# US 9,433,314 B2 · Pivotable support system and apparatus for a mailbox > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,433,314 B2 - Document ID: US9433314B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/745,016 - Filed: 2015-06-19 - Published: 2015-12-31 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-06-30 - Assignees: Global Insight Marketing, Inc. - Applicants: Global Insight Marketing, Inc. - Inventors: Brian D. Schroeder; Duane M. Durkos - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9433314B2 ## CPC - A47G 29/1216: {Supports} - F16M 11/08: around a vertical axis {, e.g. panoramic heads (F16M11/12 takes precedence)} - A47G: HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT (book-ends A47B5/00; knives B26B) - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS ## Abstract A rotating mailbox device is provided. The device includes a base plate having a fulcrum post fixed thereto and a position plate having at least one retaining hole defined therein. There is a spring positioned within the retaining hole and a ball bearing positioned at least partially within the retaining hole. The system also includes a box bracket rotatably coupled to the base plate via the fulcrum post. The box bracket has at least one retainer hole defined therein. The box bracket has a first position that aligns a first retainer hole of the box bracket of the at least one retainer hole with a first retaining hole of the at least one retaining hole of the position plate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A rotating mailbox device comprising: a base plate having a fulcrum post fixed thereto; a position plate having at least one retaining hole defined therein; a spring positioned within the retaining hole; a ball bearing positioned at least partially within the retaining hole; a box bracket rotatably coupled to the base plate via the fulcrum post, the box bracket having at least one retainer hole defined therein, the retainer hole located such that the box bracket has a first position that aligns a first retainer hole of the box bracket of the at least one retainer hole with a first retaining hole of the at least one retaining hole of the position plate, the box bracket having a second position wherein a condition is satisfied selected from the group of: 1) the first retainer hole of the box bracket aligns with a second retaining hole of the at least one retaining hole of the position plate; and 2) the first retaining hole of the position plate aligns with a second retainer hole of the box bracket of the at least one retainer hole. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second retainer holes of the box bracket are offset by 90-degrees about the fulcrum post and the first and second retaining holes of the position plate are offset by 90-degrees about the fulcrum post. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein each of the base plate, position plate, and box bracket have through holes that are co-axial when the box bracket is in the first position and in the second position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3 wherein the through holes are sized and shaped to accept fasteners to fix the base plate and position plate relative to a mailbox post. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, wherein the through holes are offset by 45-degrees relative to the retaining holes about the fulcrum post. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the ball bearing is biased by the spring into engagement with the box bracket. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, wherein the ball bearing is biased by the spring into engagement with the at least one retainer hole of the box bracket. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the spring urges the box bracket out of engagement with the fulcrum post and a retaining ring coupled to the fulcrum post prevents the box bracket from disengaging from the fulcrum post. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the box bracket includes a base and at least one side coupled to the base, the base including the at least one retainer hole, the at least one side extending generally perpendicular to the base. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The device of claim 9, wherein the at least one side includes a wall and at least one attachment hole positioned to receive a fastener to couple a mailbox to the box bracket. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, further including a wood slab sized to fit on the box bracket between two walls of the at least one side wall, the wood slab positioned to receive the fastener that couples the mailbox to the box bracket. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the spring has a compressed state where the overall length of the spring and ball bearing is less than a depth of the retaining hole defined in the position plate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the position plate is square. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein each retaining hole in the position plate has a matching retaining hole disposed on the opposing side of the fulcrum such that each spring has a matching spring providing an equal force on the opposing side of the fulcrum. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the position plate includes four retaining holes. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein each retaining hole is located proximate a respective corner of the square position plate.