Smart Mailbox

Abstract

An adjustable and lockable mailbox includes a body; a door affixed to a front portion of the body, the door having a mail slot; a platform positioned below the body, the platform providing horizontal movement of the body; a vertical telescopic post attached to the body, the vertical telescopic post providing vertical movement of the body; and a lock mechanism inside the body to secure the door to the body. The mailbox also may include at least one solar panel and/or a battery/electronic box affixed to the body to power the lock mechanism, the platform, and/or the vertical telescopic post. The interior of the body may be watertight when the door is in a closed position. The mailbox may include a camera and/or remote locking.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/718,378 filed Apr. 12, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to mailboxes, and more particularly to lockable and adjustable mailboxes.

BACKGROUND

Mailboxes in rural areas typically include a vertical post and a horizontal bar that support the mailbox in a fixed position. The mailbox compartment is accessed through the door by flipping the door down. These rural mailboxes may be mounted or positioned at a distance from a home/business where it is difficult to identify whether tampering with incoming mail has occurred. A lock on the door to the mailbox compartment can restrict access to the mailbox to a person with a key to the lock, but this can be inefficient for the mail carrier. Further, in rural areas, the mail carrier may be tasked with delivery of packages that may not fit in traditional mailboxes. Also, because mail delivery in rural areas may be performed in vehicles of various types, the height and positioning of the vertical post and horizontal bar of the mailboxes may result in the mail carrier needing to exit the vehicle to deliver mail or packages.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide an adjustable and lockable mailbox comprising a body; a door affixed to a front portion of the body, the door having a mail slot; a platform positioned below the body, the platform providing horizontal movement of the body; a vertical telescopic post attached to the body, the vertical telescopic post providing vertical movement of the body; and a lock mechanism inside the body to secure the door to the body. The mailbox also may include at least one solar panel and/or a battery/electronic box affixed to the body to power the lock mechanism, the platform, and/or the vertical telescopic post. The interior of the body may be watertight when the door is in a closed position. The mailbox may include a camera that may allow a mail recipient associated with the mailbox to monitor access to the mailbox. The lock mechanism may provide remote locking for a mail recipient associated with the mailbox to selectively permit access to the mailbox.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A-1B depict a mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A-2B depict a mailbox with an open door showing an internal lock mechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3A-3D depict telescopic height adjustment for a mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4A-4B depict horizontal movement for a mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 depicts a solar panel and battery/electronic box for a mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 depicts a ball detent latch mechanism for a mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A depicts a mail slot for a mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7B depicts a cover for a mail slot for a mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 depicts a hand pull for manual operation of a mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 9A-9F depict another mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 depicts a further mailbox structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 depicts another mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 depicts a horizontal slide mechanism for a mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 depicts another view of a horizontal slide mechanism for a mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 depicts a bottom view of a horizontal slide mechanism for a mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 depicts a view of a mailbox in an open position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 depicts a side view of a mailbox in an open position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 17-20 depict views of a horizontal slide mechanism for a mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 depicts a top opening mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 depicts a bottom view of a top opening mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 depicts an interior view of a top opening mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 24-25 depict a top opening mailbox mounted to a solid mount according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 26-29 depicts a mount for a top opening mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 30 depicts a back view of a top opening mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 31-33 depict a top opening mailbox attached to a front opening mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a smart mailbox, such as a lockable and adjustable mailbox, particularly for use in rural areas. The mailbox according to embodiments of the present disclosure may allow the mailbox to be secure while receiving mail and packages of various shapes and sizes. Accordingly, the mailbox may be used to receive as many different types of boxes and/or packages in embodiments of the present disclosure. The mailbox according to embodiments of the present disclosure also may be adjustable, whether horizontally, telescopically, or both horizontally and telescopically, to allow for mail delivery to be performed in vehicles of various types, without requiring the mail carrier to exit his/her vehicle. This adjustability also may enable a mail recipient associated with the mailbox to access his/her mail or packages in various types of vehicles without requiring the recipient to exit the vehicle.

More specifically, the mailbox according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be horizontally adjustable so that the entire mailbox may be pulled forward to allow for easier access to the door of the mailbox, such as when the mail carrier or mail recipient is in his/her vehicle. The mailbox may then be pushed back to its original position after it has been accessed in embodiments of the present disclosure. The mailbox also may be telescopic so that it may be adjusted in a vertical direction depending on the needs of the mail carrier and/or recipient. It also should be appreciated that the mailbox may default to a standard postal setting in embodiments of the present disclosure.

It should be appreciated that a mailbox according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided in a size and shape to accommodate as many types of boxes as desired. The mailbox may be watertight. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the mailbox may be outfitted with a camera to allow the mail recipient associated with the mailbox to monitor access to the mailbox. It should be appreciated that the camera may be positioned inside or outside the mailbox without departing from the present disclosure. At least one motion sensor may be provided in connection with the mailbox in embodiments of the present disclosure, and it should be appreciated that the motion sensor may be adjusted for sensitivity, such as to detect when the door of the mailbox has been opened or has been tampered with in some manner. The mailbox according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include remote locking so that the mail recipient associated with the mailbox may selectively permit access to the mailbox. There also may be embodiments where the mail carrier may lock the mailbox when mail and/or packages have been delivered. It should be appreciated that features such as remote locking and adjustability may be manual or electronic in embodiments of the present disclosure. The mailbox according to embodiments of the present disclosure also may include a solar panel.

FIG. 1A depicts mailbox 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Mailbox 10 may include body 101 having door 102 with mail slot 103 disposed within door 102. FIG. 1B depicts cover 108 which may be provided over mail slot 103 in embodiments of the present disclosure. Body 101 may be movable in a horizontal direction using platform 107, which may be positioned under and glidably attached to body 101. However, it should be appreciated that other mechanisms for attachment between body 101 and platform 107 may be provided without departing from the present disclosure. Vertical post 106 may be attached either directly to body 101 or to body 101 via platform 107 and may be mounted to the ground or other surface. It should be appreciated that vertical post 106 may be telescopic so that body 101 may be adjusted in a vertical direction according to embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 1B depicts a reverse telescopic vertical post. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, mailbox 10 may include solar panel 105 and battery/electronic box 104 to power components of mailbox 10 including, but not limited to, internal lock mechanism and/or adjustment mechanisms via vertical post 106 and/or platform 107. It should be appreciated that the solar panel and battery/electronic box may act as a counterweight to keep the horizontal mechanism balanced and not falling out of the mailbox. While battery/electronic box 104 is depicted herein, it should be appreciated that other mechanism may be used to power components of mailbox 10 including, but not limited to, AC or DC power. It also should be appreciated that mailbox 10 may be tied into or connected with a wireless communication system associated with a house or other structure, such as Wi-Fi. Such a connection may enable control of smart features of mailbox 10. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, an outdoor extender may be provided for use with mailbox 10 to allow for use of Wi-Fi with the house or other structure even when separated by distance.

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict mailbox 10 with door 102 in an open position showing internal lock mechanism 201 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that internal lock mechanism 201 may provide for remote locking in embodiments of the present disclosure. Internal lock mechanism 201 may be positioned within door 102. It should be appreciated that internal lock mechanism 201 may be provided in different formats, whether manual, mechanical, electronic, and/or magnetic, in embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the latch may be physically locked once a package or mail has been delivered so that no power may be needed to keep the mailbox locked until the mail recipient opens.

A bridge lattice structure, or other similar type of tight structure, may be provided within mailbox 10 for additional security. This lattice structure may provide flexibility for the mailbox while also providing rigidness. The lattice structure may be formed of reinforced plastic in an embodiment of the present disclosure; however, other materials that provide flexibility and rigidness may be utilized without departing from the present disclosure. While FIGS. 2A-2B depict a bridge lattice structure on door 102 and the inner walls of mailbox 10, there may be other embodiments where a bridge lattice structure may be employed in other parts of mailbox 10. Also, as will be described in more detail with respect to FIGS. 3A-3B, FIGS. 2A and 2B depict different configurations for telescopic height adjustment.

FIGS. 3A-3D depict telescopic height adjustment of vertical post 106 for a mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3A depicts telescopic height adjustment in a vertical direction. More specifically, FIG. 3A(I) depicts vertical post 106A at a first (lowest) height, FIG. 3A(II) depicts vertical post 106B at a second (middle) height, and FIG. 3A(III) depicts vertical post 106C at a third (highest) height. While three heights are depicted herein, it should be appreciated that more or fewer heights may be provided for vertical post 106 without departing from the present disclosure. FIG. 3B depicts two-dimensional telescopic height adjustment in a vertical direction for a mailbox. Similar to FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B(I) depicts the vertical post at a first (lowest) height, FIG. 3B(II) depicts the vertical post at a second (middle) height, and FIG. 3B(III) depicts the vertical post at a third (highest) height. FIGS. 3C-3D depict telescopic height adjustment of the vertical post in an opposite direction.

FIGS. 4A-4B depict horizontal movement via a platform of a mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. More specifically, FIG. 4A(I) depicts platform 107A at a first position, and FIG. 4A(II) depicts platform 107B at a second position. Similar to FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B(I) depicts the platform at a first position, and FIG. 4B(II) depicts the platform at a second position. While two positions are depicted for the platform in FIGS. 4A-4B, it should be appreciated that more or fewer positions for the platform may be provided without departing from the present disclosure. Also, while FIGS. 4A-4B depict one configuration of telescopic height adjustment, it should be appreciated that the telescopic movement may be reversed, such as in FIG. 2B, without departing from the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts solar panel 105 and battery/electronic box 104 for a mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A mailbox may include solar panel 105 and battery/electronic box 104 so as to power components of a mailbox including, but not limited to, internal lock mechanism (FIG. 2) and/or adjustment mechanisms via vertical post 106 and/or platform 107 (FIG. 1).

FIG. 6 depicts a ball detent latch mechanism for a mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that the latch mechanism may be provided in different forms including, but not limited to, a screw or chain, without departing from the present disclosure.

FIG. 7A depicts mail slot 103 for a mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As described with respect to FIG. 1, mail slot 103 may be positioned on a door on the body of the mailbox. Mail slot 103 may be large enough to receive mail such as letters, advertisements, and the like, particularly when the mailbox may be locked, and the door is unable to be opened. It should be appreciated that mail slot 103 may be provided to enable delivery of mail even when the body of the mailbox is otherwise locked. FIG. 7B depicts cover 108 that may be positioned over the mail slot. Cover 108 may be presented, such as for weather protection; however, cover 108 also may be utilized as a pull handle to open and close the mailbox in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts hand pull 801 for manual operation of a mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that hand pull 801 may be used to pull the platform forward in embodiments of the present disclosure; however, hand pull 801 may be used for other operations of the mailbox without departing from the present disclosure.

While a standard mailbox having a vertical post is depicted, for example, in FIGS. 1A-1B, it should be appreciated that other mailbox structures may be employed without departing from the present disclosure. FIGS. 9A-9F depict another mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As depicted in FIG. 9A, a structure, such as a brick structure, may be configured to receive a smart mailbox. While a brick structure is depicted in FIG. 9A, it should be appreciated that other materials may be employed to form the structure without departing from the present disclosure. FIG. 9B depicts how the smart mailbox may be moved in a horizontal direction. FIG. 9C depicts a slide mechanism positioned within the structure to move the smart mailbox in a horizontal direction. FIG. 9D depicts the smart mailbox having an outer enclosure with a lattice bridge structure when the mailbox has been moved in a horizontal direction. FIG. 9E depicts a removable assembly and repair cap for a mailbox slide enclosure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 9F depicts another view of the mailbox slide enclosure.

FIG. 10 depicts a further mailbox structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As depicted herein, a smart mailbox may be provided in a stackable structure, such as for use within an apartment building or an office building. However, there may be other embodiments of the present disclosure where the stackable structure or even a single smart mailbox may be mounted to a wall within an apartment building or an office building.

FIG. 11 depicts another mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 depicts a horizontal slide mechanism for a mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 depicts another view of a horizontal slide mechanism for a mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 depicts a bottom view of a horizontal slide mechanism for a mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 15 depicts a view of a mailbox in an open position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 16 depicts a side view of a mailbox in an open position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 17-20 depict views of a horizontal slide mechanism for a mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

It should be appreciated that a mailbox according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be formed through injection molding or forming of flat parts into a desired shape. A mailbox according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include integral triangulated bracing and a smooth flat floor. A mailbox according to embodiments of the present disclosure may use electric servos to raise and lower itself from remote locations to adjust for different vehicle heights. Using two parallel bars, integral slides of a horizontal slide mechanism may glide back and forward never allowing rotational movements in embodiments of the present disclosure.

The mailbox according to embodiments of the present disclosure may not relocate from the street; it may remain on the side of the road. The mailbox may allow for easy access to a driver with a horizontal movement. This horizontal movement may be made either manually or with electric servos to reach out farther, horizontally into the road, all with integral slides. The mailbox may adjust in real time to allow users to adjust horizontal position while in their vehicles for ease to access the contents of the mailbox. Movements on the mailbox may be controlled by remote, or smartphone, or have a manual movement ability in embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 depicts a top opening mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. This mailbox can be used in conjunction with standard mailbox, alone, or with a front opening mailbox. This mailbox may use a permanent concrete pillar mount. FIG. 22 depicts a bottom view of a top opening mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 23 depicts an interior view of a top opening mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. This embodiment may include a solid integral mount system with a triangulated lattice structure. FIGS. 24-25 depict a top opening mailbox mounted to a solid mount according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 24 depicts a permanent concrete pillar mount with a box moved to the side, and FIG. 25 depicts a permanent concrete pillar mount with lid shut. FIGS. 26-30 depicts a mount for a top opening mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It may be clamped to a round mount pole for a standard mailbox as depicted in FIG. 26. FIG. 27 depicts clamped to a round mount pole for a standard mailbox with a top opening box installed. FIGS. 28-29 depict clamped to a square mount pole for a standard mailbox with a top opening box installed. FIG. 30 depicts a back view of a top opening mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. This view depicts an integral power container and reinforced integral hinge system. FIGS. 31-33 depict a top opening mailbox attached to a front opening mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

A mailbox according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a built-in delivery scanner, allowing a delivery service to scan items after the delivery, to provide proof of delivery. There also may be an additional box mount with top opening. This may allow delivery service to deliver large packages via delivery vehicle or drone without exiting the vehicle. The mailbox may have an automatic opening/closing top.

Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

Claims

1. An adjustable and lockable mailbox comprising:

a body;

a door affixed to a front portion of the body, the door having a mail slot;

a cover over the mail slot, wherein the cover is capable of operating as a handle;

a horizontal sliding platform positioned below and glidably attached to the body, the platform having a slide mechanism providing selective horizontal movement of the body to a plurality of non-predetermined positions;

a vertical telescopic post attached to the body, the vertical telescopic post providing vertical movement of the body; and

a lock mechanism inside the body to secure the door to the body.

2. The mailbox of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one solar panel affixed to the body to power the lock mechanism, the horizontal sliding platform, and/or the vertical telescopic post.

3. The mailbox of claim 1 further comprising:

a battery/electronic box affixed to the body to power the lock mechanism, the horizontal sliding platform, and/or the vertical telescopic post.

4. The mailbox of claim 1 further comprising:

a camera integrally mounted with the mailbox that allows a mail recipient associated with the mailbox to monitor access to the mailbox.

5. The mailbox of claim 1, wherein the lock mechanism provides remote locking for a mail recipient associated with the mailbox to selectively permit access to the mailbox.

6. The mailbox of claim 1, wherein the mailbox is provided in stackable form for use with an apartment or office building.

7. The mailbox of claim 1, wherein the mailbox is provided for insertion in a structure.

8. An adjustable and lockable mailbox comprising:

a body;

a door affixed to a front portion of the body, the door having a mail slot;

a horizontal sliding platform positioned below and glidably attached to the body, the platform having a slide mechanism providing selective horizontal movement of the body to a plurality of non-predetermined positions; and

a lock mechanism inside the body to secure the door to the body.

9. The mailbox of claim 9 further comprising:

a vertical telescopic post attached to the body, the vertical telescopic post providing vertical movement of the body through power of an adjustment mechanism.

10. The mailbox of claim 9, wherein an interior portion of the body has a bridge lattice structure.

11. The mailbox of claim 9, wherein the mailbox is provided in stackable form for use with an apartment or office building.

12. The mailbox of claim 9, wherein the mailbox is provided for insertion in a structure.

13. The mailbox of claim 9 further comprising:

a cover over the mail slot, wherein the cover is capable of operating as a handle.

14. An adjustable and lockable mailbox comprising:

a body;

a door affixed to a front portion of the body, the door having a mail slot;

a cover over the mail slot, wherein the cover is capable of operating as a handle;

a horizontal sliding platform positioned below and glidably attached to the body, the platform having a slide mechanism providing selective horizontal movement of the body to a plurality of non-predetermined positions;

a vertical telescopic post attached to the body, the vertical telescopic post providing vertical movement of the body;

at least one solar panel and a battery/electronic box affixed to the body to power the lock mechanism, the horizontal sliding platform, and/or the vertical telescopic post, wherein the at least one solar panel and the battery/electronic box provide a counterweight to balance the horizontal sliding platform; and

a lock mechanism inside the body to secure the door to the body.