US1606423A - Letter and package posting and distributing structure - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 9 1926.

J. B HUDSON LETTER AND PACKAGE. POSTING AND DISTRIBUTING STRUCTURE File Nov. 8. 1922 u 2 Sheets-heet 1 INVENTOR TToRNEfi M m i:

Nov. 9 1926.

J. B.- HUDSQN LETTER AND PACKAGE POSTING AND DISTRIBUTING STRUCTURE Filed'Nov. s, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTORNE Y.

Patented l ter. o,

UNITE s'r s tat - some 13. HUDSON, or LANSDOWNE, PENNSYLVANIA.

Application filed November 8, 1922. Serial No. 599,710,

My invention relates to a structure which is adapted for use as a central depository for a community not only for outgoing but also for incoming mail matter.

A structure of this character is adapted for use for thehandling of mail in any community, but it is particularly well adapted and suited to the handling of mail -in rural communities and in small towns where it is impractical to make a house to house delivery of mail.

The invention has for its object broadly to provide a compact and novel unitary structure for the reception of outgoing lettors and other mail matter, and also means for the reception and distribution of mail matter for and to the persons to whom it may he addressed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel structure comprising one or more compartments for the reception of outgoing mail matter and a plurality of compartments associated therewith into which incoming mail matter may be delivered or .distributed. v A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel construction of means for controlling the openings or slots by means of which letters and similar mail matter may be inserted into the compartments provided for the reception of incoming mail matter.

- Another object of the'inventio'n is to provide a novel-construction of means intermediate a door for opening and closing the compartment into WhlCll outgoing letters and similar mail matter are inserted and the means for closing the openings or passageways through which letters and similar mail matter are inserted into the compartments for incoming letters and other mail matter whereby upon the opening and closing of passage- .Fig. 1 is a view in, front elevation of the structure provided with and embodying-my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken .onthe line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4.-4 of Fig. 2.

Referring to thedrawings: 1 and 2 designate the opposite sides of the structure, 3 the top thereof and 4 the bottom. Extending horizontally between the said front and rear walls of the structure are two horizontally extending division plates or boards 5 and 6. Verticalv plates or boards 7 and 8 are provided in spaced parallel relation to each other, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, which plates or hoards extend between the top 3 and the horizontal divisional plate or board 6. The said plates 7 and 8 are situated in planes extending from front to rear of the structure. Similar plates 10 are situated between the-plates 5 and 6. The said plates 10 occupy the same planes as the plates or boards 7 and 8. The presence of the plates 7 and 8 and 10 which are arranged in parallel relation to the opposite sides 1 and 2 of the structure divide the interior thereof into a pluralityof compartments, as shown. The central compartment 12 is adapted to receive outgoing letters. These letters may be deposited from both the front and the rear of the structure through openings 15 which are adapted to be closed by means of hinged doors 16 having chutes or guideways 17 projecting inwardly from the inner sides thereof. The weights of these chutes or guideways operate to retain the doors 16 in closed position. The upper edges of'the doors 16 underlie overhangingproj'ecting portions 18 whereby the contents of the compartment or chamber 12 are protected against the weather.

The large eonmartments between the vertieal plates or boards 7 and 8 and 10 and the sides 1 and 2 are divided into divisional compartments by the horizontally extending plates 20 and the vertical plates 21. It will be seen, therefore, that each of the large compartments between the plaies 7 and 8 and the opposite sides 1 and 2'is divided into eight smaller compartments into which incoming letters or like mail matter may be delivered by the postman or carrier. The

letters or other similar mail matter are adapted to be inserted into the respective compartments formed by the plates 7 8, 10, 20 and 21 through slots 25. These slots are normally closed by means of narrow plates 30 which project outwardly from slidable bars 31 situated in the corners between the opposite ends of the plates 7 and 8 and the front and rear walls of the structure. The outer ends of these plates are supported and guided in short vertical grooves 35 in .the inner edges of stationary posts 36 which are situated in the angles at the four corners of the structure. These posts 36 extend upwardly from the plate or board 5 to points adjacent the top of the structure- The lower ends of the slidable bars 31 extend through openings 38, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 of the drawings, in the plate 5 and are supported and guided in passageways formed by the sides of notches 40 in the corners of the plates 20 andthe adjacent opposing surfaces of the exterior'of the angles at the corners between the plates 7 and 8 and the front and rear walls of the 31 upon one side of each of the plates 7 and 8 may be regarded as constituting couples. Each of these bars 31 is provided with a lug 46 which is adapted to project through openings 47 in the plates 7 and 8 to thereby facilitate the connection of the opposite ends of the bars or plates to the said bars 31.

The compartment for the reception of outgoing letters and other similar mail matter is adapted to be opened and closed by a door 50 supported upon a horizontal hinged pivot 51 at points slightly below the horizontal plate 6 which constitutes the bottom of the compartment 12. The door 50 is provided with a lock 52 at its upper end by means of which it may be held in closed position. The said door is provided at its opposite edges with inwardly extending flanges 53 which terminate at their lower ends a short distance above the plate 6. The door 50 is provided at its lower end with extensions 55 at its opposite edges which extensions are provided with inwardly extending lugs 56 at their outer or lower ends. lVhen in closed position these projections or lugs 56 occupy the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. When, however, the door is open, as shown in Fig. 3, the lugs 56 project through openward Il'lOVQHlGIlt causes U DVv'tIld lllOVQlllGIlt Of the bars 31 which in urn causes upward movement of the plates or doors 3O projecting outwardly therefrom to open the slots 25 through which mail is inserted into the compartments provided for the reception of if;

coming letters and other similar mail matter. -Upon return of the door 50 into closed positionthe lower ends of the flanges 53 contact with the upper sides of the forward end portions of the inwardly extending projections 61 and depress the same together with the bars or plates 45 and the slidable bars 31 connected. therewith. The downward movement of the bars 31 causes corresponding downward movementof the plates 30 to close the slots or openings 25. It will be understood that the door 50 is normally closed and that it may be opened only by a carrier or other postal employee having a key for the lock 52. It will also be observed'that the slots or openings 25 are closed at all times except when the door 50 is opened and is then opened only for the purpose of permitting the postman or carrier to insert let-- ters .or other mail through the openings 2.) into the receiving compartments for incoming mail.

- It will have been noted that by the operation of the two bars or plates 45 the sev eral sets of plates 30 at the front and rear sides of the structure are actuated to open and close the slots or openings 25.

In order to provide means for locking or holding the door 50 inclose'd position even though the hinge at 51 should be broken by some one endeavoring to break into the compartments for outgoing mail matter for the purpose of unlawfully taking .the same I have provided the flange projections 61 with openings 61 with which the projections 61 on the lower ends of the flanges 53 of said door are in engagement when the door is closed.

The compartments for the reception of incoming mail both at the front and rear sides of the structure are provided respectively with hinged doors 65 having: projections 66 through whichopenings are provided for the reception of staples 67 which are adapted to be engaged by locks '68. To each person within the vicinity to whom mail is delivered by means of depositing it in. a compartment a particular compartment is assigned and to such person a key is given so that he or she may at any time open the door 65 belongits I ing to his or her compartment for the purpose of removing any mail which may have been placed therein.

For the purpose of providing suitable and convenient means for posting packages I have provided a central compartment 7 0 formed between the plates 5 and 6 and the plates 10. Packages, such as papers, merchandise, and the like, to be posted may be placed within the compartment from which they may be removed by the postman or carrier. For the purpose of taking care of and facilitating the delivery of incoming papers, packages, and the like I have divided the space between the bottom 4 and horizontal plate 5 into a number of compartments by means of a series of vertical plates 71 extending from front to rear of the structure, and the plates 72 extending at right angles thereto. The latter plate-s divide the respective space between the plates 71 into two compartments or chambers, as indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawing. These spaces or chambers are situated upon opposite sides of the respective plates 72. They are open at their, outer ends, as indicated. The vari-- ous doors 5 0 and 65 may be provided with tag or label holding means of any suitable construction for holding labels upon which such information asmay be desired may be placed; e structure is also provided with compartments in whichthe postal authorities may deposit'keys and the like which are not.

in use for safe keeping. These compartments are situated underneath a downwardlyand forwardly inclined plate 75 which is situated at the rear end portion of the compartment 12. A door 76 closes the opening 77 by which access is had to the compartment'und'erneath the plate 7 5. pThese compartments are formed by the plates 77 and the horizontal plate 7 8 secured to the upper ends of the plates 77 in conjunction with the'plate 75. The forward ends of the plates77 are inclined downwardly and forwardly, as indicated at 78, so that the said ends fit within the angle formed between the plate 75 and the horizontal plate 6. It will be seen, there-'- fore, that the space 7.7 underneath the plate 75 lsdivided into a couple of compartments, a centralcompartment between the plates 7 7 f and a compartment above the plate78,

between the latter-and the'upper end portion of the plate 75. The door 76 is adapted to be held in closed position by means of a lock 80.

It will be seen that by my invention I have latter for the delivery of mail thereto are adapted tobe controlled. It will also be seen that by myinvention I have provided a compact unitary structure whereby the handling of the mail, both outgoing and incoming, for a-whole community may be effected at a singlepoint, and that such point may be situated centrally with respect to said community or at such place as may be ed to be inserted thereinto, vertically arrangedslidable barssituated adjacent the outer edges of the; inner sides of the said compartments which bars are provided with outwardly extending plates which are adapted to open and close the said openings, hor1- zontallysituated bars extending from front to rear of the" said structure for connecting the said vertical bars in couples, a compartment for the reception .of outgoing mail mat-- ter, said compartment being provided with an opening through which such mail matter may be removed therefrom, and a door for opening and closing the said opening which door is provided with projections extending from the lower edge which projections are adapted to contact with the said horizontally extending bars for elevating the same when the said door is open and the said door being provided with means on its inner side for contacting with portions of the said horizontally arranged barsto depress the same upon the closing of the said door.

2: In a letter and package posting and distributing structure, the combination of a central compartment for the reception of outgoing letters, said compartment being provided with an opening through which the said letters are adapted to be removed and a compartment opened at both ends for the reception of outgoing packages, compartments at the front and rear of the said structure for the reception of incoming papers and Y packages, compartments at the'front and rear of the said structure for the reception of incoming letters, the said compartments being provided with slot open ngs through which the said letters are adapted to be inserted thereinto and with openings through which the said letters are adapted to be removed, doors for the last mentioned openings, vertically movable bars situated at the front and rear of the said structure at the front and rear ends of the inner sides of the said compartments for receiving incoming mail, which bars are provlded with outwardly extending pro ections WhlCh are adapted to open and close the slot o-penings ing the opening through which letters are adapted to he removed from the said compartment for receiving outgoing letters, which door is provided with means for engaging the said horizontally arranged bars for actuating the same to etiect vertical movements of the said vertical slidable bars to open and close the slot openings leading into the'compartments for incoming letters.

In a letter and package posting and distributing structure, the combination of a tioned door and the doors for the said opencompartment for the reception of outgoing mail, compartments for receiving incoming mail, said compartments being provided with openings leading thereinto, doors for closing said openings, :1 door for opening and closing the compartment for outgoing mail, means intermediate the said last menings whereby the opening and closing 0 the door for the outgoing mail compartment controls the opening and closing of the doors for the compartments for incoming mail,

and means for interlocking the door of the compartment for outgoing mail with the said intermediate means when the said door is in closed position.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention 1- have hereunto signed my name this 7th day of November, 1922.

' JOHN B. HUDSON.

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