Abstract:
A mail receptacle system incorporating multiple individually accessible discrete storage compartments disposed within a frame structure with lockable user access doors disposed in mated hinging relation relative to the frame structure such that when the access doors are in a closed position, a male/female relation is established between portions of the doors and the frame structure. The access doors utilize a multi-piece construction wherein the hinging edges of the doors are displaceable from the door body thereby permitting the door body to be easily and readily replace in the event of damage.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional application 60/775,378 filed on Feb. 21, 2006, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to mail receptacle systems incorporating multiple individually accessible discrete storage compartments incorporating lockable user access doors adapted to open and close relative to the storage compartments. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention provides advantages and alternatives over the prior art by providing a mail receptacle system incorporating multiple individually accessible discrete storage compartments disposed within a frame structure with lockable user access doors disposed in mated hinging relation relative to the frame structure such that when the access doors are in a closed position, a male/female relation is established between portions of the doors and the frame structure. The male/female relation substantially prevents pry tool access thereby enhancing security. The access doors utilize a multi-piece construction wherein the hinging edges of the doors are displaceable from the door body thereby permitting the door body to be easily and readily replace in the event of damage. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    The present invention will be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and which constitute a part of this specification herein and together with the general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description set forth below, serve to explain the principles of the invention wherein; 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  is a face view of a multi-unit mail receptacle unit with the doors closed; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a magnified view of a hinging edge of a unit door; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a magnified view of a lock portion of a unit door; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a view taken generally along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1  showing the unit door in closed relation with the mail receptacle frame; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4A  is a cross-section of the unit door body alone, 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is an exploded front perspective view of unit door illustrating the multi-piece construction; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is an exploded rear perspective view of unit door illustrating the multi-piece construction; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 6  showing the unit door in fully assembled condition. 
       
    
    
       [0013]    While the invention has been illustrated and generally described above and will herein after be described in connection with certain potentially preferred embodiments and practices, it is to be understood that in no event is the invention limited to such illustrated and described embodiments and practices. On the contrary it is intended that the present invention shall extend to all alternatives and modifications as may embrace the general principles of this invention within the full and true spirit and scope thereof. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like elements are designated by like reference numerals in the various views. It is to be understood that any dimensions provided are illustrative only and are subject to variation as may be desired. 
         [0015]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a multi-compartment mail receptacle unit  10  is illustrated having an arrangement of stacked compartments disposed within a supporting frame structure  14 . The compartments are enclosed by displaceable access doors  16  that may be opened by individual users by manipulation of an access lock  20  so as to pivot around hinge pins  22  ( FIG. 2 ) extending through hinge pin openings  23  ( FIGS. 5-7 ) or other hinge-forming structures as may be utilized. 
         [0016]    As best illustrated through reference to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the door  16  includes a substantially “U” shaped edge  30  adjacent the hinge line that is adapted to engage a complementary “L” shaped ear  32  projecting inwardly from the frame structure  14 . Thus, when the door  16  is in the closed position shown in  FIG. 2 , the ear  32  is mated at the interior of the “U” shaped door edge. This male/female mating relationship substantially prevents any insertion of a pry tool at the hinge edge when the door  16  is in a closed position. At the same time, the door may be freely pivoted in a counterclockwise direction as the door is opened. 
         [0017]    As best illustrated through in  FIG. 3 , the door  16  supports an access lock  20  such as a commercial key operated lock or the like. When the access lock  20  is rotated, the retainer elements  36 ,  37  are moved out of blocking relation relative to the frame structure  14  and the door  16  may be swung outwardly. As illustrated, the displaceable edge of the door  16  is provided with a substantially “U” shaped depression  40  that is adapted to receive a complementary projection along the edge of the frame structure  14 . As illustrated, this male/female engagement substantially blocks any insertion of a pry tool along the displaceable edge when the door is in a closed position. At the same time, the door may be freely pivoted in a counterclockwise direction as the door is opened. 
         [0018]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 4A , the top and bottom of the door  16  preferably include slots  42  defining acceptance channels adapted to receive projecting edges  44  running along the upper and lower edges of the compartments  12 . As illustrated, this male/female engagement substantially blocks any insertion of a pry tool along the upper and lower displaceable edge when the door is in a closed position. At the same time, the door may be freely pivoted in a counterclockwise direction as the door is opened. 
         [0019]    As shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , the door  16  is preferably of a two piece construction incorporating an elongate body portion  50  and an insertable hinge plate  52 . As best illustrated in  FIGS. 4A ,  5  and  6 , the back of the body portion preferably incorporates a pair of opposing ears  56  offset from the face plate of the body portion and running along the top and bottom edges of the body portion  50 . The ears  56  define channels for sliding acceptance of a tongue portion  60  of the hinge plate  52  such that the tongue portion  60  is held in place against the rear of the face plate by the ears  56 . Proper insertion depth is established by a shoulder portion  62  at the base of the tongue portion  60  which houses the hinge pin opening  23 . 
         [0020]    Following insertion of the tongue portion  60 , the hinge plate  52  may be held against sliding displacement by any suitable mechanism. By way of example only, and not limitation, in the illustrated embodiment, a set screw  66  may be inserted through an opening in the tongue portion  60  for friction and/or embedded engagement with the rear of the face plate. It is likewise contemplated that the tongue portion  60  may be provided with a pin acceptance channel  70  positioned for alignment with an optional pin opening  72  for insertion of a connecting pin (not shown) through the edge of the face plate and into the pin acceptance channel  70  when the tongue portion is fully inserted. It is also contemplated that other mechanisms such as a tight friction fit between the tongue portion  60  and the rear of the face plate may be used if desired. 
         [0021]    Regardless of the mechanism utilized to secure the hinge plate  52  to the body portion  50  of the door, it is contemplated that such attachment will be reversible by a person having legitimate access to the interior of the door structure. This permits the body portion  50  to be readily replaced in the event of damage without the need to remove the hinge pins  22  or to disassemble the hinging mechanism. 
         [0022]    As will be appreciated, the materials forming the door are preferably of substantial strength and corrosion resistance so as to avoid damage while at the same time being suitable for formation practices such as extrusion and the like. Extrusion of the hinge plate and body portion as independent single piece structures may be particularly preferred. Aluminum alloys may be particularly preferred although other metals may also be used if desired. Of course, it is also contemplated that other materials such as high impact plastics and the like may also be utilized if desired. 
         [0023]    While the present invention has been illustrated and described in relation to various potentially preferred embodiments, constructions, and procedures, such embodiments, constructions, and procedures are illustrative only and that the present invention is in no event to be limited thereto. Rather, it is contemplated that modifications and variations embodying the principles of this invention will no doubt occur to those of skill in the art, therefore, it is contemplated and intended that the present invention will extend to all such modifications and variations as may incorporate the broad principles of the invention within the full spirit and scope thereof.