A retractable arm device, system, and method with a locking mechanism for preventing items placed in a device or receptacle from getting stuck, damaged, or torn. The retractable arm includes an inner tube, a pawl, and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube. The inner tube slides within the outer tube and the pawl preventing the retractable arm from moving into an extended position under particular conditions. The retractable arm may be placed in a receptacle for items to prevent the door from being reopened before the door is fully closed.

A retractable arm device, system, and method with a locking mechanism for preventing items placed in a device or receptacle from getting stuck, damaged, or torn. The retractable arm includes an inner tube, a pawl, and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube. The inner tube slides within the outer tube and the pawl preventing the retractable arm from moving into an extended position under particular conditions. The retractable arm may be placed in a receptacle for items to prevent the door from being reopened before the door is fully closed.

An ecologically sound and environmentally friendly mailbox apparatus comprising a traditional mailbox; a shredding device affixed to the underside of the mailbox; a hollow tube, having a first end and a second end; a hollow receptacle for collecting shredded material, and that is connected to the shredding device by way of the hollow tube, where the first end of the hollow tube is connected to the shredding device and the second end of the hollow tube is directed downward and is connected to the receptacle; and a vertically positioned pole located adjacent to the mailbox and the receptacle, whereby the mailbox and the receptacle are individually connected to the pole by a fastening means that holds the entire apparatus together. This apparatus allows an end user to shred junk mail before leaving his mailbox and prevent clutter in his home.

An apparatus for receiving and protecting a mail is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a receptacle having a bottom and sidewalls. The bottom and sidewalls define an interior for the receptacle. At one of the sidewalls, a cover is provided, which is operated to form a closed structure with the receptacle. The apparatus comprises a clamp provided at one of the sidewalls to removably couple the receptacle to a structure. At the interior of the receptacle, a mail is received and the cover is closed to protect the mail.

A mailbox with components which can be connected to or disconnected from the mailbox for adding or changing functional or ornamental aspects of the mailbox.

A parcel delivery system which includes: a processing system including at least one processor and a communications subsystem; an array of parcel boxes, each including: an enclosure having a front opening; a door; an electrically controlled lock mechanism switchable in response to a signal from the processing system; an enclosure occupancy sensor configured to sense whether or not the enclosure contains a parcel; the processing system is configured to: allocate to the parcel one of the boxes determined to be empty based on an output of the occupancy sensor; determine when the parcel has been placed in the allocated box; send to a mobile electronic device of the recipient a notification indicative of the allocated box; and, on receipt of an unlock request received from the mobile electronic device of the recipient, to actuate the lock mechanism to switch from a locked state to an unlocked state.

Systems, devices, and techniques for producing audio for, or adding audio capability to, a collection box for delivery items that includes a user-operated door for putting items into the collection box. The system can include a processing subsystem, an audio transducer, a trigger device that is connected to, or that is part of, the door of the collection device, and a sensor. The sensor detects the trigger device when the trigger device is in close proximity (e.g., in contact), and the sensor is positioned such that it is in close proximity with the trigger device when the door is closed. In response to the trigger device moving out of close proximity, the sensor generates a signal to the processing system. In response, the processing system generates an audio signal that is converted to sound by the audio transducer, which can be heard outside of the collection box.

A retractable arm device, system, and method with a locking mechanism for preventing items placed in a device or receptacle from getting stuck, damaged, or torn. The retractable arm includes an inner tube, a pawl, and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube. The inner tube slides within the outer tube and the pawl preventing the retractable arm from moving into an extended position under particular conditions. The retractable arm may be placed in a receptacle for items to prevent the door from being reopened before the door is fully closed.

A retractable arm device, system, and method with a locking mechanism for preventing items placed in a device or receptacle from getting stuck, damaged, or torn. The retractable arm includes an inner tube, a pawl, and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube. The inner tube slides within the outer tube and the pawl preventing the retractable arm from moving into an extended position under particular conditions. The retractable arm may be placed in a receptacle for items to prevent the door from being reopened before the door is fully closed.

A hybrid system for securely controlling deposition and retrieval of shipments, including a managing distribution centre, at least one electronic locker unit connected to the managing distribution centre through a communication network, and having a control desk and several lockable compartments of different sizes, wherein the electronic locker unit comprises a shape measurement module located inside each compartment for acquiring the shipment content's shape.