Dropbox

Abstract

A dropbox includes an upper portion for receiving mail and/or packages. An upper door is joined to the upper portion for rotating from a closed position to an open position wherein a user places mail and/or packages in the upper portion. A shelf is disposed within the upper portion for supporting the placed mail and/or packages. The shelf is configured to rotate about a horizontal axis. A rotating mechanism is joined to the shelf and the upper door. The rotating mechanism rotates the shelf during opening and closing of the upper door. A lower portion receives the placed mail and/or packages during rotation of the shelf. A lower door is joined to the lower portion for rotating from a closed position to an open position wherein mail and/or packages in the lower portion are retrieved.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable.

RELATED CO-PENDING U.S. PATENT APPLICATIONS

[0002] Not applicable.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0003] Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

[0004] Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

[0005] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection by the author thereof. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure for the purposes of referencing as patent prior art, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0006] One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to mail dropboxes. More particularly, the invention relates to secure dropboxes that can accept large amounts of mail and/or packages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

[0008] Dropboxes are boxes used to accept mail and/or packages for a user at a given location. An average person typically uses a dropbox to receive mail and/or packages from a postal or delivery service. However, dropboxes generally do not prevent access by unauthorized persons. Past dropbox designs have included additional security to prevent unauthorized access by incorporating locks and compartments to store mail and/or packages, but restrict the ease of access of a mail or package delivery person.

[0009] The following is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limited the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. By way of educational background, another aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is that existing dropboxes may incorporate a secured compartment that mail and/or packages drop into after being initially placed in an easily accessible compartment.

[0010] In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniques are not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates the front side of a secure dropbox, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates the components of a secure dropbox, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of a secure dropbox, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates an addition of a modular storage unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.

[0018] Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, there are modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.

[0019] It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to "an element" is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to "a step" or "a means" is a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word "or" should be understood as having the definition of a logical "or" rather than that of a logical "exclusive or" unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0020] All words of approximation as used in the present disclosure and claims should be construed to mean "approximate," rather than "perfect," and may accordingly be employed as a meaningful modifier to any other word, specified parameter, quantity, quality, or concept. Words of approximation, include, yet are not limited to terms such as "substantial", "nearly", "almost", "about", "generally", "largely", "essentially", "closely approximate", etc.

[0021] As will be established in some detail below, is well settle law, as early as 1939, that words of approximation are not indefinite in the claims even when such limits are not defined or specified in the specification.

[0022] For example, see Ex parte Mallory, 52 USPQ 297, 297 (Pat. Off. Bd. App. 1941) where the court said "The examiner has held that most of the claims are inaccurate because apparently the laminar film will not be entirely eliminated. The claims specify that the film is "substantially" eliminated and for the intended purpose, it is believed that the slight portion of the film which may remain is negligible. We are of the view, therefore, that the claims may be regarded as sufficiently accurate."

[0023] Note that claims need only "reasonably apprise those skilled in the art" as to their scope to satisfy the definiteness requirement. See Energy Absorption Sys., Inc. v. Roadway Safety Servs., Inc., Civ. App. 96-1264, slip op. at 10 (Fed. Cir. Jul. 3, 1997) (unpublished) Hybridtech v. Monoclonal Antibodies, Inc., 802 F.2d 1367, 1385, 231 USPQ 81, 94 (Fed. Cir. 1986), cert. denied, 480 U.S. 947 (1987). In addition, the use of modifiers in the claim, like "generally" and "substantial," does not by itself render the claims indefinite. See Seattle Box Co. v. Industrial Crating & Packing, Inc., 731 F.2d 818, 828-29, 221 USPQ 568, 575-76 (Fed. Cir. 1984).

[0024] Moreover, the ordinary and customary meaning of terms like "substantially" includes "reasonably close to: nearly, almost, about", connoting a term of approximation. See In re Frye, Appeal No. 2009-006013, 94 USPQ2d 1072, 1077, 2010 WL 889747 (B.P.A.I. 2010) Depending on its usage, the word "substantially" can denote either language of approximation or language of magnitude. Deering Precision Instruments, L.L.C. v. Vector Distribution Sys., Inc., 347 F.3d 1314, 1323 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (recognizing the "dual ordinary meaning of th[e] term ["substantially"] as connoting a term of approximation or a term of magnitude"). Here, when referring to the "substantially halfway" limitation, the Specification uses the word "approximately" as a substitute for the word "substantially" (Fact 4). (Fact 4). The ordinary meaning of "substantially halfway" is thus reasonably close to or nearly at the midpoint between the forwardmost point of the upper or outsole and the rearwardmost point of the upper or outsole.

[0025] Similarly, term `substantially` is well recognize in case law to have the dual ordinary meaning of connoting a term of approximation or a term of magnitude. See Dana Corp. v. American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc., Civ. App. 04-1116, 2004 U.S. App. LEXIS 18265, *13-14 (Fed. Cir. Aug. 27, 2004) (unpublished). The term "substantially" is commonly used by claim drafters to indicate approximation. See Cordis Corp. v. Medtronic AVE Inc., 339 F.3d 1352, 1360 (Fed. Cir. 2003) ("The patents do not set out any numerical standard by which to determine whether the thickness of the wall surface is `substantially uniform.` The term `substantially,` as used in this context, denotes approximation. Thus, the walls must be of largely or approximately uniform thickness."); see also Deering Precision Instruments, LLC v. Vector Distribution Sys., Inc., 347 F.3d 1314, 1322 (Fed. Cir. 2003); Epcon Gas Sys., Inc. v. Bauer Compressors, Inc., 279 F.3d 1022, 1031 (Fed. Cir. 2002). We find that the term "substantially" was used in just such a manner in the claims of the patents-in-suit: "substantially uniform wall thickness" denotes a wall thickness with approximate uniformity.

[0026] It should also be noted that such words of approximation as contemplated in the foregoing clearly limits the scope of claims such as saying `generally parallel` such that the adverb `generally` does not broaden the meaning of parallel. Accordingly, it is well settled that such words of approximation as contemplated in the foregoing (e.g., like the phrase `generally parallel`) envisions some amount of deviation from perfection (e.g., not exactly parallel), and that such words of approximation as contemplated in the foregoing are descriptive terms commonly used in patent claims to avoid a strict numerical boundary to the specified parameter. To the extent that the plain language of the claims relying on such words of approximation as contemplated in the foregoing are clear and uncontradicted by anything in the written description herein or the figures thereof, it is improper to rely upon the present written description, the figures, or the prosecution history to add limitations to any of the claim of the present invention with respect to such words of approximation as contemplated in the foregoing. That is, under such circumstances, relying on the written description and prosecution history to reject the ordinary and customary meanings of the words themselves is impermissible. See, for example, Liquid Dynamics Corp. v. Vaughan Co., 355 F.3d 1361, 69 USPQ2d 1595, 1600-01 (Fed. Cir. 2004). The plain language of phrase 2 requires a "substantial helical flow." The term "substantial" is a meaningful modifier implying "approximate," rather than "perfect." In Cordis Corp. v. Medtronic AVE, Inc., 339 F.3d 1352, 1361 (Fed. Cir. 2003), the district court imposed a precise numeric constraint on the term "substantially uniform thickness." We noted that the proper interpretation of this term was "of largely or approximately uniform thickness" unless something in the prosecution history imposed the "clear and unmistakable disclaimer" needed for narrowing beyond this simple-language interpretation. Id. In Anchor Wall Systems v. Rockwood Retaining Walls, Inc., 340 F.3d 1298, 1311 (Fed. Cir. 2003)" Id. at 1311. Similarly, the plain language of Claim 1 requires neither a perfectly helical flow nor a flow that returns precisely to the center after one rotation (a limitation that arises only as a logical consequence of requiring a perfectly helical flow).

[0027] The reader should appreciate that case law generally recognizes a dual ordinary meaning of such words of approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing, as connoting a term of approximation or a term of magnitude; e.g., see Deering Precision Instruments, L.L.C. v. Vector Distrib. Sys., Inc., 347 F.3d 1314, 68 USPQ2d 1716, 1721 (Fed. Cir. 2003), cert. denied, 124 S. Ct. 1426 (2004) where the court was asked to construe the meaning of the term "substantially" in a patent claim. Also see Epcon, 279 F.3d at 1031 ("The phrase `substantially constant` denotes language of approximation, while the phrase `substantially below` signifies language of magnitude, i.e., not insubstantial."). Also, see, e.g., Epcon Gas Sys., Inc. v. Bauer Compressors, Inc., 279 F.3d 1022 (Fed. Cir. 2002) (construing the terms "substantially constant" and "substantially below"); Zodiac Pool Care, Inc. v. Hoffinger Indus., Inc., 206 F.3d 1408 (Fed. Cir. 2000) (construing the term "substantially inward"); York Prods., Inc. v. Cent. Tractor Farm & Family Ctr., 99 F.3d 1568 (Fed. Cir. 1996) (construing the term "substantially the entire height thereof"); Tex. Instruments Inc. v. Cypress Semiconductor Corp., 90 F.3d 1558 (Fed. Cir. 1996) (construing the term "substantially in the common plane"). In conducting their analysis, the court instructed to begin with the ordinary meaning of the claim terms to one of ordinary skill in the art. Prima Tek, 318 F.3d at 1148. Reference to dictionaries and our cases indicates that the term "substantially" has numerous ordinary meanings. As the district court stated, "substantially" can mean "significantly" or "considerably." The term "substantially" can also mean "largely" or "essentially." Webster's New 20th Century Dictionary 1817 (1983).

[0028] Words of approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing, may also be used in phrases establishing approximate ranges or limits, where the end points are inclusive and approximate, not perfect; e.g., see AK Steel Corp. v. Sollac, 344 F.3d 1234, 68 USPQ2d 1280, 1285 (Fed. Cir. 2003) where it where the court said [W]e conclude that the ordinary meaning of the phrase "up to about 10%" includes the "about 10%" endpoint. As pointed out by AK Steel, when an object of the preposition "up to" is nonnumeric, the most natural meaning is to exclude the object (e.g., painting the wall up to the door). On the other hand, as pointed out by Sollac, when the object is a numerical limit, the normal meaning is to include that upper numerical limit (e.g., counting up to ten, seating capacity for up to seven passengers). Because we have here a numerical limit--"about 10%"--the ordinary meaning is that that endpoint is included.

[0029] In the present specification and claims, a goal of employment of such words of approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing, is to avoid a strict numerical boundary to the modified specified parameter, as sanctioned by Pall Corp. v. Micron Separations, Inc., 66 F.3d 1211, 1217, 36 USPQ2d 1225, 1229 (Fed. Cir. 1995) where it states "It is well established that when the term "substantially" serves reasonably to describe the subject matter so that its scope would be understood by persons in the field of the invention, and to distinguish the claimed subject matter from the prior art, it is not indefinite." Likewise see Verve LLC v. Crane Cams Inc., 311 F.3d 1116,65 USPQ2d 1051, 1054 (Fed. Cir. 2002). Expressions such as "substantially" are used in patent documents when warranted by the nature of the invention, in order to accommodate the minor variations that may be appropriate to secure the invention. Such usage may well satisfy the charge to "particularly point out and distinctly claim" the invention, 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, and indeed may be necessary in order to provide the inventor with the benefit of his invention. In Andrew Corp. v. Gabriel Elecs. Inc., 847 F.2d 819, 821-22, 6 USPQ2d 2010, 2013 (Fed. Cir. 1988) the court explained that usages such as "substantially equal" and "closely approximate" may serve to describe the invention with precision appropriate to the technology and without intruding on the prior art. The court again explained in Ecolab Inc. v. Envirochem, Inc., 264 F.3d 1358, 1367, 60 USPQ2d 1173, 1179 (Fed. Cir. 2001) that "like the term `about,` the term `substantially` is a descriptive term commonly used in patent claims to `avoid a strict numerical boundary to the specified parameter, see Ecolab Inc. v. Envirochem Inc., 264 F.3d 1358, 60 USPQ2d 1173, 1179 (Fed. Cir. 2001) where the court found that the use of the term "substantially" to modify the term "uniform" does not render this phrase so unclear such that there is no means by which to ascertain the claim scope.

[0030] Similarly, other courts have noted that like the term "about," the term "substantially" is a descriptive term commonly used in patent claims to "avoid a strict numerical boundary to the specified parameter."; e.g., see Pall Corp. v. Micron Seps., 66 F.3d 1211, 1217, 36 USPQ2d 1225, 1229 (Fed. Cir. 1995); see, e.g., Andrew Corp. v. Gabriel Elecs. Inc., 847 F.2d 819, 821-22, 6 USPQ2d 2010, 2013 (Fed. Cir. 1988) (noting that terms such as "approach each other," "close to," "substantially equal," and "closely approximate" are ubiquitously used in patent claims and that such usages, when serving reasonably to describe the claimed subject matter to those of skill in the field of the invention, and to distinguish the claimed subject matter from the prior art, have been accepted in patent examination and upheld by the courts). In this case, "substantially" avoids the strict 100% nonuniformity boundary.

[0031] Indeed, the foregoing sanctioning of such words of approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing, has been established as early as 1939, see Ex parte Mallory, 52 USPQ 297, 297 (Pat. Off. Bd. App. 1941) where, for example, the court said "the claims specify that the film is "substantially" eliminated and for the intended purpose, it is believed that the slight portion of the film which may remain is negligible. We are of the view, therefore, that the claims may be regarded as sufficiently accurate." Similarly, In re Hutchison, 104 F.2d 829, 42 USPQ 90, 93 (C.C.P.A. 1939) the court said "It is realized that "substantial distance" is a relative and somewhat indefinite term, or phrase, but terms and phrases of this character are not uncommon in patents in cases where, according to the art involved, the meaning can be determined with reasonable clearness."

[0032] Hence, for at least the forgoing reason, Applicants submit that it is improper for any examiner to hold as indefinite any claims of the present patent that employ any words of approximation.

[0033] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods, techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods, techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0034] From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art, and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein.

[0035] Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention.

[0036] Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present Application or of any further Application derived therefrom.

[0037] References to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "example embodiment," "various embodiments," "some embodiments," "embodiments of the invention," etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every possible embodiment of the invention necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase "in one embodiment," or "in an exemplary embodiment," "an embodiment," do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may. Moreover, any use of phrases like "embodiments" in connection with "the invention" are never meant to characterize that all embodiments of the invention must include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic, and should instead be understood to mean "at least some embodiments of the invention" includes the stated particular feature, structure, or characteristic.

[0038] References to "user", or any similar term, as used herein, may mean a human or non-human user thereof. Moreover, "user", or any similar term, as used herein, unless expressly stipulated otherwise, is contemplated to mean users at any stage of the usage process, to include, without limitation, direct user(s), intermediate user(s), indirect user(s), and end user(s). The meaning of "user", or any similar term, as used herein, should not be otherwise inferred or induced by any pattern(s) of description, embodiments, examples, or referenced prior-art that may (or may not) be provided in the present patent.

[0039] References to "end user", or any similar term, as used herein, is generally intended to mean late stage user(s) as opposed to early stage user(s). Hence, it is contemplated that there may be a multiplicity of different types of "end user" near the end stage of the usage process. Where applicable, especially with respect to distribution channels of embodiments of the invention comprising consumed retail products/services thereof (as opposed to sellers/vendors or Original Equipment Manufacturers), examples of an "end user" may include, without limitation, a "consumer", "buyer", "customer", "purchaser", "shopper", "enjoyer", "viewer", or individual person or non-human thing benefiting in any way, directly or indirectly, from use of. or interaction, with some aspect of the present invention.

[0040] In some situations, some embodiments of the present invention may provide beneficial usage to more than one stage or type of usage in the foregoing usage process. In such cases where multiple embodiments targeting various stages of the usage process are described, references to "end user", or any similar term, as used therein, are generally intended to not include the user that is the furthest removed, in the foregoing usage process, from the final user therein of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Where applicable, especially with respect to retail distribution channels of embodiments of the invention, intermediate user(s) may include, without limitation, any individual person or non-human thing benefiting in any way, directly or indirectly, from use of, or interaction with, some aspect of the present invention with respect to selling, vending, Original Equipment Manufacturing, marketing, merchandising, distributing, service providing, and the like thereof.

[0042] References to "person", "individual", "human", "a party", "animal", "creature", or any similar term, as used herein, even if the context or particular embodiment implies living user, maker, or participant, it should be understood that such characterizations are sole by way of example, and not limitation, in that it is contemplated that any such usage, making, or participation by a living entity in connection with making, using, and/or participating, in any way, with embodiments of the present invention may be substituted by such similar performed by a suitably configured non-living entity, to include, without limitation, automated machines, robots, humanoids, computational systems, information processing systems, artificially intelligent systems, and the like. It is further contemplated that those skilled in the art will readily recognize the practical situations where such living makers, users, and/or participants with embodiments of the present invention may be in whole, or in part, replaced with such non-living makers, users, and/or participants with embodiments of the present invention. Likewise, when those skilled in the art identify such practical situations where such living makers, users, and/or participants with embodiments of the present invention may be in whole, or in part, replaced with such non-living makers, it will be readily apparent in light of the teachings of the present invention how to adapt the described embodiments to be suitable for such non-living makers, users, and/or participants with embodiments of the present invention. Thus, the invention is thus to also cover all such modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of such adaptations and modifications, at least in part, for such non-living entities.

[0043] Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

[0044] The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0045] It is understood that the use of specific component, device and/or parameter names are for example only and not meant to imply any limitations on the invention. The invention may thus be implemented with different nomenclature/terminology utilized to describe the mechanisms/units/structures/components/devices/parameters herein, without limitation. Each term utilized herein is to be given its broadest interpretation given the context in which that term is utilized.

[0046] Terminology. The following paragraphs provide definitions and/or context for terms found in this disclosure (including the appended claims):

[0047] "Comprising." This term is open-ended. As used in the appended claims, this term does not foreclose additional structure or steps. Consider a claim that recites: "A memory controller comprising a system cache . . . . " Such a claim does not foreclose the memory controller from including additional components (e.g., a memory channel unit, a switch).

[0048] "Configured To." Various units, circuits, or other components may be described or claimed as "configured to" perform a task or tasks. In such contexts, "configured to" or "operable for" is used to connote structure by indicating that the mechanisms/units/circuits/components include structure (e.g., circuitry and/or mechanisms) that performs the task or tasks during operation. As such, the mechanisms/unit/circuit/component can be said to be configured to (or be operable) for perform(ing) the task even when the specified mechanisms/unit/circuit/component is not currently operational (e.g., is not on). The mechanisms/units/circuits/components used with the "configured to" or "operable for" language include hardware--for example, mechanisms, structures, electronics, circuits, memory storing program instructions executable to implement the operation, etc. Reciting that a

mechanism/unit/circuit/component is "configured to" or "operable for" perform(ing) one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, sixth paragraph, for that mechanism/unit/circuit/component. "Configured to" may also include adapting a manufacturing process to fabricate devices or components that are adapted to implement or perform one or more tasks.

[0049] "Based On." As used herein, this term is used to describe one or more factors that affect a determination. This term does not foreclose additional factors that may affect a determination. That is, a determination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least in part, on those factors. Consider the phrase "determine A based on B." While B may be a factor that affects the determination of A, such a phrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also being based on C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B.

[0050] The terms "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more", unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0051] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing conditions, concentrations, dimensions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about." Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending at least upon a specific analytical technique.

[0052] The term "comprising," which is synonymous with "including," "containing," or "characterized by" is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. "Comprising" is a term of art used in claim language which means that the named claim elements are essential, but other claim elements may be added and still form a construct within the scope of the claim.

[0053] As used herein, the phase "consisting of" excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim. When the phrase "consists of" (or variations thereof) appears in a clause of the body of a claim, rather than immediately following the preamble, it limits only the element set forth in that clause; other elements are not excluded from the claim as a whole. As used herein, the phase "consisting essentially of" limits the scope of a claim to the specified elements or method steps, plus those that do not materially affect the basis and novel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter.

[0054] With respect to the terms "comprising," "consisting of," and "consisting essentially of," where one of these three terms is used herein, the presently disclosed and claimed subject matter may include the use of either of the other two terms. Thus in some embodiments not otherwise explicitly recited, any instance of "comprising" may be replaced by "consisting of" or, alternatively, by "consisting essentially of."

[0055] Devices or system modules that are in at least general communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or system modules that are in at least general communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

[0056] A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention.

[0057] As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal manufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.

[0058] It is to be understood that any exact measurements/dimensions or particular construction materials indicated herein are solely provided as examples of suitable configurations and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Depending on the needs of the particular application, those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of the following teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternative implementation details.

[0059] Some embodiments of the present invention and variations thereof, relate to a secure dropbox comprising of a rotating shelf controlled by a door via a chain sprocket configuration. In one embodiment of the invention, a door for receiving mail controls an internal shelf via a chain sprocket. Mail may be deposited in the dropbox and dropped into a secure compartment after the door for receiving mail is closed.

[0060] FIG. 1 illustrates the front side of a secure dropbox, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, dropbox 100 is made of heavy steel or sheet metal. Upper door 101 may be used for accepting incoming mail and/or packages. Lower door 102 may be used for retrieving mail and/or packages by the user. Door knobs 103 and 104 are attached to upper door 101 and lower door 102 and may be used to make upper door 101 and lower door 102 easier to open. Magnet 105 may be used to hold upper door 101 shut. Lock 106 may be used to lock to clip 107 and hold lower door 102 closed. Clip 107 may be removed to operate lower door 102 without having to use a key with lock 106. Clip 108 may be removed to operate upper door 101 without having to use a key with a lock similar to lock 107.

[0061] It may be appreciated to a person with ordinary skill in the art that the material dropbox 100 is made from is not limited to heavy steal or sheet metal. Alternative embodiments of the invention may be made from, but not limited to, wood, plastic, glass, copper, brass, sheet metal and steel.

[0062] It may be appreciated to a person with ordinary skill in the art that the locations of upper door 101 and lower door 102 need not be located on the front side of dropbox 100. Alternative embodiments of the invention may have, but are not limited to, upper door 101 located the side, front, top or back of dropbox 100. Alternative embodiments of the invention may have, but are not limited to, lower door 102 located the front, back or sides of dropbox 100.

[0063] It may be appreciated to a person with ordinary skill in the art that the magnet 105 may be replaced with a different mechanism to hold upper door 101 closed. Alternative embodiments of the invention may have, but are not limited to, hooks, adhesive, spring, holding clip, or latch.

[0064] It may be appreciated to a person with ordinary skill in the art that the magnet 105 does not necessary need to be restricted to the upper door 101 of dropbox 100. Alternative embodiments of the invention may have, but are not limited to, magnet 105 located to hold either, both, or neither upper door 101 and lower door 102.

[0065] It may be appreciated to a person with ordinary skill in the art that lock 106 and clip 107 may be replaced with a different mechanism to secure lower door 102. Alternative embodiments of the invention may have, but are not limited to, electronic locks, combination locks, spring, holding clip, or latch.

[0066] FIG. 2 illustrates the components of a secure dropbox, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Dropbox 200 externally comprises of upper door 201, lower door 202, and door sprocket 203, shelf sprocket 204, and chain 205. Dropbox 200 internally comprises of shelf 206, door sprocket rod 207, shelf sprocket rod 208, and removable panel 209. Upper door 201 may be used for accepting incoming mail and/or packages. Lower door 202 may be used for retrieving mail and/or packages by the user. Removable panel 209 may be removed to add additional modules.

[0067] Door sprocket rod 207 is connected to upper door 201 at the shaft of door sprocket rod 207. Upper door 201 may be connected to sprocket rod 207, without limitation, via weld, spot weld, screws, glue, braze, solder etc. Sprocket rod 207 may be connected at the bottom of upper door 201 and when upper door 201 is rotated sprocket rod 207 also rotates. Door sprocket rod 207 is free to rotate along its shaft when upper door 201 is opened or closed. The center of door sprocket 203 is attached to one end of door sprocket rod 207 and rotates along its center when door sprocket rod 207 rotates along its shaft. In the same motion, door sprocket 203 drives chain 205 and rotates shelf sprocket 204 along its center.

[0068] The center of shelf sprocket 204 is connected to one end of shelf sprocket rod 208. Shelf sprocket rod 208 is further connected to shelf 206 along the shaft of sprocket rod 208. Shelf sprocket rod 208 may be attached to shelf 206 at approximately in the middle of shelf 206 via, without limitation, weld, screw, spot weld, brazed, or soldered. When shelf sprocket 204 rotates along its center, shelf sprocket rod 208 rotates along its shaft. Shelf 206 rotates with the shaft shelf sprocket rod 208. Safety flap 210 may be positioned under shelf 206 when upper door 201 is open. Safety flap 210 may prevent a person from reaching into dropbox 200 through the open upper door 201 for mail and/or packages behind lower door 202. Clip 211 may be removed to operate upper door 201 without having to use a key with a lock similar to lock 107. In some embodiments, rod 215 may enable lower door 202 to rotate for opening and closing.

[0069] It may be appreciated to a person with ordinary skill in the art that the door sprocket 203, shelf sprocket 204, and chain 205 may be replaced with alternative mechanisms. Alternative embodiments of the invention may have, but are not limited to, gears, pulleys and belts. In other alternate embodiments, shelf sprocket rod 208 may be rotated using a motor. In other alternate embodiments, the motor may be operated wireless.

[0070] It may be appreciated to a person with ordinary skill in the art that a chain sprocket system comprising of door sprocket 203, shelf sprocket 204, and chain 205 need not be located on the exterior of dropbox 200. Alternative embodiments of the invention may have, but are not limited to, the chain sprocket system being located in the interior of dropbox 200.

[0071] FIG. 3 illustrates the operation of a secure dropbox, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Dropbox 300 illustrates the operation of the dropbox 300 when upper door 301 is opened. When upper door 301 is opened, door sprocket rod 302 rotates and drives door sprocket 303. Door sprocket 303 further drives chain 304 and shelf sprocket 305. Shelf sprocket 305 rotates shelf rod 306 which rotates shelf 307 clockwise about 180 degrees. Package 308 may be placed inside dropbox 300 on shelf 302. Safety flap 320 may prevent a person from reaching into dropbox 300 through the open upper door 301 for mail and/or packages behind lower door 319.

[0072] Dropbox 310 illustrates the operation of the dropbox 310 when upper door 311 is closed. When upper door 311 is closed, door sprocket rod 312 rotates and drives door sprocket 313. Door sprocket 313 further drives chain 314 and shelf sprocket 315. Shelf sprocket 315 rotates shelf rod 316 which rotates shelf 317 counter-clockwise about 180 degrees. In the present embodiment, when upper door 311 is open, shelf 317 is flat at a horizontal position at about 0 degrees. When upper door 311 closes shelf 317 rotates approximately 180 degrees to a horizontal position. Package 318 falls into the bottom portion of dropbox 310 and may be retrieved by the user from lower door 319.

[0073] FIG. 4 illustrates an addition of a modular storage unit, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Dropbox 400 has removable panel 401 removed and extra storage unit 402 can be connected to the bottom of dropbox 400. Safety flap 410 may prevent a person from reaching into dropbox 400 through the open upper door for mail and/or packages behind the lower door. Clip 411 may be removed to operate the upper door without having to use a key with a lock similar to lock 107.

[0074] It may be appreciated to a person with ordinary skill in the art that extra storage unit 402 need not be limited to modules for increasing storage capacity. Alternative embodiments of the invention may have, but are not limited to, modularly attachable accessories.

[0075] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, that any of the foregoing steps may be suitably replaced, reordered, removed and additional steps may be inserted depending upon the needs of the particular application. Moreover, the prescribed method steps of the foregoing embodiments may be implemented using any physical and/or hardware system that those skilled in the art will readily know is suitable in light of the foregoing teachings. For any method steps described in the present application that can be carried out on a computing machine, a typical computer system can, when appropriately configured or designed, serve as a computer system in which those aspects of the invention may be embodied.

[0076] All the features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0077] It is noted that according to USA law 35 USC .sctn.112 (1), all claims must be supported by sufficient disclosure in the present patent specification, and any material known to those skilled in the art need not be explicitly disclosed. However, 35 USC .sctn.112 (6) requires that structures corresponding to functional limitations interpreted under 35 USC .sctn.112 (6) must be explicitly disclosed in the patent specification. Moreover, the USPTO's Examination policy of initially treating and searching prior art under the broadest interpretation of a "mean for" claim limitation implies that the broadest initial search on 112 (6) functional limitation would have to be conducted to support a legally valid Examination on that USPTO policy for broadest interpretation of "mean for" claims. Accordingly, the USPTO will have discovered a multiplicity of prior art documents including disclosure of specific structures and elements which are suitable to act as corresponding structures to satisfy all functional limitations in the below claims that are interpreted under 35 USC .sctn.112 (6) when such corresponding structures are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent specification. Therefore, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding to functional claim limitation(s), in the below claims interpreted under 35 USC .sctn.112 (6), which is/are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent specification, yet do exist in the patent and/or non-patent documents found during the course of USPTO searching, Applicant(s) incorporate all such functionally corresponding structures and related enabling material herein by reference for the purpose of providing explicit structures that implement the functional means claimed. Applicant(s) request(s) that fact finders during any claims construction proceedings and/or examination of patent allowability properly identify and incorporate only the portions of each of these documents discovered during the broadest interpretation search of 35 USC .sctn.112 (6) limitation, which exist in at least one of the patent and/or non-patent documents found during the course of normal USPTO searching and or supplied to the USPTO during prosecution. Applicant(s) also incorporate by reference the bibliographic citation information to identify all such documents comprising functionally corresponding structures and related enabling material as listed in any PTO Form-892 or likewise any information disclosure statements (IDS) entered into the present patent application by the USPTO or Applicant(s) or any 3.sup.rd parties. Applicant(s) also reserve its right to later amend the present application to explicitly include citations to such documents and/or explicitly include the functionally corresponding structures which were incorporate by reference above.

[0078] Thus, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding to functional claim limitation(s), in the below claims, that are interpreted under 35 USC .sctn.112 (6), which is/are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent specification, Applicant(s) have explicitly prescribed which documents and material to include the otherwise missing disclosure, and have prescribed exactly which portions of such patent and/or non-patent documents should be incorporated by such reference for the purpose of satisfying the disclosure requirements of 35 USC .sctn.112 (6). Applicant(s) note that all the identified documents above which are incorporated by reference to satisfy 35 USC .sctn.112 (6) necessarily have a filing and/or publication date prior to that of the instant application, and thus are valid prior documents to incorporated by reference in the instant application.

[0079] Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing mail dropboxes according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Various aspects of the invention have been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. The particular implementation of the mail dropboxes may vary depending upon the particular context or application. By way of example, and not limitation, the mail dropboxes described in the foregoing were principally directed to dropbox security implementations; however, similar techniques may instead be applied to lockboxes, chests, luggage, or locks, which implementations of the present invention are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims. It is to be further understood that not all of the disclosed embodiments in the foregoing specification will necessarily satisfy or achieve each of the objects, advantages, or improvements described in the foregoing specification.

[0080] Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

[0081] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

[0082] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0083] The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b) requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scope or meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

Claims

1. A dropbox comprising: an upper portion for receiving mail and/or packages; an upper door joined to said upper portion for rotating from a closed position to an open position wherein a user places mail and/or packages in said upper portion; a shelf disposed within said upper portion for supporting the placed mail and/or packages, said shelf being configured to rotate about a horizontal axis; a rotating mechanism joined to said shelf and said upper door, said rotating mechanism rotating said shelf during opening and closing of said upper door; a lower portion for receiving the placed mail and/or packages during rotation of said shelf; and a lower door joined to said lower portion for rotating from a closed position to an open position wherein mail and/or packages in said lower portion are retrieved.

2. The dropbox as recited in claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism joined to said lower portion and said lower door for securing said lower door in said closed position.

3. The dropbox as recited in claim 1, further comprising a holding mechanism for holding said upper door in said closed position.

4. The dropbox as recited in claim 1, further comprising a safety flap being positioned in said upper portion for mitigating reaching into said lower portion.

5. The dropbox as recited in claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism joined to said upper portion for securing said upper door in said closed position.

6. The dropbox as recited in claim 3, further comprising a holding mechanism for holding said lower door in said closed position.

7. The dropbox as recited in claim 1, further comprising a modular storage unit joined to said lower portion.

8. The dropbox as recited in claim 1, in which said rotating mechanism further comprises a door rod joined to said upper door and a shelf rod joined to said shelf.

9. The dropbox as recited in claim 8, in which said rotating mechanism further comprises sprockets and a chain joined to said door rod and said shelf rod.

10. The dropbox as recited in claim 7, in which said lower portion further comprises a removable bottom shelf for access to said modular storage unit.

11. The dropbox as recited in claim 6, in which said holding mechanism further comprises a magnetic device.

12. A dropbox comprising: means for receiving mail and/or packages; means for opening said receiving means, wherein a user places mail and/or packages in said receiving means; means for supporting the placed mail and/or packages, said supporting means being configured to rotate about a horizontal axis; means for rotating said supporting means during opening and closing of said opening means; means for receiving the placed mail and/or packages during rotation of said supporting means; and means for retrieving the mail and/or packages.

13. The dropbox as recited in claim 12, further comprising means for securing said retrieving means in a closed position.

14. The dropbox as recited in claim 12, further comprising means for holding said opening means in a closed position.

15. The dropbox as recited in claim 12, further comprising means for mitigating reaching into said receiving means.

16. The dropbox as recited in claim 12, further comprising means for securing said opening means in a closed position.

17. The dropbox as recited in claim 12, further comprising means for holding said retrieving means in a closed position.

18. The dropbox as recited in claim 12, further comprising means for adding storage to said receiving means.

19. A dropbox comprising: an upper portion for receiving mail and/or packages; an upper door joined to said upper portion for rotating from a closed position to an open position wherein a user places mail and/or packages in said upper portion; a magnetic device for holding said upper door in said closed position; a means for securing said upper door in said closed position; a shelf disposed within said upper portion for supporting the placed mail and/or packages, said shelf being configured to rotate approximately 180 degrees about a horizontal axis; a rotating mechanism comprising a shelf rod joined to said shelf, a door rod joined to said upper door, sprockets joined to said shelf rod and said door rod, and a chain joining said sprockets, said rotating mechanism rotating said shelf during opening and closing of said upper door; a lower portion for receiving the placed mail and/or packages during rotation of said shelf, said lower portion comprising a removable bottom shelf for access to a modular storage unit a safety flap being positioned in said upper portion for mitigating reaching into said lower portion; a lower door joined to said lower portion for rotating from a closed position to an open position wherein mail and/or packages in said lower portion are retrieved; a magnetic device for holding said lower door in said closed position; and a locking mechanism joined to said lower portion and said lower door for securing said lower door in said closed position, said locking mechanism comprising a clip joined to said lower portion a lock joined to said lower door.

20. The dropbox as recited in claim 19, further comprising a modular storage unit joined to said lower portion.

Images