US4643306A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Postal tray
Assignee: ALPHA MAIL SYSTEMS
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Filing: 1985-11-08
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Granted: 1987-02-17
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Expires: 2005-11-08
Abstract
Abstract A postal tray to facilitate the sorting and distribution of mail in the form of a box-like configuration having an open top and an open front. The tray includes a plurality of removable partitions which when used forms a series of pockets within which is to be located mailing envelopes. An elongated rod is included within the tray with the rod being movable from an access position to a position preventing accidental dislodgement of mailing envelopes from the pockets. The tray includes brackets formed on the upper surface thereof to facilitate stacking with another tray. Also, each tray is provided with a pair of tie down brackets which are to be connected with an elongated member such as a bar to tie together stacked postal trays.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrick Ryan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 03:44
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C7/00; B07C7/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
A postal tray facilitating the sorting and distribution of mail comprising: a housing, said housing having a planar bottom wall which has a peripheral edge, a pair of planar side walls attached to said peripheral edge and extending from said bottom wall, a planar back wall attached to said peripheral edge and extending from said bottom wall, said back wall located between said side walls, said housing having an open top and open front, an internal chamber defined by said bottom wall and enclosed by said side walls and said back wall; an opening assembly formed within said bottom wall, said opening assembly connecting with said internal chamber; a plurality of planar partition members removably mounted within said opening assembly, said partition members extending within said internal chamber, pockets being formed between directly adjacent partition members, said pockets being adapted to receive postal envelopes; and a rod connected to said side walls and extending therebetween, said rod being located directly adjacent said top and directly adjacent said front, said rod being movable with respect to said side walls between an upper position and a lower position, said upper position locating said rod across said top, said lower position locating said rod across said front.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
A postal tray facilitating the sorting and distribution of mail comprising: a housing, said housing having a planar bottom wall which has a peripheral edge, a pair of planar side walls attached to said peripheral edge and extending from said bottom wall, a planar back wall attached to said peripheral edge and extending from said bottom wall, said back wall located between said side walls, said housing having an open top and open front, an internal chamber defined by said bottom wall and enclosed by said side walls and said back wall; an opening assembly formed within said bottom wall, said opening assembly connecting with said internal chamber; a plurality of planar partition members removably mounted within said opening assembly, said partition members extending within said internal chamber, pockets being formed between directly adjacent partition members, said pockets being adapted to receive postal envelopes; and a rod connected to said side walls and extending therebetween, said rod being located directly adjacent said top and directly adjacent said front, said rod being movable with respect to said side walls between an upper position and a lower position, said upper position locating said rod across said top, said lower position locating said rod across said front.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The postal tray as defined in claim 1 wherein: each said side wall including an L-shaped slot, an end of said rod connecting with each said slot, the length of said slots defining the length of movement of said rod from said upper position to said lower position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The postal tray as defined in claim 2 including: a stacking bracket assembly mounted on said side walls and said back wall, said stacking bracket assembly adapted to facilitate stacking with another said postal tray.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The postal tray as defined in claim 3 including: a tie down bracket mounted on said bottom wall, said tie down bracket including a hole, said hole being adapted to connect with a separate tie down device to fix in position said postal tray during transporting of said postal tray from one location to another.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The postal tray as defined in claim 4 including: each said side wall including a handle opening, said handle openings facilitating manual grapsing for lifting and transporting of said postal tray.
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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) | 1990-02-16 | 1990-08-18 | 1991-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-16 | 1994-08-18 | 1995-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-16 | 1998-08-18 | 1999-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |