US2578692A - Duplex covered mail and news box - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 18, 1951 R. w. GIESELER 2,578,692

DUPLEX COVERED MAIL AND NEWS BOX Filed March 9, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 INVENTOR. RqssELL W. GI5ELER BY M, rfi/pm ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 18, 1951 R. w. GIESELER 2,578,692

DUPLEX COVERED MAIL AND NEWS BOX Filed March 9, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTOR. RUSSELL 14/ G/ESELER /4 TTORNE Y6.

Patented Dec. 18, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT 2,578,692 OFFICE DUPLEX COVERED MAIL AND NEWS BOX Russell W. Gieseler, Jamestown, N. Y.

Application March 9, 1948, Serial No. 13,832

This invention relates to an improved duplex covered mail and news box for residences and business establishments, and more particularly to an improved news box having a primary cover part designed to fully protect the mail contents from the elements, in association with a secondary cover part designed to prevent pilfering or loss of important mail deposited by the postman.

mailinto the box part and yet substantially pres vent pilz -cliingof the deposited mail from the box part when the secondary cover part is in closed and locked position. This. improved news box is designed for economic and low-cost fabricationwith a minimum of material and by relatively few forming and assembly operations. The. news box is. reinforced and strengthened at points subjected to strain in a manner to permit formation there,- of from relatively light gauge sheet material so as to provide an all-purpose new box which is strong and sturdy in construction, lasting in use, attractive in appearance, and designed to satisfy the :needs and conveniences of the resident, postman and news carrier.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the disclosure proceeds.

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself, and the manner in which it may he carried-Gut, may be better under stood by referring to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying draw.- ings forming a parthereof, in which Fig. lis a perspective view of the improved news box.

Fig, ,2 is a vertical cross-sectional View of the box as the ame would appear when viewed along 1ine2--.2; of Fig. l.

i 3 is an enlar ed top pl view of the improved box, certain parts thereof being broken away to reveal structural details of the outer primary cover part and secondary cover part as hinged to he box part.

Fig. 4; is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view showing the upper section of the rear Wall panel of the box part and the ,hinging sections of the primary and secondary cover parts as the same would appear when viewed along line 4i-t of Fig.

Fig. .5 is an e larged per.spective View showin the upper section of the improved mail box with h Pr mary cover part swun into open posi on 5 Claims. (01. 232-49) and the secondary cover part in closed and locked position, certain parts being broken away to illustrate structural details; andv Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the secondary cover part, as formed and prior to hinging assem. bly to the box part.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings and specification.

As shown in the'drawings, this improved news box comprises a box part A which may be made 0! commodious size to serve not only as a letter box, but also as a container and receptacle for large and small magazines and newspapers which are delivered to the residence or business establishment. A primary cover part B is hingedly mounted on the box part to provide a water shedding and protective cover which is designed to exclude entry of rain or moisture into the interior of the box part so that the mail contained therein will be kept dry at all times. A secondary cover part 0, hingedly connected to the box part and underlying the primary cover-part B, is arranged to be locked to the box part and is constructed to permit insertion of the mail into the box part and yet prevent pilfering removal of mail deposited in the box part.

The box part, the primary cover part and secondary cover part are preferably formed from sheet material of a non-rusting character, such as aluminum, stainless steel, copper or plastic sheet, although these parts may also be formed from material such as ordinary steel sheet or treated fiber sheet, protected from rust or deterioration by a suitable weather-resistant coating. This improved news box is constructed in a manner to permit high-speed production with a minimum of material, of few parts, and at low cost, and at the same time provide a'news box which is sturdy nd lasting in use, attractive in appearance, and designed to exclude the entry of rain or moisture and the unauthorized pilfering of mail deposited therein.

The box part comprises a front wall panel I and side wall panels 2 presenting rounded vertically extending front corners 3 which may be made from a single blank of sheet material as shown more particularly in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The rear wall panel .4 and the bottom wall panel 5 may also be shaped from a single blank of sheet material, and is assembled to the shaped blank which forms the front wall panel I and side wall panels 2 a manner to provide a strong and durable box part construction. The rear wall forming section of the rear wall panel 4 is provided with flanges 6 extending vertically along the side edges thereof. The flanges 6 are secured as by spot welding to the vertical rear edges of the adjacent side wall panels 2 in a manner to provide ,rearwardly extending rim formations .1 designed to rest against the building wall W and maintain the wall forming section vof the rear wall panel spaced from the building wall in a manner to permit free circulation of air therebetween.

The bottom wall panel 5, as shown more particularly in Fig. 2, is provided with a downwardly extending front flange 8 which i spot welded or otherwise secured to the lower edge of the front wall panel I, and downwardly extending side flanges 9 which are spot welded or otherwise secured to the lower edge of the adjacent side wall panels 2. Thus the front flange 8 and side flanges 9 associated with the bottom wall panel 5 form with the lower edges of the front wall panel I and the side wall panels 2 to which they are respectively secured, bottom rim formations I which substantially reinforce and strengthen the lower section of the news box.

The upper section of the box part is reinforced and strengthened by an outwardly bulging rib formation II extending across the front wall panel I along a horizontal line slightly below the upper edge thereof to provide a cover-receiving front edge section I2. The outwardly bulged rib formation II extends across the curved corner formations 3 and into the side wall panels 2 parallel to but a spaced distance from the inclined upper edge 2' thereof so as to provide thereabove relatively fiat cover-receiving side edge sections I3. Thus the outwardly bulged rib formation I I, pressed from the sheet metal blank which forms the front wall panel I and the side wall panels 2, substantially reinforces the upper section of the box part.

The front wall panel I is also strengthened and reinforced by decorative rimming which also provides an attractive frame design. This frame design comprises vertically extending ribs I5, merging into a pair of upper and lower ribs I6 and I1 and a pair of intermediate ribs I8 and I9. These ribs have an outwardly bulging semicircular contour as shown more particularly in Figs. 1, 2, and 5. The vertical ribs I and the intermediate ribs I8 and I9 of the framing defined therein a central notice panel to which the house address numbers may be attached. The upper horizontal rib I6 and the adjacent intermediate rib I8, define with the vertical ribs I5, a second notice panel 2|. The space within the lower horizontal rib H, the adjacent intermediate rib IS, and the vertically extending ribs I5, define an opening presently inwardly extending horizontal ledges 22 against which a transparent window pane 23 may seat. The transparent window 23 is secured to the outside faceof the inwardly extending ledges 22 as by a suitable adhesive, in a manner to securely hold the transparent window in position and insure a leak-proof construction. The transparent window 23 is located sufficiently close to the bottom wall panel 5 to make exteriorly visible the smallest mail card which may be dropped into thebox part.

The box part may be mounted on the building wall by the use of wood or lag screws I86 inserted through a pair of spaced socket holes 25 formed in the rear wall panel 4 at a point substantially below the secondary cover part C, so that the mounting screws I00 cannot be removed when the secondary cover part C is in locked position. The lower end of the box part is secured to the building wall W by a suitable angular bracket 26 which is connected to the rear wall panel 4 of the box part and secured to the building wall as by means of a lag or wood screw IIJI as shown in Fig. 2. When the news box is thus mounted on the building wall W at 4 a convenient location, it will be noted that the front wall panel I will be inclined forwardly from the bottom wall panel 5 thereof, and the bottom wall panel 5 will incline sightly forwardly toward the front wall panel I thereof.

The rearwardly extending rim formations I seat against the building wall W in a manner to permit free circulation of air between the rear wall panel 4 of the building wall, and additionally provide a free hinging space at the upper end of the box part to permit water shedding attachment of the primary and secondary cover parts thereto. The upper end of each of the rearwardly extending rim formations I is provided with a rounded head section 21 which is further defined by an undercut notch at the neck portion thereof. Each head section 2? is provided with a hinge pin hole for the reception of a hinge pin 29.

The rear wall panel 4 is provided with a curvilinear extension 30 which is curved rearwardly as shown more particularly in Figs. 3 for a distance of approximately to The curvilinear extension 30 is contained between the rear wall forming section of the rear wall panel 4 and the building wall upon which the news box is mounted, and extends across the full width of the rear wall forming section between the rim formations I.

The secondary cover part C, as shown more particularly in Fig. 6, may be stamped from a single blank of sheet metal to provide a top wall section ill, a downwardly extending front flange section 32 and a pair of side flange sections 33. The side flange sections 33 extend rearwardly to provide a pair of hinge arm extensions 34, having rounded ends 35 provided with aligned holes 36 through which the hinge pins 29 extend. The rear edge of the top wall section 3| may be rolled to provide an attractive bead formation 31. The front flange section 32 is contoured to snugly telescope over the outside face of the upper edge section I2 of the front wall panel I, and the side flange sections 33 and associated arm extensions are designed to snugly telescope over the outside face of the adjacent upper edge sections I3 of the side wall panels 2.

Thus when the secondary cover part C is applied to the upper end of the box part A, the rounded end portion 35 of each arm extension 34 will snugly overlie and conform to the contour of the adjacent head section 21 associated with the rearwardly extending rim formation I of the box part. The hinge pin holes 36 in the arm extensions 34 are also made to align with the pin receiving holes in the head sections 21 so that the hinge pins 29 may extend therethrough. The open space between the beaded edge 31 of the secondary cover part C and the rear wall panel 4 of the box part is such as to provide adequate space for the insertion of mail into the box part, but prevent removal of the mail from the box part until the secondary cover part C has been opened with a key in the possession of the authorized resident.

The secondary cover part C may be provided with a simple locking device comprising a suitable lock structure 38 which is secured to the inside face of the top wall section 3| of the secondary cover part as by screws or rivets 39.

The keyhole 40 is made conveniently accessible.

from the outside face of the top wall section 3I of the cover part to receive the unlocking key.

The lock structure 38 is provided with a suitable draw-bolt 4|, which may be manipulated by a key inserted in the keyhole 40, tobe 'projected through a bolt receiving slit 42 formed in'the the deposited mail. being readily accessible to theauthorized resident when the secondary cover part is unlocked and swung from its closed position to open position.

The primary cover part B is designedto pro-' tect the interior of the box part from the entry of moisture, and yet provide convenient accessibility for insertion'of mail into the box part. The primary cover part B may be formed from a substantially rectangular blank of sheet'material and as constructed presents a top wall section 45 having a rounded downwardly extending front flange section 46 which merges into the rounded downwardly extending side flange sections 41... The primary cover part B is sized so that when hinged to the box part, the front flange section 46 and the side flange sections 41. thereof will snugly telescope over the outside. face of the front flange section 32, the side flange sections 33 and arm extensions 34 of the secondary cover part C.

Each side flange section 41 of the primary cover part B isprovided with an outwardly flared water-shedding lip 43 at the lower edge thereof designed. to overlie the adjacent rib formation ll formed in the adjacent upper end of the side wall panel 2. The lower edge oi the front flange section 46 of. the primary cover part B is also provided with an outwardly flared water shedding lip 49 designed to overlie the outsideface of the adjacent rib formation .li formed in the upper end of the front wall panel i. The front flange section. 46 of the primary cover part is also provided with a lip extension 59 along the lower edge thereof to provide a convenient finger grip for lifting the primary cover part.

The top wall panel section 45 of the primary cover part 1-3 is provided with a curvilinear hip extension 5! along the rear edge thereof having an arcuate length of from 90 to 180. The curvilinear hip extension 5'! is so shaped as to snugly embrace the rearwardly overhanging curvilinear extension 313 of the rear wall panel 4, as shown more particularly in Figs, I and 5. During hinging movement of the primary cover part B, the curvilinear hip extension 5! thereof will snugly ride over the overhanging curvilinear extension 3!) of the rear wall panel. The curvilinear hip extension 5| extends the full width of the rear wall panel 4 between the side flanges 6 thereof.

The rear end of each side flange section 41 of the primary cover part'is given a rounded curvature 52 which substantially c'onformsto the rounded contour ofthe curvilinear hip extension 5|, and is provided with a hole to receive the hinge pin or rivet 29. A short slit 53 separates the rounded rear end 52 of each side flange section 4'! from the adjacent end of the curvilinear hip extension 5i. Each hinge pin 29 extends through the rounded rear end 52 of the primary cover side flange section 41, through the rounded end portion 35- of the underlying adjacent arm extension 34 of the secondary cover part, and through the adjacent head section 21 of thebox part, the hinge pins being in axial alignment and constructed toperm-itfree swinging move ment of the primary cover part. Both ends 01' 6. each hinge pin 29 are headed over to preven removal thereof.

Full opening movement of the primary cover part is permitted by reason of the slits 53 cut in the rear edge thereof in a manner to partially expose the rear edges of the head sections 21."

When the cover part is in full open position, the closed end 54 of each slit- 53 will abut against the closed end of the notch 28 at the base of the adjacent head section 21. It will be noted, however, that the terminus end 54 of each slit 53 substantially overhangs the inset rear wall panel 4, so that no water can reach the interior of the box part.. i

In this improved construction, the curvilinear hip extension 5| of the primary cover part rearwardly overhangs the rear wall panel 4 for a substantial distance, and yet is contained within the area defined by the rearwardly extending flanges ii of the rear wall panel Thus the curvilinear hip extension 5i of the primary cover part positively prevents rain water from reaching the interior of the box part, and sheds the water to the rear of the rear wall panel 3. The hinge rivets 28 at each side of the box part are arranged in true alignment, permitting free swinging movement of both the primary cover part B and the secondary cover part C. Since each hinge rivet 29- extends through the primary cover side flanges 41, the secondary cover arm extensions 34, and the head sections 21, an unusually strong and sturdy hinge construction is provided.

When this improved news box is built to such c'ommodious size as to contain magazines and newspapers as well as mail, the bottom wall panel 5 would normally be spaced from twelve to fifteen inches below the secondary cover part. As thus constructed, important letter mail dropped to the bottom wall panel thereof cannot be reached through the relatively small opening between the beaded rear edge 3l of the secondary cover part C and the rear Wall panel 4 of the box part, since the human hand cannot be inserted into the news box. Thus the secondary cover part C, which normally is kept in closed and locked position by the authorized holder of the opening key, insures substantial safety to important letters and mail delivered by the postman.

While certain novel features of this invention have been above disclosed, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of this invention.

What is claimed is: 1. An improved duplex covered mail and news box formed of sheet material comprising a box part having enclosing front, rear, bottom and side wall panels, said rear wall panel having a rear wall section inset between said side Wall panels providing a pair of rearwardly extending rim formations adapted to rest against the building wall and maintain said rear wall section spaced from the building wall, a secondary cover" part a top Wall section designed to substantially close the upper end of said box part comprising a top wall. panel having a front flange section and side'flange sections depending from.

sa idtop wall-panel designed to snugly overlap the corresponding front flange section and side flange cover part to the box part.

2.; An improved duplex covered mail and news box formed of sheet material comprising a box part having enclosing front, rear, bottom and side wall panels, said rear wall panel having a rear wall section inset between said side Wall panels providing a pair of rearwardly extending rim formations adapted to rest against the building Wall and maintain said rear Wall section spaced from the building wall, a secondary cover part designed to substantially close the upper end of said box part in a manner to prevent pilfering of mail deposited in the box part, said secondary cover part having a top wall section presenting a contracted insertion opening, a front flange section and side flange sections depending from said top wall section designed to snugly overlie the upper outside face of the front wall panel and side wall panels of the box part, a primary cover part comprising a top wall panel having a front flange section and side flange sections depending therefrom designed to snugly overlap the corresponding front flange section and side wall sections of said secondary cover part, a lock secured to the inside face of the top wall section of the secondary cover part having a looking element designed to lock to the front wall panel of the box part, and common pivot means for independently hinging said primary cover part and said secondary cover part to the upper ends of the rearwardly extending rim formations of said box part.

3. An improved duplex covered mail and news box formed of sheet material comprising a box part having enclosing front, rear, and side wall panels, and an outwardly bulging rib formation extending across said front wall panel and a section of each of said side wall panels defining thereabove cover receiving top edge sections, a secondary cover part having a top wall section presenting a contracted insertion opening therein, a front flange section and side flange sections depending from said top wall section designed to snugly overlie the outside face of the coverreceiving top edge sections of said box part, a primary cover part comprising a top wall panel having a front flange section and side flange sections depending therefrom designed to snugly overlie the corresponding front flange section and side flange sections of said secondary cover part, water shedding lip portions flaring outwardly from the lower edges of the front and side flange sections of said primary cover part designed to overlie the outwardly bulging rib formation of the box part when the primary cover part is in closed position, and means for hinging the side flange sections of said primary cover part and secondary cover part to the upper end of said box part.

4. An improved duplex covered mail and news box formed of sheet material comprising a box part having enclosing front, rear, bottom and side wall panels, and an outwardly bulging rib formation extending across said front Wall panel and a section .of each of said side wall panels defining thereabove cover receiving top edge sections, a secondary cover part having a top wall section presenting a contracted insertion opening, a front flange section and side flange sections -depending from said top wall section de-' signed to snugly overlie the outside face of the cover-receivingtop edge sections of said box part, a primary cover part comprising a top wall panel having a front flange section and side flange sections depending therefrom designed to snugly to overlie the corresponding front flange section and side flange sections of said secondary cover parts, water shedding lip portions flaring outwardly from the lower edges of the front and side fiangesections of said primary cover part designed to overlie the outwardly bulging rib formation of the box part when the primary cover part is in closed position, a lock secured to the inside face of the top wall section of the secondary cover part having a locking element designed. to lock to the front wall panel of the box part, and common pivot pins for hinging the side flange'sections of said primary cover part and secondary cover part to the upper ends of said side wall panels of said box part.

- 5. An improved duplex covered mail and news box formed of sheet material comprising a box part having enclosing front, rear, bottom and side wall panels, said rear wall panel having a rear wall section inset between said side Wall panels providing a'pair of rearwardly extending rim formations'aseconda'ry cover part designed to substantially close the upper end of said box part in a manner to prevent pilfering of mail deposited in the box part, said secondary cover part having a top wall section presenting a contracted insertion opening between the rear edge thereof and the rear Wall panel of the box part,

ea front flange section and side flange sections depending from said top wall section designed to snugly overlie the upper outside face of the front wall panel and side wall panels of the box part, a lock secured to the inside face of said top wall section having a locking element designed to be locked to the front wall panel of the box part, a primary cover part comprising a top wall panel having a front flange section and side flange sections depending therefrom designed to snugly overlie the corresponding front flange section and side flange sections of said secondary cover part, and aligned pivot pins for hinging the rear ends of the side flange sections of said primary cover part and secondary cover part to the upper ends of the'rearwardly extending rim formations of the box part.

' RUSSELL W. GIESELER.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Atkinson Aug. 24, 1948

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