US3830424A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mailbox with sight signal
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-08-22
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Granted: 1974-08-20
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Expires: 1993-08-22
Abstract
Abstract A mailbox construction includes a tubular flagstaff mounted on a pivot disposed rearwardly from the mailbox receptacle, the flagstaff having an unfilled portion overlying and coextensive with the receptacle and a weighted overbalancing portion projecting beyond the rear wall of the receptacle, the flagstaff being latched to the door of the mailbox and thereby held in a horizontal position when the door is closed, the flagstaff swinging to a vertical position under the bias of the weighted portion when the door is opened.
Inventors
- 👤 C Pittman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:54
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47G; A47G29/00; A47G29/12; A47G29/1209; A47G29/121; A47G2029/12105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
The combination with an elongate mailbox having a pivoted door at the forward end thereof and a vertical wall at the rear end thereof, of a signal comprising a rod-like bracket secured to the rear wall, said bracket extending upwardly, rearwardly and transversely therefrom, the transversely extending upper portion defining a horizontally directed pivot disposed at an elevation above a spatially adjacent portion of the mailbox and rearwardly beyond said rear wall, a rectilinear tubular flagstaff pivotally mounted on said pivot, said flagstaff having an unfilled portion extending forward from said pivot over the entire length of said mailbox and a shorter weight-containing portion projecting rearwardly from said pivot, weight means disposed within said weight-containing portion, said weight means having a density substantially greater than that of the material Forming said flagstaff and present in an amount sufficient to continuously urge said flagstaff to swingable movement about said pivot from a horizontal position to a vertical position, and latch means movable with said door for restraining the swingable movement of said flagstaff.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
The combination with an elongate mailbox having a pivoted door at the forward end thereof and a vertical wall at the rear end thereof, of a signal comprising a rod-like bracket secured to the rear wall, said bracket extending upwardly, rearwardly and transversely therefrom, the transversely extending upper portion defining a horizontally directed pivot disposed at an elevation above a spatially adjacent portion of the mailbox and rearwardly beyond said rear wall, a rectilinear tubular flagstaff pivotally mounted on said pivot, said flagstaff having an unfilled portion extending forward from said pivot over the entire length of said mailbox and a shorter weight-containing portion projecting rearwardly from said pivot, weight means disposed within said weight-containing portion, said weight means having a density substantially greater than that of the material Forming said flagstaff and present in an amount sufficient to continuously urge said flagstaff to swingable movement about said pivot from a horizontal position to a vertical position, and latch means movable with said door for restraining the swingable movement of said flagstaff.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The subject matter of claim 1, wherein the pivot upon which said tubular flagstaff is mounted extends horizontally through the longitudinal axis of said tubular flagstaff.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The subject matter of claim 1, wherein closure means at the rearward end of the weight-containing portion of the flagstaff cooperates with the pivot upon which the flagstaff is mounted to fix the position of the weight means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The subject matter of claim 1, in which said weight means is a plurality of lead shot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The subject matter of claim 1, wherein a flag is attached to the outer end of the unfilled portion of said flagstaff.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The subject matter of claim 5, wherein the flag is a flat sheet of magnetic material and a permanent magnet is mounted on the door and in the path of movement of the flag, the flag functioning as an armature in association with said magnet to constitute a magnetic latch means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
125 words
A signal for an elongate mailbox having a door, said signal comprising a bracket adapted to be secured to the rear vertical wall of a mailbox, said bracket defining a pivot positioned rearwardly from the mailbox and above a subjacent portion thereof, a tubular flagstaff pivotally mounted on said pivot, said flagstaff having an unfilled portion extending horizontally forward from said pivot over the entire length of the associated mailbox and a relatively short filled portion extending rearward from said pivot, weight means disposed within the filled portion in an amount sufficient to swing said flagstaff about said pivot from a horizontal position to a vertical position, and means dependent upon the position of said door for releasably holding said flagstaff in the horizontal position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
125 words
A signal for an elongate mailbox having a door, said signal comprising a bracket adapted to be secured to the rear vertical wall of a mailbox, said bracket defining a pivot positioned rearwardly from the mailbox and above a subjacent portion thereof, a tubular flagstaff pivotally mounted on said pivot, said flagstaff having an unfilled portion extending horizontally forward from said pivot over the entire length of the associated mailbox and a relatively short filled portion extending rearward from said pivot, weight means disposed within the filled portion in an amount sufficient to swing said flagstaff about said pivot from a horizontal position to a vertical position, and means dependent upon the position of said door for releasably holding said flagstaff in the horizontal position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-19 | 1978-02-18 | 1978-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-19 | 1982-02-18 | 1982-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-19 | 1986-02-18 | 1986-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |