US465524A - Letter-box - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 3 Sheets--SheetV 1.

E. B. GRIFFIN.

LETTER BOX.

No. 465,524.' l Patented 1360.22, 1891.

(No Model.) s'sheets-.sheet 3.'

E. B. GRIFFIN.

K LETTER B0X'. No. 465,524. PatevntedDeo. 22, 1891.

fue? 3,1/ A f//l Si UNFTF 'Ferns AFFNT OFFICE.

fnnnnr n. GRIFFIN, oF sr. JosPI-L'Missount.

LETTER-Box.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 465,524, dated December 22, 1891.

Application file d .Tune 23, 1891.

Serial No. 397,224. (No model.) i

To all whom t may concern,.-

Be it known that I, EMERY B. GRIFFIN, of St. Joseph, Buchanan county, Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in `Mail Boxes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to inail-boxes whichy are designed to be used at residences, offices, stores, and other similar locations; and the objects of my invention are toproducea mailbox which shall be simple, durable, ornamental, and inexpensive in construction, and by means of which the collection and delivery of mail-matter, as well as the various other features of the business, shall be greatly expedited and facilitated.

A further object of my invention is to produce a mail-box which shall securely protect the mail-matter against injury by the weather and also against all possible loss by thieves or other dishonest persons.

A still further object of my invention is -to produce means whereby the postman and the occupant of the residence, ofiice, store, or

other place can readily signal to each other when either desires to communicate personally with the other, thus avoiding all annoying delays in finding the person to be communicated with.

To the above'purposes my invention consists in certain peculiar and novel features of construction and arrangement, as hereinafter described and claimed.

In order that my invention may be fully understood, I will proceed to describe it with l reference to the accompanying drawings, in.

which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the single form of mail-box embodying my invention. Figx is a centraltransverse vertical section of the same on line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 isa front elevation of the double form of mail-box embodying my invention. Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section of the same on the line 44 of Fig. Fig. 5 is ahorizontal cross-section of the same on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3. Fig. G is a side elevation of the upper part of a mail-box provided with my improved signaling apparatus. Fig.7isadetachedperspectiveofoneof the tubes for receiving rolls and similar mailmatter. Fig. S isacentral longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 9 is a detached perspective view of the upper part of a modified form ofthe roll-holder. Fig. 10 is a detached perspective View of one form of the drop-plate. Fig. 11 is a similar view of another form of dropplate. Fig. 12 is a detached perspective view of the looking-plate. Fig. 13 comprises two detached perspective views of one form of the closing-caps for the roll-holders. Fig. 14c comprises two perspective'views of a modified form of closing-cap for the roll-holder.

I will first proceed to describe the single form of the mail-box, then the double form of the box, then the roll-holders, the signaling devices, and iinally the several details of construction embodied in my invention.

In Figs. 1 and 2, 1 designates the easingof the single mail-box, said casing being of vertical elongated form, preferably rectangular at its lower end, and constructed, preferably, of metal, although the` body of the box may be of any other suitable or preferred material. The rear of this box is preferably closed by a backing-piece 2, which is strongly united at its ends and sides to the sides and to the upper and lower ends of the front of the body portion, as shown. The upper portion 3 of the front of the box curves upward and rearward and the lower part 4 of this portion 3 -curves outward and, downward, as shown. Across the front of the box, immediately. be-

'low the terminus of the outwardly and downwardly curved portion 4, is formed a horizontal slit or opening 5, and from the lower margin of this opening or slit the front of the boxv extends downward a short distance, as shown at 6.y The front of the box is permanently closed from its lower'end to a point some distance above said lower end, as shown -hasp of a suitable padlock 14,'by means of which the door 9 is retained securelyinclosed ICO position until a person authorized to unlock the padlock desires to do so and thus open the door. The upper margin of this retainingplate 13 is connected to the lower margin of the closed portion G of the box-bodyby a suitable hinge 15, and this hinge, as' also the p hinge 8, may be either of the precise forni shown or any other type which will respectively'permit a free gravity action ofthe retaining-plate and a ready opening of the door, and at the same time securelj7 connect the plate and door to the adjacent parts of theV box.' The upper portion 2O of this retainingplate 13 extends inward at right angles from the body portion, and this latter. upwardlyextending portion thus lies against the inner su'rface'of the portion 6 of the box-front 'and Ais also Inade heavy, vso as to cou'nterbalance the body of the plate 'and'to throw said plate loutward andupward automatically'as soon as ingflthesides of the casing. Th Outer-'part 18ct this tilting .and closingpl'a'te isenlarged in suchia manner as 'to 'counterbalance the inner part of Ithe Aplate and `to retain rthe vl'at-v ter in'elevated position,` and the form ofthis `lon'ia'rgggo'd portion is oooh as 'to loa-vo at 4its outer marginan outwardly-projectinglip or Hanger 19, for a purpose to be .presently explaine'd. Y I

. Upon #the 'innersidesof the casiugjof the box isse'cured a false backing-piece 21,the

` sitios ofsaid'baokingpiooohaviogf1angos57,

s. "rests against the upper part ofthe'b'ack'2,'and

ftiirough whioharopassodrivots osos shown. The upper edge of 'this false backing-piece'll preferably extends upward ftotheupper'end loi" said backing V2, and 'thelow'er'edge' of said "false Lback is also preferably suitablysecured totho inn'o'r sui-face of thel lower 'portion vof theyfront "25 of the box. From its uppervend 4"thisfalse'back21 curves: gradually` downward fand outward to an integralforwardly-projecting V-shaped'portion 22, for a purpose to'be the lower 4:part of this V-shaped portion v422 'the false backing 'extends A`downward for a ,short distance in contact'u-'ith the inner surv'face of the true backing 2, and from this point `the `falsevbacking curves gradually downward ",andfo'rward to the vdescribed connection of itslow'er'edge vwith the front portion 7 'ofthe zbox-noot. This' box is shown as `so'ourooi to na wall or door orothe'r preferred 'vertical portion 23 of a building b'yione'or /iore screws 24, roquivaiont dovicospassing through tho lupper part of the backing 2,and -1t is to be prefsontly'explained. At theterinination of understood that these fastening devices may also pass through other portions of the backing of the box in any desired part thereof, so as to iirmly secure the box to the support 23.

In Figs. 3 and 4 I have shown a double form of mail-box, which also embodies in its construction the essential principles of my invention. The upper portion of this box is constructed precisely like the single box just described, and similar parts of these two structuresv are designated with like numerals for referencethat is to say, the rear portion of this double'box is closed at its upper part by a backing-piece 2 and is provided with a false backing-piece 2l, as before. This false backing-piece is provided, also, with the flanged sides 57, through which Vpass the rivets 58, which secure the false backing "to the sides ofthe :box-body, as before, and the said false lbacking-piece"is'formed near its upper end with a forwardly -projecting 'V -s'haped :portion 22,and curves thence, after havin-g'extended some distance in contact with the 4backing 2, graduallyfdown-Ward and lforward until'its lower end cornes into contact with and Vis secured in vthis instance to the inner 4surface of the portion 25, hereinafter vdey The upper 'partiolf the front of this box Lis also for-ined rwith the upwardly and rearwardly curved portion Y 3,and 'beneath said portion A3 `-said 'front is formed'withthe outwardlyan'd down- -wardly curved portion 4,"beneathwhich is the transverse slit'or opening 5. Within-thisslit oropening is locatedthe'tilti'ng and/closing plate 16,'which i'ssecured therein bythe "pivvvotal'connection17,entering the sides yof 4the box-body, as before. This'tiltingfandclosing plate lis, as before, 4provided :at its outer portion with an enlargement '18, which'co'unter- IOC balances'the'innfer portion/of thetilti'ng'and closing`plate,"sothat its'inner surfacestands Iiorn'iallyadjacent to'theinner surfaceof'the ment'is of such a shape'as-to form thelip or fiange 19, before described. The door` 9 v`is likewise here employed and Eis A'connected at its lowerfmargin to the |uppermargin'of the portion 7fb'ya suitable hin-geSQand ythe upper portion of Vthisdoorfis lals'of'providedwith ja'stap'le 10,fwhioh is designed to passl through the operiingl1-2of'the retaining-plate 13. LInthisinstan'cetheiplate (13 A`is also lsecured at its upper part to the portion 6 of thefront byasuitable hingelyand its upper'margin 20e`xtends'inward at `right angles and then upward'a'nd i's-e'n'larged to vcounterbal'an'ce the body vportion'of :the plate 13, as before.

In 'this .present'instance however, the true back'2 of the box is extended downward to a noticeable distance, andthe'lower partof the portion 7 of "the front Ais v:curved downward IIO y26, and from Ythe lower margin of this slit or opening extendsdownwardly for some distan-ce a closed portion 27. From the extreme padlock for retaining the door in closed position. It will thus be seen that, while the box shown in Figs. 1 and 2 has but a single compartment, the box now being described is provided with two compartments located the one beneath the other.

Vithin the slit or opening.26 is located a second tilting and closing plate 33, which is secured in said opening by a pivotal connec-v tion 34, entering the sides of the box. The outer portion of this tilting and closing plate is enlarged so Vas to couuterbalance the body -portion of said plate, and thus retain said body portion normally in upwardlyeinmargin 20, and the user opens the door 9 and clined position, with its inner surface in engagement with the lower surface of the lower part of the false backing 21 at the point ofthe attachment of the latter to the portion 25 of the box-front, as shown in solid lines in Fig. 4.

The operations of the boxes above described are as follows:A When the postman wishes to deposit mail matter in the box shown in Figs. 1 and 2, he: thrusts the mail-matter into the slit or opening 5, pushing the mail-matter against the tilting and closing plate 16, such mail-matter being pushed upward and entering the box above the projection 22. Vith the same hand with which he inserts the mail-matter the carrier now lifts the outery portion 1S of the closing plate 16 upward, so as to bring the lip or flange 19 of the closing plate into contact with the margin of the projecting portion 4 of the box. This movement throws the body or inner portion of the closing plate 16 downward, as shown in. dotted lines in Fig. 2, and permit-s the mail-matterl to drop past the tilting and closing plate 1 6 and V-shaped portion 22 of the false backing 21 andto fall into the lower part of the box. As soon as the postman releases the plate it automatically resumes its normal upward position, closing the slit 5. Now when the occupant of the building or apartment whichis served by the box desires to obtain his mail he unlocks the padlock 14 with a suitable key, as 36, and draws the hasp of the padlock out of the staple 10. As soon as this is done the retaining-plate opens outwardly automatically by the action of the weighted upper removes tle mail-matter from the box, subsequently closing the door, depressing the outer part of the retaining-plate 13, and securing the two with the padlock.

The operation of the upper parts of the box shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is virtually the same as that just described; but in this instance the occupant of the building or apartment'inserts his mail into the slit or opening 5, pressing'it against the tilting and closing plate and causing the mail-matter to enter upwardly, and then depresses the plate 16, tilting and closing, allowing the mail-matter to drop past the plate 16, as before, and finally releasing the tilting and closing plate 16 and allowing it to automatically resume its normal upward position. The postman, desiring to obtain the occupants inail, unlocks the door 9, the retaining plate swinging outward automatically, as before, and allowing the door 9 to be opened, so as to permit -the removal ofthe mail-matter in the box. The postman now closes the door 9 and-locks the same. In this instance when the postman desires to deliver mail for the occupant of the building or apartment he inserts the mailmatter into the opening or slit 26 in the lower part of the box, pushing the vmail -matter against the plate 33, so as to operate the same, and then with the saine hand lifts the outer portion 35 of the tilting and'closing plate-33 upward, so as to depress the inner portion of said plate, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, and allowing the mail-matter to drop past the plate 33 into the bottom of the lower compartment of the box.

IOO

scribed is that which is the more advanta` geous for rapid and easy delivery by the postman, as well as equally con venient for the occupant of the building or apartment.

f. In Fig. 10 I have shown the tilting and closing plate 16 as provided lwith two 'recesses or cavities 56, through the outer end of each of which is inserted `a rivet 57, the outer part of which passes into the side of the box at the point shown at 17 in Fig. 2. The plate'33 (shown in Fig. 11) may obviously be provided with similar cavities and rivets, and by virtue of such construction the insertionand attachment of the plates are greatly facilitated and as strong a connection is made as hasbeen previously described.

Upon one side of the box shown in Figs. l and 2 is mounted a tubular receptacle 37, which is designed to receive rolled mail-matter, such as newspapers in wrappers,.draw ings,plans, &c., and the upper end of which is closed by'a cover or cap 38. Thiscoveror cap is secured at one side to the upper part of the door 9, as shown at 39. The box shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is provided with two of these receptacles, one of which is located at either side of the box. rIhe precise constructioniof these receptacles will be clearly understood by reference to Figs. 7, 8, and 9 in connection with the ensuing description. Each of these receptacles may be provided near one end with an integral flange 40, the outer surface of which inclines inwardly, and the purpose of which is to permit the roll to be inserted past the fiauge and inwardly through the receiving end of the receptacle and to prevent the withdrawal of the roll exceptingr through the discharge end of the receptacle, as presently described. These receptacles may also Iloe each provided at one end with a longitudinal opening or recess 4l, formedin one side of the receptacle, and this recess may be either y at the upper or lower end of the recept-acle,

prevented from dropping out of the lower en-d.

of the receptacle 37 N ow when the occu pant of the apartment or building opens the door 9, as before described, to obtain his mail the cap 38 will be carried by the door off of the upper end of the receptacle, and thus permit the occupant to draw the roll out through the upper end of the receptacle. In this instance the upper end of the receptacle is preferably provided at its upper end with the recess 4l, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. l, thus facilitating the withdrawal of the roll. The lefthand receptacle 37 in Fig. 3 may be the receptacle into which the occupant of the building or apartment places the roll to be taken out by the postman, and in this event the lower part of the receptacle is provided with the inverted flange 40, as just described, the lower end of the receptacle being closed by the cap 33, which in this instance is connected to the lower door 30 of the box. In this instance the upper end of the receptacle is closed by a cap 42, Vwhich is secured to the upper door 9, and which, in case the upper end of the receptacle is provided with the recess 4l, is provided with a downwardlyextending face-plate 43, covering the recess 4l and provided with a slight opening 43a. Now when the occupant is taking his mail from the box he willuncover the upper end of Athe left-hand receptacle 37 when he opens the door 9 and Acan then insert a roll into the upper end of tlze receptacle. While the carrier is collecting the mail from the box he will, by opening` the lower door 30, uncover the lower end of the receptacle, and if by looking through the opening 43a he discovers a roll in the receptacle he can readily remove the roll from the lower end of the receptacle. The receptacle 37 at the'right-hand side of the box may have its upper end closed by aweighted lid 44, that closes automatically, and which is hinged, as at 45, to the corresponding side of the box. In this event the lower end of this receptacle is closed by a cap 38, which is secured to the lower door 30; and it will be seen that when the postman delivers mail hc will, if he have a roll to deliver, lift the lid and drop the ro'll into the upper end of the receptacle, the flange 40 being at the upper'end of the receptacle. When the occupant is obtaining his mail, he

will, by opening the lower door 30, uncover the lower end of the receptacle, and can thus readily remove the roll through such lower end. In this instance the sight-opening 43 is preferably p laced or formed-near the lower end of the right-hand receptacle. If desired, the cap 42 may be located at the lower end of the receptacle 37.

As shown in Fig. 9, the receptacle 37 may be square or angular in form, insteadot cylindrical, as shown in other iigures of the drawin-gs, and in this event the ,flange 40 is of correspondingly angular form, instead of circular form, as before. Y

In order to securely attach the mail-box to its support 23 and to prevent the box from being stolen bodily, I preferably attach the box by means of strong screws 56, whichlie between the sides of the box and the receptacles 37, the backing 2 being turned outward against the sides of the box, as shown 4at 56a, and the outer parts of the screws being concealed between the sides of the box and the outturned parts of the back 2. Thus it will be seen that the screws are effectually coucealed and protected against surreptitious removal. The receptacles 37 are also preferably secured to the box by rivets or screws 57, which pass through the sides of the box and the outturned portions 56a of the back 2, and also through the adjacent sides of the receptacles. It will thus thus be seen that the attaching devices of these receptacles are effectuall y concealed from view and their surreptitious removal rendered impossible.

The box shown in Figs. l and 2 is shown as provided with a U-shaped spring 45, the lower ends of which are formed with coils 46 IOO IIO'

and the extremities of which are inserted rearr ably secured in vertical position to the upper message.

ends of the sides of the box. In either instance the spring presses upon the front of the box and loose newspapers can be inserted between the spring and the front of y the box and will be retained securely by the spring until removed.

In Figs. l and 6 I have shown a signalingv attachment, by means of which the postman can communicate with the occupant or the occupant with the postman when the business of either with the other requires a personal meeting of the two. lar metal strap or hanger, which is secured to one side of the box by screws or rivets 53, or equivalent devices, and 54 designates a screw or rivet, which is inserted through the front end of the strap or hanger and which enters the side of the box. Upon thisscrew or rivet 54 are pivoted a number of plates 49, preferably of different lengths, and provided with outwardly-turned corners 55. It is intended to'designate these plates by diftere`nt colors, each color to signify a particular there are four of these plates, as shown, and that said plates are colored, respectively, red, yellow, blue, and white, now if the carrier or postman has delivered the wron g mail the occupant moves the red plate into horizontal position; if the occupant is to leave town and desires the delivery of mail to cease until further notice, the blue plate is moved into horizontal position; if the occupant desires to speak personally to the postman for any purpose, the yellow plate is moved into horizontal position, and when the carrier desires to communicate personally with the occupant--as, for example,\when delivering a registered letter-he moves the white plate into horizontal position.

From the above description it will be seen that I have produced a mail-box which is simple, durable, and ornamental in construction, and by means of which all the business connected with the delivery, collection, receipt, and dispatch of mail-matter is greatly facilitated, Vand by meansv of which also the mailmatter is fully protected against theft or injury by the weather.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

- l. An improved mail-box comprisingabody portion or receptacle having a slit or opening in its front, a tilting plate located in said slit or opening and having an enlarged counterbalancing outer portion, and a backing-piece having a forwardly-extending angular portion, adjacent to which the inner edge 4S designates an align- Thus, for example, assuming thata pair of slits or openings in the front of the casing and communicating with the upper and lower compartment, respectively, a pair of tilting plates located one in each 'opening and having counterbalancing outer enlarged portions, a pair of doors hinged to they front of the casing and also communicating with the two compartments, and a retainingplate hinged in the front of the casing and having an enlarged inwardly-extending upper margin and engaging at its body portion with one of said doors, substantially as set forth.

4. An improved mail-box comprising a suitable box or casing, a tubular roll-receptacle, and a hinged front door carrying a cap for covering one end of the receptacle, substantially as set forth.

5. An improved mail-box comprising a suit-v able casing, a pair of doors `hingedat the front of the casing, a pair of tubular roll-rc'- ceptacles secured to opposite sides of the box, and caps or covers attached to said doors and arranged to close the ends of the tubular receptacles, substantially as set forth. y

6. An improved mail-box comprising a suitable box or casing, a door hinged at the front of the casing, a tubular roll-receptacle provided at one end with'a longitudinal recess and having also an internal liange formed with an inclined outerside, and a cap or cover secured to the door and arranged to close the end of the tubular receptacle, substantially 'as set forth.

7. An improved mail-box comprising a suitable casing, a pair of holders secured to opposite sides of the upper part of said casing, and a spring extending across the top of the casing and normally pressed downward thereon and havingcoiled end portions and having also its extremities inserted into said holders, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereofI affix my signature in presence of two witnesses. EMERY B. GRIFFIN. Witnesses: l

JNO. T. JOHNSON, C. C. KING.

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