US 4,868,543 AGranted

Remote mailbox alarm system

AssigneeSynpac Corporation

InventorDennis E. Binkley

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Abstract

A remote mailbox alarm system comprising a mailbox unit (10) and a house module (14) is disclosed. The mailbox unit (10) comprises a position-sensitive door switch (22) which activates timer circuit (54), a mail sensing circuit (37), and a transmitter (56) located on an insert board (24) insertable inside mailbox (12). When activated, mail sensing circuit (37) energizes a light-emitting diode (34) to emit infrared light waves that reflect off mail placed inside mailbox (12) and onto phototransistor (36) which thereby causes the transmitter switch (49) to energize transmitter (56). When door switch (22) is opened, the timer circuit (54) allows the transmitter (56) to continue transmitting for a predetermined period of time. Signals from transmitter (56) are received by receiver circuit (58) which activates a speaker (60) and a lamp (48). When the timer circuit (54) times out, the speaker (60) is deactivated while lamp (48) continues lit until deenergized by the pushing of reset switch (62).

Claims10

Dependent claims

A remote mailbox alarm system for a mailbox having a door that is openable and closable, the remote mailbox alarm system comprising:

a transmitter and an antenna, suitable for being located proximate to a mailbox for transmitting a signal when said transmitter is energized;
switch means suitable for mounting in a mailbox for detecting the opening of the door of said mailbox;
a timer circuit connected to said switch means for producing an output signal for a predetermined period of time after said switch means detects the opening of the door of said mailbox;
mail sensing circuit connected to said timer circuit and said transmitter for energizing said transmitter, said mail sensing circuit including at least one mail sensing means for sensing the presence of mail inside said mailbox, said mail sensing circuit energizing said transmitter only when said timer circuit is producing an output signal and said mail sensing means detects the presence of mail inside said mailbox;
a remote receiver and an antenna for receiving said signal, transmitted by said transmitter suitable for being located in a residence remote from said mailbox;
and
an alarm means coupled to said receiver, said alarm means being activated by said receiver when said receiver receives said signal produced by said transmitter.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.