Patent Publication Number: US-7587846-B2

Title: Mailbox cover

Description:
1. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/521,826 filed Sep. 15, 2006 now abandoned, entitled “Mailbox Cover.” 

   2. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to a cover for a typical rural mailbox, and more specifically to an adaptable cover for a mailbox having a layer of magnetized material. 
   3. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
   Mailboxes are used by the U.S. Postal service to collect and distribute letters and packages across the nation. One particular type of mailbox approved by the Postmaster General is typically used in rural environments and consists of a rectangular shaped box with an arched top to help shed water. A door is hingedly connected to the lower front of this type of mailbox and swings downward to open to insert and remove contents. The mailbox is mounted atop a post proximate to the roadway at the curbside. The standard mailbox described above is metal and not aesthetically pleasing. 
   There are three sizes of curbside mailboxes. For example, the T1 (traditional) and C1 (contemporary) are approximately 19 inches in length, 7 inches in width and 9 inches in height; the T2 and C2 are approximately 20 inches in length, 9 inches in width and 11 inches in height; and the T3 and C3 are approximately 24 inches in length, 12 inches in width and 15 inches in height. 
   There have been attempts to decorate the typical curbside mailbox to improve its aesthetical appeal. These attempts include permanently changing the appearance of a mailbox by painting. However, the mailbox is not easy to change according to an owner&#39;s desire once painted and it is desirable to have a mailbox that is capable of changing its appearance quickly and inexpensively. 
   Other attempts at temporarily changing a mailbox&#39;s appearance have been made such as placing a removable cover over the mailbox. By way of example, note U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,769 to Todd that discloses a mailbox cover that has a pair of strips of magnetic material that are adhesively secured to the cover itself. The thin pair of strips of magnetic material along the edges of the cover is the sole source of attachment of the cover to a mailbox. A shortcoming of this prior art is that the mailbox cover is not solidly affixed to the mailbox at all points of contact. Therefore, it is susceptible to the elements by being blown off the mailbox by the wind or allowing moisture underneath the cover. Another shortcoming is that the cover is not adaptable to various sizes of standard curbside mailboxes. 
   Another example of a removable cover is U.S. Pat. No. 6,929,173 to Toussant et. al that describes a decorative cover for a mailbox door. The cover is made from a flexible sheet of magnetic material having graphics on a first surface of the cover and the magnetic polarity of the cover is focused on a second surface of the cover for attachment to a metal mailbox. It does not cover the body of a mailbox. 
   Another shortcoming of the prior art mailbox covers is that they are made of polypropelene materials or coated paper that are susceptible to creases, folds and have difficulty in holding firmly to a curved surface. 
   Notwithstanding the existence of such prior art mailbox covers, there is a need for an improved removable mailbox cover that is adaptable to different sizes and shapes of standard curbside mailboxes and a mailbox cover having improved efficacy in holding power to the mailbox itself. There is also a need for a mailbox cover having graphics displayed on both surfaces (i.e., reversible) 
   It is, therefore, to the effective resolution of the aforementioned problems and shortcomings of the prior art that the present invention is directed. 
   However, in view of the prior art at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art how the identified needs could be fulfilled. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention is a mailbox cover comprising a flexible sheet having a plurality of layers, said plurality of layers having a first layer decorated with graphics and an underlying second layer magnetically polarized in a first direction so that said second layer is magnetically attracted to a metal mailbox, said plurality of layers further comprising an underlying third layer magnetically polarized in an opposing second direction to said second magnetically polarized layer so that said third layer is magnetically attracted to a metal mailbox and an underlying fourth layer decorated with graphics, said flexible sheet further comprising a first perforated tab disposed proximate to an edge of said sheet and defined by a first perforated cut wherein said first perforated tab having the ability to be folded back underneath said sheet forming a first notch in said sheet so that a mailbox flag is allowed passage, said flexible sheet further comprising a second perforated tab equidistantly disposed between said first tab and a third perforated tab wherein said second tab is defined by a second perforated cut and said third tab defined by a third perforated cut, said second tab is removable to form a second notch so that a mailbox latch operates without interference from said cover, said third tab having the ability when in use to be folded back underneath said sheet forming a third notch in said sheet so that a mailbox flag is allowed passage, said sheet further comprising a rear perforated cut parallel to a rear edge of said sheet so that said rear perforated cut allows a strip of said sheet to be removed to reduce the length of said sheet, and said sheet further comprising a pair of longitudinal perforated cuts disposed parallel to opposing longitudinal edges of said sheet so that said pair of longitudinal perforated cuts allow two strips of said sheet to be removed to reduce the width of said sheet. 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide for an improvement that overcomes the aforementioned inadequacies of the prior art and provides a significant contribution to the advancement of mailbox covers. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a mailbox cover with the improved ability to maintain its shape to properly and snugly fit to the sides and top of a mailbox. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a mailbox cover that is reversible to show decorative graphics on both sides. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a mailbox cover that is adaptable to display address numbers. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a mailbox cover that is adaptable to a variety of sizes of mailboxes. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a mailbox cover that envelops the entire mailbox. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a mailbox cover that is durable to the elements and protects the mailbox. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a mailbox cover that has improved holding power. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a mailbox cover that is aesthetically pleasing. 
   Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and together with the general description, serve to explain principles of the present invention. 
   These and other important objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become clear as this description proceeds. 
   The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that will be exemplified in the description set forth hereinafter and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a first side of the cover of an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of a second side of the cover of an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a mailbox with the cover installed thereon in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a plan view of a first side of the cover of an embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a plan view of a second side of the cover of an embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a mailbox with the cover installed thereon in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a plan view of a first side of the cover of an embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a plan view of a second side of the cover of an embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a plan view of a first side of the cover of an embodiment of the present invention showing the rear flap; and 
       FIG. 12  is a plan view of a first side of the cover of an embodiment of the present invention showing the front flap. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1  shows the present mailbox cover that comprises generally a flexible rectangular shaped sheet  100 . The sheet  100  is properly sized so that it can be placed over a standard curbside mailbox. A first planar side  110  of the sheet  100  has decorative graphics  102 ,  105  displayed thereon. 
   Along a front edge of the sheet  100  are three perforated tabs partially cut through sheet  100 . A first perforated tab  120  is disposed proximate to an edge of sheet  100  and defined by a partial cut  125 . The first perforated tab  120  can be partially separated from sheet  100  to allow passage of a mailbox flag  127 . A second perforated tab  130  is equidistantly disposed between first tab  120  and a third perforated tab  140 . The second perforated tab  130  is defined by a partial cut  135 . The second tab  130  can be completely separated from sheet  100  so as to prevent any interference between the sheet  100  and a friction latch  137  of a mailbox. In an alternative embodiment, second perforated tab is eliminated. The third tab  140  is defined by a partial cut  145  and similar to tab  120  can be partially separated from sheet  100  to allow passage of a mailbox flag. 
   Perforated partial cuts  150  and  170  are parallel to opposing longitudinal edges of sheet  100  and disposed so that excess material of sheet  100  can be easily removed to accommodate a mailbox with a smaller width and height such as the standard T1 and C1. Similarly, partial cut  160  is parallel to a rear edge of sheet  100  and is positioned so that excess material of sheet  100  can be easily removed to accommodate a mailbox with a shorter length. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a second planar side  210  of sheet  100  is shown. The second side  210  of sheet  100  shown in  FIG. 2  shows decorative graphics  200 ,  205  shown thereon. In an alternative embodiment, second side  210  does not have graphics  200 ,  205 , but rather is a layer of magnetized material  320  as shown in  FIG. 3  as a cross section of sheet  100 . Layer  320  is polarized so that its magnetic properties are attracted to a metal mailbox as sheet  100  is placed with the decorative graphics  110  facing outward and is not reversible. 
   However, in the preferred embodiment, a composite of the layers including decorative layer  110  is overlying a polarized magnetic layer  325 , which is overlying an opposingly polarized magnetic layer  330  and decorative graphics  210  as shown in  FIG. 4  as a cross section. The magnetic polarization of layer  330  is such that its attractive magnetic forces pass through decorative layer  210  which is placed over a mailbox and with the decorative graphics  102  facing outward as shown in  FIG. 8 . In an alternative embodiment opposingly polarized layers  325 ,  330  are comprised of only one layer (not shown) of polarized material having one side magnetically polarized in a first direction and a second side magnetically polarized in an opposing direction. 
   Accordingly, sheet  100  is reversible so that decorative graphics  200  are facing outward as shown in  FIG. 5 . Decorative later  110  is placed over the mailbox and magnetic layer  325  is polarized such that its attractive magnetic forces pass through decorative layer  110  providing a means of securement to the mailbox and displaying decorative graphics  200 ,  205 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5  shows decorative layer  210  being displayed and installed on a mailbox. Tab  130  has been completely removed to allow the mailbox latch  137  to operate. Tab  120  is partially separated from sheet  100  and is folded back underneath sheet  110  so that it is hidden from view. This allows tab  120  to be replaced to its original position and fill in the void area when sheet  100  is reversed and it is tab  140  that is required to be partially removed to allow passage of flag  127  instead of tab  120 .  FIG. 5  shows a larger T2 sized mailbox so that excess material defined by cuts  160 ,  170  and  150  (not shown) is not removed. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  shows tab  120  folded back to allow passage of flag  127  and tab  140  remains at its original location as the aperture created by folding back tab  140  is not needed when displaying decorative layer  210 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 8  shows decorative layer  110  displayed. Tab  140  is folded back to allow passage of flag  127 . Excess material along the edges of sheet  100  has been removed to fit the smaller T1 mailbox shown. Cuts  150 ,  160  and  170  (not shown) become the edges of sheet  110 .  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10  show decorative layers  110  and  210  with appropriate tab  130  removed for the proper orientation of sheet  100  on the mailbox as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 11 , in an alternative embodiment, sheet  100  also includes a rear flap  410  for securing to the back side of the mailbox. In another alternative embodiment, sheet  100  includes front flap  420  for securing to the mailbox door as shown in  FIG. 12 . By increasing the surface area of the cover by including either front flap  420  or rear flap  410  or both, increases the adhering power proportionally by the increase in surface area of the magnetized cover. In addition, the aesthetics of the mailbox are also improved. 
   In yet another alternative embodiment where the mailbox material is aluminum, plastic or other type of non-magnetic material, a plurality of magnetic swatches are provided to be secured to the mailbox. The magnetic swatches are secured first to the non-magnetic mailbox in strategic locations such as near the edges of the mailbox. Once the magnetic swatches are in place, the magnetic mailbox cover can then be installed over the swatches and mailbox as described above. 
   The particular embodiments disclosed above and in the drawings are illustrative only, as the invention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention. 
   It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention, which as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. 
   Now that the invention has been described,