US3070234A

US3070234A - Toy mail classification rack

Info

Publication number: US3070234A
Application number: US771589A
Authority: US
Inventors: Deitchman Evelyn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-11-03
Filing date: 1958-11-03
Publication date: 1962-12-25
Anticipated expiration: 1979-12-25

Description

Dec. 25, 1962 E. DEITCHMAN 7 TOY MAIL CLASSIFICATION RACK Filed Nov. 3, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. EVELYN DEITCHMAN BYM Dec. 25, 1962 E. DEITCHMAN v TOY MAIL CLASSIFICATION RACK 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 3, 1958 INVENTOR. EVELYN DEITGHMAN 1962 E. DEITCVHMAN 3,070,234

TOY MAIL CLASSIFICATION RACK Filed Nov. 3, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. EVELYN DEITCH MAN ATTOP/VEY United States Patent 3,070,234 TOY MAIL CLASSIFICATION RACK Evelyn Deitchrnan, 210 W. 230th St, Bronx, N.Y. Filed Nov. 3, 1953, Ser. No. 771,589 1 Claim. (Cl. 211-) This invention relates generally to toys or games. More particularly, the invention has reference to a kit which can be used in play by children, in such a manner as to permit the children to perform the various functions discharged by post ofiice employees.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a kit or game of the character described that will be particularly attractive to children, so as to afford a high degree of amusement and entertainment. At the same time, it is proposed to provide a kit or game as stated which will have a valuable educational function. To this end, the kit is designed to provide the child with considerable training in respect to classification and sorting of letters, reading, manual dexterity, etc.

Another object is to provide a kit or game as stated which will provide the child with valuable information and education as to post oflice regulations, etc.

Still another object of importance is to provide a postal kit or game that will be comparatively inexpensive, considering the highly desirable characteristics thereof previously noted.

Another object of importance is to provide a postal kit or game which will be designed to be used over a long period of time without replacement of component parts thereof.

Another object is to provide a postal kit or game which will include a novel rack, used for storing, sorting and classification of mail, which rack will be of the knockdown type so as to permit it to be stored in a relatively small package while awaiting sale.

A further object is the provision of a rack which can be assembled from metal plates or panels having curved or channeled ends for Securing the plates to each other.

A still further object is to provide a toy letter box also assembled from the metal panels with curled ends.

Another object is to provide a rack of the type described with name plates for identifying various compartments thereof.

Another object is to provide means whereby the rack will have varying numbers of compartments, that is, the number of compartments can be increased or decreased, as desired.

Still another object is to provide a post oflice kit or game which will include a toy letter box and letter rack which will be of knock-down types. In this way, it is proposed to permit the rack and letter box to be packed more or less in a flattened condition, whereby the entire kit can be packed in a flat box to lower the cost of transportatiion and storage there of. Furthermore, the toy letter rack and letter box can be assembled and disassembled by the player at will.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following dscription and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claim in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mail sorting rack, according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the rack on a reduced scale.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views taken on lines 3-3 and 44, respectively, of FIG. 2 and showing on an enlarged scale joints formed by metal panels according to the invention.

3,070,234 Patented Dec. 25, 1962 FIG. 5 is a plan view of a metal panel with curved ends according to the invention.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are sectional views taken on linw 66 and 77, respectively, of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a metal panel.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a name plate used herewith.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a partition employed in the 'rack.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken on line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale through a panel joint.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a toy letter box formed by panels of the type shown in FIGS. 5-8.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken on line 1414 of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a shelf employed in the rack of FIG. 1.

Referring in detail to the drawings, generally designated 18 in FIG. 1 is a letter sorting mail classification rack embodying the invention. This can be of any size and can have any desired number of compartments. The rack is assembled from a plurality of panels 60 shown to best advantage in FIGS. 5-8. Each panel 60 is formed from a substantially rectangular flat plate of thin sheet metal. One end 62 of the panel is curved or curled to form a transversely extending channel 63. The channel is open along its length, since the curved end extends arcuately about 330, leaving a longitudinal opening of about 30. The curved end 62 is somewhat resilient so that it can be flexed inwardly or outwardly radially.

The opposite end 64 of the panel is also curved but has a larger radius of curvature than end 62 and extends arcuately about 210*", leaving a longitudinal opening 66 of about 150. End 64 is quite flexible and can expand to snap over the end 62 of any other panel. The end 64 is sufficiently flexible that it can be expanded radially to engage a similar end 64 of another panel. One edge 68 of the panel is curved throughout its length and hasa curvature whose radius is the same as that of end 62. This long edge has a long opening 69. The opposite edge 70 is curved throughout its length and its radius is the same as that of end 64. Longitudinal opening 71 is pro vided in edge 70. All ends and edges are curved or curled outwardly from one side of the panel and then inwardly toward and past the other side. The end 64 can engage on edge-68 and edge 70 can engage on end 62. The engagement is done with a slight flexing outwardly of the outer curved member and a slight flexing inwardly of the inner curved member so that the engagement is maintained frictionally but the several members can be disengaged readily. The limited angular extent of the end 64 and edge 70 is intended to permit or more of angular movement of one panel with respect to another. This is clearly illustrated in FIG. 3 where one panel 60 is perpendicular to panel 60 and panel 60 is parallel to panel 60. All four corners 79 of the panel 60 are cut out rectangularly.

FIG. '4 shows how one panel 66 can be disposed perpendicular to another panel 60 and the larger edge '70 of panel 60 is engaged within the enlarged edge 70' of panel 60?.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be noted that the rack is formed by three upper panels 60 60 60*; three right side panels 60 60 and 60 three

left panels

60, 60 and 60 three bottom panels 60 60 and 60; and three rear panels 60*, 60 60.

Ends 64 of panels 60 60 and 60* are engaged on edge 68 of upper rear panel 60*. Edges 70 of

panels

60 and 60 are engaged on edges 68 of

panels

60 and 60,

3 respectively. Edges 70 of panels 60 60 and 60 are engaged within edge 70 of panel 60. Ends 64' of panels 60 60 and 60 are engaged on ends 64 of panels 60 60 and 60 respectively. Ends 64 of

panels

60, 60

and 60 are engaged on ends 62 of panels 60 60 60, respectively. Edges 70 of

panels

60, 60 60*, 60 60 60 60, 60*, 60 60, 60 and 60 in order are engaged on the edges 68 of the next adjacent panels. Thus there is formed a rigid box structure with open front as shown in FIG. 1.

On the curved ends 62 of panels 60 60 and 60 may be engaged the curved ends 64 of name plates 74. These name plates may be marked with geographical names 76, postal area or other postal designations. If desired, the name plates may be left blank as shown in FIG. 9 for marking with any desired name or place by the player. Each name plate is a flat rectangular plate with a curved end 64 having a radius of curvature similar to that of end 62 of a panel 60.

In order to provide compartments, there are provided vertical partitions 80 as best shown in FIGS. 1, 10 and 11. These partitions have horizontally extending open grooves 82. Into these grooves can fit the plane edges 83 of fiat plates 84 which form horizontal dividers or shelves. Plates 84, as shown in FIG. 15, are rectangular metal plates each having two cut-out corners 79 and a single curved end 62 similar to end 62 of a panel 60. On end 62 can be hung name plates 74 as indicated by the Texas, Vermont and Florida name plates. The

partitions are embossed or ridged at 85 to form the grooves 82. These ridges can support horizontal shelves as shown by the supports for

plates

84 and 84 Additional plates 84 can be inserted to make more compartments or some of plates 84 can be removed at will to form larger storage compartments While reducing the number of compartments.

To make the playing more realistic, a flag 86 having a post 88 can be inserted in channel 63 of the narrow curved end 62 of panel 60 The upper flat ends of partitions 80 fit into channel 69 in edge 68 of

panels

60 and 60 as shown in FIG. 1 and on a larger scale in FIG. 12.

The lower ends of partitions 80 fit into channels 69 in edges 68 of

panels

60 and 60. The partitions and shelves can be slipped in or out at will. The entire rack is easily assembled and disassembled.

A'form of letter box 10 is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. This box is formed of a smaller rectangular panel 60 which forms the front of the box. A larger rectangular panel 60 forms the rear. Side panels 60 -and 60 are trapezoidal, that is, each panel has an inclined upper end.

Bottom panel 60 is rectangular or square and upper panel 60 is also rectangular and sufficiently large to cover the open top of the box with some overhang beyond the front panel 60. The upper panel 60 is pivotable as indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 14 on the rear panel 60 because the curved edge 64 of panel 60 is engaged on the smaller curved edge 62 of panel 60 The panels are interlocked at their edges and bottoms by engagement of edge 70 of each of the vertical panels on smaller edge 68 of the adjacent panel, and engagement of the larger and smaller ends and edges of bottom panel 60 with the smaller and larger curved bottom ends respectively of the vertical panels.

Slot 26 in panel 60 provides an opening for inserting toy letters and the pivotable top 60 provides an opening by means of which the mailman can remove the toy letters and carry them to the toy post office rack '18.

In use, the child according to the addresses which have been placed upon the letters, sorts the mail, using the rack 18. Additional sorting operations can be carried out until the several letters have all been separately grouped, according to the points of delivery. Then, they may be placed in one or more letter boxes 10, these letter boxes representing the boxes of the addressees.

The game thus has very attractive educational features, since it teaches the child to classify objects and to achieve dexterity and speed in making classifications. Further, it teaches the child to reason, and at the same time, provides highly desirable, extended periods of true amusement for the child or children engaged in use of the kit.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made Within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent In a toy postal kit, a mail classification rack, comprising a plurality of panels, said panels being removably interconnected to form an open box structure, a plurality of removable partitions disposed in spaced relationship in the box, and a plurality of shelves removably supported between the partitions, each of said panels being a sub stantially rectangular plate formed of thin sheet metal, opposite ends and edges of each plate being curled to form open grooves, one curled end of each plate having a larger radius of curvature than the other curled end of the plate, and one curled edge of the plate having a larger radius of curvature than the other curled edge of the plate, the radius of curvature of said one end and said one edge being the same, and the radius of curvature of the other end and the other edge being the same, the larger edges of certain of said panels being engaged with smaller edges of adjoining panels to form a top, sides and a bottom of said box structure, the panels forming the back having their ends engaged with rear ends of certain of the other panels, said partitions being perpendicularly disposed between the top and bottom panels, said partitions having spaced grooves and ridges supporting said shelves between said top and bottom forming compartments in the box structure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 852,304 Tilley Apr. 30, 1907 875,548 Miller Dec. 31, 1907 880,757 Rugg Mar. 3, 1908 1,114,567 Woods Oct. 20, 1914 1,170,691 SkipWorth Feb. 8, 1916 I 1,198,524 Cunlifle Sept. 19, 1916 1,282,833 Holder Oct. 29, 1918 1,950,423 Wightman Mar. 13, 1934 1,971,612 Kidwell Aug. 28, 1934 2,127,047 Pinney Aug. 16, 1938 2,452,888 Woodward Nov. 2, 1948 2,578,691 Gieseler Dec. 18, 1951 2,582,553 McMurtrie Jan. 15, 1952 2,797,819 Lowmaster July 2, 1957 2,828,842 Plumley et al. Apr. 1, 1958 2,832,174 Yip Apr. 29, 1958 2,918,996 Brown Dec. 29, 1959