Patents by Inventor Frank A. Whitney

Frank A. Whitney has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6871779
    Abstract: A mailbox, particularly useful for rural mail delivery, comprises a housing having an inwardly opening access door for the depositing and withdrawal of mail, newspapers, and the like. The front wall of the housing comprises a bottom portion, two side edges, and an upper edge defining an opening through which mail and the like may be inserted and withdrawn. The top of the access door is hingedly connected to the housing at the upper part of the opening so that when closed the door covers the opening. When mail is inserted, the door is pushed upwardly and inwardly after which the door swings back to the closed position automatically under the force of gravity. The return swing to the closed position is aided by a weight attached to the inside of the door. The access door has a magnetic closure. The deposited mail rests on an open mesh panel having passages for water drainage. The mesh panel is positioned low enough to allow an accumulation of mail without interfering with the swing of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Inventor: Leonard Frank Whitney, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4030647
    Abstract: An auto accessory rack adapted to be mounted on the rear deck, roof or other vehicle outer surface. The rack includes a generally rectangular frame from which extend, at the corners of the frame, shafts ending in convex ball portions. These ball portions are received by socket members in a snap-in relationship to form a ball and socket universal joint. The socket members, formed from non-metallic, resiliently deformable material, include a base portion adapted to rest on the vehicle outer surface. Outer brackets overlie the socket members and engage the ball portions to retain them in the socket members. Fasteners secure the outer bracket and socket members to the vehicle outer surface with the socket member bases insulating the brackets from the vehicle surface and providing a weathertight seal between the rack and the vehicle surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1977
    Assignee: Masco Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Rasor, Walter S. Van Dine, Frank A. Whitney
  • Patent number: D276989
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Assignee: Masco Corporation
    Inventor: Frank Whitney