Abstract
A receiving and pick-up device for postal items (2) having a housing (7) comprising a receiving chamber (8) and comprising a base part (9) and an extension part (11), which is arranged adjustably relative to the base part (9) along an adjustment axis (X), wherein a closable exterior opening (16) is formed on a first front face (15) of the base part (9) and a closable interior opening (18) is formed on a second front face (17) of the extension part (11) being opposite the first front face (15) in the direction of the adjustment axis (X), and having an adjustment device (29), which is designed for adjustment of the volume of the receiving chamber (8) such that the extension part (11) can be adjusted along the adjustment axis (X) between a first position, in which the receiving chamber (8) has a first volume, and a second position, in which the receiving chamber (8) has a second volume enlarged relative to the first volume, and having a deposit band (23) delimiting a floor side of the receiving chamber (8).
Claims
1. A receiving and pick-up device for postal items, having a housing comprising a receiving chamber and comprising a base part and an extension part, which is arranged adjustably relative to the base part along an adjustment axis, wherein a closable exterior opening is formed on a first front face of the base part and a closable interior opening is formed on a second front face of the extension part being opposite the first front face in the direction of the adjustment axis, and having an adjustment device, which is designed for adjustment of the volume of the receiving chamber such that the extension part can be adjusted along the adjustment axis between a first position, in which the receiving chamber has a first volume, and a second position, in which the receiving chamber has a second volume enlarged relative to the first volume, and having a deposit band delimiting the receiving chamber at its bottom, wherein the deposit band has a finite length, and the adjustment device has a rotatably mounted winding drum, wherein a first end of the deposit band is connected to the winding drum such that it can be rolled up, and a second end of the deposit band is fixed to a holder spaced apart from the winding drum.
2. The receiving and pick-up device according to claim 1, wherein the winding drum is held stationary relative to the base part, and the holder is arranged at the extension part, so that the distance between the winding drum and the holder can be reduced by winding the deposit band onto the winding drum.
3. The receiving and pick-up device according to claim 1, wherein the winding drum can be driven in rotation by a drive motor.
4. The receiving and pick-up device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment device has a variable length actuator acting along the adjustment axis, a first longitudinal end of the actuator is held stationary relative to the base part and a second longitudinal end of the actuator is supported by the extension part.
5. The receiving and pick-up device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is of box-shaped design, the base part and the extension part each having at least two opposing outer walls and each having a cover, so that the housing can be adjusted telescopically along the adjustment axis.
6. The receiving and pick-up device according to claim 1, wherein an end stop is arranged within the receiving chamber and transversely to the adjustment axis, the end stop being mounted non-rotatably or rotatably to the housing.
7. The receiving and pick-up device according to claim 6, wherein the rotatably mounted end stop is L-shaped and is connected to the deposit band with a friction-lock such that, when the deposit band is wound onto the winding drum, the end stop is rotated into an upright position, in which a long L-leg of the end stop is set up crosswise to the deposit band.
8. The receiving and pick-up device according to claim 1, wherein a band reinforcement is arranged below the deposit band, the band reinforcement having at least two movably interconnected reinforcing elements, which are folded or superposed in the first position of the extension part and are pulled apart in the second position of the extension part.
9. The receiving and pick-up device according to claim 1, wherein supports are provided and designed such that the housing can be supported on a stationary ground.
10. The receiving and pick-up device according to claim 1, wherein the exterior opening and/or the interior opening each are/is lockable by a roller shutter.
11. The receiving and pick-up device according to claim 1, wherein the exterior opening and/or the interior opening each are/is lockable by a flap being held pivotably about a pivot axis.
12. The receiving and pick-up device according to claim 11, wherein the pivot axis is arranged horizontally.
13. The receiving and pick-up device according to claim 11, wherein a receptacle is provided on the flap closing the exterior opening, the receptacle being arranged on an inner side of the flap facing the receiving chamber.
14. The receiving and pick-up device according to claim 1, wherein the base part has an installation frame for insertion in an passage opening of a part of a building or an aperture of a stand-alone housing.
15. A method for receiving postal items using the receiving and pick-up device according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: providing the receiving and pick-up device, the extension part being arranged in the first position; identifying a postal item located outside the receiving chamber and located in front of the exterior opening; actuating the adjustment means to adjust the extension part into the second position in order to adjust the volume of the receiving chamber to the size of the identified postal item; unlocking the exterior opening after successful identification of the postal item; checking whether said exterior opening is closed; unlocking the interior opening only when said exterior opening is closed; opening said interior opening, and actuating the adjustment device to adjust the extension part back into the first position.
16. A method for collecting postal items using the receiving and pick-up device according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: providing the receiving and pick-up device; identifying an authorised recipient located in front of the exterior opening; checking whether the interior opening is closed; unlocking of the exterior opening after successful identification of the authorized recipient, the exterior opening only being unlocked if the interior opening is closed; actuating the adjustment device to adjust the extension part into the first position.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Preferred examples of the invention are shown in the drawings and described below. In this shows:
(2) FIG. 1 a sectional view of a receiving and pick-up device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the receiving and pick-up device being in an intermediate position and shown in the installed state;
(3) FIG. 2 the receiving and pick-up device in a first position in perspective side view;
(4) FIG. 3 the receiving and pick-up device in a second position of perspective side view;
(5) FIG. 4 an enlarged partial view of the receiving and pick-up device with an end stop in folded position;
(6) FIG. 5 the end stop from FIG. 4 in upright position;
(7) FIG. 6 an enlarged partial view of the receiving and pick-up device with alternative supports in the first position;
(8) FIG. 7 the supports from FIG. 6 in the second position;
(9) FIG. 8 a partial view of the receiving and pick-up device with a band enforcement in the first position;
(10) FIG. 9 the tape reinforcement from FIG. 8 in the second position;
(11) FIG. 10 the receiving and pick-up device in said first position prior to receiving a postal item in simplified schematic side view;
(12) FIG. 11 the receiving and pick-up device in the intermediate position before receiving a postal item in simplified schematic side view;
(13) FIG. 12 the receiving and pick-up device in the second position before receiving a postal item in simplified schematic side view;
(14) FIG. 13 the receiving and pick-up device in the second position in simplified schematic side view, wherein the postal item is inserted;
(15) FIG. 14 the reception and pick-up device in an intermediate position after receipt of the postal item in a simplified schematic side view;
(16) FIG. 15 the receiving and pick-up device in a further intermediate position after receipt of the postal item in a simplified schematic side view;
(17) FIG. 16 the receiving and pick-up device in the first position after receipt of the postal item in simplified schematic side view;
(18) FIG. 17 the receiving and pick-up device in the second position after insertion of a postal item intended for collection in simplified schematic side view;
(19) FIG. 18 the receiving and pick-up device in the second position when collecting the postal item in simplified schematic side view;
(20) FIG. 19 the receiving and pick-up device in the first position after collecting a postal item in simplified schematic side view;
(21) FIG. 20 the receiving and pick-up device of FIG. 1 having an alternative closing for the exterior opening; and
(22) FIG. 21 a perspective view of a receiving and pick-up device in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention in an intermediate position, wherein the receiving and pick-up device is installed in a stand-alone housing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(23) FIGS. 1 to 19 show a device 1 for receiving and pick-up postal items 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The receiving and pick-up device 1 is installed in a passage opening 3 of a building section 4, for example, an exterior wall of an apartment. For example, the receiving and pick-up device 1 could also be installed in another part of a building, such as a front door, apartment door, an exterior wall of a detached house, a basement wall, a window or the like, in a stand-alone housing or on the roof top of a building. The receiving and pick-up device 1 serves, on the one hand, to receive postal items 2 in the absence of the recipient. A carrier can insert the postal delivery 2 into the receiving and pick-up device 1 from an outside space 5, i.e. an area outside a living space 6. The receiving and pick-up device 1 can receive a plurality of postal items 2 one after the other in the absence of the recipient, i.e. without the recipient being involved, as described below. Furthermore, a sender, for example the owner of the receiving and pick-up device 1, can insert a postal item 2 into the receiving and pick-up device 1, which can be removed at a later time by a collector from the outside space 5. After the postal item 2 has been picked up by the collector, the receiving and pick-up device 1 is ready to receive postal items 2 without any action of the sender.
(24) FIG. 1 shows the receiving and pick-up device 1 in sectional view. The receiving and pick-up device 1 has a multi-part housing 7, which encloses a receiving chamber 8 for receiving postal items 2. The housing 7 is box-shaped and can be adjusted telescopically along an adjustment axis X to increase or decrease the volume of the receiving chamber 8. In this way, the volume of the receiving chamber 8 can be adapted to the size of the postal item 2. The housing 7 has a base part 9 which is fixed to the building part 4. The base part 9 has a mounting frame 10 which is inserted in the passage opening 3 and connected to the building part 4, e.g. screwed. Furthermore, the housing 7 has an extension part 11, which is adjustably arranged in the adjustment axis X relative to the fixed base part 9. In addition, the housing 7, by way of an example, has an optional intermediate part 12, which is arranged between the base part 9 and the extension part 11 to increase the maximum volume of the receiving chamber 8. The intermediate part 12 is adjustable between base part 9 and extension part 11 along the adjustment axis X relative to base part 9. To further increase the maximum volume available, further intermediate parts 12 could also be provided. In a simple embodiment not shown, the housing 7 can only have the base part 9 and the extension part 11, but no intermediate part 12.
(25) FIG. 2 shows the receiving and pick-up device 1 in simplified form. The receiving and pick-up device 1 is in a first position in which the extension part 11 and the intermediate part 12 are telescopically retracted into the base part 9. In the first position, the receiving chamber 8 has a minimum volume, also known as the first volume. In contrast, the receiving and pick-up device 1 in FIG. 1 is shown in an intermediate position in which the recording space 8 has a volume enlarged relative to the first volume. FIG. 3 shows the receiving and pick-up device 1 in a second position in which the housing 7 is extended to its maximum. In the second position, the receiving chamber 8 has a maximum volume, which is also referred to as the second volume.
(26) The housing parts, namely base part 9, extension part 11 and optional intermediate part 12 are U-shaped and each have two opposing outer walls 13 and a ceiling 14, which delimit the receiving chamber 8 laterally and upwards, respectively. On a first front face 15 of the base part 9, which is directed towards the outside space 5, a closable exterior space opening 16 is arranged, which separates the receiving chamber 8 from the outside space 5. A lockable interior opening 18 is arranged on a second front face 17 of the extension part 11 opposite the first front face 15 in the direction of the adjustment axis X. Both, the exterior opening 16 and the interior opening 18, are equipped with an exterior roller shutter 19 and an interior roller shutter 20, respectively. The exterior roller shutter 19 is guided in a roller shutter box 21, which is positioned by way of, here an example, above the base part 9 in building part 4. The interior roller shutter 20 is guided in a roller shutter box 22, which, here by way of an example, is arranged underneath the extension part 11, fixed to the extension part 11. Furthermore, the receiving and pick-up device 1 may have a slot for a letter (not shown) the slot could be arranged in the exterior opening 16, for instance.
(27) For example, the exterior opening 16 and the interior opening 18 can also have alternative devices for closing and opening. FIG. 20 shows as a further example for the exterior opening that can be closed with a flap 48, which can be pivoted about a pivot axis S, e.g. arranged on building part 4 or on the receiving and pick-up device 1, e.g. the installation frame 10 or the base part 9. The pivot axis S is arranged horizontally so that the flap 48 can be opened downwards. When open, the flap 48 can enclose an angle of approximately +/20 degrees with the adjustment axis X, whereby the flap 48 is preferably aligned at least approximately horizontally and, for example, is arranged parallel to the adjustment axis X. A receptable 49 is arranged on the inside of flap 48 facing towards receiving chamber 8 when the flap 48 is closed.
(28) FIG. 1 shows that the housing 7 ends at the bottom with a deposit band 23, which limits the bottom side of the receiving chamber 8. The deposit band 23 is finitely designed, whereby a first end 24 of the deposit band 23 is connected to a winding drum 25 so that it can be rolled up, and a second end 26 of the deposit band 23 is connected to a holder 27 space from the winding drum 25. The holder 27 is fixed relative to the extension part 11. FIG. 1 shows that the holder 27 is attached to the interior roller shutter box 22. Whereas the winding drum 25 is rotatably mounted in a drum box 28, which is held stationary relative to the base part 8. For example, the drum box 28 can be attached to building part 4 or base part 9. Both, the winding drum 25 and the holder 27, are aligned transversely to the adjustment axis X.
(29) Furthermore, the automated adjustment of the housing 7 is explained, which allows a stepless adjustment of the volume of the receiving chamber 8 along the adjustment axis X between the first position and the second position.
(30) An adjustment device 29 is provided for this purpose. The adjustment device 29 has a variable-length actuator 30 acting along the adjustment axis X. Said actuator 30 is located outside the receiving chamber 8, here, below the deposit band 23. The actuator 30 is fixed at a first longitudinal end facing the building part 4 relative to the base part 9 and is supported at a second longitudinal end facing away from the building part 4 by the extension part 11. FIG. 1 shows, by way of example, that the first longitudinal end of actuator 30 is attached to the drum box 28 and that the second longitudinal end of actuator 30 is supported by the interior roller shutter box 22.
(31) In the first position of the extension 11 shown in FIGS. 2, 10, 16 and 19, the actuator 30 is fully retracted, whereas the actuator 30 is fully extended in the second position shown in FIGS. 3, 12, 13, 17 and 18. Starting from the first position, the actuator 30 pushes the extension part 11 connected to the interior roller shutter box 22 along the adjustment axis X to the second position when actuating the actuator 30. As soon as the extension part 11 is moved from the intermediate position shown in FIG. 1 to the second position, the extension part 11 pulls the intermediate part 12 along with it. When the extension part 11 is moved to the second position, the deposit band 23, which is connected to the holder 27, is unwound from the winding drum 25 so that the length of the bottom of the receiving chamber 8 delimited by the deposit band 23 is extended correspondingly with the extension of the housing 7.
(32) In order to move the extension part 11 back into the first position, the adjustment device 29 comprises the winding drum 25 and a drive motor 31, for example an electric motor, which rotationally drives the winding drum 25. When the drive motor 31 is actuated, the deposit band 23 is at least partially wound or rolled onto the winding drum 25. As a result, the deposit band 23, which is connected to the extension part 11 via the holder 27, pulls the extension part 11 back into the first position. The actuator 30 can be depressurized or pulled in against a slight counter-pressure to prevent the deposit band 23 from sagging. However, the actuator 30 could also be actively retracted in order to offload the deposit band 23 and to support the return of the extension part 11 to the first position. At least for the latter, the second longitudinal end of the actuator 30 can be fixed to the inner roller shutter 22. The deposit band 23 can, for example, always be kept under tension in order to avoid sagging of the deposit band 23.
(33) Furthermore, an end stop 32 is arranged transversely to the adjustment axis X in the receiving chamber 8. When the extension part 11 is returned to its first position, the end stop 32 prevents a postal item 2 inserted in the receiving chamber 8 from being moved beyond the end stop 32 in the direction of the exterior opening 16 when winding the deposit band 23. In this way, when the interior opening 18 is opened and the extension part 11 is returned to the first position, the inserted postal item 2 can fall out of the receiving chamber 8 through the interior opening 18 into the living space 6. FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 show that the end stop 32 is L-shaped and extends over the width of the deposit band 23, for example, over the entire width of the deposit band 23. The end stop 32 is fixed to the housing 7. Furthermore, the end stop 32 is rotatably mounted and transversely arranged to the adjustment axis X to rotate the end stop 32 into a folded down or tilted position, which is shown in detail in FIG. 4, and an erected position, which is shown in detail in FIG. 5. For this purpose, along a connection between a long L-leg 33 and a short L-web 34 of the end stop 32, a wheel 44, e.g. a plastic wheel, is provided, which is connected to the deposit band 23 with a friction-lock. When the deposit band 23 is wounded, the L-leg 33 flips over. Since the deposit band 23 is usually wound at least partially before the postal item 2 is inserted into the receiving chamber 8 in order to adjust the volume of the receiving chamber 8 to the size of the postal item 2, the end stop 32 is in the tilted position shown in FIG. 4 when the postal item 2 is inserted. This means that the longer L-leg 33 does not stand in the way when inserting or removing the postal item 2. It should be noted, however, that even the first position may already provided a sufficiently large first volume to insert small-volume postal items 2. When the deposit band 23 is wound, as shown in FIG. 5, the end stop 32 is turned to the upright position. In the upright position, the long L-leg 33 of the end stop 32 is positioned transversely to the deposit band 23 and offers a larger stop surface on which the postal item 2 can rest when the deposit band 23 is wound. Basically, it is also possible to fix the end stop 32 mirror-inverted to the arrangement shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 on the housing 7, so that the short L-bar 34 does not face the interior opening 18, as shown here, but the exterior opening 16. Instead of rotating it, it is also possible to non-rotatably hold the end stop 32 at the base part 9. At least in the latter, the end stop 32 may have shape alternative to the L-shape, for example the end stop could have the form of a rod extending across the deposit band 23.
(34) FIG. 1 shows that the receiving and pick-up device 1 is arranged close to at a low elevation above a stationary ground 35, for example the corridor floor of the living space 6. Close to the fixed ground 35 means that the upper edge of the deposit band 23 is about 20 cm to 60 cm above the ground 35. This ensures that the received postal item 2 is not damaged when it falls out through the interior opening 18 due to the low drop height. In principle, the receiving and pick-up device 1 can also be used in a recess, a trough or the like, which is formed in the stationary ground, for example. The upper edge of the deposit band 23 can, then, be flush with the stationary ground 35 to push the postal item 2 out of the receiving chamber 8 at ground level. Supports 36 may be provided to support the housing 7 against the ground 35. Supports 36 are shown in FIG. 3 in an extended position. FIGS. 6 and 7 show, in detail, an alternative configuration of the supports 36, the supports 36 being arranged in FIG. 6 in the first position and in FIG. 7 in the second position or extended position. The supports 36 have a plurality of articulated struts 37, which are held rotatably on cross struts 45. The ends of the cross struts 45 are each guided on a longitudinal rail 46, which extends along the adjustment axis X. The ends of the cross struts 45 are each guided on a longitudinal rail 46, which extends along the adjustment axis X. At the end of the cross struts 45 facing the ground 35, wheels 47 are rotatably mounted on the struts 37 so that the supporting means 36 can be moved on the ground 35 when the adjustment device 29 is actuated. The longitudinal end of the supports 36, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 on the left, may be fixed relative to base part 9. For example, the longitudinal end of supports 36, shown on the left, may be attached to building part 4, drum box 28 or base part 9. The longitudinal end of the support means 36, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 on the right, may be fixed relative to the extension part 11, for example on the inner roller shutter box 22 or the extension part 11. In this way, the articulated struts 37 are pushed together in the first position, as shown in FIG. 6, and pulled apart in the second position, as shown in FIG. 7. However, for example, the receiving and pick-up device 1 can also be arranged at a higher level above the ground 35. If necessary and desired, suitable precautions can then be taken to avoid damage to the received postal item 2 when it falls out. For example, a basket or the like may be provided into which the postal item 2 could fall after ejection through the interior opening 16. With a higher arrangement of the receiving and pick-up device 1 in the living space 6, supports 36 could also be forgo.
(35) In order to avoid sagging of the deposit band 23, as far as possible during operation of the receiving and pick-up device 1, especially, when inserting the postal item 2, a belt reinforcement 38 can be provided below the deposit band 23. The optional band reinforcement 38 is shown in detail in FIGS. 8 and 9. The band reinforcement 38 has several movably connected reinforcing elements 39 which are superposed or folded in the first position of extension part 11 shown in FIG. 8 and pulled apart in the second position of extension part 11 shown in FIG. 9.
(36) In order to enable autonomous operation of the receiving and pick-up device 1, various electronic components are also provided, which will be discussed in more detail below. A control unit (not shown) is connected to other electronic components and controls the adjustment device 29 as well as the exterior roller shutter 19 and the interior roller shutter 20. A scanner 40 is arranged on one side of the building part 4 facing the outside space 5 and is connected to the control unit. Using the scanner 40, the deliverer can, for example, scan in a parcel code from the postal item 2. Furthermore, a control panel 41, for example a touchpad or a keypad, is arranged on the outside of the building part 4 facing the outside space 5, via which the deliverer can enter a code or the like in order to enter a mailing code of the postal item 2, an authentication code of the deliverer or the like. For example, a code may also be provided so that, for example, the owner of the receiving and pick-up device 2 can always open the exterior opening 16, for example for maintenance purposes. Furthermore, a camera 42 is arranged within the receiving chamber 8. In addition, a scale 43 is provided on the floor side, which can weigh the weight of the postal item 2 placed on the deposit band 23.
(37) FIGS. 10 to 16 show, by way of example, several steps of the method for receiving postal items 2 in chronological order, which will be discussed in more detail below.
(38) In the first position, shown in FIG. 10, the volume of the receiving chamber 8 is at its minimum. In principle, the receiving and pick-up device 1 is already suitable in the first position for receiving a small-volume postal item 2. The carrier scans the parcel code using the scanner 40. Alternatively or additionally, he can authenticate himself via the control panel 41 or enter the package code via said control panel 41. The control unit checks the data collected by the scanner 40 or entered in the control panel 41 to identify the postal item 2 located outside the receiving chamber 8 in front of the exterior opening 16. For this purpose, the control unit may have a connection to the world wide web. Then, when a product is purchased online, the online seller usually transmits a tracking number to the buyer digitally after the product has been shipped in order to track the mailing. The control unit may use such tracking numbers or other identification codes provided by the seller to verify the postal item 2 scanned in by the carrier in front of the exterior opening 16 or the code entered by the carrier via the control panel 41. The scanned parcel code, tracking number or the like usually include information about the size, weight, etc. of the postal item 2, which could be used to adapt the volume of the receiving chamber 8 or to identify the postal item 2. If this is not the case, the carrier can enter further information about the postal item 2, such as the weight or volume of the postal item 2 to be inserted, via the control panel 41.
(39) After successful identification of the postal item 2 to be inserted, the control unit controls the adjustment device 29. If the first volume of the receiving chamber 8 in the first position, shown in FIG. 10, is already sufficient to accommodate the identified postal item 2, the control unit unlocks the exterior opening 16 and the exterior roller shutter 19 is opened without any volume adjustment to be made with respect to the first position. When the volume of the identified postal item 2 is larger than the first volume of the receiving chamber 8, the control unit controls the adjustment device 29 to adjust the volume of the receiving chamber 8. In order to adjust the volume of the receiving space 8, the variable-length actuator 30 extends and presses against the inner roller shutter box 22, whereby the extension part 11 is continuously extended along the adjustment axis X into intermediate positions and, depending on the size of the identified postal item 2 even, further into the second position according to FIG. 12. FIG. 11 shows such an intermediate position with which a larger volume of the receiving chamber 8 can be provided in relation to the first volume. During the extension movement of the actuator 30, the deposit band 23 is pulled by the extension part 11 and unwinds at least partially from the winding drum 25. Due to the unwinding of the deposit band 23, the end stop 32 turns from the erected position, shown in FIG. 10, to a tilted position shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.
(40) After the adjustment device 29 has adapted the volume of the receiving chamber 8 to the postal item 2 to be inserted, the control unit unlocks the exterior opening 16 and opens the exterior roller shutter 19. FIG. 13 shows that the postal item 2 can now be inserted into the receiving chamber 8 and placed onto the deposit band 23. Then, either the deliverer can automatically close the exterior opening 16 via the control panel 41, or the control unit can actuate the exterior roller shutter 19. The control unit can, for example, automatically close the exterior opening 16 after the insertion of the postal item 2 has been registered with the 43 scale. Furthermore, a light barrier (not shown) arranged in the area of the exterior opening 16 could check the obstacle clearance, first, before the exterior roller shutter 19 is operated. Alternatively or in addition, a pressure sensor can be integrated into an end rail of the exterior roller shutter 19 in order to partially raise the exterior roller shutter 19 again when hitting an obstacle. Furthermore, the insertion of the postal item 2 can also be registered with the camera 42. In addition, the camera 42 can be used to record the insertion of postal item 2 for evidence purposes.
(41) In addition, the control unit checks whether the exterior opening 16 is closed. If this is the case, the interior opening 18 is opened, as shown in FIG. 14. For safety reasons, before opening the interior opening 18, the camera 42 can be used, for example, to check the receiving chamber 8 whether there is a person or object other than the postal item 2 in it. To prevent an attempted burglary, the interior opening 18 would then remain closed.
(42) As soon as the interior opening 18 is opened or the interior roller shutter 20 is retracted, the control unit controls the adjustment device 29. In this case, the deposit band 23 is at least partially wound onto the winding drum 25 by actuating the drive motor 31. FIG. 14 shows that, when the deposit band 23 is pulled in, the extension part 11, which is connected to the second end 26 of the deposit band 23 by the holder 27, is moved from the second position, shown in FIG. 13, to the first position, shown in FIG. 15, via the intermediate position, shown in FIG. 14. By this, the interior opening 18 is moved in the direction of the exterior opening 16, thereby reducing the volume of the receiving chamber 8. Furthermore, due to the retraction movement of the deposit band 23, the end stop 32, which interacts frictionally with the deposit band 23, is set up in the erected position, shown in FIG. 14. As a result, the end stop 32 provides a large stop surface for the inserted postal item 2 thereby preventing the postal item 2 from being moved beyond the end stop 32 in the direction of the exterior opening 16 when the deposit band 23 is wounded.
(43) As the inserted postal item 2 is held back by the end stop 32, the postal item 2, as shown in FIG. 15, finally falls out of the receiving space 8 through the open interior opening 18 when the receiving and pick-up device 1 is moved back into the first position. While the postal item 2 is pushed out of the interior opening 18, the interior roller shutter 20 can be slightly raised to support the ejection of the postal item 2, as shown in FIG. 15. In principle, however, the postal item 2 also falls out without the support of the raising interior roller shutter 20, so that the interior roller shutter 20 can alternatively be a shutter that moves from top to bottom or a hinged door or the like could be used instead of the shutter 20. As soon as the control unit detects, for example, via the scale 43 or the camera 42, that the postal item 2 has fallen out of the receiving chamber 8, the interior opening 18 is closed by closing the interior roller shutter 20. In the first position shown in FIG. 16, the receiving and pick-up device 1 is then ready to receive further postal items 2.
(44) Finally, the control unit can use the data link to inform both, the sender and the recipient, of the successful delivery or receipt of postal item 2.
(45) When a further postal item 2 is due to be received the volume of the receiving chamber 8 is adjusted to the volume of the next postal item 2, whereby the already received postal item 2 is pushed further into the living space 6 by the side of the receiving and pick-up device facing away from building part 4. By this room is cleared in the living space 6 for the next postal item 2, which can, then, also fall out of the interior opening 16 into the living space 6 just like the first postal item 2. This process can be repeated as often as desired as long as the living space 6 around the receiving and pick-up device 1 offers sufficient room.
(46) FIGS. 17 to 19 show, by way of example, several steps of the method for picking up postal items 2 in chronological order, which will be discussed in more detail below.
(47) The sender places the postal item 2 to be collected in the receiving chamber 8. The postal item 2 to be collected can be inserted either through the exterior opening 16 or through the interior opening 18. According to FIG. 17, the postal item 2 to be collected is placed into the receiving chamber 8 via the interior opening 18. In order to adjust the volume of the receiving chamber 8 to the postal item 2 to be collected, the shipper can operate the adjustment device 29 via an additional control panel (not shown) and which can be arranged in the living space 6, or via the outside panel 41. Similarly, a scanner can be provided in the living space 6 to scan the parcel code of the postal item 2 to be collected in order to automatically adjust the volume of the receiving chamber 8 in analogy to the method described above for receiving the postal items. Besides, the package code can also be scanned with the scanner 40 in the outdoor space 5. After the postal item 2 to be collected has been placed on the deposit band 23, the control unit can either close the interior roller shutter 20 upon request of the sender or, as described above, automatically.
(48) If a collection authorised person has identified himself in front of the closed exterior opening 16, for example by scanning a collection slip with the scanner 40 or by entering an authentication code via the control panel 41, the control unit checks whether the interior opening 18 is closed. If the interior opening 18 is still open, it may be the case that the exterior opening 16 is not unlocked though the person authorised to collect has run the identification successfully. When the interior opening 16 is closed, the exterior opening 16 is unlocked. Then, the exterior opening 16 can be opened either manually by the authorised collector or automatically by opening the exterior roller shutter 19. After, the person authorised to collect can remove the inserted postal item 2.
(49) As soon as the postal item 2 to be picked up has been removed from the receiving chamber 8, the exterior opening 16 can be closed either manually by the collector or automatically by the control unit by closing the exterior roller shutter 19. Furthermore, the control unit controls the adjustment device 29 so that it moves the extension part 11, if it was not in the first position, back to the first position. The receiving and pick-up device 1 is again ready to receive further postal items 2.
(50) FIG. 21 shows a receiving and pick-up device 50 for postal items 2 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. Components which conform to components of the embodiments described in FIGS. 1 to 19 are marked with the same reference signs. The device 50, as shown in FIG. 20, differs from the previous embodiments only in that the receiving and pick-up device 50 is housed in a weatherproof housing 51. The reception and collection device 50 is, thus, designed as a stand-alone mailbox, which can, for example, be installed outside a building, especially in front of the building, or on the roof top of a building.
(51) For this purpose, the base part 9 of the housing 7 is fixed to the stand-alone housing 51. The base part 9 has a mounting frame 10, which is inserted in the passage opening 52 of the stand-alone housing 51 and connected to the stand-alone housing 51, e.g. screwed. The exterior opening 16 can be closed by the flap 28, which is held around the horizontal pivot axis S, analogous to the embodiment shown in FIG. 20. The interior opening (not shown) is located inside the stand-alone housing 51. Here, a lockable and removable opening is provided on a back side or lateral side of the stand-alone housing 51 through which the postal item can be removed. For example, the postal item ejected from the interior opening may fall onto the bottom floor of the stand-alone housing 51 or into a collection container within the stand-alone housing 51, so that the postal item 2 can later be removed from the stand-alone housing 51 by the recipient.
