No-dig mailbox
AssigneeThe Simplay3 Company
InventorsJohn Hradisky, Keary Knerem
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mailbox assembly that may be provided on a surface and freely movable by an end user from one location to another without digging a hole for the post. The mailbox assembly includes a post, a mail receptacle on an upper poste end, and a base on a lower base end. The base includes one or more hollow cavities for retaining ballast material to thereby move a center of gravity of the mailbox assembly towards the bottom surface, such that the mailbox can withstand 100 N of force applied perpendicular to the post without toppling. The post may also have one or more cavities for holding ballast material.
Claims20
A mailbox assembly comprising:
- a post having a top end and bottom end, the post further comprising a flange arranged at the bottom end;
- a receptacle provided on the post at the top end;
- and
- a base provided at the bottom end of the post, the base further comprising a first part and a second part, the first part and the second part being separable from each other to expose a first interlocking face and second interlocking face, respectively, the first interlocking face and the second interlocking face at least partially defining a channel when in contact with each other, the flange being receivable within the channel, wherein the first and second interlocking faces each further comprise stepped surfaces that engage and retain the flange when the bottom end of the post is received within the channel to thereby retain and restrict movement of the post.
A mailbox assembly comprising:
- a post having a top end and bottom end, the post further comprising a flange arranged at the bottom end;
- a receptacle provided on the post at the top end;
- a base provided on the bottom end of the post having at least two separable parts that, when connected together, define a channel within which the flange is securable, wherein separating a first part of the at least two separable parts from a second part of the at least two separable parts exposes a first and second interlocking face, respectively, the first and second interlocking face at least partially defining portions of the channel, wherein the first and second interlocking faces each further comprise stepped surfaces that engage and retain the flange when the bottom end of the post is received within the channel to thereby retain and restrict movement of the post.
A method of assembling a mailbox assembly, comprising:
- separating a first part of a base from a second part of the base to expose a first interlocking face on the first part and a second interlocking face on the second part, the first interlocking face and the second interlocking face defining a channel when interlocked together, wherein the first and second interlocking faces each further comprise stepped surfaces;
- positioning a bottom end of a post between the first interlocking face and the second interlocking face, wherein a receptacle is provided on an upper end of the post;
- and
- interlocking the first part and the second part of the base together such that the stepped surfaces engage and retain the bottom end of the post within the channel to thereby retain and restrict movement of the post.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.