Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-25
2001-04-24
Hofsass, Jeffery (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C340S691100, C362S155000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06222451
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates generally to a delivery signal device for a mailbox or the like, and particularly to one with a lever inside the mailbox which activates an audio or visual alarm or a combination of the two when a mail is inserted into the mailbox.
BACKGROUND
In rural area, a standing mailbox is disposed near a road which may be at a distance from a house. The mailbox may or may not be locked. In case it is lockable, the mailbox door is provided with a slot to allow insertion of the mail. The mailbox is commonly provided with an erectable arm. When a mail is inserted into the box, the postman ‘flags up’ the arm to indicate that there is mail in the box. When the mail is withdrawn, the arm is then ‘flagged down’. This mechanical arrangement may be overlooked, particularly when the postman is not so co-operative or he is rushing for time, for an example, when it is drizzling.
In urban settings like a condominium or an office block, the mailboxes belonging to the occupants are placed at a convenient location such as the basement or the ground floor. Each mailbox belonging to each housing or office unit is invariably locked, in order to discourage unauthorized access to the mail. Each mailbox is provided with a slot to allow insertion of the mail. It is also common to cover the slot with a tiltable cover plate to discourage peeping. The security arrangement, however, does not allow easy knowledge whether there is mail in the box or not.
The U.S. Pat. No. 3,909,819 discloses a mailbox alarm apparatus comprising an enclosed mailbox having an openable door; and photosensitive means for initiating activation of an alarm signal in response to light coming from outside the mailbox when the door is opened. The main disadvantage of this teaching is that the door has to be opened before the alarm is being activated. In normal situation, the mailbox is locked and a slot is provided on the door to allow mail to be inserted. The door is invariably locked, to discourage unauthorized access.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,101,877 discloses a mail delivery alarm system for activating at least one signal device located in a house when mail is deposited in a mailbox located outside the house, and for deactivating the signal device when the mail is withdrawn from the mailbox. A switch means is provided inside the mailbox and a circuit is arranged to activate the signal devices every other time the switch means is closed. An electrically engageable lock means is located in said mailbox for keeping the mailbox door shut, said lock being engaged every other time said switch means is closed, and the switch means can be manually operated for disengaging said lock means. The main disadvantage of this teaching is that the signal device is dependent on the switch means which is largely dependent on a counter device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the invention is to provide an easy and simple to install delivery signal device for a mailbox, whether in rural or urban setting.
The secondary object of the invention is that the device could be made available to the public at large as a separate gadget or integrally built-in to a mailbox.
Another object of the invention is that the delivery signal device generates an audio or visual signal or a combination of the two continuously when there is mail in the box, until it is withdrawn.
Yet, another object of the invention is that the delivery signal device is driven by a self-contained power source which should last for a long time, without constant replacement, and with easy maintenance.
According to the invention, a delivery signal device for a mailbox comprises a catcher means connected to the effort arm of a lever, a counter weight mounted onto the load arm of the lever; a magnetic switch consists of two components:- one is a magnet means which is mounted to the underside of the load arm of the lever, and one is a reed switch which is mounted on an integrated electrical circuit block; the magnetic switch further operating a battery-driven electrical circuit to activate a warning system; and a container to house the counter weight, the magnetic switch, the battery and the circuit.
The delivery signal device is mounted inside the mailbox, whereas the electrical circuit is activated by the magnetic switch whenever the catcher means receives a mail, and the circuit is de-activated whenever the mail is removed or the mailbox is empty.
These above objects and other objects will become apparent, following the description of the invention here below.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3909819 (1975-09-01), Radford
patent: 4101877 (1978-07-01), Rush
patent: 4520350 (1985-05-01), Huang
patent: 4651135 (1987-03-01), Duhaime et al.
patent: 4999612 (1991-03-01), Cherveny
patent: 5917411 (1998-06-01), Baggarly
patent: 6033084 (2000-03-01), Burke
patent: 6114959 (2000-09-01), Bennett
Hofsass Jeffery
Merchant & Gould P.C.
Nguyen Phung T
Reka Cipta Innovasi Sdn Bhd
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