US20040195303A1 - Flag system for use with a mailbox - Google Patents
Flag system for use with a mailbox Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040195303A1 US20040195303A1 US10/408,482 US40848203A US2004195303A1 US 20040195303 A1 US20040195303 A1 US 20040195303A1 US 40848203 A US40848203 A US 40848203A US 2004195303 A1 US2004195303 A1 US 2004195303A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- flag member
- recess
- flag
- mailbox
- inches
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G29/00—Supports, holders, or containers for household use, not provided for in groups A47G1/00-A47G27/00 or A47G33/00
- A47G29/12—Mail or newspaper receptacles, e.g. letter-boxes; Openings in doors or the like for delivering mail or newspapers
- A47G29/1209—Rural letter-boxes
- A47G29/121—Signalling devices
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F17/00—Flags; Banners; Mountings therefor
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F7/00—Signs, name or number plates, letters, numerals, or symbols; Panels or boards
- G09F7/18—Means for attaching signs, plates, panels, or boards to a supporting structure
- G09F7/22—Means for attaching signs, plates, panels, or boards to a supporting structure for rotatably or swingably mounting, e.g. for boards adapted to be rotated by the wind
Abstract
A flag system for use with a mailbox utilizes an elongated body having two opposite ends and which defines a recess which opens out of one end thereof. In addition, a flag member is slidably received by the recess of the body for movement between a retracted position at which the flag member is substantially withdrawn into the recess and an extended position. A channel which is defined in the recess cooperates with the flag member to guide the flag member between the retracted and extended positions.
Description
- This invention is concerned with means for signaling a postman that outgoing mail needs to be picked up by the postman.
- There exists a need for an improved, durable system for signalling a postman that mail needs to be picked up. Such a system can be embodied in a mailbox or a self-contained plate assembly which can either be attached to the side of a house or against the side of a mailbox post.
- Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved system for signalling a postman that mail needs to be picked up.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide such a system which can be embodied in a mailbox or a self-contained plate assembly which can either be attached to a vertical surface, such as the side of a mailbox, house or the column of a porch.
- Still another object of the present invention is to provide such a system having a surface upon which relevant address information, such as a house number, can be displayed.
- Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a system which is durable and resists damage by vandals or the weather.
- A further object of the present invention is to provide such a system which is uncomplicated in structure, yet effective in operation.
- This invention resides in a flag system for use with a mailbox.
- The flag system includes an elongated body having two opposite ends and defines a recess which opens out of one end thereof. The system further includes a flag member which is slidably received in the recess of the body for movement between a retracted position at which the flag member is substantially withdrawn into the recess and an extended position.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mailbox and an embodiment of flag system shown attached to the mailbox.
- FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the FIG. 1 flag system as seen from one side thereof.
- FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a side of the FIG. 1 flag system as seen from the back in FIG. 2.
- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken about along line4-4 of FIG. 3.
- FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 of an alternative embodiment of a flag system.
- FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 of the FIG. 5 embodiment.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a mailbox which is mounted within a brick post and the flag system embodiment shown attached to the brick post.
- Turning now to the drawings in greater detail and considering first FIG. 1, there is illustrated an embodiment, generally indicated20, of a system within which features of the present invention are incorporated and which is incorporated within the side of a mailbox 31. The
system 20 includes anelongated body 22 having twoopposite ends flag member 28 which is mounted within thebody 22. - With reference to FIGS. 2-4, the
body 22 of thesystem 20 includes arecess 30 which-opens out of oneend 24 thereof, and theflag member 28 is received by therecess 30 for slidable movement (endwise) therealong. In this connection and as best shown in FIG. 3, therecess 30 of thebody 22 includes an interior surface 31 along which is defined aguide channel 32. Thechannel 32 is provided by ashallow groove 34 which extends along the length of therecess 30. Thisgroove 34 has opposite andparallel sidewalls 36 and terminates adjacent oneend 24 of thechannel 32 at anabutment surface 38 which extends between and is oriented at a right angle with respect to thechannel sidewalls 36. As will be apparent herein, thesidewalls 36 guide theflag member 28 as it is moved between a retracted position (as illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 2) and an extended position (as illustrated in phantom in FIG. 2), and theabutment surface 38 cooperates with theflag member 28 to limit the movement of theflag member 28 from the retracted position to the extended position. - The
body 22 further includes a side surface 40 (FIG. 4) which is oriented substantially parallel to the interior surface 31 (along which the flag member is guided as it is moved between the retracted and extended positions), and therecess 30 opens away from theside surface 40. In thebody 22 of the depictedembodiment 20, thebody surface 40 is flat and provides a surface against which address-related indicia, such as a house number, can be printed or attached. In addition, thebody 22 includes a plurality ofopenings 42 adjacent the edges thereof for accepting the shanks of screws or nails for attachment of thebody 22 to a vertical surface of a mailbox or other stationary surface, such as a column of a porch. - To enhance the durability of the
system 20, each of thebody 22 andflag member 28 are constructed out of a durable material, such as hard plastic, metal or wood (although other materials can be used) and each is provided with an appreciable thickness. Such a durability can be appreciated when vandals, who sometimes will strike a mailbox with a baseball bat or similar object, strike thesystem 22. Thus, thesystem 20 resists damage by vandals and will also resist weather-related damage. - As best shown in FIG. 4, the
flag member 28 is somewhat L-shaped in cross section having along leg 44 and ashort leg 46 joined to thelong leg 44 at a right angle with respect thereto. In addition, theflag member 28 includes astop member 48 in the form of a boss which is joined to thelong leg 44 at the end thereof opposite theshort leg 46 so as to extend in the direction opposite the direction which theshort leg 46 extends. - The
flag member 28 is positioned within therecess 30 so that thestop member 48 is received by thechannel 32. Furthermore, theflag member 28 is held in place in therecess 30 byshoulder members 50 which are formed within and which are disposed adjacent the top and bottom of the body 22 (as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 3) and the cooperation between thestop member 48 and theabutment surface 38. Held in place in this manner, theflag member 28 can be slidably moved along the length of therecess 30 as thestop member 48 is guided along thechannel 32. The inward movement of theflag member 28 within therecess 30 is limited (to the retracted position) by the abutment of theshort leg 46 of the flag member 88 against theend 24 of thebody 22, and the outward movement of theflag member 28 along the length of therecess 30 is limited (to the extended position) by the abutment of thestop member 48 against theabutment surface 38 of thechannel 32. - In use, the
system 20 is attached, as with screws or nails which extend through theopenings 42 of thebody 22, to the side of the mailbox 21 (or other vertical stationary surface provided by the side of a porch column or the side of a house). Theflag member 28 can be manually moved to its extended position to expose a side (of the long leg 44) of theflag member 28 and to thereby indicate a signal, for example, to a postman that there is mail in the mailbox to be picked up. When it is desired that thesystem 20 not indicate a signal (e.g. that there is no mail to be picked up), theflag member 28 is manually moved to the retracted position and so that theflag member 28 is substantially hidden from view. Theflag member 28 can be manually moved between its retracted and extended positions by appropriately manipulating (e.g. pushing or pulling) upon theshort leg 46 of theflag member 28. - Because the
flag member 28 is intended to provide a visual indication to a viewer, it is preferred that the color of theflag member 28 sharply contrast that of thebody 22. For example, thebody 22 of thesystem 20 can be black or white, while the color of theflag member 28 can be red. - It will be understood that numerous modifications and substitutions can be had to the aforedescribed embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, although the
aforedescribed embodiment 20 has been shown and described as being attachable to the side of a mailbox, the system can be embodied within a side of a mailbox. If, for example, the mailbox and body of the system are constructed out of plastic, the mailbox and body of the system can be formed as a unitary structure in a molding process. - Furthermore, a system can be provided with dimensions which are different from those of the system22 (which has a height of about three inches and a length of about four inches). For example, there is illustrated in FIGS. 5-7 an alternative embodiment, generally indicated 60, having a
body 62 and aflag member 61, and wherein thebody 62 possesses aside surface 64 which provides a relatively large surface (e.g. having a height of about six inches and a length of about twelve inches). The relatively large size of theside surface 64 can accommodate the printing or placement thereon of address-related indicia, such as ahouse number 66, which is easily viewable from a long distance. As is the case with theembodiment 20 of FIGS. 1-4, theembodiment 60 of FIGS. 5-7 is used by manually moving theflag member 61 between an extended position (as illustrated in solid line in FIG. 6) at which a substantial portion of theflag member 61 is exposed to view and a retracted position (as illustrated in phantom line in FIG. 6) at which theflag member 61 is substantially hidden from view. When attached to the side of amailbox 80 of FIG. 7 (whose sides are lined with brick), theembodiment 60 provides a flag system for themailbox 80 while prominently displaying thehouse number 66. - Accordingly, the aforedescribed embodiments are intended for the purpose of illustration and not as limitation.
Claims (18)
1. A flag system for use with a mailbox comprising:
an elongated body having two opposite ends and defining a recess which opens out of one end thereof; and
a flag member which is slidably received in the recess of the body for movement between a retracted position at which the flag member is substantially withdrawn into the recess and an extended position.
2. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein the elongated body defines a channel which extends along the length of the recess, and the flag member cooperates with the recess so that as the flag member is moved between the retracted and the extended position, the flag member is guided along the channel.
3. The system as defined in claim 2 wherein the body includes an abutment surface at one end of the channel, and the flag member includes a stop member which cooperates with the abutment surface so that when the flag member is moved from its retracted position to its extended position, the stop member moves into abutting relationship with the abutment surface so that the movement of the flag member from the retracted position is halted at the extended position.
4. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein the body is adapted to be attached to a vertical surface of a mailbox or other stationary object.
5. The system as defined in claim 4 wherein the body includes a plurality of openings for receiving the shanks of screws or other fasteners for attaching the body of the system to the vertical surface.
6. The system as defined in claim 5 wherein the body has a side surface which is substantially parallel to the path of movement of the flag member between the retracted and extended position.
7. The system as defined in claim 6 wherein the side surface is relatively broad in area and provides a surface upon which address-related indicia can be attached.
8. The system as defined in claim 7 wherein the height of the side surface is between about three inches and six inches and length of the side surface is between about four inches and six inches.
9. The system as defined in claim 1 incorporated within the side of a mailbox.
10. A flag system for use with a mailbox comprising:
an elongated body having two opposite ends and defining a recess which opens out of one end thereof; and
a flag member which is slidably received in the recess of the body for movement between one position at which the flag member is withdrawn into the recess and is thereby substantially hidden from view and another position at which the flag member is extended from the recess and is substantially viewable from one side of the body.
11. The system as defined in claim 10 wherein the elongated body defines a channel which extends along the length of the recess, and the flag member cooperates with the recess so that as the flag member is moved between the retracted and the extended position, the flag member is guided along the channel.
12. The system as defined in claim 11 wherein the body includes an abutment surface at one end of the channel, and the flag member includes a stop member which cooperates with the abutment surface so that when the flag member is moved from its retracted position to its extended position, the stop member moves into abutting relationship with the abutment surface so that the movement of the flag member from the retracted position is halted at the extended position.
13. The system as defined in claim 10 wherein the body is adapted to be attached to a vertical surface of a mailbox or other stationary object.
14. The system as defined in claim 13 wherein the body includes a plurality of openings for receiving the shanks of screws or other fasteners for attaching the body of the system to the vertical surface.
15. The system as defined in claim 10 wherein the body has a side surface which is substantially parallel to the path of movement of the flag member between the retracted and extended position.
16. The system as defined in claim 15 wherein the side surface is relatively broad in area and provides a surface upon which address-related indicia can be attached.
17. The system as defined in claim 16 wherein the height of the side surface is between about three inches and six inches and length of the side surface is between about four inches and six inches.
18. The system as defined in claim 10 incorporated within the side of a mailbox.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/408,482 US20040195303A1 (en) | 2003-04-07 | 2003-04-07 | Flag system for use with a mailbox |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/408,482 US20040195303A1 (en) | 2003-04-07 | 2003-04-07 | Flag system for use with a mailbox |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20040195303A1 true US20040195303A1 (en) | 2004-10-07 |
Family
ID=33097764
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/408,482 Abandoned US20040195303A1 (en) | 2003-04-07 | 2003-04-07 | Flag system for use with a mailbox |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20040195303A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7163140B1 (en) * | 2006-01-23 | 2007-01-16 | Kaiser Patrick G | Roadside mailbox and method |
WO2013117914A1 (en) * | 2012-02-07 | 2013-08-15 | Tim Mills | Display device for a mailbox |
Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US490164A (en) * | 1893-01-17 | Label-holder | ||
US503389A (en) * | 1893-08-15 | John sheppman | ||
US2856123A (en) * | 1957-05-16 | 1958-10-14 | William J Mary | Mailbox signal |
US3229903A (en) * | 1965-02-24 | 1966-01-18 | Richard G Smith | Mail box signal |
US3709189A (en) * | 1971-12-20 | 1973-01-09 | E Widham | Mail delivery signal device |
US3891139A (en) * | 1974-01-30 | 1975-06-24 | Anthony E Redling | Mailbox apparatus |
US4654990A (en) * | 1985-11-25 | 1987-04-07 | Suters Everett T | Double face changeable sign |
US4703712A (en) * | 1986-08-22 | 1987-11-03 | Marvin Christman | Manual slide selector mechanism |
US4794877A (en) * | 1987-10-05 | 1989-01-03 | Pollard Smith Marjorie | Indicator device |
US5201465A (en) * | 1992-05-12 | 1993-04-13 | Terry Limehouse | Mailbox signaling device |
US5884838A (en) * | 1998-03-12 | 1999-03-23 | Rose; Bernard Leo | Sliding mail box indicator |
US6708875B2 (en) * | 2002-03-28 | 2004-03-23 | Ronald W. Cunningham | Mailbox signal device |
-
2003
- 2003-04-07 US US10/408,482 patent/US20040195303A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US490164A (en) * | 1893-01-17 | Label-holder | ||
US503389A (en) * | 1893-08-15 | John sheppman | ||
US2856123A (en) * | 1957-05-16 | 1958-10-14 | William J Mary | Mailbox signal |
US3229903A (en) * | 1965-02-24 | 1966-01-18 | Richard G Smith | Mail box signal |
US3709189A (en) * | 1971-12-20 | 1973-01-09 | E Widham | Mail delivery signal device |
US3891139A (en) * | 1974-01-30 | 1975-06-24 | Anthony E Redling | Mailbox apparatus |
US4654990A (en) * | 1985-11-25 | 1987-04-07 | Suters Everett T | Double face changeable sign |
US4703712A (en) * | 1986-08-22 | 1987-11-03 | Marvin Christman | Manual slide selector mechanism |
US4794877A (en) * | 1987-10-05 | 1989-01-03 | Pollard Smith Marjorie | Indicator device |
US5201465A (en) * | 1992-05-12 | 1993-04-13 | Terry Limehouse | Mailbox signaling device |
US5884838A (en) * | 1998-03-12 | 1999-03-23 | Rose; Bernard Leo | Sliding mail box indicator |
US6708875B2 (en) * | 2002-03-28 | 2004-03-23 | Ronald W. Cunningham | Mailbox signal device |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7163140B1 (en) * | 2006-01-23 | 2007-01-16 | Kaiser Patrick G | Roadside mailbox and method |
WO2013117914A1 (en) * | 2012-02-07 | 2013-08-15 | Tim Mills | Display device for a mailbox |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |