Patent US3722460A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3722460A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mail box signal
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-05-17
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1991-05-17
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a rural mail box having a flap held over the back by means of a magnet until released by pressure from a rod actuated by the opening of the mail box door. Depending upon whether the back or the front of the positioned box is facing the residence of the owner, the outer surface of the back and/or the inner surface of the flap, when in upright position, or only the back side of the box, are covered with a highly visable color so as to become readily visable from a distance when the door of the box is opened and the flap moved from its standby position. After removing the mail from the box the flap is manually moved to the standby position where it is held by a magnet until the box is again opened. The contact between the flap and the rear surface of the box is protected from rain, snow, or the like by an overhanging shield.
Inventors
- 👤 R James
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:49
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47G; A47G29/00; A47G29/12; A47G29/1209; A47G29/121; A47G2029/12105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
233 words
A mail box comprising a receptacle provided at one end with a vertically swinging hinged door, said door having attached to the outer face thereof a plate extending below the bottom of said box where it is pivotally connected with an actuating rod extending beneath the bottom of said box through a loosely fitted sleeve fastened in a plate extending below the bottom of said box at the rear end of said box, whereby lateral movement of said rod is effected when said front door of said box is opened or closed, an iron metal flap substantially covering the back of said box and hinged to the plate extending below the bottom of the rear of said box at a point below the point at which said actuating rod passes through the flap expending below said box, the top of said flap extending to near the top of the rear end of said box and in contact therewith when in an upright position, a permanent magnet located in the rear wall of said box and of sufficient strength to hold said flap in contact with said rear wall until pushed from it by said actuating rod, an overhanging shield above the contact point between said flap and said rear wall which does not come in contact with said flap when the latter is pushed away from said rear wall by said actuating rod,
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
233 words
A mail box comprising a receptacle provided at one end with a vertically swinging hinged door, said door having attached to the outer face thereof a plate extending below the bottom of said box where it is pivotally connected with an actuating rod extending beneath the bottom of said box through a loosely fitted sleeve fastened in a plate extending below the bottom of said box at the rear end of said box, whereby lateral movement of said rod is effected when said front door of said box is opened or closed, an iron metal flap substantially covering the back of said box and hinged to the plate extending below the bottom of the rear of said box at a point below the point at which said actuating rod passes through the flap expending below said box, the top of said flap extending to near the top of the rear end of said box and in contact therewith when in an upright position, a permanent magnet located in the rear wall of said box and of sufficient strength to hold said flap in contact with said rear wall until pushed from it by said actuating rod, an overhanging shield above the contact point between said flap and said rear wall which does not come in contact with said flap when the latter is pushed away from said rear wall by said actuating rod,
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 1 wherein a rubber bumper is positioned below said hinge connecting the flap to the extension of the rear wall below the bottom of said box.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the rear of the box and the inner surface of said flap when in upright position are both coated with a highly visible color.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of said flap when in upright position is coated with a highly visible color.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |