Solar powered illuminated address number device and mailbox structure

• US 5,522,540 A
• Filed: 09/07/1995
• Issued: 06/04/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert L. Surman
• Original Assignee: Robert L. Surman
• Inventors: Surman, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Blair M.
• Application Number:
  US08/524,600
• Time in Patent Office: 271 Days
• Field of Search: 232/17, 232/38, 40/541, 40/566, 40/576, 362/20, 362/154, 362/163
• US Class Current: 232/17
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/1209 Rural letter-boxes
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/122 Parts, details, or accessories, e.g. signalling devices, lamps, devices for leaving messages A47G29/1201 - A47G29/1218 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0021 for housing at least a part of the light source, e.g. by forming holes or recesses
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0043 provided on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/006 to produce indicia, symbols, texts or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0081 Mechanical or electrical aspects of the light guide and light source in the lighting device peculiar to the adaptation to planar light guides, e.g. concerning packaging
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0088 of the light guide or other optical sheets in the package
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0472 Traffic signs
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/0043 connected to a receptacle of public utility, e.g. a waste receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/291 Applications

Abstract

A solar powered illuminated address number and mailbox structure comprising a tray structure, a mailbox, a solar energy collector structure exteriorly mounted on the mailbox, a circuit operatively connected to the solar energy collector structure mounted in the tray structure including a battery, and an address number light display mounted on an exterior surface of the mailbox, the solar energy collector providing a power source and connected through the circuit to charge the battery, the address number light display comprising a lighting means, an address display frame, a transparent display device, and reflective address numerals, the lighting means being attached to an exterior surface of the mailbox and being electrically connected with the circuit means and powered by the battery, the address display frame having a fastening means for securing the address display frame to an exterior surface of the mailbox, the reflective address numerals being attached to a back side of the transparent display device adjacent to the exterior surface of the mailbox, the transparent display device having a reflective tape attached along polished edges on the transparent display device leaving a small light opening on one edge, the lighting means being positioned adjacent a polished edge of the transparent display device such that light transmitted from the lighting means is directed through the small light opening on the transparent display device, whereby substantially all of the light entering the transparent display device will reflect within the transparent display device off of the reflective tape attached along the polished edges and the reflective address numerals thereby resulting in an unusually brilliant even display of the reflective address numerals.

Claims

1. In combination, a solar powered illuminated address number and mailbox structure comprising an open topped tray structure, a mailbox, pivot means pivotally connecting the mailbox to said open topped tray structure, solar energy collector structure located exteriorly of the mailbox, circuit means operatively connected to said solar energy collector structure mounted in the tray structure including a battery, and an address number light display mounted on an exterior surface of the mailbox, the solar energy collector providing a power source and connected through said circuit means to charge said battery, the mailbox structure being pivotal on said pivot means to expose the circuit means stored in said open topped tray structure, said address number light display comprising a lighting means, an address display frame, a transparent display device, reflective address numerals, said lighting means being attached to an exterior surface of the mailbox and being electrically connected with said circuit means and powered by the battery, said address display frame having a fastening means for securing the address display frame to an exterior surface of the mailbox, said transparent display device having two opposite flat surfaces and polished edges, said address display frame being sized to hold said transparent display device to the exterior surface of the mailbox, said reflective address numerals being attached to a back side of said transparent display device adjacent to the exterior surface of the mailbox, and a reflective tape attached along the polished edges on said transparent display device leaving a small light opening on one edge, said address display frame having a cavity on the backside to encompass said lighting means, said lighting means being positioned adjacent a polished edge of the transparent display device such that light transmitted from said lighting;

means is directed through the small light opening on the transparent display device, whereby substantially all of the light entering the transparent display device will reflect within the transparent display device off of the reflective tape attached along the polished edges and the reflective address numerals thereby resulting in an unusually brilliant even display of the reflective address numerals.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein the solar energy collector structure is sized to envelope an external outer surface of the mailbox in nested engagement therewith, and adhesive means connecting the solar energy collector structure to the outer surface of the mailbox.

3. The combination of claim 1, wherein the solar energy collector structure is connected to the circuit means with a wire and can be positioned in a location away from the mailbox structure such that the solar energy collector structure can be placed in a location to receive sunlight for recharging the battery.

4. The combination of claim 1, wherein manually operable latch means is provided between the open topped tray structure anti the mailbox, the manually operable latch means being releasable to allow the mailbox to be pivoted on said pivot means so that access can be had to the circuit means mounted with an interior area of the open topped tray structure, the latch means being latchable again on pivoted movement of the mailbox on said pivot means to return the box to its latched position.

5. The combination of claim 1, wherein the open topped tray structure defines a tray cavity with said circuit means being reposed in the tray cavity.

6. The combination of claim 1, wherein the mailbox is comprised of a synthetic plastic and has downwardly angled lugs depending from a lower side of the mailbox, the pivot means .further including fasteners extending through the lugs and sides of the open topped tray structure pivotally connecting the mailbox to the open topped tray structure.

7. The combination of claim 1, wherein the mailbox is comprised of a synthetic plastic and has a hinge structure at one end of the mailbox which comprises said pivot means, the hinge structure enabling the mailbox to be pivoted on its end to provide access to the open topped tray structure for viewing of the circuit means housed in a cavity defined by the open topped tray structure, the bottom of the mailbox serving as a lid to close the cavity when the mailbox is pivoted to a closed position overlying the open topped tray structure.

8. The combination of claim 1, wherein said reflective address numerals are of a white mylar and said reflective tape is of a white mylar.

9. The combination of claim 1, wherein said fastening means comprises channeled protuberances arranged on the exterior surface of the mailbox, said channeled protuberances being sized and positioned to tightly fit in nested relationship into grooves located along backside edges on the address display frame thereby providing easy removal and installation of the address display frame on the exterior surface of the mailbox.

10. In combination, a solar powered illuminated address number and mailbox structure comprising an open topped tray structure, a mailbox, pivot means pivotally connecting the mailbox to said open topped tray structure, solar energy collector structure comprising a series of panels secured exteriorly to the mailbox, circuit means disposed in a cavity defined by said open topped tray structure, the circuit means being operatively connected to said solar energy collector structure, the circuit means including a battery, an address number light display mounted on an exterior surface of the mailbox, the solar energy collector providing a power source and connected through said circuit means to charge said battery, the mailbox structure being pivotal on said pivot means to expose the circuit means stored in said open topped tray structure, said address number light display comprising a lighting means, an address display frame, a transparent display device, and reflective address numerals, said lighting means being attached to an exterior surface of the mailbox and being electrically connected with said circuit means and powered by the battery, said address display frame having a fastening means for securing the address display frame to an exterior surface of the mailbox, said transparent display device having two opposite flat surfaces and polished edges, said address display frame being sized to hold said transparent display device to the exterior surface of the mailbox, said reflective address numerals being attached to a back side of said transparent display device adjacent to the exterior surface of the mailbox, said transparent display device having a reflective tape attached along the polished edges leaving a small light opening on one edge, said address display frame having a cavity on the backside to encompass said lighting means, said lighting means being positioned adjacent a polished edge of the transparent display device such that light transmitted from said lighting means is directed through the small light opening on the transparent display device whereby substantially all of the light entering the transparent display device will reflect within the transparent display device off of the reflective tape attached along the polished edges and the reflective address numerals thereby resulting in an unusually brilliant even display of the reflective address numerals.

11. The combination of claim 10, wherein the address number light display is mounted on one side of the mailbox.

12. The combination of claim 10, wherein the address number light display is mounted on both sides of the mailbox.

13. The combination of claim 10, wherein the solar energy collector structure is sized to envelope an external outer surface of the mailbox in nested engagement therewith, and adhesive means connecting the solar energy collector structure to the outer surface of the mailbox.

14. The combination of claim 10, wherein the solar energy collector structure is connected to the circuit means with a wire and can be positioned in a location away from the mailbox structure such that the solar energy collector structure can be placed in a location to receive sunlight for recharging the battery.

15. The combination of claim 10, wherein said reflective address numerals are of a white mylar and said reflective tape is of a white mylar.

16. The combination of claim 10, wherein said fastening means comprises channeled protuberances arranged on the exterior surface of the mailbox, said channeled protuberances being sized and positioned to tightly fit in nested relationship into grooves located along backside edges on the address display frame, thereby providing easy removal and installation of the address display frame on the exterior surface of the mailbox.

17. A solar powered illuminated address number and mailbox structure having a mailbox with an exterior surface and an underside, the structure comprising a solar energy collector structure including a series of panels, means securing the solar energy collector structure exteriorly of the mailbox, circuit means attached to the mailbox, the circuit means operatively connected to said solar energy collector structure, the circuit means including a battery, the mailbox having an interior mail compartment, and an address number light display mounted on an exterior surface of the mailbox, the address number light display disposed in a planar relationship to the exterior surface of the mailbox so that the interior mail compartment remains free of encumbrance from the address number light display, the solar energy collector providing a power source and connected through said circuit means to charge said battery, the mailbox having means defining a compartment on the underside, the battery and the electrical circuit being at least disposed in part in said compartment, the mailbox and the compartment being relatively movable with respect to one another to allow components such as the battery and the electrical circuit to be exposed for service, said address number light display comprising a lighting means, an address display frame, a transparent display device, and reflective address numerals, said lighting means being attached to an exterior surface of the mailbox and being electrically connected with said circuit means and powered by the battery, said address display frame having a fastening means for securing the address display frame to an exterior surface of the mailbox, said transparent display device having two opposite flat surfaces and polished edges, said address display frame being sized to hold said transparent display device to the exterior surface of the mailbox, said reflective address numerals being attached to a back side of said transparent display device adjacent to the exterior surface of the mailbox, said transparent display device having a reflective tape attached along the polished edges leaving a small light opening on one edge, said address display frame having a cavity on the backside to encompass said lighting means, said lighting means being positioned adjacent a polished edge of the transparent display device such that light transmitted from said lighting means is directed through the small light opening on the transparent display device, whereby substantially all of the light entering the transparent display device will reflect within the transparent display device off of the reflective tape attached along the polished edges and the reflective address numerals thereby resulting in an unusually brilliant even display of the reflective address numerals.

18. The solar powered illuminated address number and mailbox structure of claim 17, wherein the address mounted display is mounted on both sides of the mailbox.

19. The solar powered illuminated address number and mailbox structure of claim 17, wherein housing means is provided for the mailbox structure and said circuit is stored therein and electronically connected to said address number light display.

20. The solar powered illuminated address number and mailbox structure of claim 17, wherein the solar energy collector structure is sized to envelope an external outer surface of the mailbox in nested engagement therewith, and adhesive means connecting the solar energy collector structure to the outer surface of the mailbox.

21. The solar powered illuminated address number and mailbox structure of claim 17, wherein the solar energy collector structure is connected to the circuit means with a wire and can be positioned in a location away from the mailbox structure such that the solar energy collector structure can be placed in a location to receive sunlight for recharging the battery.

22. The solar powered illuminated address number and mailbox structure of claim 17, wherein said reflective address numerals are of a white mylar and said reflective tape is of a white mylar.

23. The solar powered illuminated address number and mailbox structure of claim 17, wherein said fastening means comprises channeled protuberances arranged on the exterior surface of the mailbox, said channeled protuberances being sized and positioned to tightly fit in nested relationship into grooves located along backside edges on the address display frame, thereby providing easy removal and installation of the address display frame on the exterior surface of the mailbox.