Patent US3885668A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3885668A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus for sorting, carrying and delivering mail or the like
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-09-10
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1993-09-10
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for sorting, carrying and delivering mail or the like characterized by a plurality of sorting trays that can be inserted directly into existing or new sorting bins for sorting; carried; and stacked in a vehicle, such as a mail jeep, for delivery. The sorting trays have a sloping back side and two sloping ends for stacking the bottom of an upper tray inside of the top of a lower tray without the bottom of the upper tray resting on partitions in the lower one. The partitions are carried by the bottom so as to define mail slots therebetween. Label holders are provided along the front bottom of each tray and include a plurality of street and address slots that are aligned with the mail slots and are inclined at an angle with respect to the bottom so as to be visible to a mail carrier. The partitions have respective recesses for gripping the mail for easy removal. The sorting trays have interlocks and retainers to prevent their sliding in relationship to each other as the carrying vehicle is stopped and started. Also disclosed are specific and preferred embodiments.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew J Mcclain
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:58
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C7/00; B07C7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
261 words
Apparatus for sorting and carrying mail or the like comprising: a. a plurality of sorting trays; said trays being adapted for insertion within a sorting bin for sorting of mail or the like into respective street addresses and being adapted for being stacked into a delivery vehicle for delivering said mail or the like without re-sorting said mail; each said tray including: i. two sloping ends and a rear side for stacking an upper tray inside of the top of a lower tray; ii. a bottom; iii. a plurality of partitions carried by said bottom so as to define mail slots therebetween, said partitions having means facilitating gripping the mail in said mail slots for removal of said mail; iv. a label holder at the bottom of the front side of said tray, each label holder including a plurality of street and address slots, the latter being disposed between respective said partitions; v. stacking means for supporting said trays in stacking relationship in said vehicle with the bottom of an upper tray supported above the top of said partitions in a lower tray; vi. interlock means at each end of said trays for preventing an upper said tray from sliding out of its stacked relationship in engagement with a lower stacked tray; vii. holding means removably connected with the ends of said tray and traversing over the mail therewithin for holding said mail in place and being removable for insertion of sorted mail within said tray; and viii. sequence denoting means for facilitating ordering of said trays for a predetermined route.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
261 words
Apparatus for sorting and carrying mail or the like comprising: a. a plurality of sorting trays; said trays being adapted for insertion within a sorting bin for sorting of mail or the like into respective street addresses and being adapted for being stacked into a delivery vehicle for delivering said mail or the like without re-sorting said mail; each said tray including: i. two sloping ends and a rear side for stacking an upper tray inside of the top of a lower tray; ii. a bottom; iii. a plurality of partitions carried by said bottom so as to define mail slots therebetween, said partitions having means facilitating gripping the mail in said mail slots for removal of said mail; iv. a label holder at the bottom of the front side of said tray, each label holder including a plurality of street and address slots, the latter being disposed between respective said partitions; v. stacking means for supporting said trays in stacking relationship in said vehicle with the bottom of an upper tray supported above the top of said partitions in a lower tray; vi. interlock means at each end of said trays for preventing an upper said tray from sliding out of its stacked relationship in engagement with a lower stacked tray; vii. holding means removably connected with the ends of said tray and traversing over the mail therewithin for holding said mail in place and being removable for insertion of sorted mail within said tray; and viii. sequence denoting means for facilitating ordering of said trays for a predetermined route.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said label holder is inclined at an angle with respect to said bottom so as to be visible to a mail carrier or the like.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stacking means comprises having the dimensions on said bottom and said sloping ends and rear side being such that the outside dimensions of said bottom is just equal to the inside dimension of said ends and said side just above the top of said partitions in order that said trays can stack vertically.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said interlock means comprises respective notches at each end of said tray; said notches having slanting front and rear walls and having an exterior portion protruding beyond said ends for interlock with adjacent slanting walls when stacked adjacent thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said holding means comprises a belt having, at each end, means for engaging respective exterior portions protruding beyond the ends of said tray such that said tray can be lifted by said belt and such that said belt will hold said mail in place if said tray is carried and stacked, and said belt being easily disengageable from said tray when the mail therewithin is to be delivered.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein divider partitions are provided for fitting between said partitions, said divider partitions having a base adapted to be slid between said partitions and having a height equal to the height of said partitions minus the thickness of said base; said divider partitions traversing the same length as said partitions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said partitions and said labels in said label holder are color coded for streets and addresses for a particular route.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
121 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a sorting bin is provided and said sorting trays are dimensioned to fit said sorting bin, said sorting bin including a pair of hingedly mounted, swing-open doors, each door including a plurality of vertically disposed supports for supporting at least one sorting tray therewithin at each level of support and having a plurality of levels of support; a central shelf portion having a plurality of vertically disposed supports for sorting trays, said central shelf portion having sufficient lateral dimensions for a plurality of laterally spaced sorting trays and deep enough, front to rear, to support the plurality of sorting trays therewithin; said supports having sufficient space between respective levels for inserting respective sorting trays therewithin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
187 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a conversion kit is provided for converting a conventional seven shelf sorting bin currently employed in the U.S. Post Offices to six level bins; said conventional seven shelf bin including a conventional shelf rail and adapter side rails, each having a differential height for converting the respective levels into the new levels for the six level bin; the improvement comprising: a. an extension at the interior side of each conventional adapter side rails to extend said side rail interiorly sufficiently to support said tray; b. fasteners in front and rear of each bin for holding each respective adapter side rail against interior lateral tipping when said trays are emplaced on the top thereof; and c. center support structure comprising six shelf extensions at the same level as the top of respective extensions of said adapter side rails; said center support structure having top and bottom retainer means for retaining said center support structure in place against lateral movement; one of said retainer means being movable to enable installation but fastenable into place thereafter to hold said center support structure in place.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein there is provided a transparent holder at each level for holding miscellaneous notes, such as pink cards for change of address.
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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) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |