Abstract:
A device is created for placement within a rural style mail box to provide a secure repository for items of mail delivered. A forward positioned, secure chamber for the storage of delivered items is defined by a first insert having a top surface, and two supporting side surfaces. A separate assembly placed rear of the first insert includes an opposing slide assembly defined by a smooth surface with an inclination against the rear of the mail box and sloped downwardly toward the secure storage area. Coming into contact with the slide assembly, mail is thus redirected to the secure area. In an alternative embodiment, a unitary mailbox is described which includes an inclined compression delivery channel for delivery of mail to a secure chamber beneath, the compression channel at the same time presenting an obstacle to unauthorized access.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims priority to Provisional Application 60/473,556 filed May 27, 2003, entitled Secure Mail Receptacle, James Douglas Offenbacher, inventor, and Provisional Application 60/473,491 filed May 27, 2003, entitled Mail Theft Deterrent System, James Douglas Offenbacher, inventor. Each of the aforementioned related patent applications is herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to theft-resistant mail boxes, and more particularly to rural mailboxes which are secure in that mail, once inserted cannot be removed except by an authorized individual.  
           [0003]    Today, identity theft is becoming a significant problem, made worse by the ease by which mail can easily be stolen from current rural mailboxes. Such provide no security in that they can be opened by anyone at anytime, and the contents simply removed. As a result, there is a need for providing an inexpensive means for deterring the pilfering of mail from the standard rural mailbox.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    By way of this invention, two approaches are described. One provides for the insertion of components into existing mailboxes to define a secure chamber for storage of delivered mail. The other provides a new mailbox design incorporating a compression delivery channel to prevent unauthorized access to the mail once inserted into the mailbox.  
           [0005]    More particularly, in the first embodiment of this invention a retrofit for existing mailboxes is provided in the form of an article of construction which can be secured to the interior of the mailbox walls, either by an ultimate end user or an original equipment manufacturer. The insert in its most basic form comprises a forward frame assembly, including a vertical front wall incorporating an access door which is hingedly mounted to the forward frame assembly, a horizontally disposed top wall extending from the top of the frame rearward a predetermined distance to define a cover plate over which mail can be passed, such as by sliding, and a separate sloped catch plate assembly spaced a distance from the end of the cover plate to define a second passageway for inserted mail. The catch plate is so placed as to redirect the inserted mail downwardly and in reverse direction to a secure storage chamber bounded by the vertically disposed access door and horizontally disposed cover plate. Access to the storage chamber for retrieval of deposited items is effected by an authorized individual having means, such as a key, to unlock the locking mechanism associated with the access door. The combination of cover plate and catch plate can be provided in various configurations, either as part of a single, insertable assembly or as two separate, insertable component sub assemblies, which can be either removably or fixedly secured.  
           [0006]    In another embodiment, a singular mailbox assembly is provided which includes a compression delivery channel, defined in part by a sloped guide plate extending upward and rearward from the base of a mailbox mail slot opening. Delivery to a secure storage chamber is effected by insertion of to-be-delivered mail into and through the inclined compression channel, the thus delivered mail thereafter dropping unimpeded into the secure storage chamber. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a three dimensional illustration of a secure mailbox showing the front of an insert of this invention.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is a three dimensional view of a two part insert.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3 is a three dimensional view of an alternative two part insert.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 4 is a three dimensional view of an alternative embodiment of the two part insert of FIG. 2.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 5 is a three dimensional view of an alternative embodiment of the two part insert of FIG. 3.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 6 is a three dimensional view of an insert combining the cover plate and catch plate features in a singular assembly.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 7 is a three dimensional view of an alternative embodiment of the singular assembly of FIG. 6.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 8 is a three dimensional depiction of a unitary mailbox showing the mail slot cover and access doors in the closed position.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 9 is a three dimensional depiction of the unitary mailbox of FIG. 8 with the mail slot cover door shown in the open position.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 10 is a three dimensional depiction of the unitary mailbox of FIGS. 8, 9 and  11  with the access door shown in the open position.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 11 is a transparent view of the mailbox of FIGS. 8-10 illustrating the internal compression delivery channel. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0019]    With reference now to FIG. 1, a typical rural mailbox  1  is illustrated, having an openable front cover  2  for a mailbox housing  3 , said housing having a top, sides, front and back walls to generally define a box.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 shows an insert of the invention comprising two assemblies. The assemblies are sized to define a pathway for letters, and other mailed objects, as well as provide a secure compartment, one which cannot be reached by insertion of a hand into the mailbox. First, forward assembly  4  defines a secure chamber  5 , the chamber bounded by side walls  6  and  7 , top wall or cover plate  8  and a front face incorporating a hinged door  9 , the rear of the forward assembly remaining open. Cover plate  8 , which extends from the front face of the box rearward a predetermined distance into the box, and spans the box internally between the side walls, includes a leading edge or lip  13 , and a trailing edge or lip  14 . The plate defines a transport surface over which mail can be passed, such as by sliding. Door  9  is provided with a locking mechanism  10 , e.g. one which can be key activated. Access to the secure chamber is effected by simply disengaging the locking mechanism, and mechanically opening the door. The two supporting side walls  6  and  7  are additionally provided with means for attaching the storage chamber assembly to the interior of the mail box walls. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the securing means can simply comprise a plurality of drilled holes  11  in the side walls in registry with similarly drilled holes in the walls of the mailbox housing (not shown), through which a bolt can be inserted and internally secured, such as by a wing nut.  
         [0021]    Second, rear assembly  12  is positioned behind of the first assembly and can, but need not necessarily, be secured to the side of the mail box in a fashion similar to the forward assembly. This rearward assembly, as illustrated, consists of opposing side walls  15  and  16 , spaced by catch plate  18 , which defines a reverse sloped capture surface. When inserted into a standard mailbox, a letter or other object will be passed through the passageway defined by the top wall, side walls, and the top surface of cover plate  8 , its forward progress stopped by coming into contact with the surface of catch plate  18 , the capture surface redirecting the inserted object downward and forward into the secure chamber.  
         [0022]    In the embodiment of FIG. 3, rear assembly  12  is fabricated from a single sheet of material with flanges  20  formed at right angles to catch plate  18 . Side walls  6  and  7  of the forward assembly  4  have also been eliminated to reduce costs of construction, replaced by similar flanges  20  extending downwardly from cover plate  8 . Given that the assembly is not capable of free standing, as is the case of the assemblies of FIG. 2, both must be secured to the sides of the mailbox. This can be done by gluing, spot welding, or by using similar fastening means used in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 2, providing drill holes along flanges  20  with matching holes in the walls of the mailbox.  
         [0023]    With the mailbox insert of FIG. 4, the cover plate  8  of the forward assembly has been modified such that a portion of the cover plate is cut back and bent downwardly from top of side wall  7  at an angle sufficient to provide a secondary sloped surface  22  for directing mail pieces directly into the chamber downward and to the right, below the cover plate. The opening afforded in this embodiment, running longitudinally along the side wall of forward assembly  4 , is kept narrow enough to prevent unauthorized persons from inserting a hand there-through to reach the contents of the chamber, yet large enough to allow for the passage of mail items such as magazines. As can be seen from the figure, the provision of this second passageway allows longer items to be inserted into the mailbox and be redirected into the locked chamber.  
         [0024]    Illustrated in FIG. 5 is another variation in which the forward assembly of FIG. 3 has been modified in the manner of the forward assembly of FIG. 4 to provide a secondary sloped surface  22  for directing mail into secure chamber  5 .  
         [0025]    Illustrated in FIG. 6 is yet another embodiment of the invention, comprising a free standing, unitary, rectangular assembly  30  having a front, lockable access door  9 , the door hinge-mounted thereto. Vertically disposed, extended side walls  34  and  36  span the length of the assembly and the interior of the mail box housing, with cover plate  8  extending a predetermined distance rearward from leading edge  13 , defining there-beneath a secure chamber  5  reachable only by unlocking and opening access door  9 . A catch plate  18  defining a capture surface is provided with a reverse slope at the rear of inset  30  to define an inclined path to redirect the movement of mail which has been inserted into the mailbox beyond trailing edge  14  of cover plate  8 . The assembly can be fastened through tap holes  11  to the sides of the existing mail box in a manner similar to the other, earlier described embodiments, to secure it in place.  
         [0026]    In use, mail inserted into the box such as by sliding is inserted to the point its trailing edge extends beyond edge  14  to be engaged by the capture surface of catch plate  18 . As the trailing edge of the inserted object passes beyond lip  14 , it will drop down, and now in contact with reverse sloped capture surface, slide forward towards the front of the mailbox, coming to rest inside secure chamber  5 . In this location it is not possible for a person to reach in and retrieve mail within the chamber.  
         [0027]    In an embodiment of this unitary design illustrated in FIG. 7, a secondary sloped surface  22  is provided which depends from one of the extended side walls to define a longitudinal slot to re-direct inserted mail downwardly and to the side, so that it comes to rest in chamber  5  beneath cover plate  8 , inaccessible except by opening of the front door. This embodiment operates much in the fashion of the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 to effectively receive and direct longer pieces of mail into the secure chamber.  
         [0028]    Generally, with the embodiments of FIGS. 1-7, the length of the opening defined between the trailing edge  14  of the cover plate and the back top edge of the capture surface of the catch plate should be at least as large as, if not larger than the length of the longest piece of mail to be inserted into the box. In this way, mail slid past edge  14  of the cover plate can easily pass beyond that edge where it encounters the surface of catch plate  18 , and drops downwardly below edge  14  and forward into chamber  5 .  
         [0029]    In order to prevent accumulated mail from blocking the forward transport of inserted mail into the secure chamber, the sloped surface of the catch plate is configured so that its forward edge  19  sits a set distance from the floor of the mailbox. Typically, for a standard rural mailbox, the end of the catch plate will be spaced about 1 to 1½ inches, or more, above the mailbox floor. The greater the distance, the larger the volume provided for receipt of mail below forward edge  19 , thus providing a larger reservoir for the accumulation of mail. In this way, previously deposited mail will not act as a dam to interfere with the delivery of later delivered mail, which mail would otherwise prevent later-inserted mail from sliding forward into the secure chamber, and thereby become accessible to retrieval by an unauthorized individual. The slope of the capture surface should be sufficient to assure inserted mail will be transported downward and forward to the secure compartment, but not be too shallow such that received mail fails to slide forward.  
         [0030]    In one embodiment, side walls  6  and  7  can be cut away along a line within a plane spaced from and substantially parallel to the sloped capture surface of catch plate  18 . Alternatively, the side walls can be cut back along a line extending from the rear top corner to the bottom front corner of the side wall, as shown in FIG. 4. By so doing, mail will not be impeded or catch on the edge of the walls, which edges could otherwise interfere with mail transport into the secure chamber below the cover plate.  
         [0031]    Catch plate assembly  12  is best located with rearward forward edge  19  of catch plate  18  vertically aligned below lip  14  of cover plate  8 . So positioned, given the ergonomics of the human arm, extension of a hand into the secure chamber is further impeded as an inserted hand encounters the sloped capture surface of the catch plate, forcing the fingers to flex inwardly, away from the bottom of the box.  
         [0032]    Yet another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 8-11, in which a unitary mailbox  58  is illustrated, configured to provide a tamper-resistant receptacle. Here, rather than provide a secure chamber by way of modification to an existing mailbox design, the mailbox of this embodiment is configured to define a compression delivery channel through which mail can be securely deposited. Once clear of the lip of the plate forming the lower surface of the compression delivery channel, inserted objects will fall into the secure chamber, inaccessible except though openable, locked doors. It should be appreciated in terms of security, that the singular box of this embodiment provides greater protection than the afore-described embodiments of FIGS. 1-7. With its deeper chamber, as the unitary box fills with mail, pieces to the top of an accumulated pile are much less likely to become accessible to the reach of an unauthorized individual.  
         [0033]    With reference to FIG. 8, a mail box of the invention is illustrated shown installed on a supporting post. The mailbox housing is defined by a bottom wall  59  (not shown), opposing side walls  60 , rear wall  62  (not shown), top wall  63  and front face  64 . The top wall of the box actually consists of a first forward section  65 , which for a predetermined distance is sloped upwardly, and a second, rearward section  66  that extends horizontally to the back of the box where it joins rear wall  62 . The front face  64  includes a mail slot door  67  which can be gripped by attached handle  68  to open the box and allow the deposit of mail there-within. The mail slot cover will generally be attached to the face of the box by a hinge, though any method of movably mounting mail slot door  67  to allow for opening and closing can be used. Front access door  70  lies below mail slot door  67 , and is provided with a locking mechanism, in the figures illustrated as a keyed lock. With reference to FIG. 10, the box is shown with the front access locking door  70  in the open position. Access to deposited mail can be obtained by an intended recipient by unlocking front access door  70 . Alternatively, as shown in transparent view FIG. 11, secondary access can be afforded by providing a rear access door  72  in rear wall  62 , a similar locking mechanism used to secure the door in place for the receipt of mail.  
         [0034]    Referring now to FIG. 9, the mail slot door  67  is shown lowered to the open position to expose delivery guide plate  74 . This guide plate defines a sloped surface over which mail can be passed. It may be planar, or at its trailing edge may be bent and extended a short distance to the horizontal as illustrated in transparent view FIG. 11. The secure storage chamber  76  receives mail inserted into the box and passed over and beyond the trailing edge  77  of delivery guide plate  74 .  
         [0035]    As shown in FIG. 11, delivery guide plate  74  in combination with front forward section  65 , sloped upwardly though at a smaller angle, defines a compression delivery channel  75  for both the delivery of mail and the obstruction of illegal access. Channel  75  has a progressively reduced cross section, the channel extending from the front of the mailbox to at least the leading edge of rearward section  66 . A first, vertical opening at the end of channel  75  is bounded by side walls  60 , top wall  66  and trailing edge  77  of delivery guide plate  74 . It should be small enough to prevent unauthorized access, but large enough to be compliant with Postal regulations which define the size for secure mailbox openings. By way of example, said regulations call for an opening at least 2½ inches by 11 inches.  
         [0036]    With the inclined compression delivery channel best shown in FIG. 11, the arm of an unauthorized user is directed upwardly and away from the secure chamber, allowing only for the bending of the hand at the wrist to attempt access to the box interior. To further impede forearm insertion, the delivery guide plate may be provided as a convex continuously curved surface to define an ever compressing delivery channel. Given the geometry of the system, the lack of bendability of the human forearm, and the vertical distance from trailing edge  77  of delivery guide plate  74  to the floor  59  of the mailbox, it is not possible to reach down to access mail residing within storage chamber  76 .  
         [0037]    During the process of mail delivery, an item of mail is passed up and across the inclined compression channel  75 , and inserted through the first opening to a point at least beyond its center of gravity such that the inserted item will fall forward, and drop through a second, horizontally disposed opening bounded by side walls  60 , rear wall  62  and trailing edge or lip  77  of delivery guide plate  74 , and into the secure storage chamber. Alternatively, mail can be slid upwardly on the delivery guide surface with sufficient force such that inserted mail will pass beyond trailing edge  77  of the compression delivery channel. In this embodiment, rear wall  62  serves as a catch plate to redirect the mail into the secure chamber. Access to the storage chamber for retrieval of said items of mail is effected by an authorized recipient with a key to the locking mechanism associated with the forward or rear access doors.  
         [0038]    In an alternative embodiment of the mailbox of FIGS. 8-11, mail slot door  66  can be omitted, such that when a mail carrier delivers mail to the box, all the carrier need do is insert the mail into the open passageway and push it forward a distance sufficient for it to drop into the open chamber. In this embodiment, where the mail slot door has been removed, the mailbox can be provided with a rear flap at the end of the delivery channel to cover the first, vertical opening, to thereby isolate the chamber from the outside environment. Thus, the entry for example of wind driven rain into the secure chamber where delivered mail may reside can be prevented.  
         [0039]    In the case of the inserts illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, the dimensions of the inserts are limited in that they must be sized to fit within the confines of an existing mailbox. In the embodiment of FIGS. 8-11, the lack of constraint as to the size of the box allows for the free selection of dimensions, by which the secure chamber can be made much larger than that which is afforded by the embodiments of earlier figures.  
         [0040]    It should be appreciated that while the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, many fabrication options are available within the scope of the invention. For example, though means are disclosed for securing the inserts of the first embodiment to the sides of a mailbox, i.e., gluing, other attachment means may be employed, the exact securing means not critical to the invention. Furthermore, the materials of construction are not critical. The inserts of the first embodiment and the mailbox of the second can be made of any suitably rigid material, including plastic, steel, or aluminum. What is important is that the gauge of the material be thick enough so as to be stiff and not easily bent. Similarly, the particular dimensions of the various components are not critical so long as they are sized to function cooperatively to define a secure chamber for receiving deposited mail.  
         [0041]    As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above described embodiments are not to be limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the meets and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such meets and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.