A solution for Amazon deliveries

[Mike Lucey]

Hi Guys,

They say 'Necessity is the mother of invention'! I have come across a number of problems with parcel deliveries to houses these days when more and more people are buying online and having their parcels delivered directly to their homes.

I'm a bit of a gadget nut and have stuff delivered on a regular basis. I haven't had any major problems as I advise when ordering that if there is no reply at the front door to leave the parcel in a garden storage shed at the side of the house.

However not all houses have convenient alternative drop off locations particularly town houses and apartments etc. There are a number of parcel delivery boxes of varying designs on the market but they require a space adjacent to the front door which not everyone has available.

I got to thinking about an alternative drop off place and after a while came to the conclusion that parcels should be delivered much the same way as letters are currently delivered! So I started working on a solution and came up with, what I now call, DoorShute. The name is a play on 'coalshute' a common feature in houses decades ago.

I have uploaded a DoorShute Promo video which explains the ins and out of the design on my YouTube Channel here, https://youtu.be/xhjhGZ1YSEE

The following images / comments explain the basics of the DoorShute.

I'd be interested in hearing your comments.

Mike

[ntxdave]

Interesting idea and design. Looks like something you should pursue.

One question though: How does the delivery person open the door lock?

[Mike Lucey]

@ntxdave said:

Interesting idea and design. Looks like something you should pursue.

One question though: How does the delivery person open the door lock?

Hi dave,

Most delivery couriers text a message before a delivery. It's just a matter of texting them the combination code to the lock. Couriers that don't text beforehand on arrival would read a notice supplying your mobile phone number, text or phone you and get the combination code. This code could also be supplied at the time of item purchase and noted in comments to the courier.

It would also be advisable to have a wifi linked visual / audio security camera outside and inside the door. These camera are cheap to buy these days. They notify you on your mobile phone that someone has approached your front door and you can both see them and talk to them.

Even without the combination lock in place there is still quite an amount of security for the parcel.

[ntxdave]

OK

I take the back side is collapsable so when there is no package, it is collapdsed so that it is not extended on the inside by default. So, that poses another question. Does the support leg sollapse as well? How/where is it stored.

I know, bunch of silly questions. As I said, it is an interesting design. Just trying to clarify some of the details.

[Mike Lucey]

@ntxdave said:

OK

I take the back side is collapsable so when there is no package, it is collapsed so that it is not extended on the inside by default. So, that poses another question. Does the support leg collapse as well? How/where is it stored.

I know, bunch of silly questions. As I said, it is an interesting design. Just trying to clarify some of the details.

Dave, There are no 'silly questions' as far as I'm concerned. The Adjustable Roller Wheel assembly is attached to the most inner Sliding Section. As the sliding sections collapse the Adjustable Roller Wheel slots into a notch on the other Sliding Sections.

This image shows the setup,

and this image shows the protrusion of the Adjustable Roller Wheel. It's approx 23mm, 25mm at most. The entry door should open inwards as much as needed.

[ntxdave]

So when the the container is completely closed, where is the Adjustable Roller Wheel? Is each section smaller / larger that the one behind it?

Would be neat to see animation of how it works (section collapses and Adjustable Roller Wheel action).

BTW: Have you taken any actions to protect the ownership of your design?

[Mike Lucey]

@ntxdave said:

So when the the container is completely closed, where is the Adjustable Roller Wheel? Is each section smaller / larger that the one behind it?

Would be neat to see animation of how it works (section collapses and Adjustable Roller Wheel action).

BTW: Have you taken any actions to protect the ownership of your design?

Yes Dave, each Sliding Section is smaller than its neighbouring Sliding Section and they slide into each other. The leading edge of the Sliding Sections have a beveled edge that allows for easy slide-in of parcels. Have you looked that the DoorShute Promo Movie link above, here again, https://youtu.be/xhjhGZ1YSEE It more of less shows the DoorShute in action.

I've been working on this idea on and off for a while. Its Patent Pending as of a few days ago with IPO UK GB2210481.4 and the DoorShute name is Trademark pending also with IPOIE, so its pretty much covered. I am optimistic about getting a patent as there is nothing like it on the market currently also Google Patent searches come up with nothing.

My next step is to have a prototype made. I will be contacting door manufacturers in the hope of finding one that sees the potential of the DoorShute and partner with them in some way on the idea. Normally front entry doors are sold only once in the lifetime of the house. Providing entry doors with an integrated DoorShute might be a good way of selling house owners a new door! Just a though.

I have no wish or intention of going into manufacture at this stage of my life, I'm primarily a designer and this suits me. I'm quite happy flushing out various ideas that I've had over the years that were put on the 'To Do Sometime Shelf'. If nothing else it helps to keep my gray matter challenged and functioning well.....I hope!

[ntxdave]

Thanks Mike. I think the video is good. Would be neat if it also included an animation a a package being inserted and the back side expanding to hold the package.

I missed the video link and the support arm on the back of the door in the original post. I also missed the. Sorry for missing them. Would have prevented the dumb questions. Guess that is one of the problems as we age.

[Mike Lucey]

@ntxdave said:

Thanks Mike. I think the video is good. Would be neat if it also included an animation a a package being inserted and the back side expanding to hold the package.

I missed the video link and the support arm on the back of the door in the original post. I also missed the. Sorry for missing them. Would have prevented the dumb questions. Guess that is one of the problems as we age.

I took your advise dave and knocked out a short video showing an animation of the DoorShute in operation. Its on my YouTube Channel here,

Doorshute in Operation.mov
Youtube Video

[tuna1957]

Best solution is don’t buy through Amazon ! Joking aside it’s an interesting idea that would never work here in the U.S. Policy of all delivery companies now seems to be dump it on your door and run. Before long it will be leave it at the curb and then they’ll just throw it from the truck as they drive bye.

[Mike Amos]

Delivery drivers here try the same thing but at least hamazon can kick them. When I only find out about delivery after the (Fellon) fact and there is nothing there, hamazon have replaced it. Quickly.

[ntxdave]

@mike lucey said:

@ntxdave said:

Thanks Mike. I think the video is good. Would be neat if it also included an animation a a package being inserted and the back side expanding to hold the package.

I missed the video link and the support arm on the back of the door in the original post. I also missed the. Sorry for missing them. Would have prevented the dumb questions. Guess that is one of the problems as we age.

I took your advise dave and knocked out a short video showing an animation of the DoorShute in operation. Its on my YouTube Channel here,

Doorshute in Operation.mov
Youtube Video

Thanks Mike.

[Mike Lucey]

Charles, Mike ... Yep deliveries can be messy at the best of times if there is no body home and no parcel securing system. The solution I propose could go a long way in making things more simple. Maybe all entry doors should have an integrated parcel delivery system. Over most entry doors have a built-in letter box so it might be argued the ParcelShute is a logical progression

[Mike Amos]

The biggest issues I can see sit around security and thermal efficiency. People are going to be more and mode conscious of the cost of running a home and both of those are affected by interruption of the front door. Lookintg at another demographic, those living in buildings above a certain height, fire doors on the front access are now a legal requirement and you cannot make openings in those.

Having said that, yopu break even point will be lower and a freestannding anchored version for back gardens might make for a different market again. We have one of the fire doors on each of our flats here despite being two level buildings, slam doors which are a pain in the Arthur Harris.

I hope you make good sales, there will be good demand for similar products for a long time to come.

[Mike Lucey]

@mike amos said:

The biggest issues I can see sit around security and thermal efficiency. People are going to be more and mode conscious of the cost of running a home and both of those are affected by interruption of the front door. Looking at another demographic, those living in buildings above a certain height, fire doors on the front access are now a legal requirement and you cannot make openings in those.

Having said that, you break even point will be lower and a freestanding anchored version for back gardens might make for a different market again. We have one of the fire doors on each of our flats here despite being two level buildings, slam doors which are a pain in the Arthur Harris.

I hope you make good sales, there will be good demand for similar products for a long time to come.

Thanks Mike,

You raise some very good points that I had not considered, particularly in relation to Fire Doors. However, most internal fire doors are timber construction. I imagine it would be possible to design around any problems with the input of a Fire Safety Engineer. A friend of mine specialises in this area, I will bounce the question and see what he suggests.

The DoorShute is an all stainless steel construction and that in itself, I imagine, would go a long way in fire proofing. It would also be possible to insert brushes at the joints / sliding surfaces as is the case for ordinary fire doors at the closing points, door / jamb / frame.

In the case of apartments I imagine there would be space available on the ground floor for parcel storage. I also imagine new builds would plan for this space as demand would be there.

The unit I have designed is primarily aimed at average house, town houses etc.

[Box]

An issue you may have missed is the restriction of access when a parcel has been delivered. If, as you have shown earlier, the door cannot open with a parcel in the chute because it will hit the wall, you will run into problems. You can't stop to open the chute and retrieve the package while trying to escape the fire/flood etc. It could even be an issue with entering the building in an emergency, whether it be fire/rescue services needing to gain access or even an unaccompanied person feeling threatened and needing to get inside their door quickly.
Perhaps a version that fits in a window opening like those awful aircon units for restricted access situations, or even a wall mount that sits flush next to the door and pulls out to create a box.

[Mike Lucey]

@box said:

An issue you may have missed is the restriction of access when a parcel has been delivered. If, as you have shown earlier, the door cannot open with a parcel in the chute because it will hit the wall, you will run into problems. You can't stop to open the chute and retrieve the package while trying to escape the fire/flood etc. It could even be an issue with entering the building in an emergency, whether it be fire/rescue services needing to gain access or even an unaccompanied person feeling threatened and needing to get inside their door quickly.
Perhaps a version that fits in a window opening like those awful aircon units for restricted access situations, or even a wall mount that sits flush next to the door and pulls out to create a box.

Hi Box, You are perfectly right about the possible situations you raise. An option for part of the window is well worth thinking about.

[Mike Lucey]

Thank Box for raising the issue of fire escape with regard to the DoorShute. I have been working on the issue and think that I may have come up with solution.

I have revised the outer door design slightly, particularly the bottom swing pin holder which is on the DoorShute frame. I have now set this up so that the pin can be dislodged and move forward when pressed sufficiently hard enough.

So, if a fire fighter knocks the door open by breaking the lock and pushes it back so that it hits a wall the DoorShute will collapse, pushing the the contents of the box (if any) towards the front door of the box and the front door in turn will 'pop out' of its holding which is situated at the bottom of the DoorShute frame. The top combination lock stay has also been modified to allow the front door to swing out from the top. With this set up any parcel can quickly removed allowing easy access to the property.

A person escaping from the inside would be able to simply lift the inner door (which is not locked in) and remove the contents of the box in seconds so I think there would be no issue here.

I have managed to get the design registered with the UK Patent Office so its fingers crossed that things will run smoothly. If / when I receive a patent I have no idea what I will do with it but am hopeful that some door company will show interest.

[Box]

@mike lucey said:

A person escaping from the inside would be able to simply lift the inner door (which is not locked in) and remove the contents of the box in seconds so I think there would be no issue here.

I doubt this would get by most safety inspectors. Anything that can hamper access is frowned upon.
Suggesting that someone crawling on the floor gasping for air can simply open the box and remove the package would not be an acceptable solution in most cases.

[gullfo]

i'd probably done something a bit different - the opening is into the garage or other non-direct home access point - then a fixed size box which once the opening door is shut, a conveyor moves the package out and into the non-home room. video monitor warnings. etc. to try and prevent mischief. as a small edit - re-purpose some robotic vacuum/sweepers to perform the conveyance...