Vented Package Lockbox

Abstract

A vented package lockbox for securely storing delivered packages includes a housing forming an inner cavity. The housing has a plurality of vent apertures and a plurality of mounting apertures. The plurality of mounting apertures is configured to receive a plurality of fasteners to fix the housing to a porch or a stoop. A lid is coupled to the housing to cover and alternatively uncover the open top side. A lock is coupled to the housing and is electively engageable with the lid to maintain the lid in a closed position until unlocked. An emergency release is coupled to the lid and is in operational communication with the lock to unlock the lid from the inner cavity in case a child gets locked within the housing.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A vented package lockbox comprising:
 a housing having a front side separated from a back side, a left side separated from a right side, and a bottom side separated from an open top side forming an inner cavity, the housing having a plurality of vent apertures extending through the left side and the right side, and a plurality of mounting apertures extending through the bottom side to the inner cavity, the plurality of mounting apertures being configured to receive a plurality of fasteners to fix the housing to a porch or a stoop;   a lid coupled to the housing, the lid covering and alternatively uncovering the open top side;   a lock coupled to the housing, the lock being selectively engageable with the lid to maintain the lid in a closed position until unlocked; and   an emergency release coupled to the lid, the emergency release being in operational communication with the lock to unlock the lid from the inner cavity in case a child gets locked within the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The vented package lockbox of  claim 1  further comprising a hinge coupled to the housing and the lid, the hinge being coupled to a rear edge of the lid and to the back side of the housing adjacent the open top side, the hinge allowing the lid to swing from the closed position to an alternate open position. 
     
     
         3 . The vented package lockbox of  claim 1  further comprising a hydraulic lift arm coupled to the housing and the lid, the hydraulic lift arm assisting the movement between the closed position and the alternate open position as well as maintaining the alternate open position. 
     
     
         4 . The vented package lockbox of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of screens coupled to the plurality of vent apertures. 
     
     
         5 . The vented package lockbox of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of vent covers coupled to the housing, the plurality of vent covers extending away from the housing and having an open bottom to allow airflow to the plurality of vent apertures. 
     
     
         6 . The vented package lockbox of  claim 5  further comprising each of the plurality of vent covers having a rounded profile. 
     
     
         7 . The vented package lockbox of  claim 1  further comprising the plurality of vent apertures comprising three vent apertures extending through the left side and three apertures extending through the right side. 
     
     
         8 . The vented package lockbox of  claim 1  further comprising the lock comprising a latch, a handle, and a keyhole, the latch selectively engaging the lid in the closed position, the handle releasing the latch to free the lid, and the keyhole receiving a key to enable the handle, the emergency release also releasing the latch. 
     
     
         9 . The vented package lockbox of  claim 1  further comprising the emergency release comprising a pull cable and a handgrip. 
     
     
         10 . The vented package lockbox of  claim 9  further comprising the handgrip being phosphorescent. 
     
     
         11 . The vented package lockbox of  claim 1  further comprising the plurality of mounting apertures being linearly aligned. 
     
     
         12 . A vented package lockbox comprising:
 a housing having a front side separated from a back side, a left side separated from a right side, and a bottom side separated from an open top side forming an inner cavity, the housing having a plurality of vent apertures and a plurality of mounting apertures, the plurality of vent apertures comprising three vent apertures extending through the left side and three apertures extending through the right side to the inner cavity, the plurality of mounting apertures extending through the bottom side to the inner cavity and being linearly aligned, the plurality of mounting apertures being configured to receive a plurality of fasteners to fix the housing to a porch or a stoop;   a plurality of screens coupled to the plurality of vent apertures;   a plurality of vent covers coupled to the housing, the plurality of vent covers extending away from the housing and having an open bottom to allow airflow to the plurality of vent apertures, each of the plurality of vent covers having a rounded profile;   a lid having a rear edge, the lid covering and alternatively uncovering the open top side of the housing;   a hinge coupled to the housing and the lid, the hinge being coupled to the rear edge and to the back side of the housing adjacent the open top side, the hinge allowing the lid to swing from a closed position to an alternate open position;   a hydraulic lift arm coupled to the housing and the lid, the hydraulic lift arm assisting the movement between the closed position and the alternate open position as well as maintaining the alternate open position;   a lock coupled to the housing, the lock comprising a latch, a handle, and a keyhole, the latch selectively engaging the lid in the closed position, the handle releasing the latch to free the lid, and the keyhole receiving a key to enable the handle; and   an emergency release coupled to the lid, the emergency release comprising a pull cable and a handgrip, the handgrip being phosphorescent, the emergency release being in operational communication with the lock to release the latch and unlock the lid from the inner cavity in case a child gets locked within the housing.