Abstract: A lock is adapted for use within a box, container or fastening wherein the lock makes the box, container or fastening freely openable for a first opening, but locked after once opened and reclosed. The lock shown in a preferred embodiment is adapted to fit within a standard rural mailbox of the type approved for use by the U.S. Postal Service wherein an inner lock box is formed within the standard mailbox by a front hinged plate operable in conjunction with movement of the front door of the mailbox and a curved top releaseable by complete closure of the mailbox door wherein such inner lock box front plate and top remain in the completely spread and open position when the mailbox is first opened (presumably by the mailman) and wherein the inner lock box front plate and top are in the closed and locked position upon the second opening of the mailbox such that a key is required to re-open the inner lock box.

Abstract: A multiple-unit mailbox apparatus comprising a number of parallel hinge door assemblies, a plurality of tubular mail receptacles and an outer support structure including a front panel which supports the receptacles and the hinge door assemblies at its front surface. The outer support structure also includes interconnected top, bottom and side panels including a back panel. The front panel has a plurality of container openings in which the mail receptacles are supported in spaced relationship from each other so that the receptacles can receive mail inserted therethrough. Each hinge door assembly includes a hinge rod fixedly mounted at its opposite ends to top and bottom weather strip portions of the front panel. Each hinge rod extends through intermediate strip portions of the front panel which are positioned between adjacent container openings.

Abstract: A post office locker for use in the delivery of both letters and packages to tenants of a multiple tenant building or the like, wherein packages are stored in appropriately sized storage cabinets to which access may be gained by intended recipients by use of access keys placed by a mailman in the letter boxes of such recipients. Each cabinet is fitted with a latch mechanism permitting recipients to return doors of cabinets from which packages have been removed to locked condition in a manner providing for the "capture" of the access keys until removed by a mailman for subsequent use. Preferably, the doors are fitted with return mechanisms providing for locking of such doors automatically upon return thereof into closed condition.

Abstract: A kit for a traditional rural mail box into which mail is usually delivered through an opening in the front of the box, to convert such a mail box into one having two separate compartments, one of which is secured by a lock and into which mail may be placed through a slot and the other of which is open in the usual way, for reception of newspapers, periodicals and other mail whose contents is not of such value as to require secure delivery.

Abstract: A mail message unit of multi compartment type for commercial use; including an elongated case divided into a row of compartments by partitions therebetween, an individually locked, pivotable front door for each compartment, and an elongated, single top cover hinged in an inclined position across a top of the case; the cover being multi-slotted for placement of mail in any of the compartments, and being transparent so as to allow observation therethrough into the compartments.

Abstract: A mailbox is provided with a lockable letter-mail compartment within in the form of a rectangular box having at least four sides and a hinged door with a key operated mechanism for locking it in the closed position, secured to the floor, side or roof of a mailbox for use in motorized delivery routes, or in the form of a shelf secured between side walls of the mailbox and a hinged door with a lock. The compartment has a slot for receiving letter mail without opening the door of the compartment. The slot is preferably in the locked door of the compartment. The height of the lockable compartment is sufficient to permit mail to be extracted through the hinged door, but of a height significantly less than the height of the mailbox to permit mail other than letters to be placed in the mailbox outside of the compartment.

Abstract: A high security mailbox for multiple family dwellings is provided with sliding doors opening to individual compartments. The doors slide in a channel between a one piece face plate and retaining means which are welded to the mailbox housing.

Abstract: A door panel for covering the open side of a mail box having a series of individual mail receiving compartments, comprising: a peripheral frame and a grid structure consisting of interlocked horizontal and vertical channel members; a first interlocked channel member has an opening and slots defining a pair of oppositely disposed wall projecting portions while a second interlocked channel member has a pair of slots extending from the free edge of its walls to define oppositely disposed tongues; during assembly of the door panel, the tongues are deformingly bent inwardly in the channel of the first channel members to provide a positive interlock between both channel members.

Abstract: A mail box gang apparatus which utilizes the construction of a mail box as an inherent structural component of the gang to achieve uniformity in mail box appearance, greater strength and permanency. The appartus may include two horizontal rows of mail boxes mounted one upon the other, the boxes being affixed to one another at both the upper and lower portions to form an integral beam type structure of substantial strength. To facilitate such ganging in the manner described, the mail boxes are modified to include a new flagging system which advises the mail man of the presence of outgoing mail. This flag system affixed to the door of the box includes a panel which is merely rotated to disclose a flag indication and is automatically reset upon opening of the box. In the preferred embodiment, the mail box door is modified to facilitate mounting of the flag and includes a novel latch device together with a pleasing appearance.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for facilitating the removal of mail from a mailbox, particularly the relatively small individual mailbox units which comprise large banks or clusters of such units in post offices, apartment buildings, office buildings, and the like. In one basic embodiment of the invention, a movable bar-like slide disposed within the confines of the mailbox unit is fitted with a handle at the anterior end thereof so that the slide may be readily grasped and withdrawn from the mailbox unit. A lateral bar-like scoop member formed on the posterior end of the slide engages mail in the mailbox unit and withdraws the mail from the unit on forward movement of the slide. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the movable slide is disposed on the floor of a box-like insert or liner which is fitted into the mailbox unit, the movable slide being adapted to move within a groove formed in said floor.

Abstract: An automatic clothes sorter adapted for use with a standard clothes hamper, whereby the interior of the hamper is divided into four equal-sized, removable, bag compartments of a durable material for receiving soiled clothing, the clothing being sorted and disposed -- as desired -- according to color, type, etc., within the designated compartments. The clothes sorter comprises a plurality of bags, forming the compartments, said bags having eyelets secured therein to receive eye hooks which are mounted to the top peripheral opening of the clothes hamper and to a central support stand, wherein the stand includes a telescoping center post, adjustable for various heights, and an adjustable base member which is centrally positioned within the clothes hamper.