US 5,400,960 AGranted

Letter locker mailbox assembly

OwnerJohn T. Jeffsinventor

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Abstract

The top door of the letter locker mailbox covers both the incoming mail chute, and the outgoing mail tray. This configuration provides the mail carrier with one or two less significant arm movements in servicing the mailbox. The door, chute and tray are weather protected by a solid, two inch weather shield. The top door is secured by a full length one inch magnetic strip. The bottom mail receiving and storage compartment is secured by a locking door, secured at the top center by a mail handling utility lock. The door is protected from theft by prying, by the weather security shield above, and weather security shields on both sides. The bottom door stainless steel rod hinge is permanent, secured in the assembly at the time of manufacturing, and cannot be pried. The construction and design of the entire mailbox is a unique, superior improvement. The entire compartment of the mailbox is constructed of Electro-galvanzied steel, 4 to 6 gauges heavier than comparable mailboxes. The doors of the mailbox are constructed of Electro-galvanzied steel, 6 gauges heavier than comparable mailboxes. The top and sides shell of the mailbox is one piece, 16 gauge steel, and solid protection against theft, vandalism and weather. The top door handle and hinge are stainless steel, heavier and superior to comparable mailboxes. The entire finish is powder coated, which is far superior to comparable mailboxes. Each major part is powder coated separately for maximum protection and durability. The pedestal post is constructed and powder coated for superior strength and protection. The prefabricated anchor is included, and unique to the letter locker mailbox assembly. The overall design and appearance is unique and superior to all other comparable mailboxes. Convenience for the mail carrier and owner, security for the mail, protection against vandalism, and a durable lifetime mailbox is the ideal we all hope for. Our mail is one of the most important things in our lives. The letter locker mailbox invention is the answer to that hope.

A curbside theft, vandal and weather resistant mailbox, rectangular in shape having conveniently contiguous areas for incoming mail, outgoing mail, mail storage and retrieval access from substantially the same vertical level, and substantially constructed of generally flat, heavy duty rust-free metals and rust-free attendant hardware, said mailbox comprising:

an outer housing consisting of a single-piece top and sides, said sides equally bent down at right angles;
a vertical back attached to said outer housing at the rear top and rear sides of said outer housing;
a horizontal floor attached to said outer housing at the lower side of said vertical back and the lower sides of said outer housing, thus completing the basic structure of said outer housing;
said horizontal floor having a vertical mailbox post attachment region;
said outer housing extending and angled substantially forward from the bottom front of said sides, to the upper front of said sides and front of said top, to provide an overall weather shield for said areas of mail receiving, outgoing mail, mail storage and retrieval;
a substantially tubular steel, rectangular four-sided front frame, with a horizontal cross member, approximately centered vertically in said front frame, said front frame attached to the top,-floor and sides of the forward portion of said outer housing;
an inclined outgoing mail tray compartment formed substantially horizontal and sufficiently vertical by upper, rear and lower pieces contiguous to said outer housing sides and attached to said front frame, at the upper vertical sides of said front frame and below, to said horizontal cross member of said front frame;
said lower piece extending forward and angled down from said horizontal cross member, and inclined inward to said outer housing approximately half way from the front of said outer housing;
said rear piece bent at a right angle from the inward upper piece and attached to the inward lower piece, thus forming said compartment of sufficient size to handle quantities of outgoing mail;
a horizontal incoming mail slot and inclined chute formed within the uppermost and forward portion of said outer housing by the attachments of said front frame and said inclined outgoing mail tray compartment sufficiently below and in such a manner as to form said incoming mail slot opening of sufficient size to deposit quantities of incoming mail;
a mail storage and retrieval area inside the lower and remaining portion of said mailbox.

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Abstract

Claims9