US2475098A

US2475098A - Door controlled mailbox signal

Info

Publication number: US2475098A
Application number: US730213A
Authority: US
Inventors: Homer T Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1947-02-24
Filing date: 1947-02-24
Publication date: 1949-07-05
Anticipated expiration: 1966-07-05

Description

July 5, 1949: H. T. JONES 2,475,093

DOOR CONTROLLED MAILBOX SIGNAL Filed Feb. 24, 1947 [NI/ENTER Fatented July 5, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DOOR CONTROLLED MAILBOX SIGNAL Homer T. Jones, rd, Nebr.

Application February 24, 1947, Serial No. 730,213

2 Claims. (Cl. 232-35) The invention relates to improvements in mail box signals in which a signal attached to the box notifies the patron that mail has been desposited in the box; and the objects of the improvements are, first, to provide a signal that will not in any way whatever interfere with the mail carriers work or with the mail box as a receptacle for mail; second, a signal that can easily be adjusted to show laterally from any horizontal direction, and so arranged that the signal supporting member can easily be extended to support the signal above obstructions that would interfere with the patron seeing the signal; and, third, a signal of simple, durable, and inexpensive construction that even a child can operate.

One form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the signal attached to a mail box, the dotted lines showing how it appears after the door of the box has been opened and potential energy has turned the signal from edgewise to lateral position. Figure 2 is an enlarged front elevation of the supporting catch that holds the weighted arm in suspension until the door is opened.

The signal, as illustrated in the present embodiment of this invention, consists of a broad signal I, carried above the mail box 2, by a vertical rod 3, which turns in a hanger 4, attached to the rear of said box. Clamped to the rod 3 and secured by bolt 5, is a short horizontally extended crank 6. Pivotally connected to the end of crank 6 is a connecting rod 1, which makes connection to an extension 8, extended from arm 9, this arm being weighted at its forward end by a weight Ill. Arm 9 turns upon fulcrum II at its rear end and is hung upon a supporting catch 12 at its forward end. Catch I2 is welded to the edge of the door l3, at any suitable height. In the dotted line illustration the rear end of rod 1 has been omitted. This signal I may be made in any suitable shape or size, that shown in the drawing forming no part of the present invention.

It will be seen that by placing the patron's signal at the rear end of the mail box, the mail carrier will not confuse it with his signal and there being no mechanism for the carrier to operate it cannot cause him inconvenience. After closing the mail box door, the patron lifts arm 6 and engages it with catch I2.

I am aware that prior to my invention mail box signals have been made operating in conjunction with a weight or spring. I therefore do not claim such a combination broadly; but I claim:

1. The combination with a mail box Which has its front end closed by a door, of an upright signal supporting member adapted to support and turn a signal in a horizontal plane above said box and journaled at its lower part in proximity to the rear and vertical corner of said box and having a relatively short crank mounted horizontally in proximity to said journaled part, a relatively short projection extending out sideways from the edge of said door having a catch extending vertically from its outer end, an arm extending horizontally alongside said box having its fore end engaging said catch, a fulcrum mounted on the side and fore part of said box and adapted to carry the rear end of said arm, cranking means carried by the rear end of said arm, a rod pivotally connecting the free end of said crank with the said cranking means, and means whereby potential energy actuates said rod when the said catch is disengaged from said arm.

2. The combination with a mail box which has its front end closed by a door, of an upright signal supporting member adapted to support and turn a signal in a horizontal plane above said box and journaled at its lower part in proximity to the rear and vertical corner of said box and having a relatively short crank mounted horizontally in proximity to said journaled part, a relatively short projection extending out sideways from the edge of said door having a catch extending vertically from its outer end, an arm extending horizontally alongside said box having its fore end engaging said catch, a fulcrum mounted on the side and fore part of said box and adapted to carry the rear end of said arm, a relatively short extension extending from the said arm near the said fulcrum, a weight carried by the said arm near its forward end, a rod pivotally connecting the free end of the said crank with the free end of the said extension, and a clamp adapted for adjusting said crank at various horizontal positions in relation to said signal.

HOMER T. JONES.

REFERENCES CITED The following referenloes are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 677,967 Fenstermacher July 9, 1901 1,564,305 Fanders Dec. 8, 1925 1,627,617 Nordin May 10, 1927 1,628,034 De Mier May 10, 1927