Abstract:
Moisture resistant barrier mailbox apparatus, device and methods for inhibiting water intrusion into mailboxes where the doors can be positioned into open ends of the mailbox and/or when the doors have outer edges which wrap about open ends of the mailbox. Channel grooves and inwardly bent edges block and control water intrusion when the doors are in closed positions. The mailboxes can include drainage holes in the mailbox floors to allow for water to drain out of and not puddle inside of the mailboxes.

Description:
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
   Outdoor mailboxes have been around for many years, and come in many sizes and shapes, and are exposed to all types of weather conditions. Popular types of mailboxes include an elongated compartment such as a rectangular housing with a flat roof or curved roof, and an access door that swings open, where the door must be able to close and remain closed, especially for protection from outside elements. Being exposed to varying outdoor weather conditions means that moisture and water of varying degrees are likely to enter into the boxes even with the door being closed. The water/moisture entry problem is further compounded during severe weather conditions, such as but not limited to rainstorms, snow storms, and the like. 
   Some mailboxes have doors that can partially but weakly seal the open end of the mail box by closing under a cowling to abut against an internal face, or “rain guard” lip. With such designs, it is common for water entering a mailbox with a conventional rainguard will tend to disperse or splatter the interior of the mailbox to varying degrees depending upon the severity of the external weather conditions. Water can pass into the mailbox during blowing rainstorms, where the internal lip edge does not block or control the water entering into the box. Current mailboxes also do not allow for water entering the interior to be controlled and released from the boxes. Instead splatter and puddles form inside of the mailboxes. Thus, mail type contents inside become damaged by being exposed to weather elements, where paper and cardboard items may become irreparably damaged. 
   Other types of mailboxes have exterior doors that wraps about an open end of a mailbox. Similarly, rainwater and the like, can easily be driven between a wrapped door edges into the mailbox. Also, these current mailboxes also do not allow for trapped water to be released from the boxes and instead become puddles inside of the mailboxes. Thus, mail type contents inside become damaged by being exposed to weather elements, where paper and cardboard items become irreparably damaged. 
   Still furthermore, these current mailbox doors will often fail to stay shut during rainstorms. An open mailbox is clearly prone to water intrusion that damages mail type contents. Failure to secure the mailbox door in a closed position will allow for the mailbox contents to become dislodged and lost, and even stolen overtime. 
   Still furthermore, mailboxes that allow for water intrusion have a reduced lifespan since the inside moisture and water can further more quickly deteriorate the box, by oxidation, rust, and the like. 
   Adding extra sealing materials such as weather stripping and the like, would be generally impractical. The cost of adding weather stripping and the like, with or without extra fasteners, can substantially raise the cost of inexpensive mailboxes making them impractical to be manufactured and sold. Still furthermore, weather stripping such as rubber and elastomeric material, would not last long due to extreme environmental conditions. For example, heat can act quickly and harshly, on seals and gaskets causing the materials to dry up, rot, and disintegrate. Self-stick adhesive materials can similarly dry out as well. Any added on material would also be prone to separate, peel, and/or fall off the box. Additionally, adding weather stripping by mechanical fasteners can further create manufacturing concerns that detract from the mailbox. Adding extra materials can potentially create snag hazards for clothes, in addition to possibly creating sharp edges that can scratch and puncture persons using the mailbox. 
   The inventor is not aware of apparatus, devices and methods that overcome all the problems listed above. Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a moisture resistant barrier mailbox apparatus, device and method for inhibiting water intrusion into mailboxes where the doors close under a cowling and into an open end of the mailbox. 
   A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide a moisture resistant barrier mailbox apparatus, device and method for inhibiting water intrusion into mailboxes where the doors close over the outer edges which wrap about open ends of the mailbox. 
   A third objective of the present invention is to provide a moisture resistant barrier mailbox apparatus, device and method for inhibiting water intrusion which also secures the door in a shut position that is not prone to easily reopen. 
   A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide a moisture resistant barrier mailbox apparatus, device and method for inhibiting water intrusion into mailboxes which reduces chances of mail type contents from becoming dislodged and lost, and stolen overtime. 
   A fifth objective of the present invention is to provide a moisture resistant barrier mailbox apparatus, device and method for inhibiting water intrusion into mailboxes that does not require extra parts such as weather stripping and/or extra fasteners. 
   A sixth objective of the present invention is to provide a moisture resistant barrier mailbox apparatus, device and method for inhibiting water intrusion into mailboxes and which allows for water and moisture inside of the box to not puddle, and instead to drain outside of the mailbox. 
   A seventh objective of the present invention is to provide a moisture resistant barrier mailbox apparatus, device and method for inhibiting water intrusion into mailboxes that helps extend the operational life of the mailbox. 
   The invention covers a moisture resistant barrier mailbox apparatus, device and method for inhibiting water intrusion into mailboxes where the doors wedge into open ends of the mailbox. 
   A preferred embodiment of a novel mailbox for receiving mail using the invention can include a chamber having an inside compartment and at least one open end, a channel groove about the one open end of the chamber, and a door pivotally attached to the open end of the chamber that swings from a closed position to an open position, wherein the door in the closed position has a portion that protrudes into the channel groove, and seals the inside compartment from water intrusion. 
   The channel groove can include a left channel groove along a left front wall to the open end, and a right channel groove along a right front wall to the open end of the mailbox. The left channel groove and the right channel groove can each include upper curved portions. 
   The mailbox can further include at least one a through-hole opening in a floor of the mailbox adjacent to the open end for allowing water to drain outside of the mailbox. For example, the mailbox can include a left through-hole opening in a floor of the mailbox adjacent to the left channel groove for allowing water to drain outside of the mailbox, and/or a right through-hole opening in a floor of the mailbox adjacent to the right channel groove for allowing water to drain outside of the mailbox. 
   The mailbox door can include inwardly bent outer edges for allowing the door to partially close under a cowling into the open end of the mailbox, wherein the inwardly bent outer edges fit into the channel groove when the door is in the closed position. 
   The door can include a pair of inwardly bent outer edges, wherein one of the inwardly bent outer edges fits into the channel groove when the door is in the closed position, and an outer inwardly bent outer edge wraps about and outside to the open end of the chamber. 
   The mailbox chamber, the channel groove and the door can be formed from metal. The mailbox chamber, the channel groove and the door can be formed from plastic. 
   The mailbox can further include a second channel groove about another open end of the chamber, and a second door pivotally attached to the second open end of the chamber that swings from a closed position to an open position, wherein the second door in the closed position has a portion that protrudes into the second channel groove, and seals the inside compartment from water intrusion. 
   The channel groove can include an inner portion that allows for the door to have a snap fit when in the closed position. 
   Another embodiment of the mailbox can include a chamber having an inside compartment and at least one open end, a left channel groove along a left front wall to the open end, the left channel groove having an upper inwardly curved portion, a right channel groove along a right front wall to the open end, the right channel groove having an upper inwardly curved portion, a door pivotally attached to the open end of the chamber that swings from a closed position to an open position, the door having inwardly bent outer edges, wherein the inwardly bent outer edges of the door protrudes into the channel groove when the door is in the closed position, and seals the inside compartment from water intrusion. 
   The mailbox door can include a single inwardly bent outer edge that allows the door to partially wedge into the open end of the chamber. The inwardly outer edge can include a pair of inwardly bent outer edges being parallel to one another, wherein an outer inwardly bent outer edge wraps about and outside to the open end of the chamber. 
   Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective left front end view of a mailbox with the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective right front end view of the mailbox of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a right side view of the mailbox of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a front end view of the mailbox of  FIG. 3  along arrow X 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the mailbox of  FIG. 3  along arrow Y 1 . 
       FIG. 6  is a right side view of the mailbox of  FIG. 3  with door open. 
       FIG. 7  is another perspective left front end view of the mailbox of  FIG. 1  with open door. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective lower left front end view of the mailbox with open door of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective right front end view of the mailbox of  FIG. 2  with door open. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective lower right front end view of the open door mailbox of  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 11  is a front end view of the mailbox of  FIG. 4  with open door. 
       FIG. 12  is a partial exposed view of the inside of the mailbox. 
       FIG. 12A  is an enlarged view of the novel channel grooves and door edges. 
       FIG. 13  is a right side partial cross-sectional view of the mailbox with door open. 
       FIG. 14  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an angled door edge in a channel groove. 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective right front view of a wrapping door for the mailbox invention. 
       FIG. 16  is a right side view of the mailbox and closed door of  FIG. 15 . 
       FIG. 17  is a bottom view of the mailbox and closed door of  FIG. 15 . 
       FIG. 18  is another perspective right front view of the mailbox of  FIG. 15  with door open. 
       FIG. 19  is a perspective right lower front view of the mailbox of  FIG. 18  with door open. 
       FIG. 20  is a perspective left front view of the mailbox of  FIG. 15  with door open. 
       FIG. 21  is a perspective left lower front view of the mailbox of  FIG. 20  with door open. 
       FIG. 22  is a right side view of the mailbox of  FIG. 16  with door open. 
       FIG. 23  is a perspective front end view of the mailbox without a door. 
       FIG. 24  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the wrapping door in a closed position on the mailbox of the preceding figures. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
   A listing of components will now be described.
     Mailbox  1     Front end of mailbox  10     Left front end wall  12     Curved front top roof  14  (with front cowling end)   Right front end wall  16     Mailbox door  20     Left side inwardly protruding door edge  22     Curved roof inwardly protruding door edge  24     Right side inwardly protruding door edge  26     Flat bottom edge of door  28     Main chamber of mailbox  30     Left wall of main chamber  32     Left lower hanging sidewall  33     Roof of main chamber  34     Right wall of main chamber  34     Right wall of main chamber  36     Right lower hanging sidewall  37     Floor with parallel longitudinal indentations  38  (can slope forward for drainage)   Rear end of mailbox  40     Handle for mailbox  50     Left pivot hinge  62     Fasteners for attaching pivot hinged to both door and lower left front end of mailbox  63     Right pivot hinge  66     Fasteners for attaching pivot hinge to both door and lower right front end of mailbox  67     Flag  70     Drainage channel grooves  100     Flat C-shaped longitudinal base plate/band  104     Left side channel groove  110     Left bent flange  114     Upper left roof curved channel groove  120     Upper left bent flange  124     Upper right roof curved channel groove  130     Upper right bent flange  134     Right side channel groove  140     Right bent flange  144     Door mount flange on mailbox front end roof  150     Door closer magnet  155     Optional Vibration and Sound absorbing and dampening weather strip  190     Mailbox with door that wraps about outside of front end  200     Open end  210     Wrapping door  220     Left side inwardly protruding door edge  222 A   Outer left side inwardly protruding door edge  22 B   Curved roof inwardly protruding door edge  224 A   Outer curved roof inwardly protruding door edge  224 B   Right side inwardly protruding door edge  226 A   Outer curved roof inwardly protruding door edge  226 B   Chamber  230     Left wall of main chamber  232     Left lower hanging sidewall  233     Roof of main chamber  234     Right wall of main chamber  236     Right lower hanging sidewall  237     Floor with parallel longitudinal indentations  238  (can slope forward for drainage)   Door handle  250     Left door hinge  262     Right door hinge  266     Left side channel groove  310     Upper left roof curved channel groove  320     Upper right roof curved channel groove  330     Right side channel groove  340     

     FIG. 1  is a perspective left front end view of a mailbox  1  with the invention.  FIG. 2  is a perspective right front end view of the mailbox  1  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a right side view of the mailbox  1  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is a front end view of the mailbox  1  of  FIG. 3  along arrow X 1 .  FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the mailbox  1  of  FIG. 3  along arrow Y 1 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , the closed mailbox  1  can include an exterior having a front end  10 , with a door  20  with handle  50  that closes into part of the front end  10  (under a cowling type roof edge) of the mailbox  1 , a main chamber  30 , and rear end  40 . The front end  10  of the mailbox  1 , can include an outwardly extending left front end wall  12 , an outwardly extending curved front top roof  14 , and an outwardly extending right front end wall  16 , each of which can extend out from the closed door  20 . The novel features of the door  20  will be described in more detail with the  FIGS. 6-11  showing the door  20  in an open position. A flag  70  can be attached to side wall  36  and can pivot up and down similar to those on existing mailboxes. The components of the mailbox  1  can be made from metal such as aluminum, galvanized steel, and the like, with the metal having a powder coated finish. 
     FIG. 6  is a right side view of the mailbox  1  of  FIG. 3  with door  20  open.  FIG. 7  is another perspective left front end view of the mailbox  1  of  FIG. 1  with open door  20 .  FIG. 8  is a perspective lower left front end view of the mailbox  1  with open door  20  of  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 9  is a perspective right front end view of the mailbox  1  of  FIG. 2  with door  20  open.  FIG. 10  is a perspective lower right front end view of the open door  20  of the mailbox  1  of  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 11  is a front end view of the mailbox  1  of  FIG. 4  with open door  20 .  FIG. 12  is a partial exposed view of the inside of the mailbox  1 .  FIG. 12A  is an enlarged view of the novel channel grooves  100  and door edges  22 ,  24  and  26 .  FIG. 13  is a right side partial cross-sectional view of the mailbox  1  wit door  20  open. 
     FIG. 14  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an angled door edge  22  in a channel groove  110  formed by bent metal flange  114  and flat C-shaped longitudinal band  104 , when the door  20  is in a closed position with the mailbox  1 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-14 , the door  20  can be opened by pulling handle outward in the direction of arrow O. The door  20  can be attached to the main chamber  30 , by a left pivot hinge  62 . Fasteners  63 , such as but not limited to screws, and the like, can be used for attaching the left pivot hinge  62  to both the lower left portion of the door  20  and the lower left front end  12 / 33  of the mailbox chamber  30 . The lower right portion of the door  20  can be attached to the lower right front end  16 / 37  of the chamber  30  by a right pivot hinge  66  and fasteners  67 , such as but not limited to screws, and the like. 
   The door  20  can be closed by moving the handle  50  with the door  20  backward in the direction of arrow O, so that magnet  155  on a door mount flange on mailbox front end roof  150 , is close enough to attract an upper metal interior surface portion of the metal door  20  which keeps the door  20  in a closed position. 
   The floor  39  of the mailbox  1  can have parallel longitudinal indentations  38  that can slope forward to enhance any drainage of water and moisture that may get into the mailbox  1 , if and when the door  20  is opened during rainstorms, and other wet conditions, and the like. The floor can be horizontal or partially sloped or tilted to the open end of the mailbox to enhance drainage effects if water gets inside. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 7-13 , about the front end  10  of the mailbox  1  and behind the outwardly protruding front end walls  12 ,  14  and  16  can be drainage channel grooves  100 . The drainage grooves  100  can include a left side channel groove  110  positioned inside of the front of left side wall  32  of the mailbox  1 . The left side channel groove  110  can be formed from a bent metal flange  114  that attaches to a flat C-shaped longitudinal base plate/band  104 , forming a U shaped groove therebetween. 
   The drainage grooves  100  can further include an upper left roof curved channel groove  120  and an upper right curved channel groove  130  both positioned inside the front of roof  34  of the mailbox  1 . The upper left and right roof curved channel grooves  120 ,  130  can be formed from bent metal flanges  124 ,  134  that attach to the flat C-shaped longitudinal base plate/band  104  forming a U-shaped groove therebetween. A space can exist between the upper left curved channel groove  102  and the upper right curved channel groove  130  to allow for the magnet  155  and mount  150 . 
   The drainage grooves  100  can further include a right side channel groove  140  positioned inside the front of right side wall  36  of mailbox  1 . The right side channel groove  140  can be formed from a bent metal flange  144  that attaches to the flat C-shaped longitudinal base plate/band  104 , forming a U-shaped groove therebetween. 
   The channel grooves  110 ,  120 ,  130 , and  140  can be attached inside the front end  10  of mailbox  1 , by welding the flat C-shaped longitudinal base plate/band  104  to the inside of the mailbox  1 . Alternatively, the base plate  104  can be attached by fasteners such as but not limited to rivets, screws, and the like. 
   As described, the channel grooves  110 ,  120 ,  130 , and  140  can have U-cross-sectional shapes, with groove widths of approximately 0.205 inches to allow for water drainage in that space, with the wall thickness of the metal being approximately 0.024 inches thick, and the depth of the grooves  110 ,  120 ,  130  and  140  can be approximately 0.551 inches. The bent metal flanges  114 ,  124 ,  134  and  144  can extend outward approximately 0.157 inches from the flat C-shaped longitudinal base plate/band  104 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 7-13 , the mailbox door  20  can include a left side inwardly angled door edge  22 , a curved roof inwardly angled door edge  24 , and a right side inwardly angled door edge  26 , with the bottom edge of door  20  being flat. The inwardly angled edges  22 ,  24 ,  26  can be formed from bent edges of the door  20 , and/or be stamped edges, and the like. The flat bottom edge  28  of the door  20  can be spaced apart and be in front of the floor  39  of the mailbox  1 . The inwardly angled door edges  22 ,  24  and  26  can be approximately 0.079 inches thick, and can extend inwardly approximately 0.157 inches from the base  25  of the door  20 . 
   The size of the inwardly angled door edges  22 ,  24  and  26  allow for a snug fit into the channel grooves  110 ,  120 ,  130  and  140 , so that any moisture or water being driven toward the front closed front door  20  can become trapped outside of the chamber  30  and only drain by gravity downward to escape out the drain openings that are formed underneath the left and right channel grooves  110 , and  140  that extend in front of the floor  38  of the mailbox  1 . Additionally, other through-holes can be formed in the floor  38  to allow for additional drainage. 
   Alternatively, the angled door edges  22 ,  24  and  26  of the door  20  can have a slightly loose fit, which still allows for drainage since moisture and water would still run down the channel grooves  110 - 140  by gravity. 
   Still furthermore, an optional weather strip or silicon seal, and the like,  190 , such as but not limited to rubber type gasket, elastomeric and the like, can be inserted into some or all of the channel grooves to also enhance the waterproof seal between the outside of the door and the inside of the main chamber  30 . Additionally, the weather stripping could provide both sound and impact vibration dampening effects when the door is closed. 
   Mailbox With Door That Wraps About Open End of Mailbox 
   The preceding embodiment generally describes the invention with doors that fit into the open ends of the mailbox chamber to rest in a closed position underneath a protective overhang portion. The invention can also work with mailboxes that have doors with edges that wrap about the outer opening end of the mailbox itself. 
     FIG. 15  is a perspective right front view of a wrapping door  220  for the mailbox invention.  FIG. 16  is a right side view of the mailbox  200  and closed door  220  of  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 17  is a bottom view of the mailbox  200  and closed door  220  of  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 18  is another perspective right front view of the mailbox  200  of  FIG. 15  with door  220  open.  FIG. 19  is a perspective right lower front view of the mailbox  200  of  FIG. 18  with door  220  open.  FIG. 20  is a perspective left front view of the mailbox  200  of  FIG. 15  with door  220  open.  FIG. 21  is a perspective left lower front view of the mailbox  200  of  FIG. 20  with door  220  open.  FIG. 22  is a right side view of the mailbox  200  of  FIG. 16  with door  220  open.  FIG. 23  is a perspective front end view of the mailbox  200  without a door  220 .  FIG. 24  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the wrapping door  220  in a closed position on the mailbox  200  of the preceding figures. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 15-24 , the mailbox  200  with wrapping edge door  220  can include similar components to that of the preceding embodiment with additional features. The chamber  230  with left wall  232 , left lower hanging sidewall  233 , roof  234 , right wall  236 , and right lower hanging sidewall  237  and floor  238  correspond to similar components of the preceding embodiment. Similarly, the left side channel groove  310 , upper left roof curved channel groove  320 , upper right roof curved channel groove  330 , and right side channel groove  340 , correspond to similar numbered components in the preceding embodiment with the exception that the channel grooves are located at the open end of the mailbox  200 . 
   In this other embodiment, the door  220  can be sized to fit about and wrap around the exposed end  210  of the mailbox  200 . Door  220  can include a left side inwardly protruding door edge  222 A, curved roof inwardly protruding door edge  224 A, and right side inwardly protruding door edge  226 A, each of which can fit into the respective channel grooves  310 ,  320  and  330  of the main chamber  330 , and function similarly to that of the preceding embodiment figures. 
   In this embodiment, the door  220  can include a parallel set of outer left side inwardly protruding door edge  222 B, an outer curved roof inwardly protruding door edge  224 B, and an outer right side inwardly protruding door edge  226 B. The outer edges  222 B,  224 B and  226 B can wrap about the open end of the mailbox  200 . As shown in  FIG. 24 , both an outer channel groove  310 B and an inner channel groove  310 A can be formed that also allows for sealing the inside of the chamber  230  of the mailbox  200  from moisture and water intrusion. The dual channel grooves can each allow for water to drain downward by gravity to exit underneath the mailbox  200 . 
   Although the embodiments show the channel grooves being attached in place, the channel grooves can be molded or stampled or bent from existing ends of the main chamber. 
   While the channel grooves are part of the same material of the mailbox, the channel grooves can be a separate flange material that is attached in place, having the example, an L cross-sectional shape. 
   While the embodiments show a single door on the mailbox, the mailbox can include both a front and a rear door, with both ends of the mailbox having the novel channel groove drainage features.
         Although the embodiments describe the invention being formed from metal, and the like, the invention can include a mailbox formed from molded plastic, and the like.       

   While the embodiments show the channel about the open end of the mailbox, the channel can be part of the inside edges of the door(s) to the mailbox.
         Although the preferred embodiments show the mailbox being formed from metal, the mailbox can be formed from molded plastic and the like, with the channel grooves molded in place. Still furthermore, the channel grooves can be separately formed in plastic and adhered in place by other fastening techniques such as glue, and the like.       

   The invention can also be retrofitted into existing mailboxes and/or made to be part of newly manufactured mailboxes. 
   While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they will fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.