Abstract:
A mailbox accessory structure used to decorate a freestanding mailbox is disclosed. The structure includes left and right surfaces with substantially connected front and back sides that substantially enclose the mailbox. The surfaces permit the display of indicia, such as holiday images, logos, slogans, and initials, and allow the mailbox to be decorated with a selected shape, such as a shape appropriate for a holiday or event.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present United States Utility Non-provisional Patent Application is related to, and hereby claims priority to, and the benefit of, United States Non-provisional Utility Patent Application entitled “Decorative Mailbox Accessory Structure,” having assigned Ser. No. 11/096,867, filed on Apr. 1, 2005 on behalf of Carol Menghini, which is related to, and claimed priority to, and the benefit of, United States Provisional Utility Patent Application entitled “Mailbox Stocking,” having assigned Ser. No. 60/558,980, filed on Apr. 2, 2004 on behalf of Carol Menghini. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to mailbox accessories, and more particularly, to a mailbox accessory for decorating a mailbox.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Mailboxes are the common mechanism used by homeowners to receive mail. Generally they consist of the mailbox itself attached to a mailbox post. Together they are produced in many standard shapes and sizes that conform to postal office regulations. Mailboxes usually stand at the forefront of a home, accessible to the deliverer of mail but also visible to the passersby. Mailboxes are thus a prominent extension of the personality of the home and homeowner and present a decorative opportunity to the homeowner.  
         [0004]     Some patents have been issued in the art of mailbox decoration:  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,172, entitled “Freestanding Mailbox Cover”, issued to Rodney T. Easterwood on Nov. 16, 1999, discloses an ornamental and protective cover for a freestanding mailbox which includes a sheet presenting a pair of opposed sides, a front panel presenting a passage for mail to be inserted into the mailbox, and a rear panel, the front and rear panels being connected to and interconnecting the sides. The sides and front and rear panels preferably extend downwardly a common length to their respective bottom margins to enclose a region therein. The cover may be provided with decorative and informative indicia. Moreover, the cover, which is preferably of flexible synthetic resin material, may be opaque, transparent or translucent, with cut out openings and windows of transparent material provided over the openings. A light fixture or audio source may be provided within the enclosed region. The cover may be retained in position over the freestanding mailbox by weights attached adjacent the bottom margin or the use of a drawstring to pull the bottom margin of the sides of the cover together.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,379, entitled “Mail Box Cover”, issued to Benjamin R. LaRue on Mar. 19, 1991, discloses a rectangular paper or plastic film sheet that has a pressure sensitive backing for sticking onto the curved top and sides of a regulation mailbox. The front face is imprinted with decorative graphics arranged to be seen from both sides. Below each graphic is imprinted an elongate address bar for receiving stick-on letters numbers supplied in a color contrasting with the address bar for enhanced visibility. Partially cut through portions of the cover may be torn away to admit the indicating flag. The system is adapted for application without tools or special skills and enough letters and numbers are provided for identification of the mailbox as recommended by postal authorities.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,595, entitled “Mailbox for Receiving Decorative Overlays”, issued to Benjamin I. Johns, et al., on Mar. 21, 1989, discloses a mailbox which comprises a housing having flanges located at the bottom, outside periphery thereof and defining holding grooves for peripheral edges of a decorative overlay. Sides of the housing have holes therein which align with corresponding holes of the decorative overlay when the peripheral edges are inserted into the grooves. The decorative overlay is attached to the mailbox by inserting removable fasteners into the aligned holes, thus allowing the overlay to be readily attached to and removed from the housing.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,180, entitled “Postal Box Covering”, issued to Clarence E. Blizzard on Oct. 2, 2001, discloses a postal box covering for protecting a postal box from the elements of weather. The postal box covering includes a plurality of elongate members. Each of the elongate members has a longitudinal axis. Each of the elongate members has a first side, a second side, a third side, a fourth side, a first end and a second end. The elongate members are generally oriented parallel to each other. The elongate members are between a first and a second elongate member. A plurality of straps bind the elongate members together. Each of the straps is adjacent to each of the second sides of the elongate members. A plurality of fastening devices fasten the straps to the elongate members. A plurality of mountings are fixedly coupled to the first and second elongate members. A plurality of brackets have a base portion and two arm members extending therefrom. The arm members are oriented generally parallel to each other and are spaced. One of the arm members is releasably coupled to each of the mountings.  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,884, entitled “Device and Method for Suspending a Flag Display from a Mailbox”, issued to Robert Hamburger, on Oct. 30, 2001, discloses a system and method of attaching a flag display to a mailbox in a manner that enables the flag display to hang below the mailbox. The system includes a flag display that has a length equivalent to the sum of the combined lengths of the two sides of the mailbox and the front of the mailbox. The top edge of the flag display attaches to the exterior of the mailbox, near its base. The flag display attaches to the mailbox using hook-and-loop material or some other equivalent fastening means. The flag display hangs down from the base of the mailbox while maintaining the generally rectangular configuration of the mailbox base. At the bottom of the flag display, the flag display is either weighted or anchored to the mailbox post.  
         [0010]     U.S. Pat. No. 1,495,741, entitled “Advertising Mail-box Support”, issued to Elijah L. Higdon, Jr., on May 27, 1924, discloses an advertising frame support for rural mail boxes which can be cheaply constructed; which will afford a firm and satisfactory mounting for the mail box; and which comprises a frame work preferably formed of light structural iron and containing an advertising panel adapted to form a brace for the light frame which is disposed at right angles to the road to display both sides of the panel to the road.  
         [0011]     While these patents teach the concept of covers with decoration for mailboxes, they do not teach a housing mechanism for placing decorative objects within the cover structure so that decorative objects are visibly displayed.  
         [0012]     Thus there remains a need for an invention that decorates a mailbox while providing a housing mechanism for visibly displaying decorative objects. The invention should be inexpensive and easy for the mailbox owner to assemble. The present invention addresses these needs by enclosing the mailbox with a structure having an opening in which to place decorative objects.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a decorative mailbox accessory structure comprising a top portion, a left side portion depending from the top portion, a right side portion depending from the top portion, a front portion connecting the left side portion to the right side portion, and a back portion, wherein the top portion comprises a cutout proximate the back portion for receiving a mailbox support member therethrough. The fabric body may be formed by joining a plurality of panels or by selectively folding a blank, and joining adjacent portions thereof or adding removable attachment means for removably attaching adjacent portions of the blank.  
         [0014]     According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present invention in its preferred form is a fabric body for attaching to, and at least partially enclosing, a mailbox.  
         [0015]     According to one aspect of the preferred embodiment, a mailbox opening is included to provide access to a mailbox to which the decorative mailbox accessory structure is attached.  
         [0016]     According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, an operable flap is provided to enlarge the mailbox opening or otherwise provide access to an additional receptacle of the mailbox, such as a newspaper receptacle.  
         [0017]     According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, an operable closure is provided for selectively encircling a supporting post of the mailbox for at least partial concealment of the supporting post and for secure attachment of the decorative mailbox accessory structure thereto.  
         [0018]     According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, a releasably sealable flag opening is provided to allow selective operation of a flag of the mailbox.  
         [0019]     According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, a releasably sealable sign opening is provided to allow a sign of the mailbox, such as a street number sign, to protrude therethrough.  
         [0020]     According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, releasably attachable flaps are provided to selectively form a horizontal beam opening separate from the cutout for allowing a horizontal beam of the mailbox post to extend therethrough.  
         [0021]     According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, one or more indicia is provided on an exterior surface of the decorative mailbox accessory structure.  
         [0022]     According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, an inflation means is provided to inflate the body of the decorative mailbox accessory structure.  
         [0023]     According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, one or more of a light generating means, a sound generation means, a wire framework, and a grounding means is provided.  
         [0024]     The present invention further overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a method of manufacturing a decorative mailbox accessory structure comprising the steps of obtaining a sheet blank, folding the sheet blank to form a left side portion, a right side portion, and a top portion therebetween, folding at least one of the right side portion and the left side portion to form a front portion, attaching the front portion to at least one of the right side portion and the left side portion to secure the front portion, folding at least one of the left side portion and the right side portion to form a back portion, and attaching the back portion to at least one of the right side portion and the left side portion to encircle a support structure of a mailbox.  
         [0025]     Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to at least partially cover a mailbox and a support member thereof with a decorative mailbox accessory structure.  
         [0026]     These and other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reading the following Detailed Description and Claims in light of the accompanying drawing Figures. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]     Accordingly, the present invention will be understood best through consideration of, and reference to, the following Figures, viewed in conjunction with the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment referring thereto, in which like reference numbers throughout the various Figures designate like structure and in which:  
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a decorative mailbox accessory structure connected to a mailbox according to the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a back perspective view of the decorative mailbox accessory structure of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 3A  is a partial cut-away front perspective view of the decorative mailbox accessory structure of the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 3B  is a back perspective detail view of a connecting device of the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIGS. 4   a - e  are side plan views of decorative mailbox accessory structures according to alternative designs;  
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of a decorative mailbox accessory structure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of the decorative mailbox accessory structure of  FIG. 5 ; and  
         [0035]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of a blank used to form a decorative mailbox accessory structure according to the present invention. 
     
    
       [0036]     It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the invention to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed invention.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0037]     In describing preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the Figures, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.  
         [0038]     In that form of the preferred embodiment of the present invention chosen for purposes of illustration,  FIGS. 1-4   e  show mailbox accessory structure  1 , designed to be used in combination with mailbox  20 , which preferably includes box  21  and supporting post  22 . Supporting post  22  is preferably formed by vertical beam  23  and horizontal beam  24 , with horizontal beam  24  preferably intersecting vertical beam  23 . Vertical beam  23  preferably has top end  25  and bottom end  26 . Horizontal beam  24  preferably has front end  27  and back end  28 . Box  21  preferably rests upon horizontal beam  24 .  
         [0039]     According to one embodiment, of the present invention, decorative mailbox accessory structure  1  preferably provides a structure comprised of at least two opposed surfaces: left surface  2  and right surface  3 . As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , left surface  2  is preferably located to a left side of mailbox  20  and right surface  3  is preferably located to a right side of mailbox  20 . Left surface  2  and right surface  3  both preferably have substantially three sides. Left surface  2  is preferably formed by left surface front side  4 , left surface back side  5 , and left surface top side  6 . Likewise, right surface  3  is preferably formed by right surface front side  7 , right surface back side  8 , and right surface top side  9 . Left surface front side  4  and right surface front side  7  preferably form a shape of a holiday stocking. In other embodiments, left surface front side  4  and right surface front side  7  may be joined together to form other shapes, such as a snowman shape  401 , a Santa Claus shape  403 , an Easter Bunny shape  405 , candy cane shape  407 , stocking shape  409 , or the like.  
         [0040]     The heights of left surface front side  4 , and right surface front side  7 , are preferably about a height measured from the ground to a location proximate box  21 . Left surface top side  6  and right surface top side  9  are preferably between about twenty-four and about thirty-six inches in length. Left surface back side  5  and right surface back side  8  are preferably about the height of vertical post  23 . Decorative mailbox accessory structure  1 , will preferably substantially enclose mailbox  20 , leaving opening  33 , allowing for the placement and retention of objects therein. Box  21  preferably remains visible to passersby and accessible to mailpersons when decorative mailbox accessory structure is connected thereto. Preferably, left surface  2  and right surface  3  are made of a durable, flexible, or stretchable material, such as woven fabric, canvas, nylon, plastic, polyester, vinyl, or the like. The material is preferably weather resistant and/or opaque or translucent.  
         [0041]     Left surface  2  and right surface  3  are preferably connected to each other. For example, left surface front side  4  may be connected to right surface front side  7 , such as by any commonly used mechanism to connect two surfaces of the type of material used for left surface  2  and right surface  3 . For example, if left surface  2  and right surface  3  are cloth, they may be sewn together. Alternatively, left surface front side  4  may be unitary with right surface front side  7 , i.e. they may be seamlessly connected or formed from a single piece of material. Left surface back side  5  is preferably releasably connected to right surface back side  8 . The releasable connection is preferably effected by using any one of a variety of commonly used attachment devices, such as VELCRO, buttons, laces, strings, rope, and zippers.  
         [0042]     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1-4   e,  front end connecting device  10  preferably releasably connects decorative mailbox accessory structure  1  to front end  27  of horizontal beam  24 . Back side connecting device  11  preferably releasably connects decorative mailbox accessory structure  1  near top end  25  of vertical beam  23 . Front end connecting device  10  and back end connecting device  11  preferably include commonly used attachments mechanisms, such as tab and hook devices. For example, in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , first hook  29  is preferably disposed at front end  27  of the horizontal beam  24 . Second hook  30  is preferably disposed near top end  25  of vertical beam  23 . First tab  31  is preferably connected to decorative mailbox accessory structure  1 , and preferably loops over first hook  29 . Second tab  32  is preferably connected to decorative mailbox accessory structure  1 , and preferably loops over second. hook  30 . In another preferred embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , cord  101  and lock  100  device is preferably used to join decorative mailbox accessory structure  1  to mailbox  20  by looping cord  101  through first tab  31  and circling it around box  21 . Cord  101  and lock  100  device is preferably used to connect decorative mailbox accessory structure to supporting post  22  by looping cord  101  through second tab  32 , and then circling cord  101  around top end  25  of vertical beam  23 .  
         [0043]     In one preferred embodiment, the invention preferably carries and displays indicia  320 . Indicia  320  may be messages, such as, but not limited to, familiar holiday symbols, logos, initials, and the like. Indicia  320  may be stitched to, painted on, printed onto, or cut out from, left surface  2  and/or right surface  3 .  
         [0044]     Decorative mailbox accessory structure  1  is preferably connected to the ground through ground connecting means. The ground connecting means is preferably formed as a selected one of many common means for connecting above-ground structures to the ground. Such means preferably include stakes  373 , guy-wires or cords  372 , tabs  371  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ), ropes  374 , or the like. Preferably, decorative mailbox accessory structure  1  is staked to the ground via guy wire or cable  372 . Alternatively, however, decorative mailbox accessory structure  1  may be connected to stake  373  via rope  374  or fabric tab  371 .  
         [0045]     Decorative mailbox accessory structure  1  is preferably further given shape by an inflatable mechanism  350 , such as a fan or pump that may increase the ambient fluid pressure within decorative mailbox accessory structure  1 , or as a balloon, a bladder, or other device or material disposed within decorative mailbox accessory structure  1  to ensure inflation thereof. Alternatively or additionally, however, decorative mailbox accessory structure  1  may be given shape by wire framework  360 . Wire framework  360  is preferably placed inside decorative mailbox accessory structure  1 , and preferably generally internally supports and shapes the structure. Furthermore, wire framework  360  may optionally be used as a connection means for left surface back side  5  and right surface back side  8  by including a male connector on a first portion and a female connector on a second portion.  
         [0046]     Light creation mechanism  340  may additionally be placed inside decorative mailbox accessory structure  1 . Light creation mechanism  340 , when placed within decorative mailbox accessory structure  1 , preferably adds to the decorative visual appeal of decorative mailbox accessory structure  1 , especially in darkness. Light creation mechanism  340  is preferably a light bulb, or string of light bulbs, but may alternatively be an LED, fluorescent, phosphorescent, solar, fiber optic, or other suitable lighting means.  
         [0047]     Audio mechanism  330  is further preferably placed inside decorative mailbox accessory structure  1  such that sounds, such as holiday music, may emanate from inside decorative mailbox accessory structure  1 . Audio mechanism  330  is preferably a music player, such as a tape player, a CD player, an MP3 player, or other suitable sound creation means.  
         [0048]     Decorative mailbox accessory structure  1  is preferably assembled by placing first hook  29  at front end  27  of horizontal beam  24 , placing second hook  30  near top end  25  of vertical beam  23 , connecting first tab  31  to the mailbox supporting post  22 , by looping it over first hook  29 , joining left surface back side  5  and right surface back side  8  by an attachment mechanism, and connecting second tab  32  to the mailbox supporting post  22  by looping it over second hook  30 .  
         [0049]     Decorative mailbox accessory structure  1  is preferably formed according to the following:  
       EXAMPLE  
       [0050]     Decorative mailbox accessory structure  1  is preferably provided having two surfaces, each having substantially three sides, to form a stocking-like structure. The structure is made of fabric, such as faux fur. The back sides of the two surfaces connect using VELCRO. The front sides of the two surfaces are sewn together. The structure is joined to the front and back ends of a mailbox using a hook and tab system. Once connected, the structure partially encloses the mailbox, yet permits the mailbox to be opened and closed. The structure also allows for decorative objects to be placed and retained between the structure and the mailbox, thus giving the appearance that the decorative object is stored within a stocking.  
         [0051]     Now referring to  FIGS. 5-7 , decorative mailbox accessory structure  500 , according to an alternative embodiment, preferably comprises fabric body  510 , including front portion  511 , left side portion  512 , right side portion  513 , back portion  514 , and top portion  515 . Decorative mailbox accessory structure  500  preferably further includes opening  520  for allowing access to mailbox  20 , operable flap  530  for allowing selective access to a receptacle below the mailbox, post opening  540  for allowing horizontal beam  24  and/or vertical beam  23  to pass therethrough, and operable closure  550 , including attachment means  551 , for enclosing supporting post  22 . Decorative mailbox accessory structure  500  may, optionally, further include indicia  320 , audio mechanism  330 , light creation mechanism  340 , inflatable mechanism  350 , wire framework  360 , tabs  371 , guy wires  372 , stakes  373 , and/or ropes  374 , as described above with respect to decorative mailbox accessory structure  1 .  
         [0052]     Decorative mailbox accessory structure  500  preferably further includes flag opening  560  for allowing operation of flag F of mailbox  20  and street number sign opening  570  for allowing a street number sign, or other sign, to pass therethrough. Each of flag opening  560  and sign opening  570  preferably includes attachment means  561 ,  571 , respectively, for attaching adjacent portions thereof, thereby sealing flag opening  560  and/or sign opening  570 . Preferably, attachment means  571  further allow a dimension of sign opening  570  to be adjusted to snugly accommodate signs of various dimensions. Attachment means  551 ,  561 , and  571  are preferably formed as hook-and-loop fasteners, but may, alternatively, be formed as snaps, buttons, zippers, ties, clips, magnets, toggles, or other suitable releasable attachment means.  
         [0053]     Decorative mailbox accessory structure  500  is preferably installed over mailbox  20  such that front  20 a of mailbox  20  preferably is accessible through mailbox opening  520 , such that at least a portion of supporting post  22  preferably protrudes through post opening  540 , and such that fabric body  510  is preferably disposed over mailbox  20  and around supporting post  22 . Decorative mailbox accessory structure  500  is preferably closed around supporting post  22  via operable closure  550 . When decorative mailbox accessory structure  500  is so installed on mailbox  20 , operable flap  530  is preferably aligned with a receptacle disposed below box  21 , if one is included in mailbox  20 , such that selective operation of operable flap  530  selectively allows access to such receptacle. Furthermore, when decorative mailbox accessory structure  500  is so installed on mailbox  20 , street numbers SN preferably protrude through street number sign opening  570 , and flag F may be raised and lowered through flag opening  560 .  
         [0054]     Post opening  540  is preferably formed within top portion  515  such that post opening  540  has length L 1  in a direction from front portion  511  to back portion  514  and width W 1  in the direction of from left side portion  512  to right side portion  513 . Preferably, length L 1  of post opening  540  is approximately equal to, and not less than length LP of vertical beam  23 , and width W 1  of post opening is preferably approximately equal to, and not less than, width WP of vertical beam  23 . Thus, post opening  540  is preferably adapted to allow vertical post  23  to pass therethrough. As such, post opening  540  may optionally be formed from back edge  515   a  of top portion  515 , such that post opening  540  defines a U-shaped cutout in top portion  515 , or may be formed as an aperture through top portion  515  such that back edge  515   a  encircles vertical beam  23  passing through post opening  540 .  
         [0055]     In order to conceal at least a portion of vertical beam  23  from a side, each of left side portion  512  and right side portion  513  preferably have length L 3  from front portion  511  to back portion  514 , at least over at a portion thereof, that is at least as great as combined length LT equal to length L 2  of top portion  515  proximate post opening  540  and length L 1  of post opening  540 . Thus, back edge  512   a  of left side portion  512  and back edge  513   a  of right side portion  513  are preferably disposed further from front portion  511  than a portion of back edge  515   a  of top portion  515 .  
         [0056]     As such, fabric body  510  is preferably formed by blank  700 , such as by cutting out from a sheet of material. Blank B may preferably be folded along lines  701  and  702  to form left side portion  512 , right side portion  513 , and top portion  515  therebetween. Left side portion  512  may preferably be folded along line  704  to form at least a portion of front  511  and right side portion  513  may preferably be folded along line  703  to form the rest of front  511 . Front edge  512   b  of left side portion  512  may preferably be attached to front side edge  513   b  of right side portion  513  to form mailbox opening  520  and to enclose mailbox  20  and supporting post  22  from the front. Front side edges  512   b  and  513   b  are preferably attached via stitching, although other attachment techniques and/or means may be used, such as heat sealing, welding, adhering, riveting, hook-and-loop fasteners, clips, snaps, buttons, zippers, toggles, and the like.  
         [0057]     Left side portion  512  may preferably be folded along line  705  to form at least a portion of back  514 , and right side portion  513  may preferably be folded along line  706  to form the rest of back  514 . Attachment means  551  may preferably be attached to back edges  512   a  and  513   a,  at least at portions thereof, to form operable closure  550  for releasably enclosing at least a portion of vertical post  23 . Attachment means  551  preferably comprise a hook-and-loop fastener, but may alternatively comprise magnets, buttons, zippers, toggles, clips, snaps, ties, or the like. Preferably, attachment means  551  extends over substantially all of back edges  512   a  and  513   a,  and may additionally allow for selective formation of horizontal beam opening  590  between flaps  591  and  592  of left side portion  512  and right side portion  513 , respectively, when flaps  591  and  592  are selectively attached to one another around supporting post  22 , at a location above horizontal beam  24 . Such attachment of flaps  591  and  592  is preferably accomplished by attachment means  595 , such as a hook-and-loop fastener, buttons, magnets, zippers, snaps, rivets, ties, or the like.  
         [0058]     Operable flap  530  is preferably formed by slits  531  formed in blank B, such that when front edges  512   b  and  513   b  are joined, as described above, operable flap  530  is defined by edges  534  and  535  across the top thereof, slits  531  along respective sides thereof, and folds  533  along the bottom thereof. Thus, when front edges  512   b  and  513   b  are attached to one another, operable flap  530  may be selectively operated to extend mailbox opening  520  over a portion of front portion  511  by selectively releasing attachment means  537  disposed along slits  531 .  
         [0059]     Blank B is preferably formed such that flaps  591  and  592  are separated by U-shaped cutout  594 , forming at least a portion of post opening  540 . When flaps  591  and  592  are not connected to one another around supporting post  22 , the post opening  540  is preferably U-shaped. When flap  591  is connected to flap  592 , however, post opening  540  becomes a closed loop aperture. Thus, flaps  591  and  592  allow selective configuration of decorative mailbox accessory structure  500  to alter the configuration of post opening  540  such that decorative mailbox accessory structure  500  is selectively configurable to attach to a selected one of a plurality of different styles of mail receptacles and/or supporting posts.  
         [0060]     Although decorative mailbox accessory structure  500  has been described as being formed of blank B by folding, it will be understood that alternative construction techniques may be employed to form decorative mailbox accessory structure  500  having a front, a left side, a right side, a back and a top, and including mailbox opening  520 , operable flap  530 , post opening  540 , operable closure  550 , flag opening  560 , sign opening  570 , and/or horizontal beam opening  590 . Such alternative construction techniques may involve joining a plurality of panels by one or more attachment means and techniques, such as stitching, adhesive, welding, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, clips, toggles, ties, rivets, or the like.  
         [0061]     Having, thus, described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein, but is only limited by the following claims.