Dropbox

Abstract

A dropbox includes an upper portion for receiving mail and/or packages. An upper door is joined to the upper portion for rotating from a closed position to an open position wherein a user places mail and/or packages in the upper portion. A shelf is disposed within the upper portion for supporting the placed mail and/or packages. The shelf is configured to rotate about a horizontal axis. A rotating mechanism is joined to the shelf and the upper door. The rotating mechanism rotates the shelf during opening and closing of the upper door. A lower portion receives the placed mail and/or packages during rotation of the shelf. A lower door is joined to the lower portion for rotating from a closed position to an open position wherein mail and/or packages in the lower portion are retrieved.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dropbox comprising:
 an upper portion for receiving mail and/or packages;   an upper door joined to said upper portion for rotating from a closed position to an open position wherein a user places mail and/or packages in said upper portion;   a shelf disposed within said upper portion for supporting the placed mail and/or packages, said shelf being configured to rotate about a horizontal axis;   a rotating mechanism joined to said shelf and said upper door, said rotating mechanism rotating said shelf during opening and closing of said upper door;   a lower portion for receiving the placed mail and/or packages during rotation of said shelf; and   a lower door joined to said lower portion for rotating from a closed position to an open position wherein mail and/or packages in said lower portion are retrieved.   
     
     
         2 . The dropbox as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism joined to said lower portion and said lower door for securing said lower door in said closed position. 
     
     
         3 . The dropbox as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a holding mechanism for holding said upper door in said closed position. 
     
     
         4 . The dropbox as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a safety flap being positioned in said upper portion for mitigating reaching into said lower portion. 
     
     
         5 . The dropbox as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism joined to said upper portion for securing said upper door in said closed position. 
     
     
         6 . The dropbox as recited in  claim 3 , further comprising a holding mechanism for holding said lower door in said closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The dropbox as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a modular storage unit joined to said lower portion. 
     
     
         8 . The dropbox as recited in  claim 1 , in which said rotating mechanism further comprises a door rod joined to said upper door and a shelf rod joined to said shelf. 
     
     
         9 . The dropbox as recited in  claim 8 , in which said rotating mechanism further comprises sprockets and a chain joined to said door rod and said shelf rod. 
     
     
         10 . The dropbox as recited in  claim 7 , in which said lower portion further comprises a removable bottom shelf for access to said modular storage unit. 
     
     
         11 . The dropbox as recited in  claim 6 , in which said holding mechanism further comprises a magnetic device. 
     
     
         12 . A dropbox comprising:
 means for receiving mail and/or packages;   means for opening said receiving means, wherein a user places mail and/or packages in said receiving means;   means for supporting the placed mail and/or packages, said supporting means being configured to rotate about a horizontal axis;   means for rotating said supporting means during opening and closing of said opening means;   means for receiving the placed mail and/or packages during rotation of said supporting means; and   means for retrieving the mail and/or packages.   
     
     
         13 . The dropbox as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising means for securing said retrieving means in a closed position. 
     
     
         14 . The dropbox as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising means for holding said opening means in a closed position. 
     
     
         15 . The dropbox as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising means for mitigating reaching into said receiving means. 
     
     
         16 . The dropbox as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising means for securing said opening means in a closed position. 
     
     
         17 . The dropbox as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising means for holding said retrieving means in a closed position. 
     
     
         18 . The dropbox as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising means for adding storage to said receiving means. 
     
     
         19 . A dropbox comprising:
 an upper portion for receiving mail and/or packages;   an upper door joined to said upper portion for rotating from a closed position to an open position wherein a user places mail and/or packages in said upper portion;   a magnetic device for holding said upper door in said closed position;   a means for securing said upper door in said closed position;   a shelf disposed within said upper portion for supporting the placed mail and/or packages, said shelf being configured to rotate approximately 180 degrees about a horizontal axis;   a rotating mechanism comprising a shelf rod joined to said shelf, a door rod joined to said upper door, sprockets joined to said shelf rod and said door rod, and a chain joining said sprockets, said rotating mechanism rotating said shelf during opening and closing of said upper door;   a lower portion for receiving the placed mail and/or packages during rotation of said shelf, said lower portion comprising a removable bottom shelf for access to a modular storage unit   a safety flap being positioned in said upper portion for mitigating reaching into said lower portion;   a lower door joined to said lower portion for rotating from a closed position to an open position wherein mail and/or packages in said lower portion are retrieved;   a magnetic device for holding said lower door in said closed position; and   a locking mechanism joined to said lower portion and said lower door for securing said lower door in said closed position, said locking mechanism comprising a clip joined to said lower portion a lock joined to said lower door.   
     
     
         20 . The dropbox as recited in  claim 19 , further comprising a modular storage unit joined to said lower portion.