Illuminating address indication device
OwnerWayne Cathelinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An illuminating mailbox address indication device includes a generally rectangular shaped housing mounted on a top portion of a mailbox wherein at least one longitudinal wall is removable. Enclosed within the housing is a light means powered by at least one rechargeable battery energized by a solar cell mounted upon the housing top wall in a recess formed therein. A photosensitive cell operates a switch to permit the light means to illuminate when a pre-determined threshold has been exceeded relevant to the amount of ambient light present around the mailbox (i.e., at night). At least one of the longitudinal housing side walls is translucent and further supports indica stenciled thereupon which represents the address of the property associated with the mailbox.
Claims25
An illuminating address indication device comprising:
- a) a housing having a pair of longitudinal side walls, a pair of opposed end walls and a top wall, the longitudinal side walls, opposed end walls and top wall forming an inner channel and a bottom side for the housing, each longitudinal side wall having a bottom edge, at least one longitudinal side wall of the pair permitting light to shine there through,
- b) a base member positioned along the housing bottom side along the pair of longitudinal side wall bottom edges;
- c) light means mounted within the housing inner channel for illuminating the address indication device;
- d) at least one battery mounted within the housing inner channel and electrically coupled to the light means for supplying power thereto;
- e) switching means mounted within the housing inner channel for operating a switch in response to a pre-determined threshold of ambient light being exceeded, the switch electrically coupled between the battery and the light means;
- and
- f) indicia mounted on the housing at least one longitudinal side wall permitting light to shine there through.
An illuminating address indication device comprising:
- a) a housing having a pair of longitudinal side walls, a pair of opposed end walls and a top wall, the longitudinal side walls, opposed end walls and top wall forming an inner channel and a bottom side for the housing, each longitudinal side wall having a bottom edge, at least one longitudinal side wall permitting light to shine there through,
- b) a base member having a top and bottom surface and a pair of opposed outwardly extending side portions forming a shelf member along an outer edge of the opposed outwardly extending side portions, the base member bottom surface mounted to a top portion of a mailbox, a bottom edge of each of the pair of the housing longitudinal side walls resting upon one shelf member of each base member opposed outwardly extending side portion when the housing bottom side mates with the base member,
- c) light means mounted within the housing inner channel for illuminating the address indication device,
- d) at least one battery mounted within the housing inner channel and electrically coupled to the light means for supplying power thereto,
- e) switching means mounted within the housing inner channel for operating a switch in response to a pre-determined threshold of ambient light being exceeded, the switch electrically coupled between the battery and the light means,
- f) a solar cell mounted on the housing for collecting sunlight radiation and energizing the at least one battery, and
- g) indicia mounted on at least one of the pair of the longitudinal side walls.
An illuminating address indication mailbox comprising:
- a) a container having a flat bottom portion, a pair of upwardly extending side walls, a back wall, a front door, and a top wall, the container forming an inner compartment for receiving mail, the container supported by a post mounted to a ground surface;
- b) a housing having a pair of longitudinal side walls, a pair of opposed end walls and a top wall, the longitudinal side walls, opposed end walls and top wall forming an inner channel, at least one of the pair of longitudinal side walls being translucent, the housing mounted upon the container top wall;
- c) light means mounted within the housing inner channel for illuminating the address indication mailbox;
- d) at least one battery mounted within the housing and electrically coupled to the light means for supplying power thereto;
- e) switching means mounted within the housing for operating a switch in response to a pre-determined threshold of ambient light being exceeded, the switch electrically coupled between the battery and the light means, and
- f) indicia mounted on at least one of the pair of housing longitudinal side walls.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.