Delivery lockers

Abstract

This invention provides a delivery locker that can improve the appearance of the back and other parts of the locker when it is installed independently and has multiple compartments for storing packages. [Solution] Multiple parcel storage compartments are provided, with a total of two parcel boxes 2 having the same width and depth dimensions, connected at least vertically with their fronts facing each other and doors 21 aligned. An intermediate box 3, shorter in height than the parcel boxes 2, is placed between the connected upper and lower parcel boxes 2, and the outer surface of the intermediate box 3, which corresponds to the back of the parcel boxes 2, is designated as a nameplate M.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a delivery locker having a plurality of delivery boxes for storing delivered goods.

Background Art

[0002] Delivery lockers installed in apartment buildings and the like are large-sized ones having a plurality of luggage storage sections (for example, see Patent Document 1). Since such a delivery locker can itself serve as a wall, it may be arranged independently without being installed along the wall surface of an apartment building, and the back surface of the delivery locker may be used as a wall.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As described above, in the case of a relatively large delivery locker, the delivery locker may be used as a wall. However, although it is often installed in a conspicuous place such as an entrance, the conventional delivery locker has a simple flat metal plate on the back surface, so when used as a wall surface, it did not look good. In addition, when installing a delivery locker in an office building or a factory, if the delivery locker is installed inside the facility, it cannot be used when the entrance is closed, so it may be installed outdoors in front of the entrance. In this case, the back surface may also be exposed.

[0005] Therefore, in view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a delivery locker that can improve the appearance of the back surface and the like when a delivery locker having a plurality of luggage storage sections is installed alone.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a delivery locker in which a plurality of delivery boxes having at least the same width and depth dimensions are connected at least vertically with their front sides facing each other and equipped with multiple luggage storage compartments, wherein an intermediate box lower in height than the delivery boxes is placed between the connected upper and lower delivery boxes, and the outer surface of the intermediate box corresponding to at least one of the four sides surrounding the delivery box is a nameplate. This configuration allows for the placement of a nameplate between the vertically connected delivery boxes, adding visual interest to the otherwise monotonous appearance of the delivery lockers. Furthermore, it enables the display of names such as the apartment building name, eliminating the need for a separate nameplate. Additionally, if the displayed text needs to be changed, only the intermediate box needs to be modified.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, a frame-shaped projection or protrusion is formed on the top surface of the intermediate box in a central region at a certain distance from the surrounding area, while the bottom surface of the delivery box positioned directly above the intermediate box is provided with an opening or recess formed to match the projection or protrusion, and capable of accommodating the projection or protrusion. With this configuration, the protruding band or convex part of the intermediate box fits into the opening or recess of the delivery box, making it easy to position the delivery box. In addition, even if rainwater enters between the top surface of the intermediate box and the bottom surface of the delivery box, the protruding band or convex part blocks it, preventing rainwater from entering the inside of the delivery locker without the need to install a gasket.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the bottom surface of the intermediate box has an opening or recess formed in a central region at a certain distance from the surroundings, while the top surface of the delivery box positioned directly below the intermediate box has a frame-shaped projection or protrusion formed to match the opening or recess formed in the bottom surface of the intermediate box and capable of being accommodated in the opening or recess. With this configuration, the projection or protrusion on the top surface of the delivery box is accommodated in the opening or recess on the bottom surface of the intermediate box, making it easy to position the intermediate box. In addition, even if rainwater enters between the bottom surface of the intermediate box and the top surface of the delivery box, the projection or protrusion will block it, preventing rainwater from entering the inside of the delivery locker without the need to install a gasket. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this invention, since a nameplate is placed between vertically connected delivery boxes, it is possible to add variety to the monotonous surface of the delivery locker and improve its appearance. Furthermore, it is possible to display names such as the name of the apartment building, eliminating the need for a separate nameplate. In addition, if the text to be displayed needs to be changed, only the intermediate box needs to be modified. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing an example of a delivery locker according to the present invention, which consists of two delivery boxes, one above the other. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing each box separated. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the separated state, seen from the rear and slightly below. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged view of section A in Figure 2. [Figure 5] This shows a delivery locker consisting of four delivery boxes, with (a) being a front view and (b) being a rear view. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a delivery locker according to the present invention. The delivery locker 1 is constructed by connecting a plurality of delivery boxes 2, and here a configuration in which two delivery boxes 2 are connected vertically is shown. The delivery box 2 has a door 21 on the front for loading and unloading packages, and the left and right sides, back, top, and bottom are enclosed to close off the internal package storage area. The door 21 is also provided with a locking mechanism 22 (not described in detail).

[0012] The two delivery boxes 2, positioned one above the other, are of the same standardized dimensions and are connected to each other by screws. However, in this case, they are connected via an intermediate box 3, and the bottom plate of the upper delivery box 2 (hereinafter referred to as "upper box 2a") and the top plate of the lower delivery box 2 (hereinafter referred to as "lower box 2b") are special components for connecting to the intermediate box 3. Intermediate box 3 has the same width and depth as delivery box 2, but is shorter in height. Note that 4 is a frame fixed to the ground with anchors or the like.

[0013] Figures 2 and 3 show the delivery box 2 and the intermediate box 3 separated. Figure 2 is a perspective view from the angle shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a perspective view from the rear and diagonally below. As shown in Figure 2, the intermediate box 3 has four outer surfaces that are continuous with the four sides surrounding the delivery box 2, and the top and bottom surfaces are open. At least one of these four outer surfaces is used as a nameplate M. Specifically, the intermediate box 3 has a rectangular frame-shaped projection 31 formed on its top surface 35, with an opening on the inside. The projection 31 is formed in the central area at a certain distance from the periphery, for example 50 mm, and has a height of, for example, 10 mm. In addition, holes 32 for screw fastening to the stacked delivery box 2 are formed at the four corners of the top surface 35 of the intermediate box 3.

[0014] Furthermore, the bottom surface 36 has an opening 34 similar to the opening 23 formed in the bottom surface 26 of the upper box 2a. Although the inside of the projection band 31 is open, the opening may be eliminated and the entire projection band 31 may be made into a convex part, or the opening 34 formed in the bottom surface 36 may be closed to make it a concave part.

[0015] The four outer surfaces of the intermediate box 3 may be formed of independent metal plates or may be formed by bending a single metal plate. When forming the four surfaces with independent metal plates, the top surface 35 and the bottom surface 36 are divided and continuously formed on each metal plate, and by bending with a press or the like, projection bands 31 and the like corresponding to each outer surface are formed. Thereafter, it is integrated and completed by welding and connecting.

[0016] In this way, when the intermediate box 3 is manufactured by connecting four metal plates, it is easy to change the color and pattern of each outer surface, and the range of design can be widened. Further, when changing the text to be displayed or the like, only the intermediate box 3, or even only one surface as the nameplate M, may be changed.

[0017] When integrally forming the four surfaces with a single metal plate, similar to the case of forming independently, the top surface 35 and the bottom surface 36 corresponding to each surface are integrally formed by punching or the like, and are manufactured by bending and welding with a press or the like. In this case, since the four surfaces are made of the same metal, the design is restricted, but the welding parts are few and it can be manufactured at a low cost.

[0018] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 2 and is an enlarged view of a part of the intermediate box 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the top surface 35 is distributed so that the holes 32 for screwing formed on the top surface 35 are not divided. The top surface 35 continuously formed from the outer surfaces corresponding to the front and back surfaces of the home delivery locker 1 is extended so as to include the holes 32, and a wide area is shared and the boundary part is connected by welding. Thus, the holes 32 are prevented from being located at the welding part. In addition, the holes 37 formed on the bottom surface 36 are formed in the same manner. Further, the holes 33 on the top surface are holes used when attaching a closing plate (not shown) for closing the opening inside the projection band 31.

[0019] On the other hand, a rectangular opening 23 is formed in the bottom surface 26 of the upper box 2a disposed above the intermediate box 3, as shown in FIG. 3. The opening 23 is formed with a frame body similar to the projection band 31 of the intermediate box 3 provided around it, and is formed to accommodate the projection band 31. As shown in Figure 3, the opening 23 of the upper box 2a is closed by a closing plate 24. By closing the opening 23 with this closing plate 24, the strength of the delivery box 2 is increased, preventing twisting of the delivery box 2 even when heavy packages are placed inside. Also, when the protruding band 31 is placed in the opening 23 of the upper box 2a, the opening on the inside of the protruding band 31 is covered and closed by the closing plate 24.

[0020] Furthermore, a floor plate (not shown) is placed on the inner bottom of the upper box 2a, which is the upper surface of the closing plate 24, so that cargo can be stored stably even if there is a step due to the opening 23. However, the closing plate 24 that closes the opening 23 may be formed to cover the entire inner bottom of the upper box 2a and serve as the floor plate as well, in which case a separate floor plate is not required. Alternatively, when closing the opening 23 with the closing plate 24, screws may be driven into the holes 33 of the intermediate box 3 located below to connect the upper box 2a and the intermediate box 3. In this case, there is no need to separately connect the intermediate box 3 and the upper box 2a, and there is no need to close the opening inside the protruding band 31 of the intermediate box 3 with the closing plate. Furthermore, if the opening inside the projection 31 of the intermediate box 3 is closed with a closing plate, it is not necessary to close the opening 23 of the upper box 2a with a closing plate 24, and only the placement of the floor plate is sufficient. The closing plate attached to the intermediate box 3 also effectively closes the opening 23 of the upper box 2a.

[0021] Furthermore, a rectangular frame-shaped projection 27a is formed on the top surface 27 of the lower box 2b, with dimensions matching the projection 31 formed on the top surface 35 of the intermediate box 3. The opening inside the projection 27a is closed by the lid member 25, forming a convex portion overall.

[0022] Furthermore, when placed between the delivery boxes 2, the outer surface of the intermediate box 3, which is the back, is used as a nameplate M. The nameplate M can be engraved with text or other information at the stage when the metal plate is punched out to create the individual outer surfaces of the intermediate boxes 3, before welding to create the intermediate boxes. Alternatively, since the top surface 35 and bottom surface 36 are formed with openings, it is possible to add embossed or recessed processing to the outer surface even after the intermediate boxes 3 have been created. The nameplate can also be created by printing or other methods.

[0023] In this way, the nameplate M is placed between the vertically connected delivery boxes 2, which adds variation to the monotonous surface of the delivery locker 1 and improves its appearance. In addition, it is possible to display the name of the apartment building, etc., eliminating the need for a separate nameplate. Furthermore, if the text to be displayed needs to be changed, only the intermediate box 3 needs to be modified. Furthermore, since the protruding band 31 of the intermediate box 3 is housed in the opening 23 or recess of the delivery box 2, the positioning of the delivery box 2 is easy, and even if rainwater enters between the top surface 35 of the intermediate box 3 and the bottom surface 26 of the delivery box 2, the protruding band 31 blocks it, thus preventing rainwater from entering the interior of the delivery locker 1 without the need to install a gasket. In addition, the projection 27a or protrusion on the top surface of the delivery box 2 is accommodated in the opening 34 or recess on the bottom surface of the intermediate box 3, making it easy to position the intermediate box 3. Furthermore, even if rainwater enters between the bottom surface 36 of the intermediate box 3 and the top surface 27 of the delivery box 2, it is blocked by the projection 27a, thus preventing rainwater from entering the interior of the delivery locker 1 without the need to install a gasket. Therefore, it can be used effectively even when installed outdoors. Also, the inside of the projection 27a of the lower box 2b is closed off by the lid member 25, which increases the strength of the delivery box 2. Furthermore, the delivery box 2 that connects to the intermediate box 3 can be connected on top of the intermediate box 3 simply by changing the bottom plate compared to a standardized conventional delivery box, and can be connected below by simply replacing the top plate, eliminating the need to design a new delivery box 2.

[0024] Figure 5 shows another configuration of the delivery locker 1, which includes four delivery boxes 2 (package storage compartments). As shown in Figure 4, if the delivery boxes 2 are connected horizontally as well as vertically, an intermediate box 3 can be manufactured to match the width and depth. However, the left and right delivery boxes 2 must be connected to each other. In Figure 5, the outer surface corresponding to the back of the delivery locker 1 is designated as the nameplate M. In this way, even when connecting delivery boxes 2 not only vertically but also horizontally, by interposing an intermediate box 3, similar to the above configuration, the back of the delivery locker 1 can be made into a varied surface, improving its appearance. Furthermore, a nameplate can be placed, eliminating the need to attach a separate nameplate.

[0025] In addition, although the above embodiments all form a delivery locker 1 by connecting delivery boxes 2 of the same dimensions, the upper and lower delivery boxes 2 only need to have the same width and depth, and their heights may differ. Furthermore, although the configuration shows two delivery boxes 2 connected vertically, the delivery locker 1 may be formed by connecting three or more boxes. In this case as well, the top or bottom plate of the delivery box 2 connected to the intermediate box 3 should be changed to the shape described above. Furthermore, when connecting three or more delivery boxes 2 vertically, there will be multiple connection points in the vertical direction, so intermediate boxes 3 may be placed at each connection point rather than just one. Furthermore, because the intermediate box 3 has internal space, if the delivery locker 1 is equipped with a communication function to transmit information about the stored items to the outside, it can be used as space to house the communication unit and control unit. Furthermore, although the back of the intermediate box 3 was designated as nameplate M, the side or front could also be used as the nameplate, and multiple sides could be used as the nameplate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0026] 1. Delivery locker, 2. Delivery box, 3. Intermediate box, 23. Opening, 25. Lid member, 27a. Protruding band, 31. Protruding band, 34. Opening, M. Nameplate.

Claims

1. A delivery locker comprising multiple delivery boxes having at least the same width and depth dimensions, connected at least vertically with their front doors aligned, and equipped with multiple parcel storage compartments, A delivery locker characterized in that an intermediate box, lower in height than the delivery boxes, is positioned between the upper and lower connected delivery boxes, and the outer surface of the intermediate box, corresponding to at least one of the four sides surrounding the delivery boxes, is a nameplate.

2. On the top surface of the aforementioned intermediate box, a frame-shaped projection or protrusion is formed in a central region at a certain distance from the surrounding area, The delivery locker according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom surface of the delivery box, which is positioned directly above the intermediate box, is provided with an opening or recess formed to match the protruding band or convex portion, and capable of accommodating the protruding band or convex portion.

3. The bottom surface of the aforementioned intermediate box has an opening or recess formed in a central region at a certain distance from the surrounding area, The delivery locker according to claim 2, characterized in that the top surface of the delivery box, which is positioned directly below the intermediate box, is provided with a frame-shaped projection or protrusion that is formed to match the opening or recess formed on the bottom surface of the intermediate box and that can be accommodated in the opening or recess.

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