Theft-resistant deposit box

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing locking wall mount mailboxes are vulnerable to theft as thieves can easily access the contents by inserting their arm or a fishing tool through the incoming mail slot, and they often cannot accommodate mail bundles or small parcels without compromising security.

Innovation Solution

A theft-resistant wall mount mailbox design featuring a housing with a non-lockable mail delivery door and a lockable mail retrieval door, where the mail delivery door includes a top member and a downward-angled security arm to prevent access while allowing mail bundles and small parcels to be received and stored safely.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking mechanism is added to wall mount mailboxes, then security is improved, but the mailbox becomes vulnerable to fishing attacks through the mail slot

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidfishing attack vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A security arm is introduced as an intermediary element between the mail slot and the mailbox interior. This security arm extends into the mail slot area to physically block fishing tools from reaching inside the mailbox, while still allowing legitimate mail to be deposited. The security arm acts as a mediator that permits normal mail delivery function while preventing the harmful fishing attack.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the mail slot is made smaller to prevent fishing, then security is improved, but mail bundles and small parcels cannot be received

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidmail bundle acceptance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The security arm is designed to be movable rather than fixed. It can be retracted to allow mail bundles and parcels to be deposited, and extended to prevent fishing attacks. This dynamic positioning enables the system to adapt its configuration based on the type of interaction - permitting legitimate mail delivery while blocking theft attempts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a security arm is added to prevent fishing, then fishing attack resistance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefishing attack resistanceVSAvoidmailbox structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The security arm utilizes a simple, thin rod-like structure that is easy to manufacture and integrate into the existing mailbox design. Rather than adding complex mechanical systems, the patent employs a straightforward extendable arm that can be made from simple materials, minimizing the increase in device complexity while effectively preventing fishing attacks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS11129487B2Theft-resistant deposit box

Publication Date: 2021.09.28 EPOCH DESIGN

AI summary

A wall mount deposit box is provided. A housing includes a front side and a back side. A rotatable content deposit includes a content delivery door and an inner panel affixed on a proximate end at an angle to a bottom of the content delivery door, and is pivotably attached to the front side of the housing. A content slot is formed as an opening within a front surface of the housing when the rotatable content deposit is in a fully open position allowing content to be deposited through the opening over each of the inner panel and the safety arm. A content retrieval door is located below the rotatable content deposit and is pivotably attached to the front side of the housing.