US743104A - Mail-box. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED NDV. 3, 1903.

G. E. ROESCH.

MAIL BOX.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 16, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

Wg fue 656,30

UNITED STATES Patented November 3, 1903.

GEORGE E. HOESCH, OF AURORA, ILLINOIS.

MAIL-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 743,104, dated November 3, 1903.

Application filed February 16. V1903. Serial No. 143.488. (N0 model- My invention relates to improvements in mail-boxes of the type especially adapted for use along rural free-delivery routes in which it is important to provide means for quick and ready access by the carrier to deposit or remove the mail and also to provide a suitable signal to indicate when mail is in the box.

The object of my improvements is to provide a mail-box of the style above indicated that will close automatically as soon as mail has been deposited therein and the receptacle released, that will automatically display the signal when mail has been placed in the box, that will indicate the character of the mail deposited-t'. e., letters or newspapersthat will have a signal not likely to become damaged bythe elements or accidents, and that as a whole will be simple in form, economical to make, convenient to use, and that may be firmly and securely attached to a supporting-post.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application, I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention in the following views:

Figure l is a perspective View of my improved mail-box mounted on a suitable post. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the mail-receptacle with the signal device attached at one end. Fig. 3 is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of the box complete, showing the signal device retracted.

Referring to thelrespective details of the drawings, A represents a box made preferably from sheet metal in the cylindrical form shown and provided with closed ends a a2 and with an opening a3, extending, preferably, the full length of the box and of suflicient size to permit large packages of mail or other matter to be placed in the box. To the box at the lower edge of its opening is riveted a tongue a5, which extends outwardly and is provided-with a slot a6 to receive a padlock of any suitable pattern, which may be used to lock the box. At each end of the box is secured a guide b', consisting of a piece of sheet metal having its edges turned over to form flanges b2, which serve as keepers for the signal devices B B3, which 4are mounted in said keepers at the opposite ends of the box, respectively. These signals are each cut from a section of metal in the form shown-that is, with a rounded end b4,Which is adapted to project from the front of the box when the signal is displayed, with a shank portion b5, which is adapted to slide in the way formed by the flanges b2, and with a shoulder b at the inner end, which serves as a stop in limiting the outward movement of the signal. It is my design to have one of the signals painted red and the other white or in some other distinctive colors, and in use one will be displayed to indicate that letters are in the box and the other to show that only newspapers are deposited therein, or they may be used in other ways, as may be arranged between the owner and the carrier.

The box A is provided with pivot-pins a7 at each end, which are located eccentrically to the horizontal'axis of the box and below the opening 0,3, and these pivots have suitable bearings in the hood or cover C, which will be described.

The hood O is formed from sheet metal, a single piece forming the back c and the top c2 and separate pieces the ends c3. The top arches over the box and extends down in front to cover the opening in the latter when it is in its normal or closed position. Riveted to the top at its center is a metal strap D, which extends transversely of the top and in its lower and front end is provided with a slot d, which registers with the slot a6 in the tongue, thus permitting the box to be locked to the cover. The upper and rear end of the strap is provided with holes, by which it may be bolted, screwed, or otherwise fastened to the post E. The lower edge of the hood is reinforced with a bar of strapron F, riveted in place and extended angnlarly across the corners between the back and the ends, so as to firmly brace the latter. Bolts, as f', extend through the strap at its center and serve to attach it to the post, as indicated in Fig. 3.

It will be noted that as the signal slides freely between 'the ianges of the guide b it will be caused to slide outwardly by the par IOO tial rotation of the box incident to opening or depressing same-a movement that is facilitated by the fact that the outer end of the signal is heavier than its other parts and gravity-acting. When the box returns to its normal or closed position by the action of gravity, the signal will still remain extended or displayed without any care from the carrier, so that the mere act of placing mail in the box will necessarily display the signal. When the mail has been removed, the person removing same will push the signal back into place between the adjacent ends of the box and hood, when it will be ready for another automatic movement and in the meantime is protected from the elements. As the lower edge of the hood extends below the edge of the opening in the box, there is no danger from rain or snow beating in and injuring the be automatically displayed bythe opening of the receptacle.

2. In a mail-box, a suitable cover adapted to be secured to a post, a cylindrical mail-receptacle eccentrically mounted in said cover, signals slidably mounted between the ends of the receptacle yand the cover and normally concealed, said signals adapted to be automatically displayed by the opening of the receptacle, and requiring manual operation to be returned t0 their norm al or concealed position.

3. In a mail-box, an overhanging hood or cover, means for attaching said hood to a post, a cylindrical mail-receptacle eccentrically mounted in said cover, a signal normally concealed between said cover and receptacle and adapted to be displayed automatically by the rotation of the mail-receptacle to its open position, and means for locking the mail-receptacle to its cover.

4. In a mail-box, a suitable cover, means for attaching the cover to a post consisting of a metal st-rap adapted to be secured to a post, secured to the top of the cover and extending transversely ot' said cover, and having its front end slotted to receive a lock, anda metal strap extending around the lower edge of the cover and bracing the corners of same substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof l affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE E. HOESCH.

Witnesses:

R. G. ROBERTS, F. BENJAMIN.

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