Abstract:
A conventional mailbox is mounted to a dimensioned lumber post by a mailbox mounting assembly having 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. Yet another embodiment has two mirror image brackets which mount to different size mailboxes by their position with respect to each other on a post.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/325,725, filed Jan. 5, 2006, the disclosure of which is 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. Yet another embodiment has two mirror image brackets which mount to different size mailboxes by their position with respect to each other on a post. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a universal mounting assembly for mailboxes of various widths for attachment to wooden 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 sheet metal. 
   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 an alternative embodiment mailbox mounting assembly of this invention having raised crowns around the mounting holes. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring more particularly to  FIGS. 1–4 , 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  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 main bracket  32  is mounted to the post  24  by a rear flange  48  which extends from the first side wall  44  in a plane which is perpendicular to the top wall  38 , a side 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. 
   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  is preferably provided with an access opening  82 , shown in  FIG. 1 , which allows access to the bottom segments of the first top bracket  34  and the second top bracket  36  when installing the assembly  20  on a post. 
   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 . 
   An alternative embodiment main bracket  84  is shown in  FIG. 4  which is identical to the main bracket  32 , but in which all the attachment holes  53  are surrounded by an upraised crown  86 , so that fastening screws may be used which will leave no protruding head. 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. 
   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 two fastener holes  116 . A second side segment  118  extends upwardly from the bottom  114 , and has a plurality of aligned side slots  110 . Two parallel slots  120  are formed in the top wall  92  of the main bracket  90 . The slots  120  extend in a first direction which extends outwardly from the post  24  towards the first side segment  108 . The fastener holes  116  in the second top bracket  112  bottom segment  114  are spaced the same distance apart as are the two slots  120 , to allow the second top bracket  112  to be connected to the main bracket  90  by threaded fasteners  122  which engage with nuts  124  which may be fastened to the second top bracket bottom segment  114 , and which may be PEMsert® inserts. 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. 
   Another alternative embodiment mailbox mounting assembly  128  is also shown in  FIG. 3 . The assembly  128  is comprised of two mirror image brackets  130 ,  132  which mount to the same planar vertical surface  49  of the post  24 . The first bracket  130  has a generally triangular first post segment  134  which extends adjacent the post planar vertical surface  49 . A plurality of fastener holes  136  are positioned, one higher than the other, along an inside edge  138  of the first post segment  134 . A first body  140  extends from the first post segment  134  away from the post  24  approximately perpendicular to the first post segment, but not in a strictly vertical plane. A first attachment flange  142 , however, extends vertically upwardly from the first body  140 . The first attachment flange  142  has a plurality of fastener openings  144 . The first post segment  134  has a top edge  146  positioned above a bottom edge  148 , with the fastener holes  136  being located between the top edge and the bottom edge. The first body  140  is spaced from the fastener holes  136  a greater distance adjacent the top edge  14  than adjacent the bottom edge  148  of the first post segment  134 . 
   Fasteners  151 , for example nails or screws, extend through the fastener openings  136  in the first post segment  134  to fix the first bracket to the post  24  such that portions of the first post segment  134  protrude sidewardly from the post planar vertical surface adjacent the top edge  146 . 
   The second bracket  132  has a second post segment  152  which extends adjacent the post planar vertical surface  49  and which has a plurality of fastener holes positioned one higher than the other. A second body  154  extends from the second post segment  152  away from the post. An attachment flange  156  extends vertically upwardly from the second body, and has a plurality of fastener openings  144 . The second post segment  152  has a top edge positioned above a bottom edge, and as on the first post segment, the fastener holes are located between the top edge and the bottom edge. The second body  154  is spaced from the second post segment fastener holes a greater distance adjacent the top edge than adjacent the bottom edge of the attachment flange  156 . 
   The second post segment is connected by fasteners  151  to the same vertical face  49  of the post  24  as the first post segment  134 , to connect the second bracket  132  to the post such that portions of the second post segment protrude sidewardly from the post planar vertical surface adjacent the second post segment top edge. A mailbox to be mounted to the post is positioned between the first bracket attachment flange  142  and the second bracket attachment flange  156 , and fixed thereto by fasteners which extend through the attachment flange fastener openings  144 . It will be noted that the mounting assembly  128  permits the mounting of a mailbox which is wider than the post  24 , as the spacing of the first bracket attachment flange  142  from the second bracket attachment flange  156  in a horizontal direction is greater than the horizontal width of the post vertical surface. 
   As illustrated in the upper assembly  128  on the post  24  in  FIG. 3 , a narrow mailbox can be mounted to the post by spacing the first bracket  130  closely from or even adjacent to the second bracket  132 . As illustrated by the lower assembly  128  on the post  24  in  FIG. 3 , a wider mailbox can be mounted to the post by a greater spacing of the two brackets  130 ,  132 , even to the point where the majority of each post segment is projecting sidewardly from the post  24 . 
   For additional stiffness, a rim  158  may be formed along the top edge of each post segment. 
   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.