US 7,070,090 B2Granted

Kit and method for field-modification of a mailbox to protect against mail theft

OwnerHoward Raneninventor

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A kit, and method of installation thereof, for field-modification of a mailbox to protect against mail theft. An exemplary kit includes: a security panel having a peripheral shape conforming to the interior dimensions of an opening defined by walls of the mailbox and a slot suitable for mail pieces to be inserted through the security panel, wherein the opening provides full access to the interior of the mailbox when a hinged door is moved from a closed position to an open position; a hinge piece having a first portion adapted to be secured to a wall of the mailbox proximate to the opening and a second portion adapted to be hingedly coupled to a first edge of the security panel, whereby the security panel provides full access to the interior of the mailbox when moved from a closed position to an open position; a first lock member coupled to the security panel; and, a second lock member having a first portion adapted to be secured to a wall of the mailbox proximate to the opening and a second portion adapted to interlock with the first lock member, whereby the security panel can be locked when moved from an open position to a closed position.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A kit for field-modification of a mailbox to protect against mail theft, wherein said mailbox comprises walls that define an opening at an end of said mailbox, wherein a hinged door is affixed to said mailbox proximate to said opening, said opening providing full access to the interior of said mailbox when said hinged door is moved from a closed position to an open position, said kit comprising:

a security panel having a peripheral shape conforming to the interior dimensions of said opening defined by said walls and a slot suitable for mail pieces to be inserted through said security panel;
a hinge piece having a first portion adapted to be secured to one of said walls of said mailbox proximate to said opening and a second portion adapted to be hingedly coupled to a first edge of said security panel, whereby said security panel provides full access to the interior of said mailbox when said security panel is moved from a closed position to an open position;
at least one first coupler for securing said first portion of said hinge piece to said one of said walls of said mailbox;
a first lock member coupled to said security panel at a second edge opposite to said first edge of said security panel;
and,
a second lock member having a first portion adapted to be secured to another of said walls of said mailbox proximate to said opening and a second portion adapted to interlock with said first lock member whereby said security panel can be locked when said security panel is moved from said open position to said closed position;
and
at least one second coupler for securing said second lock member to said another of said walls of said mailbox;
wherein, when said kit is installed in said mailbox, a secure region for receiving deposited mail articles is substantially bounded by said security panel and said walls of said mailbox rearward of said panel, thereby allowing substantially the full volume of said mailbox behind said security panel to hold said deposited mail articles.

6 more elements

A method for field-modification of a mailbox to protect against mail theft, wherein said mailbox comprises walls that define an opening at an end of said mailbox, wherein a hinged door is affixed to said mailbox proximate to said opening, said opening providing full access to the interior of said mailbox when said hinged door is moved from a closed position to an open position, said method comprising the steps of:

securing a first portion of a hinge piece to one of said walls within said mailbox proximate to said opening;
securing a first portion of a first lock member to another of said walls within said mailbox proximate to said opening;
coupling a first edge of a security panel to a second portion of said hinge piece, said security panel having a peripheral shape conforming to the interior dimensions of said opening defined by said walls and a slot suitable for mail pieces to be inserted through said security panel, said security panel providing full access to the interior of said mailbox when said security panel is moved from a closed position to an open position, said security panel having a second lock member coupled to said security panel, said first lock member having a second portion adapted to interlock with said second lock member whereby said security panel can be locked when said security panel is moved from said open position to said closed position;
wherein, a secure region for receiving deposited mail articles is substantially bounded by said security panel and said walls of said mailbox rearward of said panel, thereby allowing substantially the full volume of said mailbox behind said security panel to hold said deposited mail articles.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.