Repositionable Mailbox Drawer

Abstract

This present invention discloses a mailbox with a pull-out mailbox insert. The mailbox includes a housing, a post, a door, a flag and a pull-out mailbox insert. The pull-out mailbox insert is designed in such a way to offer easy retrieval of delivered post, even when it is pushed to the back of the mailbox. The insert features a series of tabs designed to prevent the insert from sliding too far back into the mailbox, and utilizes a rolling assembly on the bottom of the insert to conveniently slide it out from the mailbox interior when a small tab is pulled. In use, the device effectively enables easy retrieval of mail without having to reach far out of the window and create strain on the body.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/887,715, which was filed on Aug. 16, 2019 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to mailboxes and delivery receptacles for home or consumer use. Specifically, the present invention relates to a curb, walkway, portico, house mounted or street side mailbox or other receptacle having a movable mailbox insert, that is slidable in at least a longitudinal direction for depositing and retrieving mail and other delivered items. The mailbox insert is outwardly extensible and moves in a telescoping manner from its housing for access by postal workers, delivery persons, residents, other authorized personnel, which when mounted near a roadway, permits the delivery personnel to remain in their vehicles while making the delivery, or if mounted near a house or walkway allows the delivery personnel to insert the delivery in the receptacle without having to leave the delivery. More specifically, the present invention relates to an extendable and retractable mailbox insert that is mountable within, and repositionable with respect to, a mailbox or receptacle for receiving mail, packages and other deliveries. Accordingly, the present specification makes specific reference to improvements in delivery receptacles. However, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally amenable to other applications, devices and methods of manufacture or use.

In almost every country, postal mail and other deliveries (e.g., newspapers, advertising inserts, packages, etc.) is delivered to one type of receptacle or another. These receptacles are well known structures that may be connected to upstanding mailbox posts, disposed on a beam, either singly or with other boxes, supported from hooks or other vertical supports, that may be positioned adjacent to a street, walkway or roadway, or on a wall such as may be found in a portico. The receptacle or box utilizes an outwardly opening door that faces the direction that access to the box is provided such as in the direction of the roadway or walkway, particularly in those suburban or rural areas wherein each residence is provided with its own independent mailbox. In the United States, for example, mail receptacles may be of many different varieties including, without limitation, multiple compartment troughs such as those used with apartment houses, door slots for city delivery, wall-mounted centralized mailboxes for city delivery, and curbside mailboxes for rural, highway contract, and city delivery.

The United States Postal Service (“USPS”) maintains particular regulations regarding mailbox sizes and installation, namely those established in USPS-STD-7B01 as amended. For example, such regulations provide that customer mail receptacles must be placed so they can be safely and conveniently served by postal carriers and where such mailboxes are on a roadway way, the mailbox must be disposed at a certain height from the road surface so that the mailbox may be opened and accessed without leaving their vehicles. Curbside mailbox should be installed with the bottom of the box at a vertical height of between 41-45 inches from the road surface and with the mailbox door at a distance of six to eight inches from the front face of the curb or edge of the roadway where no curb is present. Traditional and contemporary designs for mailboxes must meet minimum capacity requirements tested by insertion and removal of a standard test gauge which measures 18.50″ long×5.00″ wide×6.00″ high. These regulations and setbacks are meant to ensure that the mail delivery person has reasonable access to the mailbox without leaving his or her vehicle, and to reduce the likelihood that the mail delivery person will strike the mailbox or supporting structure with his or her vehicle. However, as explained below, traditional curbside mailboxes suffer from a number of limitations in practical application.

Traditional curbside mailbox units are typically comprised of a semi-cylindrical, square or other approved geometrical shaped, rigid housing that is fixedly attached atop a post that extends from the ground surface a desired height or a height that is specified by U.S. Postal Service regulation, as mentioned above. Additionally, a door is hingedly attached to a front end of the housing for accessing the interior of the same. Individuals who want to deliver or receive mail or a parcel from the curbside mailbox must reach into the mailbox to retrieve the item. More specifically, in delivering the mail, the postal service or other courier employee normally opens the door of the mailbox housing and deposits the mail or packages therein. Similarly, the owner of the mailbox must then open the door and extend his/her arm into the interior of the mailbox to search the entire enclosure for the deposited mail or package by feel or by visual inspection to retrieve the mail.

Additionally, it is oftentimes difficult for a person in a vehicle to retrieve the contents of a curbside mailbox because the individual must be capable of strategically maneuvering his or her vehicle close enough to reach into the mailbox to retrieve the contents, but also avoid striking the curb, the mailbox or supporting structure with his or her vehicle which could damage the curb, the mailbox, structure and/or the vehicle, and be expensive and time consuming to repair. Alternatively, the individual must first exit their vehicle, walk to the mailbox and depost or retrieve the article from the curbside mailbox, which is both time consuming and may also be dangerous as it requires the individual to be standing in the street to open the mailbox door thereby exposing the individual to oncoming traffic.

Further, when letters, envelopes, small packages and the like are delivered to a curbside mailbox, the items may be shoved toward the back of the interior of the mailbox. Therefore, recipients trying to retrieve their delivered mail can experience difficulty and be forced to reach far inside the mailbox to pull out the item, which is difficult to do from within a vehicle and may result in the individual having to exit their vehicle to do so which exposes the individual to the roadside hazards referenced above.

Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a curbside or other installed mailbox location that allows individuals to both place items in the mailbox or receptacle and retrieve items from the mailbox or receptacle relatively easily, and when disposed near the road or curb, without having to exit the individual's vehicle thereby increasing safety. There is also a long felt need in the art for a mailbox having an outwardly slideable or telescoping housing for retrieving mail and other items from the mailbox or receptacle without exposing the same to the elements, such as rain, snow, sleet and the like or substantially diminishing the interior volume for receiving mail or packages. Additionally, there is also a long felt need in the art for a mailbox or receptacle having an outwardly slideable or telescoping housing that is prevented from over extending/retracting relative to the edge of the mailbox housing. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a curbside mailbox that does not require the user to position his or her vehicle as close to the mailbox structure as with prior art curbside mailboxes, thereby lessening the risk of damaging the user's vehicle and/or curbside mailbox.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is an improved mailbox comprised of a pull-out or telescoping insert or housing that is designed to offer easy retrieval of delivered post or packages, even when the same is pushed to the rear of the mailbox by the delivering party, and that protects the contents from becoming exposed to the elements such as rain, sleet and snow. More specifically, the repositionable mailbox insert is comprised of a pull out tray having a roof or cover placed over the same to shield or otherwise protect the contents from the elements, a plurality of rollers or sliders positioned or disposed along the underside or sides of the pull out tray for easy repositioning of the same, and a plurality of tabs or stops designed to prevent the pull out tray from becoming overly extended and/or retracted relative to the mailbox housing.

In a further exemplary embodiment, a receptacle is provided with a telescoping insert and includes, a receptacle having a first interior dimension and an insert having a second interior dimension less than the first dimension. The insert is wholly contained within the receptacle. The insert is movable in a longitudinal direction from a first closed position from within the receptacle to a second accessible position at least partially externally extending from the receptacle. The receptacle and insert having one or more tabs or stops cooperatively engaging to prevent the insert from being fully removed from the receptacle.

In a still further exemplary embodiment of the presently described invention, method of using a mailbox with a slideable insert comprising the steps of initially providing a mailbox having a slidable insert, the mailbox has a first dimension and the slidable insert has a second dimension less than the first dimension. The slidable insert is wholly contained within the mailbox. In use, the insert outwardly in a longitudinal direction to a first position and mail, parcels or packages is deposited on the insert. Then the insert is moved inwardly in a longitudinal direction to a second position fully within the mailbox.

In use, the pull-out mailbox insert effectively enables a vehicle driver to easily deliver or a consumer or home owner to retrieve items from a curbside mailbox without having to reach too far outside of the vehicle window and strain his or her body, and without exposing the contents of the mailbox to the elements. The mailbox of the present invention disclosed herein also increases safety by increasing the amount of distance required between the vehicle and the mailbox for successful retrieval of the mail, and eliminating the need for the user to have to exit his or her vehicle to access the curbside mailbox. In this manner, the curbside mailbox of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives, thereby improving the ability of a user to successfully and safely access and receive or deliver any mail or parcel.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of curbside mailbox devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a novel pull-out mailbox insert and slider mechanism, wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when accessing rural or suburban mailboxes along roadways, walkways or other areas where the mailbox or receptacle may be positioned. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved curbside mailbox assembly that has all of the advantages of the prior art, without suffering from some of the disadvantages of prior structures.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an extendable insert for a mailbox or delivery receptacle. More specifically, the mailbox is preferably comprised of a rigid housing and a pull-out insert designed to offer easy depositing and retrieval of delivered mail or parcels, even when the mail is pushed to the rear of the mailbox by the delivery person. The pull-out mailbox insert features a geometric housing having a plurality of tabs and/or spacers that are designed to prevent the mailbox insert from sliding too far back into the mailbox or from the insert falling out of the receptacle when being accessed.

The mailbox insert further comprises a rolling assembly on the bottom of the insert to conveniently slide the insert in and out of the mailbox interior in a generally longitudinal direction. In use, the insert effectively enables the delivery personnel to easily deposit the mail and packages and intended recipient to retrieve their mail and other parcels from a curbside mailbox without having to either reach too far out of the vehicle window, which could result in a strain on the body or the recipient from having to fully extend their reach into the enclosure. Furthermore, the generally geometrical shape, e.g. square, rectangular, semi-cylindrical, etc. of the mailbox insert protects the mail and other parcels positioned on the insert from the elements, like rain, snow, sleet and the like, as the mailbox insert is pulled out of the mailbox housing for retrieval by the intended recipient or delivery personnel.

The mailbox device of the present invention is also intended to satisfy the standards and specifications of the U.S. Postal Service, and potentially reduces the likelihood of a user's vehicle coming into direct contact with the mailbox, which could damage the vehicle and/or the mailbox, by bringing the mail closer to the user in the vehicle only when needed (e.g., during the delivery or retrieval of the mail).

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one possible embodiment of the mailbox device of the present invention and having a repositionable sliding or telescoping insert in closed condition of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the mailbox having a sliding or telescoping insert of the present invention in an open and extended condition in accordance with the disclosed invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective internal view of one embodiment of the mailbox having a sliding or telescoping insert of the present invention showing internal parts in accordance with the disclosed invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of one embodiment of the mailbox having a sliding or telescoping insert of the present invention showing rolling assembly in accordance with the disclosed invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a side perspective view of one embodiment of the mailbox having a sliding insert of the present invention showing easy access from a vehicle in accordance with the disclosed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They do not intend as an exhaustive description of the invention or do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, existing mailboxes and delivery receptacles are well known in the art for providing an access to mail, post, parcels, packages and the like for the users, both delivery personnel and intended recipients. Such mailboxes or receptacles typically comprise a housing, a standing post, a door and a flag, but do not include a structure for extending a slidable tray from the housing. Without such a structure, the users have to leave their vehicle in order to access the contents of the delivery, thereby causing inconvenience to the users.

Accordingly, and as also noted above, there exists in the art a long felt need for a mailbox structure or device that improves the ability to access a mailbox positioned or disposed along the side of a roadway, walkway or at another acceptable location. The present invention disclosed includes the ability to extend a mailbox's position from its first attached location on a mailbox post to a second position extended therefrom utilizing a sliding or telescoping insert, such that the distance between the mailbox opening and a postal service vehicle along the roadway may be reduced for improved access thereinto. The sliding insert facilitates delivery personnel with easier access to a user's mailbox, during periods of snow accumulation, flooding which may occur during heavy rains along curbs, inclement weather and in other instances wherein ready access to one's mailbox is limited or otherwise impeded from the adjacent roadway.

The present invention, in one preferred embodiment, is a mailbox with a pull-out mailbox insert designed to offer easy retrieval of delivered post, parcels, mail, packages or the like, even when it is pushed to the back or innermost section of the mailbox. The pull-out mailbox insert utilizes a rolling assembly on the bottom of the insert to conveniently slide it out from a first position within the mailbox interior when a small tab is pulled to a second extended position. Further, a series of tabs are designed to prevent the insert from being fully pulled-out from the mailbox or from sliding too far back into the mailbox. In use, the device effectively enables vehicle drivers to easily deposit the mail or packages without having to reach far out of the window and create strain on the body or for the intended recipient from having to reach into the interior confines of the mailbox, and therefore, maximizing convenience when delivering or retrieving letters and small packages from the mailbox.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the mailbox 100 having a sliding mailbox insert in a closed condition or first position of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed structure. More specifically, the mailbox 100 is preferably comprised of a housing 110; a pull-out mailbox insert 120 (not shown); a standing post 130; a door 140 and a flag 150. The door 140 is used to close and open the mailbox 100 in order to insert or retrieve the mail or packages and allow the insert to slide between a first and second position. The flag 150 is used to indicate a postman that the mailbox 100 has outgoing mail. When the flag 150 is placed in the up or out position, the postman should stop to pick up any outgoing mail, and further return the flag 150 to the original or down position signaling there is no longer any outgoing mail for pickup.

The housing 110 for example may have a U-shaped or semi-circular body comprising housing back wall 111, a housing left wall 112, a housing right wall 113, a housing top portion or roof 114, a housing interior portion 115, a housing floor 116, and a rear wheel tab. As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 110 with the access door 140 is secured in the closed position by any suitable latching mechanism, such as a magnet, mechanical fastening latches, hooks or the like. The housing 110 of the mailbox 100 in an exemplary embodiment is substantially U-shaped body having an internal portion 115, which contains the pull-out mailbox insert 120 (not shown). However, any other shape can also be used to construct and design the housing 110 and accordingly the shape of pull-out mailbox insert 120 likely would also change. Alternatively, the pull-out insert may also have a different shape, for example a rectangular tray insert without a roof portion may be used instead of a fully semi-circular shaped insert configuration. The insert is also sized and configured to receive mail, packages and delivery parcels with the size and configuration of the insert being slightly less than the mailbox housing 110. The pull-out must meet minimum capacity requirements which measures 18.50″ long×5.00″ wide×6.00″ high. It is to be appreciated that the housing 110 of the present invention can be of any size and/or shape and is not limited to the depicted illustration. The housing 110 and the pull-out mailbox insert 120 both can be constructed of metal, plastic or any other known material and is preferably from a rigid material having other desired properties such as being waterproof.

FIG. 2 illustrates perspective view of one embodiment of the mailbox 100 having a pull-out mailbox insert 120 of the present invention in an open and extended condition in accordance with the disclosed invention. The open and extended condition is equal to a length of less than the length or depth of the housing 110 such that the insert fits fully within the housing 110 when not in use. More specifically, the pull-out mailbox insert 120 has a front portion of mailbox insert 121, a lip 122 in the front portion of mailbox insert 121 which extends a distance that is partially up the height of the lip, an insert handle 1220 present on the lip 122, an interior portion 123, an insert floor 124, a left wall 125, a tab on left side wall of insert 1250, a right wall 126, a tab on left right wall of insert 1260, an insert top surface 128, and a rolling assembly 129.

The interior portion 123 of the pull-out mailbox insert 120 contains the mail 160 resting or deposited on the insert floor 124. The rolling assembly 129 allows the pull-out mailbox insert 120 to slide or roll generally in the longitudinal direction, on the housing floor 116 when pulled forward or pushed backwards using the insert handle 1220 present on the lip 122. The insert handle 1220 present on the lip 122 of pull-out mailbox insert 120 can be attached at any suitable position on the lip 122 and other handling mechanisms can also be adapted such as finger openings or other pull structure. Further, the left wall 125 and the right wall 126 contain tabs 1250 and 1260 to prevent the pull-out mailbox insert 120 from sliding too far inside the housing 110. When the pull-out mailbox insert 120 slides back into the housing 110, the tabs 1250 and 1260 should catch the front edges of the side walls 112 and 113 of the mailbox 110 to prevent the pull-out mailbox insert 120 from being pushed too far back in the mailbox. Alternatively, the side walls of the mailbox 120 may have spaces to catch tabs 1250 and 1260 at predetermined positions to prevent the pull-out mailbox insert 120 from being pushed too far back in the mailbox. Further, the tabs 1250 and 1260 may be made up of metal, plastic, magnet or any other material and can be of any suitable shape and size. Based on the size of the mailbox insert and the user requirements, the tabs 1250 and 1260 can be positioned on the top surface or back wall of the insert 120.

FIG. 3 illustrates perspective internal view of one embodiment of the mailbox 100 having a pull-out mailbox insert 120 of the present invention showing internal parts in accordance with the disclosed invention. The pull-out mailbox insert 120 comprises of the rolling assembly 129 including a set of two front wheels 1291 and a set of two rear wheels 1292, which enables the sliding of the insert 120 on the housing floor 116 and within the interior of the receptacle. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the housing 110 further comprises of a detachable rear wheel tab 117 present on the housing floor 116. The detachable rear wheel tab 117 is designed to prevent the pull-out mailbox insert 120 from falling outside the mailbox housing 110 by providing hinderence to the motion of rear wheels 1292. The rear wheel tab 117 is placed on the housing 110, behind the position of two front wheels 1291, which facilitates the pull-out mailbox insert 120 to completely extend out of the housing 110, and therefore, maximizing the convenience of the users. Further, other suitable wheel locking mechanisms can also be used to enable the advantages of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of one embodiment of the mailbox 100 having a pull-out mailbox insert 120 of the present invention showing rolling assembly 129 in accordance with the disclosed architecture. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the pull-out mailbox insert 120 further comprises of a rolling assembly 129 designed using four wheels; two front wheels 1291 and two rear wheels 1292 which are located at the bottom portion of the insert floor 124, and which provides a rolling contact between the insert floor 124 and the housing floor. The coefficient of rolling friction is much less than the coefficient of sliding friction, and a smooth insert movement is achieved. Further, the movable mailbox insert can be in a form of a trolley or cart that rides on a plurality of rollers, and the movable trolley moves easily into and out of a mailbox. If needed, a biasing element or other stop (not shown) can be added to prevent the overextension of the trolley or cart and to facilitate the positioning of the insert back within the mailbox. The rolling assembly 129 slide on the housing floor when pulled forward or pushed backwards by a user. In an embodiment, the insert floor 124 is provided with a series of parallel ribs (not shown) thereon to prevent mail from adhering to the bottom wall as a result of rain or snow entering through the opening and with an optional pair of water drainage apertures therein for preventing water buildup thereon.

In a preferred embodiment, caster wheels can be used in rolling assembly 129 as front wheels 1291 and rear wheels 1292. A caster (or castor) is an undriven, single, double, or compound wheel that is designed to be attached to the bottom of an object to enable the movement of that object. Front wheels 1291 and rear wheels 1292 can be used in various suitable sizes, and can be constructed using rubber, plastic, nylon, aluminum, or stainless steel. In an alternative embodiment, a pair of sliding assemblies or tracks may be positioned on the sides of the pull-out mailbox insert 120, and/or the housing and attached to the mailbox insert 120, to enable the mailbox insert 120 to slide partially out of the housing similar to a drawer in a cabinet.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side perspective view of one embodiment of the mailbox 100 having a pull-out mailbox insert 120 of the present invention showing easy access from a vehicle 170 in accordance with the disclosed structure. The mailbox 100 of the present invention enables a user to conveniently and safely retrieve mail 160 from a mailbox 100 from a vehicle 170 without having to exit the vehicle 170 or unsafely extend oneself outside the vehicle 170 window. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, a vehicle driver 172 can easily retrieve or deliver mail 160 while being seated in the vehicle 170.

The pull-out mailbox insert 120 is preferably a one-piece unit integrally molded from a plastic resin such as high density polyethylene or a polypropylene and homopolymer mixture but it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it may be manufactured from other suitable materials which exhibit weather resistant qualities and the desired resiliency to permit the flexing movement. The pull-out mailbox insert 120 of the present invention can be made in a variety of sizes to conform to the various standard U.S. mailbox sizes.

The present invention discloses a mailbox 100 having a pull-out mailbox insert 120 with minimal features to reduce complexity, including no spring-loaded, and a rolling assembly 129 that is simple and slides with lower friction. The desired material for each member is a sturdy, weatherproof polymer, composite, metal, such as aluminum or steel, or plastic material that is readily useable outdoors throughout its lifetime and provides an inexpensive assembly for the user. Pre-drilled fastener locations allow the mailbox 100 to be easily installed on a mailbox post 130 or to be supported from a hook or other acceptable installation options.

Further, the mailbox insert 120 may have a set of sensors (not shown) associated therewith for detecting the presence of envelopes, parcels and the like therein. The sensors may comprise a photoelectric, motion, or mechanical sensor. Alternatively, the mailbox may be equipped with a radio frequency reader or other radio frequency functionality so that a smart phone could be scanned to gain access to the mailbox or alternatively to determine when the mailbox has received a package or mail which may be provided with a radio frequency identification tag. The mailbox insert 120 may be configured to activate an alarm when articles are detected in the mailbox insert. The alarm may take the form of an e-mail, voice mail, text message, LED or beeper alert. The sensors or reader determine whether mailbox insert 120 has been added to or is present within the mailbox insert 120. For example, such sensors can be miniature photo-electric devices that transmit a beam to a reflective tape on an opposing surface of the mailbox unit to show that something has been inserted into or removed from the mailbox.

The present invention is therefore submitted as an inexpensive means of improving access to residential mailboxes, having a slider mechanism of the present invention provides a simply constructed and readily manufacturable mailbox 100 that proves low cost, durable, convenient and of simple complexity for the user to install and maintain.

The mailbox 100 of the present invention may be installed by rural and suburban homeowners and others desiring such a product. The mailbox 100 assembly may be beneficial for the people inside vehicle, specially elderly or for those people with physical disabilities. Commercial businesses with roadside mailboxes may utilize the mailbox 100 of present invention as well. While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the mailbox 100 illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

As described throughout this specification the term “mailbox” is used to mean a mailbox, newspaper box, receptacle or any other similar device. Also, the terms “insert,” “pull-out mailbox insert,” “extendable insert,” “tray,” “drawer,” “sliding tray,” “telescoping,” or “sliding insert” will hold the same meaning throughout the invention as denoted by numeral 120 in Figures. The moveable pull-out mailbox insert 120 of the present invention can be incorporated into new mailbox 100 or can be sold as a kit and easily installed onto an existing mailbox 100. Finally, the moveable mailbox tray of the present invention is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and safe and easy to install and use.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the mailbox 100 of the present invention and its various structural components can be any suitable size, shape, and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the shape and size of the mailbox 100 and its various components, as show in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other shapes and sizes of the mailbox 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although dimensions of the mailbox 100 and its components (i.e., length, width, and height) are important design parameters for good performance, the mailbox 100 and its components may be of any shape or size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits user need and/or preference.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Claims

1. A mailbox, comprising;

a receptacle sized and configured to receive mail, packages and delivery parcels, the receptacle having a base, sidewalls, a back, a top and a door;

a telescoping insert including a tray having a base, sidewalls, a roof and a back, the insert sized and configured to fit within the receptacle; and

the telescoping insert having a plurality of rollers positioned under the base for repositioning of the telescoping insert within the receptacle, and a plurality of tabs designed to prevent the telescoping insert from being removed from the receptacle.

2. The mailbox as recited in claim 1, wherein the telescoping insert has a front lip opposite the back and extending partially up the sidewalls of the telescoping insert.

3. The mailbox as recited in claim 2, wherein the front lip has a handle to facilitate grasping of the telescoping insert.

4. The mailbox of claim 1, wherein the telescoping insert is sized and configured to receive mail, packages and delivery parcels and is of a size and configuration less than the receptacle.

5. The mailbox of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is formed of a rigid housing and is produced to meet the standards set forth at USPS STD 7B01.

6. The mailbox of claim 1, wherein the insert has the minimum capacity requirements of 18.50″ long×5.00″ wide×6.00″ high.

7. The mailbox of claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes one of a sensor or reader to indicate use of the mailbox.

8. The mailbox of claim 7, wherein the reader is a RFID reader for reading mail, parcels or packages that have been tagged with RFID tags.

9. The mailbox of claim 7, wherein the sensor is one of a photoelectric, motion, or mechanical sensor.

10. The mailbox of claim 9, wherein the receptacle includes a reflective tape opposite the photoelectric sensor.

11. A mailbox having a slideable insert and comprising:

a receptacle having a first interior dimension and the slideable insert having a second interior dimension that is less than the first dimension such that the slideable insert is wholly contained within the receptacle;

wherein the slideable insert is movable in a longitudinal direction from a first closed position from within the receptacle to a second accessible position at least partially externally extending from the receptacle; and wherein

the receptacle and slideable insert having one or more tabs or stops cooperatively engaging to prevent the slideable insert from being fully removed from the receptacle.

12. The mailbox of claim 11, wherein the slideable insert in the second accessible position extends outwardly less than the first interior dimension.

13. The mailbox of claim 11, wherein the receptacle includes a sensor and the sensor is mounted on a sidewall of the receptacle.

14. The mailbox of claim 13, wherein the sensor is one of a photoelectric, motion, or mechanical sensor.

15. The mailbox of claim 11, wherein the slideable insert is provided with a set of wheels at a forward edge of the slideable insert and a second set of wheels as a rear edge of the slideable insert.

16. The mailbox of claim 15, wherein the one of the set of wheels is provided with a locking mechanism.

17. A method of using a mailbox with a slideable insert comprising the steps of;

providing a mailbox having a slidable insert, the mailbox having a first dimension and the slidable insert having a second dimension less than the first dimension and the slidable insert being wholly contained within the mailbox;

sliding the insert outwardly in a longitudinal direction to a first position;

depositing mail, packages or parcels on the insert; and

sliding the insert inwardly in a longitudinal direction to a second position fully within the mailbox.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the mailbox is provided with a sensor for indicating activity in the mailbox.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the insert is provided with one of sliders or rollers to allow the insert to move in a longitudinal direction from an inward position to a position outwardly of the mailbox.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the sensor is one of photoelectric, motion, or mechanical sensor.