WO2006046897A1

WO2006046897A1 - Letter box arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2006046897A1
Application number: PCT/SE2004/001582
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mats Cedermarker
Original assignee: Ab Flexbox
Priority date: 2004-10-29
Filing date: 2004-10-29
Publication date: 2006-05-04
Also published as: DE602004024460D1; EP1804627B1; ATE450174T1; EP1804627A1; CA2587063A1; US20070262130A1; CN101065041A

Abstract

A letter box (10) comprises an upper part (10a, 20) with an open end, a lower part (10b, 21) having a movable bottom part (22) for optionally sealing an open end of the lower part, a door (23) hinged to the upper part (10a, 20), a front (25) with at least one front opening (26, 27), a back (24, 34), and sides (28, 33) connecting the front and back of the letter box, the letter box (10) having fastening means (21a, 36) for enabling the optional connection of an expansion part (30) to the lower part (10b, 21) for increasing the post storing capability of the letter box (10).

Description

LETTER BOX ARRANGEMENT

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an expandable letter box having a detachable post storing section according to the preamble of claim 1. Description of Prior Art

When obtaining a prior art letter box there is essentially only two types of letter boxes to choose between, i.e. a so-called day-box for storing the amount of post corresponding to approximately one day of delivered post, or a so—called larger week-box for storing the amount of post corresponding to approximately one week of delivered post. The choice is by no means easy to make because the week-box generally requires more work when being installed and is often more difficult and heavier to handle but gives a flexibility in that the owner may do shorter travels without having to interfere with the normal post procedure in comparison with the smaller day-box.

A prior art letter box that may be expanded is disclosed in DE-A-35 873. This first prior art letter box comprises a sack of cloth being detachably attached by fastening means to the bottom of the letter box.

Prior art letter boxes also often have an arrangement for installing different motifs on the outside of the letter box, so that the appearance of the letter box may meet different likings from different letter box owners and is more personal, especially in neighbourhoods where the houses are very similar in shape, colour, or the like. Such an motif arrangement on a second prior art letter box is disclosed in US-A1-4 813 595. This second prior art letter box has a motif being attached to the outside casing of the letter box by fastening means with snap functions. Prior art letter boxes suffer from several disadvantages. The first prior art letter box has the following disadvantages: the post sack is easily opened by a post thief using a sharp object, e .g. a knife, the sack is detrimentally affected by wind and weather, especially rain, the post sack also has a short useful life due because it is sensitive to heaΛ^y post parcels with sharp contours tearing the sack cloth, the letter box is also very heavy and therefore very difficult to handle demanding a great effort, and expensive to manufacture due to the complex and numerous means for fastening the post sack to the letter box. The second prior art letter box with an outer motif demands a great effort and numerous job steps when changing motifs. Summary of the Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a solution to the above mentioned problems by presenting an improved expandable letter box.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a letter box of the type stated above, which has the features appearing from claim 1, preferred embodiments being defined in the appended claims 1-10.

By the improved letter box of the invention, several advantages are obtained. The letter box is easily expanded by detachable connection of a post storing part, i.e. an expansion module, and handled without great effort due to a low weight, while, at the same time, eliminating the possibility of a post thief cutting the letter box open by using a sharp object . The letter box also reduces/minimizes the job steps and effort when connecting the expansion module.

By providing a letter box with a detachable post storing part according to preferred embodiments of the invention, the following advantages are obtained. The letter box in one embodiment is designed so that the structure, manufacture and handling of the letter box is simplified, especially when fastening trie expansion module to the letter box and clearing the letter box from post. Moreover, the versatility of the letter box is enhanced because the letter box may optionally be attached to a wall or the like, or s±mply embedded in the ground, and its post storing volume/capacity is easily adjusted. The theft-proof of the letter box is also improved. Furthermore, the size of any packing containing the letter box is reduced, thereby reducing associated costs and simplifying the handling thereof during transport. The letter box motifs withstand wind and weather admirably achieving a long useful life. Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which: Figs 1 and 2 are perspective views of a letter box according to a first embodiment of the invention,

Fig 3 is a side view of the letter box in fig 2,

Fig 4 is a front view of the letter box in figs 1-3,

Figs 5 and 6 are side views in section of the letter box in fig 4,

Fig 7 is a top plan view of the inside of the letter box in figs 1-3,

Fig 8 is a rear view of the letter box in figs 4-6 attached to supporting means, and Fig 9 is a view of one part of the letter box supporting means in fig 8. Detailed Desription of the Invention

Figs 1-8 illustrate a novel expandable letter box 10 according to the invention. The letter box 10 according to the invention is formed by at least one module, i.e. a first upper post storing module 20 in a first embodiment, and at least two post receiving and storing modules, i.e the upper module 20 and a lower post storing module, i.e. an expansion module 30 detachably connected to the upper module 20 in a second embodiment. The two modules 20, 30 are made of sheet metal, preferably steel coated with a corrosion-proof layer or paint, with a sufficient thickness giving enough shape-resistence and robustness for- preventing thiefs from getting access to the stored post by cutting through the modules with a sharp object while, at the same time, only demanding a small effort due to a low weight when handled. The letter box 10 has an upper end 10a for receiving post and a lower end 10b for: emptying/removing post.

The expansion module 30 may optionally be attached to and detached from the upper module 20 depending on whether the amount of post to be stored in the letter box 10 corresponds to approximately one day of delivered post, as in the first embodiment, or approximately one week of delivered post, as in the second embodiment. The two modules 20, 30 are held in position in relation to each other by at least one on the market common key- operated locking device 40 placed on one module and having a rotatable tongue 41 gripping into the other module when locked preventing non-autliorized persons from getting access to the stored post and/or stealing the whole expansion module 30 (see fig 3) .

The upper letter box module 20 shown in figs 1-6 has an essentially square, hollow cross-section with open ends but may of course be round, triangular and/or assymmetric in cross-section. The upper module comprises a first open bottom end/part 21 with an inner movable and lookable plate attached by means of hinges on the inside of the letter box 10 adjacent the bottom end 10b, 21. The plate 22 closes/seals the bottom opening when folded downwards into a horizontal orientation supported by bulges/edges inside the letter box 10 when it is to be used as a day-box, i.e. when only the upper letter box module 20 is used, and opens the bottom end when folded upwards into an essentially vertical orientation (the plate positions are shown in fig 3 with dashed lines) when the expansion module 30 is to be connected to the upper module 20 for forming a larger "week letter box 10. The plate 22 may be locked and securely held in position in both the horizontal and vertical positions by means of one or more locking devices 40 with locking tongues 41. The upper module bottom part 21 comprises at least one folded guide/support rim/lip 21a, in this case, two guide lips 21a similar to flanges facing each other in a mirror-like relationship and extending essentially perpendicularly to the letter box sides and inwards of the letter box 10 along opposite side edges of the bottom part 21. The expansion module 30 ±s a five-sided container comprising an open upper end 31 having a folded edge 36 extending outwards of the letter box 10 and around essentially the whole periphery of the open upper end 31, a fixed bottom 32, sides 33, i.e. a left side 33a and a right side 33b, a back 34, and a front 35. The right side 33b as seen in figs 1-3 is provided with a side opening having an access door 37 hinged at its lower end giving access to the interior of the letter box 10. The door 37 comprises a locking device 40 engaging the inside of the upper side part of the expansion module 30 when the door is locked, while, at the same time, engaging the inside of the upper module 20 and holding the two modules 20, 30 securely/safely together.

The size/width of the outer expansion module edge 36 is adapted so that it slidable mate with the upper module bottom part 21 by fitting in between the two support lips

21a when slid from the side as shown in fig 1 and securely guided and held therebetween by resting on the upper lip surfaces. The expansion module 30 may be inserted from any of the sides or from the back or front of the letter box 10 if the guide lips 21a are orientated differently. The expansion module 30 is easily removed from the upper module 20 and brought inside for clearing.

The upper letter box module 20 comprises four openings, the first post discharge opening at the bottom part 21, 10b that is sealable by the foldable plate 22, a post receiving second opening for large post packages and daily clearing at the upper letter box end 10a with a lockable and foldable upper doox/cover/lid 23 being attached by hinges to a side edge of the upper end 10a, a back 24 for detachable attachment to a support, e.g. an upright support 60 shown in figs 1-3 and 8, or any other suitable surface, e.g. a house or a garage wall, a third opening on a front 25, the third opening being a second post receiving opening 26 adjacent/below the upper cover 23 for inserting relatively thin-shaped post, and a fourth opening 27 placed below the first upper front opening 26 on the front 25 for receiving and revealing a motif 90 releasably slid into a space between the front 25 and a metal sheet attached on the inside of the letter box 10 acting as the back of the motif/picture 90, and vertical sides 28 connecting the back 24 and the front 25 of the letter box. The fourth opening 27 is covered by a hinged lid as is readily understood by a skilled person. The motif receiving space S (see fig 7) between the front 25 and the sheet metal on the letter box interior is adapted in size/width so that a motif 90 is easily slid in and out and easily gripped because the depth of the space S is somewhat smaller than the height/length of the motif 90, so that the motif protrude out of the space with an upper end length sufficiently large for gripping. The placement of the motif 90 on the inside of the letter box 10 gives a very good protection against wind and weather while, at the same time , exposing the motif very clearly through the letter box opening 26.

The upper letter box module 20 may optionally comprise a solid shelf 29 (shown with dashed lines in fig 3) placed on and supported by projections/bulges on the inside of the letter box 10 for increasing or decreasing its volume by being placed at any suitable inner height as a detachable additional letter box bottom adjusting the inner volume. The dividing shelf 29 may also be provided with at least one through opening/slit having a form/size corresponding to the shape of A4-files/-covers or other shapes of post or postal parcels or packages if placed near the upper letter box end 10a. The shelf 29 can also be held and locked in place by a key-operated locking device 40. Such a locking device is also used for the upper lid 23 to prevent non-authorized persons from getting access to the letter box interior, see figs 1-6.

The letter box 10 is attached by fastening means 50, i.e. a hollow metal sleeve sealed at one end with flanges (see figs 3, 5-6, 8-9) and having a U-shaped cross- section, to the vertical supporting pole 60 being a hollow square-section bar by screwing the fastening sleeve 50 onto the letter box but not all the way home and then slip/thread the sleeve 50 over the upper end of the pole 60, and finally tighten the screws so that the letter box is securely clamped against the pole by frictional force to prevent the letter box from being lifted off the pole. The sleeve 50 may also be attached by form/shape gripping, e.g. snap or screw means, to the pole 60.

The support pole 60 may be packed together with the letter box 10 in a packing when delivered to a letter box buyer, whereby the support pole 60 is split into two parts 61, 62 for minimizing the transport length/size of the letter box packing. Each pole part 61, 62 has an end 63, 64 comprising a tongue with a through hole protruding out at a one end 63 of a first pole part 61 and fitting into a corresponding end 64 of the other pole part 62 with another tongue having a through hole. When connecting the pole parts 61, 62, the pole parts are moved into abutment end to end with the corresponding end tongue inserted in the associated pole end. Screws are then screwed into holes in the pole ends 63, 64 aligned with the tongue holes for securing the pole ends together. The tongue holes could also snap into place over projections inside the pole part 61, 62. Advantageously, the pole 60 has only one end for fastening/embedment in the ground simplifying the work and reducing the work load (see figs 3 and 8) . The support pole 60 according to the invention has only one upper end connected to the letter box back 24 but could of course have two upper ends on a distance from each other and formiLng a shape similar to a fork or yoke (shown with dashed Lines in fig 8) . Such a shape would give the possibility of providing the upper module back 24 or the expansion module back 34 or even both modules with an opening sealable by a door similar to the expansion module access door 37. In that case, the distance between the two pole ends and the two sleeves 5O and their vertical length/position before merging into the lower single pole shaft 60 must be sufficiently large to give clearance for the door when it is opened/closed. The letter box 10 may of course also be attached to a wall or similar if spacer means is placed between the letter box back 24, 34 and the wall for creating a sufficiently large clearance for the upper cover 23 when opened upwards without being obstructed by the wall or any obstacle thereon. There is also an additional througti hole below the fastening sleeve 50, which hole may be used for attaching spacer means, e.g. by screwing on a piece of wood (not shown) , in the space between the support pole 60 and the upper module back 24 (see fig 3) to enhance the stability of the letter box. In another embodiment of the letter box 10, the hinged inner plate 22 could be replaced with a loose sheet of metal slid between the guide lips 21a. In a letter box 10 used as a day-box, this loose plate 22 acts as the box bottom locked in place by a locking device 40 engaging for example a sXit in the plate. When the letter box 10 is to be used as a week-box, the plate 22 is unlocked, slid out from between the guide lips 21a, the expansion module 30 slid in place, and the loose plate is hanged on brackets (not shown) for safe-keeping, e.g. on the upper module back 24 or the expansion module back 34.

The modules 20, 30 are coated with a protecting layer of aluminum and zinc and a layer of powder coating but may be made of stainless-steel or a suitable plastic material. The advantage in having a stainless-steel or plastic expansion module 30 so that it is more corrosion- proof is that it may be digged down directly into the ground eliminating the need of the support pole 60.

The letter box 10 comprises inclined/sloping inner portions 70 adjacent the bottom part/end 21, 10b just above the guiding lips 21a of the upper module 20 partially covering the lips 21a but leaving a surrounding support surface for the bottom 22 to bear against when in its horizontal position, whereby post is not obstructed and/or jammed when it falls down into the expansion module 30 or when the letter box is cleared. The inclined covering portions 70 extend from the inner letter box walls inwards of the letter box down towards the guiding lips 21a and end just above the guiding lips on a distance sufficiently large for the loose plate 22 to be slid in between the lips 21a and the inclined portions 7O but small enough for preventing the loose plate 22 from moving upwards because the inclined portions stop this movement. The foldable bottom plate 22 is prevented from moving upwards when in its horizontal position because the locking device tongue 41 protrudes beyond the peripheral bottom plate edge and in between the guiding lips 21a and the inclzLned portions 70 beneath the inclined portions act-Lng as vertical obstructions when locking the locking device 40.

The motifs 90 used in the letter box 10 of the invention are plasticiLzed, i.e enclosed in or coated witti plastic so that the motifs 90 admirably withstand wind and weather. The thickiness of the motifs is adapted to the space between the front 25 and the metal sheet on the inside of the letter toox in such a way that no water penetrate between the front opening 27 and the motifs 90 and leaks into the letter box when it is raining.

The expansion module 30 may of course be shaped in any other form instead, of an essentially symmetrical square shape . It could for example have a square upper end 31 transforming into a round, triangular or even spherical shape or cross-section, or cylinder o-tr bottle shape. The expansion module 30 could be longer/higher or could have a truncated pyramid shape with the larger base extending upwards or downwards. The upper module 20 may be modified ±n the same way.

The movable bottom plate 22 and the upper lid 23 is hinged to the letter box 10 in such a way that its rotational a^cis around which the bottom plate 22 is moved is perpendicular to the rotational axis of the upper lid 23 but the rotational axes may be parallel or oxientated in any other suitable angular relationship if the bottom plate 22 or the upper lid 23 is connected to the letter box 10 with another orientation. This is especially the case if the expansion module 30 has a cylindric shape.

The upper lid 23 has a weight being so large that it reduces the xisk of having the lid 23 swung, i.e. blown open if it is unlocked when windy weather. The lid 23 is preferably s"wingable to the side of the letter 3oox 10 because then the lid may be swung so far to the side that an adapted retainer 80 holds the lid 23 essentially upright, i.e . it stands of its own, without any support from a lettex box user. If the lid 23 is hinged along the letter box back 24, 34 instead of the side edge it could only be swung open a more limited distance compared to the side-hinged lid towards the back of the wall-mounted letter box because the wall hinders this movement and a letter box user may have to hold the lid open when clearing the letter box.

Claims

1. A letter box (10) comprising an upper part (10a, 20) with an open end, a lower part (10b, 21) having a movable bottom part (22) for optionally sealing an open end of the lower part, a door (23) hinged to the upper part (10a, 20) , a front (25) with at least one front opening (26, 27), a back (24, 34), and sides (28, 33) connecting the front and back of the letter box, the letter box (10) having fastening means (21a, 36) for enabling the optional connection of an expansion part (30) to the lower part (10b, 21) for increasing the post storing capability of the letter box (10), c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the expansion part (30) is a rigid and durable container, which is corrosion- and water-proof, with fastening means (36) mating with the fastening means (21a) off the letter box (10) located at a shape-permanent upper opening.

2. A letter box (10) according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means (21a, 36) are integral with the lower letter box part (10b, 21) and the expansion part (30) , respectively.

3. A letter box (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower letter box part (10b, 21) and the expansion part (30) is held in a secure position in relation to each other by locking means (40) that also keep an access door (37) in the expansion part (30) shut when locked.

4. A letter box (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the the fastening means (21a, 36) are constructed so that the expansion part (30) is slidable into connection with the letter: box (10) from the sides (28, 33), the front (25, 35), or the back (24, 34) of the letter box.

5. A letter box (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper letter box part (10a, 20) and the expansion part (30) each has at least one lockable door (23, 37) giving access to the interior of the letter box (10) .

6. A letter box (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the movable bottom part (22) is securely held in place by locking means (40) when in use.

7. A letter box (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein supporting means (50, 60) are detachably attached to the back (24, 34) of the letter box (10), the supporting means (50, 60) being two parts, a hollow sleeve (50) for connection to the letter box

(10) and a supporting pole (60) , which sleeve (50) has an inner cavity being adapted in size so that the sleeve and the supporting pole (60) are held together by frictional force when supporting the letter box (10) .

8. A letter box (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the supporting pole (60) is divided into at least two parts (61, 62) , which are adapted to be connected together at ends (63, 64) securely mating when the letter box (10) is supported.

9. A letter box (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the motifs (90) on the letter box (10) are made of plastic or plasticized.

10. A letter box (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a plate (29) is optionally placed and detachably connected to the letter box (10) for adjusting its inner volume.