Mailbox flag structure

• US 5,445,317 A
• Filed: 03/04/1994
• Issued: 08/29/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dennis W. Sokolowski
• Original Assignee: Dennis W. Sokolowski
• Inventors: Sokolowski, Dennis W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Saether, Flemming
• Application Number:
  US08/206,017
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• Field of Search: 232/17, 232/34, 232/35
• US Class Current: 232/34
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/121 Signalling devices

Abstract

This invention concerns a combination mailbox structure including a mailbox, a rotatable flag a pivot pivotally mounting the flag on one side of the mailbox, and including an upwardly facing ledge, a decorative device attached to a mailbox flag, the decorative device being movable on a mailbox from a "down" position to an "up" position comprising a mail signaling figurine, the mail signaling figurine having an upright decorated front side and a back side, the mail signaling figurine having means attached to its backside for attaching and securing the mail signaling figurine to a mailbox flag and to maintain its attachment to the mailbox flag as it is manually moved back and forth on the pivot from a "down" position to an "up" position.

Claims

1. A decorative device for attachment to a mailbox flag with a flag stem movable on a mailbox from a down position to an up position comprising a mail signaling figurine having a decorated front side and a back side, the mail signaling figurine having means attached to its backside for attaching and securing the mail signaling figurine to the mailbox flag and to maintain its attachment to the mailbox flag as the mailbox flag is manually moved back and forth from the down position to the up position, said means comprises a pair of side-by-side pegs positioned between upper and lower ends of the mail signaling figurine, means securing the pegs to the backside of the mail signaling figurine, retaining grooves provided on said pegs and being positioned adjacent outer ends thereof, and a retaining means secured in said grooves of said pegs in a retained assembly, the retaining means, the pegs, and the backside of said mail signaling figurine defining a flag stem retaining enclosure for receiving the flag stem to secure the mail signaling figurine to the mailbox flag.

2. The decorative device of claim 1 wherein the retaining means is a rubber band.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein the mail signaling figurine has a bottom edge supported by the upwardly facing ledge when the mail signaling figurine and the flag are in the up position.

3. In a mailbox structure including a mailbox, a rotatable mailbox flag with a flag stem, a pivot pivotally mounting the flag on one side of the mailbox, a decorative mail signaling device attached to the mailbox flag, comprising a mail signaling figurine, the mail signaling figurine having a decorated front side and a back side, the mail signaling figurine having means attached to its backside for attaching and securing the mail signaling figurine to the mailbox flag and to maintain its attachment as the mailbox flag is manually pivoted from a down position to a up position, said means comprises a pair of side-by-side pegs positioned between upper and lower ends of the mail signaling figurine, means securing the pegs to the backside of the mail signaling figurine, retaining grooves provided on said pegs and being positioned adjacent outer ends thereof, and a rubber band secured in said grooves of the pegs in a retained assembly, the rubber band, the pegs, and the backside of said mail signaling figurine defining a flag stem retaining enclosure with the flag stem being lodged in the flag stem retaining enclosure.

4. In combination, a mailbox structure including a mailbox, a rotatable mailbox flag with a flag stem, a pivot pivotally mounting the flag on one side of the mailbox, and including an upwardly facing ledge, a decorative device attached to the mailbox flag, comprising a mail signaling figurine, the mail signaling figurine having a decorated front side and a back side, the mail signaling figurine having means attached to its backside for attaching and securing the mail signaling figurine to the mailbox flag and to maintain its attachment as the mailbox flag is manually pivoted from a down position to a up position, said means comprises a pair of side-by-side pegs positioned between upper and lower ends of the mail signaling figurine, means securing the pegs to the backside of the mail signaling figurine, retaining grooves provided on said pegs and being positioned adjacent outer ends of thereof, and a rubber band secured in said grooves of said pegs in a retained assembly, the rubber band, the pegs, and the backside of said mail signaling figurine defining a flag stem retaining enclosure with the flag stem being lodged in the flag stem retaining enclosure.

6. In a mailbox structure including a mailbox, a rotatable mailbox flag, a pivot pivotally mounting the flag on one side of the mailbox, and including an upwardly facing ledge, a decorative mail signaling device attached to the mailbox flag, comprising a mail signaling figurine, the mail signaling figurine having a decorated front side and a back side, the mail signaling figurine having means attached to its backside for attaching and securing the mail signaling figurine to the mailbox flag and to maintain its attachment as the mailbox flag is manually pivoted from a down position to a up position, the mail signaling figurine has a bottom edge supported by the upwardly facing ledge when the mail signaling figurine and the mailbox flag are in the up position.

7. In combination, a mailbox structure including a mailbox, a rotatable mailbox flag, a pivot pivotally mounting the flag on one side of the mailbox, and including an upwardly facing ledge, a decorative device attached to the mailbox flag, comprising a mail signaling figurine, the mail signaling figurine having a decorated front side and a back side, the mail signaling figurine having means attached to its backside for attaching and securing the mail signaling figurine to the mailbox flag and to maintain its attachment a the mailbox flag is manually pivoted from a down position to a up position, the mail signaling figurine has a bottom edge supported by the upwardly facing ledge when the mail signaling figurine and the flag are in the up position.