US2573413A

US2573413A - Name sign and bracket for mail boxes and the like

Info

Publication number: US2573413A
Application number: US72635A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harold W Duncan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1949-01-25
Filing date: 1949-01-25
Publication date: 1951-10-30
Anticipated expiration: 1968-10-30

Description

Oct. 30, 1951 H, w, D CAN 2,573,413

NAME SIGN AND BRACKET FOR MAIL-BOXES AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 25, 1949 2 SHEETS SHEET l Ill , INVENTOR. HHROLD W; DUNCFIN digs.

Oct. 30, 1951 H. w. DUNCAN NAME SIGN AND BRACKET Filed Jan. 25, 1949 FOR MAILBOXES AND THE LIKE 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 V INVENTOR. HHROLD W. DUNCHN Giiiys.

Patented Oct. 30, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT or-"Flee NAME SIGN .AND BRAGKET FOR MAIL BOXES. A HE LIKE Harold W. Duncan, Akron, Ql io Application January 25, 1949, Serial No. 72,635

This invention relates to name signs for mail boxes, and for similar articles, and, more .particularly, is concerned withsigns of the indicated type utilizing insertable letters whereby. any'particular desired name canbe spelled out.

Heretofore, it has been the usual practice in conjunction with rural type mail boxes to paint the name of the persons owning themail box on the sides thereof. The result is a very amateurish lettering job unless a relatively expensive stencil is cut, and in any event, the paint will fade and dirtyso that in several years time it is necessary to repaint and reletter the mail box. This is ajob which many mail box owners let slide with the result that it is often difficult to make out the name on a mail box and to locate the house of a given party.

Some efforts have been mad e heretoiore ,to provide replaceable letter types'of signs for one purpose and another, but so far as I amaware, none of these replaceable letter type signs are particularly adapted to rugged outdoor use, and speeifically in association witlia mail box. The knovgntypes of signs are either susceptible to deterioration by weather, fail to provide'a'dequate thickness of metal or other section to make the sign substantial and attractive, or go to the other extreme of casting metal letters which becomes a relatively expensive proposition.

It is the general object of my invention to avoid and overcome the foregoing and other difliculties of and objections to prior art practices by the provision of an improved name sign and bracket assembly adapted to receive selected letters, with the assembly being attractive, durable, and relatively inexpensive, as compared to known removable letter type signs.

Another object of my invention. is. toprovide a bracket for use in conjunction with a. mail box of the rural type, the bracket being adapted, to

r ive .an support sele ted letters id nti yi vertedI-slot .formcd longitudinally thereof;

Another object 10f. my invention isto provide a-namev and mail box combination including red reflectorbuttonsfor Warning an automobile away from. the side of the roadand th vicinity of the mailbox to ,add asaiety feature ,to the road andto protect the .mail :box of. h v comb na ion- 9 Claims, (01. 40-1 5) .2 Another object. of. my invention is to. provide a combination'mail box support bracket and selective letter receivin means.

The foregoing objects of my invention. and otherobjects-whichwill become apparent as'the description proceeds 'areflachieved by the provi sion of the combination including a mail box, .an extruded aluminum section having an inverted substantially T-shaped slottherein, a plurality of letters having footer portionsslidably received in the slot, the'footer portions having'a plurality of oppositely. directed legs bent out of the plane of .the. letter, the footer portions preferablybeing longer in the direction of lengthof the slots than the Width'fof .eachletter to efiect spacing between the letters, the footer portions, being pushed together end to end in the slot, meansfor securing the lettersin the slot, and means for connecting 'the mailbox and section in spaced parallel relation. The section may be curvedfat one end of the letters and a reflector button may be carried in the curved portion of the section. In oneform of the invention the section and letters are mounted ontop'of the mail box, and in another embodiment of the invention the section is curved .to provide a bracket which not only receives and supports the letters but ,also whichzse'rves to'support and carry the ,mail box. For a bettrjuidersitanding ofmy invention, reference should ,be had'to'the accompanying drawing, wherein: Y

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a mail box and name sign combination incorporating the principles of the invention Y Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse crossrsectional view taken substantially on line .2.- 2' O'f. Fi -f1 Fig. 3 is an end elevation of a typical letter incorporated'in' the invention, and withth'esupporting channel of Fig; 2 being shownlin. chain dotted-lines;

Fig. e' is la :front elevation of the typical letter illustrated iniFig. 3 of the drawings Fi 5 is a side elevation similar vtol ig. l, but illustrating a second embodiment of myim ventiomand Fig. 6 isan enlarged fragmentary view t aken substantiallyon fine s 6 tor Fig. 5.

It should be understood that the principles of my inventionand particularly the removable 1a;

ter name sign portions thereof,,are'adaptable to a wide variety of uses and purposes. 'However, the invention is, most particularly and beneficially employed in combination with arural type mail box, and, hasaccordinglybeen .so illu;"s

In the drawings, the numeral It] indicates a vertically extending post which supports from underneath a rural type mail box I2 of standard shape and construction in known manner. Associated with the mail box I2 and positioned above and parallel to the top of the mail box is a metal section or channel indicated as a whole by the numeral M. The metal channel I4 is conveniently formed in an extruded aluminum section of the shape shown in Fig. 2, with a flat base l6 and two upstanding ribs or flanges l3 which define an inverted T-shaped channel 20.

The upstanding flanges l8 are milled, or otherwise removed from the section '4 adjacent the opposite ends thereof, with one of the ends 22 being directed downwardly at substantially a right angle, and being adapted to be secured by bolts or rivets 24 to the back of the mail box 12. The other end of the metal section M, at 26, is rolled into an eye which receives and supports a round red light reflecting button 28 which serves to protect the mail box and act as a safety guide for persons or vehicles passing near the box. A spacer clamp or bracket 39 secured between the mail box i2 and the metal channel [4 near its front end additionally serves to support and strengthen the section 14.

Adapted to be selectively positioned in the T-shaped channel 20 of the metal section G4 are a plurality of letters, numbers, punctuation marks, or the like, these being indicated as a whole by the numeral 32, and being stamped from relatively thick metal, preferably aluminum, at least of an inch thick, and preferably approaching {a of an inch whereby the letters will have a third dimensional thickness which materially adds to their appearance and strength. I A footer is formed in association with the bot tom of each one of the letters 32 and this is preferably accomplished by bending alternate legs 34 out to substantially right angles from the plane of the letters, the leg or footer portions 34 being adapted to be slidably received in the channel of the metal section M. It will be noted that the footer or leg portions 34 are preferably made of a greater length in the direction of the channel 20 than the width of the letters 32 to thereby providev spacing between the letters.

One end of the channel 20 is at least partially closed by suitable means which can be conveniently accomplished by bending one or both of the flanges 18. The letters are introduced into the channel 20 from the opposite end of the channel and are moved up against the means closing the one end of the channel, the footer portions 34 striking each other end to end. When all of the letters have been introduced, the other end of the channel 20 is closed adjacent the last letter in the channel, again by bending the flanges H! with a, pair of pliers or by distorting the channels with a center punch or the like to thereby lock the letters in position in the channel.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. and 6, and upstanding wooden or metal post 40, or it might be a tree or a side of a building, or the like, is adapted to receive and support a bracket portion indicated as a whole by the numeral 42. The bracket 42 comprises a metal section, usually provided by extruded aluminum to the cross-sectional shape shown in Fig. 6' of the drawing, with the metal section being bent near its center to provide a loop 44, and being bent at its ends to provide vertically aligned

legs

46 and 48. The

legs

46 and 48 are secured to the posts 4-8 by screw or like means 50. Artistic metal straps 52 may be secured between the leg 46 and the upper portion of the bracket 42 for strengthening and decorative purposes.

It will be recognized from Fig. 6 that the metal section of the bracket 42 is formed with a substantially flat base portion 54, a central rib 56, and an inverted T-shaped slot 58. The slot 58 is on the inside of the bracket 42 so that with the bracket shaped in the manner shown, a round red reflector button 60 may be received in the loop 44 of the bracket, with the button resting in the slot 58, and being peened into position by means of a center punch or the like, which will deflect or distort the metal surrounding the T- slot 58 at the edges of the disc 60 to lock it in position.

Removably received in the slot 58 in the bottom portion 62 of the bracket 42 are a plurality of letters 64 having oppositely extending footer or leg portions 66 bent out of the plane of the letter which will slide snugly in the slot 58. The letters 64 can be inserted in the lower portion 62 of the bracket 42 prior to the time that the leg 48 is bent, or a slot 68 can be milled into the metal section in the region of the bend of the leg 48 to facilitate the introduction of the letters after the leg 48 is bent but before the bracket 42 is applied to the post 40.

A pair of cast metal clamps 1B are slipped over the metal channel section 62, and appropriate hooks 12 are secured to the top of a mail box 14, with each hook 12 being extended through an eye provided in the bottom of the clamps 19.

In both forms of the invention illustrated and described a very neat, sturdy, durable and long wearing mail box and name combination are provided. It is a relatively simple matter at the store to buy the metal section and the proper letters to spell out the customers name, with the letters being quickly inserted into the metal section and secured in position. The aluminum construction of the assembly is particularly resistant to weathering, and possesses very considerable beauty over the years without the necessity to paint it. However, even if it is desirable to paint the assembly, this can be done without destroying the silhouetted name. The form of the invention shown in Fig. 5 not only functions to support the mail box, but also provides protection for the letters 64, the letters being positioned between the upper and lower portions of the bracket.

While in accordance with the patent statutes, I have specifically illustrated and described at least one best known embodiment of my invention,'it is to be particularly understood that I am not to be limited thereto or thereby, but that the scope of my invention is defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An insertable letter sign comprising an extruded aluminum section having an inverted T- slot lengthwise thereof, one end of the section being cut away to remove the slot and leave a flat bar portion, the flat bar portion being bent downwardly and adapted to be secured to a mail box or the like, means at least partially closing the slot adjacent one end thereof, a plurality of letters, a footer on each letter of greater length than the width of the letter, said footer being formed by a plurality of integral legs bent in opposite directions out of the plane of the letter, said footers being slidably received in the slot in end to end contact and being pushed against the closing means, and means closing the other end of the slot to secure the letters in position.

2. An insertable letter sign comprising an extruded aluminum section having an inverted T- slot lengthwise thereof, means at least partially closing the slot adjacent one end thereof, a plurality of letters, a footer on each letter of greater length than the width of the letter and of a height to position the bottom edge of the letter in approximate alignment with the top edge of the T-slot, said footer being formed by a plurality of integral legs bent at substantially right angles in opposite directions out of the plane of the letter, said footer being slidably received in the slot in end to end contact and being pushed against the closing means, and means closing the other end of the slot to secure the letters in position.

3. In combination, a mailbox, an extruded aluminum section having an inverted T-slot lengthwise thereof, one end of the section being cut away to remove the slot and leave a fiat bar portion, the fiat bar portion being bent downwardly and secured to the back end of the mail box, means at least partially closing the slot adjacent one end thereof, a plurality of letters, a footer on each letter of greater length than the width of the letter, said footer being formed by a plurality of integral legs bent in opposite directions out of the plane of the letter, said footers being slidably received in the slot in end to end contact and being pushed against the closing means, and means closing the other end of the slot to secure the letters in position.

4. A name sign and mail box bracket including an extruded aluminum section having a longitudinally extending T-slot therein, said section being bent near its center with the slot on the inside to form two portions in spaced parallel relation to each other, the upper portion being bent upwardly and the lower portion being bent downwardly to form vertically aligned feet for securing the bracket to the side of a post or the like, artistic strengthening mean extending between the upper foot and the upper portion, a

plurality of letters having footer portions of greater length than the widths of the letters being received in the slot of the lower portion and extending upwardly between the lower and upper portions, bracket means for securing a mail box to the lower portion, and a reflector button carried in the slot of the section near the region of its center bend.

5. A name sign and mail box bracket including an extruded aluminum section having a, longitudinally extending T-slot therein, said section being bent near its center with the slot on the inside to form two portions in spaced parallel relation to each other, the upper portion being bent upwardly and the lower portion being bent downwardly to form vertically aligned feet for securing the bracket to the side of a post or the like, artistic strengthening means extending between the upper foot and the upper portion, a plurality of letters having footer portions received in the slot of the lower portion and extending upwardly between the lower and upper portions, and bracket means for securing a mail box to the lower portion.

6. In combination, a mail box, a support for the mail box, a metal section having a longitudinally extending T-slot therein, said section being bent near its center with the slot on the nupwardly and the lower portion being bent downwardly to form vertically aligned feet for securing the bracket thus formed to the side of the post, artistic strengthening means extending between the upper foot and the upper portion, a plurality of letters having footer portions received in the slot of the lower portion and extending upwardly between the lower and upper portions, and bracket means supported on the lower portion and secured to the top of the mail box.

'7. In combination, a mail box, an extruded aluminum section having an inverted T-slot lengthwise thereof, one end of the section being cut away to remove the slot and leave a fiat bar portion, the flat bar portion being bent downwardly and secured to the back end of the mail box, a spacer bracket securin the other end of the section to the mail box so as to support the section in spaced parallel relation along the top of the mail box, means at least partially closing the slot adjacent one end thereof, a plurality of letters, a footer on each letter of greater length than the width of the letter, said footer being formed by a plurality of integral legs bent in 0-pposite directions out of the plane of the letter, said footers being slidably received in the slot in end-to-end contact and being pushed against the closing means, and means closing the other end of the slot to secure the letters in position.

8. An insertable letter sign comprising an extruded aluminum bar section having a flat base and integral opposed upwardly and inwardly directed flanges defining an inverted T-slot extending lengthwise thereof, a plurality of aluminum letters having a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the base of the bar section, a footer on each letter received in the T-slot, each footer including a plurality of legs integral with the letter and bent in opposite directions on a gradual curve to a right angle position wherein the ends of the legs engage slidably with the flat base and the flanges of the bar section, the upper edges of the flanges slidably engaging the footer immediately below the letter and above the legs, and means securing the footers in the bar section.

9. An insertable letter sign comprising a bar section having a flat base and opposed upwardly and inwardly directed flanges defining, together with the base, an inverted T-slot extending lengthwise thereof, a plurality of letters having a thickness of at least aboutone-eighth of an inch, a footer integral with each letter and received in the T-slot, and a plurality of legs integral with the footer and of substantially the thickness of the letter extending at substantially a right angle out from the sides of the footer and slidably received in the cross bar portion of the T-slot.

HAROLD W. DUNCAN.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 75,378 Markman May 29, 1928 773,110 Wickstrom Oct. 25, 1904 813,554 Hamel Feb. 2'7, 1906 2,037,670 Wilson Apr. 14, 1936 2,167,564; Fonda vmu July 25, 1939