Abstract:
A mailbox is mounted to two perpendicular faces of a post by a mounting assembly main bracket with two perpendicular flanges. The main bracket has a horizontal top wall from which two diverging sidewalls extend downwardly. The top wall has two sets of perpendicular slots, which receive two parallel right angle top brackets to receive the mailbox in a position either partially overlying the top of the post, projecting from the post, or offset from the post in a transverse orientation. Another embodiment has a main bracket with an integral top bracket, and only one adjustable top bracket. For sale, the top brackets mount to the main bracket by a label sheet wrapping the top wall and holding a fastener container.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/534,301, filed Sep. 22, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,185,803, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/325,725, filed Jan. 5, 2006, now abandoned, the disclosures of both of which applications are incorporated by reference herein. 

   STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to brackets in general, and to assemblies for connecting mailboxes to posts in particular. 
   Stanchion mounted mailboxes have been associated with rural areas as postal carriers seldom travel the long, rugged driveways associated with farms or remote locations. More recently, efforts to obtain greater letter carrier efficiency have meant that mail deliveries to the homeowner&#39;s door have been curtailed for newer construction, making the roadside mailbox more prevalent in suburbia, and even in newer urban developments. 
   Most roadside mailboxes are mounted to a post in order to elevate the mail receptacle in a manner conducive to drive-up usage by a postal carrier working out of a truck or car, thereby increasing the efficiency of mail delivery. The post in many cases is made of wood due to its low cost and ability to withstand the rigors of outdoor use. In addition, wood posts offer adequate strength and classic appeal in a variety of settings. 
   In one common configuration, a wooden cross member or arm is connected to a wooden post at a height adequate for drive-up usage. The arm provides support for the mailbox cantilevered from the post. The cantilever provided by the arm is important as in many situations the postal worker must contend with curbs or ditches that reduce the allowable distance from the vehicle to the mailbox. Although the cantilever offers a positioning benefit, it also creates a lever action that places stress on the joint with the post. As a result of this stress, and the natural movement of wood as it expands and contracts, the joint between the post and the arm is a significant point of failure. Even if the joint doesn&#39;t completely fail, over time the arm may become loose and sag. To prevent sagging or deflection, the arm is sometimes braced by another wooden member extending between the arm and the post. In addition to these two members, post mounted mailboxes also require additional components, fabricated from wood, plastic, or steel that serve as the mounting apparatus for the mail box itself. In some cases the mounting apparatus is an assembly of small brackets, however in most cases it is a mounting board. The board is attached to the cantilever arm, and the mailbox is then attached to the mounting board. 
   The usual method of construction of the cantilevered arm involves a tongue on the arm which extends into a groove or recess on the post. This traditional wood joinery technique requires skills and equipment not possessed by all homeowners. As a result, mass produced kits are available, but often such assemblies can be lacking in a desired quality of fit and appearance. 
   Various specialized mounting brackets are available, either configured to a specialized mailbox, or designed to mount a standard mailbox in a specified fashion. Preferably a single bracket would offer a variety of mounting options to the user. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The mailbox mounting assembly of this invention mounts a conventional mailbox to a standard dimensioned lumber post. The mounting assembly has a main bracket which mounts to two perpendicular faces of the post by two perpendicular flanges. The main bracket has a horizontal top wall from which two diverging sidewalls extend downwardly. The top wall has two sets of perpendicular slots, which receive two parallel right angle top brackets to receive the mailbox in a position either partially overlying the top of the post, projecting from the post, or offset from the post in a transverse orientation. Another embodiment has a main bracket with an integral top bracket, and only one adjustable top bracket. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a universal mounting assembly for mailboxes of various widths for attachment to posts in a variety of positions. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mounting assembly for mailboxes which can be economically fabricated of metal or plastic. 
   It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a box mounting assembly and a packaging assembly which is compact and economical. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a mounting assembly for mailboxes which can be nested compactly with other like assemblies for economical transport and display. 
   Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded isometric view of the mailbox mounting assembly of this invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the mailbox mounting assembly of  FIG. 1 , mounted to a wooden post in various configurations. 
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a first alternative mailbox mounting assembly of this invention shown in exploded view with respect to a post, and a second alternative mailbox mounting assembly of this invention mounted to the post to accommodate a first mailbox and another like assembly mounted to the post to accommodate a second, narrower mailbox. 
       FIG. 4  is a rear elevational view of a stack of main brackets of the mailbox mounting assembly of  FIG. 1  having raised crowns around some mounting holes. 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded isometric view of a package assembly of the mounting assembly of  FIG. 1  with a label and container with fasteners. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of  FIG. 6 , taken along section line  7 - 7 . 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded isometric view of an alternative mounting assembly of this invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring more particularly to  FIGS. 1-8 , wherein like numbers refer to similar parts, a mailbox mounting assembly  20  is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The assembly  20  securely mounts a conventional mailbox  22  to a conventional wooden post  24 . Mailboxes  22  are available in a variety of sizes and heights, but usually have downwardly projecting lips  26  which are provided with mounting holes  28  which extend sidewardly through the lips  26 . The post  24  will typically be a treated dimensioned lumber member, with nominal dimensions of 4×4 inches (actual dimensions of about 3½ by 3½ inches), 4×6, or 6×6 inches. The post  24  has a lower end, not shown, which extends into the ground or is otherwise fastened, and an upper end  30  to which the mailbox  22  is attached by the mounting assembly  20 . 
   The mailbox mounting assembly  20  has a single main bracket  32  to which a first top bracket  34  and a second top bracket  36  are positionably connected. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the main bracket  32  is formed of bent sheet metal, for example galvanized, painted, or powder coated steel, or any other weather resistant material. The thickness of the metal sheet may be for example, 18-20 gauge. The main bracket  32  has a horizontal top wall  38  which underlies the mailbox  22 . The main bracket  32  top wall  38  is in the shape of a truncated triangle, and expands in width as it extends from a post edge  40  which is adjacent the post  24 . The top wall  38  is at its widest at its furthest from the post where it terminates at a free edge  42 . A first side wall  44  and a second side wall  46  are spaced from one another, and extend downwardly from the main bracket top wall  38 . Although both side walls  44 ,  46  are perpendicular to the top wall  38 , they are not parallel to each other, but instead diverge as they extend away from the post  24 . This divergence provides greater clearance when it comes to fastening the main bracket  32  to the post  24 , and facilitates nesting of brackets  32 , as discussed below. The side walls  44 ,  46  may be provided with stiffening ribs  47 . 
   The main bracket  32  is mounted to the post  24  by a rear attachment flange  48  which extends from the first side wall  44  in a plane which is perpendicular to the top wall  38 , and a side attachment flange  50  which extends from the second side wall  46  in a plane which is perpendicular to the top wall and to the rear flange. The rear flange  48  and the side flange  50  are positioned to engage perpendicular faces  49  of the upright post  24 . Because of this perpendicular arrangement of the flanges, when both flanges  48 ,  50 , are engaged with perpendicular faces of the upright post  24 , the top wall will be horizontal (assuming the post is truly vertical). A top flange  52  preferably extends downwardly perpendicular to the top wall, and provides a further fastening location. Each of the side flange  50 , the top flange  52 , and the rear flange  48  has a plurality of attachment holes  53 , through which fasteners  55 , shown in  FIG. 2 , extend into the post. The fasteners  55  may be nails or screws, for example 1⅝ inch long deck screws. It should be noted that two attachment flanges, each extending from one of the top wall and the side walls, and each perpendicular to the top wall as well as to each other, may be employed to mount the main bracket in a proper relation to the post. 
   The first top bracket  34  and the second top bracket  36  are connected to the main bracket  32  and serve to mount the mailbox  22  to the main bracket. The two top brackets  34 ,  36  are identical, and each has a side segment  58  which extends upwardly from a bottom segment  60 . The side segments  58  have a plurality of side fastener openings or slots  61 . The side slots  61  are positioned to mate with the mounting holes  28  in the downwardly projecting lips  26  of the mailbox  22 , and to be fastened thereto by fasteners  62 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The fasteners  62  will engage with nuts, not shown, on the interior of the lips  26 . The bottom segments  58  each have two fastener holes  64  which are spaced a set distance from each other. Each fastener hole  64  may have nuts  67  fixed to the bottom segments aligned with the holes  64 . The nuts  67  may be PEMsert® inserts available from PennEngineeing, of Danboro, Pa. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the mailbox mounting assembly  20  may be attached to the mailbox and the post  24  in several ways. The mailbox  22  may be positioned in a top mounting arrangement  70  in which portions of the mailbox overlie the upper end  30  of the post, and extends in the first direction of the main bracket. Alternatively, the mailbox may be positioned in an intermediate arrangement  72  in which the mailbox  22  is projecting out from the post  24 , but still extending in the first direction of the main bracket. 
   The first top bracket  34  and the second top bracket  36  are connected to the main bracket  32  by screw fasteners  66 , shown in  FIG. 1 , which extend through slots in the top wall  38  of the main bracket  32  and into the nuts  67 . The top wall  38  has two sets of openings or slots to allow the mailbox  22  to be mounted either aligned with the long axis of the main bracket or perpendicular to the long axis of the main bracket  32 . For mounting in a transverse arrangement  74 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , the fasteners are connected through first slots  68 . The first slots  68  extend in a first direction running from the post edge  40  to the free edge  42  of the main bracket top wall  38 . There are two pairs of first slots  68 , each pair being comprised of two parallel slots which extend in the first direction. The pairs of first slots  68  are spaced from each other in the first direction. Each of the screw fasteners  66  extends into one of the first slots  68 . Because the first top bracket  34  and the second top bracket  36  will be fastened to the mailbox  22  when they are mounted to the main bracket  32 , the fasteners are slidable within the first slots  68  until the mailbox is in the desired position, at which point the fasteners  66  may be tightened into the nuts  67  to fix the mailbox  22  in place. 
   To mount the mailbox  22  in a top mounting arrangement  70  in which portions of the mailbox overlie the upper end  30  of the post, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the fasteners  66  extend into two near end second slots  76  and two middle second slots  78 . The near ends second slots  76  are aligned with each other and extend in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction. The middle second slots  78  are also aligned with each other and extend in the second direction. The middle second slots  78  are spaced from the near end second slots  76  the same distance as the set distance spacing between the two fastener holes  64  in the bottom segments of the first top bracket  34  and the second top bracket  36 . Because the second slots extend in the second direction, they will accommodate a range of mailbox widths. 
   To mount the mailbox in an intermediate arrangement  72  in which the mailbox  22  is projecting out from the post  24 , but still extending in the first direction, the fasteners  66  extend into the two middle second slots  78  and two far end second slots  80 . The far end second slots  80  are aligned with each other and extend in the second direction. 
   The main bracket  32  top wall  38  may be provided with cut-outs  81 ,  82 , shown in  FIG. 1 , which reduce the weight and material usage of the main bracket. The cut-outs  81 ,  82  are positioned on either side of a support segment  83  formed in the top wall  38 . The support segment  83  helps to support a box of fasteners when the assembly  20  is in a shipping configuration as discussed below. 
   It will be observed that the mailbox mounting assembly  20  permits mailboxes of a variety of sizes to be readily mounted to a post in a secure fashion by an unskilled craftsman in a variety of positions. The craftsman first fastens the side segments  58  of the first top bracket  34  and the second top bracket  36  to the downwardly extending lips  26  of the mailbox  22 . The main bracket  32  is then mounted to the post  24  by aligning the rear flange and the side flange with the perpendicular vertical faces  49  of the post, and driving fasteners  55 , either nails or screws, through the holes  53  in the flanges. The diverging first side wall  44  and second side wall  46  of the main bracket  32  provide adequate clearance to reach fasteners which pass through the rear flange and the top flange into the post  24 . No level is required. 
   Once the top brackets  34 ,  36  are mounted to the mailbox, and the main bracket  32  is mounted to the post  24 , it is a simple matter for the craftsman to mount the mailbox  22  and top brackets assembly to the main bracket in one of the three arrangements shown in  FIG. 2 . The craftsman sets the mailbox and top brackets assembly into place to align the holes in the top brackets with either first slots  68  or second slots  76 , depending on the desired orientation of the mailbox, and then inserts threaded fasteners through the aligned openings, and engages the fasteners with the nuts  67 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , some of the main bracket  32  attachment holes  53  may be provided with upraised crowns, so that fastening screws may be used which will leave no protruding head. Each attachment hole  53  may have a generally circular crown  86 , as on the top flange  52 , or an oblong crown  87 , as on the rear flange  48 . The close nesting of the main brackets  84  which facilitates economical shipment and storage, is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Because the side walls  44 ,  46  are not parallel, one main bracket can be compactly received within another. 
   It should be noted that the main bracket  32 , may be used with a mailbox mounted to a top mounting assembly such as a conventional wooden board which is connected to the mailbox, or another stiff member such as, as shown in  FIG. 8 , a conventional plastic universal mounting mailbox mounting plate, such as prior art part #PLMB, manufactured by Solar Group Inc., Taylorsville, Miss. The top mounting assembly  200  has a first side segment  202  which extends upwardly from the top wall of the main bracket, and a second side segment  204  spaced parallel to the first side segment which also extends upwardly from the top wall of the main bracket. The side segments  202 ,  204 , may be planar elements or the side portions of a block of wood, or, as shown, they may be protruding adjustable parts that allow the mounting assembly to accommodate a wider box. The first side segment and the second side segment have sidewardly opening fastener holes  206  through which fasteners  62  extend to engage the mailbox to the top mounting assembly. The top mounting assembly  200  is connected by fasteners  66  extending between the top mounting assembly and the slots  68  in the main bracket to mount the engaged box to the top wall of the main bracket. 
   All the elements of the mounting assembly  20  of  FIG. 1  may be compactly and economically packaged as shown in  FIGS. 5-7 . In the packaged assembly  160 , all but two of the fasteners described above are enclosed within a conventional thermoformed plastic fastener container  162 , which is then fastened to the main bracket  32  by a label  166  and two of the screw fasteners  66 , which engage with the nuts  67  on the first and second top brackets  34 ,  36 , which are positioned on the underside  164  of the top wall  38 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the main bracket  32  is inverted from its mounting position for presentation to customers in a retail setting. The label  166  is formed of sheet material such as cardstock, and has printed thereon indicia, not shown, related to the assembly  20 . The label  166  has a first segment  168  with portions defining a container opening  170  through which the a product bubble  172  of the fastener container  162  product bubble protrudes. The fastener container  162  has a flange  174  which encircles the product bubble  172  and which is clasped by portions of the label  166 . The label has a second segment  176  joined to the first segment  168  along a first fold line  178 . A third segment  180  of the label  166  is joined to the second segment  176  along a second fold line  182  which is parallel to the first fold line  178 . The first top bracket  34  and the second top bracket  36  are then positioned adjacent the underside  164  of the top wall with the first segment  168  of the label clamped therebetween, and with the third segment  180  of the label clamped to the top surface  184  of the top wall. Thus the label  166  is engaged by the fasteners  66  to the main bracket top wall  38  such that the main bracket top wall is secured between the label first segment and the label third segment, with portions of the fastener container engaged therebetween. The label second segment  176  will face frontwardly when a stack of nested packaged assemblies  160  is placed on a retail shelf, allowing a product description or other message to be printed on the second segment for ready reading by a customer. 
   An alternative embodiment mailbox mounting assembly  88  is shown in  FIG. 3 . The assembly  88  has fewer parts than the assembly  20  discussed above, but only allows mounting of the mailbox in a transverse arrangement, where it is spaced from the post. The assembly  88  has a main bracket  90  with a horizontal top wall  92  which underlies the mailbox  22 . A first side wall  94  and a second side wall  96  are spaced from one another, and extend downwardly from the main bracket top wall  92 . As in the assembly  20 , the main bracket  90  is mounted to the post by a rear flange  98 , a side flange  100  which extends from the second side wall in a plane which is perpendicular to the top wall and to the rear flange, and a top flange  102  which extends downwardly perpendicular to the top wall. Each of the side flange  100 , the top flange  102 , and the rear flange  98  has at least one attachment hole  104 , through which fasteners may extend into the post. 
   A first top bracket  106  is formed integrally with the main bracket  90 , and has a side segment  108  which extends upwardly from a bottom segment which is defined by the main bracket top wall  92  and is thus non-positionably fixed to the top wall. The side segment  108  has a plurality of aligned side slots  110 . A second top bracket  112  has a bottom segment  114  which extends adjacent to the main bracket  90  top wall  92 , and which has a fastener hole  116 . A second side segment  118  extends upwardly from the bottom  114 , and has a plurality of aligned side slots  110 . A slot  120  is formed in the top wall  92  of the main bracket  90 . The slot  120  extends in a first direction which extends outwardly from the post  24  towards the first side segment  108 . The second top bracket  112  is connected to the main bracket  90  by a threaded fastener  122  which extends through the slot  120  and engages with a nut  124  which may be fastened to the second top bracket bottom segment  114 , and which may be a PEMsert® insert. The second top bracket  112  may thus be fastened to the main bracket  90  at a variable distance from the first top bracket, such that the spacing between the parallel first top bracket side segment  108  and the second top bracket side segment may be adjusted. 
   The main bracket  90  top wall  92  is preferably provided with an access opening  126  which allows access to the bottom segment of the second top bracket when a mailbox is connected to the side segments of the first bracket and the second bracket. The assembly  84  may be fastened to the post  24  in a fashion similar to that described with respect to the assembly  20  above. 
   It will be noted that the second top bracket bottom segment  114  preferably extends away from the second top bracket side segment toward the post  24 , to permit the downwardly extending lips of a mailbox to be conveniently fastened between the side segment slots of the first top bracket and the second top bracket. 
   It should be noted that, if the mounting assemblies of this invention are mounted to the post using screws, the assemblies can easily be removed and reattached to solve problems associated with setting the proper height for postal delivery. 
   It is understood that the invention is not limited to the particular construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated and described, but embraces all such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the following claims.