Wall Mount Mailbox Security Arm Design to Prevent Fishing Theft
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Solution Overview
Problem
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 and bottom member that pivot to prevent access while allowing mail bundles and small parcels to be received and stored securely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to wall mount mailboxes, then security against theft is improved, but the mailbox becomes vulnerable to fishing attacks through the mail slot
Solution Approach 1:
A security arm is introduced as an intermediary component between the mail slot and the mailbox interior. This security arm extends into the mail slot to physically block fishing tools from reaching inside, while still allowing legitimate mail to be deposited. The security arm acts as a mediator that permits normal function while preventing harmful access methods.
2Reliability
If the incoming mail slot is made small to prevent fishing, then security is improved, but mail bundles and small parcels cannot be received
Solution Approach 1:
The mail delivery door is designed to be dynamically openable, transforming the rigid small slot into a temporarily enlarged opening. When the door is opened, it creates a large aperture that accommodates mail bundles and parcels. After closing, it returns to a secure state with the security arm blocking fishing attempts. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction between security and versatility.
3Ease of operation
If bins are not employed in shallower wall mount mailboxes, then mail delivery is simplified, but the bottom member of the bin door impedes mail delivery when closed
Solution Approach 1:
The problematic bin structure is completely removed from the design. Instead of using a bin with a door that impedes mail delivery, the patent employs a direct deposit design where mail is delivered through the openable mail delivery door directly into the mailbox interior. This extraction of the bin component eliminates the impediment while maintaining security through the security arm and lockable retrieval door.
Data Source
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.