Mailbox Door Restraint
Door stop and impact absorber bracket for restraining mailbox doors from opening beyond a selected swing radius. The bracket can fit underneath the mailbox behind an existing lower hanging lip. The door stop bracket is positioned such that it limits the door from swinging beyond a desired point (for example approximately 90 degrees) when the door is opened. The bracket can have an elongated rectangular planar central portion, with bent ends, together forming a generally C-shape. The bracket can have cushion pad to protect both the door, hinges other components and even the body of the mail box from being damaged from excessive vibrations when the door reaches the maximum opening point. The pad can also reduce objectionable impact noise effects that are created when a mailbox door accelerates in a free fall to a stop.
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This invention relates to mailboxes, in particular to apparatus, devices and methods of restraining a mailbox door from opening beyond a selected swing radius.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ARTMailboxes have been around for many years, and come in many sizes and shapes. The most popular mailboxes have an elongated compartment such as a rectangular housing with a flat roof or curved roof, and an access door that swings open based on a hinge mechanism the attaches the door to the lower front edge of the mailbox. However, mailbox doors tend to open much further than is needed. A typical mailbox door swings freely up to approximately 180 to approximately 270 degrees or more from a vertical upright closed position. The loosely swinging door has resulted in many problems.
For example, a mailbox door that hangs down is more prone to be twisted and bent overtime rendering the door useless from closing the mailbox. A downwardly hanging door can also break off from the mailbox leaving the interior of the mailbox continuously open. A constantly open mailbox can allow for any mail type contents inside to become damaged by being exposed to weather elements, and/or allow for the mailbox contents to become dislodged and lost, and even stolen overtime.
Additionally, a downwardly hanging bent and/or twisted mailbox door or portions of a door that remain can also be a snag hazard to others such as a mailman.
Still furthermore, most mailboxes being metal are prone to additional problems. These mailbox doors typically swing open so that metal eventually impacts metal that can cause damage to either or both the door, the handle, hinges, floor, other components and even the mailbox itself overtime. Metal hitting metal has also been known to cause objectionable loud impact noises that are created when a mailbox door accelerates in a free fall to a dead impact stop.
The constant banging between components can stress mailbox door hinges, other rotating points, welds and other assembly components causing parts to warp and/or loosen and/or fall off and/or become damaged overtime reducing the life of the mailbox.
The inventor is not aware of apparatus, devices and methods that overcome all the problems listed above. Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA primary objective of the present invention is to provide a restraint apparatus, device and method for limiting the swing opening radius of a mailbox door to stop at a generally horizontal orientation.
A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide a restraint apparatus, device and method for preventing a mailbox door from swinging to a position where the door hangs beneath the mailbox.
A third objective of the present invention is to provide a restraint apparatus, device and method for reducing the chances for the door to become twisted or bent overtime.
A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide a restraint apparatus, device and method for reducing the chances for the door and/or hinges and/or other components from becoming detached from the mailbox which reduces chances of mail type contents from becoming dislodged and lost, and stolen overtime.
A fifth objective of the present invention is to provide a restraint apparatus, device and method reducing the chances for the door to become a snag hazard to others.
A sixth objective of the present invention is to provide a restraint apparatus, device and method for reducing damage to both a mailbox door and the mailbox itself as the door is being swung open.
A seventh objective of the present invention is provide a restraint apparatus, device and method for reducing objectionable impact and collision noises and reducing vibration damage effects to both a mailbox door, other components and the mailbox itself as the door is being swung open.
An eighth objective of the present invention is to provide a restraint apparatus, device and method for extending the operational life of the mailbox.
The invention covers a mailbox door restraint apparatus, device and method that stop a freefall of a mailbox door being opened by reducing the amount of force as compared to a freefalling door with no restraint. The novel restraint reduces wear and tear on the door, rotational components and other mailbox assembly parts thereby increasing the operational life of the mailbox itself.
A preferred embodiment of the invention can be a mailbox having a chamber having at least one open end, a door pivotally attached to the open end of the chamber, and a restraint member for stopping the door from swinging open from a vertical position beyond a generally horizontal position.
The restraint member can include a bracket attached to both a lower front edge of the open end of the chamber, and to a lower edge of the door, the bracket having a portion which prevents the door from opening beyond the generally horizontal position. The bracket can have an elongated rectangular midportion and bent ends on opposite ends of the elongated rectangular midportion. The bent ends can include openings for allowing fasteners pass therethrough in order to fasten the bracket to the lower front edge of the open end of the chamber.
A pad can be attached to a face portion of the bracket and be used for dampening vibration and sound impact between the door and the bracket when the door reaches the generally horizontal position.
The restraint member can also include a lip portion which is attached to and hangs down beneath a lower front edge portion of the open end of the chamber behind a front lower hanging edge of the mailbox, wherein a portion of the door abuts against the lip portion which prevents the door from opening beyond the generally horizontal position.
The restraint can be a bumper portion attached to a lower portion of the chamber for preventing the door from opening beyond the generally horizontal position.
The invention can include a novel method of stopping a mailbox door from opening beyond a generally horizontal position, and can include steps of providing a mailbox having at least one open end, pivotally attaching a door to the open end of the mail box, and preventing the mailbox door from opening beyond a generally horizontal position.
The preventing step can include the step of attaching a lip portion to hang beneath the open end of the mailbox.
The preventing step can include the step of attaching a bracket having bent ends to a lower front edge of the open end of the mailbox.
The novel method can also include the step of cushioning impact between the door and the mailbox when the door opens to the generally horizontal position.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings.
Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
A listing of components will now be described.
- Prior Art Mailbox 1
- Main chamber of mailbox 10
- Open access end of mailbox 12
- Existing lower hanging front edge of mailbox 16.
- Existing floor of mailbox 15
- Existing lower hanging side edges of mailbox 14, 18
- Mailbox door 20
- Inwardly bent side edges of door 22
- Tab hinges pre-attached to door 32, 38
- Rear edge portion of tab hinges 33, 39
- Fasteners 33 attaching tab hinges to lower hanging side edges 14, 18 of mailbox
- Invention Mailbox 100
- Restraining Bracket 101
- Rectangular Elongated Mid-portion 110
- Angled Face of elongated mid-portion 110A
- First bent end 120
- Fastener mounting holes 121
- Second bent end 130
- Fastener mounting holes 131
- Fasteners (screws/nuts) 133, 135
- Vibration and Sound absorbing and dampening pad 180
Referring to
The operation of using the novel invention will now be described in reference to
When the door 20 of the mailbox is being opened, and pivots by way of tab hinges 32, 38, the door can move in the direction of arrow R until the rear edges 33, 39 of the tab hinges 32, 38 abut against front portions of the elongated rectangular mid portion 110 of the stop restraining bracket 101. The position of the elongated rectangular mid portion 110 prevents the tab hinges 32, 38 from opening the door 20 beyond an approximate 90 degree swing opening, which puts the door 20 approximately perpendicular to the open access end 12 of the main chamber 10 of the mailbox 100. A preferred application would allow for the door 20 to end up approximately horizontal, and in a similar plane to the floor 15 of the mailbox 100.
The bracket 101 can be set in place at different angles to encompass a greater or less impact surface contact points. The mid portion of the bracket face 110A can be angled (See
Although the invention describes using the restraint bracket to limit the opening of the mailbox door 20 to up to approximately ninety degrees, the location of the novel restraining bracket can be moved to allow the door 20 to open up to less than or greater than a perpendicular orientation.
While the invention shows a bracket fastened in place by screw type fasteners, the restraint bracket can be attached in other ways. For example, the restraint bracket can be one member or plural members that are pre-stamped in place. For example, the restraint can be a lip edge that is bent downward. Alternatively, the restraint bracket can be welded in place. Alternatively, the restraint bracket can be riveted in place.
The invention is intended to cover alternative versions of the restraint bracket that can be used. For example, a single elongated bolt or bar can pass through and be attached to both lower hanging side edges, where the bolt body surface functions as a stop to prevent the door from opening beyond a selected swing radius. The bolt can include a cylindrical sleeve and/or noncircular exterior shaped sleeve cover.
Although a preferred application is using an elongated bracket or elongated bar/bolt, the invention can use instead two separate bumper members each fastened to the downwardly hanging sides. Still furthermore, a single bumper can be used that is shaped to allow one of the tab hinges 32, 38 to abut against limiting the swing radius of the door. The single bumper can be a small block shaped member or tab that can be fastened into one lower hanging side of the mailbox by screws, and the like.
The invention can be retrofitted into existing mailboxes and/or made to be part of newly manufactured mailboxes.
While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.
Claims
1-9. (canceled)
10. A stop bracket for preventing mailbox doors from opening beyond a generally horizontal orientation, comprising:
- a rectangular planar member;
- a first bent end on the planar member for attaching the bracket to a left lower protruding edge of a mailbox;
- a second bent end on the planar member for attaching the bracket to a right lower protruding edge of the mailbox, wherein a portion of the planar member functions as a bumper to prevent the mailbox door from opening beyond a generally horizontal position.
11. The stop bracket of claim 10, further comprising:
- a first opening in the first bent end for allowing a fastener to fasten the bracket to the left lower protruding edge of the mailbox; and
- a second opening in the second bent end for allowing another fastener to fasten the bracket to the right lower protruding edge of the mailbox.
12-15. (canceled)
16. A mailbox, comprising:
- a chamber having at least one open end with a front edge and lower hanging side edges which extend beneath a floor of the chamber;
- a door pivotally attached to the open end of the chamber;
- a stop located beneath the floor of the chamber and between the lower hanging side edges, so that the stop is adjacent to and behind the front edge of the chamber, wherein the stop provides for limiting a swing opening radius of the door by a portion of the lower edge of the door abutting against a portion of the bracket.
17. A mailbox for receiving mail, comprising:
- a chamber having at least one open end with a front edge, and lower hanging side edges which extend beneath a floor of the chamber;
- a door pivotally attached to the open end of the chamber; and
- an elongated member located beneath the floor of the chamber and between the lower hanging side edges such that the elongated member is adjacent to and behind the front edge of the open end of the chamber, wherein the elongated member provides for limiting a swing opening radius of the door by a portion of the lower edge of the door abutting against a portion of the elongated member.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 2, 2007
Publication Date: Jan 1, 2009
Applicant: EUROASIA PRODUCTS, INC. (Orlando, FL)
Inventors: John M. Bowers (Orlando, FL), Craig W. Walker (Rio Rancho, NM)
Application Number: 11/772,407
International Classification: A47G 29/12 (20060101); B65D 25/00 (20060101);