Mail and package theft prevention device, system, and method
View Patent ↗A package theft prevention system comprising a mailbox defining an irregularly shaped interior compartment for storage of received packages. The lower portion of the mailbox has an outward, distally tapering wall for anchoring to concrete it is embedded in. The uppermost opening to the mailbox has a package door biased in the closed condition, where, just downward of the package door is a self-closing trap door biased in its closed position. As the package door and the trap door are offset and open in opposing directions, removal of packages from the upper opening is frustrated while receipt by the deliverer is facilitated. A lockable rear door below the upper opening provides access to the interior compartment for the owner.
1 . A package theft prevention system, the system comprising;
a body having an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the lower portion has a greater cross-section than the upper portion;
each portion providing a plurality of walls, wherein at least one wall of the plurality of walls of the lower portion tapers distally as it extends from the upper portion so that said at least one wall projects distally from a profile of the upper portion,
wherein the lower portion is embedded in concrete so that said at least one wall resists removal of the lower portion from the concrete;
an upper opening at an upper end of the upper portion;
a package door pivotably connected to the upper opening so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position;
a weighted guideline operatively associated with the package door so that the package door is biased in the closed position;
a trap door disposed within the upper portion below the upper opening, wherein the trap door is pivotably movable between an open position and a closed position; and
a spring hinge operatively associated with the trap door so that the trap door is biased in the closed position, and wherein movement to the open position of the trap door is in a downward direction, wherein the open position of the package door is in an upward direction.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the package door and the trap door are connected, respectively, to opposing walls of the plurality of walls.
3 . The system of claim 2 , further comprising a rear door disposed along a rear wall of the plurality of walls and below the trap door and the package door; a locking device operatively associated with the rear door so that the rear door is movable between a locked engagement and an unlocked engagement.
4 . The system of claim 3 , further comprising a mail slot along a front wall of the plurality of walls, wherein the mail slot is disposed at an elevation between the trap door and the rear door.
5 . The system of claim 4 , further comprising a mail door pivotably associated to the mail slot so as to move between an open disposition and a closed disposition covering the mail slot.