Mail delivery signal kit and method of use

• US 20010000108A1
• Filed: 12/04/2000
• Published: 04/05/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: William W. Perry
• Original Assignee: William W. Perry
• Inventors: Perry, William W.
• Application Number:
  US09/728,992
• Publication Number:
  US 20010000108A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 232/35
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/12105 activated by the inlet door
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/121 Signalling devices

Abstract

A mail delivery signal kit which includes a magnet which can be mounted on a side or face of a mailbox door, a tethering device which is anchored to a portion of the mailbox, a stopper constructed of a metallic material which will connect to the magnet and which can be attached to one end of the tether, and a visual indicator device which can be retained on the tethering device, and which is adapted to be stopped by the stopper attached to the tethering device. A delivered mail indicating system is formed when the mail delivery signal kit is installed on a rural-type streetside mailbox. The delivered mail indicating system is activated when the stopper is magnetically connected to the magnet on the mailbox door. Opening of the mailbox door pulls the magnet away from the stopper until the stopper disconnects from the magnet, causing the stopper to fall below the mailbox wherein the visual indicator device drops down the tether and is arrested at the end of the tether by the stopper.

Claims

1. A signaling kit, comprising:

a magnet having a first surface and a second surface and attachable to a surface by a securing element;

a tethering device;

a stopper having a first and a second surface, and constructed of a material able to be attracted by the magnet and adapted to be connected to an end of the tether; and

a visual indicator device adapted to be slidably disposed upon or attached to the tether.

2. The signaling kit of

claim 1

wherein the tethering device has or can be adjusted to have a length which is approximately the length of a standard rural mailbox or less than such a length.

3. The signaling kit of

claim 1

wherein at least a portion of the visual indicator device is brightly colored, iridescent, fluorescent, mirrored, metallic, sparkled, or combinations thereof.

4. The signaling kit of

claim 1

wherein the tethering device is a chain, string, cord, rope, wire, or plastic coated wire.

5. The signaling kit of

claim 1

further comprising a securing element for connecting a first end of the tether to a mailbox or a mailbox support.

6. The signaling kit of

claim 1

further comprising a securing element for securing the stopper to a second end of the tethering device.

7. A mail box assembly, comprising:

a mailbox having a hinged door;

a magnet attached to a surface of the hinged door;

a tethering device connected at a first end thereof to the mailbox or to a support device upon which the mailbox is disposed;

a stopper constructed of a material able to be attracted by the magnet and connected to a second end of the tethering device; and

a visual indicator device slidably disposed upon or attached to the tether.

8. The mailbox assembly of

claim 7

wherein the tethering device has or can be adjusted to have a length which is approximately the length of a standard rural mailbox or less than such a length.

9. The mailbox assembly of

claim 7

wherein at least a portion of the visual indicator device is brightly colored, iridescent, fluorescent, metallic, mirrored, sparkled, or combinations thereof.

10. The mailbox assembly of

claim 7

wherein the tethering device is a chain, string, cord, rope, wire, or plastic coated wire.

11. The mailbox assembly of

claim 7

further comprising a securing element for connecting a first end of the tethering device to the mailbox or mailbox support.

12. The mailbox assembly of

claim 11

wherein the tethering device is welded, screwed, clipped, or otherwise secured to the mailbox.

13. The mailbox assembly of

claim 7

further comprising a securing element for securing a second end of the tethering device to the stopper.

14. A method of activating a mail delivery signal, comprising:

providing a mailbox assembly, comprising;

a mailbox having a hinged door,

a magnet attached to a surface of the hinged door,

a tethering device connected at a first end thereof to the mailbox or to a support device upon which the mailbox is disposed,

a stopper constructed of a material able to be attracted by the magnet and connected to a second end of the tethering device, and

a visual indicator device slidably disposed upon or attached to the tether; and

magnetically connecting the stopper to the magnet attached to the door of the mailbox when the door is in a closed position thereby activating the mail delivery signal, and wherein when the door of the mailbox is opened, the magnet is pulled away from the stopper until the stopper disconnects from the magnet, causing the stopper to fall below the mailbox wherein the visual indicator device drops down the tethering device and is arrested by the stopper indicating mail delivery.

15. The method of

claim 14

wherein, in the step of providing the mailbox assembly, the tethering device has or can be adjusted to have a length which is approximately the length of a standard rural mailbox or less than such a length.

16. The method of

claim 14

wherein, in the step of providing the mailbox assembly, at least a portion of the visual indicator device is brightly colored, iridescent, fluorescent, metallic, mirrored, sparkled, or combinations thereof.

17. The method of

claim 14

wherein, in the step of providing the mailbox assembly, the tethering device is a chain, string, cord, rope, wire, or plastic coated wire.

18. The method of the mailbox assembly of

claim 14

wherein the tethering device is connected to the mailbox or mailbox support via a weld, a screw, a clip, or other fastening element or is threaded through an aperture in the mailbox.