Patent ID: 7014097
Filing Date: 2006-03-21
Classification: A47G

Abstract:
1. A mailbox mail delivery signal kit comprising: a) a mounting unit which includes (1) a mounting bracket having a first surface which is an outer surface when said mounting unit is mounted on a mailbox, a second surface which is an inner surface when said mounting unit is mounted on a mailbox, a plurality of fastener-receiving holes defined through the mounting bracket, a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis which extends between the first end and the second end, and a linkage rod-accommodating bore defined through the mounting bracket in the direction of the longitudinal axis from the first end to the second end, and (2) a plurality of fasteners, each of which is sized and adapted to be accommodated in one of the fastener-receiving holes to mount the mounting bracket on a mailbox door whereby the mounting bracket moves with the mailbox door; b) a linkage rod which includes (1) a mounting bracket engaging end which is pivotally received in the linkage rod-accommodating bore defined through the mounting bracket, (2) a body having a first end unitary with the mounting bracket engaging end, a second end and a longitudinal axis which extends between the first end of the body of said linkage rod and the second end of the body of said linkage rod, and (3) a distal end which is unitary with the second end of the body of said linkage rod and which is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body of said linkage rod; c) a reflector unit which includes (1) a base portion having a first end which is a proximal end when said reflector unit is mounted on a mailbox, a second end which is a distal end when said reflector unit is mounted on a mailbox, a longitudinal axis which extends between the first end of the base portion of said reflector unit and the second end of the base portion of said reflector unit, and (2) a reflector element mounted on the base portion adjacent to the second end of the base portion, the reflector element being oriented to reflect light in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the body of said linkage rod; d) a linkage rod-accommodating mount fixedly mounted on the base portion of said reflector unit adjacent to the proximal end of the body of the base portion of said reflector unit and having a linkage rod-accommodating bore defined therethrough, said linkage rod being slidably accommodated in the linkage rod accommodating-bore defined through said linkage rod-accommodating mount when said linkage rod is mounted on a mailbox; e) a pivot element pivotally connecting the proximal end of the base portion of said reflector element to a mailbox when said reflector unit is mounted on the mailbox, said linkage rod-accommodating mount being located between said pivot element and the reflector element mounted on the base portion of said reflector unit; and f) said reflector unit being movable between a stored position in which the base portion of said reflector unit is oriented to have the longitudinal axis of the base portion extend at an obtuse angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body of said linkage rod and a display position in which said reflector unit is oriented to have the longitudinal axis of the base portion extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body of said linkage rod, said reflector unit being moved from the stored position into the display position when the door of the mailbox is moved from a closed position into an open position and said linkage rod sliding through the linkage rod accommodating bore defined through said linkage rod-accommodating mount when the door of the mailbox is moved from an open position into the closed position after said reflector unit is in the display position.