Mailbox with an extended downward sloping chute

#The present invention generally relates to a mailbox, and more particularly to a mailbox including an extended downward sloping chute into and through which mail and packages destined for the mailbox's owner can be deposited.

#The conventional mailbox comprises a horizontally elongated body having a small door placed pivotably at the top of the box for placing mail and a locked door at the bottom for removing the mail placed in the box. While such mailboxes may be suitable for mail or small packages, these boxes pose certain disadvantages.

#One of the disadvantages commonly associated with the conventional mailbox is that large packages cannot be inserted in the mailbox through the small door at the top of the box. Large packages are therefore often placed next to the mailbox without any means for prevention of pilferage.

#The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same reference numbers in different figures indicate similar or identical items.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary mailbox according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

#FIG. 2 is a front view of an exemplary mailbox according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

#The various aspects of the subject innovation are now described with reference to the annexed drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like or corresponding elements throughout. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description relating thereto are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter to the particular form disclosed. Rather, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter.

#Referring to FIGS. 1-2, there is seen an exemplary mailbox 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The mailbox 100 can comprise a plurality of legs 101 and a body 103. The plurality of legs 101 supports the body 103 of the mailbox 100. The body 103 can be in any shape having an inner hollow space. Preferably, the body 103 comprises a front member 105, a rear member (not shown), a right side member 107, a left side member (not shown), and a bottom member (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, the right side member 107 can comprise a door 111 that is pivotably hinged on the right side member 107 of the body 103. The door 111 comprises a lock 112 such that the door 111 allows controlled and authorized access to the mailbox's contents. It is noted that the door 111 can be disposed at any member of the body 103.

#Still referring to FIGS. 1-2, the mailbox 100 further comprises a downward sloping chute 120. While the downward sloping chute 120 can be in any appropriate shape to accommodate mail and package of various sizes, in a preferred embodiment, the downward sloping chute 120 comprises a top member 121, a right side member 123, a left side member 125, and a bottom member 127, which together form an external opening 130 that is disposed in front of and distanced from the mailbox 100. The external opening 130 can be distanced from the mailbox 100 at an arm's length or longer such that one cannot easily access items disposed in the mailbox 100. In a preferred embodiment, the top member 121 of the downward sloping chute 120 can extend at a downward slope from the top portion of the rear member of the mailbox 100 to the external opening 130, providing rapid run off of rain. In another embodiment, the top member 121 can extend from the top portion of the rear member of the mailbox 100 to the front member 105 of the mailbox 100 at a first slope or flat, and from the front member 105 of the mailbox 100 to the external opening 130 at a second slope. The rear member is taller than the front member 105 such that the top member 121 of the downward sloping chute 120 is sloped downward towards the external opening 130. The top member 121 is attached to the top portion of the body 103 of the mailbox 100 and to the right side and left side members 125, 127 of the downward sloping chute 120. The right and left side members 125, 127 of the downward sloping chute 120 extends from the front member 105 of the body 103 to the external opening 130 of the downward sloping chute 120 and are attached to the bottom member 127 of the downward sloping chute 120, which also extends from the front member 105 of the body 103 to the external opening 130 of the downward sloping chute 120. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom member 127 is disposed parallel to the top member 121. A connecting section 140 inside the downward sloping chute 120, where the front member 105 of the body 103 meets downward sloping chute 120, forms an internal opening 140 though which items can be deposited in the body 103 of the mailbox 100.