Signaling device for mailboxes

Claim 1

A signaling device for use with free standing rural mailboxes, having an open-ended mail receiving compartment and a closure therefor pivoted adjacent a lower end thereof adjacent a lower edge of said compartment for downward pivotal movement of said closure exposing said open end for reception of mail when opened by a postman comprising: a housing carried adjacent a lower intermediate edge portion of said mail receiving compartment; a plunger slidably carried by said housing spring biased rearwardly toward said closure having an operator normally adjacent a lower edge of said closure but movable forwardly responsive to downward movement of said closure; a flag normally carried by said housing in retracted position but pivotable downwardly adjacent one edge thereof; and a catch member carried by said plunger engagable with said flag maintaining the flag in retracted position when said operator is normally positioned adjacent a lower edge of said closure but releasable therefrom when said operator is moved forwardly; whereby the flag pivots downwardly into signaling position upon opening of said closure by the postman.