Curbside mailbox signal

• US 4,872,210 A
• Filed: 03/25/1988
• Issued: 10/03/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Allen J. Wright, David E. Forristall
• Original Assignee: Alexander Benages
• Inventors: Benages, Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): Orsino, Joseph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Application Number:
  US07/173,555
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568, 340/569, 340/570, 340/545, 200/61.02, 200/61.63
• US Class Current: 340/569
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/1214 including a receiver located remotely from the letter-box and a transmitter

Abstract

A signal device is mounted on the inside of the door of a curbside mailbox. Opening and then closing the door closes a switch (mechanical switch, gravity actuated, a mercury switch or a photo diode) to emit a radio signal. A receiver in the residence, when actuated by the radio signal, notifies the occupant by an audible and/or visual signal.

Claims

1. A curbside mailbox signal for use on a mailbox having a door, comprising a first casing enclosing power means, an r.f. transmitter and a first antenna, a switch operable to be closed upon opening of the door to energize said transmitter from said power means to emit a signal from said first antenna and means for attaching said first casing to the inside of said door, whereby when said door is opened said first antenna is exposed exteriorly of said mailbox;

and a second casing adapted to be positioned remote from said first casing comprising an r.f. receiver having a second antenna tuned to said first antenna, and a power source for said receiver and signal emitting means enabled by said receiver upon receipt of a signal from said transmitter;

said mailbox being characterized by the absence of an external antenna.

2. A signal according to claim 1 in which said switch comprises a first contact, means pivotally mounting said first contact about a horizontal axis, a weight on said first contact and a second contact, whereby said weight maintains said first contact away from said second contact when said door is closed and moves said first contact to electrical engagement with said second contact when said door is open.

3. A signal according to claim 1 in which said switch comprises a light-sensitive diode which is energized when external light reaches said diode when said door is open.

4. A signal according to claim 1 in which said signal emitting means comprises a buzzer.

5. A signal according to claim 1 in which said signal emitting means comprises an LED visible from the exterior of said second casing.

6. A signal according to claim 1 which further comprises a manual reset switch to disable said signal emitting means.