U.S. patent application number 09/837707 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-24 for mailbox with delivery indicator.
This patent application is currently assigned to Joe D. Turner. Invention is credited to Turner, Joe D..
Application Number | 20020152949 09/837707 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25275189 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020152949 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Turner, Joe D. |
October 24, 2002 |
Mailbox with delivery indicator
Abstract
A mailbox delivery indicator for a standard rural mailbox
signals to a resident when the mail carrier has been to his
mailbox. When the mailbox door is opened, an actuator arm extends
and pushes an active signaling element, causing it to fall by
gravity to a hanging position below the mailbox. Once the active
signaling element has fallen, a passive signaling element is
exposed for remote observation. The active signaling element in the
hanging position together with exposure of the passive signaling
element indicate to the resident that the mail carrier has been by
his mailbox. At this time, the resident can check his mailbox
without wasting a trip to the mailbox. After the resident checks
his mail, he closes the door and resets the active signaling
element to the covering position.
Inventors: |
Turner, Joe D.; (Corrales,
NM) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DENNIS T. GRIGGS
17950 PRESTON ROAD
SUITE 1000
DALLAS
TX
75252
US
|
Assignee: |
Joe D. Turner
730 Camino Arco Iris
Corrales
NM
87048
|
Family ID: |
25275189 |
Appl. No.: |
09/837707 |
Filed: |
April 18, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
116/284 ;
116/215; 232/35 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 2029/12105
20170801; A47G 29/121 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
116/284 ;
116/215; 232/35 |
International
Class: |
B65D 091/00 |
Claims
1. A signaling device for attachment to a conventional rural
mailbox having a side wall, a rear wall, a bottom wall, an open
end, a door sized and configured for closing the open end, said
door being mounted for pivotable movement from a closed orientation
to a open orientation, comprising: a) an actuator arm; b) a cam
coupled between the actuator arm and the front door for extending
and retracting the actuator arm as the door is opened and closed;
c) a hub attached to the mailbox for guiding the actuator arm as it
is extended and retracted; d) a passive signaling element attached
to the mailbox; and e) an active signaling element movably coupled
to the mailbox for movement from a set position in which the active
signaling element is overlying the passive signaling element and is
engagable by the actuator arm in the extended position, and movable
to a released position in response to engagement by the actuator
arm in which the passive signaling element is uncovered and exposed
for viewing by a remote observer.
2. A signaling device according to claim 1, including a hinge
linking the active signaling element and the hub so that the active
signaling element can be inclined in a leaning orientation against
the mailbox in the set position, and so that the active signaling
element is pushed by engagement of the actuator arm to an
off-center position leaning away from the mailbox when the front
door is moved to the open position.
3. A signaling device according to claim 1, wherein the passive
signaling element is attached to the rear wall and the actuator arm
is supported for extension and retraction beneath the bottom
wall.
4. The mailbox according to claim 1, in which the passive signaling
element is a strip or patch of reflective material.
5. The mailbox according to claim 1, in which the passive signaling
element is a strip or patch of fluorescent material.
6. The mailbox according to claim 1, in which the passive signaling
element is a painted area of contrasting color applied to an
external surface of the mailbox.
7. The mailbox according to claim 1, wherein the passive signaling
element is composed of a permanent magnet material.
8. The mailbox according to claim 1, including a permanent magnet
attached to the active signaling element for providing a magnetic
force of latching engagement with the mailbox when the active
signaling element is in the closed orientation.
9. The mailbox according to claim 1, further comprising: a) a side
wall cover plate coupled to the active signaling element; and b) a
side wall passive signaling element attached to the side wall of
the mailbox.
10. The mailbox according to claim 9, in which the side wall
passive signaling element is a strip or patch of reflective
material.
11. The mailbox according to claim 9, in which the passive
signaling element is a strip or patch of fluorescent material.
12. A method for remotely signaling a door open event during the
operation of a standard rural mailbox of the type including a side
wall, a rear wall, a bottom wall, an open end, an access door sized
and configured for closing the open end, the access door being
mounted for pivotable movement from a closed mailbox position to an
open mailbox position, comprising the steps: a) attaching a passive
signaling element onto an external surface of the mailbox; b)
covering the passive signaling element with a movable signaling
element; c) moving the access door to the open mailbox position; d)
moving the active signaling element away from the covering position
in response to movement of the access door to the open position
such that the center of gravity of the active signaling element
shifts and gravity draws the active signaling element downward to a
signaling position; and, e) exposing the passive signaling element
for viewing from a remote location in response to movement of the
active signaling element to the signaling position.
13. A method for remotely signaling a door open event, as recited
in claim 12 further comprising: a) attaching a second passive
signaling element onto an external surface of the mailbox; and b)
covering the second passive signaling element with a second movable
signaling element.
14. A method for remotely signaling a door open event, as recited
in claim 12, further comprising: attaching a magnet to the movable
signaling element.
15. A signaling device for attachment to a standard rural mailbox
having a side wall, a rear wall, a bottom wall, an open end, an
access door sized and configured for closing the open end, the
access door being mounted for pivotable movement from a closed
mailbox orientation to an open mailbox orientation, comprising a
cover plate mounted on the mailbox and movable to and from a set
position and a released signaling position in response to movement
of the access door, a passive signaling element attached to the
mailbox which is exposed for remote observation in response to
movement of the cover plate from the set position to the signaling
position, and which is covered and hidden from view by the cover
plate when the cover plate is moved from the signaling position to
the set position.
16. The mailbox according to claim 15, in which the passive
signaling element is a strip or patch of reflective material.
17. The mailbox according to claim 15, in which the passive
signaling element is a strip or patch of fluorescent material.
18. The mailbox according to claim 15, in which the passive
signaling element is a painted area of contrasting color applied to
an external surface of the mailbox.
19. The mailbox according to claim 15, including a permanent magnet
attached to the cover plate for providing a magnetic force of
latching engagement with the mailbox when the cover plate is in the
set position.
20. The mailbox according to claim 15, wherein the passive
signaling element is composed of a permanent magnet material.
21. A signaling device for attachment to a conventional rural
mailbox having a side wall, a rear wall, a bottom wall, an open
end, a door sized and configured for closing the open end, said
door being mounted for pivotable movement from a closed orientation
to an open orientation, comprising: a) an actuator arm; b) a cam
coupled between the actuator arm and the front door for extending
and retracting the actuator arm as the door is opened and closed;
c) a hub attached to the mailbox for guiding the actuator arm as it
is extended and retracted; d) a first passive signaling element
attached to the rear wall; e) a second passive signaling element
attached to the side wall; f) an active signaling element movably
coupled to the mailbox for movement from a set position to a
released position in response to engagement by the actuator arm in
which the first passive signaling element and second passive
element are uncovered and exposed for viewing by a remote observer;
and, g) wherein the active signaling element includes a first cover
plate covering the first passive signaling element in the set
position and a second cover plate covering the second passive
signaling element in the set position, the second cover plate being
transversely oriented with respect to the first cover plate.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to mailboxes, and in
particular to rural mailboxes with mail delivery signaling
indicators.
[0002] The conventional rural mailbox has a flag that the resident
moves to an upright position to signaling the mail carrier that
there is mail to be picked up. The mail carrier will lower the flag
after pick-up, thus signaling that a door open event has occurred
and indicating at least that the mail carrier has stopped and
picked up mail. However, when there is no outgoing mail to be
picked up, the resident receives no indication that the mail
carrier has visited. The common practice is to either watch for
arrival of the mail carrier or check the mailbox repeatedly until
the mail carrier has delivered the mail.
[0003] Since the road where the mailbox is located is often quite a
distance from the resident's house, it can be quite inconvenient to
check the mailbox from time to time until the mail carrier arrives.
Moreover, it can be uncomfortable to repeatedly check the mailbox
in inclement weather.
[0004] Various mailbox constructions with delivery signalings have
been suggested by the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,596 (Trenier)
entitled "Mail Box Including a Visual Deposit Indicator," discloses
a mailbox including a visual deposit indicator for alerting a
resident that the mailbox has been opened. Initially, the mailbox
door is closed and the signaling device is in the closed position.
When the mailbox door is opened, the fastening device and thus the
rod are caused to move with the front door. As the rod moves with
the front door, the rod disengages from the visual signaling
device. When the engagement between the rod and the visual
signaling device is broken, the force of gravity causes the visual
signaling device to free fall to a lowered position.
[0005] A limitation on the Trenier mailbox is the complexity in
resetting the mailbox visual deposit indicator. To reset the
mailbox, the visual deposit indicator must be held such that the
recess will align with the rod when the mailbox door is closed.
This step requires one person to simultaneously align and hold the
visual deposit indicator in place with one hand while closing the
door with the other hand.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,880 (Peters) entitled "Signaling
Mailbox," discloses a rural mailbox structure including a signaling
element. Initially, the mailbox door is closed and the signaling
element is in the cocked position. When the mailbox door is opened,
the end of a spring-loaded trigger rod is released from contact
with the door and the trigger rod is moved in translation away from
the rear panel under the influence of the spring. This allows the
signaling element to swing in rotation by its own weight.
[0007] A limitation on the Peters mailbox is the complexity of the
moving parts. The fewer and simpler the parts in a rural mailbox
the better. The Peters mailbox requires both a trigger rod and a
spring.
[0008] Other mailboxes disclosing a mail delivery signaling element
include U.S. Pat. No. 3,194,491 (Parker) entitled "Mailbox
Signaling;" and, U.S. Pat. No. 3,026,025 (Hanson) entitled "Mailbox
Signaling Apparatus."
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The invention utilizes a passive signaling element as well
as an active signaling element for signaling a door-open event,
corresponding with a visit from a mail carrier and deposit of mail
within the mailbox. This arrangement provides a simple and reliable
solution to the problem of determining when the mail carrier has
been by a residence.
[0010] Initially, the mailbox door is closed and an active
signaling element is upright, leaning against the rear wall and the
passive signaling element is obscured from view. When the mailbox
door is opened, an actuator arm extends and pushes the active
signaling element away from the leaning position, uncovering the
passive signaling element as the active element falls to a downward
hanging position below the mailbox. Once the active signaling
element has fallen, the passive signaling is exposed and can be
observed from a remote location.
[0011] The active signaling element in the hanging position and the
exposed passive signaling element indicate to the resident that the
mail carrier has been by his mailbox. At this time, the resident
can check his mailbox with confidence that his trip to the mailbox
will be productive.
[0012] After the resident closes the mailbox door, he resets the
active signaling element by hand to the upright leaning position,
thus covering the passive signaling element and making the mailbox
ready to signaling the next door open event.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0013] The accompanying drawing is incorporated into and forms a
part of the specification to illustrate the preferred embodiments
of the present invention. Various advantages and features of the
invention will be understood from the following detailed
description taken in connection with the appended claims and with
reference to the attached drawing figures in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the mailbox of the
present invention in the door closed orientation;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the mailbox in the
closed door orientation;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the mailbox in the closed
door orientation;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a side view of the mailbox in the open
orientation;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective underneath view of the bottom of the
mailbox in the door closed orientation;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a cut-away perspective view of the rear of the
mailbox in the door closed orientation;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the mailbox in the door
open orientation;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view of the mailbox in the door
open orientation;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a side cut-away view of an alterative embodiment
of the mailbox of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a side cut-away view of an alternative embodiment
of the mailbox of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 11 is a side cut-away view of an alternative embodiment
of the mailbox of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a rear elevation view of an alternative
embodiment of the mailbox in a closed door orientation; and
[0026] FIG. 13 is a cut-away perspective view of the rear of an
alternative embodiment of the mailbox in the open door
orientation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described
with reference to various examples of how the invention can best be
made and used. Like reference numerals are used throughout the
description and several views of the drawing to indicate like or
corresponding parts.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1-3 and FIG. 5, a rural mailbox 10 of the
present invention is illustrated. The mailbox 10 includes a side
wall 12, a rear wall 14, a bottom wall 16, a mail access opening 18
and a door 20. The side wall 12 is formed from a single piece of
curved metal, resulting in a vault topped box. A standard red flag
22 is located on the side wall 12. The open end 18 of the mailbox
10, located opposite the rear wall 14, provides access for the
deposit and removal of mail. The door 20 is hingedly attached to a
lower edge 24 of the side wall 12 by a pair of flanges 26. Each
flange 26 is secured to the door 20 by a rivet 28. The door 20 is
sized and configured to open and close the access opening 18. The
door 20 is held closed by a catch spring 30 attached to the side
wall 12, which engages a pull handle 32 attached to the door
20.
[0029] An actuator arm 34 is attached to the door 20 by a cam 36
such that the actuator arm 34 is extended and retracted as the door
20 is opened and closed. The actuator arm 34 moves in a plane
nearly parallel to the bottom wall 16 of the mailbox 10. The
actuator arm 34 is slightly longer than the length of the mailbox
10. An engagement rod 38 is located at the end of the actuator arm
34 opposite the door 20. When the door 20 is opened, the cam 36
fully extends the engagement rod 38 past the rear wall 14.
[0030] The actuator arm 34 is positioned to extend through and
slide without friction through a guide eyelet 40 at the rear of the
mailbox 10 when the door 20 is opened. The guide eyelet 40 is
secured in place by a hub 42 that is attached to the junction of
the rear wall 14 of the mailbox 10 and the bottom wall 16 of the
mailbox 10. Preferably, the hub 42 is plastic and is attached to
the mailbox by a screw or an epoxy deposit. Alternatively, the hub
42 is a metal flange attached to the underside of the mailbox by an
epoxy deposit 44 or by a screw fastener.
[0031] An active signaling element 46 is positioned behind the rear
wall 14 of the mailbox 10. The active signaling element 46 is
attached to the hub 42 by a hinge 48 such that the active signaling
element 46 can lean against the rear wall 14 of the mailbox 10 when
the door 20 is closed and rotate from the set position leaning
against the rear wall 14 to an off-vertical position which allows
it to free-fall by gravity and hang below the rear wall 14 of the
mailbox 10 and the hub 42 when the door 20 is opened. Preferably,
the hinge 48 is attached to the hub 42 and the active signaling
element 46 by a set of screw fasteners. Alternatively, the hinge 48
is attached to the hub 42 and active signaling element 46 by an
epoxy deposit 50.
[0032] The active signaling element 46 includes a fin 52, a contact
point 54 and a cover plate 56. The fin 52 is visible from a
distance from a side view of the mailbox 10. When the door 20 is
closed and the active signaling element 46 is leaning against the
rear wall 14, the fin 52 is visible from a side view leaning
against the mailbox.
[0033] The passive signaling element 58 is a rectangular patch that
has a contrasting color and which is dimensioned so that it is
covered and obscured from view when the cover plate 56 is in the
set leaning position as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, when the
door 20 is open and the active signaling element 46 is hanging
below the mailbox 10, the fin 52 is visible from a side view
hanging below the mailbox 10, and the passive signaling element 58
is exposed for remote observation.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the actuator arm 34 contacts
the contact point 54 of the active signaling element 46 when the
door 20 is open and the actuator arm 34 is extended. If the active
signaling element 46 is pushed from its resting position to an
over-center vertical position leaning away from the mailbox, then
gravity will cause the active signaling element 46 to fall downward
into a hanging position below the mailbox 10 as shown in FIG. 4 and
FIG. 8.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, the passive
signaling element 58 is attached to the rear wall 14 of the mailbox
10 such that the passive signaling element 58 is obscured from view
by the active signaling element 46 when the mailbox door 20 is
closed and the active signaling element 46 is set in a leaning
position against the rear wall 14 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3.
Preferably, the passive signaling element 58 is a strip or patch of
fluorescent material of bright orange or yellow color fixed to the
rear wall 14 by an epoxy deposit.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 8, in an alternative embodiment a thin
magnet 60 is mounted on the cover plate 56 and provides magnetic
attraction holding force onto the back panel 14 of the mailbox for
releasably latching the active signaling element in the leaning set
position against the back panel of the mailbox. When engaged, the
mailbox magnet 60 prevents the active signaling element 46 from
falling inadvertently due to a strong wind. However, the magnetic
attraction engagement force is not strong enough to prevent the
active signaling element 46 from rotating away from the mailbox and
falling to the released signaling position when the door 20 is
opened.
[0038] Preferably, the magnet 60 is a thin circular or rectangular
permanent magnet. Preferably, the permanent magnet 60 is mounted
onto the cover plate by an adhesive deposit. The location of the
magnet 60 on the cover plate 56 is preferred, since in addition to
the magnetic latching function, it also functions as a
counterweight. When the permanent magnet 60 is mounted on the cover
plate 56, the cover plate 56 can be constructed of a non-ferrous
material, such as aluminum or plastic. When non-ferrous materials
are used for constructing the cover plate and the back panel 14 of
the mailbox, it is necessary to provide an armature of steel or
other ferro-magnetic material on the rear mailbox panel to develop
the magnetic latching force.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 9, more preferably, the permanent magnet
60 is mounted on the rear panel 14 of the mailbox, superimposed
over the passive signaling element 58, in which case the cover
plate 56 should be constructed of a ferro-magnetic material or
carry a ferro-magnetic armature plate for developing the magnetic
latching force.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 10, according to yet another alternative
embodiment, the passive signaling element 58 is constructed of a
rectangular section of permanent magnet tape that is attached to
the rear side wall 14. More preferably, the passive signaling
element is a strip or patch of a highly visible permanent magnet
material fixed to the rear wall 14 by an epoxy deposit. The
magnetic passive signaling element 58 provides magnetic attraction
holding force onto the active signaling element 46 for latching the
active signaling element in the leaning position against the back
panel of the mailbox. When engaged, the magnetic passive signaling
element prevents the active signaling element 46 from falling
inadvertently due to a strong wind. However, the magnetic
attraction engagement force is not strong enough to prevent the
active signaling element 46 from rotating away from the mailbox 10
and falling to the released signaling position when the door 20 is
opened.
[0041] Other passive signaling elements include a thin reflector
plate, made of metal or glass or plastic. The passive signaling
element can also be provided by a painted area of contrasting
color. Preferably, the passive signaling element is constructed of
a material that has a contrasting color, preferable which is light
reflective that can be easily seen by a remote observer.
[0042] In the door closed "set" orientation, shown in FIGS. 1-3 and
FIG. 5 the door 20 is latched shut, the active signaling element 46
is at rest in a covering position leaning against the rear wall 14
of the mailbox 10 and the passive signaling element 58 is covered
and not visible to a remote observer.
[0043] In the door open "tripped" orientation, shown in FIG. 4,
FIG. 6, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the door 20 is retracted, the active
signaling element 46 is at rest below the hub 42 in a released
signaling position and the passive signaling element 58 is visible
from the rear of the mailbox 10.
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 1-8, the operation of the mailbox 10 and
the mail delivery indicator will now be described in detail.
Initially, the mailbox 10 is in the closed orientation. When the
door 20 is opened, i.e. a door event occurs, the mailbox 10 is in
the open orientation. More specifically, when the door 20 is
opened, the pull handle 32 disengages the spring catch 30 and the
door 20 is pulled down by the pull handle 32 to a position parallel
or nearly parallel with the bottom wall 16.
[0045] As the door 20 is pulled down or opened, the cam 36 causes
the actuator arm 34 to move toward the cover plate 46. At a point
before the door 20 is completely opened, the engagement rod 38 of
the actuator arm 34 engages the contact point 54 of the active
signaling element 46.
[0046] As the door 20 continues to be pulled down, the engagement
rod 38 applies force to the contact point 54 causing the cover
plate 46 and actuator arm 34 to rotate on the hinge 48. Before the
door 20 is completely opened, the active signaling element 46
inclines at an angle of less than 90.degree. with the plane of the
bottom wall 16. At this time, the counterweight force exerted by
the active signaling element 46 allows the active signaling element
46 to fall to a hanging position or a released signaling position
below the mailbox 10. Once the door is completely opened, the
mailbox 10 is in the open orientation as shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 6,
FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, and the passive signaling element 58 is
exposed.
[0047] When a mail carrier delivers mail or picks up mail, the door
20 is opened and the mailbox 10 moves from the closed orientation
to the open orientation. After the mail carrier delivers or picks
up mail, he closes the mailbox door 20 and continues on his mail
route. The front door 20 is closed, but the active signaling
element 46 remains hanging down and is visible from the side or
rear of the mailbox 10. The passive signaling element 58 is
uncovered and remains visible from the rear of the mailbox 10.
[0048] The position of the active signaling element 46 or the
visibility of the passive signaling element 58 alerts the resident
that the mail carrier has been to his mailbox 10. After the
resident checks the mailbox 10 for mail, he resets the active
signaling element 46. To reset the active signaling element 46, the
front door 20 is closed and the active signaling element 46 is
manually rotated upward until it is leaning against the rear wall
14 of the mailbox 10 as shown FIG. 1.
[0049] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the set resting position of the
active signaling element should be inclined slightly off-center
from vertical, leaning toward the rear wall of the mailbox. In the
magnetic latch embodiment shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 the
set resting position of the active signaling element is not
critical, and can be parallel with the rear wall or leaning in
either direction, since the magnetic attraction force is sufficient
to maintain latched engagement in the set position and oppose
inadvertent release caused by ground vibrations or by wind
forces.
[0050] In an alternative embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 11,
FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the mailbox delivery indicator includes a side
wall passive signaling element 62 and the active signaling element
46 includes a side wall cover plate 64. The side wall passive
signaling element 62 is a rectangular patch that has a contrasting
color and which is dimensioned so that it is covered and obscured
from view when the mailbox door 20 is in the closed position.
[0051] Preferably, the side wall passive signaling element 62 is a
strip or patch of fluorescent material of bright orange or yellow
color fixed to the side wall 12 by an epoxy deposit.
[0052] The side wall cover plate 64 is coupled to the active
signaling element with rivets 66 and transversely oriented to the
cover plate 56. Alternatively, the side wall cover plate 64 can be
integrally formed with the cover plate 46. In a closed orientation,
shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the cover plate 46 and side wall
cover plate 64 are at rest, in a covering position, leaning against
the rear wall 14 of the mailbox 10 and covering a portion of side
wall 12, respectively. The passive signaling element 58 is covered
by the cover plate 46 and not visible to a remote observer. The
side wall passive signaling element 62 is covered by the side wall
cover plate 64 and not visible to a remote observer.
[0053] In the open orientation, shown in FIG. 13, the door 20 is
retracted to allow access, the active signaling element 46 and side
wall cover plate 64 are at rest below the hub 42 in a released
signaling position. The passive signaling element 58 is visible
from the rear of the mailbox 10, and the side wall passive
signaling element 62 is visible from the side of the mailbox
10.
[0054] Again referring to FIG. 11, FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, when a mail
carrier delivers mail or picks up mail, the door 20 is opened and
the mailbox 10 moves from the closed orientation to the open
orientation. After the mail carrier delivers or picks up mail, he
closes the mailbox door 20 and continues on his mail route. The
front door 20 is closed, but the cover plate 46 and side wall cover
plate 64 remain hanging down and are visible from the side or rear
of the mailbox 10. The passive signaling element 58 is uncovered
and remains visible from the rear of the mailbox 10. The side wall
passive signaling element 62 is uncovered and remains visible from
the side of the mailbox 10.
[0055] Often in a rural setting, a resident will be driving home
and passing his mailbox as he turns into his drive way. Often the
mailbox is located a far distance from the residence, and it would
be inconvenient to drive to the house and return to the mailbox on
foot. Additionally, it would be quite inconvenient to get out of
the car and check the mailbox only to discover the mailman has not
yet arrived. Very often, only the side of the mailbox is visible
from the road or driveway. The alternative embodiment with the side
wall passive signaling element 62 and side wall cover plate 64
enables the resident in his car to check his mailbox without making
an unnecessary trip to the mailbox.
[0056] From the above discussion it can be seen that the mailbox of
the present invention is able to overcome the limitations of the
prior art by providing a mechanically and operationally simple
delivery indicator which reliably alerts a resident that a door
open event, consistent with mail delivery or pick-up, has
occurred.
[0057] Although the invention has been described with reference to
certain exemplary arrangements, it is to be understood that the
forms of the invention shown and described are to be treated as
preferred embodiments. Various changes, substitutions and
modifications can be realized without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *