US4098454A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Newspaper receptacle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-11-08
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Granted: 1978-07-04
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Expires: 1996-11-08
Abstract
Abstract A receptacle positioned within a wall structure of a dwelling for receiving, retaining, and transmitting a newspaper or the like in a unidirectional path is disclosed. The receptacle includes an elongated chute, resilient fingers, and a first collar. The chute is comprised of an external end for receiving the newspaper into the chute, a body for retaining the newspaper within the chute, and an internal end for transmitting the newspaper from the chute. Resilient fingers extend from the inner wall of the body and converge toward the internal end of the chute for allowing unidirectional passage of the newspaper through the chute and preventing withdrawal of the newspaper from the external end. The first collar is mateable to the external end and has a plurality of elastomeric projections extending from the peripheral portion of the first collar and converging radially inward toward the center of the first collar.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C. Easter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 00:20
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47G; A47G29/00; A47G29/12; A47G29/1203
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
401 words
A receptacle in a wall structure for receiving, retaining, and transmitting in a unidirectional path a newspaper or the like, comprising: (a) an elongated chute comprising: (i) an external end for receiving the newspaper or the like into the chute; (ii) a unitary body including top, bottom and opposed side walls for retaining the newspaper or the like within the chute; and (iii) an internal end for transmitting the newspaper or the like from the chute, the external end of the chute being elevated in relation to the internal end of the chute when positioned in the wall structure; (b) resilient fingers extending from the walls of the body and converging downwardly toward the internal end of the chute and capable of expansion or contraction for allowing passage of newspapers or the like through the body of the chute while preventing withdrawal of newspapers or the like from the external end of the chute; (c) a first collar means mateable to the external end of the chute and having a plurality of radial extending slots to define a plurality of resilient fingers perpendicularly extending from the peripheral portion of the first collar means and converging radially inwardly toward the center of the first collar means, the fingers being mateable to define a coplanar configuration, such that the first collar means provides a weatherproof closure for the external end of the chute, the fingers being yieldably drawn inwardly into the chute in the direction of an inserted newspaper or the like into the chute and the fingers returning to the coplanar configuration after passage of the newspaper or the like through the first collar means; and (d) a second collar means mateable to the internal end of the chute and having a plurality of radial extending slots to define a plurality of resilient fingers perpendicularly extending from the peripheral portion of the second collar means and converging radially inwardly toward the center of the second collar means, the fingers being mateable to define a coplanar configuration, such that the second collar means provides a closure for the internal end of the chute, the fingers being yieldably drawn outwardly of the chute in the direction of an inserted newspaper or the like as the newspaper or the like exits from the chute and the fingers returning to the coplanar configuration after passage of the newspaper or the like through the second collar means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
401 words
A receptacle in a wall structure for receiving, retaining, and transmitting in a unidirectional path a newspaper or the like, comprising: (a) an elongated chute comprising: (i) an external end for receiving the newspaper or the like into the chute; (ii) a unitary body including top, bottom and opposed side walls for retaining the newspaper or the like within the chute; and (iii) an internal end for transmitting the newspaper or the like from the chute, the external end of the chute being elevated in relation to the internal end of the chute when positioned in the wall structure; (b) resilient fingers extending from the walls of the body and converging downwardly toward the internal end of the chute and capable of expansion or contraction for allowing passage of newspapers or the like through the body of the chute while preventing withdrawal of newspapers or the like from the external end of the chute; (c) a first collar means mateable to the external end of the chute and having a plurality of radial extending slots to define a plurality of resilient fingers perpendicularly extending from the peripheral portion of the first collar means and converging radially inwardly toward the center of the first collar means, the fingers being mateable to define a coplanar configuration, such that the first collar means provides a weatherproof closure for the external end of the chute, the fingers being yieldably drawn inwardly into the chute in the direction of an inserted newspaper or the like into the chute and the fingers returning to the coplanar configuration after passage of the newspaper or the like through the first collar means; and (d) a second collar means mateable to the internal end of the chute and having a plurality of radial extending slots to define a plurality of resilient fingers perpendicularly extending from the peripheral portion of the second collar means and converging radially inwardly toward the center of the second collar means, the fingers being mateable to define a coplanar configuration, such that the second collar means provides a closure for the internal end of the chute, the fingers being yieldably drawn outwardly of the chute in the direction of an inserted newspaper or the like as the newspaper or the like exits from the chute and the fingers returning to the coplanar configuration after passage of the newspaper or the like through the second collar means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The receptacle of claim 1 wherein the chute has a rectangular or octagonal cross section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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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) | 1981-07-03 | 1982-01-02 | 1982-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-03 | 1986-01-02 | 1986-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-03 | 1990-01-02 | 1990-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |