US2550338A

US2550338A - Support for mailboxes or the like

Info

Publication number: US2550338A
Application number: US722425A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph B Dunagan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1947-01-16
Filing date: 1947-01-16
Publication date: 1951-04-24
Anticipated expiration: 1968-04-24

Description

April 24, 1951 J. B. DUNAGAN 2,550,338

SUPPORT FOR MAILBOXES OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 16, 1947 v BY ad ///LM A r Tok/VE r Patented pr. 24,' 1951 VUN I TED S TATES PATE-N T `(JFFICE 2,550,338 'SUPPORT Y'FOR MAILBOXE'S 0R THE LIKE Joseph B. Dunagan, l'0lney,'.'1`ex.

Application January 16, 19'4-7., Sera1"`N0."722,425

1, lliislinvention relates to supporting devices for mail boxes, signs, or the like, especially along highways, or other thoroughfares having rural mail routes, or requiring signs, and the like, and its principal object resides inthe provision of an adjustable standard having a swinging arm for Ysupporting a Amail box-extending from the side of Vtheroadway for Veasy accessibility from a vehicle, as that of a rural mail carrier.

Another object of the invention is that of providing a flexible support for signs, such as mileage or traiiic signs, which are preferably arranged in as close proximity to the traffic-way as safety will permit, yet affording an arrangement whereby the supporting standard can be set well back from the traffic-Way safely outside the specied trahie zone and incapable of presenting a hazard.

An object of the invention resides in the provision of a support of the character described embodying features of construction which will minimize trafc hazards while affording a means whereby a mail box or sign can be located in closer proximity to a traic-way than conventional rigid supporting standards, the yeldable features of the invention serving to minimize damage to vehicles accidentally striking the device. Y

Broadly, the invention contemplates the provision of a supporting structure for mail boxes, signs, and the like, capable of being swung to one 1 claim. (ol. .24S-'145i side during mowing or repair operations along rights-of-way while permitting the supported article to be extended to close proximity to the trafIic-way, even though the standard or post is situated well back from the thoroughfare as across a bar ditch, or the like.

While the foregoing objects are paramount, other and lesser objects will become manifest as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the appended drawings wherein: y

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of the invention showing the swinging, tensioned arm for supporting a sign or mail box, shown in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the invention illustrating, in dotted lines, the variable swinging positions of the supporting arm, and showing the guard for the supported article, and

Figure 3 illustrates the standard and cross-arm in front elevation and the supporting arm in transverse section, taken on lines 3-3 of Figure 2.V

The invention comprises a standard I0 preferably of pipe, or other suitable material, ca-

pable of being supported in the'ground, asshown in Figures 1landB. -A-swinging arm H is pivotally connected to Va clamp I2 vsecured to vthe standard 'Ill -near its top and made adjustable thereon so that its height can be varied as desired. The clamp lf2 has a bracket 'lf3 integral therewith providing a device "by which the varm I I can belpivoted by a bolt I4, or the'like.

Attached to the clamp I2 by bolts I5 is a crossarm I5 which is arranged transversely of the arm II and in the same horizontal plane. The arm l is rigid and has a spring I1 connected to each end by eye-bolts I8, or other suitable device. The opposite ends of the springs I1 are connected by eye-bolts I9 to each side of the swinging arm II, in the manner illustrated in Figure 2. It is desirable that each of the springs I1 comprise paired short lengths joined by a toggle connection a, as shown particularly in Figure 2, to afford the maximum flexibility when the arm II is moved from side to side, in the manner shown in dotted lines in Figure 2.

The invention, as previously stated, is designed for the purpose of supporting a mail box 20, or other article, the box being shown in dotted lines in Figures 1 and 2. A suitable guard 2| of any desired form is secured to the arm Ii and functions to protect the supported article 2i) from damage when struck by a vehicle, or the like, along the roadway on which the invention is installed. The guard 2I is preferably generally circular in form to eliminate relatively sharp corners and other objectionable protrusions.

The arm I I is supported in its horizontal position by a brace member 22 rigidly connected at its upper end to the arm II toward the free Vend of the latter, its opposite end being pivotally secured to a clamp 23 also adjustably arranged on the standard lil. The pivot b is provided to permit the lateral movement of the arm EI p-reviously described. Both clamps I2 and 23 are adjustable longitudinally of the standard Il] to vary the height of the arm I l to suit the particular conditions to which the assembly is to be applied.

lt is desirable to provide a guy wire 24, or the like, by which the standard I0 can be-rigidly supported, and it is desirable to connect the same near the top of the standard I0 by means of an eye-bolt 25, as in Figures l and 2. Arranged oppositely to the arm II and its burden, the latter can be more suitably supported and thus provide a more substantial assembly.

Obviously any suitable material may be utilized in fabricating the invention although it isl 3 desirable that the arm l l and its 'bracket 22 be of angle or channel iron, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3.

When it is desirable to fasten the arm I I in a collapsed position, as by turning the same to one side, as depicted in dotted lines in Figure 2, a hook 2S attached to the arm ll is employed to secure the same to the cross-arm I6 by engaging the hook 26 with the aperture r2l in the arm I6, as vshown in Figure 2. This arrangement is desirable When mowing or road maintaining operations are performed to retain the assembly out of the way. A pair of reflectors 28 are arranged on the arm Il as a night warning signal for traflic .along roadways.

Manifestly the structure herein shown and described is capable of considerable changes and :modications by persons skilled in the art withe out departing from the spirit and intent Aof the .invention or the scopeof the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

In a mail box support comprising, in combina- Ation with a standard adapted to be supported vertically at a roadside, a cross-arm having a clamp rigidly secured to said standard near the "upper end thereof and extending horizontally from both sides of said standard, an integral bracket on said clamp, a box supporting arm 4 pivotally connected to said clamp and extending horizontally from the front of said standard and capableof swinging in a horizontal arc in front of said standard and on a common plane with said cross-arm, a substantially circular guard member attached to the outer end of said box supporting arm and arranged in a horizontal plane, a pair of pull springs providing a connection between the outer ends of said cross-arm and said pivoted arm whereby the latter is normally extended at right angles to said cross-arm, each of said pairs of springs being hingedly joined longitudinally, and an angular brace member rigidly connected at its upper end to the underside of said pivoted arm, and having a pivotal attachment at its lower end to said standard.

" JOSEPH B. DUNAGAN.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,411,867 Munson 1- Apr. 4, 1922 1,440,043 Wright Dec. 26, 1922 2,279,622 Hurd Apr. 14, 1942