US 5,271,555 A · Movable mailbox tray

Abstract

A new and improved movable mailbox tray is provided for a mailbox. The movable mailbox tray is in the form of a trolley that rides on a plurality of rollers for providing a rolling contact between the movable tray and the mailbox. The rollers permit the movable trolley to move easily into and out of a mailbox. The movable trolley can also include a fence for retaining mail on the tray. A kit for converting a conventional mailbox into one with a movable tray includes a movable trolley, a first spring for connecting the movable trolley to a hinged mailbox door, and an opposing second spring for connecting the opposite end of the trolley to a fixed wall of the mailbox. When the mailbox door is opened, the first spring will pull the trolley partially out from the interior of the mailbox. The opposing second spring will pull the trolley back into the interior of the mailbox when the door is closed. The kit can also include electrical components to provide an automatic, electric, mail-signalling device which automatically energizes a lamp providing a signal that the mailbox door has been opened.

Claims5

Dependent claims

A movable tray kit for attaching to a mailbox, wherein the mailbox includes a door and an outer housing, and wherein the outer housing includes a substantially horizontal, fixed lower housing panel, and also includes a rear vertical wall, said kit, comprising:

a movable tray assembly which includes,
a tray floor for retaining mail deposited thereon,
and
roller means, located between said tray floor and the lower housing panel of the mailbox, for providing a rolling contact between said tray floor and the fixed lower housing panel;
means for connecting said movable tray assembly to the mailbox door;
and
means for connecting said movable tray assembly to the rear vertical wall of the mailbox,
wherein said mailbox further includes a first roof panel extending from said mailbox rear wall toward said mailbox door, said first roof panel being spaced a predetermined distance above said floor of said movable tray assembly, and wherein said tray assembly has a second roof panel extending toward said mailbox door above said tray assembly floor and below said first mailbox roof panel such that said second roof panel provides a protective top substantially covering the floor of said tray assembly when said tray assembly is caused to roll on said fixed lower housing panel.

5 more elements

a movable tray assembly which includes,
a tray floor for retaining mail deposited thereon,
and
roller means, located between said tray floor and the lower housing panel of the mailbox, for providing a rolling contact between said tray floor and the fixed lower housing panel;
means for connecting said movable tray assembly to the mailbox door;
and
means for connecting said movable tray assembly to the rear vertical wall of the mailbox;
further including electrical lamp signaling means for providing a light signal for indicating when the mailbox door has been opened, and
wherein said electrical lamp signaling means includes a tray-controlled switch.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Movable mailbox tray

Life of this patent

Movable mailbox tray

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims5