Abstract: A rural mailbox with a front inward swinging double door for mail delivery, a back door for mail retrieval, and a forward-and-backward sliding drawer for insertion and pickup of outgoing mail.

Abstract: Mailbox for receiving and securing storage of mail, parcels and newspapers for short or extended periods of time. Mail or newspapers deposited in an upper structure of the mailbox descend through an intermediate structure to deposit in a lockable pullout drawer for daily removal through the front or rear of the mailbox, or further descent through a positionable collapsible bottom of the pullout drawer and into a base storage structure for storage on a long term basis. Contents in the mailbox drawer can be accessed from the drawer front or by a rear access door which also accesses mail in the base structure. The long term storage compartment can be accessed through the rear access door.

Abstract: An automatically retractable rural mailbox which includes a mailbox which is slideably or rotatably mounted in relation to a fixed frame mounted on a post and which is automatically returned to its normal position by means of a spring. However, the mailbox is returned after being extended only after mail has been deposited in the mailbox and the letter carrier has again closed the mailbox door. This is achieved by a locking bar which locks the mailbox in an extended position, and a releasing bar which unlocks the locking bar and which cooperates with the door of the mailbox.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a rural mailbox indicator and security lock including an elongated rod designed to be moved between three positions, a first position indicating that the box is unlocked but no mail is there for pick-up, a second position wherein the box is open and mail is in the box to be picked up and a third position indicating that the box is securely locked against unauthorized entry. The elongated rod is rotatably mounted on a cam which is adjacent a locking mechanism, with the cam having a cut out portion designed to receive a latch of the locking mechanism in the third mentioned position of the elongated rod described above, with the cam further including an arcuate rim designed to interengage with a catch formed on the mail box door so that in the position of the elongated rod corresponding to locked condition, the door is prevented from being opened until the locking mechanism is released by a key.

Abstract: A mailbox is disclosed which comprises a housing having flanges located at the bottom, outside periphery thereof and defining holding grooves for peripheral edges of a decorative overlay. Sides of the housing have holes therein which align with corresponding holes of the decorative overlay when the peripheral edges are inserted into the grooves. The decorative overlay is attached to the mailbox by inserting removable fasteners into the aligned holes, thus allowing the overlay to be readily attached to and removed from the housing.

Abstract: A storage mail box is set forth wherein a conventional rural type mail box is formed with a hingeably mounted false floor including an overlying hingedly mounted door is positionable in a first position overlying an opening in said false floor and pivotal to a second position securable to a wall of the mail box to provide access to the false floor. The false floor includes a directed chute wherein the chute is angulated and oriented to direct mail positioned within the mail box into a central hollow support post wherein the mail drops to enable selective access through a rear locked access door of the post.

Abstract: A sturdy, virtually indestructible mailbox is presented comprising a thick-gauged cylindrical mailbox shell, a top pipe stem, a middle resilient spring stem and a bottom anchor post pipe stem having a circular driving auger. The shell and stems are connected by means of horizontal holes in the pieces through which are inserted first, second and third attaching bolts.The inside of the mailbox shell includes a perforated horizontal letter tray and a spring-ball latch mechanism that contacts an inner horizontal door flange for latching the door of the mailbox.

Abstract: A mailbox signal having two adhesively mounted brackets, one a ferrule support lineally and rotationally journalling a flag on a flag supporting element, and the other bracket providing a door mounted rest releasing the flag on the flange supporting element by disengaging an extension of the flag supporting element upon opening the mailbox door. The construction utilizes a durable weather resistant material installable without the requirement of tools or mailbox modification. The signal is easily and neatly packageable for sale and usage.

Abstract: A double door rural type mailbox having a door actuating mechanism which extends between and is connected to the two doors to insure that only one door is open at any one time. The door mechanism also permits the opening and closing of each door independent of the opposite door when the opposite door is in its closed position.

Abstract: A receptacle suitable for a mail box comprising an upright cylindrical housing having a transversely extending floor that is spaced upwardly a substantial distance from the lower end of the housing and a hemispherical top closing the upper end of the housing. A chamber to hold the mail is located between the floor and the top. A hinged door is attached to the housing and covers an opening formed in the side of the housing. Lag bolts are provided to detachably and firmly connect the housing to a post. Several holes are formed around the perimeter of the housing at the lower end thereof and well below the floor. Each hole is adapted to receive one of the lag bolts. There is also a hole formed in the center of the floor for receiving one of the bolts.

Abstract: An improved mailbox comprising a first tubular shaped compartment (18) with side walls and a flat bottom (50), a hinged front door (22) and a first pivotal flag assembly (170, FIG. 10) which is normally raised by the homeowner when he places mail in the mailbox for the postman to pick up and then lower the flag assembly, a second pivotal flag assembly (24), a first cable arrangement (40) responsive to opening of the front door to raise the second flag assembly (24) and leave it raised when the front door is closed to advise the homeowner that the postman has come, and a fastening arrangement (156 FIG. 9) for disabling the first cable arrangement by the homeowner when he is away from home, so no one will know that mail is in the mailbox. A second compartment (92) positioned below the first compartment (90) comprises a lockable rear door (112) therein. The flat bottom of the first compartment (90) is separated longitudinally along its length into first and second substantially equal sections (60 and 62 FIG.

Abstract: Extendable trays for use in conventional rural route mailboxes for facilitating the placement and removal of mail with respect thereto wherein the trays are constructed utilizing scored or integrally hinged sheet material which is selectively folded into a generally flat or planar configuration or package for shipping or distribution and which is assembled by a postal customer so as to be of a size and configuration to be cooperatively and slidingly received within a particular mailbox. In one form of the invention, the sheet material may be selectively folded into a number of sizes so that trays of varying dimensions may be formed from the same sheet of material.

Abstract: A delivery signal for a mailbox comprising a bracket extending from the back of the mailbox and a signal flag mounted on the bracket and biased to a signal position. A cord attached to the signal flag extends through the bracket and toward the front of the door of the mailbox. An end member is attached to the cord. A plate having a lip releasably secures the free end of the cord, holding the flag out of the signal position, and releasing the cord when the door is opened allowing the signal flag to move under the bias to the signal position.

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 mailbox or receptacle for mail, newspapers, and the like, has two compartments: an unsecured upper compartment and a secure, locked lower compartment, with a partition between the two compartments. A door in the partition allows access to a chute extending downwardly from the upper into the lower compartment. The chute is set at angles which allow mail and papers to pass from the upper to the lower compartment, but prohibits arms or hands from extending into the lower compartment.

Abstract: Newspaper retaining closure used in combination with an open-ended newspaper delivery receptacle. The closure is pivoted in the upper portion of the receptacle near its open end; it has a length greater than the vertical distance from the pivot to the bottom of the receptacle and extends inwardly of the receptacle, whereby the closure is lifted as a newspaper is inserted but partly closes the open end of the receptacle after the newspaper is inserted. The frontal area of the closure is insufficient to allow it to be lifted inwardly by normal winds and drafts.

Abstract: A conventional rural mailbox has a slidable tray insert therein molded from a plastic material exhibiting natural flexural characteristics with a generally rectangular configuration defined by a bottom wall with a pair of side walls and an end wall extending upwardly therefrom. The bottom wall has a handle inclined upwardly therefrom and spaced from the side walls and end wall. The handle is operatively connected to the bottom wall by a flexible live hinge permitting relative movement therebetween. Each of the side walls include a flexible finger element thereon for centrally locating the tray insert within the mailbox and limiting relative sliding movement therebetween. The end wall has a rearwardly inclined resilient semicircular member thereon for moving the tray insert partially out of the mailbox to expose the handle when the mailbox is opened and for maintaining the tray insert in a level position when it is fully extended from the mailbox.

Abstract: A rural or suburban mail box structure characterized by a housing, or body, wrapped or overlaid with a thin decorative exterior grade and preservative treated flexible plywood. The arrangement of the invention effectively satisfies both durability and appearance purposes, representing a finished product/effect not available heretofore, where the employed flexible plywood is dimensionally stable and strong.

Abstract: The disclosed signal device has a base plate and a signal plate, each plate having a threaded member secured relative thereto. A helical coil spring is threaded onto the respective threaded members, to become fixed between said base and signal plates. The signal plate has adjacent an edge remote from the spring, a tab portion angled about an axis disposed transverse to the threaded member. A double sided adhesive tape, bonded on one side to the face of the base plate remote from said spring, has the other side on the base plate, but it is yet covered by a removable facing. After removing the tape facing, the base plate may be positioned with the adhesive side against the exterior wall structure of a roadside mailbox, at a suitable spacing from the adjacent open end and door of the mailbox.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rural mailbox which has a staff in the solid flag of the conventional type, which flag is rotatably located on the side of the mailbox and can be set in a horizontal or vertical position. The present invention improvement involves an extension signal device which is attached directly to the solid flag. This signal extension device includes a rod which has an upper section and a lower section, with the lower section being threaded, a signal attached to the upper section of the rod, and, a first clamping member and a second clamping member. Both the first clamping member and the second clamping member are located at the lower section of the rod with the first clamping member extended from the rod and clamping over the top edge of the solid flag and with the second clamping member being removably attached to the rod and extending from the rod and clamping over the bottom edge of the solid flag.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention concerns a plate having a coil spring indicator positioned thereon and a retaining means for retaining the indicator from its normal vertical position to a horizontal position. A pair of such plates are adapted to be mounted upon the side of a mailbox. In another embodiment of the present invention, a conventional rural mailbox is initially manufactured with a pair of spring loaded indicators positioned on the side of the mailbox and having a pair of retainer means being positioned between the spring loaded indicator and the door of the mailbox. By using a pair of spring loaded indicators, the present device indicates when mail has been deposited by the resident in the mailbox for pickup by the mailman, and when mail has been deposited by the mailman for pickup by the resident.

Abstract: A rotatable mailbox pedestal is disclosed having a locking mechanism configured such that after being unlocked to permit rotation, it can be relocked in a forward orientation automatically, i.e. without further manipulation of the lock. The locking mechanism comprises a bail member pivotally mounted to the rotatable portion of the pedestal and having a notch positioned such that when rotation of the pedestal brings the notch in alignment with the bolt of the lock, the bail member pivots downward under the force of gravity to engage the notch with the lock bolt. Means are provided for conveniently and securely mounting a lock of the type commonly used in postal applications so that a postal worker may unlock the pedestal for rotation, withdraw the key for use on a mailbox mounted on the pedestal, and relock the pedestal in a forward position without further use of the key.

Abstract: The subject invention is a dual access newspaper receptacle which is based, in general, on a longitudinal box member with a internal hollow chamber, wherein such chambered box has two entry accesses to the hollow chamber in box. One entranceway has a hinged door for insertion of newspapers or the like from the front of the box, with a second access door on either the sides, back, or front of mailbox for removing the contents from such box as appropriate.

Abstract: A mailbox has the usual hinged door on the roadside end and a special hinged cover which normally closes a back access opening through which mail may be removed. The back access opening extends through the top, back end and both sides of the mailbox to facilitate access to the mail when the cover is open. The cover includes transparent panels on its back end and top so that the contents of the mailbox are visible from the end which faces the house but are not visible to passersby from the roadside end. The mail is received on a tilting floor panel which assumes an inclined orientation when the door is closed to make the mailbox contents visible from a considerable distance. The floor panel is transparent so that pieces of mail which may become lodged beneath it are visible.

Abstract: Apparatus for lighting the interior of a conventional metal mailbox having a rectangular bottom, a curved top and side section, a closed rear end, an open front end, a hinged cover pivoted about the horizontal base and having at its top a latch which when the cover is closed against the open front end of the box couples with a matching latch mounted at the top of the front end of the mailbox, the apparatus comprising an incandescent lamp having two terminals mounted in a socket depending from the top of the mailbox, a dry cell battery contained within an insulated case mounted beneath the bottom of the mailbox, a push button on-off switch having two terminals mounted on the latch at the front end of the mailbox, an insulated line connecting one terminal of the battery to one terminal of the on-off switch, and a second insulated line connecting the other terminal of the on-off switch to one terminal of the incandescent lamp, the other terminal of the battery being connected to the other terminal of the incande

Abstract: An integrally molded newspaper delivery tube comprising an open end receptacle for newspapers has a plurality of newspaper retaining flaps inwardly of the open end thereof for engaging and holding a newspaper positioned in the delivery tube.

Abstract: A conventional rural mailbox has a slidable tray insert therein molded from a plastic material exhibiting natural flexural characteristics with a generally rectangular configuration defined by a bottom wall with a pair of side walls and an end wall extending upwardly therefrom. The bottom wall has a handle inclined upwardly therefrom and spaced from the side walls and end wall. The handle is operatively connected to the bottom wall by a flexible live hinge permitting relative movement therebetween. Each of the side walls include a flexible finger element thereon for centrally locating the tray insert within the mailbox and limiting relative sliding movement therebetween. The end wall has a rearwardly inclined resilient semicircular member thereon for moving the tray insert partially out of the mailbox to expose the handle when the mailbox is opened and for maintaining the tray insert in a level position when it is fully extended from the mailbox.

Abstract: A mailbox signaling device comprises a pivotal plate on the base of a mailbox which is raised from a prominently exposed position below the box to a substantially invisible position flush with the base of the mailbox when mail is delivered into the box. Accordingly, the plate may give the impression when it is exposed that it is in a signaling position, although the box is actually empty, and when mail is delivered, the plate is invisible and no signal is therefore evident, except to persons familiar with the workings of the device, that mail has been delivered into the box.

Abstract: A signal device for attachment to standard, front-opening, outside mail boxes. The device comprises a clip member, a coil spring attached at one end to the clip, and a small flag or other visual indicating means mounted on the opposite end of the spring. The device is installed by inserting the clip over an upper edge of the open end of the mail box, without screws, rivets, or other permanent attachment means and without modifying or piercing the mail box in any way. The coil spring has a normal, unflexed position extending essentially vertically upward from the front, upper edge of the mail box and the device is "set" by flexing the spring downwardly from the end with the box door open to place the flag inside the box. The door is then closed to hold the spring in the flexed position. Upon opening the door, e.g., to insert mail, the spring returns to its upright position and the flag may be observed from a remote location, thereby automatically indicating that the box has been opened.

Abstract: A roadside mail box formed of an L-shaped tubular member erected with the "L" inverted and having a mail compartment in its horizontal leg. In a preferred embodiment, a closure sleeve, closed at one end, is coaxially, rotatably disposed on the horizontal leg. Respective elongated openings on the side of the horizontal leg and in the sidewall of the sleeve, register at one rotational position of the sleeve to permit access to the mail compartment and, in other rotational positions of the sleeve, are out of registration to close the compartment. Detents establish open and closed positions of the sleeve which is pendulously urged to the closed position. In alternative forms of construction the closure sleeve is absent and a sliding or hinged door closes the opening to the mail compartment.

Abstract: The subject invention is a multiple access mailbox and parcel receptacle, which comprises, in general, a longitudinally extending housing with a correspondingly internally disposed hollow chamber. Said hollow chamber conforms, in general, to the external shape of the mailbox, and there is dual entry access to this hollow chamber. First, there is a hinged door for entrance from what is considered to be front of the box, with a second access door on either the sides, back, or front of said mailbox. A spring-loaded hinge member is integrally interconnected with said second door whereby said second access door automatically swings shut after opening, and there is a one-way locking device by which arrangement such second door cannot be pushed open from the inside.

Abstract: A mailbox receptacle is combined with a supporting post, on which it forms an upper portion characterized by a floor extending transversally across the interior of the tubular post at a level spaced somewhat below the upper end. A lateral opening is provided into the interior space above the floor, and a tubular sleeve is coaxially rotatably mounted on the upper end region of the structure. The tubular sleeve has a lateral opening which registers with the receptacle opening in one orientation of the sleeve. And the tubular sleeve may be rotated to fully close the receptacle opening. Stops are provided to define the angular extremes of rotary movement of the tubular sleeve, and the sleeve or a cap structure provided on the post over the sleeve may include a signal flag which, particularly in the latter case, may be caused to operate in conjunction with rotation of the sleeve in the course of opening or closing the receptacle.

Abstract: A mailbox with a hinged access door includes a door-operating handle having an indicator plate or flag which can be moved between alternative positions when opening and closing the door to indicate respectively that mail is to be collected from the box or the mail has been collected and/or delivered. The handle is positioned to rest on the lower portion of the mail delivery vehicle window opening to support the mailbox door when in open position. Also, the interior of the mailbox includes a mail holder to retain outgoing mail in a conveniently accessible position so that the mail delivery person may make a quick and easy pickup of the mail.

Abstract: This invention serves several functions in a utility manner. One of the utility functions is to provide a container for receiving mail in an enclosure which is expandable when the mail load is heavy in volume. The other associated utility functions are those normally present in the vicinity of a yard marker. The utility yard marker consists of a frame, an anchoring component, covering over the frame, securing arms for objects, and an enclosed storage area for winter weather products, as well as other associated functions.

Abstract: A door for gaining access to a rural mailbox. The door is hinged adjacent to the roof of the mailbox to permit its swinging movement both into and out of the mailbox and, if desired, the door may be weighted to assure its automatic closure when left unattended. A continuous seal composed of a resilient, flexible material is provided around the outer edge of the door to provide all-weather protection for the contents of the mailbox.

Abstract: A double-door security rural mailbox having oppositely faced front and rear closures permitting safe, easy access thereto by the rural mail carrier and the owner of the mailbox. The mailbox has a locking mechanism including a key operated lock for locking the rear closure. The front closure is provided with a locking mechanism which allows the front closure to be freely opened and closed once by the mail carrier before securing in a locked position. Thereafter, the front closure may only be unlocked by unlocking and opening the rear closure. Once the rear closure is again closed and locked, the front closure may again be opened and closed once by the mail carrier before securing in a locked position.

Abstract: A mail box indicating device which permits a visual determination from a distance whether the mail box door has been opened. The mail box indicating device consists of a mail box with an upper and lower section separated by the mail box floor. A metallic strip is connected to the mail box floor in the lower section. The indicator means is attached at one end and has a magnet disposed at the other end which contacts the metallic strip until that end of the indicator means is released by opening the door of the mail box.

Abstract: A rural mailbox cover has a slat assembly which overlays the arcuate roof and opposite side walls formed by a center panel of the mailbox, the assembly having parallel slats of equal lengths which are arranged in a row and joined by elongated flexible and preferably resiliently extensible elements that extend transversely of the row of slats and are fixed to each slat at the interiorly facing side of the assembly. A center group of slats are beveled at their opposite side edges to facilitate a contiguous slat edge arrangement for the group as they overlay the arcuate roof of the mailbox and the opposite ends of each slat are beveled to accommodate the location of the door flange and a bead at the juncture of the center and rear wall panels of the mailbox. The opposite end panels of the mailbox are covered by components that have a plate with a decorative strip that forms a flange that projects inwardly to overlay the adjacent ends of the slats in the slat assembly.

Abstract: A mail or storage box for suspension between spaced-apart parallel vertical members and secured thereto in cover contact with a horizontal plane surface. The box is suspended by means of a compound pivoting arm arrangement to close against the cover surface and to be capable of opening from the front or rear in such a manner that upon opening the edge of the box falls away from the cover while progressively tilting as the opening proceeds toward a stop position where the contents are revealed and presented to the person opening the box. On closing a reverse progression occurs. Compound pivoting is achieved using a pair of pivot arms at both ends of the box and arm both pivotally secured to the end closure of the box at the top and at the bottom to an attachment plate. The attachment plate is the means for suspending the box in the space between the vertical supports and against the upper closure.

Abstract: According to the present invention impact damage to a mail box can be prevented entirely or at least minimized to the extent whereby the mail box can still function by enclosing the exterior surface of the mail box in a novel cage constructed of impact resistant material and adapted to be fastened to the mail box standard in such manner that any impact force applied to the cage is primarily transmitted from the cage to the mail box standard. The cage is further characterized by a flexural strength adequate to prevent it upon being subjected to an impact force from indenting or otherwise deforming the mail box surface to an extent preventing satisfactory opening and closing of the mail box door by U.S. Post Office personnel.

Abstract: A mailbox comprises a hollow, closed body having an open end with a door pivotally mounted therein. A rigid mounting sleeve, formed integrally and in one piece with the body, depends from the base of the mailbox and is shaped to telescopingly receive a support post therein to securely mount the mailbox and its contents at a desired location. The door preferably has a recessed handle and a recessed signal flag pivotally mounted in the exterior face of the door.

Abstract: A tray for mail boxes, especially those of the rural type, wherein the tray rests upon the mail box bottom and receives mail and other contents placed within the mail box. The tray includes finger grasping means adjacent the mail box door whereby the tray may be partially pulled from the box making the contents readily accessible and eliminating the necessity to reach deeply into the mail box cavity. Means are defined on the tray for holding letters to be picked up in a convenient position, and for supporting coins to pay postage due.

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 mailbox of ornamental design of architectural nature, specifically colonial, having design components of functional utility such as translucent windows, a roof and door which isolates the ambient environment from mail contained inside the mailbox, a pouch for receiving mail, the mailbox capacity extending from normal size letters to large packages, the exterior design to be personalized in accordance with the users personal preferences.

Abstract: A temporary material receptacle that is suitable for use in snowbound regions in which delivery boxes are oftentimes buried under deep drifts or torn away by snow plowing equipment. The receptacle is formed by folding a single blank of suitable material into a rectangular shaped open ended housing that is supported in a generally horizontal position by a vertical standard. The standard can be easily inserted into a snowbank to provide for a temporary depository that is capable of shielding material contained therein from the elements. Alternatively, the standard can be secured as by stapling to an existing post or pole.

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 mailbox and method of making same are provided wherein such mailbox comprises a plurality of enclosing walls, shear pins fastening the enclosing walls together, and a readily opened and closed access door with each of the shear pins having a strength which is substantially less than the strength of the enclosing walls and door so that upon subjecting the mailbox to high impact loads the shear pins shear resulting in disassembly of the mailbox while keeping the enclosing walls and door substantially intact.

Abstract: Having a base defining an inner pair and an outer pair of upperwardly-facing channels, a transparent cover having opposed edges received within the outer pair of channels, and a picture having opposed edges received within the inner pair of channels. The mailbox is mounted to a support in conventional fashion and includes a hinged door.

Abstract: A roadside mailbox is adapted to be opened and closed by movement of a mail service vehicle past it. The box has a door hinged along its bottom edge to the bottom of the mailbox. A lever arm, which is made of spring wire, projects outwardly from the door and is engageable by a slanted actuating rod mounted on the vehicle. As the vehicle approaches the box, engagement of the actuating rod with the arm opens the mailbox. As the vehicle leaves the box, the rod becomes disengaged from the arm and the door is closed by a spring. The lever arm resists bending in a vertical plane, and has substantially greater flexibility to bend in a horizontal plane toward and away from the mailbox. The actuating rod includes telescoping sections and may be quickly detached from its support on the side of the vehicle. A signal flag on the box, if raised is automatically lowered by opening the door. The signal flag may also be manually raised and lowered even with the door closed.