Patent Publication Number: US-9839314-B2

Title: Mailbox with insert

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This United States Non-Provisional Application is a continuation of International PCT Application No. PCT/US16/40720, filed Jul. 1, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 15/078,928, filed Mar. 23, 2016. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of mailboxes and devices for mailboxes. More particularly, the present invention relates to an insert for mailboxes to prevent water from pooling in the interior of the mailbox. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Mailboxes are commonly located in the outdoors, where they are subject to a variety of conditions which may degrade their structure over time. Such conditions can include, but are not limited to, corrosion, water or excessive humidity inside the mailbox, accidental damage, and vandalism. Any degradation to a mailbox can result in cracks or holes in the mailbox structure, which can further result in water from storms or sprinklers leaking into the interior of the mailbox. 
     Mailbox doors are particularly vulnerable to water penetration, since mailbox doors experience wear and tear from regular use. Over time, the locking mechanism of the door tends to degrade, leading to a poor seal around the mailbox body. Mailbox doors also have a tendency to open during strong wind conditions, which can lead to water entering the interior of the mailbox and damaging any mail contained therein. 
     Most mailboxes are equipped with drain holes on their bottom side to facilitate the draining of any water that may tend to pool up in the interior of the mailbox. However, if mail is situated in the mailbox such that it blocks the drain holes while water is leaking into the mailbox, the water will not have an easy outlet and will thus tend to pool in the interior of the mailbox, potentially ruining the mail. As a result, demand exists for an easily configurable mailbox insert designed to protect mail from pooling water and ensure that leaking water has continuous access to the mailbox drainage holes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in aspects of this invention, enhancements are provided to the existing model of mailbox inserts. 
     Aspects of the present invention relate to a mailbox with a mailbox insert for keeping mail above the interior surface of the mailbox while allowing water to drain out of the mailbox. 
     In related aspects, the mailbox insert can be configured to expand and contract along its length and width, thereby ensuring that the mailbox insert will be usable for a wide variety of mailbox dimensions. 
     In an aspect, a mailbox insert can include:
         a) a front section, including:
           i) a front flat portion;   ii) a slanted portion, which is connected to a front end of the front flat portion, such that the slanted portion slants downward from the front flat portion;   iii) a front support, which is connected to the slanted portion, such that the front support is configured as a rearward protruding hook;   iv) a middle support, which is connected to the front flat portion, such that the middle support is configured as a forward protruding hook; and   v) a front lateral adjustment component;   
           b) a rear section, including:
           i) a rear flat portion;   ii) a rear support, which is connected to a rear end of the rear flat portion, such that the rear support is configured as a forward protruding hook;   iii) a rear lateral adjustment component; and   iv) at least one side hook, which is connected to a side of the rear flat portion, such that the at least one side hook is configured as an inward protruding hook;   
           wherein the front flat portion is configured to be insertable into the at least one side hook such that the front section is slidably coupled to the rear section, thereby allowing a user to change a length of the mailbox insert; and   wherein the front lateral adjustment component and the rear lateral adjustment component are configured to expand and contract laterally, thereby allowing a user to change a width of the mailbox insert.       

     In related aspects, the mailbox insert can be designed to be inexpensive, lightweight, sturdy, waterproof, convenient, and configurable for a wide variety of mailbox interior dimensions. In related aspects, the mailbox insert can reduce the likelihood of water pooling in the interior of a mailbox and causing water damage to mail in the interior of the mailbox. 
     In other related aspects, the mailbox insert does not require special tools to assemble or configure. 
     In other related aspects, once the mailbox insert has been properly assembled and configured by a user, the mailbox insert can remain in the interior of a mailbox without the need for further intervention by the user. 
     In other related aspects, the mailbox insert can be configured without the front and rear lateral adjustment components, whereby the mailbox insert has a fixed width. 
     In other related aspects, the mailbox insert can be configured such that the front section and rear section are permanently attached, whereby the mailbox insert has a fixed length. 
     In other related aspects, the mailbox insert can comprise a mesh structure, wherein the mesh structure comprises a plurality of diamond-shaped apertures that facilitate the draining and evaporation of water in the interior of the mailbox. 
     In other related aspects, the mailbox insert can be configured such that the mailbox insert is permanently connected to the interior of the mailbox. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a perspective view of a mailbox with a mailbox insert, showing the mailbox as transparent, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates a perspective view of a mailbox with a mailbox insert, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 1C  illustrates a perspective view of a mailbox insert, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a top perspective view of a mailbox insert, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a mailbox insert, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a mailbox insert, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of a lateral adjustment component of a mailbox insert, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of a lateral adjustment component of a mailbox insert, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of a mailbox insert, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a front view of a mailbox insert, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of a mailbox insert, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of a mailbox insert, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of a mailbox insert, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a side view of a mailbox insert, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before describing the invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention resides primarily in a novel and non-obvious combination of elements and process steps. So as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will readily be apparent to those skilled in the art, certain conventional elements and steps have been presented with lesser detail, while the drawings and specification describe in greater detail other elements and steps pertinent to understanding the invention. 
     The following embodiments are not intended to define limits as to the structure or method of the invention, but only to provide exemplary constructions. The embodiments are permissive rather than mandatory and illustrative rather than exhaustive. 
     In the following, we describe the structure of an embodiment of a mailbox insert  100  with reference to  FIG. 1A , in such manner that like reference numerals refer to like components throughout; a convention that we shall employ for the remainder of this specification. 
     In an embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , a mailbox  190  can include:
         a) a mailbox body  192 , wherein the mailbox body  192  is configured to define a mailbox interior  194 ; and   b) a mailbox insert  100 , which can be positioned inside the mailbox interior  194 .       

     In a related embodiment, the mailbox insert  100  can be permanently attached to the mailbox body  192 , inside the mailbox interior  194 , for example by use of an adhesive, by welding, or as part of injection molding. 
     In a related embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1C , a mailbox insert  100  can include:
         a) a front section  110 , including:
           i) a front flat portion  111 ;   ii) a slanted portion  112 , which is connected to a front end  113  of the front flat portion  111 , such that the slanted portion  112  slants downward from the front flat portion  111 ;   iii) a front support  140 , which is connected to the slanted portion  112 , such that the front support  140  is configured as a rearward protruding hook;   iv) a middle support  141 , which is connected to the front flat portion  111 , such that the middle support  141  is configured as a forward protruding hook; and   v) a front lateral adjustment component  160 ; and   
           b) a rear section  120 , including:
           i) a rear flat portion  121 ;   ii) a rear support  150 , which is connected to a rear end  123  of the rear flat portion  121 , such that the rear support  150  is configured as a forward protruding hook;   iii) a rear lateral adjustment component  170 ; and   iv) at least one side hook  151 , which is connected to a side of the rear flat portion  121 , such that the at least one side hook  151  is configured as an inward protruding hook;   
           wherein the front, middle, and rear supports  140   141   150  are configured to enable the mailbox insert  100  to rest stably inside the interior of a mailbox body  192 , when the mailbox insert  100  is inserted into the mailbox body  192 ;   wherein the front flat portion  111  is configured to be insertable into the at least one side hook  151  such that the front section  110  is slidably coupled to the rear section  120  along a longitudinal axis of the mailbox insert  100 , thereby allowing a user to change a length  230 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , of the mailbox insert  100 ; and   wherein the front lateral adjustment component  160  and the rear lateral adjustment component  170  are configured to expand and contract along a lateral axis of the mailbox insert  100 , thereby allowing the user to change a width of the mailbox insert  100 .       

     In a related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , a mailbox  190  can comprise a mailbox body  192  and a door  196 . The mailbox body  192  can define a mailbox interior  194  for receiving mail. In certain embodiments, the mailbox insert  100  can be removably inserted into the mailbox  190 . In other embodiments, the mailbox insert  100  can be configured such that it is attached to the mailbox interior  194 . The mailbox insert  100  can be attached to the mailbox interior  194  by glue, welds, bolts, or via any other method known to those skilled in the art. The mailbox insert  100  may also be manufactured integrally with the mailbox  190 . 
     In a related embodiment, the front and rear flat portions  111   121  are configured to provide a substantially level flat surface that can support mail. The mailbox insert  100  can be supported on a bottom surface of an interior of the mailbox  190  by the front support  140 , middle support  141  and rear support  150 . 
     In a related embodiment,  FIG. 2  shows a top view of the mailbox insert  100 . 
     In a related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the mailbox insert  100  can have a length  230  measured along a longitudinal axis of the mailbox insert  100 . The front section  110  can be slidably coupled with the rear section  120 , so as to allow the mailbox insert  100  to longitudinally expand or contract, thereby altering the length  230  of the mailbox insert  100  to fit the dimensions of a mailbox  190 . 
     In a further related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the front section  110  can have a width  240  measured along a lateral axis of the mailbox insert  100 . 
     In a related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the front section  110  can comprise a left front section  212  and a right front section  214 . 
     In a related embodiment, the front lateral adjustment component  160  can be connected to the left front section  212  and the right front section  214  such that the front lateral adjustment component  160  can allow the front section  110  to laterally expand or contract, thereby altering the width  240  of the front section  110  to fit the dimensions of a mailbox  190 . 
     In a related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the rear section  120  can have a width  250  measured along a lateral axis of the mailbox insert  100 . 
     In a related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the rear section  120  can comprise a left rear section  222  and a right rear section  224 . 
     In a related embodiment, the rear lateral adjustment component  170  can be connected to the left rear section  222  and the right rear section  224  such that the rear lateral adjustment component  170  can allow the rear section  120  to laterally expand or contract, thereby altering the width  250  of the rear section  120  to fit the dimensions of a mailbox  190 . 
     In a related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the mailbox insert  100  can be configured such that both the left and right front sections  212   214  and the left and right rear sections  222   224  can include a drainage surface  260 . Each drainage surface  260  can be configured as a mesh structure, which includes a plurality of drainage apertures  262 . The drainage apertures  262  can be diamond-shaped, as shown in  FIG. 2 , and can also be referred to as rhombus-shaped. 
     In a related embodiment, the drainage surfaces  260  allow water to drain through the diamond-shaped apertures  262  and thereby drain to the bottom of the interior of the mailbox  190 , leaving mail that is placed on the mailbox insert  100  positioned safely above the drained water. 
     In a related embodiment, the diamond-shaped apertures  262  can be configured such that longitudinal and lateral diagonals  264   266  of the diamond-shaped apertures  262  are parallel to respectively the longitudinal and lateral directions  230   250  of the mailbox insert  100 , whereby the friction resulting from the slidably coupled configuration of the front section  110  and rear section  120  can be substantially decreased, and letters will be less likely to become stuck on the surface of the mailbox insert  100 , when the letters are inserted or retrieved from the mailbox  190 . 
     In a related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the front and rear lateral adjustment components  160   170  can be configured to include a plurality of drainage cutouts  272 . The drainage cutouts  272  can be diamond-shaped, as shown in  FIG. 2 , and can also be referred to as rhombus-shaped. The drainage cutouts  272  can be configured as triangular cutouts from the bottom of the front and rear lateral adjustment components  160   170 , as will be more fully described hereinafter. The drainage cutouts  272  allow water to drain through the drainage cutouts  272  and thereby drain to the bottom of the interior of the mailbox  190 . 
     In a related embodiment, the drainage cutouts  272  can be configured such that longitudinal and lateral diagonals  274   276  of the drainage cutouts  272  are parallel to respectively the longitudinal and lateral directions  230   250  of the mailbox insert  100 . Furthermore, the lateral diagonal  276  of the drainage cutouts  272  can be configured to increase and decrease in length as the front and rear lateral adjustment components  160   170  expand and contract, respectively. 
     In a related embodiment,  FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the front section  110  of the mailbox insert  100 . 
     In a further related embodiment, the front section  110  further comprises a rear end  142 . The rear end  142  can be slidably received by the at least one side hook  151 , as shown in  FIG. 1C , thereby slidably coupling the front section  110  and the rear section  120 . 
     In a further related embodiment, the slanted portion  112  can slant downward from the front flat portion  111  at an angle  320  from the front flat portion  111 . Generally, the angle  320  can be between 5° and 85°, but in certain embodiments the angle  320  can be 90° or greater. 
     In a related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the front flat portion  111  can comprise a left front flat portion  332  and a right front flat portion  334 . Furthermore, the slanted portion  112  can comprise a left slanted portion  342  and a right slanted portion  344 . The left slanted portion  342  can slant downward from the left front flat portion  332 , and the right slanted portion  344  can slant downward from the right front flat portion  334 . 
     In a further related embodiment, the left front section  212  can comprise the left front flat portion  332  and the left slanted portion  342 . In a yet further related embodiment, the right front section  214  can comprise the right front flat portion  334  and the right slanted portion  344 . 
     In a further related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the front section  110  can be configured such that the front lateral adjustment component  160  is connected to the left front flat portion  332  and the right front flat portion  334  such that the front lateral adjustment component  160  is between the left front flat portion  332  and the right front flat portion  334 . 
     In another further related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the front support  140  can be configured as two front supports  140 , which can provide space for the front lateral adjustment component  160 . 
     In a further related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the middle support  141  can be configured as two middle supports  141 , which can provide space for the front lateral adjustment component  160 . The middle supports  141  can be connected to the front flat portion  111  at a distance  310  away from the sides of the front flat portion  111  such that the middle supports  141  do not interfere with the at least one side hook  151  when the front section  110  and the rear section  120  are slidably coupled, as shown in  FIGS. 1C and 2 . 
     In a related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the middle supports  141  can be configured as forward protruding hooks. However, in other embodiments the middle supports  141  can be configured as rearward protruding hooks or straight legs. Similarly, the front supports  140  are depicted in  FIG. 3  as rearward protruding hooks. However, in other embodiments the front supports can be configured as forward protruding hooks or straight legs. 
     In a related embodiment, the front section  110  can be fully supported by the front supports  140  and middle supports  141 , whereby in certain embodiments the front section  110  can be placed in a mailbox  190  as a standalone mailbox insert without the rear section  120 . 
     In a related embodiment,  FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the rear section  120  of the mailbox insert  100 . 
     In a related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the rear flat portion  121  can comprise a left rear flat portion  432  and a right rear flat portion  434 . 
     In a related embodiment, the left rear section  222  can comprise the left rear flat portion  432 , and the right rear section  224  can comprise the right rear flat portion  434 . 
     In a further related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the rear section  120  can be configured such that the rear lateral adjustment component  170  is connected to the left rear flat portion  432  and the right rear flat portion  434  such that the rear lateral adjustment component  170  is between the left front flat portion  432  and the right front flat portion  434 . 
     In a related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the rear support  150  can be configured as two rear supports  150 , which can provide space for the rear lateral adjustment component  170 . 
     In a related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the rear supports  150  can be configured as forward protruding hooks. However, in other embodiments the rear supports  150  can be configured as rearward protruding hooks or straight legs. 
     In a related embodiment, as illustrated, in  FIG. 4 , the at least one side hook  151  can be configured as two or more side hooks  151 . Furthermore, as depicted in  FIG. 4 , the side hooks  151  can be configured to extend below the rear flat portion  121 . However, in other embodiments, the side hooks  151  can extend above the rear flat portion  121 . 
     In a related embodiment, the at least one side hook  151  can be connected to the front section  110  such that the rear section  120  is slidably coupled to the front section  110  along the longitudinal axis of the mailbox insert  100 , thereby allowing a user to change a length  230  of the mailbox insert  100 . 
     In a related embodiment,  FIGS. 5 and 6  depict schematic diagrams of the front lateral adjustment component  160 . 
     In a related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the front lateral adjustment component  160  can be expanded laterally into an extended state. Similarly, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the front lateral adjustment component  160  can be contracted laterally into a compacted state. The lateral adjustment component  160  can be configured as a pleated structure comprising a plurality of panels  502  pivotally coupled by a plurality of lower hinge mechanisms  504  and upper hinge mechanisms  506 , such that:
         a) a first panel  511  is pivotally coupled to a second panel  512  by an upper hinge mechanism  506 ; and   b) a third panel  513  is pivotally coupled to the second panel  512  by a lower hinge mechanism  504 .       

     The hinge mechanisms  504   506  can be configured as plastic living hinges, i.e. thin flexible hinges made from the same material as the panels  502  that they connect, such the living hinges  504   506  can be manufactured by injection molding, as is well-known in the art. However, the hinge mechanisms  504   506  may also be manufactured using any other suitable process. The hinge mechanisms  504   506  allow the pivotally-coupled panels  502  to expand and contract the front lateral adjustment component  160  such that the front section  110  can be configured to have a range of widths  240 , not limited by the configurations depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
     In a related embodiment, the rear lateral adjustment component  170  can be configured to function similarly to the front lateral adjustment component  160 , as depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , such that the rear section  120  can be configured to have a range of widths  250 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the rear lateral adjustment component  170  can be configured to function in conjunction with the front lateral adjustment component  160  such that the width  240  of the front section  110  and the width  250  of the rear section  120  are substantially similar. 
     In a related embodiment,  FIG. 7  shows a side view of the mailbox insert  100 . 
     In a related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the mailbox insert  100  can be supported on an interior surface of a mailbox  190  by the front support  140 , middle support  141 , and rear support  150 , wherein the front, middle, and rear supports  140   141   151  can be configured to be substantially level. 
     In a related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 7 , the drainage cutouts  272  can be configured as triangular cutouts along the lower hinge mechanisms  504  of the panels  502  of both the front and rear lateral adjustment components  160   170 . Each triangular cutout forms half of the diamond shape of the drainage cutouts  272 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     In a related embodiment,  FIG. 8  shows a front view of the mailbox insert  100 . 
     In a related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the front and rear sections  110   120  can be configured such that the rear lateral adjustment component  170  is adjacent to the front lateral adjustment component  160  when the front and rear sections  110   120  are slidably coupled, so as to allow the rear lateral adjustment component  170  to expand or contract simultaneously with the front lateral adjustment component  160 . In certain embodiments, such as shown in  FIG. 8 , the rear lateral adjustment component  170  can be above the front lateral adjustment component  160 . However, in other embodiments the rear lateral adjustment component  170  can be below the front lateral adjustment component  160 . 
     In related embodiments, the mailbox insert  100  can be manufactured in plastic and/or metal materials. 
     In a related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , a mailbox insert  900  can include:
         a) a front section  910 , including:
           i) a front flat portion  911 ;   ii) a slanted portion  912 , which is connected to a front end of the front flat portion  911 , such that the slanted portion  912  slants downward from the front flat portion  911 ;   iii) a front support  940 , which is connected to the slanted portion  912 , such that the front support  940  is configured as a rearward protruding hook;   iv) a middle support  1041 , as shown in  FIG. 10 , which is connected to the front flat portion  911 , such that the middle support  1041  is configured as a forward protruding hook;   
           b) a rear section  920 , including:
           i) a rear flat portion  921 ;   ii) a rear support  950 , which is connected to a rear end of the rear flat portion  921 , such that the rear support  950  is configured as a forward protruding hook;   iii) at least one side hook  951 , which is connected to a side of the rear flat portion  921 , such that the at least one side hook  951  is configured as an inward protruding hook;   
           wherein the front flat portion  911  is configured to be insertable into the at least one side hook  951  such that the front section  910  is slidably coupled to the rear section  920  along a longitudinal axis of the mailbox insert  900 , thereby allowing a user to change a length of the mailbox insert  900  to fit the dimensions of a mailbox.       

     In a related embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the front section  910  can include a front drainage surface  970 . The front drainage surface  970  can be configured as a mesh structure, comprising diamond-shaped apertures  972 . Similarly, the rear section  920  can include a rear drainage surface  971 . The rear drainage surface  971  can be configured as a mesh structure, comprising diamond-shaped apertures  973 . The front and rear drainage surfaces  970 ,  971  allow water to drain through the diamond-shaped apertures  972 ,  973  and thereby drain to the bottom of the interior of a mailbox, leaving mail that is placed on the mailbox insert  900  positioned safely above the drained water. 
     In a related embodiment, the at least one side hook  951  can be connected to the front section  910  such that the rear section  920  is slidably coupled to the front section  910  along the longitudinal axis of the mailbox insert  900 , thereby allowing a user to change a length of the mailbox insert  900 . 
     In a related embodiment,  FIG. 10  shows a side view of the mailbox insert  900 . 
     In a related embodiment,  FIG. 10  depicts the middle support  1041 , which can be connected to the front flat portion  911 . Furthermore,  FIG. 10  depicts the middle support  1041  as a forward protruding hook, although in other embodiments the middle support  1041  can be configured as a rearward protruding hook. 
     In a related embodiment,  FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of a front section  910  of the mailbox insert  900 . 
     In a related embodiment, the middle support  1041  can be connected to the front flat portion  911  at a distance  1110  away from a side of the front flat portion  911  such that the middle support  1041  does not interfere with the at least one side hook  951  when the front section  910  and the rear section  920  are slidably coupled, as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
     In a related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the slanted portion  912  slants downward from the front flat portion  911  at an angle  1120  from the front flat portion  911 . Generally, the angle  1120  can be between 5° and 85°, but in certain embodiments the angle  1120  can be 90° or greater. 
     In a related embodiment,  FIG. 12  shows a side view of the front section  910  of the mailbox insert  900 . 
     In a related embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the front section  910 , which can also be known as a mailbox insert  910 , is fully supported by the front support  940 , which can also be known as a first support  940 , and the middle support  1041 , which can also be known as a second support  1041 , whereby in certain embodiments the front section  910  can be placed in a mailbox  190  as a standalone mailbox insert  910  without the rear section  920 . 
     In a related embodiment, the slanted portion  912  can also be known as a ramp portion  912 . Furthermore, the front flat portion  911  can also be known as a flat body  911 . 
     In a related embodiment, a mailbox insert  910  can include:
         a) a flat body  911 ;   b) an ramp portion  912 , which is connected to a front end of the flat body  911 , such that the ramp portion  912  slants downward from the flat body  911 ;   c) a first support  940 , which is connected to the ramp portion  912 ; and   d) a second support  1041 , which is connected to the flat body  911 .       

     In a related embodiment, a mailbox  190  can include:
         a) a mailbox body  192 , wherein the mailbox body  192  is configured to define a mailbox interior  194 ; and   b) a mailbox insert  910 , comprising:
           i) a flat body  911 ;   ii) an ramp portion  912 , which is connected to a front end of the flat body  911 , such that the ramp portion  912  slants downward from the flat body  911 ;   iii) a first support  940 , which is connected to the ramp portion  912 ; and   iv) a second support  1041 , which is connected to the flat body  911 ;   
           wherein the mailbox insert  910  can be configured such that the mailbox insert  910  is attached to the mailbox interior  194 .       

     The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention, which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Many such alternative configurations are readily apparent, and should be considered fully included in this specification and the claims appended hereto. Accordingly, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and thus, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.