WO2016203276A1

WO2016203276A1 - Letterbox apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2016203276A1
Application number: PCT/GB2016/051846
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew Dennis Patrick GING
Original assignee: Ging Andrew Dennis Patrick
Priority date: 2015-06-19
Filing date: 2016-06-20
Publication date: 2016-12-22
Also published as: EP3310214B1; GB201510877D0; EP3310214A1

Abstract

Letterbox apparatus (10), for receiving items such as post or mail into a receiving space (58) such as a building interior, includes a closure member (20). In use, the apparatus (10) is mounted in a letterbox opening (14) and is movable between an open condition and a closed condition. The apparatus (10) includes a locking device (22) which is movable between a locked condition in which the locking device (22) locks the closure member (20) in the closed condition and an unlocked condition in which the locking device (22) permits the closure member (20) to move between the open and closed conditions.

Description

Letterbox Apparatus

The present invention relates to letterbox apparatus, particularly but not exclusively letterbox apparatus for receiving items into a receiving space.

Conventionally, letterboxes define openings or passages in doors or walls for receiving items into a receiving space such as a building interior. Such letterboxes comprise a housing with a hinged closure member. Items such as post and mail can be delivered into the building interior through the opening. Letterboxes are a convenient way of receiving post when a recipient is not available to answer the door. However, such openings are vulnerable to abuse. Unwanted items can be posted through the opening. These can range from unwanted advertising fliers to items which are designed to cause annoyance, nuisance or damage. At an extreme end of the scale, inflammatory substances such as fireworks or petrol or lighter fuel can be posted through the opening with the intention of causing a fire. In some areas, the threat of nuisance or vandalism is such that letterboxes are routinely boarded over. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided letterbox apparatus for receiving items into a receiving space, the apparatus including a closure member which, in use, is mounted in a letterbox opening and is movable between an open condition and a closed condition, the apparatus including a locking device which is movable between a locked condition in which the locking device locks the closure member in the closed condition and an unlocked condition in which the locking device permits the closure member to move between the open and closed conditions.

Possibly, in use, items are posted through the opening from an external side to an internal side of the opening. Possibly, the closure member is located at or towards the internal side of the opening. Possibly, the apparatus includes an external closure member, which may be located at or towards the external side of the opening. Possibly, the apparatus includes a housing which defines the letterbox opening.

Possibly, the apparatus includes a timer, and may include a controller. Possibly, the timer and the controller are arranged so that a user can set one or more predetermined unlock time periods in which the locking device is in the unlocked condition.

Possibly, the apparatus includes an alarm indicator, which is movable from a normal condition to an alarm condition, possibly by the controller. Possibly, in the alarm condition, the indicator provides an alert signal, which may be a visible and/or audible alert signal. Possibly, in the normal condition the alarm indicator does not provide the alert signal.

Possibly, the apparatus includes a sensor for detecting movement or vibration of the closure member when the locking device is in the locked condition. Possibly, the controller is arranged to move the alarm indicator to the alarm condition if the sensor detects an amount of the movement or vibration which equals or exceeds a predetermined movement or vibration limit.

Possibly, the apparatus includes a smoke detector. Possibly, the smoke detector is mounted on an internal side of the closure member. Possibly, the controller is arranged to move the alarm indicator to the alarm condition if the smoke detector detects a smoke concentration which equals or exceeds a predetermined smoke concentration limit.

Possibly, the apparatus includes a liquid detector. Possibly, the controller is arranged to move the alarm indicator to the alarm condition if the liquid detector detects an amount of liquid which equals or exceeds a predetermined liquid limit. Possible the liquid detector is a flammable liquid detector, for detecting liquids such as petrol or other hydrocarbons. Possibly, the apparatus includes an inflammable vapour detector.

Possibly, the controller is arranged to move the alarm indicator to the alarm condition if the inflammable vapour detector detects an amount of inflammable vapour which equals or exceeds a predetermined inflammable vapour limit.

Possibly, the locking device includes a lock member, which is movable between the locked condition in which the lock member is engaged by a lock keeper and the unlocked condition in which the lock member is disengaged from the lock keeper. Possibly, the apparatus includes an actuator, which may be electrically powered, which may move the lock member between the locked and the unlocked conditions.

The controller, and possibly the timer, may be located remotely to the housing and may be connected by signal communication means to the or each sensor(s) and/or the alarm indicator. The alarm indicator may be located remotely to the housing and may be connected by signal communication means to the or each sensor(s) and/or the timer and controller. The signal communication means could be wireless, or wired. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of receiving items into a receiving space, the method including providing letterbox apparatus, the apparatus including a closure member which, in use, is mounted in a letterbox opening and is movable between an open condition and a closed condition, the apparatus including a locking device which is movable between a locked condition in which the locking device locks the closure member in the closed condition and an unlocked condition in which the locking device permits the closure member to move between the open and closed conditions. Possibly, the apparatus includes any of the features described in any of the preceding statements or following description. Possibly, the method includes any of the steps described in any of the preceding statements or following description.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a letterbox apparatus from an external side;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus from an internal side; and Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the apparatus in block diagram form. Figs. 1 to 3 show a letterbox apparatus 10, for receiving items such as post or mail into a receiving space 58 such as a building interior. The apparatus 10 includes a closure member 20 which, in use, is mounted in a letterbox opening 14 and is movable between an open condition and a closed condition. The apparatus 10 includes a locking device 22 which is movable between a locked condition in which the locking device 22 locks the closure member 20 in the closed condition and an unlocked condition in which the locking device 22 permits the closure member 20 to move between the open and closed conditions. The opening 14 could be defined by a structure 84 such as a door or wall. In one example, the apparatus 10 includes a housing 12 which defines the letterbox opening 14 and the housing 12 is mounted in an aperture in the structure 84. The structure 84 defines the receiving space 58.

In use, items (not shown) are posted through the opening 14 from an external side 16 to an internal side 18 of the opening 14. The closure member 20 is located at or towards the internal side 18 of the opening 14. The apparatus 10 includes an external closure member 24, which is located at or towards the external side 16 of the opening 14, and is movable between an open condition and a closed condition.

In the example shown, both the internal closure member 20 and the external closure member 24 are pivotally mounted at their in use top edges to the housing 12 and are biased (for example by gravity or spring means) in each case to the closed condition.

The apparatus 10 includes a timer 26 and a controller 28. The timer 26 and the controller 28 are arranged so that a user can set one or more predetermined unlock time periods 30 in which the locking device 22 is in the unlocked condition.

The apparatus 10 includes an alarm indicator 32, which is movable from a normal condition to an alarm condition. In the alarm condition, the indicator 32 provides an alert signal 34, which could be a visible alert signal for example, provided by a flashing light 68 and/or an audible alert signal, for example, provided by a siren 70. In the normal condition, the alarm indicator 32 does not provide the alert signal 34.

The apparatus 10 could include a sensor 36 for detecting movement or vibration of the closure member 20 when the locking device 22 is in the locked condition. The movement or vibration sensor 36 could be mounted to an internal side 64 of the internal closure member 20. The controller 28 could be arranged to move the alarm indicator 32 to the alarm condition if the sensor 36 detects an amount 60 of the movement or vibration which equals or exceeds a predetermined movement or vibration limit 44.

The apparatus 10 could include a smoke detector 38. The smoke detector could be mounted on the internal side 64 of the internal closure member 20. The controller 28 could be arranged to move the alarm indicator 32 to the alarm condition if the smoke detector 38 detects a smoke concentration 62 which equals or exceeds a predetermined smoke concentration limit 46.

The locking device 22 includes a lock member 54 which is mounted to the internal closure member 20 and which is movable between the locked condition in which the lock member 54 is engaged by a lock keeper 56 mounted to the housing 12 and/or the structure 84 and the unlocked condition in which the lock member 54 is disengaged from the lock keeper 56. The apparatus 10 includes an actuator 66, which could be electrically powered, which moves the lock member 54 between the locked and the unlocked conditions. As shown in the figures, in one example, the controller 28, the timer 26, the alarm indicator 32, the movement sensor 36 and the smoke detector 38 are located in a control housing 72. The controller 28 could include a display 74 and input means 82, for example, buttons 76. The controller 28 could be programmable and could include memory (not shown) and a set of instructions including a comparator 52.

The comparator 52 compares the detected movement amount 60 and the detected smoke concentration 62 with the predetermined movement limit 44 and the predetermined smoke concentration limit 46 respectively.

The controller 28 could include an alarm cancel button 78 (located on an upper side in use of the control housing 72) and a manual override button 80 (also located on an upper side in use of the control housing 72). The override button 80 could move the locking device 22 from the locked condition to the unlocked condition. The location of these buttons 78, 80 ensures that they cannot easily be operated by a person located on the external side 16 of the opening 14. The input means 82 could permit setting and adjustment of the predetermined unlock time period(s) 30, the predetermined movement or vibration limit 44 and the predetermined smoke concentration limit 46. In use, the apparatus 10 is installed, for example, in the structure 84.

The user or installer sets the predetermined unlock time period(s) 30, the predetermined movement or vibration limit 44 and the predetermined smoke concentration limit 46. For example, the predetermined unlock time period 30 could be set to a time period which corresponds with the delivery of post in the locality. Thus if the regular mail delivery was around 2pm, the predetermined unlock time period 30 could, for example, be 1 .30pm to 2.30pm on each working day.

The controller 28 could permit a plurality of unlock time periods 30 each day and different numbers and lengths of time periods 30 on different days. For example, on a day when no delivery is expected, there may be no unlock time periods 30 and the locking device 22 will remain in the locked condition all day. At a time outside the unlock time period 30, the locking device 22 is in the locked condition, with the lock member 54 engaged within the keeper 56, preventing opening of the internal closure member 20. At the time of the unlock time period 30, the controller 28 moves the locking device 22 to the unlocked condition by sending a signal to the actuator 66 which moves the lock member 54 out of engagement with the keeper 56. The internal closure member 20 can now be moved between the closed and open conditions to permit receipt of items through the letterbox opening 14 into the receiving space 58. When the locking device 22 is in the locked condition, the movement or vibration sensor 36 detects a forcible entry attempt. The predetermined movement or vibration limit 44 is set so that ordinary vibration or movement (traffic, doors slamming etc) will not trigger the alarm indicator 32, but if, for example, a shock force is applied to the internal closure member 20, the amount 60 of the movement or vibration will equal or exceed the predetermined movement or vibration limit 44 as determined by the comparator 52 and the controller 28 will move the alarm indicator 32 to the alarm condition, generating the alert signal 34. The predetermined movement or vibration limit 44 could be set to trigger the alarm indicator 32 whether or not the shock force results in breakage of the locking device 22 and opening of the internal closure member 20. Thus the building occupant is immediately warned of a forced entry or forced entry attempt giving precious time in which to react. Also the intruder is immediately subjected to an alarm which may deter further entry attempts or prevent the intruder from carrying out further damaging action.

The controller 28 is arranged so that movement of the internal closure member 20 during the unlock time period(s) 30 does not generate the alert signal 34.

Should the intruder post burning material through the opening 14 or ignite flammable material when it has been posted through the opening 14, smoke will be detected by the smoke detector 38. If the smoke detector 38 detects a smoke concentration 62 which equals or exceeds the predetermined smoke concentration limit 46 as determined by the comparator 52, the controller 28 will move the alarm indicator 32 to the alarm condition, generating the alert signal 34.

Thus the apparatus provides a two stage warning of danger: the movement and vibration sensor 36 detects a forcible entry attempt and the smoke detector 38 detects an unauthorised entry which results in smoke generation. Advantageously, the smoke detector 38 is relatively close to burning material posted through the opening 14, so gives the earliest possible warning of danger. It is a feature of the invention that the delivery person can be unaware of the apparatus 10 when making delivery at a predetermined scheduled time and does not require a key, a passcode or other authorisation to effect delivery, or the occupant to be present to open the door.

The controller 28 is arranged so that smoke will generate an alert signal 34 during the unlock time period(s) 30, providing continuous smoke detection and warning. A particular advantage of the apparatus 10 is that it is simple to fit to existing letterboxes. The control housing 72 and the locking device 22 can be installed to existing letterboxes with an internal closure member 20.

Various other modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The apparatus and the various components thereof could be of any suitable size and shape, and could be formed of any suitable material (within the scope of the specific definitions herein).

The apparatus 10 could include different detectors. In one example, the apparatus 10 could include a liquid detector (not shown), and the controller 28 could be arranged to move the alarm indicator 32 to the alarm condition if the liquid detector detects an amount of liquid which equals or exceeds a predetermined liquid limit. The liquid detector could be a flammable liquid detector, for detecting liquids such as petrol or other hydrocarbons.

The apparatus 10 could include an inflammable vapour detector (not shown) The controller could be arranged to move the alarm indicator to the alarm condition if the inflammable vapour detector detects an amount of inflammable vapour which equals or exceeds a predetermined inflammable vapour limit. The timer 26 and the controller 28 could be located remotely to the housing 12 and could be connected by signal communication means to the or each sensor(s) 36, the detector 38 and/or the alarm indicator 32. The alarm indicator 32 could be located remotely to the housing 12 and could be connected by signal communication means to the controller 28. The signal communication means could be wireless, or wired.

The controller 28 could be connected by the signal communication means to a remote monitoring or supervision system, for example, via the internet or a global telecommunications network such as a mobile phone network. In one example, the user input means 82 could include a mobile phone which is used to input the predetermined settings 30, 44, 46 and receive alert signals 34. The controller housing 72 includes a power supply in the form of a battery (not shown). The controller 28 could include a battery monitor (not shown) and a low battery indicator (not shown) which could be audible and/or visual eg a low battery chirp and/or an icon (not shown) on the display 74. The apparatus 10 could be formed of recyclable material.

The apparatus 10 could be retrofitted into an existing letterbox opening 14 defined in the structure 84. The structure 84 could comprise the housing 12. The apparatus 10 could be used in parcel receiving openings and in mailboxes in which the structure 84 is comprised by a mailbox.

Any of the features or steps of any of the embodiments shown or described could be combined in any suitable way, within the scope of the overall disclosure of this document.

There is thus provided letterbox apparatus with a number of advantages over conventional arrangements. The apparatus enables a building occupier to receive post at predefined time periods when deliveries are expected. The apparatus resists forcible entry and provides a warning of forcible entry or forcible entry attempts. The apparatus detects smoke and provides early warning of arson attack and fire.

Claims

1 . Letterbox apparatus for receiving items into a receiving space, the apparatus including a closure member which, in use, is mounted in a letterbox opening and is movable between an open condition and a closed condition, the apparatus including a locking device which is movable between a locked condition in which the locking device locks the closure member in the closed condition and an unlocked condition in which the locking device permits the closure member to move between the open and closed conditions.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , in which, in use, items are posted through the opening from an external side to an internal side of the opening.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, in which the closure member is located at or towards the internal side of the opening.

4. Apparatus according to claims 2 or 3, in which the apparatus includes an external closure member, which is located at or towards the external side of the opening.

5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes a housing which defines the letterbox opening.

6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes a timer.

7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes a controller.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 when dependent on claim 6, in which the timer and the controller are arranged so that a user can set one or more predetermined unlock time periods in which the locking device is in the unlocked condition.

9. Apparatus according to claims 7 or 8, in which the apparatus includes an alarm indicator, which is movable by the controller from a normal condition to an alarm condition.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, in which, in the alarm condition, the indicator provides an alert signal, which may be a visible and/or audible alert signal.

1 1 . Apparatus according to claim 10, in which, in the normal condition, the alarm indicator does not provide the alert signal.

12. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes a sensor for detecting movement or vibration of the closure member when the locking device is in the locked condition.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 when dependent on claim 9 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the controller is arranged to move the alarm indicator to the alarm condition if the sensor detects an amount of the movement or vibration which equals or exceeds a predetermined movement or vibration limit.

14. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes a smoke detector.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 when dependent on claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the smoke detector is mounted on an internal side of the closure member.

16. Apparatus according to claims 14 or 15 when dependent on claim 9 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the controller is arranged to move the alarm indicator to the alarm condition if the smoke detector detects a smoke concentration which equals or exceeds a predetermined smoke concentration limit.

17. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes a liquid detector.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17 when dependent on claim 9 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the controller is arranged to move the alarm indicator to the alarm condition if the liquid detector detects an amount of liquid which equals or exceeds a predetermined liquid limit.

19. Apparatus according to claims 17 or 18, in which the liquid detector is a flammable liquid detector, for detecting liquids such as petrol or other hydrocarbons.

20. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes an inflammable vapour detector.

21 . Apparatus according to claim 20 when dependent on claim 9 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the controller is arranged to move the alarm indicator to the alarm condition if the inflammable vapour detector detects an amount of inflammable vapour which equals or exceeds a predetermined inflammable vapour limit.

22. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the locking device includes a lock member, which is movable between the locked condition in which the lock member is engaged by a lock keeper and the unlocked condition in which the lock member is disengaged from the lock keeper.

23. Apparatus according to claim 22, in which the apparatus includes an actuator, which may be electrically powered, which moves the lock member between the locked and the unlocked conditions.

24. Apparatus according to claim 7 or any claim dependent thereon, when dependent on claim 5, in which the controller is located remotely to the housing, and may be connected by signal communication means to the or each sensor(s) and/or the alarm indicator.

25. Apparatus according to claim 9 or any claim dependent thereon, when dependent on claim 5, in which the alarm indicator is located remotely to the housing, and may be connected by signal communication means to the or each sensor(s) and/or the timer and controller.

26. Apparatus according to claims 24 or 24, in which the signal communication means are wireless, or wired.

27. A method of receiving items into a receiving space, the method including providing letterbox apparatus, the apparatus including a closure member which, in use, is mounted in a letterbox opening and is movable between an open condition and a closed condition, the apparatus including a locking device which is movable between a locked condition in which the locking device locks the closure member in the closed condition and an unlocked condition in which the locking device permits the closure member to move between the open and closed conditions.

28. A method according to claim 27, in which the apparatus includes any of the features defined in any of claims 1 to 26.