# US 11,026,533 B2 · Package receptacle assembly integrated into an exterior feature of a home > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,026,533 B2 - Document ID: US11026533B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/556,774 - Filed: 2019-08-30 - Published: 2020-05-14 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-11-13 - Applicants: Robert Orton - Inventors: Robert Orton - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11026533B2 ## CPC - A47G 29/141: {comprising electronically controlled locking means} - A47G 29/12095: {comprising a chute and a separate outlet door} - A47G 29/20: with appliances for preventing unauthorised removal of the deposited articles - A47G 29/30: Accessories, e.g. signalling devices, lamps, means for leaving messages - B65G 11/023: {for articles} - A47G 2029/142: {the receptacle interior being adapted to receive a transportable deposit container for food or large parcels} - A47G 2029/144: {the receptacle being transportable and attachable to a building} - A47G 2029/149: {with central server link} - E04C 3/30: Columns; Pillars; Struts (not designed for end loading E04C3/02; posts, masts, as independent structures E04H12/00) - A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B) - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) - E04C: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS (for bridges E01D; specially designed for insulation or other protection E04B; elements used as building aids E04G; for mining E21; for tunnels E21D; structural elements with broader range of application than for building engineering F16, particularly F16S) ## Abstract The present invention relates to a package receptacle assembly that is integrated into a column of a home. The compartment in some embodiments has a door that is positioned in a front wall of the compartment so that the door is positioned between the rear wall of the compartment and a front door of a home, which obscures the door from view. The door in some arrangements has a locking assembly, which is configured to send out notification and provide remote control of the locking assembly in various iterations of the present invention. Some embodiments have a chute that extends through the column and between the compartment and the roof to allow delivery of a package onto the roof and through the column to the compartment, such as by way of a UAV. Other embodiments include a chute that extends from the compartment to the home. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A package receptacle assembly, comprising: an exterior porch column extending from a porch of a home to a roof of the home; and a compartment having a cavity positioned within the exterior porch column, wherein the compartment is configured to receive a package. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The package receptacle assembly of claim 1 wherein the compartment is integrated into the exterior porch column such that the compartment is substantially obscured from view. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The package receptacle assembly of claim 1 further comprising a first chute in communication with the compartment. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The package receptacle assembly of claim 3 wherein the first chute extends from the compartment up through the exterior porch column to the roof. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The package receptacle assembly of claim 4 further comprising a first end of the first chute abutting the roof having a first opening and a second end of the first chute abutting the compartment having a second opening, wherein the first chute is configured to receive the package through the first end of the first chute and transmit the package into the compartment through the first chute using gravity. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The package receptacle assembly of claim 5 further comprising the first end of the first chute having a flap. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The package receptacle assembly of claim 6 wherein the flap of the first chute is selectively engageable. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The package receptacle assembly of claim 4 further comprising a second chute in communication with the compartment. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The package receptacle assembly of claim 8 wherein the second chute extends from the compartment into the home. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The package receptacle assembly of claim 9 wherein at least a portion of the second chute is angled from the compartment downwards and towards a basement of the home. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The package receptacle assembly of claim 9 further comprising a first end of the second chute having a flap. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The package receptacle assembly of claim 11 wherein the flap of the second chute is selectively engageable. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The package receptacle assembly of claim 9 further comprising a first chute in communication with the compartment, wherein the first chute extends from the compartment up through the exterior porch column to the roof. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The package receptacle assembly of claim 1 further comprising a door positioned in a front wall of the compartment such that the door is positioned between a rear wall opposite the front wall and a front door of the home. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The package receptacle assembly of claim 1 further comprising a door having a locking assembly configured to selectively engage and secure the door. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The package receptacle assembly of claim 15 wherein the locking assembly is selected from the group consisting of a keypad, an internal switch housed within the compartment, and a remotely controlled locking assembly. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The package receptacle assembly of claim 16 wherein the locking assembly is configured to transmit a notification through a wireless network when the door of the compartment is opened and closed, and the locking assembly is engaged and disengaged. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The package receptacle assembly of claim 1 further comprising a video assembly positioned within the compartment. ### Claim 19 A package receptacle assembly, comprising: an exterior porch column extending from a porch of a home to a roof of the home; a compartment integrated into the exterior porch column and having a cavity; a door positioned in a front wall of the compartment such that the door is positioned between a rear wall opposite the front wall and a front door of the home; a locking assembly configured to selectively engage and secure the door; and a first chute in communication with the compartment, wherein the first chute extends from the compartment up through the exterior porch column to the roof. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The package receptacle assembly of claim 19 further comprising a second chute in communication with the compartment, wherein the second chute extends from the compartment into the home, and a video assembly positioned within the compartment.