Secure receptacle

Abstract

A secure receptacle allows packages to be delivered to domestic premises when members of the household are absent. The apparatus has a pair of doors, which are normally locked, buy may be accessed in sequence to allow a package to be moved from an outer area to a secure inner area. The sequential opening of the doors ensures the inner area is not directly accessible, even to someone making an authorized delivery. The chamber for receiving the package may be collapsed when not in use to minimize the visual and special impact of the apparatus.

1 . Apparatus for receiving a package from an outer area and securely retaining the package within an inner area or dispensing the package from the inner area to the outer area, the apparatus for mounting in or on an exterior panel or partition comprising receptacle means being movable between an expanded position to define a chamber for receiving the package and a collapsed position when not in use and having inner and outer panels normally locked but openable in sequence to allow the package to be moved from or to the inner area through receptacle means.  
     
     
         2 . Apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the exterior partition defines the boundary between the inner and outer a and the apparatus is mounted in the partition in register with an aperture in the partition for passage of the package.  
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the receptacle means expands into the inner area.  
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 ,  2  or  3 , wherein the apparatus includes means for conveying the package in the direction of the inner panel.  
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 ,  2   3  or  4 , wherein the receptacle means a base plate having an upper front edge guided for movement in a vertical plane and a lower rear edge pivotally mounted in the region of the basal edge of the rear panel such that the receptacle means is moved between its expanded and collapsed positions by vertical movement of the upper front edge of the base plate.  
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein side walls and a roof, together with the base plate, define the sides of the chamber.  
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to any one of claims  5  or  6 , wherein the base plate is inclined at an angle to the horizontal when the receptacle is fully expanded such that the package slides to the rear of the chamber to abut the inner panel.  
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to any one of  claims 1  to  7 , wherein the receptacle means is moveable between the expanded and collapsed position by means of a pulley system operable from the outer area with the outer panel in its locked position.  
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the pulley system is connected to the inner panel such that movement of the receptacle means from the expanded position to the collapsed position simultaneously closes the inner panel.  
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claim, where sensor means provide a signal indicating the presence of a live person or animal within the chamber, and the apparatus provided with means for preventing access through the inner panel in the event that the signal is indicative of the present of a live person or animal.  
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein secure access means we provided to prevent unit opening of the outer panel.