GB2271385A - Letter receptacle - Google Patents

Abstract

A flexible bag is fixed on a door or wall where it catches mail and the like delivered through a letter aperture. The bag is so shaped that it lies flat or can readily compress into a flat form under light external pressure. The bag is normally arranged so that it catches mail and the like; but it may be arranged so that deliveries bypass it if required. <IMAGE>

Description

LETTER RECEPTACLE This invention relates to a receptacle for the reception of mail, papers, delivered goods or the like. When these are delivered through the letter apertures of most buildings, they fall to the floor. In some cases this undesirable effect is prevented by fitting a letter cage or box on the inside.

Letter cages or boxes are, however, bulky and it is often impracticable to fasten them to a door because they would prevent the door opening fully. Moreover, because of their size, shape and rigidity, many cages and boxes obstruct the entry of lar e objects. Also, most cannot be demounted easily to permit t e delivery of large amounts of mail if emptying is expected to be delayed for several days.

According to the invention, a bag is provided to catch mail, newspapers, delivered goods or the like. The bag can be readily accessed for emptying, but it may be positioned or fastened such that deliveries bypass the bag if required.

Several examples of the invention follow, illustrated in Figures 1 to 6: Fig 1: Bag with flap and fasteners.

Fig 2: Bag with flap and differently positioned fasteners.

Fig 3: Bag with flap held up by a spring.

Fig 4: Bag with flap held up by hinged frame.

Fig 5: Bag with collapsible framework projecting from a door.

Fig 6: Bag without flap and with collapsible framework.

One embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 1, which is an elevation of a bag 1 attached to the inside face of a door or wall in which there is a letter aperture 2. The bag 1, which is of flexible material and lies substantially flat, is fastened by its top, rear edge to the door and below the letter aperture 2. The bag is free to accept long objects as they are pushed through the letter aperture by moving and/or deforming as necessary.

A flap 3 extends upwards so as to cover the letter aperture and intercept mail. It is fastened suitably with hooks or fasteners 4 such that it may readily be undone and moved clear of the letter aperture 2.

The bag may be made of transparent or translucent material; and the material may be fire-resisting or fire-retardent.

In another embodiment, the hooks or fasteners 4 may be positioned beyond the flap's dimensicns, for example as shown in Figure 2.

In yet another embodiment shown in Figure 3, the flap 3 could be held up by a long coil spring 5 threaded through a pocket 6 in the top edge of the flap and attached at each end to the door's face. Alternatively, a rigid member with coil springs on each end could be substituted. When mail is required to bypass the bag, such a flap would be held down by a suitable restraint (not shown).

In another modification shown in Figure 4, the flap 3 could be held in front of the letter aperture by a hinged, rigid frame 7 which could be spring-loaded up or fastened suitably with a fastener 4.

In another example shown in Figure 5, the bag is caused to project away from the door (or wall) 8 by a framework 9. If the door opens against an obstruction, the framework is allowed to collapse upwards and inwards, by virtue of suitable hinges or a hinge effect due to the flexibility of the bag.

In a further, similar embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, there would be no flap but instead the mouth of the bag would be caused to project away from the door 8 by a framework 10 fixed to the door with hinges. The framework is held up by, for example, suitable hinge-stops 11 at such an angle that, again, it is collapsible and so avoids the problem of bulk. A means of moving the bag clear of the letter aperture could be provided: in the case that hinge-stops were used, for example, the frame could be capable of folding down by overriding such stops.

Claims (3)

1. A bag provided against a delivery slot to catch mail, newspapers, delivered goods or the like: the bag lies, or with light external pressure will collapse to lie, substantially flat when empty.

2. A bag as claimed in Claim 1 which may be positioned or fastened such that deliveries bypass the bag if required.

3. A bag as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 the material of which is fire-resisting or fire-retardent.

3. A bag as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 whose closing flap is held shut by hooks or fastenings.

4. A bag as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 whose closing flap is held shut by a spring or spring-loaded structure.

5. A bag as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4 whose closing flap can be held open by a suitable fastening.

6. A bag as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5 which can move and/or deform so as to allow the free entry of long articles.

7. A bag as claimed in any of the preceding Claims through the material of which its contents can be seen.

8. A bag as claimed in any of the preceding Claims the material of which is fire-resisting or fire-retardent.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A bag provided against a delivery slot to catch mail, newspapers, delivered goods or the like: the bag is held open with a frame and with light external pressure will collapse to lie substantially flat when empty.

2. A bag as claimed in Claim 1 which may be positioned or fastened such that deliveries bypass the bag if required.