Deposit and collection receptacles – Closures and chutes – Letter box
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-07
2001-06-12
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3628)
Deposit and collection receptacles
Closures and chutes
Letter box
C232S017000, C232S043100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244505
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is related to the following application:
U.S. application. Ser. No. 29/091,703, filed Aug. 4, 1998 now U.S. Pat No. Des. 410,849.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to mail receptacles and more particularly to a security mailbox assembly.
Curb-side residential mailboxes are commonly used as a convenient location for the postal carrier to deliver mail, including letters and small packages. They also allow a convenient location for outgoing mail to be left for the postal carrier to collect. Mailboxes should keep the mail dry, be easily accessed and should readily identify the street address. While conventional designs have accomplished these functions, there is a continuing interest in improving the security, construction and aesthetics of residential mailboxes.
Because private messages and valuables are delivered by postal carriers, it is, of course, desirable to prevent theft. Recent mailbox designs have focused on security. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,063, entitled “Security Mail Receptacle” shows a mailbox mounted on a tubular support column that allows the mail to fall into a bottom pocket where it may be removed by the resident through a rear locking door. A similar design is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,551, entitled “Storage Mail Box.” In addition to security concerns, some residential mailboxes need to accommodate larger quantities of mail to allow mail to be stored during extended absences. Accomplishing all the desired functions for a mailbox while making it aesthetically pleasing and cost-effective to manufacture, remains a challenge.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A mailbox assembly for receiving and securely holding incoming mail while allowing outgoing mail to be readily removed includes a mail storage module including sidewalls enclosing an internal mail storage vault and a mail drop port formed therein. A mailbox receptacle is mounted on the mail storage module and overlies the mail drop port. The mailbox receptacle includes a pivot door that is movable to an open position for presenting outgoing mail and for receiving incoming mail, and the pivot door includes a trap door panel covering the mail drop port when the pivot door is in the open position. The trap door panel is rotatable through the mail drop port and into the security vault as the pivot door is moved to the closed position. The mail storage module includes a collection panel for receiving deposited mail and an angled guide panel for directing deposited mail toward the collection panel. A metal panel forms at least a portion of one module sidewall below the mailbox, the metal panel being sized and configured to allow the trap door panel of the pivot door to hang substantially in flush engagement with the metal panel when the pivot door is in the closed position. A locking access door provides authorized access to the mail storage vault.
According to other features of the present invention, the mailbox receptacle includes an outgoing mail tray mounted on the pivot door and a rotatable disc flag. According to another aspect, the metal panel that forms at least part of one sidewall of the mail storage module also forms a portion of the exterior wall of the enclosure unit for displaying street address information.
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Grimes James W.
Grimes Rebecca Ann
Browne Lynne H.
Griggs Dennis T.
Miller William L.
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