Abstract:
A mailbox cover apparatus consisting of a sheet having at least two opposing edges that a are adapted to removably yet securely maintain the sheet intimately over the mailbox. The opposing edges are adapted to engage the mailbox at a bottom thereof such that the engaging means does not interfere with the aesthetics of the cover. In addition, the mailbox cover may also be adapted to display both surfaces thereof interchangeably as desired.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to mailbox covers in general and pertains to decorative mailbox covers that can securely be attached to a mailbox, yet easily be removed, replaced, or changed.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    For many years, free standing mailboxes have been widely used and have either been plain or permanently adorned with a design. To further decorate the mailbox, various mailbox covers have been used with inherent limitations. Several examples of mailbox covers having permanent and unchangeable designs are found in U.S. Pat. No. D385,676 to Childress et al., U.S. Pat. No. D377,706 to Perrish, U.S. Pat. No. D287,899 to Lindheimer, and U.S. Pat. No. D305,824 to Carter.  
           [0003]    Various mailbox covers have also been known that allow attachment of a cover to the mailbox. U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,769 to Todd uses a flexible covering that is attached to a mailbox through either magnetic strips or fastening devices inserted into the mailbox. As can be appreciated, the magnets will not work with non-metallic mailboxes and the fastening system of Todd will permanently damage the mailbox.  
           [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,483 to Cox discloses a mailbox jacket that is made of rubber and is attached to the mailbox through the use of nuts and bolts located toward the lower portion of the cover. Such an embodiment may not be aesthetically pleasing because the nuts and bolts are clearly visible and are also cumbersome and time consuming to install.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,595 to Johns, Jr. et al. discloses a mailbox for receiving decorative overlays that requires the alignment of a plurality of holes along the mailbox with corresponding holes in the overlay and the insertion of rivets therethrough for attachment. As may be appreciated, such an arrangement requires the purchase of a new mailbox, which is not cost effective if a user already has a preexisting mailbox.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,016 to Beckmann teaches a decorative mailbox cover that is attached to a mailbox via the use of adhesive strips applied to the sides of the mailbox. As may be appreciated, the use of adhesives on the sides of the mailbox may permanently damage the same upon removal of the cover or may leave aesthetically unpleasant marks thereon. In addition, the use of such adhesives does not accommodate the removal and reinstallation of the same mailbox cover because of the failure of the adhesives.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,321 to Majewski teaches a mailbox cover that completely envelopes the mailbox by providing a cutout therein that will accommodate a post. Besides using excessive material that is needed to unnecessarily cover the bottom of the mailbox, the Majewski apparatus would fail to accommodate some of the more decorative posts upon which the mailboxes may be mounted.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,379 to LaRue discloses a mailbox cover that is made of a flat sheet with a pressure sensitive adhesive coating thereon to be applied to the mailbox directly. As can be appreciated, such adhesive attachment may damage the coating of the mailbox itself or cause discoloration of the same upon removal. In addition, the use of such adhesives does not accommodate the removal and reinstallation of the same mailbox cover because of the failure of the adhesives.  
           [0009]    The prior art does not address the need for a mailbox cover that is capable of secure attachment yet is removable and easily replaceable. Therefore, there remains a long standing and continuing need for an advance in the art of mailbox covers that is simpler in both design and use, is more economical, efficient in its construction and use, and eliminates the damage caused to the mailbox.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.  
           [0011]    In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mailbox cover that provides a means for preventing unauthorized removal thereof.  
           [0012]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a mailbox cover that can easily be replaced by an alternate cover.  
           [0013]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a mailbox cover that provides a first indicia on a first surface and an alternate indicia on a second surface thereof, where the cover can alternate between displaying the first indicia and the second indicia.  
           [0014]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a mailbox cover that is weatherproof.  
           [0015]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a mailbox cover that is quickly and easily mountable on a mailbox.  
           [0016]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a mailbox cover that does not require nuts and bolts to mount the same onto a mailbox.  
           [0017]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mailbox cover that is less costly to manufacture and produce.  
           [0018]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a mailbox cover that does not does not damage the mailbox when mounted thereon  
           [0019]    In keeping with the principles of the present invention , a unique mailbox cover is provided that is made of a sheet having a first surface and a second surface both having at least a pair of opposing edges. The sheet being adapted to intimately fit over a plurality of mailboxes the dimensions of the mailboxes being specified by U.S. Postal Regulations. The sheet is provided with a first flap that can be pulled back to expose a first opening for accommodating an indicating flag on the mailbox when the indicia on the first surface is to be displayed. In addition, the sheet is provided with a second flap that can be pulled back to expose a second opening for accommodating the indicating flag of the mailbox when the indicia on the second surface is to be displayed.  
           [0020]    In one preferred embodiment, at least an opening is defined on each of the opposing edges of the sheet. When the sheet is placed over the mailbox in an intimate manner, the opposing edges of the sheet extend under the mailbox and at least an engaging means extends between the apertures on the opposing edges and securely yet removably maintains the sheet on the mailbox. Preferably, at least two engaging means are used to interconnect opposing edges of the sheet. The engaging means are themselves located in distal relation to one another on the sheet such that one engaging means is in proximal relation to the front of the mailbox and the other engaging means is in proximal relation to the back of the mailbox. Thereby, the cover is maintained in a taut fashion over the mailbox.  
           [0021]    In another preferred embodiment, at least a pair of first attaching means are located on the bottom of the mailbox at opposing sides thereof. At least a pair of second attaching means are located on opposing edges of the sheet and may extend along a substantial length thereof. First attaching means on the bottom of the mailbox are adapted to receive the corresponding second attaching means located on opposing edges of the sheet. Second attaching means may be provided both on the first surface and the second surface of the sheet thereby allowing easy display of both surfaces as desired. It is also to be understood that a plurality of first and second attaching means may be used such that a long strip thereof may not be necessary.  
           [0022]    In another preferred embodiment, a locking means may be provided on the cover to securely attach the same to the prevent unauthorized removal thereof. Any locking means known in the art may be used such as, but not limited to, a chain and padlock method.  
           [0023]    Such stated objects and advantages of the invention are only examples and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. These and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the invention herein will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the claims that follow. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0024]    It is to be understood that the drawings are to be used for the purposes of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.  
         [0025]    In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mailbox having a cover installed thereon in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a cover of the instant invention illustrating a first surface thereof.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 3 is a partial top plan view of a cover of the instant invention illustrating a second surface thereof.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a cover of the instant invention illustrating the application of an engaging means through an aperture.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a mailbox and a cover of the instant invention illustrating an alternate preferred embodiment of an attaching means. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0031]    Referring to FIG. 1, therein is illustrated a mailbox  10  has a bottom  12 , a top  14 , a first side  16 , a second side  18 , a front  20  and a back  22  which are interconnected to produce an enclosure therein. In a preferred embodiment, mailbox  10  is in compliance with U.S. Postal Service regulations defining specific dimensions thereof. An indicating flag  24  extends from first side  16  and is adapted to be pivotable outside the plane of first side  16 . Mailbox  10  is mounted onto a post  26  at bottom  12  thereof in a perpendicular manner.  
         [0032]    Now also referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a cover  28  having flexible properties has a first surface  30  and a second surface  32 , such that in one preferred embodiment when cover  28  is installed onto mailbox  10 , second surface  32  is in contact therewith. In an alternate preferred embodiment, cover  28  can be flipped over such that first surface  30  is in contact with mailbox  10  and second surface  32  can be seen. First and second surface  30  and  32  are adapted to receive at least an indicia  34  thereon such that the indicia may be displayed when cover  28  is installed on mailbox  10 . Cover  28  may be made of any durable and flexible material such as, but not limited to, polypropelene material, vinyl, rubber, cloth, and paper having weatherproof coating thereon. Indicia  34  may be applied to first surface  30  and second surface  32  of cover  28  in any manner that is known in the art such as, but not limited to, silk screening, stitching, manual application, gluing, and printing. Indicia  34  are used to present a variety of messages or designs to observers as desired.  
         [0033]    In one preferred embodiment, cover  28  has a substantially rectangular shape defined by a first edge  36 , a second edge  38 , a third edge  40 , and a fourth edge  42 . First edge  36  and third edge  40  are in opposite relation and are adapted to be positioned in proximal relation to front  20  and back  22  of mailbox  10  when cover  28  is installed thereon. In addition, second edge  38  and fourth edge  42  are in opposite relation and are adapted to extend over first side  16  and second side  18  and curve onto bottom  12  when cover  38  is installed on mailbox  10 .  
         [0034]    A first replaceable flap  44  is provided on cover  28  such that when flap  44  is not in planar relation to cover  28  a first opening  46  is defined through cover  28 . A second replaceable flap  48  is provided on cover  28  such that when flap  48  is not in planar relation to cover  28  a second opening  50  is defined through cover  28 . First opening  46  and second opening  50  are adapted to receive indicating flag  24  therethrough without impeding the movement thereof. If first surface  30  is being displayed, first opening  46  will accommodate indicating flag  24  therein and second flap  48  will occlude second opening  50 . If second surface  32  is being displayed, second opening  50  will accommodate indicating flag  24  therein and first flap  44  will occlude first opening  46 .  
         [0035]    In one preferred embodiment, a first aperture  52  is defined through cover  28  in proximal relation to a point of intersection between first edge  36  and fourth edge  42  and a second aperture  54  is defined through cover  28  in proximal relation to a point of intersection between first edge  36  and second edge  38 . A third aperture  56  is defined through cover  28  in proximal relation to a point of intersection between third edge  40  and fourth edge  42  and a fourth aperture  58  is defined through cover  28  in proximal relation to a point of intersection between third edge  40  and second edge  38 . Apertures  52 ,  54 ,  56 , and  58  may be reinforced by, for example, the application of a metal ring (not shown) to cover  28  defining the same.  
         [0036]    Now also referring to FIG. 4, a first engaging means  60  extends between first aperture  52  and second aperture  54  and maintains second edge  38  and fourth edge  42  in a secure yet adjustable manner such that cover  28  encircles mailbox  10  intimately. A second engaging means  62  extends between third aperture  56  and fourth aperture  58  and maintains second edge  38  and fourth edge  42  in a secure yet adjustable manner such that cover  28  encircles mailbox  10  intimately. In a preferred embodiment, engaging means  60  and  62  utilize a plurality of hook and loop fasteners  64  to form a loop  66  that passes through apertures  52 ,  54 ,  56 , and  58  such that an edge of cover  28  is maintained therein.  
         [0037]    Now referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, an alternate preferred attaching mechanism is illustrated for maintaining cover  28  in intimate relation with mailbox  10 . At least a first attaching means  68  is connected to bottom  12  of mailbox  10  in proximal relation to sides  16  and  18 . A second attaching means  70  is connected to surfaces  30  and  32  of cover  28  in proximal relation to second edge  38  and fourth edge  42 . Second attaching means  70  located proximally to fourth edge  42  is connected to first attaching means  68  located on bottom  12  near first side  16 , cover  28  is pulled and intimately placed over mailbox  10  and second attaching means  70  located proximally to second edge  38  is connected to first attaching means  68  located on bottom  12  near second side  18 . Attaching means  68  and  70  may be any reusable attaching means known in the art such as, but not limited to, hook and loop fasteners.  
         [0038]    Accordingly, cover  28  may quickly and easily affixed to mailbox  10  in a secure yet removable fashion. In addition, cover  28  may quickly and easily be flipped over such that alternate indicia  34  on the alternate surface may be presented. Furthermore, cover  28  may quickly and easily be removed and replaced with a new cover  28  as desired, yet the original may still be reused when necessary.  
         [0039]    In order to prevent unauthorized removal of cover  28 , at least a void  72  is defined through cover  28  and is medially positioned in proximal relation to either second edge  38  or  20  fourth edge  42 . Void  72  may further be reinforced by an annular member placed on cover  28  wherein void  72  is defined. Annular member may be made of any rigid material such as, but not limited to, steel, copper, and iron. A reinforced elongated member  74  passes through void  72  and engages cover  28  in a secure fashion at one end and at an opposing end elongated member  72  engages post  26 . A fastening means  76  is also provided on elongated member  74  such that post  26  is engaged by elongated member  74  in a secure fashion and thereby cover  28  may not be removed. Fastening means  76  may be any locking assembly that is known in the art such as, but not limited to, a padlock.  
         [0040]    While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of preferred embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible without departing from the essential spirit of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.