The mailbox for self-service mail delivery

Abstract

The mailbox (7) for self-service mail delivery, comprising the frame (1) in which at least two compartments (2) are arranged in parallel and the rotating mechanism connected with the front lower parts of all the compartments (2). All compartments (2) are independently rotatably tilting from the frame (1) around the common axis (31) of rotation. The axis of rotation of the compartments (2) is parallel to the front lower edge of the frame (1), the height of the compartments (2) is greater than their depth. Each compartment (2) has the shape of a cuboid opened from the upper side, wherein the upper edge of the side walls (21) of the compartment (2) comprises the rounding (23) around the axis (31) of rotation, and one side wall (21) of each compartment (2) comprises the handling recess (22). Each compartment (2) is rotatably tilting from the frame (1) with the maximum tilting angle α = 90°. The ratio of width to height of the compartments (2) is in the range 1 : 5 to 1 : 25. The mailbox (7) contains the electronic control unit (4) for selectively unlocking the compartments (2).

Description

[0001] The mailbox for self-service mail delivery

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The invention falls into the field of electronically operable mailboxes for self-service mail delivery, preferably for letters, paper documents and books.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] In the current state of the art, there are known mailboxes that contain a larger number of compartments that can be selectively locked and unlocked by electronically controlled locking elements. Such mailbox is known from patent document US10643415B2. However, these boxes are not typically optimized for receiving and storing paper correspondence and small documents, as they are primarily designed for handling with packages. Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide the solution that would allow efficient, affordable and yet safe exchange of paper parcels and similar correspondence, which would optimise the dimensions of the mailbox and its components, and would also facilitate the handling with such paper correspondence.

[0006] Summary of the invention

[0007] The shortcomings of the solutions known in the prior art are largely eliminated by the mailbox for self-service mail delivery according to the first aspect of the present invention, characterized in that it comprises the frame in which at least two compartments are arranged in parallel, and the rotating mechanism which is arranged in the front lower part of the frame and which is connected with the front lower parts of all the compartments. All of the mailbox compartments are independently rotatably tilting from the frame around the common axis of rotation. The axis of rotation passes through the point of connection of the compartments with the rotating mechanism. The axis of rotation of the compartments is parallel to the front lower edge of the frame. The depth of the compartments is not greater than their height. Each compartment is in the form of a cuboid opened at the top, wherein the upper edge of the side walls of the compartment comprises the rounding around the axis of rotation, and the shortest distance of any point of the rounding from the axis of rotation is less than the shortest distance of the front upper portion of the frame from the axis of rotation. One side wall of each compartment preferably comprises the handling recess.

[0008] Each compartment is rotatably tilting from the frame with the maximum tilting angle a = 90° and includes the stop element, wherein the frame further includes the stop surface for each compartment. The maximum tilting of the compartment is delimited by the contact of the stopelement of the compartment and the stop surface of the frame. In addition to its primary function of limiting the tilting of the compartment preferably comprises the guiding mean into which at least one side wall of the compartment fits, preferably the side wall without the handling recess, thereby preventing unwanted sideways movement and swinging of the compartment during its handling. Such construction solution, where the movement of the compartment is delimited by the rotating mechanism in the front lower part of the frame and the stop surface with the guiding mean, ensures stable handling of the compartment and accurately delimits its movement during tilting.

[0009] The self-service mailbox according to the above mentioned invention is determined for the safe and efficient delivery of letters, documents, folders, files, books and other paper materials. The present invention is suitable for office buildings, schools, libraries, post offices, or other organizations where documents are frequently exchanged among several persons.

[0010] The mailbox consists of the frame and several compartments which are arranged in parallel in the frame. The frame is preferably a cuboid-shaped supporting structure and is made of strong and durable material, such as aluminium, galvanized sheet metal, polycarbonate plastic and the like. The compartments are also cuboid in shape and are arranged parallel to each other in the frame. The height of the compartments is greater than their depth, so that the compartments can be effectively tilted from the frame. The compartments are preferably made of similar material as the frame, i.e. aluminium, sheet metal, plastic, and the like.

[0011] The compartments are rotatably tilting from the frame independently of each other around the common axis of rotation. The compartments can be tilted by means of the rotating mechanism located in the front lower part of the mailbox. Each compartment is connected with the rotating mechanism and the axis of rotation is common for all compartments. Thus, the axis of rotation is parallel to the front lower edge of the mailbox frame. The tilting nature of the compartments allows easy and efficient handling when inserting and removing mail. The top edge of the compartments is rounded towards the rear, around the axis of rotation, so as to prevent the top rear corner of the compartment from colliding with the upper front side of the frame and jamming the compartment when it is opened and closed. For this reason, the rear upper corner of each compartment is arcuately chamfered.

[0012] The compartment preferably comprises the handling recess on one side, which serves to facilitate access to the parcels in the compartment. Preferably, the handling recess is U-shaped cut-out and is located on the right side wall of the compartment, as the majority of the population are right-handed and find it easier to handle the contents of the mailbox with their right hand when the compartment is arranged in this manner. The handling recess allows you to reach byhand all the way to the lower of the compartment, making it convenient to remove even small documents that could be lost at the lower of the compartment. It is also possible to have the arrangement with the handling recess on both sides of the compartment, but in this case the contents of adjacent compartments can be seen when the compartment is tilted from the frame and, in the case of wider compartments, it would theoretically be possible to handle also their contents.

[0013] Each compartment can be conveniently tilted from the frame up to the maximum angle of 90°. This restriction prevents unwanted dropping of mail from the compartments when they are tilted out.

[0014] Preferably, each compartment can be tilted out of the frame up to the maximum angle of 55°. This maximum tilting angle is particularly advantageous for compartments of standardised sizes, such as A3, A4, B3, B4, C3, C4, or standard books, and it ensures sufficient possibility of handling with their contents.

[0015] The maximum tilting of the compartment from the frame is advantageously delimited by the compartment comprising the stop element in the form of the lug on its rounding, which, when the compartment is tilted out, strikes on the stop surface on the inner side of the upper front edge of the frame. The bumping of the stop element of the compartment against the stop surface of the frame does not allow the compartment to be tilted more than the maximum tilting angle.

[0016] The optimal ratio of width and height of the compartment is preferably in the range of 1 : 10 to 1 : 15, since, taking into account the normal dimensions of letter parcels, the internal space of the compartments is optimally utilised and at the same time the contents can be conveniently handled when inserting and removing it.

[0017] Preferably, the rotating mechanism with the common axis of rotation of all the compartments is the shaft with bushings, which represents a simple and efficient solution in terms of production.

[0018] The shaft is preferably positioned inside the lower front edge of the frame and is parallel to that edge. The individual compartments are rotatably attached to the shaft, preferably such that the shaft passes through the lower front comer of each compartment of the mailbox. In this arrangement, the shaft is externally protected. The shaft further advantageously comprises spacer bushings which define the optimal distance between the individual compartments.

[0019] The frame further preferably comprises at least one lower partition comprising, for each compartment, at least two spacer lugs delimiting the position of the compartment in the frame.The lower compartment is preferably parallel to the lower front edge of the mailbox frame. The lower compartment includes spacer lugs which are advantageously conical in shape, delimiting the optimal distance between the individual compartments and maintaining them in the optimal position. The spacer lugs advantageously functionally complete the spacer shaft bushings and help to eliminate unwanted tilting of the mailbox compartments. Each compartment thus fits preferably between the two shaft bushings and between the two spacer lugs on each lower partition.

[0020] The mailbox may preferably comprise at least two compartments with different widths. This arrangement may be advantageous for delivering parcels of different widths, such as books and larger volumes of documents. In this case, the spacer bushings on the shaft and the spacer lugs on the lower partition are adapted to accommodate the different widths of the individual compartments of the mailbox. Preferably, the spacer bushings and the spacer lugs are moveable so that their position can be adapted to the width of the mailbox compartments.

[0021] Preferably, each mailbox compartment further comprises the compartment locking member and the frame further comprises the complementary frame locking member for each compartment locking member. The compartments can thus be locked to prevent unauthorised persons from accessing the parcels.

[0022] The mailbox further preferably comprises the electronic control unit configured to control the locking elements, wherein the locking elements are electronically and communicatively connected with the electronic control unit.

[0023] The locking elements of the frame are preferably electromagnetic locks with the permanent magnetic core using the principle of electrical unblocking, and the locking elements of the compartments then comprise the complementary ferromagnetic elements which are drawn by the magnetic field of the electromagnetic locks.

[0024] Such locking elements hold the compartments in the locked position by means of the permanent magnetic field, whereby after identification of the user, the electromagnetic coil is activated for a certain period of time, creating an opposing magnetic field and temporarily cancelling the magnetism of the core, thus allowing the compartment to be tilted from the frame. The control unit may preferably be the microcontroller or minicomputer which receives the user authorization signals, unlocks the compartment based on the authorization, and re-locks the compartment when the compartment is closed. The user can be identified by PIN code, QR code, RFID card or mobile application.The locking elements are preferably operated remotely. Preferably, the compartments can be unlocked by remote control.

[0025] Preferably, the mailbox control unit is connected with the mobile application by means of the communication interface. When the sender puts the mail into the compartment, the sender enters the identification data of the addressee. The addressee then receives notification of the pending parcel. After the addressee is identified by the mobile device, the compartment is unlocked.

[0026] The ratio of width to height of the compartments is in the range of 1 : 5 to 1 : 25. If the width of the compartment is more than one fifth of its height, the internal dimensions of the compartment are too wide, taking into account the normal dimensions of letter parcels and books, so that they are not stored in the compartment in the appropriate manner after insertion and the internal space of the compartment is not optimally utilised. Such widths are more suitable for the delivery of parcels, and it is preferable to deal with their arrangement in some other manner than according to the present invention. If the width of the compartment is less than one twenty-fifth of its height, the compartment, taking into account the normal dimensions of letter parcels, is too narrow and its effective width does not permit the use of commonly available locking elements.

[0027] The compartment preferably comprises the handling means on the front side, facilitating tilting of the compartment from the frame. Such handling means are, for example, the handling opening, the handling recess or the handling handle.

[0028] The disadvantages arising from the state of the art are also largely eliminated by the self-service delivery system for mail letter parcels according to the second aspect of the present invention, which comprises at least one mailbox specified above. Preferably, the system comprises several such mailboxes.

[0029] Preferably, the self-service delivery system comprises at least two mailboxes with mailbox compartments of different sizes, wherein the mailboxes are located adjacent to or one above the other within one system. For example, one mailbox may comprise compartments optimised for B4 format documents, while the other mailbox may comprise compartments optimised for B3 format documents, etc. This arrangement makes it possible to make better use of the entire space of such delivery system and to adapt it to different types of delivered parcels.Brief overview of the figures on the drawings

[0030] Essence of the invention is further explained by examples of its embodiments, which are described by means of the accompanying drawings, wherein the:

[0031] Fig. 1 shows the front side view of the mailbox.

[0032] Fig. 2 shows the rear side view of the mailbox.

[0033] Fig. 3 shows the detailed view of the locking elements, spacer lugs and shaft with bushings. Fig. 4 shows the self-service system for mail delivery.

[0034] Fig.5 shows the detailed view of the stop surface and the guiding means together with the compartments.

[0035] Fig.6 shows the separate detailed view on the stop surface and the guiding means.

[0036] Examples of embodiment of the invention

[0037] The invention will be further explained with examples of embodiments with reference to the corresponding drawings.

[0038] Figs. 1 and 2 show the first embodiment of the invention of the mailbox 7. The mailbox 7 is designed for the delivery of paper correspondence. The mailbox 7 is made of galvanized sheet steel and consists of the frame 1 and several compartments 2 placed vertically side by side in the frame 1. The compartments 2 are rotatably tilting from the frame 1 independently each separately around the common axis 31 of rotation. The axis 31 of rotation of the compartments 2 forms the rotating mechanism 3, which runs on the inner side of the lower front edge of the frame 1. The rotating mechanism 3 is the shaft 32 which passes through the lower front comer of each of the compartments 2. The compartments 2 are in the shape of a flattened cuboid, their height is greater than their depth. The height of the compartments 2 according to the first embodiment of the invention is 459 mm and the width is 33 mm. These dimensions are optimized for the delivery of letters and similar paper correspondence having B4 dimension, stored in the compartment in portrait orientation. The depth of the compartment 2 according to the first embodiment of the invention is 380 mm. This distributes the weight ratios in such manner that, when closing the compartment 2, only minimal force is required to move its centre of gravity to the position in which the compartment 2 is closed only by the action of gravity.

[0039] The upper edges of the compartments 2 comprise the rounding 23 around the axis 31 of rotation, so that the rear upper corners of the compartments 2 do not collide with the front upper edge 12 of the frame 1 when they are tilted out. The right side walls of the compartments 2further comprise the arcuate handling recess 22 which allows the hand to reach conveniently up to the bottom of the compartments 2 and thus remove even small sized parcels.

[0040] Each compartment 2 further comprises the stop element 24 of the compartment 2, which when it is maximally tilted protrudes against the stop surface 14 of the frame 1 and thus delimits the maximal tilting of the compartment 2 (figure 2). The maximum tilting delimited by the stop element 24 and the stop surface 14 is 55° for the first embodiment of the invention, which allows convenient access for loading and unloading of the parcels and at the same time eliminates the risk of spilling the parcels.

[0041] The optimum position of the compartments 2 in the frame 1 is further delimited by the spacer bushings 33 and the spacer lugs 13 (fig. 3). The spacer bushings 33 are located on the shaft 32 and serve to maintain the optimal spacings between the individual compartments 2. The spacer lugs 13 are located on the frame 1, in particular on its lower partitions. They are used for maintaining the spacings between the individual compartments 2, for their optimal positioning in the frame 1 and for eliminating unwanted tilts and collisions.

[0042] The stop surface 14 of the frame 1 comprises, for each compartment 2, the guiding means 15 in the form of the guiding slot into which the side wall 21 of the compartment 2 fits without the handling recess 22 (figs. 5 and 6).

[0043] Each compartment 2 of the mailbox 7 according to the first embodiment of the invention can be locked by means of locking elements. In the lower rear part of the frame 1 there is the row of locking elements 11 of the frame 1, one for each compartment 2, and on each compartment 2 there is the locking element 25 of the compartment 2. The locking elements 11 of the frame 1 comprise electronically operated permanent magnet locks with the permanent magnet, and the locking elements 25 of the compartments 2 comprise complementary ferromagnetic elements to them.

[0044] The magnetic locking elements are controlled by the electronic control unit 4. In the basic state, compartment 2 is locked. When the user is identified, the lock is unlocked by command of the control unit 4 and allows the filling or emptying of compartment 2. When compartment 2 is closed, the lock is locked again.

[0045] The mailbox 7 according to the first embodiment of the invention comprises a WIFI / LAN communication interface and it is connected with the mobile application. The identification of the user is thus performed using the signal of the mobile device. By means of the application, notifications are also sent to the addressee that he has the mail in mailbox 7.The second exemplary embodiment of the invention is the self-service mail delivery system 6 shown in fig. 4. This system 6 comprises the three mailboxes 7 for delivering mail described above, wherein each of these mailboxes 7 has unmarked compartments 2 of different widths, in contrast to the first embodiment described above in fig.4. The self-service mail delivery system is operable by remote control 5, each compartment 2 has its own code for unlocking.

[0046] List of the reference numbers

[0047] 1 frame

[0048] 2 compartment

[0049] 3 rotating mechanism

[0050] 4 control unit

[0051] 5 remote control

[0052] 6 self-service system for mail delivery

[0053] 7 mailbox

[0054] 11 locking element of the frame

[0055] 12 front upper edge of the frame

[0056] 13 spacer lug

[0057] 14 stop surface

[0058] 15 guiding mean

[0059] 21 side wall

[0060] 22 handling recess

[0061] 23 rounding

[0062] 24 stop element

[0063] 25 locking element of the compartment

[0064] 31 rotation axis

[0065] 32 shaft

[0066] 33 spacer bushing

Claims

CLAIMS1. A mailbox (7) for self-service mail delivery, characterised in that it comprises:- a frame (1) in which at least two compartments (2) are arranged in parallel, and - a rotating mechanism (3) located in the front lower part of the frame (1) and connected with the front lower parts of all the compartments (2), wherein all the compartments (2) are independently rotatably tilting from the frame (1) around a common axis (31) of rotation at the point of connection with the rotating mechanism (3), wherein- the axis of rotation of the compartments (2) is parallel to the front lower edge of the frame (1), wherein- the depth of the compartments is not greater than the height of the compartments (2), wherein- each compartment (2) has the shape of a cuboid opened from the upper side, wherein the upper edge of a side walls (21) of the compartment (2) comprises a rounding (23) around the axis (31) of rotation, and the shortest distance of arbitrary point of the rounding (23) from the axis (31) of rotation is less than the shortest distance of a front upper edge (12) of the frame (1) from the axis (31) of rotation, wherein- one side wall (21) of each compartment (2) comprises a handling recess (22), wherein- each compartment (2) is rotatably tilting from the frame (1) with the maximum tilting angle a = 90° and includes a stop element (24), wherein the frame (1) further includes a stop surface (14) for each compartment (2), wherein the maximum tilting of the compartment (2) is delimited by the contact between the stop element (24) of the compartment (2) and the stop surface (14) of the frame (1), wherein- the ratio of width to height of the compartments (2) is in the range 1 : 5 to 1 : 25.

2. The mailbox (7) according to claim 1, characterized in that the ratio of width and height of the compartments (2) is in the range of 1 : 10 to 1 : 15.

3. The mailbox (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotating mechanism (3) with the common axis (31) of rotation of all the compartments (2) is a shaft (32) with bushings (33).

4. The mailbox (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (1) comprises at least one lower partition comprising, for each compartment (2), at least two spacer lugs (13) delimiting the position of the compartment (2) in the frame (1)..

5. The mailbox (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop surface (14) of the frame (1) comprises at least one guiding mean (15) delimiting the movement of the side wall (21) of the compartment (2).

6. The mailbox (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two compartments (2) of different widths.

7. The mailbox (7) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the width of the compartments (2) is 33 mm, the height of the compartments (2) is 459 mm, the depth of the compartments (2) is 380 mm and the maximum tilting angle a = 55°.

8. The mailbox (7) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises locking elements, wherein each compartment (2) comprises a locking element (25) of the compartment (2) and the frame (1) comprises, for each locking element (25) of the compartment (2), a complementary locking element (11) of the frame (1).

9. The mailbox (7) according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises the electronic control unit (4) configured to control the locking elements, and wherein the locking elements are electronically and communicatively connected with a electronic control unit (4).

10. The mailbox (7) according to any one of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that the locking elements are remotely controllable.

11. A self-service delivery system (6) for the mail letter parcels, characterized in that it comprises at least one mailbox (7) according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. The self-service delivery system (6) according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises at least two mailboxes (7) with compartments (2) of different dimensions.

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