Abstract: A pivotally mounted flag assembly for use with rural type mail boxes to automatically indicate that a pivotally mounted door of the box has been opened. The door pivotally mounts one end of a relatively stiff wire, the opposite end of which penetrates an oppositely disposed vertical wall of the box to engage a weighted semaphore type signal, the release of which causes the signal to rotate under the force of gravity to expose a free end thereof above the mail box where it may be viewed from a distance.

Abstract: An indicator for attachment to a mailbox for actuation upon mailbox door opening. A flag asembly is mounted on an elevated base of the indicator and includes a flag spring urged to the raised position. The flag is hingedly attached to a rotatable carrier plate permitting optimum flag visibility to the home owner. A flag release assembly includes an arm having one end in the mailbox door path with flag release occurring upon lifting of the arm which disengages the flag from a magnetic latch. The base and carrier plate have concentric openings through which flag release member extends to permit carrier plate rotation during flag positioning.

Abstract: A rural delivery mail box, including a flag at its side, and another flag at its rear; both of the flags being pivotable automatically between a displayed, and a stored-away, position, when the mail box door is pivoted open by the mailman.

Abstract: A signal unit which is attached to a mailbox to indicate that its door has been opened is made up of a plate which is frictionally held up against the underside of the box by a spring and a lip that bears on the door.

Abstract: A mail delivery indicator in which an arm connected to the door of the mailbox triggers the device when the door is opened so that a banner is raised and prominently displayed to indicate that mail has been delivered. The indicator is reset after the mail has been removed by exerting downward pressure on the banner structure. The indicator can be installed on any conventional mailbox having a door which tips downward when opened. Since the indicator is positioned away from the door of the mailbox, there is little or no danger of a person opening the door being struck when the banner is raised.

Abstract: A mail box gang apparatus which utilizes the construction of a mail box as an inherent structural component of the gang to achieve uniformity in mail box appearance, greater strength and permanency. The apparatus may include two horizontal rows of mail boxes mounted one upon the other, the boxes being affixed to one another at both the upper and lower portions to form an integral beam type structure of substantial strength. To facilitate such ganging in the manner described, the mail boxes are modified to include a new flagging system which advises the mail man of the presence of outgoing mail. This flag system affixed to the door of the box includes a panel which is merely rotated to disclosed a flag indication and is automatically reset upon opening of the box. In the preferred embodiment, the mail box door is modified to facilitate mounting of the flag and includes a novel latch device together with a pleasing appearance.

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.

Abstract: A double door mailbox having elongated link rods with lost motion structure, for connecting the front and rear doors of the mailbox so that both doors may be closed at the same time, but only one door at a time can be opened.The mailbox structure is further characterized by a signal member adapted to be moved by the link rods between a protracted position visible through the rear door and a retracted position.

Abstract: A mail box signal device for attachment to a rural mailbox, the invention comprises a length of flexible cord-like material mounted interiorly of the mailbox and fitting within guide structure mounted within the box. A first end of the cord-like material has a flexible flap attached thereto, the flap being retentively but releasably lodged between the door and open end edge of the mailbox. Flat signal plates attached to the opposite ends of the cord-like material are held contiguous against the underside of the mailbox when the device is a set or non-signalling position, the signal plates dropping downwardly on opening of the door of the mailbox thereby to release the flap and attached length of cord-like material. Movement of the flat signal plates to a downwardly disposed position indicates to a distant observer that the mailbox has been opened.

Abstract: Self-contained device for attachment to rural mailboxes which automatically signals when the mailbox door has been opened, including a channel support member, a signal flag pivotally connected to the channel support, a trigger element pivotally connected to the signal flag and shaped to cooperate with the channel support in setting the trigger mechanism, and separate biasing means for the signal flag and trigger element which allow the trigger mechanism to be easily set by a simple rotation of the signal flag and to be automatically released by an opening of the door of a mailbox upon which the device is mounted.

Abstract: A self-contained mailbox signal device assembly is provided which is selectively clamp-mountable against the exterior surface of a mailbox and which is provided with a gravity actuated pivotal signal arm. The pivotal signal arm is weighted at one end and is provided with a flag indicator signal portion at the other end thereof. The pivotal signal arm is adapted to be maintained in a substantially horizontal position when the weighted end thereof is supportably engaged by a support arm extension provided in the closed door of the mailbox. When the door of the mailbox is opened, the weighted portion of the signal arm disengages from the support arm extension and moves in a downward arc in response to gravitational pull. This causes the signal arm to pivotally move into its upright signal position with the weighted portion down and the indicator signal portion up so as to indicate to a remote observer that the mailbox has been opened and presumably mail has been deposited therein.

Abstract: A flag assembly includes a lateral projection at its lower end enabling flag raising by fingertip pressure. A spring biased rod includes an arm member contactable with the projection during door opening to automatically lower the flag. A link associated with the rod moves past the door hinge pin axis to lock the door open and also to close the door after initial manual door closing movement.

Abstract: A mailbox signal including a flag member journaled beneath the mailbox and adapted to be held in its elevated inoperative position by a latch member, also mounted beneath the mailbox and adapted to be actuated by the rearward swinging movement of the bottom portion of the mailbox door when swung to an open position, for disengaging the flag member and permitting it to drop to a visibly exposed operative position.The invention also contemplates an extended signal member pivotally mounted upon the free end portion of the flag member and adapted to swing between a folded elevated inoperative position and an extended depending operative position.The invention further contemplates the inclusion of an electrical signal circuit having a switch member adapted to be actuated by a portion of the flag member when swung to its operative position.

Abstract: A signal device for a mailbox comprising a pivotally mounted, weighted arm which is received by the mailbox door in the closed position. When the door is opened, the arm is released, whereby the weight urges the arm away from the box and into the signalling position.

Abstract: A gravity operation flag indicator device for a mailbox is provided which includes a simple latching mechanism operable responsive to opening and closing of the door of the mailbox. The device includes a flag indicator which is pivotably mounted in a side wall of the mailbox and has affixed thereto a latching arm which is disposed inside of the mailbox. The latching arm is mounted adjacent to the mailbox door and is of such dimensions that when the latching arm extends horizontally, the end thereof will be engaged by the door when the door is closed and thus the flag indicator will be held in a horizontal position. When the door is opened by the mailman, the latching arm is automatically released from engagement with the door and the flag indicator falls by its own weight to a vertical position to indicate that the mail has been delivered.

Abstract: A rural mailbox has horizontally pivoted signal panels on the front door and on the rear end. These panels move from an "up" position to a "down" position upon the opening and closing of the door as the box is being serviced by a rural mail carrier. In the "up" position, the panels present to view surfaces colored the same as the mailbox. In the "down" position, the panels present surfaces which are in a highly visible color, contrasting with the color of the box. Should ice, sleet and/or snow cause the rear panel to fail to fall by gravity, it is positively forced from the "up" position by the action of an actuator strap as the door is closed. The signal apparatus is reset by hand by the customer at the time the mailbox is emptied by the customer.

Abstract: An automatic, signalling flag device for rural-type mailboxes. A large metal or plastic signal flag is hinged to the side of the mailbox and is aligned and mounted for pivotal movement in a plane which is laterally transverse of the mailbox. The flag has a raised position, a lowered position to which it can fall by gravity and has a hole through it. A rod is mounted to the exterior of the mailbox for retaining the flag in the raised position and releasing it upon opening of the mailbox door, permitting the flag to fall to its lowered position. The rod is slideably mounted to a fastener which is pivotally mounted to the mailbox rearwardly of the signal flag, extends forwardly to a position where it is bent into a bayonet which is extendable into the hole in the flag, then extends forwardly to an L-shaped bend at the mailbox door and extends across the front, exterior face of the door into pivotable connection with a front fastener means mounted in the door.

Abstract: A rural mailbox flag device for attachment to the mailbox by existing fasteners normally serving to secure a frictional latch member to the mailbox. A flag support member includes a horizontal flange with relieved areas which facilitates reception of the latch mounting fasteners. A flag is held upright by mailbox door structure. The flag is automatically repositioned from its upright position upon opening of the mailbox door to provide a signal to the mailbox owner of the visited-non visited status of the box.

Abstract: In abstract, a preferred embodiment of this invention is a signal device in the form of a coil type spring with an elongated end thereon for fitting under the lip of the door of a rural type mailbox when the door is in the closed position. Intermediate the end of the elongated portion is an enlarged portion preferably in the form of a ball to increase the visibility of the device. The end of the coil spring opposite the elongated portion has a provision for securing the same to the side of the standard rural type mailbox.

Abstract: An elongated rod, having a signal flag on one end thereof, is secured by its other end to a housing adapted to be rotatably secured to the side of a rural mailbox adjacent its entrance end, the mailbox having a vertically swinging hinged door for opening and closing the entrance. The housing is provided with a radially extending latch arm releaseably engageable with a cam secured to the adjacent side edge of the door. The housing contains a coil spring for rotating the housing from a horizontally disposed position of the rod, when in a first cocked position, to an upstanding signaling second position, when the door is opened.

Abstract: A mailbox signaling device for rural mailboxes for indicating when the mailbox has been opened to insert delivered mail or retrieve outgoing mail. The device, which is preferably supplied in kit form for do-it-yourself installation, includes a signaling member, preferably including a portion coated with high visibility paint, pivotally secured to the mailbox for swinging movement between raised and lowered positions and a flexible connector extending from the signaling member, through the mailbox interior, to a releasable connection at the door of the mailbox. Opening the door releases the connector allowing the signaling member to fall indicating such door opening.

Abstract: A signaling device is illustrated employing a flag supported adjacent a bottom edge of the mailbox which is pivotable downwardly out of retracted position by the act of the postman opening the mailbox. The flag device is positively operated and is positionable for maximum exposure in selectable positions.

Abstract: A kit for adapting a conventional rural mailbox to one which provides a visual signal to advise any one interested that the mailbox has been opened. The kit includes a large signal indicator which is protected within a housing having a transparent portion, said housing being attachable to the rear of a conventional mailbox together with an additional indicator signal which is actuated simultaneously with said first indicator, said second signal being visible from all directions, and latch means for retaining both indicators in a position hidden from view, with additional trigger bar structure attachable to the hinged front door of the mailbox for actuation thereby when said door is opened and movable to release both indicators so that they may drop by force of gravity from their out-of-sight position to a position which is visible.

Abstract: Subject device is automatically tripped by manually opening the door of the mailbox. The device includes a frame which is intended to be attached to the lower edge of the mailbox. Pivotally attached to the frame is a signalstaff adapted for pivotal movement between an upright position and a recumbent cocked position. Attached to the upper end of the signalstaff is an omnidirectional signalhead which provides conspicuous evidence from any angle of view that the door of the mailbox has been opened. The signalstaff is held in the cocked position and/or selectively released therefrom by a novel trigger mechanism which includes an actuating lever disposed adjacent the door for operable engagement therewith and whereby the trigger mechanism is operated to enable biasing apparatus to carry the signalstaff to the upright position as the door is opened.

Abstract: A mail reminder device of the type designed to be mounted on a mailbox, comprising a signal including an attachment plate and an indicator movably attached thereto and a flag retractor including an axle and an actuating arm, both the signal and the flag retractor disposed in operative position on the mailbox, whereby one may visually determine whether or not the mailbox has been opened.

Abstract: A signal device for a mailbox of the type having a pair of forwardly protruding, engageable latch straps on the box and door. A signal device comprises a plate having a slot near the lower edge thereof that slips over the latch strap on the box to be pivotable thereon. When the door is closed with the plate held erect, it engages depending portions of the plate to hold it erect. Opening the door releases the plate and allows it to fall.

Abstract: Each of the opposite ends of a basically conventional mailbox is provided with a hinged closure which operates a signal device which is pivoted on the side of the mailbox so as to be elevated by the opening of the entry or deposit end of the box and to be lowered upon the opening of the exit or removal end of the mailbox. The entry closure operates a spring mounted rod to lift the signal device and the exit closure operates a small chain to drop the signal device back to its normal lowered position.

Abstract: An elongated shape retaining flexible member having its lower end secured to the door latch of a mailbox. The opposite end of the flexible member is designed to be compressed between the mailbox door and mailbox housing when the door is closed so as to retain the elongated flexible member in a downbent position. When the mailbox door is opened the upper end of the flexible member is released so that it springs or flexes into an upright position indicating the receipt of mail.

Abstract: A signal for a rural mail box which is automatically moved from one signalling position to another when the door of the mail box is opened, thus indicating to an observer located at a distance that the box has been opened and that mail has been deposited therein. The mechanism for operating the signal includes a pull rod attached to the door of the mail box and having a lost motion connection with a spindle carrying the signal.

Abstract: A mail box with a signal attachment in which the opening of the door causes a bracket to activate a pivotally mounted hollow signal arm. The activation of the hollow signal arm moves the hollow signal arm into a substantially upright position. Weight means within the hollow signal arm urges the hollow signal arm into a substantially upright position and maintains the hollow signal arm in the upright position until an operator manually resets the hollow signal arm to its initial position.

Abstract: A visual indicator for boxes in which printed matter -- such as newspapers or periodicals -- are delivered. An indicator flag is normally concealed underneath the box, and drops to a visible position when a plate in the front of the box is impinged by the insertion of the printed matter. The flag and the plate have a latching relation to re-set the indicator after the box contents have been removed.

Abstract: A flag type signal device which can be mounted to a mailbox, newspaper tube, lock box or similar device and which includes an actuator cord which when the mailbox is opened, newspaper tube utilized or lock box opened, releases a flag indicator to permit the indicator to shift into a signalling position.