Patent ID: 7123147

Claim:
A mailbox system including (a) an auxiliary power unit including an electrical connector; (b) a mailbox comprising (i) a housing having an interior; (ii) a slot in said housing for inserting mail through said slot into said interior of said housing; (iii) a doorway in said housing to access said interior; (iv) a door mounted in said doorway to access said interior and including a lock, said door movable between at least two operative positions, a first operative position closing said doorway and preventing access to said interior, and a second operative position opening said doorway and permitting access to said interior; (v) a programmable electronic keypad operatively associated with said lock to move said lock between at least two operative positions, a closed position to secure said door in said first operative position, and an open position to permit said door to move from said first operative position to said second operative position; (vi) a primary power source to provide electric power to operate said keypad; and, (vii) an access port to receive said electrical connector of said auxiliary power unit to connect said auxiliary power unit to said mailbox to operate said lock when said primary power source fails; wherein said auxiliary power unit includes another keypad operable to move said lock between said closed position and said open position.