GB2103479A

GB2103479A - Letter-box device

Info

Publication number: GB2103479A
Application number: GB08221247A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth Michael Freeman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-07-28
Filing date: 1982-07-22
Publication date: 1983-02-23

Abstract

The device is far insertion into an aperture in a door or panel to provide a closure therefor and comprises a frame portion adapted to be received within the aperture and a rotatable, substantially cylindrical member (2) mounted in the frame portion, the rotatable member (2) having a lengthwise extending slot (4) passing therethrough. The arrangement is such that the member is rotatable between a first, open, position in which the slot lies in a plane perpendicular to that of the door or panel, and a second, closed, position in which the slot lies in the same or substantially the same plane as that of the door or panel. The member is biased into the closed position by means of weighted portions (6) of its end caps (3). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to closure means The invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to closure means, for example, letterboxes of the type which are mounted in an aperture in a door or panel forthe passage therethrough of mail and the like.

A conventional letterbox comprises at least one hinged flap adapted to cover a rectangular aperture in a door or panel. However, in most arrangements the problem arises of sealing the aperture against draughts and rain when not in use. If the flaps are provided with strong spring-return devices, the passage of mail through the aperture is impeded and will, in most cases, require a postman to use both hands, which is inconvenient. Moreover, it is not uncommon for slight, but nevertheless undesirable, injury to be sustained to knuckles.

If on the other hand, the flap is loose, it will rattle and allowthe passage of draughts. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a letterbox which overcomes the above disadvantages.

The invention therefore provides a closure means suitable for use as a closure for an aperture in a door or panel, comprising a frame portion adapted to be received within the aperture and a rotatable, substantially cylindrical member mounted in the frame portion, said rotatable member being provided with a lengthwise extending slot at least in part defining a passageway therethrough, the construction and arrangement being such that the member is rotatable between a first, open, position in which the slot lies in a plane perpendicular to that of the door or panel, and a second, closed, position in which the slot lies in the same or substantially the same plane as that of the door or panel.

In examples of the invention to be described below, the slot traverses the cylindrical member in which it is provided and defines the passageway through which mail is received. However, it will be evident that the passageway may be defined by a plurality of slot portions for example a first slot portion lying in a plane normal to that of the door and formed in a stationary, elongate core member about which the cylindrical member rotates, the cylindrical member being hollow, for example in the form of a shell in which the slot comprises slot portions at opposite sides thereof which when the member is in the open position are aligned with the first slot portion.

There will now be described two examples of closure means according to the invention. It will be understood that the description, which is to be read with reference to the drawings, is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a cylindrical member of a letterbox comprising a first example of the invention; Figures 2 and 3 show end sectional views of the cylindrical member in a frame portion of the first example; Figure 4 shows an end elevational view of the first example with a front plate in position; and Figure 5 shows the appearance of the first example letterbox in position in a door; Figure 6 is an exploded, perspective view of a cylindrical member for use in a second example of the invention; Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of a frame portion of the second example of the invention; and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view through the second example in an assembled, closed condition.

The first example of a closure means to be described is a letterbox which comprises a cylindrical member indicated at 2 provided with a lengthwise extending slot 4 of dimensions which in the present example comply with Post Office recommendations, that is 250 mm by 38 mm. At each end of the member 2 is provided an end cap 3 including a D-shaped weighted portion 6 which in the present example is moulded from solid plastics material in comparison with the remaining portion of the cap which is recessed. A peg 8 projects axially of each end cap 3. Mounted upon the cylindrical member 2 in the vicinity of one lengthwise extending edge thereof is a projecting lip 10.

The member 2 is rotatably mounted by means of the pegs 8 in end plates 12 of a frame portion 14, which is received within a rectangular aperture in a door 16.

Lip portions 18 of the frame portion are provided with resilient sealing strips 20 to minimise the passage of draugts or rain.

Figure 2 shows the letterbox in a closed position into which it is biased by the weighted portions 6 of the end caps 3. In this position the slot 4 is vertical and there is no passage for mail or the like. If however, the lip 10 is lifted to the position shown in Figure 3, then the cylindrical member 2 is rotated about the pegs 8 and the slot assumes a horizontal open position, allowing the passage of mail as at arrow A.

The cylindrical member 2 is then allowed to return to the position of Figure 2.

In order to provide a pleasing appearance when in position in, say, the front door 21 of a residence, a front plate 22 is provided, which in the present example includes shaped projections 24 which partially enclose the end caps 3 and provide an effective deterrent to the ingress of draughts and rainwater.

The second example of the invention illustrates a construction of a letterbox which is suitable for example where the components are to be mainly manufactured from metal, say, aluminium, or plastics material. A cylindrical member shown in Figure 6 comprises one length of plastics material 25 and one extruded length of aluminium 26, each having a generally D-shaped portion. The strip 26 includes a lip 28. The lengths 25, 26 are assembled by means ol end caps 30 which are circular in plan and are in the present example moulded from plastics material.

Each cap has two D-shaped objection @@@@ one suface thereof, whih projections er gag@@@e interior of and portions on @@@ lengths 25, 26. A peg 34 projects from the opposite side @@ each cap and acts a pivot memeber, it will be appreciated that in the present example the weight of the alumi ium in he strip 26 and in the lip )r is su sufficient to bias the cylindrical member into the closed position. How- ever, it may be preferred to use an aluminium extru- sion for both strips 25, 26. or alternatively both Strips may be of piastics material.In these alternatives it may be advantageous to ensure the the cyiindricai member is biased into its closed position by providing weights or, more conveniently, by the provision of a spring (not shown), which need not be of any great strength but sufficient to cause the cylindrical member to rotate into the desired position. Conveniently the spring may be a flat spiral spring.

A frame portion illustrated in Figure 7 is formed of plastics material by a mouiding technique, and comprises a first box portion 36 incorporating a face plate 38 corresponding to front plate 22 of Figure 5.

A semi-circular notch 4G is provided in each wall oi the box portion 36 and these co-operate eith semicircular notches 42 in a seconc aox portion 44 to form a circular aperture to rcc..'ie the appropriate peg member 34.

A separate face plate 46 is also provided, the positioning of which allows a small amount of tolerance to cope with slight variations in the width of the door or panel. This is convenient especially in the case in which the door or panel is of wood. However, where fewer dimensional variations are encountered, as in a door or panel manufactured from metal, it may be convenient to form the box 44 and the plate 46 integr ally.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the following

Claims

claims.

1. Closure means suitable for use as a closure for an aperture in a door or panel, comprising a frame portion adapted to be received within the aperture and a rotatable, substantially cylindrical member mounted in the frame portion, said rotatable member being provided with 2 lengthwise extend- ing slot at lease in part defining a passageway therethrough, the construction and arrangement being such that the member is rotatable between a first, open, position in which the slot lies in a plane per pendicular to that of the door or panel, and a second, closed, position in which the slot lies in the same or substantially the same plane as that of the door or pans 2.Closure means as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotatable member is provided with a lip extend ing along at least a portion of the length of the slot, said lip facilitating manual movement of the member between its second and first positions.

3. Closure means as claimed in either one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the rotatable member is provided with two axial pegs, each projecting from one of two opposite end surfaces thereof, said pegs permitting rotation of the member in the frame por tion.

4. Closure means as claimed in claim 3 wherein if a peg- are provides on end cam of the rotatable ma@@u said caps being connected by two elongate strip memebers, which partially detime the slot.

6. Closure means as claimed in claim 4 wherein sao St ,. members have a D-shaped cross-section.

6. Closure means for use as a closure for an aperture in a door or panel, substatially as hereinbefore described v@@n reference to and as shown in 1) Figures 1 to 5, 2) Figures 6, 7 anc s; of the drawings.