Mobile parcel locker system

Abstract

Mobile parcel locker system (100), comprising several parcel compartments (21.1 ... 21.15) formed within a housing (10), each of which has at least one door (20.1 ... 20.15) connected to the housing (10) by at least one hinge (22) and equipped with an electric locking unit (24) by which the door (20.1 ... 20.15) can be locked and unlocked on the housing (10), and with means for moving the parcel locker system (100), characterized in that - that the housing (10) has at least one receiving compartment (16) for receiving at least parts of a pallet truck (200), which pallet truck (200) has a chassis (201) with forks (205), a set of rollers and a drawbar (203) articulated to the chassis (201), via which a lifting unit can be operated, via which the chassis (201) can be lifted relative to the set of rollers and - that the housing in the receiving compartment (16) has at least one pallet truck contact surface which is arranged and designed in such a way that it can be contacted by the raised chassis (201).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a mobile parcel locker system, with several parcel lockers formed within a housing, each of which has at least one door, each of which is connected to the housing via at least one hinge and is equipped with an electric locking unit by which the door can be locked and unlocked on the housing, and with means for moving the parcel locker system.

[0002] The distribution and delivery of parcels typically involves several partners in the process, from the moment the sender or recipient requests delivery until the recipient receives the parcel. These partners can include multiple couriers, postal services, or logistics providers. The process can also involve several handling steps, such as transporting, receiving, delivering, handing over, and storing the parcel. Parcel distribution and delivery are continuously being optimized to reduce storage time and manual handling. Distributing parcels via a parcel locker system allows the recipient to pick up their parcel at any chosen location at any time.

[0003] Large, fixed parcel locker systems with numerous compartments have a fixed capacity and cannot be deployed at short notice. Therefore, it is desirable to have mobile parcel locker systems available that can be set up near the fixed systems, for example, during special occasions such as Easter, Halloween, or Christmas, to increase capacity. Mobile parcel locker systems are also desirable for situations that are not needed year-round, but which, for example, allow recipients to collect their parcels independently for a limited period during festivals, trade fairs, or in holiday regions.

[0004] A mobile parcel locker system is known from EP 4 039 137 A1. It consists of a column-like, cuboid housing that also has a means of movement in the form of an axle with two wheels. To move it, the housing must be tilted backward, similar to a garbage can, so that it can be rolled on the wheels and moved. The size of the housing, and therefore the size and number of parcel compartments, are severely limited by this design, as its own weight must be such that the housing can only be tilted in the direction of the axle with the wheels. Furthermore, the center of gravity of the tilted housing must be kept above the axle during movement. Since the housing can be moved by anyone in this manner, additional theft protection is required by means of a connection to a fixed point on a building or similar structure, for example, via a chain or steel cable.

[0005] The object of the invention is to create a mobile parcel locker system that has a larger number of parcel lockers, is easy to move and is better protected against theft.

[0006] This task is solved by a mobile parcel locker system with the features of claim 1.

[0007] The mobile parcel locker system designed according to the invention is easy to relocate thanks to an integrated pallet truck system and simultaneously features comprehensive safety features. Mobility is achieved using a standard pallet truck, which can be permanently stored in a compartment within the housing.

[0008] The pallet truck makes it possible to move the entire mobile parcel locker system from the loading area of ​​a truck directly to the installation site using a lowering loading platform, without the need for lifting via other work machines.

[0009] As with large, stationary parcel locker systems, the mobile parcel locker system of the invention also provides a housing, in particular a cuboid shape, which includes a base, side walls and a lid, and in which the wide front and rear sides are equipped with parcel compartments, the doors of which can be electronically locked and unlocked via remote access and by means of an internal control unit.

[0010] Preferably, only parts of the pallet truck, such as the movable tiller, protrude from the housing, so that the pallet truck cannot be pulled out of the parcel station without dismantling cladding elements.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the pallet truck is only partially visible from the outside due to its largely concealed arrangement within the housing. Specifically, only a portion of the pallet truck is visible when looking through a tiller opening in a side wall, while the chassis and forks are concealed in a compartment in the base area below the parcel compartments and partially in a cavity behind the side wall. The contour of the tiller opening is therefore preferably smaller than the contour of the front part of the chassis, thus preventing unauthorized removal of the pallet truck.

[0012] It is advantageous if a tiller lock unit permanently attached to the housing secures the tiller in an upright position, thereby blocking the pallet truck against unauthorized use and protecting the parcel station from unauthorized movement.

[0013] To protect against theft and vandalism, it is advantageous to provide a robust hinge axis that extends over the entire height of the housing as a common hinge rod for stacked parcel compartments. This ensures rigid locking of one side edge of the doors, making it difficult to pry open individual hinges. The other side edge is engaged with the housing by an electric locking unit.

[0014] An exemplary embodiment of the invention and further advantageous configurations are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The figures show in detail: Fig. 1. A mobile parcel station in a perspective view from a slanted top view; Fig. 2. The mobile parcel station in a perspective view from a low angle; Fig. 3 the mobile parcel station from below; Fig. 4. The mobile parcel station in a side perspective view with some doors removed; and Fig. 5 the mobile parcel station in a side perspective view with partially removed doors and housing parts.

[0015] Fig. Figure 1 shows a mobile parcel station 100, which essentially consists of a housing 10, which in the illustrated embodiment is cuboid in shape. The housing 10 has a base 15, side walls 12 and 14, and a lid 11. Parcel compartments are formed on the wide front and rear sides, each closed by an outward-opening door 20.1 ... 20.15. Below the doors 20.1 ... 20.15 are narrow doors 25 of special access compartments, through which, for example, an emergency release can be accessed. All doors 20.1 ... 20.15 of the parcel compartments can be locked and unlocked electronically.

[0016] The housing 10 is partially open on one side wall 12 by a tiller opening 13. Parts of a pallet truck 200 protrude through the tiller opening 13. The pallet truck 200 has a tiller 203, which is pivotally connected to a chassis 201 with forks. By repeatedly raising and lowering the tiller 203, a lifting mechanism (not shown) in the pallet truck 200 is actuated, raising the chassis 201 relative to a set of rollers, of which a front double roller 202 is visible. The pallet truck 200 also has a handle 204, which incorporates an additional actuation button or lever to release the hydraulic pressure built up in the raised lifting unit by moving the tiller 203, thus lowering the chassis 201 again.

[0017] The chassis 201 of the pallet truck 200, with its forks (not visible here), is concealed in a compartment located in the area of ​​the base 15 below doors 20.1 to 20.15 and also partially within a cavity behind the side wall 12. The outline of the tiller opening 13 is smaller than the outline of the portion of the chassis 201 that protrudes upwards and is visible through the tiller opening 13. Therefore, the pallet truck 200 cannot be pulled out of the tiller opening 13.

[0018] To secure the lifting function of the pallet truck 200 against unauthorized operation, a tiller lock unit 30 is provided, which is firmly connected to the housing 10 and preferably has an electrically operated locking mechanism, so that the tiller 203 is firmly locked to the tiller lock unit 30 in the housing 10. Fig. The upright position shown in Figure 1 is held parallel to the side wall 12. For authorized personnel, the tiller lock unit 30 is remotely unlocked, releasing the tiller 203. Thus, the mobile parcel locker system 100 of the invention can only be moved by opening the tiller lock unit 30 and allowing the tiller 203 to move. Pumping movements with the tiller 203 then build up hydraulic pressure in the lifting unit to raise the chassis 201 relative to the roller set. Since the forks of the pallet truck 200 contact at least one pallet truck contact surface on the housing below the parcel lockers within their lifting range, the entire parcel locker system 100 can be lifted via the chassis 201 of the pallet truck 200 and then moved using the roller set of the pallet truck 200.

[0019] Once the parcel locker system 100 has arrived at its designated installation location, the hydraulic pressure in the lifting unit is released, causing the housing 10, resting on the chassis 201, to lower to the ground. The parcel locker system 100 can then be leveled using the adjusting screws 31.

[0020] The drawbar 203 is then firmly connected to the housing 10 via the drawbar locking unit 30, so that it can no longer be moved. The housing 100 stands firmly on the ground and is secured against unauthorized relocation simply by virtue of its considerable weight. Only by releasing the drawbar 203 from the drawbar locking unit 30 is it possible to lift and reposition the parcel locker system 100 using the pallet truck 200.

[0021] Fig. Figure 2 shows the parcel locker system 100 in a perspective view from a low angle, with the side wall 12 removed. It can be seen that the trapezoidal part of the chassis 201, projecting at the front, is positioned in an additional receiving compartment 19 between adapted parts of the housing 10. The fork tines 205, on the other hand, are fully inserted into the receiving compartment 16 formed in the area of ​​the base 15, below the parcel lockers. A further roller is arranged in recesses 207 in each of the fork tines 205, so that, together with the double roller 202 at the front, a roller set is formed which ensures statically determinate support of the chassis 201 on the ground.

[0022] Fig. Figure 3 shows the parcel locker system 100 with the pallet truck 200 from below. The receiving compartment 16 is laterally bounded by panels on the base 15 and at the rear end, facing the side wall 14, by a closing strut 17. The closing strut 17 is adapted to the length of the pallet truck, measured from the front of the chassis to the ends of the forks, in order to ensure the exact positioning of the pallet truck within the designated receiving compartments in the parcel locker system 100.

[0023] Fig. Figure 4 shows the mobile parcel handling system 100 in another perspective view from the side. The covers on the base 15 have been removed to allow a view into the receiving compartment 16. The doors of parcel compartments 21.10 and 21.13 have also been removed. This allows a view into an empty parcel compartment 21.10, which is separated from another arrangement of parcel compartments on the rear of the housing 10 by a rear partition and is further separated from the adjacent parcel compartments by upper, lower, and side partitions.

[0024] At the in Fig. On the right side of parcel compartment 21.10, two hinges 22 are provided for the door, which are attached to a hinge rod 23. The hinge rod 23 extends over the entire height of the parcel compartments arranged one above the other in the left column. On the left side of parcel compartment 21.10, an electronic locking unit 24 is connected to the housing 10, by means of which the door of parcel compartment 21.10 can be locked and unlocked.

[0025] The parcel compartment 21.13 located below is similarly designed, but is not intended for inserting parcels. Rather, it is inaccessible to general customer access, as it permanently houses a control and power supply unit 50.

[0026] Fig. Figure 5 shows the parcel locker system 100 again in a side perspective view with the pallet truck 200 included. In this case, the cover has been removed to reveal further details of the housing 10. In this view, the upper right door of parcel locker 21.3 and all doors in the middle column of stacked parcel lockers 21.2 ... 21.14 have also been removed. This reveals that the hinge axis 23 extends from the base 15 over the entire height into the Fig.5. The exposed area extends below the cover. This has the advantage of providing a rigid connection between the respective right-hand side edges of all doors 20.1, ..., 20.15 and the housing 10. This makes it more difficult to pry off individual hinges 22 by applying force, as the common hinge axis 23 is supported over its entire height. A solid connection to the housing is established at the respective left-hand side edge of each door 20.1, ..., 20.15 via the electric locking unit 24, thus providing a high level of protection against theft and vandalism. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 4 039 137 A1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Mobile parcel locker system (100), comprising several parcel lockers (21.1 ... 21.15) formed within a housing (10), each of which has at least one door (20.1 ... 20.15) connected to the housing (10) by at least one hinge (22) and equipped with an electric locking unit (24) by which the door (20.1 ... 20.15) can be locked and unlocked on the housing (10), and with means for moving the parcel locker system (100), characterized by , - that the housing (10) has at least one receiving compartment (16) for receiving at least parts of a pallet truck (200), which pallet truck (200) has a chassis (201) with forks (205), a set of rollers and a drawbar (203) articulated to the chassis (201), via which a lifting unit can be operated, via which the chassis (201) can be lifted relative to the set of rollers and - that the housing in the receiving compartment (16) has at least one pallet truck contact surface which is arranged and designed in such a way that it can be contacted by the raised chassis (201). [2] Mobile parcel locker system (100) according to claim 1, characterized by : - that the housing (10) comprises a base (15), a lid (11) and a side wall (12); - that part of the receiving compartment (16) in the base (15) is designed to receive (16) the fork tines (205) and parts of the chassis (201) of the pallet truck (200), and - that an additional receiving compartment (19) for a further part of the chassis (201) is formed between a side wall (12) and the parcel compartments (21.1 ... 21.15). [3] Mobile parcel locker system (100) according to claim 2, characterized by, that the side wall (12) towards the additional receiving compartment (19) is opened by a drawbar pass-through recess (13) through which the drawbar (203) can be positioned outside the housing (10), while the chassis (201) with the fork tines (205) is located in the receiving compartment (16). [4] Mobile parcel locker system (100) according to claim 3, characterized by , that the tiller (203) of the pallet truck (200) can be locked in an upright position on the housing (10) by means of a tiller lock unit (30). [5] Mobile parcel locker system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the doors (20.1 ... 20.15) of several stacked parcel compartments (21.1 ... 21.15) are connected to the housing (10) via hinges (22) with a common hinge axis (23), [6] Mobile parcel locker system (100) according to claim 5, characterized by, that each hinge axis (23) extends over all the parcel compartments (21.1 ... 21.15) lying one above the other in the housing (10). [7] Mobile parcel locker system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one threaded receptacle with an adjusting screw (31) for leveling the parcel locker system (100) is provided on the housing (10). [8] Mobile parcel locker system (100) according to claim 7 characterized by , that at least one adjusting screw (31) is provided at each of the four corners of a rectangular base (15).

Images