Self-Locking, Vented, Secured Package Receptacle

Abstract

The invention is a self-locking, secured, vented package receptacle for holding delivered packages that is quick and easy for the delivery person to operate. The package receptacle includes six walls forming a hollow box. Two opposing vertical walls include a plurality of vented apertures. One vertical wall includes a half-ring used to secure the package receptacle to another structure by the method of a chain or similar device. One vertical wall includes one part of a locking mechanism. One horizontal wall functions as a floor and includes feet to support the receptacle. One horizontal wall functions as a lid and includes one part of a locking mechanism, an emergency release, operation instructions, and two hinges that hold the lid open and allow the lid to be manually shut.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A package receptacle comprising:
 a right side wall with a plurality of vent apertures;   
       a left side wall with a plurality vent apertures; 
       a back wall; 
       a securing ring made in one piece with the back wall; 
       a front wall coupled with one part of a self-locking apparatus; and 
       a lid coupled to the right and left walls such that the lid is capable of alternately covering and uncovering the structure created by the right, left, back, and front walls and staying in the uncovering position unless manually moved to the covering position, and having a component of a locking apparatus corresponding to the self-locking apparatus on the front wall such that the lock self-engages when the two parts touch, and having a handle used to pull the lid shut, and having an emergency release operational from inside the package receptacle. 
     
     
         2 . The package receptacle of  claim 1  further comprising one hydraulic hinge lift arm coupled to the right wall and the right side of the lid and one hydraulic hinge lift arm coupled to the left wall and the left side of the lid such that the lid remains open until manually moved to the closed position. 
     
     
         3 . The package receptacle of  claim 2  further comprising one hydraulic hinge lift arm coupled to the right wall and the right side of the lid and one hydraulic hinge lift arm coupled to the left wall and the left side of the lid such that the package delivery person is able to shut the lid by using minimal force to push or pull the lid in a downward direction. 
     
     
         4 . The package receptacle of  claim 2  further comprising one hydraulic hinge lift arm coupled to the right wall and the right side of the lid and one hydraulic hinge lift arm coupled to the left wall and the left side of the lid such that the lid is resistant to closure by wind, animals, and any other non-human or unintentional force. 
     
     
         5 . The package receptacle of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of screens coupled to the plurality of vent apertures in the right and left walls. 
     
     
         6 . The package receptacle of  claim 1  further comprising an emergency release device being in operational arrangement with the locking apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . The package receptacle of  claim 4  further comprising the emergency release device being phosphorescent. 
     
     
         8 . The package receptacle of  claim 1  further comprising a handle coupled to the inside of the lid.