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[0001] This is a non-provisional application with priority from provisional application 60/409962 filed, Sep. 11, 2002.
[0002] This invention relates to deposit boxes and containers, particularly money collection boxes and more particularly to religious donation boxes, and methods for prevention of the theft of contents.
[0003] Religious institutions such as churches and synagogues frequently use collection boxes to collect donations from their congregants for charitable use or for maintenance of the institution. These collection boxes (as opposed to circulated alms plates), while they may differ in shape and appearance all have one common feature. They all have an open or openable slot or small access door for placement of the donation into the box. Mail boxes are also similarly shaped, as are other deposit receptacles such as bank deposit boxes.
[0004] The door or slot is however subject to several problems. If it is sufficiently large enough to accept coins, paper money and or envelopes it renders the collection box vulnerable to theft since a simple coat hanger wire and a piece of sticky gum can enable a thief to fish the deposit material (most often money) out. Churches and synagogues are often broken into for this purpose and even anchoring the box in place (so that the box itself cannot be taken in toto) does not protect against such theft. Mail or other deposit receptacle containers may be similarly compromised.
[0005] Efforts to foil such compromising breach or unauthorized access have not been very effective or useful, either simply because expedients employed can be worked around or they are too effective and substantially impede sanctioned insertion of money, envelopes and the like. Thus, for example, expedients such as change in dimensions of the slot to narrow it sufficiently to prevent wire insertion, makes the initial insertion of the donation very difficult, thereby defeating the very purpose of the receptacle.
[0006] It is accordingly an object of the present invention to effectively eliminate theft compromising of deposit receptacles such as the currently used donation boxes, while affording a much wider ingress for donations.
[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a more attractive deposit receptacle such as a donation box with a completely closed opening, when not in use.
[0008] These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the following discussion and drawings in which:
[0009]
[0010]
[0011] Generally, the present invention comprises a secure receptacle for inserting articles therein. The receptacle comprises an open end closed with a pivoting member having two extending leg elements joined at a pivoting point, wherein a first leg is positioned and adapted to completely cover the opening without entering into the receptacle and without substantive formation of a space between said first leg and the inner wall of the receptacle. The other leg is positioned and adapted to pivotally move within the receptacle adjacent the open end thereof to a position not beyond the open end, wherein the other leg comprises means for preventing access to the interior of the receptacle when the first leg is removed from covering the receptacle. As a result no external access is afforded to the interior of the receptacle at any time, with pivoted removal of the first leg from covering the opening. The receptacle comprises means to permit entry of an article into said interior of the receptacle only with closure of the opening by said first leg.
[0012] More specifically the present invention comprises an open ended donation or similar box (cylindrical rectangular or any other suitable cross sectional shape) where the open end is closed with a pivoting “U”, “V” or other similarly shaped cover (referred to hereinafter generically as “V”), wherein the upper leg of the “V”, is positioned and adapted to completely cover the opening without entering into the box and without substantive formation of a space between the upper leg and the inner wall of the box. The other or lower leg of the ‘V” is positioned and adapted to pivotally move within the end of the box up to the open end but not beyond thereby controlling access to the open end of the box, whereby no external access is afforded to the box at any time, through said opening. In operation, the “V” shaped cover is pivoted upwardly and donations or other insertions are placed between the legs of the “V”. With pivoting of the “V” downwardly, to a gravity favored position, the items placed between the legs of the “V” falls into the box. The length of the legs, coupled with the angular distance between the legs, is such that at least one of the legs is always in complete contact with a wall of the container during pivoting movement or at the extremes of the pivoting movement (completely open or closed) whereby there is never an open path to the interior of the box. In addition, the legs should be spaced sufficiently apart to readily accommodate insertion of articles such as letters, money, and the like without jamming. With pivoting closure of the box, the donation falls to the collection area. However, during the opening, the box remains constantly closed whereby the contents of the box cannot be accessed with a wire or by any other means. This arrangement is adaptable to any free standing or built in votive candle stands. It is understood that the legs are of a strong rigid non-bendable material.
[0013] A practical application of the concept is shown on a freestanding moneybox
[0014] As shown in
[0015] It is understood that the above example and description is illustrative in nature and that changes may be made in structure and configuration without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.