Automatic remote mail alert system
OwnerRonald J. Bennettinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A remote mailbox alerting system for advising users of the system to the delivery of mail to a mail receptacle containing the system. The system includes a floating mail sensing assembly utilizing a pair of opposing, parallel, nonaligned doughnut like magnets, and a radio frequency transmitter in electrical communication therewith. At a remote location, such as the dwelling, a receiver is provided for receiving transmitted signals upon activation of the mail sensing assembly and transmitter. To alert the user, an alarm system is included.
Claims9
A remote mailbox alerting system to advise a user to the delivery of mail to the user's mailbox, said system comprising:
- a.) a mail sensing means disposed within the mailbox and operable by the weight of mail positioned thereon, said sensing means comprising:
- (i.) upper and lower spaced apart planar housing members generally aligned in a parallel relationship, each said housing mounting a centrally positioned doughnut magnet, where the respective polarities of said magnets are rotatively misaligned to maintain said housings spaced during nonuse,
- (ii.) at least a pair of vertically aligned electrical contacts, whereupon movement of the upper housing toward the lower housing will bring said contacts into electrical engagement, and
- (iii.) a radio frequency transmitter in electrical communication with said contacts,
- b.) a remote radio frequency receiver, responsive to transmitted signals from said transmitter, having a DIP switch;
- and,
- c.) an alarm means in electrical communication with said DIP switch, whereby said receiver, upon receipt of said transmitted signal, activates said DIP switch which in turn activates said alarm to alert the user thereof to the delivery of mail to said mailbox.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.