US4316575A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mailbox indicator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-06-10
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Granted: 1982-02-23
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Expires: 2000-06-10
Abstract
Abstract An indicator for attachment to a mailbox for actuation upon mailbox door opening. A flag asembly is mounted on an elevated base of the indicator and includes a flag spring urged to the raised position. The flag is hingedly attached to a rotatable carrier plate permitting optimum flag visibility to the home owner. A flag release assembly includes an arm having one end in the mailbox door path with flag release occurring upon lifting of the arm which disengages the flag from a magnetic latch. The base and carrier plate have concentric openings through which flag release member extends to permit carrier plate rotation during flag positioning.
Inventors
- 👤 Juel L. VanDarwarka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:29
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47G; A47G29/00; A47G29/12; A47G29/1209; A47G29/121; A47G2029/12105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
An indicator for mailbox attachment comprising, a base for securement to a door closed mailbox, said base including a wall spaced from the mailbox, a flag assembly on said base including a carrier plate, a spring biased flag hingedly mounted on said plate, pivot means mounting said carrier plate on said base wall, latch means operable to retain the flag in a retracted position, and, a flag release assembly including an arm swingably mounted at one of its ends to said base and terminating at its distal end in the path of the mailbox door, flag release means carried by said arm and engageable with said flag upon door opening to disengage same from said latch means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
An indicator for mailbox attachment comprising, a base for securement to a door closed mailbox, said base including a wall spaced from the mailbox, a flag assembly on said base including a carrier plate, a spring biased flag hingedly mounted on said plate, pivot means mounting said carrier plate on said base wall, latch means operable to retain the flag in a retracted position, and, a flag release assembly including an arm swingably mounted at one of its ends to said base and terminating at its distal end in the path of the mailbox door, flag release means carried by said arm and engageable with said flag upon door opening to disengage same from said latch means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The mailbox indicator claimed in claim 1 additionally including adhesive means applied to the underside of said base for the purpose of mailbox attachment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The indicator claimed in claim 1 additionally including pivot means mounting said carrier plate on said base wall for rotation of the plate about an upright axis coincident with the axis of said flag release means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The indicator claimed in claim 3 additionally including a lock screw acting on and securing the carrier plate against rotation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The indicator claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein said latching means is a permanent magnet secured to said carrier plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The indicator claimed in claim 5 whereby said flag release means is a threaded member enabling varying of the effective length thereof between said flag and said arm enabling flag release with different magnitudes of arm travel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-02-22 | 1985-08-24 | 1986-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-02-22 | 1989-08-24 | 1990-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-02-22 | 1993-08-24 | 1994-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |