US4254872A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable mail delivery tray
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-05-07
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Granted: 1981-03-10
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Expires: 1999-05-07
Abstract
Abstract A portable mail delivery tray (10) retains a sorted bundle of mail for quick identification and delivery by a mail carrier from his motor vehicle. The mail delivery tray (10) includes a platform (18) and upwardly extending rear support (20) for supporting a substantially planar inclined support member (22) extending to a front wall (24) extending upwardly from the platform (18). The front wall (24) and a transverse side wall (28) are provided for restraining and aligning the sorted bundle of mail placed upon the support member (22). An elastic member (30) extends from the rear support (20) over the top of the bundle of mail to the front wall (34) for restraining movement of the mail during transit. A receiving station (40) is attached to the transverse side wall (28) for providing a number of compartments for organizing currency and postal items sold by the mail carrier.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald B. Garrett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 15:59
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C7/00; B07C7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
The portable mail delivery tray for retaining a sorted bundle of main upon the passenger seat of a motor vehicle operated by a mail carrier for rapid identification and delivery of the mail, comprising: a rigid platform for supporting the tray upon the passenger seat of a vehicle; a rear support means extending upwardly from said platform; a substantially planar inclined member supported upon and sloping downwardly from said rear support means to the front edge of said platform; a front wall extending upwardly from the front edge of said platform, said front wall being substantially perpendicular to the front edge of said platform; a side wall extending transversely along one side of said inclined support member, said side wall being perpendicular to said inclined support member; and a restraining means attachable from the rear support means to the front wall for retaining a sorted bundle of mail upon the inclined support member, whereby the mail carrier may withdraw the next to be delivered article of mail from the bundle while said restraining means keeps the remaining articles of mail in their sorted order.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
The portable mail delivery tray for retaining a sorted bundle of main upon the passenger seat of a motor vehicle operated by a mail carrier for rapid identification and delivery of the mail, comprising: a rigid platform for supporting the tray upon the passenger seat of a vehicle; a rear support means extending upwardly from said platform; a substantially planar inclined member supported upon and sloping downwardly from said rear support means to the front edge of said platform; a front wall extending upwardly from the front edge of said platform, said front wall being substantially perpendicular to the front edge of said platform; a side wall extending transversely along one side of said inclined support member, said side wall being perpendicular to said inclined support member; and a restraining means attachable from the rear support means to the front wall for retaining a sorted bundle of mail upon the inclined support member, whereby the mail carrier may withdraw the next to be delivered article of mail from the bundle while said restraining means keeps the remaining articles of mail in their sorted order.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The portable mail delivery tray of claim 1, and further comprising an inclined support member attached to said front wall for supporting the articles of the sorted bundle of mail at an angle, whereby the mail carrier may view the next to be delivered item of mail on said inclined support member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The portable mail delivery tray of claim 1, wherein said restraining means is an elastic member fixed at one end to said rear support means and said elastic member is releasably secured to said front wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The portable mail delivery tray of claim 1, wherein said front wall includes a downwardly sloping upper edge for providing access to the last mail items supported on the mail tray.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The portable mail delivery tray of claim 1 and further comprising: a compartmentalized receiving station attached to said transverse side wall for segregating and organizing mail items received by a rural mail carrier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The portable mail delivery tray of claim 1 wherein said restraining means is a spring tensioning member secured at one end to said rear support means and extending to and releasably securable to said front wall.
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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) | 1984-03-09 | 1984-09-08 | 1985-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-09 | 1988-09-08 | 1989-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-09 | 1992-09-08 | 1993-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |