Mail reminder

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates to a mail reminder device including a plurality of means attached to a post-mounted mailbox, whereby one may visually determine whether or not the mailbox has been opened.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

#For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the invention mounted on a mailbox showing interior details in phantom.

#FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the invention shown in FIG. 1.

#This invention relates to a mail reminder device of the type designed to be mounted on a mailbox, generally indicated as 10 in FIG. 1, and comprises signal means generally indicated as 12 in FIG. 1, and flag retractor means generally indicated as 14 in FIG. 2. Signal means 12 is attached to top 16 of the mailbox and includes attachment plate 18 and indicator 20.

#Attachment plate 18 is mounted to top 16 by means of any suitable fastening device 22, such as screws, bolts or rivets. With reference to FIG. 2, two arms 26 are formed on plate 18 and extend upwardly from top 16. Arms 26 include apertures 28 formed therein. Legs 30 are formed on end 32 of indicator 20 in corresponding relation to arms 26, as best seen in FIG. 4. Legs 30 include apertures (not shown) formed therethrough in corresponding relation to apertures 28 of arms 26. Indicator 20 is movably connected to attachment plate 18 by placing legs 30 within arms 26 and passing pin 34 through apertures 28 and the corresponding apertures formed in legs 30. Indicator 20 is urged toward a normally exposed position by virtue of biasing means 36 placed around pin 34.

#Signal means 12 further comprises stop plate 38 movably disposed on top 16 in abutting relation to base 32 of indicator 20. Stop plate means 38 is operated by a substantially J-shaped stop arm 40 which is disposed on the inside 42 of top 16. Curved portion 44 of stop arm 40 extends through an elongated aperture 46 formed in top 16 and is fixedly attached at end 48 to stop plate 38. A stop biasing means 50 is attached in interconnecting relation between curved portion 44 and one of the fastening devices 22 so as to normally urge stop plate 38 in abutting relation to a portion of indicator 20. As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 8, curved end 52 of stop plate 38 is in abutting relation to end 32 of indicator 20. Handle means 54 is formed at the other end of stop arm 40, and stop arm 40 is slidingly retained in substantially parallel relation to inside 42 of top 16 by bracket 56.