Patent Publication Number: US-7216798-B2

Title: Mailbox system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/628,805 filed Nov. 17, 2004, the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 

   TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates generally to mailboxes, and more particularly, to mailbox systems for use with residential, commercial and/or other properties. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   It is not uncommon to see numerous types of mailboxes installed along streets, driveways, sidewalks, etc., particularly when driving through a neighborhood or housing development. These mailboxes can vary widely in appearance, construction, functionality and purpose, but usually include a vertical post and a horizontal rail supporting some type of mail-receiving receptacle. Some mailboxes are rather plain and utilitarian, while others are highly decorative and provide aesthetic as well as functional benefits. 
   Various types of mailboxes, mailbox systems, signposts, etc. have been developed, including the ones disclosed in U.S. Design Pat. No. D495,110 issued to Sarich on Aug. 24, 2004; U.S. Pat. No. 1,495,741 issued to Higdon on May 27, 1924; U.S. Pat. No. 5,903,991 issued to Sasse on May 18, 1999 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,284 issued to Sandlin on Feb. 4, 2003. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mailbox system that includes at least two vertical posts, a horizontal rail, a decorative component and a mailbox. The horizontal rail and decorative component extend between and are mounted to the vertical posts. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a signage assembly that includes at least two vertical posts, at least two horizontal rails and a decorative component. The horizontal rails and the decorative component extend between the vertical posts, and the horizontal rails and vertical posts connect to one another via a series of snap-fit assembly features. 
   In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of assembling a mailbox system. 
   Some objects, features and advantages of this invention include, but are certainly not limited to, providing a mailbox system for use with residential, commercial and/or other properties, and providing a design that is of relatively simple design, pleasing aesthetic appearance, economical manufacture and assembly, and has a long and useful life in service. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and best mode, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the mailbox system; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the mailbox system embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the mailbox system embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a rear view of the mailbox system embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of a portion of the mailbox system embodiment of  FIG. 1 , which includes assembly features for connecting the horizontal rails to the vertical posts; and 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the mailbox system. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   With reference to  FIGS. 1–4 , there is shown an embodiment of a mailbox system  10  that is sturdy and durable, easy to manufacture, assemble and customize, and is aesthetically pleasing to look at. Mailbox system  10  generally includes a pair of vertical posts  12  and  14 , a pair of horizontal rails  16  and  18 , a decorative component  20  such as a flag, a mailbox  22  and a newspaper receptacle  24 . 
   Vertical posts  12  and  14  are designed to support the other components of mailbox system  10 , and each respectively includes a lower end  30 ,  32 , an upper end  34 ,  36  and a series of assembly features, which are shown in  FIG. 5  and described later. Vertical post  12  is largely the same as vertical post  14 , thus, the following explanation of vertical post  12  applies equally to post  14 , unless stated otherwise. According to a preferred embodiment, vertical post  12  is an elongated member having a hollow, rectangular cross-section (4″×4″) and is made from a plastic or otherwise synthetic material, such as a PVC vinyl material where the PVC is co-extruded with recycled PVC. Lower end  30  can either be a squared off hollow end, as shown in the drawings, or it can be affixed with some type of sharp component for inserting it into the ground. Upper end  34  is preferably a squared off hollow end capable of receiving one of a number of post caps, including the decorative post caps  38  and  40  shown in the drawings. Other post caps such as ones that are spherical, gothic-themed or illuminated, to name but a few, can also be attached to upper ends  34  and  36 , as the post caps are preferably interchangeable. In the case of illuminated post caps, the illumination can be powered by a standard electrical connection brought up through the hollow interior of the vertical posts, or by solar energy. 
   Horizontal rail  16  spans the distance between the two vertical posts  12 ,  14  and thus ensures a predetermined post spacing; in addition, rail  16  provides stability and structural integrity to the overall assembly. Like the vertical posts, horizontal rail  16  is preferably made from a plastic material, such as a PVC vinyl, and is hollow throughout its length. According to the embodiment shown here, horizontal rail  16  is a generally flat, elongated member having a first end  50 , a second end  52 , and a hollow, rectangular cross-section. Horizontal rail  16  is arranged in a flat orientation, as opposed to the on-end orientation of rail  18 , such that its wider dimension is facing upwards. This flat orientation allows the horizontal rail to better support one or more ornaments  54 , as there is more surface area for the ornament to rest on. Of course, the decorative whale ornament  54  shown here could be replaced with one of a number of other ornaments, including business or family name plates, or it could be omitted altogether. Each of the ends  50  and  52  of horizontal rail  16  has assembly features that provide for easy connection with vertical posts  12  and  14 ; the assembly features are shown in  FIG. 5  and are subsequently explained in greater detail. 
   Horizontal rail  18  is preferably the same length as rail  16 , and is also a generally flat, elongated member made of a plastic material. However, rail  18  is arranged according to on-end orientation such that it can clearly display indicia of the owner&#39;s choice. Though it is not necessary, the combination of the ‘flat’ orientation of rail  16  and the ‘on-end’ orientation of rail  18  provides additional structural integrity to the overall mailbox system  10 . Horizontal rail  18  connects with the vertical posts via a set of assembly features, which will be described later, and includes a first end  60 , a second end  62 , and a hollow rectangular cross-section. 
   The decorative component  20  shown here is an American flag mounted on a flagpole, but could be another flag or decorative component altogether. Flag  20  is supported by a horizontally-aligned flag pole  70  which, according to a preferred embodiment, is a commonly available dowel rod that is inserted through holes in vertical posts  12  and  14 . Additional features like a cotter pin could be used to prevent flag pole  70  from being inadvertently backed out of the holes in the vertical posts. Moreover, it is preferable that the spacing between vertical posts  12  and  14  and the height of flagpole  70  off of the ground be such that it accommodates conventionally sized flags (usually 30″ in width) so that the flag is flown properly and does not touch the ground. Inconspicuous lighting could be added to the inward facing sides of vertical posts  12  and  14  such that they illuminate decorative component  20 ; this is particularly desirable when decorative component  20  is a flag. 
   Mailbox  22  is preferably a standard size mailbox having a hinged door  80  and a mail indicator  82 , and is mounted on newspaper receptacle  24  with a series of screws or other fasteners. Newspaper receptacle  24  is generally a hollow, square cross-sectioned receptacle that is sized to receive newspapers, circulars, magazines, catalogues, etc. In order to attach the newspaper receptacle and the mailbox to vertical post  14 , an L-bracket (not shown) is screwed to the vertical post. Screws through the vertical and/or horizontal legs of this L-bracket retain newspaper receptacle  24 , which in turn supports mailbox  22 . Of course, other attachment components and/or methods known to those skilled in the art could be used to attach the mailbox and newspaper receptacle to vertical post  14 . 
   According to a preferred assembly method, the various elements of mailbox system  10  are first put together and then the assembled mailbox system is inserted into pre-dug holes in the ground. It should of course be understood that mailbox  22 , decorative ornament  54 , and other components could be installed on the mailbox system after it has been partially put together and inserted into the ground. Horizontal rail  16  is connected to vertical posts  12  and  14  via a series of snap-fit attachment features, as shown in  FIG. 5 , which include resilient ears  90  and an elongated slot  92 . Ears  90  can extend outwardly from one or more surfaces of horizontal rail  16  and are resilient so that they can be depressed when first end  50  of the horizontal rail is being inserted into slot  92 . Once first end  50  has been inserted far enough into the slot, the ears are no longer constrained by the dimensions of the slot and accordingly resume their normal, non-depressed state. The rear interior wall of vertical post  12  prevents first end  50  from being inserted any further into the post. In order to disassemble horizontal rail  16 , one can simply reach into the hollow interior of vertical post  12  and depress ears  90  so that first end  50  can be backed out of slot  92 . Similar snap-fit arrangements are used to attach the following: second end  52  of horizontal rail  16  to vertical post  14 , first end  60  of horizontal rail  18  to vertical post  12 , and second end  62  of horizontal rail  18  to vertical post  14 . 
   After the horizontal and vertical members have been assembled, flagpole  70  is inserted through holes in vertical posts  12  and  14  and flag  20  is hung. Those holes can extend completely through vertical posts  12  and  14 , or can simply extend into the hollow cavity of the posts. The newspaper receptacle  24  is attached to vertical post  14  via an L-bracket, and mailbox  22  is screwed to the newspaper receptacle. The assembled mailbox system  10  is then inserted into pre-dug holes and is secured in place, possibly through the use of cement, sand, dirt, etc. 
   According to another embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , mailbox system  100  includes a flowerbox  102  as a decorative component, in place of the flag and flagpole. Like the horizontal rails, flowerbox  102  is sized to properly space the vertical posts, and is sturdy enough to support the additional weight of soil, flowers, water, etc. If necessary, the attachment features that attach flowerbox  102  to the vertical posts could be strengthened through the use of L-brackets or other fasteners known to those skilled in the art. 
   It will thus be apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the present invention a mailbox system, as well as a method of assembly which achieve the aims and advantages specified herein. It will of course be understood that the foregoing description is of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention and that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown. 
   For instance, the mailbox system could include two or more decorative components  20 , including the following combinations: a flowerbox and a flag, two flowerboxes (parallel horizontal alignment, one on top of the other), and two flags. An additional hanging flower bracket or flowerbox could be mounted to either of the vertical posts such that instead of spanning between the two posts, it is simply mounted to one of them. It is also possible for the vertical posts and horizontal rails of the mailbox system to be made of materials other than PVC, such as wood (softwoods, hardwards, recycled wood products, etc.), metal (galvanized metal, sheet metal, steel, copper, aluminum, etc.), and other plastic or synthetic materials (other plastics, recycled materials, etc.) Moreover, the mailbox and newspaper receptacle could be removed from the assembly altogether, such that the assembly functioned simply as an advertisement, signage or decorative object. Also, it is possible to provide a mailbox system where a horizontal rail extends beyond the two vertical posts such that it not only spaces and stabilizes the two vertical posts, but it also provides a support on which the mailbox and/or the newspaper receptacle can be mounted. Various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art and all such variations and modifications are intended to come within the scope of the appended claims. 
   As used in this specification and claims, the terms “for example”, “for instance” and “such as,” and the verbs “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and their other verb forms, when used in conjunction with a listing of one or more components or other items, are each to be construed as open-ended, meaning that that the listing is not to be considered as excluding other, additional components or items. Other terms are to be construed using their broadest reasonable meaning unless they are used in a context that requires a different interpretation.