Letter Slot Or Box Patents (Class 200/61.63)
  • Patent number: 9609972
    Abstract: A mail notification system that is operable to alert a user when mail has been deposited into the interior of a mailbox being monitored by the mail notification system. The mail notification system further includes a base station having a controller that operates an audio speaker and a light. The base station further includes operational controls such as a power button, a reset button and volume controls for the audio speaker. A monitoring unit is placed within the interior volume of a mailbox. The monitoring unit includes internal power supply and a controller. The controller provides operation of a sensor wherein the sensor is either a motion sensor or a photo sensor. The monitoring unit functions to transmit a signal to the base station subsequent the detection of motion or an increase in the light within the interior volume of the mailbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Inventor: Perry DuBois
  • Patent number: 7843340
    Abstract: A mail delivery alert system includes a mailbox housing that encloses an interior space that defines an open front. A door is pivotally coupled to the housing and is movable between open and closed configurations relative to the open front. A first sensor is positioned in the housing so as to detect an opening of the door and a second sensor is positioned so as to detect the presence of an article, such as mail, in the open space of the housing. The system includes a transmitter and a processor. The processor includes programming for actuating the transmitter to transmit an alert signal through the air upon the first sensor detecting an opening of the door and the second sensor detecting the presence of an article in the open space of the housing. The system includes a receiver remote from the housing for receiving the alert signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventor: Willis Noland Davis
  • Patent number: 7506796
    Abstract: A transmitting mechanism for indicating the deposit of mail into mailboxes having doors that pivot about a horizontal hinge. Such mailboxes normally identified as curb side, wall mounted, and slot type. The transmitting mechanism is comprised of an adjustable knob capable of positioning an adjoining tilt switch, such that the mechanism can be set to send a signal at any preferred mailbox opening. As the mailbox door is opened past a predetermined angle, the tilt switch completes a circuit which emits a signal to a remote receiver which activates a sound and visual alarm indicating that mail has been deposited in the mailbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Inventor: Robert Lee Hanna
  • Patent number: 7187285
    Abstract: In a first embodiment, the system 10 includes a sensor 12, a transmitter 14 coupled to the sensor 12 and adapted to transmit a signal, a receiver 16 adapted to receive the signal, and a remote indicator 18 coupled to the receiver 16. In a second embodiment, the receivers 16? are actually transceivers that can retransmit the signals to a receiver 16? of another remote indicator 18 and that cooperatively form a mesh network. This arrangement may be quite useful in certain environments, such as a tall apartment building and a long private street, where multiple users are relatively spread out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Blue Clover Design, LLC
    Inventor: Peter Ethan Staples
  • Patent number: 6831558
    Abstract: A mailbox operated signal device has a motion detector that is attached to the inside of a conventional mailbox and activates a light and a speaker to alert residents that the mail has been delivered to their mailbox. A wireless transmitter is electrically connected to the motion detector. The wireless transmitter is capable of transmitting a motion detected signal. A wireless receiver is capable of receiving the transmitted motion detected signal. A light is electrically connected to the wireless receiver. The light is for indicating when the motion detected signal is received by the wireless receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventor: Robert B. Andrew
  • Patent number: 6657142
    Abstract: A power switch apparatus is disclosed wherein the switch apparatus is applicable in an electronic product comprising a switch device capable of being switched between ON and OFF conditions. The power switch apparatus comprises an active element and a flexible arm. The active element installed inside the electronic product comprises a first connector and is coupled to the switch device. The ON and OFF conditions of the switch device correspond to the different positions of the active element. The flexible arm comprises a second connector and a contactor. The second connector is used to clip with the first connector at the ON condition. The electronic product is configured such that the contactor is not covered and remains accessible. The movement of the contactor is able to transform the shape of the flexible arm and to release the clipping relation between the first connector and the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: High Tech Computer, Corp.
    Inventors: Shih-Chieh Wang, Yen-Te Chiang, Chien-Lung Huang, James Tseng, Chu-Yang Hsu, Hsi-Hsing Hsu