U.S. patent application number 11/772407 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-01 for mailbox door restraint.
This patent application is currently assigned to EUROASIA PRODUCTS, INC.. Invention is credited to John M. Bowers, Craig W. Walker.
Application Number | 20090001152 11/772407 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38324251 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090001152 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bowers; John M. ; et
al. |
January 1, 2009 |
Mailbox Door Restraint
Abstract
Door stop and impact absorber bracket for restraining mailbox
doors from opening beyond a selected swing radius. The bracket can
fit underneath the mailbox behind an existing lower hanging lip.
The door stop bracket is positioned such that it limits the door
from swinging beyond a desired point (for example approximately 90
degrees) when the door is opened. The bracket can have an elongated
rectangular planar central portion, with bent ends, together
forming a generally C-shape. The bracket can have cushion pad to
protect both the door, hinges other components and even the body of
the mail box from being damaged from excessive vibrations when the
door reaches the maximum opening point. The pad can also reduce
objectionable impact noise effects that are created when a mailbox
door accelerates in a free fall to a stop.
Inventors: |
Bowers; John M.; (Orlando,
FL) ; Walker; Craig W.; (Rio Rancho, NM) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICES OF BRIAN S STEINBERGER
101 BREVARD AVENUE
COCOA
FL
32922
US
|
Assignee: |
EUROASIA PRODUCTS, INC.
Orlando
FL
|
Family ID: |
38324251 |
Appl. No.: |
11/772407 |
Filed: |
July 2, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11241616 |
Sep 30, 2005 |
7252221 |
|
|
11772407 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
232/27 ;
232/39 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 29/1209
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
232/27 ;
232/39 |
International
Class: |
A47G 29/12 20060101
A47G029/12; B65D 25/00 20060101 B65D025/00 |
Claims
1-9. (canceled)
10. A stop bracket for preventing mailbox doors from opening beyond
a generally horizontal orientation, comprising: a rectangular
planar member; a first bent end on the planar member for attaching
the bracket to a left lower protruding edge of a mailbox; a second
bent end on the planar member for attaching the bracket to a right
lower protruding edge of the mailbox, wherein a portion of the
planar member functions as a bumper to prevent the mailbox door
from opening beyond a generally horizontal position.
11. The stop bracket of claim 10, further comprising: a first
opening in the first bent end for allowing a fastener to fasten the
bracket to the left lower protruding edge of the mailbox; and a
second opening in the second bent end for allowing another fastener
to fasten the bracket to the right lower protruding edge of the
mailbox.
12-15. (canceled)
16. A mailbox, comprising: a chamber having at least one open end
with a front edge and lower hanging side edges which extend beneath
a floor of the chamber; a door pivotally attached to the open end
of the chamber; a stop located beneath the floor of the chamber and
between the lower hanging side edges, so that the stop is adjacent
to and behind the front edge of the chamber, wherein the stop
provides for limiting a swing opening radius of the door by a
portion of the lower edge of the door abutting against a portion of
the bracket.
17. A mailbox for receiving mail, comprising: a chamber having at
least one open end with a front edge, and lower hanging side edges
which extend beneath a floor of the chamber; a door pivotally
attached to the open end of the chamber; and an elongated member
located beneath the floor of the chamber and between the lower
hanging side edges such that the elongated member is adjacent to
and behind the front edge of the open end of the chamber, wherein
the elongated member provides for limiting a swing opening radius
of the door by a portion of the lower edge of the door abutting
against a portion of the elongated member.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to mailboxes, in particular to
apparatus, devices and methods of restraining a mailbox door from
opening beyond a selected swing radius.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
[0002] Mailboxes have been around for many years, and come in many
sizes and shapes. The most popular mailboxes have an elongated
compartment such as a rectangular housing with a flat roof or
curved roof, and an access door that swings open based on a hinge
mechanism the attaches the door to the lower front edge of the
mailbox. However, mailbox doors tend to open much further than is
needed. A typical mailbox door swings freely up to approximately
180 to approximately 270 degrees or more from a vertical upright
closed position. The loosely swinging door has resulted in many
problems.
[0003] For example, a mailbox door that hangs down is more prone to
be twisted and bent overtime rendering the door useless from
closing the mailbox. A downwardly hanging door can also break off
from the mailbox leaving the interior of the mailbox continuously
open. A constantly open mailbox can allow for any mail type
contents inside to become damaged by being exposed to weather
elements, and/or allow for the mailbox contents to become dislodged
and lost, and even stolen overtime.
[0004] Additionally, a downwardly hanging bent and/or twisted
mailbox door or portions of a door that remain can also be a snag
hazard to others such as a mailman.
[0005] Still furthermore, most mailboxes being metal are prone to
additional problems. These mailbox doors typically swing open so
that metal eventually impacts metal that can cause damage to either
or both the door, the handle, hinges, floor, other components and
even the mailbox itself overtime. Metal hitting metal has also been
known to cause objectionable loud impact noises that are created
when a mailbox door accelerates in a free fall to a dead impact
stop.
[0006] The constant banging between components can stress mailbox
door hinges, other rotating points, welds and other assembly
components causing parts to warp and/or loosen and/or fall off
and/or become damaged overtime reducing the life of the
mailbox.
[0007] The inventor is not aware of apparatus, devices and methods
that overcome all the problems listed above. Thus, the need exists
for solutions to the above problems with the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a
restraint apparatus, device and method for limiting the swing
opening radius of a mailbox door to stop at a generally horizontal
orientation.
[0009] A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide
a restraint apparatus, device and method for preventing a mailbox
door from swinging to a position where the door hangs beneath the
mailbox.
[0010] A third objective of the present invention is to provide a
restraint apparatus, device and method for reducing the chances for
the door to become twisted or bent overtime.
[0011] A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide a
restraint apparatus, device and method for reducing the chances for
the door and/or hinges and/or other components from becoming
detached from the mailbox which reduces chances of mail type
contents from becoming dislodged and lost, and stolen overtime.
[0012] A fifth objective of the present invention is to provide a
restraint apparatus, device and method reducing the chances for the
door to become a snag hazard to others.
[0013] A sixth objective of the present invention is to provide a
restraint apparatus, device and method for reducing damage to both
a mailbox door and the mailbox itself as the door is being swung
open.
[0014] A seventh objective of the present invention is provide a
restraint apparatus, device and method for reducing objectionable
impact and collision noises and reducing vibration damage effects
to both a mailbox door, other components and the mailbox itself as
the door is being swung open.
[0015] An eighth objective of the present invention is to provide a
restraint apparatus, device and method for extending the
operational life of the mailbox.
[0016] The invention covers a mailbox door restraint apparatus,
device and method that stop a freefall of a mailbox door being
opened by reducing the amount of force as compared to a freefalling
door with no restraint. The novel restraint reduces wear and tear
on the door, rotational components and other mailbox assembly parts
thereby increasing the operational life of the mailbox itself.
[0017] A preferred embodiment of the invention can be a mailbox
having a chamber having at least one open end, a door pivotally
attached to the open end of the chamber, and a restraint member for
stopping the door from swinging open from a vertical position
beyond a generally horizontal position.
[0018] The restraint member can include a bracket attached to both
a lower front edge of the open end of the chamber, and to a lower
edge of the door, the bracket having a portion which prevents the
door from opening beyond the generally horizontal position. The
bracket can have an elongated rectangular midportion and bent ends
on opposite ends of the elongated rectangular midportion. The bent
ends can include openings for allowing fasteners pass therethrough
in order to fasten the bracket to the lower front edge of the open
end of the chamber.
[0019] A pad can be attached to a face portion of the bracket and
be used for dampening vibration and sound impact between the door
and the bracket when the door reaches the generally horizontal
position.
[0020] The restraint member can also include a lip portion which is
attached to and hangs down beneath a lower front edge portion of
the open end of the chamber behind a front lower hanging edge of
the mailbox, wherein a portion of the door abuts against the lip
portion which prevents the door from opening beyond the generally
horizontal position.
[0021] The restraint can be a bumper portion attached to a lower
portion of the chamber for preventing the door from opening beyond
the generally horizontal position.
[0022] The invention can include a novel method of stopping a
mailbox door from opening beyond a generally horizontal position,
and can include steps of providing a mailbox having at least one
open end, pivotally attaching a door to the open end of the mail
box, and preventing the mailbox door from opening beyond a
generally horizontal position.
[0023] The preventing step can include the step of attaching a lip
portion to hang beneath the open end of the mailbox.
[0024] The preventing step can include the step of attaching a
bracket having bent ends to a lower front edge of the open end of
the mailbox.
[0025] The novel method can also include the step of cushioning
impact between the door and the mailbox when the door opens to the
generally horizontal position.
[0026] Further objects and advantages of this invention will be
apparent from the following detailed description of the presently
preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a prior art
mailbox.
[0028] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the mailbox of FIG. 1
with the door open.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a front end view of the mailbox of FIG. 2 along
arrow X.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 along arrows
4X.
[0031] FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of a portion of the door hinge
of FIG. 4.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a perspective side view of a mailbox with door
closed using the novel invention.
[0033] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the mailbox of FIG. 5
with the door open.
[0034] FIG. 7 is a perspective lower view of the mailbox with door
closed of FIG. 5.
[0035] FIG. 7A is an enlarged view of a lower front portion of the
mailbox of FIG. 7.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the mailbox with door open
of FIG. 6.
[0037] FIG. 8A is an enlarged view of the lower front portion of
the mailbox of FIG. 8.
[0038] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective side view of the mailbox,
door and stop bracket.
[0039] FIG. 10 is an exploded view underneath the mailbox, door,
and stop bracket of FIG. 9.
[0040] FIG. 11 is a front end view of the closed door of the
mailbox using the novel stop bracket.
[0041] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of closed door mailbox of
FIG. 11 along arrows 12X.
[0042] FIG. 12A is an enlarged view of the door hinge portion and
stop bracket of FIG. 12.
[0043] FIG. 13 is a front end view of the mailbox with an open door
using the novel stop bracket.
[0044] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the open door mailbox
of FIG. 13 along arrows 14X.
[0045] FIG. 14A is an enlarged view of the door hinge portion and
stop bracket of FIG. 14.
[0046] FIG. 15 is a front end view of the mailbox with open door
using the stop bracket and pad.
[0047] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the door hinge, stop
bracket and pad of FIG. 15.
[0048] FIG. 16A is an enlarged view of the door hinge, stop bracket
and pad of FIG. 16.
[0049] FIG. 17 is an upper perspective view of the novel stop
bracket used in the invention.
[0050] FIG. 18 is a left end view of the stop bracket of FIG. 17
along arrow 18X.
[0051] FIG. 19 is a top view of the stop bracket of FIG. 17 along
arrow 19Y.
[0052] FIG. 20 is a front side view of the stop bracket of FIG. 17
along arrow 20X.
[0053] FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the stop bracket of FIG. 17
along arrow 21Y.
[0054] FIG. 22 is a right end view of the stop bracket of FIG. 17
along arrow 22X.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0055] Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present
invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is
not limited in its applications to the details of the particular
arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other
embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose
of description and not of limitation.
[0056] A listing of components will now be described. [0057] Prior
Art Mailbox 1 [0058] Main chamber of mailbox 10 [0059] Open access
end of mailbox 12 [0060] Existing lower hanging front edge of
mailbox 16. [0061] Existing floor of mailbox 15 [0062] Existing
lower hanging side edges of mailbox 14, 18 [0063] Mailbox door 20
[0064] Inwardly bent side edges of door 22 [0065] Tab hinges
pre-attached to door 32, 38 [0066] Rear edge portion of tab hinges
33, 39 [0067] Fasteners 33 attaching tab hinges to lower hanging
side edges 14, 18 of mailbox [0068] Invention Mailbox 100 [0069]
Restraining Bracket 101 [0070] Rectangular Elongated Mid-portion
110 [0071] Angled Face of elongated mid-portion 110A [0072] First
bent end 120 [0073] Fastener mounting holes 121 [0074] Second bent
end 130 [0075] Fastener mounting holes 131 [0076] Fasteners
(screws/nuts) 133, 135 [0077] Vibration and Sound absorbing and
dampening pad 180
[0078] FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a prior art mailbox 1.
FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the mailbox 1 of FIG. 1 with
the door 20 being opened exposing an open access end 12 for the
mailbox. FIG. 3 is a front end view of the mailbox 1 of FIG. 2
along arrow X. FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of FIG. 3
along arrows 4X. FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of a portion of the
door hinge 32 of FIG. 4.
[0079] Referring to FIGS. 1-4A, a typical mailbox 1 can include a
main chamber having an open access end 12. Across a bottom floor 15
of the mailbox 1 can be lower hanging side edges 14, 18, and an
existing lower hanging front edge 16. A mailbox door 20 can include
inwardly bent side edges 22 which help seal the door 20 over the
open end 12 when the door 20 is in a closed position. Pre-attached
to lower corner edges of the door 20 can be tab type hinges 32, 38
which extend perpendicular in from a planar face of the door 20.
Fasteners such as rivets 33 can attach the tab hinges 32, 38 into
front portions of the lower hanging mailbox side edges 14, 18
behind the lower hanging mailbox front edge 16 in order to allow
the door 20 to pivot relative to the mailbox open end 12. As can be
seen in FIGS. 4 and 4A; the tab hinges 32, 38 allow the door 20 to
move up to approximately 180 degrees or more from an initial closed
position shown in FIG. 1.
[0080] FIG. 5 is a perspective side view 100 of a mailbox 10 with
door 20 closed using the novel invention. FIG. 6 is another
perspective view of the mailbox 10 of FIG. 5 with the door 20
opened along arrow R to no more than approximately 90 degrees from
the access end 12 of the mailbox 100. As can be readily seen, the
novel invention does not change the general outside appearance of
prior art mailboxes previously described.
[0081] FIG. 7 is a perspective lower view of the mailbox 100 with
door 20 closed of FIG. 5. FIG. 7A is an enlarged view of a lower
front portion of the mailbox 100 of FIG. 7 showing the rectangular
mid portion 120 and fastened bent end 130 of the novel restraining
bracket 101 with the tab hinge 32.
[0082] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the mailbox 100 with door 20
open of FIG. 6. FIG. 8A is an enlarged view of the lower front
portion of the mailbox 100 of FIG. 8 showing the tab hinge 32 on
the door 20 rotated to an open position where a rear edge portion
33 now abuts against the rectangular mid portion 120 of the novel
restraining bracket 101.
[0083] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective side view of the main
chamber 10 of mailbox 100, door 10 and stop bracket 101, and
fasteners 133, 135. FIG. 10 is an exploded view under the main
chamber 10 of the mailbox 100, door 20, and stop bracket 101 of
FIG. 9.
[0084] FIG. 11 is a front end view of the closed door 20 of the
mailbox 100 using the novel stop bracket. FIG. 12 is a
cross-sectional view of closed door mailbox 100 of FIG. 11 along
arrows 12X showing the tab hinge 32 of the door 20 and stop bracket
101.
[0085] FIG. 12A is an enlarged view of the door hinge portion of
the tab hinge 32 and door 20 and stop bracket 101 of FIG. 12.
[0086] FIG. 13 is a front end view of the mailbox 100 with an open
door 20 using the novel stop bracket 101 which is positioned behind
the existing lower hanging front edge of the mailbox floor 15. FIG.
14 is a cross-sectional view of the open door 20 of the mailbox 100
of FIG. 13 along arrows 14X. FIG. 14A is an enlarged view of the
door hinge portion showing the tab hinge 32 on the door 20 rotated
along arrow R to an open position where the rear edge 33 abuts
against the front of the face of the rectangular mid portion 110 of
the stop bracket 101 of FIG. 14.
[0087] FIG. 17 is an upper perspective view of the novel stop
bracket 101 used in the invention depicted in the preceding figures
showing the elongated rectangular mid portion 110, first bent end
120, with fastener mounting holes 121, and second bent end 130 with
fastener mounting holes 131. FIG. 18 is a left end view of the stop
bracket 101 of FIG. 17 along arrow 18X. FIG. 19 is a top view of
the stop bracket 101 of FIG. 17 along arrow 19Y. FIG. 20 is a front
side view of the stop bracket 101 of FIG. 17 along arrow 20X. FIG.
21 is a bottom view of the stop bracket 101 of FIG. 17 along arrow
21Y. FIG. 22 is a right end view of the stop bracket 101 of FIG. 17
along arrow 22X.
[0088] The operation of using the novel invention will now be
described in reference to FIGS. 5-14 and 17-20. The novel stop
restraining bracket 101 can be attached underneath the floor 15 of
the main chamber 10 of the mailbox 100, behind the existing lower
hanging front edge 16 of the mailbox and also slightly behind the
door attached tab hinges 32, 38. The bent ends 120, 130 of the
novel bracket 101 can be attached to existing lower hanging side
edges 14, 18 which are on both sides of the mailbox floor 15.
Fasteners 33, 35' such as screws and nuts, rivets, welds,
mechanical bends and interlocking types of slots and/or tabs, and
the like, can fasten through openings 121, 131 in bent ends 120,
130 and into the lower hanging side edges 14, 18 below the mailbox
floor 15.
[0089] When the door 20 of the mailbox is being opened, and pivots
by way of tab hinges 32, 38, the door can move in the direction of
arrow R until the rear edges 33, 39 of the tab hinges 32, 38 abut
against front portions of the elongated rectangular mid portion 110
of the stop restraining bracket 101. The position of the elongated
rectangular mid portion 110 prevents the tab hinges 32, 38 from
opening the door 20 beyond an approximate 90 degree swing opening,
which puts the door 20 approximately perpendicular to the open
access end 12 of the main chamber 10 of the mailbox 100. A
preferred application would allow for the door 20 to end up
approximately horizontal, and in a similar plane to the floor 15 of
the mailbox 100.
[0090] FIG. 15 is a front end view of the mailbox with open door 20
using the stop bracket 101 and pad 180. FIG. 16 is a
cross-sectional view of the door hinge portion of the tab hinge 32,
stop bracket 101 and pad 180 of FIG. 15. FIG. 16A is an enlarged
view of the door hinge tab hinge 32 and door 20, stop bracket 101
and pad 180 of FIG. 16. Here, a pad 180 such as a rubber material,
plastic layered material, and the like can be positioned on a face
portion of the elongated rectangular mid portion 110 of the stop
restraining bracket 101. The pad 180 can function as a cushion to
absorb any vibration which can occur when the door 20 is being
opened and would dampen and/or reduce any noise effects that would
have existed by tab hinges of the door banging against the
restraining bracket 101. The pad would provide both sound and
impact vibration dampening effects.
[0091] The bracket 101 can be set in place at different angles to
encompass a greater or less impact surface contact points. The mid
portion of the bracket face 110A can be angled (See FIGS. 12A, 14A)
to provide a greater contact surface area and/or a more precise
contact points when the tab hinges 32, 38 rotate back. Positioning
the bracket 101 to different angles can be used with different
mailboxes and their doors.
[0092] Although the invention describes using the restraint bracket
to limit the opening of the mailbox door 20 to up to approximately
ninety degrees, the location of the novel restraining bracket can
be moved to allow the door 20 to open up to less than or greater
than a perpendicular orientation.
[0093] While the invention shows a bracket fastened in place by
screw type fasteners, the restraint bracket can be attached in
other ways. For example, the restraint bracket can be one member or
plural members that are pre-stamped in place. For example, the
restraint can be a lip edge that is bent downward. Alternatively,
the restraint bracket can be welded in place. Alternatively, the
restraint bracket can be riveted in place.
[0094] The invention is intended to cover alternative versions of
the restraint bracket that can be used. For example, a single
elongated bolt or bar can pass through and be attached to both
lower hanging side edges, where the bolt body surface functions as
a stop to prevent the door from opening beyond a selected swing
radius. The bolt can include a cylindrical sleeve and/or
noncircular exterior shaped sleeve cover.
[0095] Although a preferred application is using an elongated
bracket or elongated bar/bolt, the invention can use instead two
separate bumper members each fastened to the downwardly hanging
sides. Still furthermore, a single bumper can be used that is
shaped to allow one of the tab hinges 32, 38 to abut against
limiting the swing radius of the door. The single bumper can be a
small block shaped member or tab that can be fastened into one
lower hanging side of the mailbox by screws, and the like.
[0096] The invention can be retrofitted into existing mailboxes
and/or made to be part of newly manufactured mailboxes.
[0097] While the invention has been described, disclosed,
illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or
modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the
invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be,
limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may
be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved
especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims
here appended.
* * * * *