US5369221A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for mailing and collecting items
Assignee: USHIP Intellectual Properties LLC
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Filing: 1993-12-22
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Granted: 1994-11-29
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Expires: 2013-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A system for accepting and storing items for subsequent pickup by a commercial carrier includes a storage area which is defined by an outer housing, and a customer interface area that includes a weighing unit and a unit, such as a magnetic card reader, for accepting payment from a customer. The system may also include a control system that accepts address information from the customer through a key pad, and then instructs a printer to print an address label for the item. The system includes safeguards which prevent unauthorized access to the storage area, and will not provide a receipt to the customer until internal sensors verify deposit of the item. A manifest printer may also be provided for the benefit of the commercial carriers who service the system, to print out a summary of the transactions that pertain to each carrier.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary W. Ramsden
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:35
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01G; G01G19/00; G01G19/002; G01G19/005; G01G19/40; G01G19/413; G01G19/414; G01G19/4144; G01G19/4148; G07; G07B; G07B17/00; G07B17/00185; G07B17/00193; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/0014; G07F17/10; G07F17/12; G07F17/13; G07F17/26; G07B17/00459; G07B17/00467; G07B17/00016; G07B17/00024; G07B2017/0004; G07B2017/00225; G07B2017/00233; G07B2017/00266; G07B2017/00274; G07B17/00362; G07B2017/0037; G07B17/00661; G07B2017/00685; G07B2017/00701
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
An outdoor system for accepting and storing parcel packages for subsequent pickup by a commercial carrier, comprising: an outer housing having inner and outer surfaces, said inner surface defining a storage area which is constructed and sized to store a multiplicity of parcels; a scale for weighing a parcel which a customer intends to ship; means for inputting information relating to the destination of the parcel from the customer; control means for calculating a shipment fee for the parcel, said control means being in communication with said scale and said information inputting means; deposit means, enabled by said control means, for permitting a customer to securely deposit the parcel into said storage area; and climate control means for maintaining said storage area at a safe temperature which will not damage the parcel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
An outdoor system for accepting and storing parcel packages for subsequent pickup by a commercial carrier, comprising: an outer housing having inner and outer surfaces, said inner surface defining a storage area which is constructed and sized to store a multiplicity of parcels; a scale for weighing a parcel which a customer intends to ship; means for inputting information relating to the destination of the parcel from the customer; control means for calculating a shipment fee for the parcel, said control means being in communication with said scale and said information inputting means; deposit means, enabled by said control means, for permitting a customer to securely deposit the parcel into said storage area; and climate control means for maintaining said storage area at a safe temperature which will not damage the parcel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An outdoor system according to claim 1, wherein said climate control means comprises a heater.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An outdoor system according to claim 1, where said climate control means comprises a circulation fan.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An outdoor system according to claim 1, wherein said climate control means comprises an air conditioner unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An outdoor system according to claim 1, further comprising means for sheltering a customer from bad weather.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
An outdoor system according to claim 5, wherein said sheltering means comprises a hooded overhang.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An outdoor system according to claim 6, wherein said hooded overhang is positioned above said scale, said keyboard and said payment means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
An outdoor system according to claim 1, wherein said outer housing is thermally insulated.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-11-28 | 1998-05-30 | 1998-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-28 | 2002-05-30 | 2002-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-28 | 2006-05-30 | 2006-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |