MOBILE PARCEL LOCKER

Abstract

 The invention relates to a mobile parcel locker for receiving and/or presenting parcels, which parcel locker comprises at least one compartment for accommodating a parcel, which at least one compartment each comprises an access opening for placing a parcel in and/or removing a parcel from the relevant compartment, wherein the access opening can be individually closed and, in closed state, locked by means of a lock, wherein wheels configured to displace the parcel locker over a ground surface are arranged on the underside of the parcel locker.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a mobile parcel locker for receiving and/or presenting parcels. Known parcel lockers are used for parcel delivery when the addressee is not present. Parcel lockers are then for instance arranged fixedly in public spaces, such as for instance in a shopping centre or in the lobby of an apartment building.

[0002] A drawback of know parcel lockers is that their size makes them unsuitable for installation at existing homes. This requires a recipient to travel to a parcel locker to retrieve a parcel delivered there. It also forces a deliverer to go to the delivery address first before the parcel can be placed in a parcel locker at a different location.

[0003] It is now an object of the invention to reduce or even obviate the above stated drawbacks.

[0004] This object is achieved according to the invention with a mobile parcel locker for receiving and/or presenting parcels, which parcel locker comprises at least one compartment for accommodating a parcel, which at least one compartment each comprises an access opening for placing a parcel in and/or removing a parcel from the relevant compartment, wherein the access opening can be individually closed and, in closed state, locked by means of a lock, wherein wheels configured to displace the parcel locker over a ground surface are arranged on the underside of the parcel locker.

[0005] With a mobile parcel locker according to the invention a parcel locker can be placed in the public space in simple manner for the purpose of delivering and/or presenting parcels. A recipient can move the mobile parcel locker to a suitable location on property, in the street or in the neighbourhood by means of the wheels arranged under the parcel locker. Mobile is therefore understood to mean that the parcel locker can be displaced over a ground surface such as a driveway, pavement or street without further auxiliary means by an adult with normal mobility. The mobile parcel locker according to the invention is therefore stationary unless it is being displaced by a user. Because no permanent parcel locker need be arranged, regulations regarding for instance placing of permanent devices need not be taken into consideration either. The mobile parcel locker can here be placed near the address of the addressee in simple manner, whereby a parcel deliverer need not drive to an alternative location to be able to deliver the parcel. A previously planned route can hereby be adhered to in simple manner.

[0006] By providing each of the at least one compartment with an individually lockable access opening, such as for instance a door, flap or roller shutter, it can be prevented that further unauthorized access to the compartment is obtained before or after the parcel is placed in the compartment.

[0007] The compartments can be used both for presenting a parcel to a carrier and for receiving a parcel for the addressee. The parcel locker can also be shared by a plurality of users in simple manner.

[0008] In an embodiment of a parcel locker according to the invention the parcel locker comprises a handle, which handle is arranged close to the upper side of the parcel locker for the purpose of handling the parcel locker during displacement thereof.

[0009] With a handle arranged close to or on the upper side of the parcel locker, the parcel locker can be handled in simple manner during displacement. The handle can for instance be an elongate element which can be gripped with a hand or hands. The handle can for instance be arranged at a height of about 110 cm from the ground surface so that a person can comfortably operate the handle.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of a parcel locker according to the invention the handle is displaceable between a folded-in position and a folded-out position, wherein the handle cannot be handled in the folded-in position and can be handled in the folded-out position.

[0011] By ensuring that the handle cannot be handled in a folded-in position undesired displacement of the parcel locker can be impeded. The handle can be folded in after the user of the parcel locker has placed the parcel locker. It can be displaced when the user folds the handle back out. The folding in and out can for instance be locked by means of a physical or digital key, such as for instance a code.

[0012] Another embodiment of a parcel locker according to the invention is a parcel locker wherein in the folded-in position the handle is countersunk relative to the outer wall of the parcel locker.

[0013] Having the handle be countersunk in the outer wall of the parcel locker in the folded-in position makes it impossible to handle the handle. This makes it difficult or impossible to get a grip on the parcel locker, whereby undesired or unauthorized displacement of the parcel locker can be counteracted.

[0014] In another embodiment of a parcel locker according to the invention the wheels are two wheels arranged at a mutual distance and rotating about a shared rotation axis, which rotation axis lies close to or on and also parallel to a first side of the peripheral edge.

[0015] By arranging close to or on a side of the peripheral edge of the underside two wheels having the same rotation axis, and optionally even the same physical shaft, the centre of gravity of the parcel locker can be brought above the wheels during tilting. The parcel locker can hereby be displaced in simple manner.

[0016] If the parcel locker is equipped with a handle, the handle is preferably situated on the same side as the two wheels.

[0017] Another embodiment of a parcel locker according to the invention is a parcel locker wherein at least one of the wheels comprises a blocking mechanism for blocking the rotation of the at least one wheel in a blocking position and allowing the rotation of the at least one wheel in a manoeuvring position.

[0018] Blocking rotation of one or more wheels makes it possible to prevent unauthorized or undesired displacement of the parcel locker. Bringing the blocking mechanism into the blocking position after placement by the user prevents the parcel locker from being moved. The blocking mechanism can for instance be locked in the blocking position by means of a physical key or a digital key such as for instance a code.

[0019] An alternative blocking mechanism for preventing undesired displacement of the parcel locker, optionally in addition to the already described blocking mechanism, is a blocking mechanism wherein the wheels are displaceable between a position of use and a stationed position, wherein in the position of use the wheels are in operative contact with the ground surface or can be brought into operative contact with the ground surface by tilting of the parcel locker, and in the stationed position the wheels do not or cannot make operative contact with the ground surface. The parcel locker must hereby be lifted before it can be displaced, which prevents undesired displacement.

[0020] Another preferred embodiment of a parcel locker according to the invention is a parcel locker wherein in the folded-in position of the handle the blocking mechanism is in the blocking position and in the folded-out position of the handle the blocking mechanism is in the manoeuvring position.

[0021] By coupling the positions of the handle to the positions of the blocking mechanism undesired displacement can be prevented even more effectively. Bringing the handle into the folded-in position can then activate the blocking position of the blocking mechanism. This can take place mechanically by means of a transmission, but can also be electronically coupled.

[0022] When the parcel locker also has two wheels close to or on a side of the peripheral edge of the lower surface, undesired displacement can be further prevented by arranging a weighting placed at a low position. When the wheels are tilted about the rotation axis, such a weighting placed at a low position forms little impedance, while displacement of the parcel locker is impeded when wheels are blocked or not in functional contact with the ground, in combination with a handle that cannot be handled.

[0023] In yet another embodiment of a parcel locker according to the invention the parcel locker comprises at least one compartment with a first volume and at least one compartment with a second volume, wherein the first volume is greater than the second volume.

[0024] Providing the parcel locker with a plurality of compartments of different sizes enables different parcel deliveries to be delivered in simple manner.

[0025] Also according to the invention is an embodiment of a parcel locker wherein the lock of at least one of the at least one compartment unlocks the lock of the closure of the access opening of the relevant compartment on the basis of an unlocking signal and wherein the parcel locker also comprises a control unit configured to generate the unlocking signal, which control unit generates the unlocking signal when the control unit detects an unlocking condition by means of a detector, such as for instance a keyboard, QR code reader or an NFC reader, wherein the unlocking condition is preferably one or more of the unlocking conditions of a predetermined unique code such as a digital key, a predetermined time or a control signal or unique code, such as a digital key, received by means of communication means comprised in the control unit.

[0026] Access to the compartments can be controlled by means of a control unit for locking the compartment or the compartments of the parcel locker. By providing access to a compartment on the basis of predetermined conditions or conditions received in real time by means of communication means the parcel locker can be used by a plurality of users and/or delivery services in simple manner. Access to a compartment of the locker can then be granted after the correct unique code has been detected by the detector. For instance a QR code or a parcel barcode.

[0027] A compartment can also remain unlocked on the basis of length of time, after which the unlocking is cancelled when a parcel is placed.

[0028] A compartment can also be unlocked remotely by a user if the parcel locker is provided with communication means.

[0029] The control unit can optionally also be combined with a locking of the handle and/or a blocking mechanism for the wheels, so that the user can also gain control over these functions of the parcel locker by means of the same detector.

[0030] For the purpose of electronics incorporated in the parcel locker, such as for instance the control unit and/or optional actuators for the different locks, the parcel locker can be provided with an energy storage which can be powered by for instance an external power connection, an energy harvesting system or a solar panel, or a combination of such solutions.

[0031] Another embodiment of a parcel locker according to the invention is an embodiment wherein the parcel locker also comprises a fastening eye for anchoring the parcel locker to an external object.

[0032] In order to prevent undesired displacement of the parcel locker it can also be provided with a fastening eye. The parcel locker can be anchored to another external object, for instance by arranging a chain through the fastening eye.

[0033] These and other features of the invention are further elucidated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the mobile parcel locker according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a top view of the mobile parcel locker of figure 1 with the handle in folded-in position.

Figure 3 shows a top view of the mobile parcel locker of figures 1 and 2 with the handle in folded-out position.

Figure 4 shows the mobile parcel locker of figures 1-3, wherein the inner side of the compartments is visible.

[0034] Figure 1 shows a mobile parcel locker 1 according to the invention. The access openings of the compartments are closed with individual doors 2-5. The compartments behind the smallest doors 3 have the smallest volume. The compartments behind the largest doors 4, 2 and 5 have increasingly large volumes. Arranged on the underside 6 of parcel locker 1, close to a side of the peripheral edge of the underside, are wheels 7. The visible wheel 7 is rotatable about rotation axis 8. The non-visible wheel is also rotatable about the same rotation axis 8. Shown on the upper side 9 of parcel locker 1 is a handle 10 in folded-in position. A keyboard 11 with display and QR- and barcode scanner makes it possible to open a door 2-5 of a compartment after the correct code has been entered. With fastening eye 12 the parcel locker 1 can be attached to an external object using for instance a chain.

[0035] Figures 2 and 3 show a top view of the mobile parcel locker 1 of figure 1. In figure 2 the handle 10 is shown in folded-in position. In the folded-in position the handle 10 lies countersunk relative to the outer wall, in this case the upper side 9, of parcel locker 1. In this position the handle 10 cannot be handled for displacement of the parcel locker. Figure 3 shows handle 10 in a folded-out position, whereby the recess 13 in the outer wall of parcel locker 1 is visible. In the folded-out position the handle 10 can be handled.

[0036] Figure 4 shows the mobile parcel locker 1 of figures 1-3, wherein the inner side of the compartments is visible. The opened doors 2-5 make the access openings of the compartments 14 with a first volume, the compartments 15 with a second volume, the compartments 16 with a third volume and compartment 17 with a fourth volume visible. The fourth volume is here greater than the third, the third greater than the second and the second greater than the first volume.

Claims

1. Mobile parcel locker for receiving and/or presenting parcels, which parcel locker comprises at least one compartment for accommodating a parcel, which at least one compartment each comprises an access opening for placing a parcel in and/or removing a parcel from the relevant compartment, wherein the access opening can be individually closed and, in closed state, locked by means of a lock, wherein wheels configured to displace the parcel locker over a ground surface are arranged on the underside of the parcel locker.

2. Parcel locker according to claim 1, wherein the parcel locker comprises a handle, which handle is arranged close to the upper side of the parcel locker for the purpose of handling the parcel locker during displacement thereof.

3. Parcel locker according to claim 2, wherein the handle is displaceable between a folded-in position and a folded-out position, wherein the handle cannot be handled in the folded-in position and can be handled in the folded-out position.

4. Parcel locker according to claim 3, wherein in the folded-in position the handle is countersunk relative to the outer wall of the parcel locker.

5. Parcel locker according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the wheels are two wheels arranged at a mutual distance and rotating about a shared rotation axis, which rotation axis lies close to or on and also parallel to a first side of the peripheral edge.

6. Parcel locker according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein at least one of the wheels comprises a blocking mechanism for blocking the rotation of the at least one wheel in a blocking position and allowing the rotation of the at least one wheel in a manoeuvring position.

7. Parcel locker with the features of claims 3 and 6, wherein in the folded-in position of the handle the blocking mechanism is in the blocking position and in the folded-out position of the handle the blocking mechanism is in the manoeuvring position.

8. Parcel locker according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the parcel locker comprises at least one compartment with a first volume and at least one compartment with a second volume, wherein the first volume is greater than the second volume.

9. Parcel locker according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the lock of at least one of the at least one compartment unlocks the lock of the closure of the access opening of the relevant compartment on the basis of an unlocking signal and wherein the parcel locker also comprises a control unit configured to generate the unlocking signal, which control unit generates the unlocking signal when the control unit detects an unlocking condition by means of a detector, such as for instance a keyboard, QR code reader or an NFC reader.

10. Parcel locker according to claim 9, wherein the unlocking condition is one or more of the unlocking conditions of a predetermined unique code such as a digital key, a predetermined time or a control signal or unique code, such as a digital key, received by means of communication means comprised in the control unit.

11. Parcel locker according to any one of the foregoing claims, wherein the parcel locker also comprises a fastening eye for anchoring the parcel locker to an external object.

Drawing