Patent Publication Number: US-5897053-A

Title: Mail slot box

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to mail boxes, specifically to a mail collection box for mounting behind a mail slot. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Mail slots are typically installed through a wall or a door. In residential buildings, the slots are often installed in a garage door. When mail is delivered through such slots, it falls onto the ground, where it is scattered and dirtied. A person picking up the mail must gather up individual pieces, and perhaps dust them off. 
     Simple rectangular boxes with an open top have been attached behind mail slots for collecting the mail. However, the square comers tend to bind the mail, which bunches up and makes the insertion of additional mail through the slot difficult. Furthermore, when such boxes are installed behind a slot on a garage door, the mail tends to fall out when the garage door is lifted to a horizontal open position. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly an object of the present invention is to provide a mail slot box for collecting mail delivered through a mail slot. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a mail slot box that causes the mail to stack in an orderly fashion without binding. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a mail slot box that, if mounted on a garage door, continues to hold the mail even when the garage door is lifted to a horizontal open position. 
     Further objects of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A mail slot box includes a bottom, opposite sides, a semi-circular back, an open top, and a mounting flange. When mounted behind a mail slot, it collects mail delivered therethrough. The semi-circular back causes the mail to rotate and stack in an orderly fashion without binding or bunching up. When mounted behind a mail slot on a garage door, the semi-circular back also holds the mail and prevents it from falling out when the garage door is lifted to a horizontal open position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a mail slot box. 
     FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the mail slot box when mounted behind a mail slot. 
     FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the mail slot box, taken along line 3--3 in FIG. 2. 
     FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the mail slot box when the garage door is lifted to a horizontal open position. 
     DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     10. Mail Slot Box 11. Bottom 
     12. Side 13. Side 
     14. Semi-Circular Back 15. Top Opening 
     16. Holes 17. Flange 
     18. Vertical Structural Member 19. Mail Slot 
     20. Screws 21. Mail 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1: 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the front perspective view of FIG. 1, a mail slot box 10 includes a horizontal bottom 11, vertical opposite sides 12 and 13, a rearwardly bowing semi-circular back 14, and a top opening 15 extending from the front of the box to the top edge of semi-circular back 14. The depth of top opening 15 is about 50% of the depth of the box. Screw holes 16 are arranged on a mounting flange 17 extending along the front edges of bottom 11 and sides 12 and 13. 
     FIG. 2: 
     Mail slot box 10 is shown mounted on a vertical planar structure or wall 18 behind a mail slot 19. Screws 20 are positioned through holes 16. 
     FIG. 3: 
     When mail 21 is delivered through mail slot 19, it is collected in mail slot box 10, as shown in FIG. 3. Semi-circular back 14 causes mail 21 to rotate thereon and stack in an orderly fashion without binding or bunching, so that additional mail can be inserted easily, and the space in mail slot box 10 is used efficiently. 
     FIG. 4: 
     When mail slot box 10 is mounted on a garage door 22, semi-circular back 14 provides a concave surface for containing mail 21 and preventing it from falling out when door 22 is lifted to a horizontal open position, as shown in FIG. 4. 
     SUMMARY AND SCOPE 
     Accordingly, I have provided a mail slot box for collecting mail delivered through a mail slot. It causes the mail to stack in an orderly fashion without binding or bunching. When it is mounted on a garage door, it continues to hold the mail even when the garage door is lifted to a horizontal open position. 
     Although the above descriptions are specific, they should not be considered as limitations on the scope of the invention, but only as examples of the embodiments. Many substitutes and variations are possible within the teachings of the invention. For example, instead of being flat, the bottom may be formed by an arcuate portion of the semi-circular back. Instead of half a circle, the back may form a greater or lesser portion of a circle, and it may be less circular, but still substantially curved. The top opening may be enlarged to about 75% of the depth of the box. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, not by the examples given.