Abstract:
There is provided a security mailbox for receiving mail and securely retaining the mail until removed by the mailbox owner. Outgoing mail may be placed in the mailbox and retained out of sight until accessed by the mail carrier. A visual indicator is provided to signal the presence of outgoing mail. Once mail has been deposited in the mailbox and secured within, additional mail may not be placed in the mailbox until the mailbox owner has unlocked and reset the mailbox. Another visual indicator signals the mailbox owner that mail has been deposited in the mailbox. The mailbox is sized to receive small packages such as boxes of checks from a check printer, packages of medications, and the like.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention pertains to mailboxes for receiving mail and, more particularly to a secure mailbox from which mail cannot be removed except by the owner and into which additional mail may not be placed until mail within has been removed and the mailbox reset. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Mail security has become increasingly important in a society where fraud is rampant and identity theft is commonplace. Theft of checks and other valuables from delivered mail is not uncommon, particularly in many urban areas. Customers of the United States Postal Service, for example, routinely receive deliveries of blank checks, credit cards, government checks (e.g., Social Security checks), as well as other material having monetary worth or which may be useful in perpetrating fraud in one way or another. 
   Heretofore, there has been little to protect the recipient of mail from criminals or other mischievous persons intent on stealing or otherwise tampering with delivered mail. 
   DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART 
   Several attempts have heretofore been made to prevent such occurrences. None, however, provides the advantages of an entirely secure mailbox. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,802,619 for THEFT RESISTANT MAILBOX WITH FLAG, issued Apr. 9, 1974 to Frederick B. Vanderveer, discloses a mailbox having a pivoting door which prevents removal of mail deposited therein. An outgoing mail shelf with an outgoing mail signal is also provided. Contents deposited in the mailbox may be removed by unlocking an access door. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,382,540 for DOUBLE-DOOR SECURITY RURAL MAIL-BOX, issued May 10, 1983 to James B. Kelly et al., teaches a double-door arrangement in a rural mailbox. A front door disposed to accept mail may be freely opened and closed until finally secured in a locked position. A locked, rear door is disposed to retrieve mail from the mailbox. The front door, once locked, is not unlocked until the rear door has been unlocked and opened to retrieve the box contents. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,656 for RURAL MAILBOX INDICATOR AND SECURITY LOCK, issued Mar. 28, 1989 to David A. Smith et al., teaches a mailbox having a three-position indicator that alerts the user of one of three conditions, respectively: 1) the mailbox is unlocked and there is no outgoing mail to be picked up; 2) the mailbox is unlocked and there is outgoing mail to be picked up; and 3) the mailbox is locked. When in the third position, the mailbox may not be reopened until the locking mechanism is released by a key. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,718 for SECURITY MAILBOX LOCK ASSEMBLY, issued Dec. 24, 1996 to Stephen A. Speece, teaches an add-on lock assembly for rural style mailboxes. The SPEECE arrangement provides a mechanism where the mailbox is unlocked until opened by a letter carrier depositing mail. Closing the door activates the lock, thereby preventing additional access until the mailbox is unlocked with a key. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,618 for ANTI-THEFT MAILBOX INSERT, issued Jun. 29, 1999 to Alan P. Gaudet, teaches an apparatus for insertion in a standard rural style mailbox. The GAUDET insert features a locked inner door in a box structure having a slot through which mail may be deposited. The top surface of the insert serves as a shelf to hold outgoing mail for pickup. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,751 for ROTATING MAILBOX SYSTEM, issued Nov. 9, 1999 to Joseph Y. Maddox, discloses a mailbox having a rotating assembly which, in combination with a ratchet, transfers incoming mail deposited through an upper access door into a lower chamber and prevents removal of mail deposited through the upper access door. A lower, locked access door is provided for removing mail from the mailbox. In one embodiment, a switch indicates that mail has been deposited in the mailbox. A signal flag is provided to indicate to a mail carrier that outgoing mail requires pickup. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,388 for SECURITY MAILBOX, issued May 22, 2001 to Gary L. Taylor, teaches another security mailbox having an incoming chamber separated from a secured chamber by a pivoting rocker plate. Mail is removed from the secured chamber using a lockable door located in a lower region of the secured chamber. 
   None of these prior art patents teaches or suggests, individually or in combination, an innovative secure mailbox as described hereinbelow. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a mailbox for receiving mail and securely retaining the mail until removed by the mailbox owner or other authorized person. Outgoing mail may be placed in the mailbox and retained out of sight until accessed by the mail carrier. A visual indicator is provided to indicate the presence of outgoing mail. Once mail has been deposited in the mailbox of the invention and is moved to a secure chamber, additional mail may not be placed in the mailbox until the mailbox owner has unlocked and reset the mailbox. Another visual indicator signals the mailbox owner that mail has been deposited in the mailbox. The mailbox is sized to receive and securely retain small packages such as boxes of checks from a check printer, packages of medications, and the like. 
   It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a secure mailbox for receiving and retaining letters and small packages. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a secure mailbox which securely retains outgoing mail until picked up by a letter carrier. 
   It is a further object of the invention to provide a secure mailbox into which mail has been deposited and which must be reset before additional mail or packages may be deposited therein. 
   It is an additional object of the invention to provide a secure mailbox having an external, visual indication that mail has been placed in the mailbox. 
   It is a still further object of the invention to provide a secure mailbox with a visual signal to a letter carrier that outgoing mail requiring pickup is present in the mailbox. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent detailed description, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a front, perspective view of the mailbox of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a front, elevational view of the mailbox of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a right side, elevational view of the mailbox of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a left side, elevational view of the mailbox of  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIGS. 5   a – 5   d  are right side, elevational views showing an operating sequence of the mailbox of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   For purposes of brevity and clarity, like components and elements of the apparatus of this invention will bear the same designations or numbering throughout the FIGURES. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring first to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a front, perspective view of the security mailbox of the invention, generally at reference number  100 . Mailbox  100  has a substantially trapezoidal form, when viewed from either side, and consists of substantially rectangular front and rear surfaces  102 ,  104 , respectively, and trapezoidal right and left sides  106 ,  108 , respectively. A bottom  110  is provided with a plurality of “weepage” or drainage holes  112  to allow drainage of any moisture, not shown, which may collect in mailbox  100 . Drainage holes  112  are sized small enough to effectively prevent tampering with the contents of mailbox  100  by inserting an object therethrough into mailbox  100  but large enough to allow draining of any moisture either seeping into or condensing in mailbox  100  to drain. While only three holes  112  are shown in  FIG. 1 , it will be recognized that any number of holes  112  may be provided, the exact number forming no part of the invention. 
   A rotating ledge  114  is secured to an axle  116  which is suitably journaled at sides  106 ,  108  so as to rotate. Preferably, axle  116  is secured in any type of bearing, not shown, affixed to respective inner surfaces of sides  106 ,  108 . A portion of axle  116  protrudes through right side  106 . An indicator arm  124  is attached to the protruding end of axle  116 . A sliding sleeve  126  surrounds a portion of indicator arm  124 . Referring now also to  FIG. 1   a , there is shown a detailed view of the distal portion of indicator arm  124 . A tip portion  150  of indicator arm  124  (i.e., that portion coverable by sliding sleeve  126 ) is typically painted red. Consequently, when sliding sleeve  126  is moved away from the distal end of indicator arm  124 , the red tip is exposed and readily visible to a postal carrier. A red flag or other such indicator has historically been used to signal the mail carrier that there is outgoing mail in the mailbox requiring pickup. A nib  152  in indicator arm  124  interacting with a an L-shaped groove  154  in sliding sleeve  126  is used to retain sliding sleeve  126  in one of two positions along indicator arm  124 . In a covering position, red tip portion  150  of indicator arm  124  is covered while in a lower, uncovered position, red portion  150  is exposed as serves as a flag to the postal carrier. It will be recognized that while red has been chosen as a color for tip portion  150  of indicator arm  124  in the embodiment chosen for purposes of disclosure, other colors may be chosen as well. In addition, it will be recognized that other mechanisms are both known and suitable for retaining sliding sleeve  126  on indicator arm  124  and the invention is not considered limited to that mechanism chosen for purposes of disclosure. 
   As is described in detail hereinbelow, indicator arm  124  is used to determine whether mail has been placed in mailbox  100 . While axle  116  could also penetrate left side  108 , it is preferable that it be contained within mailbox  100  for both weatherproofing and security reasons. Suitable bearings or journals, not shown, are well known to those of skill in the art and are not further described herein. Such journals or bearings may be affixed to sides  106 ,  108  using any suitable means including, but not limited to adhesive, spot welding, machine screws, rivets, etc. It is important that no matter what fastening method is used, the axle  116 , front surface  102 , rear surface  104 , sides  106 ,  108  and bottom  110  are secure and not easily disabled. If the mailbox  100  is disabled, the security function of rotatable platform  114  may possibly be overcome (i.e., moved out of its normal position), thereby crippling its ability to prevent access to a lower portion of the interior of mailbox  100 . 
   A door  118 , having a hinge  120  at the lower edge thereof, covers an opening in front surface  102  of mailbox  100 . Door  118  has an inwardly projecting lip  128  (best seen in  FIG. 4 ) that protrudes into the interior cavity of mailbox  100  when door  118  is in a closed position (i.e., is flush against front surface  102  of mailbox  100 ). Lip  128  is sized and configured to serve as a stop for rotatable platform  114  when door  118  is closed. Lip  128  may be formed from an angle bracket suitably affixed to an inside surface of door  118 . In other embodiments, lip  128  may be formed as a part of door  118 . A lock  122  is provided to secure door  118  in a closed position. Lock  122  may be any suitable lock as is well known to those of skill in the art, the exact lock configuration forming no part of the instant invention. 
   Referring now also to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a front elevational view of mailbox  100  in a ready for mail delivery configuration. Portions of a latch  130  associated with a lock  122  is also visible. Finally, a ratchet gear (i.e., toothed wheel)  132  may be seem (in phantom) at the left end of axle  116  Ratchet mechanism  132  is preferably a small, self contained apparatus. In alternate embodiments of the mailbox  100  of the invention, ratchet mechanisms  132  may be positioned at both ends of axel  116 . Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a right side elevational view of mailbox  100 . A raised mesh platform  140  is disposed above an inside surface of bottom  110 . Platform  140  is adapted to elevate deposited mail, not shown, above any standing moisture, such as condensation, which may have collected in mailbox  100  and not drained through holes  112 . It will be recognized that any perforated or solid material or structure that raises deposited mail above bottom  110  may be used to accomplish the intended purpose; the invention is not considered limited to a particular structure or material. It will be recognized that a solid platform is advantageous in that a wire or similar object pushed into mailbox  100  through hole  112  in the bottom  110  can not directly contact any mail stored within the lower portion of mailbox  100 . In the preferred embodiment, a raised solid platform  140  is used. 
   As indicated by arrows  138 , rotating platform  114  is free to rotate about axle  116  until stopped by inwardly protruding lip  128  of front door  118 . It will be recognized that a vandal could apply a rotative force to indicator lever  124  and possibly break one or more components of mailbox  100 . Consequently, it is preferable to join rotating platform to axel  116  through a torque limiting mechanism, not shown. Such a torque limiting mechanism would allow axel  116  to turn relative to rotating platform  114  without damage to any mailbox  100  component while maintaining structural integrity of the box and security for any mail contained therein. 
   A clip  134  which holds outgoing mail is attached to a first surface of rotating platform  114 . Clip  134  is affixed to a surface of rotating platform  114  such that clip  134  faces downward into an interior region of mailbox  100  toward closed end  110 . Rotating platform  114  rests on an upper surface of inwardly protruding lip  128 . 
   A mailbox lid or cover  136  covers the open top of mailbox  100 . Lid  136  is attached to rear surface  104  of mailbox  100  by a hinge  142 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a left elevational view of mailbox  100 . Ratchet gear  132  is affixed to axle  116  within the interior of mailbox  100  and adjacent an inner surface of left side  108 . A pawl  144 , interacting with ratchet gear  132 , limits rotation of axle  116  to the clockwise direction as viewed from the left side of mailbox  100  and indicated by arrows  138 . Indicator arm  124  and sliding sleeve  126  are attached to a protruding end of axle  116 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 5   a – 5   d , there is shown a series of right side, elevational views indicating the sequence of operations performed when secure mailbox  100  is used. In operation, it is assumed that mailbox  100  is left in an unlocked, ready state in anticipation of mail delivery, as shown in  FIG. 5   a . It may be seen that a front edge of rotating platform  114  is positioned under inwardly protruding lip  128 . When the mail carrier (not shown) arrives, lid  136  is opened in anticipation of placing mail  146  ( FIG. 5   b ) into mailbox  100 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5   b , mail  146  is placed in mailbox  100  by dropping mail  146  downward from the open top in a direction indicated by arrow  148 . By pressing mail  146  against rotating platform  114 , rotating platform is moved to a substantially vertical position, thereby allowing mail  146  to pass and drop into the interior of mailbox  100 . 
   As mail  146  passes rotating platform  114 , the mail carrier continues to rotate platform  114  in a counter-clockwise direction, when viewed from the right side, as indicated by arrows  138  until an edge thereof rests on the upper surface of inwardly protruding lip  128 . At this point, the rotation of platform  114  is arrested. This state is shown in  FIG. 5   c . Mail  146  rests on an upper surface of raised mesh platform  140 . Rotating platform  114  may no longer rotate as it is constrained by an upper surface of inwardly protruding lip  128 . Ratchet gear  132  in combination with pawl  144  ( FIG. 4 ) prevents rotating platform  114  from rotating in a clockwise direction. Consequently, mail  146 , once deposited in mailbox  100 , may not be removed by simply moving platform  114 . Once rotating platform  114  is retained against an upper surface of inwardly protruding lip  128 , any outgoing mail, not shown, placed in the mailbox  100  and held by mail retaining clip  134  is easily removed by the mail carrier. 
   Mail  146  is removed from mailbox  100  as shown in  FIG. 5   d . When lock  122  is unlocked, front door  118  may be opened by rotating front door  118  forward, thereby withdrawing inwardly protruding lip  128  and thus allowing rotating platform  114  to again rotate in a counter-clockwise direction as indicted by arrows  138 . As rotating platform  114  again reaches a substantially vertical position, mail  146  may readily be withdrawn from mailbox  100  through the top opening. Once front door  118  is again closed and secured by lock  122 , mailbox  100  is returned to the state shown in  FIG. 5   a  and is again ready to accept mail. 
   If outgoing mail is to be placed in mailbox  100 , this may be accomplished before front door  118  is closed and locked. When outgoing mail is present, sliding sleeve  126  is moved to a position on indicator arm  124  so as to signal the mail carrier that mail is present. 
   In alternate embodiments, an optional coil or similar spring, not shown, may be used to bias rotating platform  114 , thereby urging its continued counter-clockwise rotation. 
   The inventive mailbox configuration provides security to delivered mail without imposing undue constraints on the mail carrier by requiring extra effort on his or her part during mail delivery. In addition, because the mailbox must be “reset” after each mail delivery, if a mail carrier unexpectedly finds a mailbox into which mail can not be placed, this fact may be reported to a supervisor and follow-up with the mail patron may be undertaken. If an elderly or otherwise infirm patron has fallen or for other reasons has been unable to come to the mailbox, an appropriate care agency may be notified for follow up. 
   It is possible that a subscription monitoring program could be implemented wherein a barcode, not shown, on the inside of the cover (or elsewhere accessible to the mail carrier) may be scanned and the fact that a particular mailbox was unexpectedly found in a locked configuration automatically reported via e-mail, the internet, etc. to a relative or friend of the postal patron. In this way, the friend or relative may be notified of a potential problem with the postal patron (i.e., they are bed ridden, have fallen, or any other condition that may have prevented their retrieving mail and resetting the mailbox. 
   Likewise, if a mail patron is on vacation and has asked for a hold on mail, then mailbox  100  may be left in a locked configuration; neither the original mail carrier nor a substitute mail carrier can inadvertently deliver mail. 
   Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. 
   Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.