Deposit and collection receptacles – Letter boxes – Signals
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-17
2001-11-20
Dayoan, B. (Department: 3628)
Deposit and collection receptacles
Letter boxes
Signals
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318629
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to mailboxes and more particularly to signal devices used for mailboxes to indicate whether there has been mail delivery and/or pickup.
2. Background of the Invention
Mailboxes have been utilized for many years for the delivery and pick up of mail. Mailboxes come in many different forms for both residential and commercial mail delivery. This invention supplements and improves on the most frequently used rural mailbox approved by the Postmaster General about 1916: A metal box with an oval top. A flag (red) is attached to the sidewall at the front and when raised to the vertical, alerts the carrier to mail removal. After removal of the outgoing mail and any required delivery, the carrier drops the flag back to horizontal the flag is then essentially not visible. When vertical the flag is difficult for the resident to see since it is at a right angle to the road, only one-eighth of an inch wide and frequently at substantial distance. A separate uniformly reliable indicator (flag) is needed to eliminate unnecessary trips, particularly in bad weather, and for busy or fragile residents. Many prior designs have attempted to meet this need.
The applicant has observed several deficiencies in the delivery signal devices currently used with mailboxes. Many signal devices are very difficult to see by the user due to the configuration of the signal device and/or the location of the signal device. Also, such signal devices are complex in design requiring a number of separate pieces, which results in a fragile design, and which also makes for difficulty of installation, repair and leakage problems. Also, many types of signal devices are seen to suffer from wear through use due to tension placed on the signal device as well as by the material used in manufacturing the signal device.
The present invention has been developed in view of the foregoing limitations to overcome the limitations in signal devices currently available for mailbox designs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention discloses a signal device for use with a mailbox. The signal device is attached by a flexible connecting member to the mailbox. The signal device is held in position between the mailbox and door. The signal device can be secured in a plurality of different positions between the door and mailbox. In use, as the door opens, the signal device is free to fall in a downward direction by gravity.
In accordance with the present invention, several embodiments of a signal device are described in detail herein. Other embodiments are also possible, but for the sake of brevity, they are not included in this application. As will be described in detail herein, there are several advantages attributed to the various disclosed embodiments, which are summarized below.
One advantage is a signal device of a more simplified design and which is easy to install.
Another advantage is a signal device that can be secured in a number of different locations on the mailbox, so that the signal device can be visible from various positions relative to the mailbox, by the resident.
Another advantage is that indicia can also be placed on the signal device which can be viewed by any individual passing the mailbox.
These and other advantages of the various embodiments will be become more readily apparent when taken together with the following description and attached drawings.
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Dayoan B.
Miller William L.
Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP
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