Mail arrival signal system

The combination of a mail receiving container and a system for signalling the arrival of mail to said container, said system including:

• (a) a mailbox of a type comprised of an elongated container having a bottom, sidewalls, a rear end, and an open end, said open end having attached thereto a door, said door being outwardly pivotable, manually movable, and normally closed;
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• (b) a transmitter assembly for placement at the rear of said mailbox, comprising:
• (i) radio-frequency transmitter means, said transmitter means including high efficiency thin film solar cells, said solar cells adapted to collect sunlight falling thereon and to generate a direct-current output therefrom, said transmitter means also including direct-current storage means adapted to receive said direct current output from said solar cells and to store electrical energy in response thereto;
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• (ii) a transmitter housing adapted to enclose said transmitter means;
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• (iii) a switch means, said switch means electrically connected to said transmitter means, said switch means responsive to angular displacement of said door by an angle Alpha (.alpha.), said response of said switch means operating to trigger emission of a radio signal by said transmitter means;
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• (c) a receiving and signalling assembly for placement at a remote location, said assembly comprising:
• (i) a receiving antenna means, said receiving antenna means adapted to detect said radio frequency signal radiated by said transmitter means;
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• (ii) a radio-frequency receiver, said receiver tuned to receive said signal radiated by said transmitter means and detected by said receiving antenna means, said alarm means responsive to signals received by said receiver to provide a signal indicating the opening of said door, thereby indicating the arrival of mail.

An automatic system for signalling arrival of mail, said signal system for use with a mailbox of a type comprised of an elongated container having a bottom, sidewalls, a rear end, and an open end, said open end having attached thereto a door, said door being outwardly pivotable, manually movable, and normally closed, said signal system comprising:

• (a) a transmitter assembly for placement at said mailbox, comprising:
• (i) radio-frequency transmitter means, said transmitter means including high efficiency thin film solar cells, said solar cells adapted to collect sunlight falling thereon and to generate a direct-current output therefrom, said transmitter means also including direct-current storage means adapted to receive said direct current output from said solar cells and to store electrical energy in response thereto;
• and
• (ii) a transmitter housing adapted to enclose said transmitter means;
• and
• (iii) a switch means internally mounted on said door, said switch means electrically connected to said transmitter means, said switch means responsive to angular displacement of said door by an angle Alpha (.alpha.), said response of said switch means operating to trigger emission of a radio frequency signal by said transmitter means;
• and
• (b) a receiving and signalling assembly for placement at a remote location, said assembly comprising:
• (i) a receiving antenna means, said receiving antenna means adapted to detect said radio frequency signal radiated by said transmitter means;
• and
• (ii) a radio-frequency receiver, said receiver tuned to receive said signal radiated by said transmitter means and detected by said receiving antenna means, said receiver further including an alarm means, said alarm means responsive to signals received by said receiver to provide a signal indicating the opening of said door, thereby indicating the arrival of mail.