Mail delivery indicator assembly

• US 20050269392A1
• Filed: 08/05/2005
• Published: 12/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dean A. Mckenzie
• Original Assignee: Dean A. Mckenzie
• Inventors: McKenzie, Dean A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,083,080 B2
• 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 indicator assembly (100) for a mailbox (102) with a door (105) includes a signal holder bracket (101) attached to a mailbox door (105). A signal ball (108) is attached by a tether (110) to the signal holder bracket (101) for indicating when the mailbox door is opened. The signal holder bracket (101) attaches within a holder receptacle (109) attached to the mailbox door (105) which allows the signal holder bracket (101) to be removed. The signal holder bracket (101) may further include an offset section (103) for allowing the bracket to be attached to a recessed door. Additionally, the signal holder bracket may include one or more guards (112, 114) which prevent snow other debris from inadvertently removing the signal ball (108) from the ring section (107).

Claims

1. A mail delivery indicator assembly for a mailbox with a door comprising:

a signal holder bracket attached to a mailbox door;

a signal ball attached by a tether to the signal holder bracket for indicating when the mailbox door is opened; and

wherein the signal holder bracket attaches within a holder receptacle attached to the mailbox door allowing the signal holder bracket to be removed.

2. The mail delivery indicator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the signal holder bracket includes a ring portion for holding the signal ball indicating that the mailbox door has not been opened.

3. The mail delivery indicator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the signal holder bracket includes a resilient fastener for engaging with a portion of the holder receptacle.

4. The mail delivery indicator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the signal holder bracket includes an offset section for allowing the bracket to be attached to a recessed mailbox door.

5. The mail delivery indicator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the signal holder bracket includes at least one guard for preventing the signal ball from inadvertently removed.

6. The mail delivery indicator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the signal holder bracket includes at least one guide for positioning the signal holder bracket to a mailbox door.

7. A signal indicator for indicating mail delivery when a mailbox door has been opened comprising:

a signal holder bracket for attaching to a mailbox door and extending past either side of the mailbox;

a signal ball for indicating when the mailbox door is opened and closed;

a tether line attached to the signal ball for securing the signal ball to the signal holder bracket; and

wherein the signal holder bracket includes an offset section for allowing the bracket to be fastened to a recessed mailbox door.

8. A signal indicator as in claim 7, wherein the signal holder bracket is fixedly attached to the mailbox door.

9. A signal indicator as in claim 7, including a holder receptacle attached to the mailbox door for holding the signal holder bracket into a fixed position.

10. A signal indicator as in claim 7, wherein the signal holder bracket includes a fastener portion for fastening the signal holder bracket within the receptacle.

11. The signal indicator according to claim 7, wherein the signal holder bracket includes a ring section for holding the signal ball indicating that the mailbox door has not been opened.

12. The signal indicator according to claim 7, wherein the signal holder bracket includes at least one guard for preventing the signal ball from being inadvertently removed.

13. The signal indicator according to claim 7, wherein the signal holder bracket includes at least one guide for positioning the signal holder bracket on a mailbox door.

14. A signal indicator assembly for indicating that mail has been delivered to a mailbox comprising:

a signal holder bracket having a ring section for attaching to a mailbox door;

a holder receptacle attached to the mailbox door for holding the signal holder bracket into a fixed position;

a signal ball for indicating when the mailbox door is opened and closed;

a tether line attached to the signal ball for securing the signal ball to the signal holder bracket; and

wherein the signal holder bracket includes an offset section for allowing the bracket to be fastened to a recessed mailbox door.

15. A signal indicator assembly as in claim 14, wherein the signal holder bracket includes a resilient fastener for fastening to the holder receptacle.

16. A signal indicator assembly as in claim 14, wherein ring section holds the signal ball into a fixed position.

17. A signal indicator assembly as in claim 14, wherein the signal holder bracket includes at least one guard for preventing the signal ball from being inadvertently removed from the signal holder bracket.

18. A signal indicator assembly as in claim 14, wherein the signal holder bracket includes at least one guide for positioning the bracket at a predetermined location on the mailbox door.