US3758027A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mailbox
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-07-01
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Granted: 1973-09-11
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Expires: 1991-07-01
Abstract
Abstract A mailbox having upper and lower compartments interconnected by a trapdoor which defines a bottom for the upper compartment when in closed condition. The lower compartment is provided with a lock device so that only authorized persons have access thereto. The upper compartment is provided with a pivotal mounted access door engaged with a mechanism for automatically closing the trapdoor when the access door to the upper compartment is opened and permitting the trapdoor to open when the access door to the upper compartment is closed. A signal flag is mounted on the mailbox for pivotal movement and is associated with the operating mechanism for the trapdoor to retain the trapdoor in closed position while the signal flag is in an upright signalling position.
Inventors
- 👤 W Morgan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:20
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47G; A47G29/00; A47G29/12; A47G29/1209; A47G29/121
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A depository receptacle comprising a housing having an upper compartment for receiving items placed therein, swingable access means comprising a swingable door pivotally supported along a transverse axis at the bottom edge thereof and including a cam member extending downwardly from the hinge axis of the door enabling access to the interior of the upper compartment of the housing, trapdoor means forming the bottom of said upper compartment of the housing, a lower compartment in said housing underlying said trapdoor means and receiving items from the upper compartment when the trapdoor means is opened, means operatively associated with said swingable access means and said trapdoor means to automatically operate said trapdoor means in response to swinging of said access means, said means operating the trapdoor means including a transversely extending axial member journaled in said housing, means on said axial member engaged by said cam member to pivot the axial member about a transverse axis when the access door is swung about its axis, and means carried by said axial member engageable with the trapdoor means for closing the trapdoor means when the access door is swung to an open position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A depository receptacle comprising a housing having an upper compartment for receiving items placed therein, swingable access means comprising a swingable door pivotally supported along a transverse axis at the bottom edge thereof and including a cam member extending downwardly from the hinge axis of the door enabling access to the interior of the upper compartment of the housing, trapdoor means forming the bottom of said upper compartment of the housing, a lower compartment in said housing underlying said trapdoor means and receiving items from the upper compartment when the trapdoor means is opened, means operatively associated with said swingable access means and said trapdoor means to automatically operate said trapdoor means in response to swinging of said access means, said means operating the trapdoor means including a transversely extending axial member journaled in said housing, means on said axial member engaged by said cam member to pivot the axial member about a transverse axis when the access door is swung about its axis, and means carried by said axial member engageable with the trapdoor means for closing the trapdoor means when the access door is swung to an open position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
89 words
The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said axial member is in the form of a rod, one end of the rod extending exteriorly of the housing and including a perpendicular extension thereon, a signal flag on the extension for movement between a retracted position and a signalling position, said rod being pivoted to a position for closing the trapdoor means when the signal flag is in the signalling position, and clip means on the housing releasably engaging the extension for retaining the signal flag in signalling position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
106 words
The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said trapdoor means includes a pair of panels having outer edges hingedly attached to the inner surfaces of the housing and inner edges disposed in adjacent relation when in horizontal closed position to form a bottom for the upper compartment, said means on the rod engaging the trapdoor means includes a pair of laterally extending diverging leg members having terminal ends adjacent the inner side surfaces of the housing and engaging the edges of the panels for camming the panels to a closed position when the access door or the signalling flag is moved to a signalling position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The structure as defined in claim 3 together with an access door for the lower compartment, lock means for the access door for the lower compartment enabling only those persons having a means for operating the lock means to have access to the lower compartment thereby protecting the items therein from removal by unauthorized persons.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said cam member is related to the rod and means thereon engageable by the cam member to completely close the trapdoor means before the access door to the upper compartment is opened sufficiently to enable access down through the trapdoor means to the lower compartment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
83 words
The structure as defined in claim 5 together with a stop membeR for limiting the pivotal movement of the rod and the means thereon engageable by the cam member thus limiting the downward swinging movement of the means thereon engaging the trapdoor means, said housing extending longitudinally beyond the access door means for the upper compartment for weather protection and enabling the swingable door for the upper compartment to be moved toward an open position before access to the upper compartment is provided.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |