US3854656A — Postal drop box

Claim 1

Independent Claim 238 words

A postal drop-box, comprising: a generally rectangularly-shaped framework formed into a plurality of compartments disposed Lengthwise side-by-side, each of which is adapted to receive a mail bag; a housing enclosing said framework on the front and sides and secured thereto for preventing access to said compartments from the front and sides of said framework; means for mounting said framework on the wall of a building for closing off the back of said framework and with the bottom close to the floor to prevent access thereto; a cover having hinge means therewith secured to said framework and closing said top of said framework to prevent access to said compartments when said cover is secured to said housing; said cover having a limited access slot for each of said compartments for the entry of mail but restricted in size to prevent retrieval of mail therethrough from said compartments; and said means for mounting said framework on the wall including a mounting bracket adapted to be secured to a wall and having a pocket therein which is open at its upper end, and a rear framework section to which said hinge means is connected and having at least portions of said section adapted to drop into said pocket to prevent its movement downwardly or outwardly from the wall to thereby support the entire drop-box on the wall while permitting pivoting of said cover to and from its open and closed positions.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 238 words

A postal drop-box, comprising: a generally rectangularly-shaped framework formed into a plurality of compartments disposed Lengthwise side-by-side, each of which is adapted to receive a mail bag; a housing enclosing said framework on the front and sides and secured thereto for preventing access to said compartments from the front and sides of said framework; means for mounting said framework on the wall of a building for closing off the back of said framework and with the bottom close to the floor to prevent access thereto; a cover having hinge means therewith secured to said framework and closing said top of said framework to prevent access to said compartments when said cover is secured to said housing; said cover having a limited access slot for each of said compartments for the entry of mail but restricted in size to prevent retrieval of mail therethrough from said compartments; and said means for mounting said framework on the wall including a mounting bracket adapted to be secured to a wall and having a pocket therein which is open at its upper end, and a rear framework section to which said hinge means is connected and having at least portions of said section adapted to drop into said pocket to prevent its movement downwardly or outwardly from the wall to thereby support the entire drop-box on the wall while permitting pivoting of said cover to and from its open and closed positions.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 85 words

The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein: said cover has a raised portion in proximity to each of said slots, with a lip terminating above the surface of said cover opposite thereto at each said slot to provide a vertical height to each said slot; and each said slot has therewith a movable restricting plate secured to said cover for movement to an open position for inserting mail into said compartments but preventing access to said compartments directly downwardly through any of said slots.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 69 words

The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein: said cover has an overhang only on the front and sides thereof which extend below and cover the upper edges of the sides and front of said housing only, leaving the rear of said cover flush with the top of said framework for pivotal movement at said hinge means without interfering with the wall upon which said mounting bracket is mounted.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 46 words

The structure set forth in claim 3, including: lock means on said overhang on the front of said cover and said framework for releasably locking said cover in the closed position to prevent pivoting of said pivotal connection means and thereby unauthorized access to said compartments.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 32 words

The structure set forth in claim 1, including: bag attachment means mounted on said framework at the sides of each of said compartments for releasably supporting a mail bag at each compartment.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 57 words

The structure set forth in claim 1, including: a restricting plate with each said slot, and a spring-loaded hinge pivotally connecting each of said restricting plates to said housing for urging each said plate to a closed position but permitting the movement thereof to an open position for the deposit of mail in each of said compartments.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 61 words

The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein: said framework has substantially horizontal frame members at its upper end secured to said rear framework section and extending between each of said compartments; and said mounting bracket having notches therein through which said horizontal frame members extend for preventing lateral movement of said framework relative to said mounting bracket and the wall.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1977-12-16	1978-06-17	1978-12-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1981-12-16	1982-06-17	1982-12-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1985-12-16	1986-06-17	1986-12-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Postal drop box

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