Automatic gravity-actuated mailbox indicator

An automatic gravity-actuated mailbox indicator is adapted for use in combination with a mailbox including a housing with an access opening for receiving mail and a pivoted door for closing the access opening. The mailbox indicator includes a conspicuous object adapted for being viewed from a distance. A supporting stem extends from the object, and has a free end for being wedged between the pivoted door and housing of the mailbox with the door in a closed position. The object is temporarily held at an elevated location relative to the mailbox housing. The mailbox indicator is actuated by gravity upon movement of the pivoted door from the closed position to an open position, such that the object falls from the elevated location to a lowered location thereby providing a readily visible indication of an opening of the pivoted door.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an automatic gravity-actuated mailbox indicator. The invention operates to provide a convenient and conspicuous visual indication of movement of the mailbox door from a closed position to an open position. The invention is intended to avoid unnecessary trips to the mailbox, and is especially useful on a mailbox located a remote distance from the residence.

Other automatic mailbox indicators have drawbacks and limitations, and do not operate with the degree of simplicity of the present invention. For example, one indicator described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,596 uses a rod linkage located inside the mailbox and attached to the pivoted mailbox door. When the door is opened, the linkage is designed to mechanically actuate an outside signally device. This indicator occupies space inside the mailbox, and appears relatively complicated to install. A second indicator shown in U.S. Pat. No. D478,702 using a spring-loaded signaling flag. The flag is raised by mechanical operation of the spring when the mailbox door is opened. The spring is mounted outside of the mailbox housing, and subject to wear and poor operation resulting from extended use, rain, and snow.

The present invention overcomes these and other problems of the prior art by providing an automatic mailbox indicator which operates entirely on the principle of gravity. The invention has no mechanical or moving parts which require extensive assembly and complicated installation. The invention may be formed in any desired ornamental or decorative shape, and locates entirely on the outside of the mailbox housing to avoid obstructing the deposit of mail inside the housing.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an automatic mailbox indicator which operates entirely on the principle of gravity.

It is another object of the invention to provide an automatic mailbox indicator which is quickly and easily installed in any standard mailbox.

It is another object of the invention to provide an automatic mailbox indicator which is not mechanically actuated and subject to wear.

It is another object of the invention to provide an automatic mailbox indicator which is located entirely outside of the mailbox housing.

It is another object of the invention to provide an automatic mailbox indicator which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

It is another object of the invention to provide an automatic mailbox indicator which is decorative.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing an automatic gravity-actuated mailbox indicator. The mailbox indicator is adapted for use in combination with a mailbox including a housing with an access opening for receiving mail and a pivoted door for closing the access opening. The mailbox indicator includes a conspicuous object adapted for being viewed from a distance. A supporting stem extends from the object, and has a free end for being wedged between the pivoted door and housing of the mailbox with the door in a closed position. Means are provided for temporarily holding the object at an elevated location relative to the mailbox housing. The mailbox indicator is actuated by gravity upon movement of the pivoted door from the closed position to an open position, such that the object falls from the elevated location to a lowered location thereby providing a readily visible indication of an opening of the pivoted door.

The “means for temporarily holding the object” includes any structure sufficient to hold the stem in a generally upright condition in order to prevent the object from falling or pivoting downward relative the mailbox housing. This may include, for example, a relatively flat foot integrally-formed with the free end of the stem, as described below. Alternatively, the means may include separate structure which temporarily braces the stem against an outside of the mailbox housing. The means may also include a magnet located on the stem and/or object.

The term “elevated location” refers to any location of the object above the ground.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the conspicuous object is an aesthetic butterfly design.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the supporting stem is constructed of a pliable stainless steel wire.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the free end of the supporting stem has a flat pivot-resisting foot adapted for locating between a perimeter seal flange of the pivoted door and the mailbox housing when the door is in the closed position.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the supporting stem is between 6 and 12 inches long.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a flexible line extends from the object, and is adapted for suspending the indicator from the mailbox housing when actuated.

In another embodiment, the invention is the combination of a mailbox and an automatic gravity-actuated mailbox indicator. The mailbox includes a housing defining an access opening and a pivoted door adapted for closing the opening. A mailbox indicator includes a conspicuous object adapted for being viewed from a distance. A supporting stem extends from the object, and has a free end for being wedged between the pivoted door and housing of the mailbox with the door in a closed position. Means are provided for temporarily holding the object at an elevated location relative to the mailbox housing. The mailbox indicator is actuated by gravity upon movement of the pivoted door from the closed position to an open position, such that the object falls from the elevated location to a lowered location thereby providing a readily visible indication of an opening of the pivoted door.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE

Referring now specifically to the drawings, an automatic gravity-actuated mailbox indicator according to the present invention is illustrated inFIG. 1, and shown generally at reference numeral10. The mailbox indicator10is especially applicable for use on a standard mailbox11located away from a residence-typically, at the end of a driveway. The mailbox11includes a hollow housing12mounted on a vertical post14set in the ground. The housing12defines an access opening15for receiving mail, and has a pivoted door16with a perimeter flange17designed to cover a mouth18of the opening15when closed, thereby sealing the inside of the housing12against rain. The mailbox indicator10is intended to provide a convenient and ready indication of whether mail has arrived in order to avoid unnecessary trips to the mailbox11.

Referring toFIG. 1, the mailbox indicator10comprises a conspicuous decorative object20, such as a butterfly design, or other suitable shape sufficiently large and distinctive to be easily viewed from a distance. The object20is relatively lightweight, durable, and weather-resistant. Other suitable objects may include other ornamental two or three-dimensional designs, flags, and banners.

An elongated supporting stem21extends from the object20, and has a relatively flat, integrally-formed foot22, as best shown inFIG. 2. When the mailbox door16is closed, as shown inFIG. 3, the foot22locates between the perimeter door flange17and the mailbox housing12, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. The foot22holds the stem21in an outwardly extending pivot-resisting condition, and temporarily maintains the object20at an elevated location relative the housing12. An integral pivot point23is formed at the junction of the stem21and foot22such that once the foot22is set between the mailbox door16and the housing12, the stem21can be manually manipulated to locate and hold the object20at any desired elevation relative to the housing12. The stem21may extend vertically upward as shown inFIG. 3, at a slight angle relative to the post14, or may be cantilevered outwardly from the side of the housing12. Preferably, the stem21is formed of a rust-resistant stainless steel wire. The strength of the wire at the junction of the stem21and foot22is sufficient to hold the object20at any elevation, yet the wire is sufficiently pliable to allow manual adjustment at the pivot point23.

When the mailbox door16is opened, as shown inFIG. 6, the foot22of the stem21is released from its wedged condition between the perimeter door flange17and the mailbox housing12. This causes the object20to fall from the elevated location to a lowered location, thereby indicating movement of the mailbox door16from the closed position to the opened position. Preferably, a clear nylon line25attaches the mailbox indicator10to the mailbox housing12. The free end of the line25is secured to a molded plastic hook26with a self-adhesive backing27for attaching directly to an outside wall of the mailbox housing12. The nylon line25and hook26cooperate to suspend the object20above the ground after the indicator10is actuated.

An automatic gravity-actuated mailbox indicator is described above. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation—the invention being defined by the claims.