US1084893A - Combined mail-box and signal. - Google Patents

Description

W. H. MULLINS.

COMBINED MAIL BOX AND SIGNAL.

APPLIOATI N FILED 1112.7, 1912.

1,084,893. v Patented Jan. 20, 1914.

4 SHEETS-$111313? 1.

COLUMBIA PLANOOIAPH COuWMNINl-ITON, D. c.

W. H. MULLINS.

COMBINED MAIL BOX AND SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED NIB. 7, 1912.

Patented Jan. 20, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

COLUMBM PLANOGIAPM CO..IIA$mN0mN. B. c.

W. H. MULLINS.

COMBINED MAIL BOX AND SIGNAL.

APPLICATION IILBD FEB. 7, 1912.

1,084,893, Patented Jan. 20, 1914.

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CDLUMIIA FLANOOIIAPH CO-pV/MHXNOTQN. D. C.

W. H. MULLINS.

COMBINED MAIL BOX AND SIGNAL.

APPLIOATION FILED rm. 7, 1912.

1,084,893. Patented Jan. 20, 1914.

a'WMO/ZHIM ii/1166850776 COLUMBIA PLANOOIAPH CO.,}WAIMINOTON. D- G- WILLIAM H. MULLINS, OF REPUBLICAN GROVE, VIRGINIA.

COMBINED MAIL-BOX AND SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

atented Jan. 20, 1914.

Application filed February 7, 1912. Serial No. 675,992.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM H. MUL- Inns, citizen of the United States, residing at Republican Grove, in the county of Balifax and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined lVIail-Boxes and Signals, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to mail boxes and has for its object the provision of a comparatively simple and thoroughly ellicient. device of this character especially designed for erection along rural free delivery routes to facilitate the delivery and collection of mail matter.

A further object of the invention to provide a mail box, the operating mechanism of which is under the control of a key and so arranged as autonnitically to display a signal of one color when mail is deposited in the box by the carrier, and to display a nal of another color when the owner of the box places mail therein for collection.

th ft'tl'illltl object is to provide a mail box which shall autoimrtically set the carriers signal when the lid of the box is moved to closed position, regardless of the nature of the signal being displayed prior to opening the lid, thus rendering it impossible for the carrier to leave the box after depositing mail therein without displaying his signal.

A further object is to provide means whereby both signals may be lowered and automatically locked in such position so as not to display any signal when the carrier has no mail to deposit in the box, and means whereby the owner may display his signal to the exclusion of the carriers signal when depositing mail in the box for collection.

A. further object is to provide means for auton'iatically opening the lid of the box when the locking mechanism is released, and means for preventing injury to said lid during the opening operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a mail box which shall be strong and. durable in construction, attractive in appearance, easily operated, and absolutely water proof.

Further objects and advantages will appear in the following description, it being understood that various changes in form, proportions and minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof, reference is to be had. to the :tollowing description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view oil. a combined mail box and signal constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the carriei"s signal displayed; Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the lid in open posi tion to permit the insertion or removal of mail matter; Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view, showing the relative dispositiijm ot' the several parts constituting the signal operating mechanism; Fig. at is a perspective view of the operating mechanism removed from the box, showing, the signals in normal or inoperative position; ltig. a) is a vertical sectional view, showing the position of the different parts when the carriers signal (lisplayed; Fig. 6 is a front elevation of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a perspective view, showing the position of the several parts when the owners signal is displayed; Fig. 8 is a front elevation, partly in section of the curved lock bars, showing the construction of the trip device and its associated parts; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the parts shown in Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a perspective view, showing the manner of locking the side bars in lowered position to display the carriers signal; Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 1l11 of Fig. 41-; Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 12-12 of Fig. l; Fig. 13 is a transverse secticmal view taken at right angles to Fi 12; Fig. l-il. is a front elevation of the lock for securing the lid of the box in lowered position; Fig. 15 is a perspective view of one form of hey designed for releasing the lock.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The combined mail box and signal forming the subject matter of the present invention includes a body portion or receptacle 5, preferably rectangular in shape, as shown, and adapted to receive letters, parcels or other mail matter left by the carrier or deposited therein by the owner of the box for collection by the carrier. The receptacle 5 is secured in any suitable manner to a post or support 6, and is provided with a pivoted lid or cover 7 having a depending flange 8 adapted to overlap the upper edge oi the box so as to eli'eetually prevent the entmnce of water or moisture to the interior thereof.

The lid 7 is pivotally mounted at 9 and is provided with a dome like structure 10, representing the National Capitol, which dome serves to accommodate the operating mechanism of the display signals, two of which are preferably employed and indicated at 11 and 12, respectively. The signal 11 is preferably formed integral with the dome 10 and is substantially cylindrical in cross section, said signal being preferably painted red and when displayed serving to indicate to the owner of the box that the carrier has deposited mail therein. The movable signal 12 telescopes the stationary signal 11 and is preferably painted blue or some other suitable color in contrast to the color of the signal 11 so that when the signal 12 is exposed, the carrier will know that the owner of the box has deposited mail therein for collection. Fitting over both signals is a movable cap 13 which, when in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, covers the members 11 and 12 so that no signal will be displayed.

Riveted or otherwise rigidly secured at 14, to one side of the box, preferably between the hinges 9 thereof, is a supporting bar 15, the free end of which is bifurcated to form spaced arms 16 on which are pivotally mounted for tilting movement spaced horizontally disposed operating bars 17 and 18. Extending transversely through the operating bars, is a pin or bolt 19 which forms the pivotal axis of a center beam or bar 20, there being tubular spacing members 21 inter posed between the inner faces of the arms 16 and adjacent faces of the operating bars, as best shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings, in order to maintain the several parts in proper position. Seated in suitable openings in the operating bars 17 and 18, are bushings 22 through which the pin or bolt 19 passes, there being washers 23 bearing against the extended ends of the bushings 22 so that when the nut 24 is adjusted on the threaded end of the bolt, the washers 23 will bear against the bushings and thus prevent binding or wedging action between the parts, said parts being securely held in assembled position, while at the same time allowing pivotal movement thereof on the bolt 19.

Rigidly secured to and depending from the forked end of the support 15, are front and rear sets of curved bars 25 and 26, the front set of bars 25 forming a guide for the center beam 20 and the rear set of bars 26 serving to lock the operating bars 17 and 18 in raised and lowered position, as will be more fully explained hereinafter. Encircling the forward bars 25, is a coiled. spring 27, one end of which bears against a pin 28, while the other end thereof serves to receive the impact of the center beam 20 when the latter is swung downwardly in the act of opening the lid of the mail box, and thus forms in effect a buffer or cushioning device for the lid.

One end of the center beam 20 is bifurcated to form spaced arms 29, while the other end thereof is given a half twist at 30 and is thence extended laterally to form oppositely disposed fingers 31 which normally project over and are spaced slightly from the upper longitudinal edges of the operating bars 17 and 18. Mounted on the fingers 31, is a trip device 32, preferably in the form of a flat plate having slots .33 formed therein and its lower face cut-away to provide spaced wedge-shaped lugs The bars 26 gradually increase in width from their points of attachment to the arms 16 to the free ends thereof, the inner edges of said bars being provided with spaced locking notches 35 and 36 adapted to receive spring pressed locking pawls 37 secured to the inner faces of the operating bars 17 and 18. These locking pawls 37 are clearly shown in Fig. 10 of the drawings, each pawl being preferably formed of a single length of metal having its rear end offset at 38 and its free end provided with an incision 39, the metal at said incision being pressed laterally to produce an inclined terminal 40.

Pivotally mounted at 41 on the inner faces of the operating bars 17 and 18, are buttons 42, each provided with a finger piece 43 and a wedge-shaped portion 44 adaptedto pass beneath the inclined lip or terminal 40 of the adjacent spring pawl 37 for the purpose of disengaging the pawls fro-1n the notches 35 and 36 when it is desired to return the signals to normal position, that is to say, to display no signal whatever.

Extending laterally from the curved bars 26, are pins 45, the function of which is to disengage the buttons 42 from the locking pawls 37 so that when the operating bars 17 and 18 are swung upwardly, the pawls 37 will automatically engage the notches 36 in the bars 26 and thus lock the signals in inoperative position.

Extending transversely across the interior of the dome 10 and riveted or otherwise rigidly secured thereto, is a transverse bar 46 having a horizontal keeper 47 mounted thereon and bet-ween which and the adjacent face of the bar is pivotally mounted for swinging movement a vertically disposed connecting bar 48. The lower end of the connecting bar 48 is pivotally connected at 49 to the bifurcated end of the center beam or bar 20 so that when the lid of the mail box is moved to open position, an upward pull will be exerted on the connecting bar 48 which will in turn move the rear end of the center beam 20 downwardly in the path of the curved bars 26.

Rigidly secured in any suitable manner to the inner face of the cap 13 is one end of a vertically disposed bar 50, the other end of which is provided with a slot 51 which re ceives the pivot pin 52 of the connecting bar 18. A similar bar 53 is disposed in spaced relation to the bar 50, the upper end of the bar 53 being fastened to a transverse bar 54 secured to the movable signal 12.

A relatively short bar 55 preferably extends transversely across the upper end of the stationary signal 11 and is provided with a pin 56 which projects through slots 57 formed in the bars 50 and 53 and assist in guiding said bars. Secured to the outer faces of the bars 50 and 53, at a point above the pivot pin 52, are auxiliary connecting bars 58 and 59, the lower ends of which are pivotally connected at 60 to the offset ends of the horizontal operating bars 17 and 18. Suitable coiled springs 61 preferably form a yieldable connection between the transverse bar 46 of the lid and the bars 50 and 53, respectively, said springs serving to hold the signals down on the lid, and also serving to assist in raising or returning the operating bars 17 and 18 to normal position when the lid is lowered. The springs 61, however, are not placed under tension until the oper-. at-or begins to lower or close the lid.

It is intended that the present mail box shall be under the control of a key, and with this end in View, there is provided a suitable lock consisting of a keeper 62 having its lower end rigidly secured to the inner face of the receptacle 5 and its upper end spaced slightly from the inner wall of the receptacle and curved to form a locking hook 63 adapted to receive a catch 6-1 depending from the lower edge of the cover 7, as best shown in Figs. 3 and 14 of the drawings. Arranged above the hook-shaped end 63 of the resilient keeper, is a laterally extending flange or plate 65, the free end of which is curved or deflected downwardly at (36 and serves to guide the catch 64 in engagement with the hooked end 63 of the keeper.

A ward 67 is ar 'anged near the keyhole 68 of the receptacle so as to necessitate the employment of a specially constructed key, indicated at 69 to open the box. It is obvious that. by inserting the key (59' in the opening 68 and partially turning the key, the hook of the keeper 62 will be disengaged from the catch (34, thus causing the tension of the spring 69 to move the lid of the mail box automatically to open position. It will of course be understood that the size and shape of the key-hole may be varied and that a different kind or style of key may be used for opening each box, that is to say, the owner of each box may have a key provided with a different bit from the bits of the keys of the other boxes, and the carrier may have a master key capable of unlocking all of said boxes. One end of the spring 69 is rigidly secured to the rear wall. of the mail box or receptacle, while the other end thereof is curved laterally and provided with a flat head 70 having a perforation therein and adapted to register with any one of the perforations in a curved bar 71 secured to the inner wall of the lid 10 at the front thereof, so that by inserting a pin or bolt 72 through the registering perforations in the head 70 and bar 71., the tension of the spring (59 may be regulated at will. The spring (it) is so positioned within the lid 10 as not to interfere with the operating mechanism.

A finger piece 7 3 is preferably secured to the lid of the box to assist in opening the same. Suitable bushings 71, similar in construction to the bushings 22,are also preferably seated in the slots 51 of the auxiliary connecting bars 59 and washers 75 arranged to bear against said bushings to prevent compression of the parts when the adjusting nut on the pivot pin 52 is regulated. if

The operation of the device is as follows: Assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 1 of the drawings, that is to say, with no signal displayed and the carrier wishes to deposit mail in the box or receptacle, he inserts the key in the lock and releases the book (34, which causes the spring (39 to automati ally open the lid of the box in the manner before stated. On the initial opening movement of the lid 7, an upward pull will be exerted on the connecting bar 1-8, which tilts the rear end of the center beam 20, thus causing the wedgeshaped lugs 31 to engage the inclined lips 4-0 of the spring locking pawls, thereby disengaging said pawls from the upper locking notches 36, a continued opening movement of the lid causing the fingers 31 to bear against the upper longitudinal edges of the. operating bars 17 and 18 and force said bars, together with the center beam 20, downwardly in the path of the curved bars 26 and past the lower notches 35 until the center beam 20 contacts with the cushioning spring 27. \Vhen the lid is lowered the coiled spring (31 will be placed under tension and tend to return the center beam and operating bars to normal position. Owing to the wedgeshaped formation of the curved bars 26, however. the inner edges of said bars will tend to distend or press the free ends of the locking pawls inwardly and thus prevent undue friction between the lugs 31 and said pawls, with the result that as the operating bars 17 and 18 pass upwardly, the locking pawls will automatically engage the lower locking notches 35 and lock the bars 17 and 1.8 in the position shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. As the lid of the box is closed, the connecting bar 48 will return the center beam 20 to normal position and lower the stationary member 11, thus displaying the red signal and notifying the owner of the box that the carrier has deposited mail therein. The owner of the box opens the lid thereof in the manner described to remove the mail matter, and if he has any mail to deposit for collection by the carrier, the owner swings the button 42 upwardly on the center beam connected with the blue or movable signal 12, which causes the wedgeshaped portion 44 of the button to press the adjacent locking pawl 37 inwardly so as to clear the lower locking recess 35. By now closing the lid, one of the operating bars will be locked in lowered position and the other operating bar, together with the center beam, returned to normal position, thus withdrawing the movable signal 12 from the cap 13 and causing the blue signal to be displayed, which, as before stated, inclicates that the owner has deposited mail in the box for collection by the carrier.

It is of course understood that the display signals may be of any desired color, the selection of blue and red for the owners and carriers signals being arbitrary and merely for the purpose of illustration only. Should the owner of the box, after removing the mail therefrom, have no new mail to deposit in said box for the carrier, the owner swings both of the buttons 42 upwardly into engagement with the adjacent locking pawl 37 which causes both of the operating bars 17 and 18 to clear the lower locking notches and return to normal position, thus lowering the cap 18 to the position shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings so that no signal will be displayed. Vhen both buttons are pressed into engagement with the locking pawls 37 to display no signal, the lugs or pins 45 on the curved bars 46 will automatically disengage the buttons 42 from the locking members so that when the operating bars 17 and 18 are returned to normal position, said locking bars will automatically engage the upper recesses 36 and lock the signal against further movement and thereby prevent an unauthorized person from surreptitiously operating the signal. Should the carrier in passing the box find the blue signal displayed and have mail himself to deposit in the box, the mere opening of the lid of the box will automatically take off the blue signal, and when the lid is closed, expose the red signal, this being accomplished in the following manner: WVhen the lid is elevated, the center beam 20, together with the operating bar 18 will be moved downwardly along the bars 26, and in doing so, the wedge-shaped lugs 34 will disengage the op erating bar 17 from the recess in the adjacent curved bar 26 and carry both the bars 17 and 18 downwardly until the center beam engages the cushioning spring 27. When the lid of the box is closed, the coiled springs 61 will force the bars 17 and 18 upwardly and cause the locking pawls on the operating bars to engage the lower recesses 85 and in which position both operating bars will be held down, thus automatically displaying the red signal and locking the parts in the position shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings.

Thus it will be seen that the buttons 42- are operated manually to display either a blue signal or no signal, said buttons being returned automatically to inoperative position by engagement with the pins or lugs 45 in the manner before stated. It will also be seen that the construction of the operating mechanism is such as to automatically set the carriers signal when the lid of the box is closed, regardless of the nature of the signal being displayed at the time the lid is opened. Sufficient space is preferably left between the lower end of the movable signal 12 and the dome of the box to allow the wedge-shaped lugs 34 to engage the locking members before the lips 31 on the trip device come in contact with the operating bars 17 and 18.

It will here be noted that the coiled springs 61 serve to normally hold the movable signal and cap over the stationary signal and also serve to return the horizontal operating bars and cause the locking members thereof to engage the lower notches in the bars 26. The coiled springs 61 also assist the main spring in opening the lid of the mail box when the lock is released.

Thus it will be seen that there is provided a thoroughly practical and eflicient mail box which is under the control of a key, which is absolutely water proof, andwhich will automatically display a plurality of signals so as to notify the carrier when mail is deposited in the box for collection, and when mail is deposited by the carrier in the box for removal by the owner.

It will of course be understood that the boxes may be made in difierent sizes and shapes, and that the construction, operation and position of the interior operating mechanism varied at will without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A mail box including a receptacle having a movable lid, relatively stationary and movable signals carried by the lid, and means operatively connected with the movable signal for actuating the latter to expose the stationary signal as the lid is moved to closed position.

2. A mail box including a receptacle having a movable lid, a signal carried by the lid, means operatively connected with the signal for displaying the latter when the lid is moved to closed position, and means arranged for cooperation with the signal operating means to render the signal operating means inoperative.

3. A mail. box including a receptacle having a movable lid, relatively stationary and movable signals carried by the lid, and means operatively connected with the movable signal. for moving the same to position to display the stationary signal as the lid is moved to closed position.

4t. A mail box including a receptacle having a movable lid, telescopic signals mounted on the lid, means for locking the lid in closed position, and means operatively connected with the signals for moving one relatively to the other when said lid is closed.

5. A mail box including a receptacle having a movable lid, a plurality of telescopic signals carried by the lid, means operatively connected with the signals for displaying one of said signals actuated by movement of the lid to closed position, and means for locking said signal in display position.

6. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, a plurality of telescopic display signals mounted on the lid, means operatively connected with the signals for exposing one signal actuated by movement of the lid to closed position, and manually operated means for permitting the return to normal posit-ion of the signal being displayed.

7 A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, a plurality of signals of ditlerent colors mounted on the lid, means disposed within the receptacle and operatively connected with the signals for display ing a signal of one color when the lid is moved to closed position and actuated by the movement of the lid to closed position, and manually operated means for permitting the display oi a signal of a different color.

8. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid provided with a dome, relatively stationary and movable telescopic signals carried by the dome, and means disposed within the dome and operatively connected with the HIOWIblO signal for actuating the latter to display the stationary signal as the lid is moved to closed position and actuated. by such movement of the lid.

9. A mail box including a receptacle hav ing a pivoted lid provided with a dome having an extension constituting a stationary signal, a movable signal slidably mounted on the stationary signal, a cap fitting over both signals, and means disposed within the dome and operatively connected with the movable signal and cap, respectively, for actuating the latter to display the stationary signal. when the lid is moved to closed position.

10. A mail box including a receptacle having a movable lid, relatively movable signals carried by the lid, means operatively connected with each of the signals for moving the same to display position as the lid is moved to closed position and actuated by the movement of the lid to such position, and selective means arranged for cooperation with the signal operating means to render either of the signal moving means inoperative.

11. A mail box including a receptacle having a movable lid, relatively stationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a cap normally fitting over both signals, operating mechanism disposed within the receptacle and connected with the cap and movable signal, respectively, for displaying the movable signal when the lid is closed, and means for locking the movable signal in set position.

12. A mail box including a receptacle having a movable lid, relativdly stationary and movable signals carried by the lid, operating mechanism disposed within the receptacle for autonlatically displaying either signal as the lid is moved to closed position and actuated by such movement of the lid, and means for locking said signals in display position.

13. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relatively stationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a cap fitting over both signals, operating mechanism disposed within the receptacle and connected with the cap and movable signal, respectively, for displaying either the movable or stationary signal when the lid of the box is moved to closed position, means for locking said signals in display position, and means for permitting the return of said signals to normal position.

1%t. A. mail box including a rcceptaclehaving a pivoted lid, relatively stationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a sliding cap telescoping both signals, means for locking the lid in closed position, means disposed within the receptacle and operatively connected with the cap and. movable signal, respectively, -for displaying the stationary signal when the lid is moved to closed position, and means for locking the cap and movable signal in position to display the stationary signal.

1.5. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relatively stationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a cap fitting over both signals, a support disposed within the receptacle, operating bars pivotally mounted on the support, a connection between the operating bars and the movable signal andv cap, respectively, for automatically displaying the stationary signal when the lid is moved to closed position, and means for locking the cap and movable signal in position to display the stationary signal.

I (i. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relatively stationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a cap fitting over said signals and normally housing the same, a support arranged within the receptacle and provided with depending arcuate bars, operating bars pivotally mounted on the support, vertical bars forming a connection between the operating bars and the movable signal and cap,respectively, for exposing the stationary signal when the lid is moved to closed position, and means carried by the operating bars and engaging the arcuate bars for locking the can and movable signal in position to display the stationary signal.

17 A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relatively stationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a cap slidably mounted over both signals and forming a housing therefor, a support ar ranged within the receptacle, curved bars depending from the support and provided with looking teeth, operating bars pivotally mounted on the support, means forming a connection between the cap and movable signal, respectively, and the adjacent ends of the operating bars for exposing the stationary signal when the lid is closed, and means carried by the operating bars and engaging the locking teeth for automatically locking the cap and movable signal in position to display the stationary signal.

18. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relatively stationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a sliding cap fitting over both signals, a support arranged within the receptacle and provided with depending curved bars gradually increasing in width from one end thereof to the other, operating bars pivotally mounted on the support, a connection between the operating bars and the movable signal and cap, respectively, for automatically displaying the stationary signal when the lid is moved to closed position, and locking devices carried by the operating bars and adapted to engage the curved bars for locking the cap and movable signal in position to display the stationary signal.

19. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relatively stationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a sliding cap fitting over both signals, means for locking the lid in closed position, means disposed within the receptacle and operatively connected with the body thereof and lid, respectively, for automatically moving the lid to open position when the locking means is released, a support, spaced operating bars pivotally mounted on the support, means forming a connection between the operating bars and movable signal and cap, respectively, for automatically displaying the stationary signal when the lid is moved to closed position, and means for normally and yieldably holding the cap over both signals.

20. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relatively stationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a sliding cap fitting over both signals, a support secured to the receptacle, operating bars pivotally mounted on the support and operatively connected with the movable signal and cap, respectively, spaced sets of curved bars depending from the support, one set of said bars being substantially wedge-shaped and provided with looking recesses, a transverse bar carried by the lid, and a center beam operatively connected with the transverse bar and provided with lips adapted to bear against the operating bars for depressing said bars and automatically displaying,

the stationary signal when the lid is moved to closed position. 7

21. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relatively stationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a cap fitting over both signals, a support arranged within the receptacle, operating bars pivot-- ally mounted on the support and operatively connected wit-h the cap and movable signal, respectively, curved bars depending from the support, locking members carried by the operating bars and engaging the curved bars for locking the cap and movable signal in position to display the stationary signal, and means operatively connected with the lid for automatically depressing the operating bars when the lid is moved to open position, thereby to cause the locking members to engage the curved bars.

22. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relatively stationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a cap fitting over both signals, a support rigidly secured to the interior wall oi the receptacle, operating bars pivotally mounted on the support and operatively connected with the movable signal and cap, respectively, curved locking bars depending from the support, a center beam pivotally mounted on the support and operatively connected with the lid of the mail box, locking members carried by the operating bars and normally engaging the locking bars, and a trip device carried by the center beam for disengaging the locking members from the locking bars.

23. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relatively stationary and movable signals mounted on the lid, a cap fitting over both signals, a rigid support disposed within the receptacle, locking bars depending from the support, operating bars pivotally mounted on said support and operatively connected with the movable signal and cap, respectively, spring locking pawls carried by the operating bars and normally engaging the locking bars, a center beam operatively connected with the lid of the mail box, a trip device adapted to disengage the spring locking pawls from the locking bars, fingers carried by the center beam for depressing the operating bars when the lid is Cir 'moved to open position, means for displaying the stationary signal when the lid is moved to closed position, and means for locking the cap and movable signal in position to display the stationary signal.

24. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relatively stationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a cap fitting over both signals, means for looking said lid in closed position, means for cushioning the opening movement of the lid, and means operatively connected with the cap and movable signal for automatically displaying the stationary signal when the lid is moved to closed position.

2*. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relatively stationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a cap fitting over both signals, a support arranged within the receptacle and having its end bifurcated to form spaced arms, operating bars pivotally mounted on the arms and operatively connected with the cap and movable signal, respectively, a transverse bar secured to the lid, a center beam pivotally mounted between the arms of the support and operatively connected with the bar of the lid, spaced sets of curved bars depending from the arms of the support, one set of said bars being provided withlocking teeth, spring locking members carried by the operating bars and normally engaging the teeth in the curved bars, a trip device carried by the center beam for disengaging the locking members from the teeth when the lid is moved to open position, and a yieldable connection between the bar of the lid and the means for operating the movable signal and cap respectively.

26. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relatively stationary and movable telescopic signals carried by the lid, a sliding cap normally fitting over and forming a housing for both signals, a support arranged within the receptacle, operating bars mounted on the support and operatively connected with the movable signal and cap, respectively, locking bars depending from the support and provided with spaced notches, locking pawls carried by the operating bars and adapted to engage said notches, a center beam operatively connected with the lid of the box, means carried by the center beam for disengaging the locking pawls from the notches in the bars, and buttons mounted on the operating bars for normally holding the locking pawls out of engagement with the notches.

27. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relatively stationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a cap fitting over said signals, a support arranged within the receptacle, operating bars pivotally mounted on the support and operatively connected with the lid and movable signal, respectively, locking bars depending from the support and provided with notches, a center beam connected with the lid of the receptacle, resilient locking pawls carried by the operating bars and adapted to engage the notches in the locking bars, a trip device carried by the center beam for disengaging the pawls from said notches, and means mounted on the operating bars for holding the locking pawls out of engagement with the notches in the locking bars.

28. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relatively stationary and movable signals mounted on the lid, a cap fitting over both signals, a support ar- -anged within the receptacle, operating bars pivotally mounted on the support and operatively connected with the movable signal and cap, respectively, locking bars depend ing from the support, guide bars also depending from the support and arranged in front of the locking bars, a cushioning spring encircling the guide bars, a center beam operatively connected with the lid of the box, locking members carried by the operating bars and engaging the locking bars, a trip device mounted on the center beam for disengaging the locking members from the locking bars, and manually operated means for holding the locking members out of engagement with the locking bars.

29. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relatively stationary and movable signals mounted on the lid, a cap fitting over both signals, a support rigidly secured to the receptacle, operating bars pivotally mounted on the support and operatively connected with the cap and movable signal, respectively, locking bars depending from the support, a transverse bar secured to the lid, a center beam operatively connected with the transverse bar and having one end thereof provided with laterally extending lips for engagement with the operating bars, spring locking members carried by the operating bars, a trip device mounted for vertical adjustment on the lips and adapted to engage the spring locking members for disengaging said locking members from the locking bars, and means independent of the trip device for moving the looking members to inoperative position.

30. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relatively stationary and movable Signals mounted on the lid, :1 cap fitting over both signals, a support arranged within the receptacle, operating bars pivotally mounted on the support and operatively connected with the cap and movable signal, respectively, locking bars depending from the support, a center beam operatively connected with the lid of the receptacle and having one end thereof provided with laterally extending lips for engagement with the op erating bars, spring locking pawls carried by the operating bars, a trip device adjustable vertically of the lips and provided with wedge-shaped lugs adapted to engage the locking pawls for moving the latter out of engagement with the locking bars, and buttons pivotally mounted on the operating bars and having wedge-shaped portions movable into engagement with the locking members.

31. A mail box including a receptacle having a movable lid, relatively movable signals carried by the lid, a cap arranged to cover the signals, means operatively connected with one of the signals and with the cap for moving the same, the moving means being actuated by the movement of the lid to closed position, and selective means for rendering either or both of the means in operative.

32. A mail but including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relatively stationary and movable signals mounted on the lid, a cap fitting over both signals, a support arranged within the receptacle, operating bars pivotally mounted on the support, a transverse bar carried by the lid, vertical bars having a slotted connection with the transverse bar of the lid and operatively connected with the movable signal and cap, respectively, a spring forming a connection be tween the transverse bar and vertical bars, locking bars depending from the support, a center beam operatively connected with the transverse bar of the lid, locking pawls carried by the operating bars, and engaging the locking bars and a trip device carried by the center beam for automatically disengaging the locking pawls from the locking bars.

83. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relatively stationary and movable signals mounted on the lid, a cap fitting over both signals, means for locking the lid in closed position, means for automatically moving the lid to open position when the locking means is released, a sup port disposed within the receptacle, operat ing bars pivotally mounted on the support, vertical bars connected with the operating bars and having their upper ends connected with the cap and movable signal, respectively, curved locking bars depending from the support, a center beam pivo-tally mounted on the support and operatively connected with the lid of the box, locking members carried by the operating bars and engaging the locking bars, a trip device carried by the center beam, and a cushioning device depending from the support for engagementwith the center beam.

84. A mail box including a receptacle hav ing a pivoted lid, means for locking the lid in closed position, relatively stationary and movable signals mounted on the lid, a cap fitting over both signals, means for automatically opening the lid when the locking means is released, a transverse bar rigidly secured to the lid, a keeper secured to the transverse bar, a support arranged Within the receptacle, a center beam pivotally mounted on the support, a bar having one end thereof bifurcated and connected with the center beam and its other end extended through the keeper and mounted on the transverse bar of the lid, operating bars disposed on opposite sides of the center beam and operatively connected with the cap and movable signal, respectively, spaced sets of curved bars depending from the support, one set of said bars being provided with notches, a coiled spring encircling the other set of curved bars and forming a cushion, spring locking members carried by the operating bars and adapted to engage the notches in the locking bars, a trip de vice carried by the center beam for disengaging the locking members from the looking bars, a spring forming a connection between the transverse bar of the lid and the connecting members of the signal and cap, respectively, said connecting members each having a pin and slot connection With the transverse bar, and means independent of the trip device for holding the spring locking members in inoperative position.

35. A mail box including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relatively stationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a cap fitting over both signals, a support arranged Within the receptacle, operating bars pivotally mounted on the support and operatively connected with the cap and movable signal, respectively, locking bars depending from the support, pawls carried by the operating bars and engaging the locking bars for holding the cap and movable signal in position to display the stationary signal, buttons mounted on the operating bars for holding the pawls out of engagement with the locking bars, and means carried by the locking bars and disposed in the path of the buttons for automatically disengaging said buttons from the pawls.

36. A mail boX including a receptacle having a pivoted lid, relatively stationary and movable signals carried by the lid, a cap fitting over both signals, a support arranged within the receptacle, operating'bars pivotally mounted on the support and opera tively connected with the cap and movable signal, respectively, locking bars depending from the support, spring locking member carried by the operating bars and engaging the locking bars for holding the cap and movable signal in position to display the stationary signal, wedge-shaped buttons pivotally mounted on the operating bars for disengaging the locking members from the locking bars, and pins extending laterally from the locking bars and disposed in the path of the buttons for automatically disengaging said buttons from the spring locking members.

37. A mail box including a receptacle, having a movable lid, relatively stationary and movable signals carried by the lid, means operatively connected with the movable signal for actuating the latter to display the stationary signal when the lid is moved to closed position, and means for ren- 10 dering the actuating means for the movable signal inoperative.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

W'ILLIAM I-I. MULLINS. [1 5.] Witnesses:

R. L. PALMER, A. N. SEYMOUR.

copies at this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by Manning the Commissioner 0! Patents, Washington, D. 0.

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