Patent Publication Number: US-2007095884-A1

Title: Mailbox Game

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION  
      This utility patent application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/721,628 filed on Sep. 30, 2005. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND  
      Children are increasingly using the e-mail, instant messaging mobile telephones to communicate. This style of communication requires very little proper grammar and punctuation. As a result, children may be experiencing a loss of some reading and writing skills. Thus, a need exists to promote more formal written communication.  
     SUMMARY  
      The mailbox for children is a creative idea that broadens children&#39;s worlds by giving them a sense of independence and importance. The mailbox creates excitement for them when they check to see if they have mail. It encourages families to actually write letters again and builds family unity through the children. As a result, communication within the family and with friends is greatly enhanced and will help to revitalize and revolutionize letter writing.  
      In one general aspect, a mailbox game includes a mailbox having a rectangular container or box with an opening, a lid and a hinge that attaches the lid to the box to cover the opening. The game also includes play stamps having an adhesive backing.  
      Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. For example, the mailbox may have a rotating flag that is attached to the box. There may also be a dial to provide a mailbox status of full or empty.  
      The mailbox may have animated features, such as, for example, a set of eyes positioned on the box, curved cut-out areas on the lid that resembles a character having a forehead proximate to the eyes and a mail slot in a lower portion of the box that resembles a character with a mouth.  
      Rollers may be positioned in the box to deliver mail through a mail slot. The rollers are rotated by a motor which is controlled by a motor controller. A push-button switch may be used to send a command to the motor controller to operate the motor.  
      As another feature, the mailbox may have a motion sensor, a switch to operate the motion sensor, a speaker and a processor configured to emulate speech upon activation of the motion sensor.  
      In still another embodiment, the mailbox includes a platform positioned in the box, one or more springs positioned between the box and the platform and a lever to release the platform from a position of maximum spring compression.  
      In a further embodiment, the mailbox has a rotating axel mounted in the box, a platform attached to the rotatable axel and a lever to tilt the platform causing mail to slide out of the box.  
      In another general aspect, a method of playing a mail game includes mounting a toy mailbox to a door of a child&#39;s room, depositing mail in the mailbox and manipulating a signal device to indicate that mail is deposited in the mail box.  
      The game may have other features and other items may be part of the overall game, such as, for example, stationary and letters. The mailbox may also have drawing surfaces on the box and/or the lid. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  shows a mailbox used in the game;  
       FIG. 2  shows a mailbox with a spring-loaded platform;  
       FIG. 3  shows a mailbox with animated features;  
       FIG. 4  shows delivery rollers installed in a mailbox;  
       FIG. 5  shows a mailbox with a tilting platform;  
       FIG. 6  is a schematic circuit diagram for the mailbox game; and  
       FIG. 7  shows a mailbox with status indicators and personalization features.  
       FIG. 8  shows a mailbox with a pivoting drawer.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       FIG. 1A  shows an embodiment of a mailbox  100  used in the game. The mailbox  100  is a rectangular box  102  with an opening, a lid  104  and a hinge  105  that attaches the lid  104  to the box  102  to cover the opening. Outer surfaces of the box  102  may be coated with a paint that can be used as a writing or drawing surface.  
      A flag  106  is attached to the outside of the mailbox  100 . The flag may be rotated to a vertical position or it may be positioned horizontally. As another feature, a dial  108  is mounted to the outside of the mailbox to show a mail status as either empty or full. Alternatively, a sliding bar or other indicator may be used to show mail status.  
      In another embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2 , mail “pops” out of the top of the mailbox  200  when it is opened. A platform  202  is positioned inside the mailbox. A set of springs  204  is positioned between the bottom of the box  206  and the platform  202 .  
      A rotatable flag  208  is positioned on the outside of the box  200  and is mounted to a circular shaft  210  which passes through a circular opening in the box  200 . The shaft is attached to a lever  212  which has a curved portion  214  that can be rotated down against the platform  202  to compress the springs  204 .  
      In operation, mail is placed inside the box and the lid  216  of the mailbox is closed. A clasp  218  secures the lid  216  to the box  206 . The flag  208  is rotated to a vertical position to release the lever  212 . The position of the mail between the lid  216  and the platform  202  prevents the platform from moving upward. Thus, once the lid  216  is reopened, the mail “pops” up into view above the top of the box  206 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 3 , in one embodiment, the mailbox  300  has animated character features. The animated features include eyes  302  and a lid  304  that resembles a character with a forehead proximate to the eyes  302 . A mail delivery slot  306  is positioned on the lower portion of the mailbox to resemble a mouth.  
       FIG. 4  shows a roller system to deliver mail through a mail delivery slot such as that shown in  FIG. 3 . A pair of rollers  402 ,  404  is positioned near the bottom of the box  406 , with a curved ramp  408  positioned at the bottom of the box  406 . A bracket  410  supports one end of the rollers  402 ,  204 . On the opposing ends, roller  402  is driven by a motor  412  and roller  404  is supported by a bracket  414 . Thus, mail that is dropped in through the top of the mailbox  400  can be pushed out through a mail slot. This can be accomplished by a push-button type of switch to operate the rollers.  
       FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of the game. The mailbox  500  has a platform  502  mounted on a hinge that bisects the length of the platform. A lever  506  is positioned under the platform  506 . The lever  506  has a handle  508  that extends through a hole  510  in the side of the mailbox  500 . The handle  508  can be rotated to tilt of lift the platform  502  causing mail to slide out of the mailbox  500  when the lid  512  is opened.  
      Embodiments of the game may include a mailbox with lighting, a motion sensor and/or recorded sound or speech. Referring also to  FIG. 6 , the mailbox contains a processor  602  that is configured to provide the game with speech or music. The processor  602  is connected to switches  604 ,  606  and  608  which are activated by pressing a push button, rotating a lever and sensing motion, respectively. The processor  602  is connected to a speaker  610  and a motor  412  located in the mailbox  600 . The processor  600  is activated by an on/off switch  612  located on the bottom of the mailbox.  
      When one of the switches  604 ,  606 ,  608  is actuated, the processor  602  responds by producing a signal that causes the speaker  610  to produce speech or other sounds. The processor  602  may produce different sounds and speech in response to actuation of different switches and different combinations of switches. In addition, if a particular switch is actuated multiple times, the processor  602  may produce different sounds and speech in response to each actuation.  
      When used in conjunction with the mailbox shown in  FIG. 4 , the motor  412  drives rollers  412 ,  414  to deliver mail through a mail slot.  
      When the mailbox is not manipulated within a predetermined time period (e.g., if a switch is not actuated within  30  seconds), the processor enters a sleep mode in which the processor turns off. Once the processor is in sleep mode, the on/off switch  612  must be actuated to turn on the processor.  
      The game may include play stamps with an adhesive backing and that have a similar appearance to U.S. Post Office stamps. The game may also have other accessories, such as, for example, stationary, letters, envelopes and/or notes. A package of letters may be included to personalize the mailbox with the child&#39;s name. The mailbox may also have other features such as a viewing peep-hole or a light, such as an LED. Various types of mail status indicators are shown in  FIG. 7 .  
      Surfaces may be smooth, textured, or ribbed depending on production suggestions from the manufacturer. Colors of mailbox may also vary. Some section on the front of the box may be left smooth and unobstructed to allow for future marketing of Trademark designs, for example, “Spiderman” or “My Little Pony.” 
      Certain safety features may be incorporated into the mailbox design. For example, edges of the mailbox may be rounded or folded. The mailbox may be made of high impact plastic in a variety of colors. The mailbox may also be designed for ease of use. For example, the mailbox may have a sliding drawer with a knob to pull out or push in the drawer. As another example, the mailbox may have a pivoting drawer such as that shown in  FIG. 8 .  
      Playing the game is fairly straight forward. The mailbox is mounted to the door of a child&#39;s bedroom with screws, an adhesive or magnets. Then, the child is encouraged to write letters to real and/or imaginary family members or friends. In turn, received letters are put into the mailbox of each child. Play stamps can be used to send a letter within a household so that the children have the feel of receiving authentic mail.