that is mounted on the interior side of the mailbox flap. It is provided with a switch that registers when the flap is opened and, in consequence thereof, a radio signal is transmitted to a receiver unit located elsewhere. The transmitter unit shown in this disclosure is comparatively large, and for the same reason it is restricted to use in connection with mailboxes that are provided with a large flap, so as not to prevent mail and newspapers from being put into the mailbox.

Other examples of transmitter units for mail delivery systems are known eg from US patent No. 5,023,595 and US patent No. 6,046,675. Each of these transmitter units consists of several parts that are connected by means of wires, which - on the one hand - makes mounting of the transmitter unit difficult and - on the other - increases the risk of parts of the transmitter unit being destroyed. It applies to these transmitter units, too, that they are comparatively large and therefore lend themselves for use only in connection with mailboxes having a comparatively large flap. Owing to their size, neither of the above-described transmitter units is applicable for use in connection with mailboxes or mail slots that are provided with a comparatively narrow flap, as is usual eg in Denmark.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a transmitter unit for a mail delivery system as featured above, which transmitter unit should be mountable on any kind of current mailbox or mail slot flap.

This is obtained by configuration of the transmitter unit described above as an elongate unit that is relatively flat and in one other dimension relatively narrow, whereby it can be mounted on all current mailbox or mail slot flaps.

Contrary to prior art transmitter units a transmitter unit having such configuration can be mounted on any type of mailbox flap, irrespective of the flap being large - as is the case with mailboxes of American type - or whether it is narrow as is typically the case eg in Denmark. Additionally, the transmitter unit according to the invention can be mounted on the flap of narrow mail slots in eg doors or walls.

The transmitter unit according to the invention can be mounted both interiorly and exteriorly of the mailbox or mail slot flap, its modest dimensions meaning that it will not be a significant obstacle when it comes to delivery of mail or newspapers, albeit it is mounted on that side of the flap that the mail or the newspapers pass during the delivery procedure.

The physical dimensions of the transmitter unit according to the invention will typically be such that the thickness is less than 1 cm, preferably less than 0.8 cm, while the width is less than 2.5 cm; preferably less than 2 cm. The thickness of the transmitter unit is, in this context, to be understood as the distance between that side of the transmitter unit that faces towards the mailbox or mail slot flap and its opposed, outwardly facing side that constitutes the front of the transmitter unit. The width is to be understood as the smaller of the two dimensions of the elongate transmitter unit, when viewed perpendicular to the front. The length of the transmitter unit can be selected randomly and can be selected, partly, with a view to the structure of the transmitter unit electronics and, partly, from a design point of view.

In one embodiment, the power supply of the transmitter unit comprises solar cells that provide the transmitter with power. Such transmitter unit can advantageously further be provided with one or more rechargeable batteries, the solar cells being configured for recharging these batteries. The transmitter unit using power only when the flap on which it is mounted is moved, the power consumption will be small and it follows that, in usual light conditions and in case of external mounting on the mailbox or the mail slot flap, the solar cells will be able to keep the battery charged. Such rechargeable battery will have considerable longevity, which means that it need not be replaceable,, and the transmitter unit can therefore be configured as a waterproof and hermetically sealed unit, whereby the risk of humidity penetrating into and destroying the electronics of the transmitter unit has been eliminated.

According to an alternative embodiment the power supply consists of one or more ordinary batteries that could be replaced when discharged.

For mounting on the mailbox or mail slot flap the transmitter unit is, in the preferred embodiment, provided with an adhesive back so as to enable it to be mounted on a mailbox or mail slot flap by adhesion. The adhesive back preferably comprises a double-adhesive material mounted on the back of the transmitter unit. A protective strip can then be torn off the double-adhesive material immediately preceding mounting. This type of mounting is simple and does not make requirements regarding use of further securing means.

As an alternative or supplement to the mounting by means of adhesion the transmitter unit can be provided with screw holes for mounting on a mailbox or mail slot flap by means of screws. This might be relevant in case the flap is made of a material that is unsuitable for adhesion, eg very rough wood, or in case it is merely desired to obtain extraordinarily durable mounting.

According to one embodiment the transmitter unit is provided with a reset button and is configured for transmitting a reset signal to a receiver unit when the reset button is activated. By this embodiment it is possible to zero the receiver unit from the outside at the mailbox or the mail slot flap.

The invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the drawings, wherein

Figure 1 is an explanatory sketch of a mail delivery system and a transmitter unit according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of a transmitter unit according to the invention;

Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of a transmitter unit according to the invention;

Figure 4 shows a third embodiment of a transmitter unit according to the invention; and

Figure 5 shows the mounting of a transmitter unit according to the invention on an arched surface on a mailbox flap.

Figure 1 shows a radio signal-based mail delivery system according to the invention. The mail delivery system comprises a transmitter unit 1 and a receiver unit 2 that are able to communicate with each other via radio signals in a manner known per se. The mail delivery system is, in the shown case, used in connection with a mailbox 3 having a comparatively narrow mailbox flap 4 that can be tilted outwards or inwards for delivery of mail, newspapers, trade circulars, etc. The mailbox 3 is also provided with a larger wicket 5 that can be opened by means of a key in the lock 6 when the mailbox 3 is to be emptied. The transmitter unit 1 is mounted on the mailbox flap 4, which is made possible by its relatively flat and narrow configuration.

The transmitter unit 1 is provided with a movement sensor and a transmitter that emits radio signals when the movement sensor registers a movement of the mailbox flap 4. The radio signals are captured by a receiver unit 2 that is located at a distance from the transmitter unit 1 , it being shown eg located within a house 7. The receiver unit 2 can be one of any known type, but preferably it is configured with a clock whereby the time of receipt of a radio signal from the transmitter unit 1 is recorded and shown on a display 8.

The receiver unit 2 is preferably configured such that the display 8 will usually show the present hour of the day, but when mail, newspapers, trade circulars, etc., are introduced into the mailbox 3 via the mail box flap 4, whereby a radio signal is emitted from the transmitter unit 1 , the receiver unit 2 registers the time of receipt of this signal and this time is shown in the display 8, preferably alternating with another symbol, such as an envelope 9.

Thus, normally the user will see the current time of the day on the display 8 of the receiver unit 2, but in case something has been delivered to the mailbox 3, the user will - on the one hand - be informed to that effect by display of the envelope 9 and - on the other - he will be able to see when something was delivered to the mail box 3, since these two items of information will, in the preferred embodiment, alternate. The receiver unit 2 is also provided with a reset button 10 that is activated after the mailbox 3 has been emptied, whereby the receiver unit 2 is zeroed and again displays the current time of the day, and the envelope 9 disappears.

Figure 2 shows the transmitter unit 1 shown in Figure 1 in enlarged scale, and as will appear it is configured as an elongate unit that is relatively flat and narrow. The transmitter unit 1 has a front 11 , a rear 12, two lateral faces 13 and 14 and two end faces 15 and 16. The rear 12 is, in the embodiment shown, provided with a double-adhesive material, such as an adhesive cushion 17 that is, at the rear, provided with a protective strip 18 that can be torn off immediately prior to the transmitter unit 1 being mounted on the mailbox flap 4.

As will appear the thickness from the rear 12 to the front 11 is relatively small (in practice less than 0.8 cm) and the width between the two end faces 13 and 14 is comparatively small (in practice less than 2 cm). The length, ie the distance between the two end faces 15 and 16 is not decisive, but in practice it can be between 5 and 15 cm. These dimensions of the transmitter unit 1 mean that it can be mounted on all usual mailbox and mail slot flaps, since they always have a width that exceeds the width of the transmitter unit 1 and a length that exceeds the length of the transmitter unit 1. The thickness of the transmitter unit 1 also being relatively small, the transmitter unit 1 will not be considerably in the way of objects to be delivered to the mailbox or the mail slot, even in case the flap opens inwardly.

In order to further ensure that the transmitter unit 1 is not in the way of mail, newspapers, trade circulars, etc, to be delivered, it is configured with slantingly cut side faces 13, 14 and end faces 15,16.

Interiorly the transmitter unit 1 is provided with a movement sensor and a transmitter, and these parts can be of any available kind and they will therefor not be described in further detail. Besides, the transmitter unit 1 is configured with a power supply that comprises, in the case shown, solar cells 19 located on the front 11 of the transmitter unit 1. Preferably these solar cells are in connection with one or more rechargeable batteries provided interiorly of the transmitter unit 1, whereby these batteries are always sufficiently charged for the transmitter of the transmitter unit 1 to emit a radio signal when the movement sensor registers that the transmitter unit 1 is moved. This configuration of the power supply means that the batteries are never to be changed, and the transmitter unit 1 can therefore be configured as a completely hermetically closed unit with an outer shell cast of a plastics material.

Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a transmitter unit according to the invention. This transmitter unit 21 is not provided with solar cells, unlike the transmitter unit 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2. Conversely the transmitter unit 21 is provided with a flap 22 at the end thereof that can be opened and allows access for battery 23 change. This transmitter unit 21 is also provided at the back with an adhesive cushion 17 for adhesion onto a mailbox or a mail slot flap.

Figure 4 shows yet an alternative embodiment of a transmitter unit according to the invention. This transmitter unit 31 is similar to the transmitter unit 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 from a design point of view, but it is provided with protruding flaps 32 with holes 33 for mounting the transmitter unit 31 by means of screws. This type of mounting can be necessary if the surface of the mailbox or the mail slot flap is very rough or merely unsuitable for adhesion.

When using the mail delivery system shown in Figure 1 , the user empties the mailbox 3 when the receiver unit 2 has informed him/her that mail has arrived. Following emptying of the mailbox 3 the user activates the reset button 10 on the receiver unit, following which it is ready for receiving a renewed radio signal that the mailbox flap 4 has again been activated.

According to an alternative embodiment, the transmitter unit 31 is provided with a reset button 34, the function of which corresponds in principle to the function of the reset button 10 on the receiver unit 2 shown in Figure 1. In practice, the reset button 34 is activated immediately after the mailbox has been emptied, whereby the transmitter unit 31 sends a signal to the receiver unit that it is to revert to its starting position. If mail now arrives immediately after the mailbox has been emptied, it will immediately be registered by the receiver unit. This zeroing function that can be activated from the transmitter unit 31 is particularly interesting in case there is much distance between the transmitter unit 31 and the receiver unit. This is for instance often the case in single-house residential areas, but also in more recent multi-storey buildings where mailboxes to all flats are often located on the ground floor.

Finally, Figure 5 shows how the transmitter unit 1 can be mounted on a mailbox 43 with a rounded mailbox flap 44, which is again enabled by the small dimensions of the transmitter unit 1. As it is, this allows the adhesive cushion 17, which preferably has a certain thickness, to compensate sufficiently for the curvature of the mailbox flap 44.

The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments of a transmitter unit in connection with a mailbox. However, the transmitter unit can be configured in many other ways, it being important, however, that its dimensions allow it to be mounted on any usual kind of mailbox or mail slot flap, which means that it has to be comparatively flat and narrow. In this context, mail slots comprise wickets for delivery of mail, newspapers, trade circulars, etc, provided in doors, walls, windows, and the like.

Claims

C l a i m s

1. A transmitter unit (1 ;21 ,31) for a radio signal-based mail delivery system comprising such transmitter unit (1 ;21 ;31) for being mounted on a mailbox or mail slot flap, and a receiver unit (2) for being located at a distance from the transmitter unit (1 ;21 ;31), which transmitter unit (1 ;21 ; 31) is provided with a movement sensor for detecting movement of the mailbox or mail slot flap (4;44); and a transmitter with power supply for transmitting a radio signal depending on movement of the mailbox or mail slot flap (4;44), characterised in that the transmitter unit (1 ;21;31) is configured as an elongate unit that is relatively flat and in one other dimension relatively narrow, whereby it can be mounted on all usual mailbox or mail slot flaps (4;44).

2. A transmitter unit according to claim 1 , characterised in that it has a thickness that is less than 1 cm, preferably less than 0.8 cm.

3. A transmitter unit according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that it has a width that is less than 2.5 cm, preferably less than 2 cm.

4. A transmitter unit according to any one of claims 1-3, characterised in that the power supply comprises solar cells (19).

5. A transmitter unit according to claim 4, characterised in that the power supply further comprises one or more rechargeable batteries; and that the solar cells (19) are configured for recharging these batteries.

6. A transmitter unit according to any one of claims 1-3, characterised in that the power supply comprises one or more batteries (23).

7. A transmitter unit according to any one of claims 1-6, characterised in that it is provided with an adhesive back (12), thereby enabling it to be mounted on a mailbox or mail slot flap (4;44) by means of adhesion.

8. A transmitter unit according to claim 7, characterised in that the adhesive back comprises a double-adhesive material, such as an adhesive cushion (17) mounted on the back of the transmitter unit (1 ;21 ;31 ).

9. A transmitter unit according to any one of claims 1-8, characterised in that it is provided with screw holes (33) for being mounted on a mailbox or mail slot flap (4;44) by means of screws.

10. A transmitter unit according to any one of claims 1-9, characterised in that it is provided with a reset button (34); and that it is configured for transmitting a reset signal to a receiver unit (2) when the reset button (34) is activated.

11. A radio signal-based mail delivery system comprising a transmitter unit (1 ;21 ,31) for being mounted on a mailbox or mail slot flap (4;44), and a receiver unit (2) for being located at a distance from the transmitter unit (1;21;31), which transmitter unit (1;21; 31) is provided with a movement sensor for detecting movement of the mailbox or mail slot flap (4;44); and a transmitter with power supply for transmitting a radio signal depending on movement of the mailbox or mail slot flap (4;44), and wherein said receiver unit (2) is provided with a receiver for receiving the radio signal transmitted from the transmitter unit (1;21 ;31), and means for indicating that such radio signal has been received, characterised in that the transmitter unit (1 ;21 ;31) is configured as featured in any one of claims 1-10.