U.S. patent application number 09/731013 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-13 for mail catcher.
Invention is credited to Rosiello, Karen A., Rosiello, Richard L..
Application Number | 20020070269 09/731013 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24937691 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020070269 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rosiello, Richard L. ; et
al. |
June 13, 2002 |
Mail catcher
Abstract
An assembly that receives and stores mail secured to the exit
side of a mail slot comprising of an opaque flexible pouch attached
to a U-shaped mounting frame. The variable positioning capabilities
of the assembly adds security to the rear area of the mail slot by
blocking the view through the mail slot. Support tracks allow the
assembly to adjust to different mail slot dimensions, whether
attached to a building, residence or garage door. A support means
inserted through a loop located in the upper most portion of the
pouch, forming to the U-shaped frame and support structure present
a permanent opening for mail to pass through and be stored. The
pouches approximate set length adds security against seizure of
mail through front side of the mail slot. The invention stores mail
as a garage door rotates from a vertical closed position to an open
horizontal position. Based on the location of the mail slot, the
assembly design allows easy access to the mail for those confined
to a wheel chair.
Inventors: |
Rosiello, Richard L.; (San
Dimas, CA) ; Rosiello, Karen A.; (San Dimas,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Richard L. Rosiello
768 Knollwood Lane
San Dimas
CA
91773
US
|
Family ID: |
24937691 |
Appl. No.: |
09/731013 |
Filed: |
December 7, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
232/19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 29/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
232/19 |
International
Class: |
B65D 091/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. a device for collecting the mail for use with a mail slot
attached to a wall or door of a private dwelling or commercial
structure through which mail is inserted from one side of a
structure for capture and storage to the other side comprising of:
a assembly; a U-shaped frame consisting of a horizontal side center
section having a top edge, a bottom edge and said section
consisting of ends that bend into corners and continue with two
horizontal lateral side sections opposite and of equal lengths
having ends that bend into corners to form mount flanges with taper
terminus; an attachment location that is less intrusive to a
support structure by using a exsiting mail slot to mount over or
onto; a variable positioning means to obscure the view through a
mail slot for rear area security; an attachment means for mounting
the assembly to a given mail slot dimension.
2. a pouch; a opaque flexiable means consisting of five sides
having the upper edge folded and attachment means to form a loop in
conjuntion with support means inserted through said loop forming a
permanent mouth opening to receive mail; a approximate lengthwise
measurement being purposely set to provide security against
unwanted seizure of stored mail; a flexiable means having a
self-supporting mouth opening in combination with a U-shape frame
attached over or onto a mail slot to store mail level as a garage
door rotates from a vertical closed position to a horzontal open
position.
3. an assembly configuration, which allows minimal effort for mail
retrieval to those confined to a wheel chair.
Description
BACKROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] This invention relates to receptacles used for the
collecting and temporary storage of mail, specifically through mail
slots that are secured to a private dwelling or commercial
structure.
[0003] 2. Discussion of Prior Art
[0004] A number of receptacle solutions have been proposed in prior
art. Nearly every private dwelling and commercial building has some
means of receiving and collecting the mail in one place. One of the
most common devices used for this purpose is a mail slot. Mail
slots are mounted to a structure such as a door, garage door or
wall. Most mail slots are designed with a spring loaded hinged door
that stays closed when not in use. The user opens the door then
passes mail through the slot where by gravity it falls randomly
onto the floor. This may cause the mail to be difficult to pick up
or be lost and damaged. To approach this problem there are several
devices designed to collect and store mail, but these have
significant problems with ease of attachment, security and mail
retrieval. Prior U.S. patented examples are listed below:
[0005] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,492,272; 4,826,075; 4,776,512; 4,694,503;
4,069,956; and 3,653,620.
[0006] More specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,272 to Fewer, Feb.
20, 1996 the invention is mounted below the mail slot, which may
jeopardize security by not obscuring the view of the area behind
and below the mail slot. The mounting below the slot may cause
structure damage and be intrusive to the surrounding structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,4776,512 to Moore and Moore, Jul. 2, 1987 the
invention shows in FIG. 2 a pouch with a restricted opening leading
into the pouch. Mail inserted and passed through the opening may
bend against pouch sides and become damaged. An added inconvenance
is limited accessibility to which the contents of the pouch are
retrieved, the unziping and zipping again of the pouch.
[0007] 3. Objects and Advantages
[0008] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the invention
are to achieve a new invention for collecting the mail in a private
dwelling or commercial structure.
[0009] It is an object to improve ease of attachment by using an
existing mail slot to position and attach to.
[0010] It is an object to provide greater security for the area
located behind and below the invention by obscuring the view
through a mail slot.
[0011] It is an object to provide greater security for mail
storage.
[0012] It is an object to mount and attach in a less intrusive
manner to a suporting structure.
[0013] It is an object to able the user an effortlessly easy
operation for mail retrevail such as for those confined in a wheel
chair.
[0014] It is an object to store mail while the invention is
attached to a garage door that operates with tracks or hinges as it
opens open and closes.
[0015] Further objects and advantages of my invention will become
apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing
description.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention in its
operative position with respect to a mail slot.
[0017] FIG. 1A is an exploded view of an elongated hole shape.
[0018] FIG. 1B is a detailed view of a support means running
through a loop located at upper opened end of the pouch body.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows invention attached to a hinged garage door. The
door is shown in its vertical closed position.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows invention attached to a hinged garage door. The
door is shown in its horizontal open position.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0021] 10. U-Shape Frame
[0022] 12. Mail Slot Header
[0023] 14. Mount Flanges
[0024] 16. Elongated Hole Shape (Located on mount flanges.)
[0025] 18. Support Track
[0026] 20. Pouch
[0027] 22. Support means
[0028] 24. Hinged Garage Door
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0029] A pouch secured to a U-shaped enclosure and attached to an
exsiting mail slot to receive and store the mail. The new invention
represents, a simple design, better security due to mount location
and less intrusive mount area.
DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0030] With reference to FIG. 1 shows perspective view of a
trihedral encloser, U-shape frame or three-sided brace 10
supporting an attached pouch body 20 relative to an existing mail
slot or mail slot header 12 in which the assembly is mounted and
attached to.
[0031] With reference to FIG. 1A shows an exploded view of an
elongated hole shape 16 located on mount flanges 14 that are used
to position the assembly vertically for view
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