Mobile expandable hard sided package security drop box

{
  "publication_number": "US11172777B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Mobile expandable hard sided package security drop box",
  "abstract": "A package drop box includes a base, a cap, and a retention bracket. The base has an open top. The cap has an open bottom. In a first position, the cap is fitted over the base such that a bottom edge of the cap is proximate a bottom edge of the base. In the second position, the bottom edge of the cap is proximate a top edge of the base. The retention bracket is configured to secure to the base. The retention bracket is configured to extend up a back of the base from the surface supporting the package drop box, extend along the surface away from the back of the base, and extend vertically upward from the surface supporting the package drop box at a predetermined distance from the back of the base.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A package drop box comprising: a base having an open top; a cap having an open bottom, said cap having a first position and a second position, wherein: the cap is configured to secure to the base when the package drop box is assembled to define an interior volume of the package drop box; in the first position, the cap is fitted over the base such that a bottom edge of the cap is proximate a bottom edge of the base; and in the second position, the bottom edge of the cap is proximate a top edge of the base; and a retention bracket configured to secure to the package drop box when the package drop box is assembled, and wherein said retention bracket is configured to extend up a back of the base from a surface supporting the package drop box, extend along the surface away from the back of the base, and extend vertically upward from the surface supporting the package drop box at a predetermined distance from the back of the base.",
    "2. The package drop box of claim 1, wherein: the retention bracket is further configured to extend over the top edge of the base, and down an inside surface of the back of base to secure the retention bracket to the package drop box when the package drop box is assembled.",
    "3. The package drop box of claim 1, further comprising a set of wheels configured to attach to the base and support the base above the surface supporting the package drop box when the package drop box is assembled.",
    "4. The package drop box of claim 1, wherein: the cap comprises a hatch hingedly attached to a top of the cap such that lifting the hatch provides a user access to the interior of the package drop box defined by the base and the cap.",
    "5. The package drop box of claim 1, wherein: the cap comprises a hatch hingedly attached to a top of the cap such that lifting the hatch provides a user access to the interior of the package drop box defined by the base and the cap; and the package drop box further comprises a latch and a lock, wherein the latch and the lock are configured to cooperate to secure the hatch in a closed position preventing access to the interior of the package drop box.",
    "6. The package drop box of claim 1, wherein: the base further comprises at least one pin configured to extend outwardly from at least one outside vertical surface of said base when the package drop box is assembled and in an upright position; and the cap further comprises a notch in an interior surface of said cap, said notch corresponding to the pin such that a user may raise the cap with respect to the base to the second position of the cap while the pin remains in the notch and the pin limits upward travel of the cap relative to the base to prevent removal of the cap from the base.",
    "7. The package drop box of claim 1, wherein: the base further comprises at least one pin configured to extend outwardly from at least one outside vertical surface of said base when the package drop box is assembled and in an upright position; the cap further comprises a notch in an interior surface of said cap, said notch corresponding to the pin such that a user may raise the cap with respect to the base to the second position of the cap while the pin remains in the notch and the pin limits upward travel of the cap relative to the base to prevent removal of the cap from the base; and the pin extends from the back of the base through the retention bracket to secure the retention bracket to the base when the package drop box is assembled.",
    "8. The package drop box of claim 1, wherein: the base further comprises at least one pin configured to extend outwardly from at least one outside vertical surface of said base when the package drop box is assembled and in an upright position; the cap further comprises a notch in an interior surface of said cap, said notch corresponding to the pin such that a user may raise the cap with respect to the base to the second position of the cap while the pin remains in the notch and the pin limits upward travel of the cap relative to the base to prevent removal of the cap from the base; the notch has a vertical portion and a lock portion, said lock portion extending horizontally from the vertical portion of the notch proximate a bottom of the notch such that the pin interlocks with the lock portion of the notch when the cap is in the second position and the pin supports the cap by interlocking with the lock portion of the notch when the cap is in the second position.",
    "9. The package drop box of claim 1, wherein: the base further comprises at least one pin configured to extend outwardly from at least one outside vertical surface of said base when the package drop box is assembled and in an upright position; the cap further comprises a notch in an interior surface of said cap, said notch corresponding to the pin such that a user may raise the cap with respect to the base to the second position of the cap while the pin remains in the notch and the pin limits upward travel of the cap relative to the base to prevent removal of the cap from the base; the notch has a vertical portion and a lock portion, said lock portion extending horizontally from the vertical portion of the notch proximate a bottom of the notch such that the pin interlocks with the lock portion of the notch when the cap is in the second position and the pin supports the cap by interlocking with the lock portion of the notch when the cap is in the second position; and the lock portion of the notch forms an acute angle with the vertical portion of the notch with respect to an upper end of the notch.",
    "10. The package drop box of claim 1, wherein: the base further comprises at least one pin configured to extend outwardly from at least one outside vertical surface of said base when the package drop box is assembled and in an upright position; and the cap further comprises a notch in an interior surface of said cap, said notch corresponding to the pin such that a user may raise the cap with respect to the base to the second position of the cap while the pin remains in the notch and the pin limits upward travel of the cap relative to the base to prevent removal of the cap from the base; the pin is a first pin; the notch is a first notch; the base further comprises a second pin configured to extend outwardly from the vertical surface of the base when the package drop box is assembled and in the upright position; and the cap further comprises a second notch corresponding to the second pin.",
    "11. The package drop box of claim 1, wherein: the base further comprises at least one pin configured to extend outwardly from at least one outside vertical surface of said base when the package drop box is assembled and in an upright position; the cap further comprises a notch in an interior surface of said cap, said notch corresponding to the pin such that a user may raise the cap with respect to the base to the second position of the cap while the pin remains in the notch and the pin limits upward travel of the cap relative to the base to prevent removal of the cap from the base; and the pin extends through the corresponding notch when the package drop box is assembled.",
    "12. The package drop box of claim 1, wherein: the base further comprises at least one pin configured to extend outwardly from at least one outside vertical surface of said base when the package drop box is assembled and in an upright position; and the cap further comprises a notch in an interior surface of said cap, said notch corresponding to the pin such that a user may raise the cap with respect to the base to the second position of the cap while the pin remains in the notch and the pin limits upward travel of the cap relative to the base to prevent removal of the cap from the base; the pin is a first pin; the notch is a first notch; the base further comprises a second pin extending configured to extend outwardly from the vertical surface of the base when the package drop box is assembled and in the upright position; the cap further comprises a second notch corresponding to the second pin; and the retention bracket is further configured to extend up the back of the base between the first pin and the second pin, over the top edge of the base, and down an inside surface of the back of base to secure the retention bracket to the package drop box when the package drop box is assembled.",
    "13. The package drop box of claim 1, further comprising a pair of handles configured to attach to the cap at opposing lateral sides of the cap proximate a top of the cap such that the user can apply force to the handles to move the cap from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position when the package drop box is assembled.",
    "14. The package drop box of claim 1, wherein: the cap has an internal depth greater than an external depth of the base by between 0.1 inches and 1 inch.",
    "15. The package drop box of claim 1, wherein: the cap has an internal lateral width greater than an external lateral width of the base by between 0.75 and 3 inches.",
    "16. The package drop box of claim 1, wherein: the cap further comprises a notch having a vertical portion extending between 6 inches and 24 inches.",
    "17. The package drop box of claim 1, wherein: the cap further comprises a notch comprising a lock portion, said lock portion extending horizontally at least 0.75 inches.",
    "18. The package drop box of claim 1, wherein: the cap further comprises a notch comprising a lock portion, said lock portion extending horizontally between 0.75 inches and 3 inches.",
    "19. The package drop box of claim 1, wherein: the retention bracket is formed of folded metal."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.\n\nNot Applicable\n\nNot Applicable\n\nNot Applicable\n\nThe present invention relates generally to package delivery systems and methods. More particularly, this invention pertains to a system for securing packages at a recipient's residence when the package recipient is not present.\n\nWith the increase in online shopping, consumers are increasingly reliant on package delivery systems for a variety of items including consumables, electronics, and luxury goods. As the delivery of high value goods has increased, so has package theft. Packages are typically left by a garage door or front door by a package delivery service (e.g., USPS, UPS, or FEDEX). Packages left completely unsecured at the main entrance to an unoccupied residence are ideal targets for package thieves. Many consumers would like a system that allows a delivery person to secure a package, but the consumers do not want to grant access to the home or garage to every package delivery person. Further, consumers do not want to go to the time and expense of permanently installing a package drop system, and delivery persons do not want to figure out each recipient's individual package delivery system.",
  "cpc": [
    "A47G 29/20",
    "A47G 2029/144",
    "A47G 29/141",
    "A47G 29/30"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A47G 29/20",
    "A47G 29/30"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Loran Patrick Ausland"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2020-05-12",
  "publication_date": "2021-11-16",
  "grant_date": "2021-11-16",
  "priority_date": "2020-05-12",
  "application_number": "US-202015930247-A",
  "family_id": "78513459",
  "cited_by_count": 7,
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}