Abstract:
The mailbox comprises a box portion with wheel-like formations extended thereon, and a separate car body portion in the shape of a car body, but without wheels, wherein the car body portion is adapted to be mounted onto the box portion. The wheels can be molded on the box portion, or otherwise secured thereto, either permanently or removably. The car body portion can be a replica of a NASCAR racing car, with appropriate advertising on it, which can be used to promote the sponsors.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a mailbox, and in particular, a mailbox having a miniature replica of a vehicle mounted thereon.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Regular mailboxes used by homeowners are very standard in size and shape. They are typically black and serve as mailboxes, nothing more.  
         [0003]     Some people have begun to “dress up” mailboxes—i.e., give them personality. Sports enthusiasts, for example, have created mailboxes with unique designs, such as mailboxes in the shape of football helmets. This way, fans can show enthusiasm for their favorite teams, such as by having mailboxes with team logos in their front yard, which can be seen by the entire neighborhood. For example, in Green Bay, Wis., nearly everyone is a “Packers” fan. What better way to support the Packers on game day than to have a mailbox in the shape of a Packers helmet in front of the house? 
         [0004]     One of the most popular sports these days is NASCAR racing. Advertising on NASCAR racing cars, and promotional items featuring NASCAR emblems, logos and driver&#39;s names, etc., have become huge business. NASCAR is even considered to be America&#39;s number one spectator sport, surpassing football and baseball.  
         [0005]     Due to the popularity of NASCAR, there have been attempts in the past to create mailboxes in the shape of racing cars. Some of these designs are shown in Pat. Nos. Des. 346,266, Des. 371,888, Des. 347,927, Des. 411,906, Des. 441,171, Des. 443,401, and Des. 413,422. All of these designs have racing car shapes situated on a mailbox.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention relates to a combination of a mailbox with a miniature replica of a vehicle, such as a NASCAR racing car, mounted thereon.  
         [0007]     In one aspect, the invention comprises a relatively standard shaped and sized mailbox portion having a pivoting front cover for opening the compartment in which the mail is to be placed. This “box portion” is often rectangular in shape, extending lengthwise in the fore and aft direction, although not necessarily so.  
         [0008]     An important feature of the present invention relates to how the miniature replica of the vehicle is configured and mounted to the box portion. In the preferred embodiment, the vehicle portion is configured in the shape of a car body, without wheels, hereinafter referred to as the “car body portion.” For example, when NASCAR racing cars are used, this means that the car body portion is in the shape of a NASCAR racing car with logos, emblems, etc., printed on them, similar to an actual NASCAR racing car. The car body portion itself looks like a car body, but with the wheels removed.  
         [0009]     Another important feature of the invention relates to how the wheels are attached to the box portion. In the preferred embodiment, the wheels that are associated with the car body portion are preferably formed integrally on the box portion, separate from the car body portion. That is, the wheels are preferably either formed as part of the box portion, or substantially permanently affixed or secured thereto, or, the wheels can be adapted to snap into the box portion. In either case, the wheels are preferably not formed with the car body portion.  
         [0010]     For example, in one embodiment, when the box portion is made of molded plastic, and the mailbox is designed with a NASCAR racing car, there are preferably four wheel-shaped formations (resembling racing car wheels) molded onto and extending from the top surface of the box portion. These wheel formations are preferably specifically shaped like miniature wheels belonging to the racing car, and located so that they fit inside the fender areas of the car body portion. The wheels can also be mounted substantially permanently onto the box portion, by any conventional means, such as when the box portion is made of metal, or is not made from molded plastic. In an alternate embodiment, the wheels can be separately molded and adapted to snap into the car body portion.  
         [0011]     Based on these designs, different car bodies with different designs, such as with different logos, emblems, driver&#39;s names, etc., on them, can be provided, so that whenever a fan wants to put on a different car body, they can easily replace the existing car body with a new car body portion, but without having to replace the wheels. That is, to replace the existing car body, one simply has to remove the car body portion, leaving behind the four wheel-shaped formations located on the box portion, so that all they have to do is replace the car body portion in order to have a new and different-looking racing car mounted on the mailbox.  
         [0012]     This allows the replacement of the car body portion to be easily accomplished and done at a relatively low cost, since only the car body portion, without the wheels, would have to be replaced. It also makes it possible to mount the car body portion, if desired, flush with the top surface of the box portion, without having to mount separate wheels or wheel-like formations to the mailbox. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a view of the mailbox of the present invention from an angle slightly forward of the mailbox lid and behind the car;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  shows a view of the mailbox of the present invention from an angle slightly ahead of the car;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of the mailbox of the present invention with the car body portion positioned above the box portion, and the lid separated from the mailbox;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention showing the wheels, which are formed separately and adapted to snap into the box portion, separated from the box portion in an exploded view;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is an end view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective rear view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , showing the wheels, which are formed separately and adapted to snap into the box portion, separated from the box portion in an exploded view;  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a detail of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 ; and  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a perspective front view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show perspective views of the present invention, with a box portion  2  situated below a car body portion  4 . The box portion  2  is preferably similar to a conventional mailbox with a lid portion  6  on one end that is hinged so that it can be opened and closed in a conventional manner. Inside box portion  2  is preferably a compartment  5 , partially shown in  FIG. 3 , in which mail, including envelopes, letters, packages, etc., can be placed.  
         [0023]     The lid portion  6  is preferably designed so that it can be closed and stay shut without accidentally being opened. This can be accomplished by any conventional means. For example, lid portion  6  can be made to have a friction fit around an opening  8  extending around one end of box portion  2 , so that friction prevents lid portion  6  from inadvertently opening. A handle (not shown) or any other means for holding lid portion  6  to make it easier to grasp can be provided. The hinges (not shown) can be located on any side-wall of box portion  2 , to allow lid portion  6  to be opened and closed.  
         [0024]     The box portion  2  can be like any conventional mailbox, and is preferably rectangular in shape, although not necessarily so. The embodiment shown has a rectangular shaped box portion  2  extending longitudinally in the fore and aft direction, with lid portion  6  located on one end (which preferably faces the street). Box portion  2  preferably has side walls  10 ,  12 , an end wall  14  at the front, and a bottom wall  16 , along with opening  8  on the back end on which lid portion  6  is located. Box portion  2  also preferably has an upper wall or portion  18 , on which the car body portion  4  can be mounted, as will be discussed. Bottom wall  16  preferably has means for providing rigidity and stability, such as ribs  22  extending horizontally across the bottom thereof, as shown in  FIG. 3 . It also preferably has connecting means (not shown), to allow the mailbox to be mounted onto a conventional mailbox post.  
         [0025]     Preferably, multiple wheel-like formations  20  are extended from upper portion  18  of box portion  2 , and along parts of the side walls  10 ,  12 . In this respect, each wheel-like formation  20  is preferably extended up from upper portion  18  of box portion  2  so that about one half of each wheel-like formation  20  extends above the upper portion  18 . From a top view, each wheel-like formation  20  preferably extends above the top surface of upper portion  18 , so that the top half of each formation  20  is visible. The other lower half of each wheel-like formation  20  is preferably extended downward, along side walls,  10 ,  12 , such that the exterior portion or side of each wheel-like formation  20  extends outward from the sides of side walls  10 ,  12 , beyond the exterior dimension of box portion  2 , and the lower interior portion of each wheel-like formation  20  is hidden from view. In this last respect, each wheel-like formation  20  is preferably located on box portion  2  such that they have the appearance of having the lower interior portion embedded or otherwise buried inside box portion  2 .  
         [0026]     In the embodiment shown, box portion  2  is molded from plastic, and the wheel-like formations  20  are molded directly into box portion  2 , as an integral part thereof For example, a single injection mold can be used to form box portion  2 , along with wheel-like formations  20 , which are incorporated into box portion  2 . This allows the wheel-like formations  20  to be easily formed and molded, at the same time that box portion  2  is formed and molded, which simplifies the manufacturing steps, and therefore, has the potential of reducing the manufacturing costs thereof.  
         [0027]     In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 4-9 , the car body portion  4  is also capable of being separated from box portion  25 , but in these embodiments, wheel-like formations  30  are formed separately and adapted to be snapped into or otherwise connected to the box portion  25 . Each wheel-like formation  30  can essentially be identical and formed from a single mold. The box portion  25 , in such case, is preferably designed with attachment means  32 , as shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , which allow wheel-like formations  30  to be easily snapped in or connected thereto. For example, attachment means  32  can be a round peg-like formation extending from box portion  25 , and a reciprocal hole or bore can be provided on the inside surface of wheel-like formations  30 , such that they can easily be mounted thereon. Any conventional means of mounting the wheel-like formations  30  onto box portion  25  is contemplated.  
         [0028]     Car body portion  4  is preferably in the shape of a miniature vehicle, such as a NASCAR racing car, although any wheeled vehicle, such as a standard automobile, truck, van, motorcycle, etc., can be replicated. When other types of vehicles are contemplated, the present invention preferably incorporates the appropriate number of wheel-like formations,  20  or  30 , on box portion,  2  or  25 , to match the particular type of vehicle involved. For example, if a motorcycle is used, box portion,  2  or  25 , would have only two wheel-like formations,  20  or  30 , extending from the middle of upper portion  18 .  
         [0029]     Car body portion  4  is preferably formed in the shape of a car body, but without wheels, to allow car body portion  4  to be mounted on top of box portion,  2  or  25 , above the wheel-like formations,  20  or  30 , such that the wheel-like formations,  20  or  30 , have the appearance of being connected to car body portion  4 . The car body portion  4  preferably has open fender areas  24  with the appropriate size and spacing, which are lined up to match the four wheel-like formations,  20  or  30 , such that when car body portion  4  is mounted on box portion,  2  or  25 , the wheel-like formations,  20  or  30 , are positioned respectively within the appropriate open fender areas  24 . This way, when car body portion  4  is mounted on box portion,  2  or  25 , there is the appearance that the wheel-like formations,  20  or  30 , form the wheels that are part of the car body portion  4 .  
         [0030]     A plurality of connectors  26 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , are preferably provided on the inside of car body portion  4 , which allow car body portion  4  to be easily mounted onto box portion  2  and removed when necessary. For example, the four connectors  26  can be extended vertically down from inside car body portion  4 , wherein each connector  26  can be provided with a female screw mounting hole  27  for mounting onto the upper portion  18  of box portion  2 . A male screw mount with a hole (not shown) can be extended up on reciprocal areas from upper portion  18 , so that a screw can be inserted from inside box portion  2  and into the mounting holes  27  on connectors  26 , to mount car body portion  4  onto box portion  2 , i.e., by tightening the screws from inside compartment  5 .  
         [0031]      FIGS. 5-9  show upper portion  18  of box portion  25  with connecting surfaces  34  extended thereon, wherein the connecting surfaces  34  are adapted to enable car body portion  4  to be mounted thereon at a predetermined height and position. Any conventional means of mounting car body portion  4  onto box portion  25  is contemplated. In these embodiments, it can be seen that the four connecting surfaces  34  are situated on extended areas  35  on top of box portion  25 , wherein the extended areas  35  are adapted to form the four attachments means  32 , on which the four wheel-like formations  30  can be secured.  
         [0032]     Car body portion  4  is preferably formed from plastic, although not necessarily so, from a single injection mold. Because there are no wheels that have to be formed with car body portion  4 , the car body portion  4  is easier to manufacture, i.e., than had the wheels been formed on car body portion  4 . This way, the cost of producing replacement car body portions  4  is reduced, to make it easier for car body portions to be replaced, such as when a fan wants to place a new car on the mailbox.  
         [0033]     In the preferred NASCAR embodiment, the car body portion  4  is preferably provided with the same logos, emblems, and/or other designs that would normally be found on a real NASCAR racing car. For example, they can be provided with not only the driver&#39;s name and car number, but also the typical forms of printed advertisements that are normally found on NASCAR cars, such as those sponsored by STP, HONDA, GOODYEAR, etc. In this respect, any sponsor or promoter who ordinarily uses NASCAR racing cars to promote their products and services could also use the mailboxes of the present invention to promote their products and services, using similar promotional methods, but on mailboxes in miniature form.