A delivery box for attachment to a surface

Abstract

A delivery box (200, Figure5) attachment means (100, Figure 1B) for connection through an aperture (310, Figure2) comprises: one substantially L-shaped plate 10 with first portion(s) 11, receiving one

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an attachment means for a delivery box that is fitted through an aperture on a surface, in particular an attachment means for use to fit a delivery box to a door using the aperture provided by a letterbox. Background Most households or commercial premises have a letterbox to receive standard sized letters. For security, and to minimise heat loss from a premises, letterboxes do not tend to be large enough to receive parcels. In order to be able to receive a parcel when not at home or at work a delivery box may be provided at an external location, however not all premises have a space for a separate delivery box. This means that parcels are often dropped on doorstep, unsecured and open to elements and theft. Some collection cages and bags are arranged to fit behind a door to collect letters and prevent access, for example, to pets while an owner is out, but the door may require modification to permit secure fixing, such as making holes through the door. However, this is often not possible or desirable on all doors such as doors with glazing. The present invention provides an attachment means that allows easy connection of a delivery box to an aperture on a surface. Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a delivery box attachment means for connection through an aperture on a surface comprising: at least one substantially L-shaped plate with one or more first portion for receipt through the aperture and one or more second portion for connecting to a delivery box; the one or more first portion has a first end that receives at least one locking member that is releasably connected and locked to the first portion by a locking mechanism after it has been inserted through the aperture; and the locking member has at least a part that is wider than the aperture to prevent the locking member from passing through the aperture. In this way a delivery box for receiving items can be securely attached to a surface, such as to a door or wall with an aperture by arrangement of part of the attachment means through an aperture and part of the attachment means connecting to a delivery box. Preferably the attachment means may be used through a letterbox in a door, meaning that no modification is required to an existing door with a letterbox. Advantageously the attachment means is shaped and dimensioned so that when using an aperture that is letterbox, the letterbox can still be used for small mail, such as letters and the delivery box may be used only for large items. In a preferred embodiment the at least one substantially L-shaped plate is a flat sheet of metal formed from one piece, with a substantially 90° bend to create the L-shape. The first portion passes through an aperture in the surface (door or wall) and has a first end that is connected to the locking member by a locking mechanism. The second portion of the L-shaped plate extends down and adjacent to the surface and has a second end for connection the delivery box. In some embodiments the at least one substantially L-shaped plate may be formed from two or more parts that are connected to create the L-shaped plate. This may allow for the parts to be stored in a more compact way and only assembled to the L-shaped configuration when in use. In some embodiments two or more substantially L-shaped plates may be provide for connection to a delivery box on a first face of the surface and to a locking member on a second opposed face of the surface. In this way a continuous plate is not required meaning that less material is required and the plates may be lighter weight. In a preferred embodiment the attachment means comprises two L-shaped plates formed from metal sheet that are connected to the box so that two parts extend through the aperture. Ideally each first portion passes through at an edge of the aperture, for example at each end of a letterbox slot. The L-shape allows the second portion of the plate(s) to sit closely to a vertical surface such as a door or wall and the first portion to rest on a wall of the aperture that passes horizontally through the surface. This shaping enables the plate to be fitted so that movement of the delivery box when fitted is minimised and so that it is possible to prevent the delivery box being pulled or forced away from the surface for enhanced security. It is appreciated that the bend is described as being substantially 90 degrees, as in most cases the bend will be provided at this angle, but the angle may be varied slightly to accommodate the surface, and / or to position the delivery box, or the locking member at an angle with respect to the door or wall. In some embodiments the at least one substantially L-shaped plate may be permanently attached to the delivery box so that there is no requirement to connect the plate to the delivery box to the surface, only for part of the L-shaped plate to be passed through the aperture or securing to the locking member. The plate may be attached to the delivery box by being received through a wall of the delivery box and secured by a securement means of the plate may be connected to an exterior of the delivery box. For example, in some embodiments the L-shaped plate may include a prong that passes through the wall of the delivery box and is secured therein. In an alternative embodiment the L-shaped plate(s) may extend along the exterior surface of the back and base of the delivery box so that the plate(s) is partially located under the base of the delivery box providing a strong and supportive connection. The locking member attaches on an opposed face of the surface so that part of the attachment means is arranged on a first face of the surface and part of the attachment means is on a second opposed face of the surface. Taking the example of a front door, the second portion of the plate is provided on an outer face of the door for connection to the delivery box, the first portion passes through the letterbox, and the end of the first portion engages with the locking member on the inner face of the door. The first end of each first portion is adapted to connect with the locking member. The plate and locking member releasably connect so that the locking member can be connected to and removed from the end of the first portion. In some embodiments more than one locking member may be provided, so that a separate locking member connects to each first portion. The locking member has at least a part that is wider than the aperture to prevent the locking member from passing through the aperture. In this way the attachment means cannot be pulled back through the aperture once the locking member is fitted and as the locking member is on the opposed face of the surface to the delivery box, this acts as a security feature as it is not possible to tamper with the locking member or locking mechanism from the face of the surface with the delivery box. In a preferred embodiment the locking member is a bar with a slot for receiving the first end(s) of the first portion(s). When the attachment means is fitted through a letterbox, preferably the bar has a width that is wider than that of the aperture to prevent removal, and ideally the height of the bar is less than the height of the aperture so that post can still be accepted through the letterbox. It is appreciated that in some embodiments the locking member(s) may have fingers and that extend beyond the dimensions of the aperture. The locking mechanism is used to lock the plate(s) and locking member(s) together after an end of the first portion of the plate has passed through the aperture. In a preferred embodiment the locking mechanism includes a pin (or pins) that is received through or to a locking location provided on the first portion. In this way when the pin is engaged with a locking location the locking member is connected to the plate. Preferably the first portion has a plurality of locking locations that can be selectively engaged with the pin of the locking mechanism. In this way the position of the locking member on the first portion and / or point of connection can be varied depending on the surface, allowing the attachment means to be used on a variety of different surfaces. In a preferred embodiment the locations are arranged in a row along that same axis that the first end and locking member connect so that a user can select a locking location that corresponds to the thickness of the surface such as the door or wall through which the aperture passes. The row of locking locations enables incremental adjustment to the surface thickness so that the attachment means become clamped adjacent to opposed faces of the surface. In a preferred embodiment the locking mechanism includes a sprung plunger or plungers for engaging and displacing the pin. In this way a user can pull the plunger to withdraw the pin into the locking member and release the plunger to allow the pin to project from the locking member and engage with a locking location. The second portion of the plate has a connection means for connecting to the delivery box. The connection means enables the delivery box to be removably connected to the attachment means. In a preferred embodiment the connection means is a lip that projects away from the surface in use and is received through a wall of the delivery box. The delivery box is adapted to connect to the lip so that the delivery box is locked to the attachment means and cannot be removed without authorised access. Preferably the connection means includes at least one security feature so that once connected, unauthorised removal is not possible. This may be achieved by a lock that prevents removal of the delivery box without a key, code, or biometric authentication. For example the lip may include a hole that a padlock or pin can be arranged through to lock the lip to a part of the delivery box. In a preferred embodiment a back internal surface of the delivery box has a body with a pin on a sprung plunger. The pin is arranged to correspond with and to be received by a hole on the lip of the second portion, so that the attachment means becomes connected to the delivery box. As the pin and sprung plunger are within the delivery box, the delivery box can only be removed by an authorised user who can access within the box. In some embodiments the access to unlock the connection means from the delivery box may only be accessible when the delivery box is removed from the surface by removing the locking member from the first end of the plate, or alternatively or additionally the opening for receiving items to the delivery box may be configured so that the connection means cannot be accessed through the opening and can only be reached through a separate area that has a different secure access such as a key, code or biometric authentication. Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1A shows a front perspective exploded view of an embodiment of the delivery box attachment means; Figure 1B shows a front perspective view of the attachment means; Figure 1C shows a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the attachment means; Figure 1D shows a bottom perspective view of the attachment means without the second sprung plunger and pin; Figure 2 shows a front perspective view of the attachment means fitted to a surface; Figure 3 shows a top front perspective view of the attachment means connected to a surface; Figure 4 shows a front perspective view of the attachment means with the L-shaped portion received through an aperture in the surface and the locking member not yet connected; Figure 5 shows a top, front perspective view of the of the attachment means connected to the delivery box on a surface; Figure 6 shows a top, rear perspective view of the of the attachment means connected to the delivery box on a surface; Figure 7 shows a front view of the attachment means connected to the delivery box on a surface; Figure 8 shows a rear view of the attachment means connected to the delivery box on a surface; Figure 9 shows a left view of the attachment means connected to the delivery box on a surface; Figure 10 shows a right view of the attachment means connected to the delivery box on a surface; Figure 11 shows a front perspective view of the attachment means connected to the delivery box; Figure 12 shows a rear perspective view of the attachment means connected to the delivery box Figure 13 shows a front view of the attachment means connected to the delivery box; Figure 14 shows a rear view of the attachment means connected to the delivery box; Figure 15 shows a left view of the attachment means connected to the delivery box; Figure 16 shows a right view of the attachment means connected to the delivery box; Figure 17A shows a second embodiment of an L-shaped plate; Figure 17B shows a third embodiment of a substantially L-shaped plate; Figure 18 shows an example of a connection between a delivery box and an L-shaped plate; and Figure 19 shows a perspective view of a delivery box with the door open. Detailed Description of Figures Figures 1 to 16 show a preferred embodiment of a delivery box attachment means 100 that is shown connected to a surface 300 in Figures 2, 3 and 4 and shown connected to a delivery box 200 and a surface in Figures 5 to 10 and connected to only a delivery box 200 in Figures 11 to 16. The delivery box attachment means 100 enables connection through an aperture 310 on a surface 300. The aperture 310 may be a letterbox on a door or through a wall. The pictured attachment means 100 has one L-shaped plate 10 with a first portion 11 for receipt through the aperture (not shown) and a second portion 15 for connecting to a delivery box 200. The plate 10 is a flat sheet of metal with a 90° bend that separates the first and second portions 11, 15. The first portion 11 receives a locking member 20 that is releasably connected and locked to the first portion 11 by a locking mechanism 30 after it has been inserted through the aperture 300. The locking member 20 of the pictured embodiment is intended for use on a traditional letterbox in a door and is a rectangular block that is wider than the letterbox to which it is fitted to prevent the locking member 20 from passing through the letterbox. The first portion 11 rests upon a bottom wall of the letterbox so that the locking member 20 is seated along a lower part of the letterbox. This arrangement means that access through the letterbox is still permitted when the delivery box 200 is fitted using the attachment means 100. The second portion 15 of the L-shaped plate is adjacent to a front face 301 of the surface 300 against which the delivery box 200 is mounted. A back face of the delivery box 200 has a bumper strip 220 (see Figure 9) which contacts the surface 300 to prevent damage to the surface and to compensate for the depth of the attachment means 100 that spaces the box 200 slightly away from the surface 300. In this way movement of the delivery box 200 and associated damage, such as rubbing the surface 300 is minimised. The locking member 20 has a slot 21 into which the first portion 11 is inserted and held by the locking mechanism 30. The locking mechanism 30 is a sprung pin 31 provided on the locking member 20 that is selectively engaged with one of a plurality of locking locations 12 on the first portion 11. The first portion 11 has a row of locking locations 12 so that the pin 31 can be adjusted to a locking location 12 in which the second portion 12 and the locking member 20 engage with opposite parallel faces 301, 302 of the surface 300. The locking locations 12 are a series of indentations that are shaped and dimensions to receive a tip of the sprung pin 31. The sprung pin 31 is connected to a plunger handle 32 that projects from the locking member 20 so that a user can hold, pull, and release the plunger handle 32 to engage and disengage the sprung pin 31. The sprung pin 31 is arranged on a spring (not shown) that is biased to hold the pin 31 in a projected orientation, so that the spring must be compressed by pulling the handle 32 to disengage the pin 31 with a locking location 12. In Figure 1D the underside of the first portion 11 is shown with the row of locking locations 12. The locking locations 12 are created by a raised a lowered surface, with lowered regions that receive the distal end of the pin 31 and raised positions that prevent engagement of the pin. The second portion 15 has a lip 16 with a connection means 17 that is a hole which is used to connect with the delivery box 200. The hole 17 is aligned with a part on the delivery box and a second locking mechanism 40 is provided to connect the attachment means 100 with the delivery box 200. In the pictured embodiments the second locking mechanism 40 is a second sprung pin 41 with a plunger handle 42. In use the second locking mechanism 40 is provided on the delivery box 200 for engaging with the hole 17, or the second locking mechanism may be a standalone part that is connected in use, in a similar way in which a padlock may be connected. It is appreciated that a padlock may be an alternative locking mechanism. In Figures 1 to 4 the second locking mechanism 40 is shown positioned at the hole 17 to indicate location when the second locking mechanism 40 and connection means 17 are engaged together. It is appreciated that the second locking mechanism 40 that engages with a hole 17 may be mounted on part of the delivery box 200. The lip 16 extends perpendicular with respect to the plane of the second portion 15 and thereby the surface. The lip 16 passes through a channel 210 (see Figure 14) in delivery box 200 and a connection means is used to lock the lip 16 and thereby the attachment means 100 to the delivery box 200. The order of assembling the attachment means 100 and delivery box 200 to a surface 300 may vary depending on many factors such as location, times of use, user choice, availability of access. In the pictured embodiment 100 the lip 16 may either be attached to the delivery box 200 first and then the first portion of the attachment means 11 passed through the aperture 310 and fixed to the locking member 20. Or alternatively the attachment means 100 may be fitted through the aperture 310 first with the locking member 20 being connected to the first portion 11, and then the delivery box 200 is connected to the lip 16. Figures 17A and 17B show two alternative embodiments of the L-shaped plate 10. Figure 17A shows a plate 10 formed from two parts 10A, 10B. The two parts 10A, 10B are joined together by fasteners 13. In this configuration the plate parts 10A, 10B can be packed into a more compact space when not in use. The fastener 13 connects the parts and may be a threaded bolt or grub screw received to a threaded hole. In Figure 17B the plate 10 is single part with two spaced apart first portions 11, two spaced apart second portions 15 joined by a beam 18, and two lips 16 that are received into a delivery box. The plate 10 is formed from a flat sheet of material in an H-shape. In this embodiment the plate 10 is not a complete sheet, therefore requiring less material and being lighter weight. Figure 18 shows diagrammatic representation of another embodiment of a plate 10 that does not have a lip. The plate 10 is L-shaped and is connected to the delivery box 200 by connectors 230. Figure 19 shows and example of the delivery box 200 that is connected to the attachment means in use. The delivery box 200 has a door 240 with a key operated lock 250. A displaceable lid 260 is provided for receipt of parcels. Although not shown in the drawings, it is appreciated that the lid may also have a lock, or that the lid may permit access to a first cavity that has a one way access to a second cavity that can only be accessed by an authorised user so that only an authorised user can retrieve a parcel. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

4Claims1. A delivery box attachment means for connection through an aperture on a surface comprising: at least one substantially L-shaped plate with one or more first portion for receipt through the aperture and one or more second portion for connecting to a delivery box; the one or more first portion has a first end that passes through the aperture and is inserted through a slot on one or more locking member to releasably connect and lock the first portion and locking member together by a locking mechanism wherein the locking member has at least a part that is wider than the aperture to prevent the locking member from passing through the aperture.

2. A delivery box attachment means according to claim 1 wherein the locking mechanism includes a pin that is extendable into the slot and is received to a locking location provided on the first portion to lock the plate to each locking member.

3. A delivery box attachment means according to claim 2 wherein the first portion has a plurality of locking locations that can be selectively engaged with the pin of the locking mechanism.

4. A delivery box attachment means according to claim 3 wherein the locking locations are arranged in a row so that a user can select a locking location that corresponds to the thickness of the surface through which the aperture passes.

5. A delivery box attachment means according to any preceding claim wherein the pin has a handle.

6. A delivery box attachment means according to any preceding claim wherein the pin is sprung for engaging and displacing the pin.

7. A delivery box attachment means according to any preceding claim wherein the second portion has a connection means for connecting to the delivery box.

8. A delivery box attachment means according to claim 7 wherein the connection means is adapted to receive a second sprung pin and handle provided on the delivery box.

9. A method of fitting the attachment means according to claims 1 to 8 having the steps of: inserting a first portion of the plate through an aperture on a surface; connecting the locking member(s) to an end of each first portion using the locking mechanism; connecting the delivery box to the second portion using the connection means to connect the attachment means and delivery box to the surface.

10. A method of fitting the attachment means according to claims 1 to 8 having the steps of: connecting the delivery box to the second portion of the plate using the connection means; inserting a first portion of the plate through an aperture on a surface; connecting the locking member(s) to an end of each first portion so secure the attachment means and delivery box to the surface.

11. A surface including an attachment means as described in any of claims 1 to 8 and a delivery box.

12. A delivery box including the attachment means described in any of claims 1 to 8.

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