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US 9,955,812 B2Granted
Parcel receiving apparatus and associated methods
AssigneeMichael Patrick Charbeneau
InventorMichael Patrick Charbeneau
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention are related to a parcel receiving apparatus that may comprise a parcel bin, a frame assembly, and a locking system. The frame assembly may be configured to fit inside a support structure aperture and circumscribe the parcel bin. Additionally, the parcel bin may be rotatably attached to the frame assembly along a fixed axis. The locking system may be operable to permit or deny a user from rotating the parcel bin into an open position. Applications of the parcel receiving apparatus may include remote access and automatic rotating functionality.
Claims19
A parcel receiving apparatus comprising:
- a parcel bin;
- a frame assembly;
- and
- a locking system;
- wherein the frame assembly is configured to fit inside a support structure aperture and circumscribe the parcel bin;
- wherein the parcel bin is rotatably attached to the frame assembly along a fixed axis;
- wherein the locking system is operable to permit or deny a user from rotating the parcel bin into an open position;
- wherein pivot bolts are configured to allow the parcel bin to rotate within the frame assembly;
- wherein the pivot bolts are threaded at a first segment and smooth at a second segment;
- wherein the threaded segment is operable to secure the pivot bolt to the outside housing;
- and
- wherein the smooth segment is operable to engage low friction bushings in the sides of the parcel receiving bin.
9 more elements
A parcel receiving apparatus comprising:
- a parcel bin;
- a frame assembly comprising
- a microcontroller,
- a receiver,
- pivot bolts configured to engage and rotate the parcel bin,
- at least one electric motor configured to rotate the pivot bolts, and
- electrical coupling between the microcontroller and the at least one electrical motor;
- and
- a locking system;
- wherein the frame assembly is configured to fit inside a support structure aperture and circumscribe the parcel bin;
- wherein the parcel bin is rotatably attached to the frame assembly along a fixed axis;
- wherein the locking system is configured to permit or deny rotation of the parcel bin into an open position;
- wherein the receiver is configured to receive an access code and transmit that code to the microcontroller;
- wherein the microcontroller is configured to compare the access code sent from the receiver with a predefined code stored in memory;
- wherein the microcontroller is configured to unlock the locking system upon a positively compared code;
- wherein the microcontroller signals the electric motor to rotate the pivot bolts and place the parcel receiving apparatus into one of an open position or closed position.
13 more elements
A parcel receiving apparatus comprising:
- a parcel bin;
- a frame assembly comprising
- a microcontroller,
- a receiver,
- pivot bolts configured to engage and rotate the parcel bin,
- at least one electric motor configured to rotate the pivot bolts, and
- electrical coupling between the microcontroller and the at least one electrical motor;
- and
- a locking system comprising a user interface;
- wherein the frame assembly is configured to fit inside a support structure aperture and circumscribe the parcel bin;
- wherein the parcel bin is rotatably attached to the frame assembly along a fixed axis;
- wherein the locking system is configured to permit or deny rotation of the parcel bin into an open position;
- wherein the receiver is configured to receive an access code and transmit that code to the microcontroller;
- wherein the microcontroller is configured to compare the access code sent from the receiver with a predefined code stored in memory;
- wherein the microcontroller is configured to unlock the locking system upon a positively compared code;
- wherein the microcontroller signals the electric motor to rotate the pivot bolts and place the parcel receiving apparatus into one of an open position or closed position;
- wherein the microcontroller is configured to be connected to at least one of a local area network (LAN), a personal area network (PAN), a cellular network, or a wide area network (WAN), such as the internet;
- wherein the microcontroller is configurable to retain a control access code and a control closing code via one of a user interface and portable electronic device;
- and
- wherein the parcel receiving apparatus is configured to be installed into one of a garage door, a building's exterior wall, and a fence.
17 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.