# US 10,863,844 B2 · Apparatus for deterring theft of packages > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,863,844 B2 - Document ID: US10863844B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/365,999 - Filed: 2019-03-27 - Published: 2019-10-03 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-29 - Applicants: Madison Daniels - Inventors: Madison Daniels - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10863844B2 ## CPC - A47G 29/20: with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles - A47G 29/124: Appliances to prevent unauthorised removal of contents - E05B 73/00: Devices for locking portable objects against unauthorised removal; Miscellaneous locking devices {(motorcycle helmets A42B3/0413; supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening helmets B62J11/24; gun racks A47B81/005; showcases with theft protection A47F3/002; anti-theft means for peg-boards, grids or rods for hanging merchandise A47F5/0861; show stands, hangers, shelves with provision against unauthorised removal A47F7/024; for self-service hand-carts A47F10/04; locking skis A63C11/004; locking bolts, nuts or pins F16B41/00)} - E05B 67/383: {Staples or the like for padlocks; Lock slings; Arrangements on locks to cooperate with padlocks} - E05B 73/0005: {using chains, cables or the like (chain- or cable-locks of the padlock type E05B67/003; lockable clothing hangers or hanger racks E05B69/006)} - A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B) - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS ## Abstract An apparatus for deterring theft of packages which includes an enclosure having an interior cavity. A conical inlet port provides access to the interior cavity. The conical inlet port has a wide end and a narrow end. The narrow end projects into the interior cavity. The narrow end normally has a first diameter. However, the narrow end expands to a second diameter in response to pressure from a package being pushed through the conical inlet port toward the interior cavity. The narrow end contracts back to the first diameter when pressure from the package is released, to prevent the package from being pulled by a thief back through the narrow end of the conical inlet port. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for deterring theft of packages, comprising: a secure enclosure having an interior cavity and a conical inlet port that provides access to the interior cavity, the conical inlet port having a wide end and a narrow end, the narrow end projecting into the interior cavity, the narrow end normally having a first diameter, the narrow end expanding to a second diameter in response to pressure from a package being pushed through the conical inlet port toward the interior cavity, the narrow end then contracting to the first diameter when pressure from the package is released to prevent the package from being pulled back through the narrow end of the conical inlet port; wherein the conical inlet port is comprised of a plurality of cantilever members which are anchored to the wide end of the conical inlet port and are outwardly movable at the narrow end of the conical inlet port from the first diameter to the second diameter; and wherein each of the cantilever members has a length with a plurality of sharp pointed projections positioned in spaced relation along the length. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the secure enclosure is a container. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein there is at least one anchor that anchors the container in a selected position, thereby providing a deterrent to theft of the container. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the container has a package removal outlet, that is separate and distinct from the conical inlet port. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the container is a cut resistant and water resistant bag. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the container has an expanded operative position and a contracted stored position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the package removal outlet is comprised of two or more overlapping flaps. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein one of the two or more overlapping flaps supports an eyelet and the other of the two or more overlapping flaps has an opening through which the eyelet passes. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conical inlet port is supported by an entry housing which is attached to the enclosure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the entry housing has legs which elevate the entry housing and the enclosure has a slide portion, such that packages passing through the conical inlet port slide down the slide portion of the enclosure away from the entry housing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the cantilever members has a perimeter with a lengthwise zone on the perimeter devoid of the sharp pointed projections. ### Claim 12 An apparatus for deterring theft of packages, comprising: an enclosure having an interior cavity and a conical inlet port that provides access to the interior cavity, the conical inlet port having a wide end and a narrow end, the narrow end projecting into the interior cavity, the narrow end normally having a first diameter, the narrow end expanding to a second diameter in response to pressure from a package being pushed through the conical inlet port toward the interior cavity, the narrow end then contracting to the first diameter when pressure from the package is released to prevent the package from being pulled back through the narrow end of the conical inlet port; wherein the conical inlet port is comprised of a plurality of cantilever members which are anchored to the wide end of the conical inlet port and are outwardly movable at the narrow end of the conical inlet port from the first diameter to the second diameter; and wherein the cantilever members are made from fabric and have reinforcing ribs. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a row of cantilever supports is positioned behind the cantilever members. ### Claim 14 An apparatus for deterring theft of packages, comprising: an enclosure having an interior cavity and a conical inlet port that provides access to the interior cavity, the conical inlet port having a wide end and a narrow end, the narrow end projecting into the interior cavity, the narrow end normally having a first diameter, the narrow end expanding to a second diameter in response to pressure from a package being pushed through the conical inlet port toward the interior cavity, the narrow end then contracting to the first diameter when pressure from the package is released to prevent the package from being pulled back through the narrow end of the conical inlet port; wherein the conical inlet port is comprised of a plurality of cantilever members which are anchored to the wide end of the conical inlet port and are outwardly movable at the narrow end of the conical inlet port from the first diameter to the second diameter; and wherein the cantilever members are overlapping fins.