Field of Technology

This invention relates to letterbox security and more particularly, but not exclusively, to letterboxes and letterbox assemblies that are suitable for installation in an external door or wall structure of domestic or industrial properties with security locking means which give protection against letterbox crime.

Letterboxes are an essential item used by domestic households as well as businesses, providing unattended access for the delivery of items sent through the postal services. However letterboxes are detrimental to the basic security of a home or business, for example, it is already known that arsonists start fires in homes and businesses by pouring in flammable liquids through letterboxes, it is also known that burglars and vandals peer through letterboxes in order to determine whether anyone is at home, prior to breaking into the premises.

Thieves in particular have been known to have "Fished" car keys from hall tables again by accessing the inside of the house through the letterbox and are usually targeted at homes where there are expensive cars in the driveway. Also there is an event that takes place annually by way of Guy Fawkes night where fireworks are deliberately thrown through letterboxes with disastrous results.

It is also known that in extreme cases criminals have in fact used letterboxes to shoot pellets from air pistols at the occupants within a household. Another disadvantage of current letterboxes is that they are open for any person to pass unwanted items such as advertising literature. As will be appreciated, this is most inconvenient for occupants who are absent from home for example - on holiday.

In the light of the above problems, it is desirable for a letterbox to be only opened at certain times and to be closed at such other times for example - such as night time or when the occupants are on holiday and they have made arrangements for the mail to be held for collection at the local Post Office on their return from holiday.

It is an object of the present invention to address at least some of the disadvantages of prior art solutions by providing a letterbox assembly security device that may be manufactured as an integral part of a letterbox assembly and/or provide a simple stand alone device which may be easily installed for use with existing letterboxes which offer protection when operable to make it impossible to open the internal letter plate flap from the outside.

According to the present invention there is provided a stand alone letterbox locking means device suitable for vertical mounting at right angle to the internal letter flap plate of conventional letterbox assemblies.

Also according to the present invention there is provided an alternative to the above by way of an integrated letterbox locking means device suitable for use within a letterbox assembly and comprising locking means positioned at either right angle adjacent sides to the internal letter flap plate of a letterbox assembly.

In particular in accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided a stand alone letterbox lock, or restraining device for the flap of a letterbox comprising: a support member which, in use, is securable adjacent a letterbox assembly or letterbox; and a stop member supported by said support member and extending from the support member, wherein the position of the stop member relative to the letterbox flap is adjustable such that, in use, at least a portion of the stop member can restrict the degree by which the letterbox flap can open.

As will be appreciated, as the position of the stop member relative to the letterbox flap is adjustable, the degree by which a letterbox flap may open can be readily and simply varied depending on the requirements of the occupant.

Preferably, the stop member's position relative to the flap of the letterbox is adjustable by way of a slot provided by the support member and the stop member is moveable along the length of the slot and is releasably fixable at any point along the length of the slot.

Advantageously, the slot is arcuate in shape.

In a preferred embodiment, the stop member comprises: a head member which includes a threaded shaft extending from one end thereof, and an elongate member which includes a threaded bore which can receive the threaded shaft of the head member such that, in use, the stop member's position on the support member is fixable by way of the clamping action of the head member and elongate member. Preferably, the head member consists of a finger screw fastener. This enables the user to adjust and reposition the stop member by simply un-tightening and re-tightening the head member.

Preferably, the stop member comprises: an elongate member which includes a threaded shaft extending from one end thereof, and a head member which includes a threaded bore which can receive the threaded shaft of the elongate member such that, in use, the stop member's position on the support member is fixable by way of the clamping action of the head member and elongate member. This enables the user to adjust and reposition the stop member by simply un-tightening and re-tightening the head member.

Further preferably, the support member further includes a base member provided with at least one, preferably two fixing apertures such that, in use, the lock is securable adjacent the letterbox assembly or letterbox by way of fixing means passing through said fixing aperture(s).

Further preferably, in use, the lock or device of the present invention is secured adjacent the letterbox flap, namely, above the letterbox flap and the stop member extends downwardly therefrom such that the position of the stop member relative to the letterbox flap is adjustable such that, in use, at least a portion of the stop member can restrict the degree by which the letterbox flap can open. Advantageously, the stop member is pivotably mounted on the support member and is releasably lockable at an angular position relative to the letterbox flap such that by adjusting the angle of the stop member relative to the letterbox flap can restrict the degree by which the letterbox flap can open. Preferably, the length of the stop member is telescopically adjustable such that by adjusting the length of the stop member can restrict the degree by which the letterbox flap can open. As will be appreciated, although in the illustrated embodiment the stand alone lock or device is secured adjacent the letterbox, that is, at a side thereof, it is to be appreciated that the lock or device can be secured at an appropriate position above the letterbox flap, that is, to control the degree by which the letterbox flap can open. In this regard, in these unillustrated embodiments, the stop member may pivotally move relative to the letterbox flap to control the degree by which the letterbox flap may open. For example, if the stop member is locked parallel to the letterbox flap, the letterbox flap will be locked. If the stop member is then pivoted in an upwardly direction by, say 45 degrees and subsequently locked, then the letterbox will be able to partially open, and if the stop member is moved a further 45 degrees so that it extends at 90 degrees to the letterbox, the letterbox flap will be able to open fully i.e. the letterbox will be able to pivot 90 degrees from its closed position such that the opening it covers is fully open.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a letterbox assembly comprising: a letterbox flap; and at least one support member located adjacent to the letterbox flap; and a stop member supported by said at least one support member and extending from the said support member, wherein the position of the stop member relative to the letterbox flap is adjustable such that, in use, at least a portion of the stop member can restrict the degree by which the letterbox flap can open.

Advantageously, the stop member's position relative to the letterbox flap is adjustable by way of a slot provided by the at least one support member and the stop member is moveable within or along the length of the slot and is releasably fixable at any point along the length of the slot. Preferably, the slot is arcuate.

Preferably, the stop member comprises: a head member which includes a threaded shaft extending from one end thereof, and an elongate member which includes a threaded bore which can receive the threaded shaft of the head member such that, in use, the stop member's position on the support member is fixable by way of the clamping action of the head member and elongate member. Further preferably, the head member consists of a finger screw fastener. This enables the user to adjust and reposition the stop member by simply un-tightening and re-tightening the head member. Alternatively, the stop member comprises: an elongate member which includes a threaded shaft extending from one end thereof, and a head member which includes a threaded bore which can receive the threaded shaft of the elongate member such that, in use, the stop member's position on the support member is fixable by way of the clamping action of the head member and elongate member. This enables the user to adjust and reposition the stop member by simply un-tightening and re-tightening the head member.

In a preferred embodiment, the assembly includes two support members which are located at opposite sides of the letterbox flap, and each support member supports a separate stop member.

Advantageously, the assembly includes two support members, which are located at opposite sides of the letterbox flap and which support a single stop member extending there between. In this embodiment it is preferable that the stop member comprises two head members which both include a threaded shaft extending from one end thereof and an elongate member with a threaded bore at either end thereof, such that, in use, the position of the elongate member between the two support members is fixable by way of the clamping action between each head member and its associated end of the elongate member on their associated support member. Preferably, each head member consists of a finger screw fastener. Alternatively, the stop member comprises two head members which both include a threaded bore at one end thereof and an elongate member with a threaded shaft extending from either end thereof such that, in use, the position of the elongate member between the two support members is fixable by way of the clamping action between each head member and its associated end of the elongate member on their associated support member. Advantageously, the at least one support member is located above the letterbox flap and the stop member extends downwardly therefrom such that the position of the stop member relative to the letterbox flap is adjustable such that, in use, at least a portion of the stop member can restrict the degree by which the letterbox flap can open. In this regard, in a preferred embodiment, the stop member is pivotably mounted on the support member and is releasably lockable at an angular position relative to the letterbox flap such that by adjusting the angle of the stop member relative to the letterbox flap can restrict the degree by which the letterbox flap can open. Further preferably, in another preferred embodiment, the length of the stop member is telescopically adjustable such that by adjusting the length of the stop member can restrict the degree by which the letterbox flap can open. As will be appreciated, although in the illustrated embodiment the at least one support member is located to the side of the letterbox flap, it is to be appreciated that the support member and its associated stop member can be secured at an appropriate position above the letterbox flap, that is, to control the degree by which the letterbox flap can open. In this regard, in these unillustrated embodiments, the stop member may pivotally move relative to the letterbox flap to control the degree by which the letterbox flap may open. For example, if the stop member is locked parallel to the letterbox flap, the letterbox flap will be locked. If the stop member is then pivoted in an upwardly direction by, say 45 degrees and subsequently locked, then the letterbox will be able to partially open, and if the stop member is moved a further 45 degrees so that it extends at 90 degrees to the letterbox, the letterbox flap will be able to open fully i.e. the letterbox will be able to pivot 90 degrees from its closed position such that the opening it covers is fully open. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a door including the device or assembly of any one of the preceding claims.

Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of reference to the following figures:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a stand alone letterbox lock in accordance with the present invention, or a letter box locking means device viewed as a stand alone device in accordance with the present invention for use with existing letterbox assemblies or letterboxes;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a letterbox assembly including an integrated letterbox lock in accordance with the present invention, or the letterbox assembly locking means device of the present invention viewed as an integrated part of a letterbox assembly;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the letterbox lock of Figure 1 viewed in use with an external door; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the locking means device of the present invention viewed as a integrated body section part of a letterbox assembly.

Figure 1 illustrates an example of a stand alone letterbox locking means device or stand alone letterbox lock 10 according to the present invention. The stand alone letterbox lock 10 comprises a support member including a body section 1 with two vertical fixing holes 2, which facilitate fixing of the lock 10 to the inside of a door, that is, by the use of suitable fixing means such as screws, nails etc. The body section 1 of the support member is further provided with a near 180 degree locking means positioning arcuate slot 3. As illustrated, the slot is arcuate in shape. The slot 3 facilitates a finger screw fastener 4 as well as letterbox flap screw threaded positioning restraint 5. As will be appreciated, the stop member that includes the finger screw fastener 4 and restraint 5 is releasably fixable and positionable at any point along the length of the slot 3 by the clamping action of the finger screw fastener 4 and restraint 5. In this regard, the finger screw fastener 4 has a threaded shaft which, in use, is received by a threaded bore extending into the restraint 5. That is, by tightening the screw fastener 4 so that it's threaded shaft moves deeper into the bore of the restraint 5 results in the adjacent and opposing ends of the fastener and restraint clamping down onto the area of the support member adjacent the slot 3. It is to be appreciated that the screw fastener 4 may instead be provided with a threaded bore with the restraint 5 being provided with a threaded shaft extending from one side thereof and suitably sized to be received by said threaded bore.

Figure 3 illustrates an example of the stand alone letterbox locking means device or letterbox lock 10 according to the present invention fitted to the inside of a door and positioned and fixed adjacent to the side of a typically installed letterbox assembly. As will be appreciated, in other embodiments of the present invention the stand alone lock can be secured at a position above the installed letterbox assembly and/or letterbox flap.

With further reference to Figure 3, a letterbox assembly 20 includes a letterbox flap 6 which is pivotally connected to the frame of the letterbox assembly 7 by means of pivot pins (not shown). As illustrated, the letterbox flap 6 is shown in the partially open position and cannot open any further due to the letterbox flap positioning restraint 5 when finger screw fastener 4 is fully tightened. Put another way, due to the location of the stop member, which comprises the restraint 5 and fastener 4, within the slot 3, the degree to which the letterbox flap can open is limited. As will be appreciated, the letterbox flap 6 can be locked in any locking position from fully closed to fully open depending on where the positioning restraint 5 and finger screw fastener 4 is positioned within the body positioning slot 3 thus governing how much open or closed the occupant would like letterbox flap position to be fixed at. Put another way, the degree by which the letterbox flap can open is dependent on where the stop member is fixably located along the length of the slot 3. For example, and as illustrated, the stop member comprising the restraint 5 and fastener 4 is located about half way down the slot 3 and, as such, the flap can open up to about 45 degrees. As will be appreciated, if the fastener 4 of the stop member was un-tightened, and the stop member was relocated to the bottom of the slot 3 furthest away from the top end of the letterbox flap, which is attached to the assembly by way of the pivot pins, and then re-tightened, then the letterbox flap would not be able to open at all.

As will be appreciated, the letterbox locking means or device 10 as depicted in Figures 1 and 3 may be used at either side of the letterbox assembly in a left or right hand position by rotating the complete letterbox locking means device 10 by 180 degrees. It is also to be appreciated that it is also possible to include a separate stand alone letterbox lock 10 adjacent both sides of the letterbox flap for added security.

Figure 4 illustrates a further example of a letterbox locking means device 100 according to the present invention comprising an integrated body section 8, which is a complete injection moulded part to be installed as part of a complete letterbox assembly. As illustrated in Figure 2, the letterbox locking means device 100 is provided with two stop members 11 , each associated with a separate stop member each comprising a finger screw fastener 4 and letterbox flap screw threaded positioning restraint 5, at either side of the letterbox flap 6. As illustrated, each stop member 11 is provided with an arcuate shaped slot 3 which define the path along which the stop member 11 can move. As will be appreciated, the manner in which the stop member works and engages with the support member is the same as the stand alone device 10 of Figures 1 and 3.

Although the assembly 10 of Figures 2 and 4 included two separate stop members, it is to be appreciated that the supports 11 may support a single stop member suspended and held between the two support members. In this connection, the stop member could comprise a single elongate member with a separate finger screw fastener at either end thereof. Basically by way of further reference to Figure 2, instead of having two restraints 5, you would only have a single restraint or elongate member extending the whole length of the letterbox flap and supported at either end by a separate support member 11.

It is also to be appreciated that in other embodiments of the present invention the support member(s) can be located at a position above the installed letterbox assembly and/or letterbox flap.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.