Rotating mailbox system

• US 5,979,751 A
• Filed: 09/10/1998
• Issued: 11/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph Y. Maddox
• Original Assignee: Joseph Y. Maddox
• Inventors: Maddox, Joseph Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Melius, Terry Lee
• Assistant Examiner(s): Miller, William L.
• Application Number:
  US09/150,612
• Time in Patent Office: 425 Days
• Field of Search: 232/52, 232/34, 232/35, 232/36, 232/37, 232/17, 232/45, 232/43.1, 232/47, 232/61, 340/569
• US Class Current: 232/52
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/12095 comprising a chute and a separate outlet door
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/1212 comprising electrical parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/1214 including a receiver located remotely from the letter-box and a transmitter

Abstract

A mailbox system is provided including a housing including a chamber with a door allowing access to the chamber; and a rotatable guide assembly including a shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and a plurality of plates extending radially from the shaft, wherein the guide assembly is adapted to rotate upon the movement of the door for transferring mail into the chamber.

Claims

1. A new and improved rotating mailbox system for maximizing the security and convenience of delivered mail comprising:

a generally rectilinear housing with a domed top and a lower chamber for securely holding delivered mail with a front lower door operable by a user and with a combination lock to preclude unauthorized entrance, the housing also having an upper chamber for depositing mail therethrough with a front upper door operable by a postman;

a rotatable guide assembly formed of a shaft rotatably mounted in the housing with ratchet gears at ends of the shaft, the guide assembly also including four plates radially secured to the shaft, the plates selectively movable in ninety degree increments from a first horizontal position adjacent to the front upper door to receive letters, to a second upper vertical position to preclude access to the lower chamber through the front upper door, to a third horizontal position remote from the front upper door, and to a fourth lower vertical position for dropping delivered mail to the lower chamber;

at least one push rod positionable between the front upper door and the ratchet gears with a spring urging the rod toward the front upper door whereby opening the front upper door will move the rod away from the ratchet gears whereby closing of the front upper door will reciprocate the rod inwardly against the ratchet gears to turn the plates ninety degrees so that a single opening and closing of the front upper door is adapted to move deposited mail to a position remote from the front upper door while a second opening and closing of the front upper door is adapted to allow the dropping of the mail to the lower chamber;

a first sensor in the lower chamber of the housing with a plate thereabove for receiving deposited mail and generating a signal for alerting the user for the presence of delivered mail; and

supplemental components above the upper chamber including a battery for powering the various supplemental components including a second sensor and a light to illuminate when the front upper door is opened and a lamp connected to the first sensor on a side of the housing remote form the upper and lower doors to inform the user of the presence of delivered mail when the signal is received.

2. A mailbox system comprising:

a housing including a chamber with a door allowing access to the chamber;

a rotable guide assembly formed of a shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and a plurality of plates extending radially from the shaft, wherein the guide assembly is adapted to rotate upon the movement of the door for transferring mail into the chamber; and

at least one rod connected to the guide assembly for rotating the guide assembly, wherein the rod has gear teeth formed thereon for engaging a gear on the shaft of the guide assembly.

3. A mailbox system as set forth in claim 2 wherein a second door is mounted on the housing for allowing access to the chamber to authorized persons only.

4. A mailbox system as set forth in claim 3 wherein a sensor is mounted adjacent one of the doors for illuminating the chamber with a lamp upon the opening thereof.

5. A mailbox system as set forth in claim 2 wherein a sensor is positioned within the chamber with a panel thereover for transmitting a signal upon the accumulation of a predetermined amount of mail within the chamber.

6. A mailbox system as set forth in claim 5 wherein the sensor is connected to a transmitter for transmitting the signal via free space and further including a remote indicator for providing an indication to a remote user upon the receipt of the signal via free space.

7. A mailbox system as set forth in claim 5 wherein the sensor is connected to a lamp mounted on the housing for illuminating the housing upon the receipt of the signal.

8. A mailbox system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the gear on the shaft of the guide assembly is a ratchet gear.

9. A mailbox system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the rod is connected to the door.

10. A mailbox system comprising:

a housing including a chamber with a door allowing access to the chamber;

a rotatable guide assembly formed of a shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and a plurality of plates extending radially form the shaft, wherein the guide assembly is adapted to rotate upon the movement of the door for transferring mail into the chamber; and

at least one rod connected to the guide assembly for rotating the guide assembly;

wherein the rod is spring-loaded.

11. A mailbox system as set forth in claim 10 wherein a second door is mounted on the housing for allowing access to the chamber to authorized persons only.

12. A mailbox system as set forth in claim 11 including a sensor connected to a transmitter for transmitting a signal via free space and further including a remote indicator for providing an indication to a remote user upon the receipt of the signal via free space.

13. A mailbox system as set forth in claim 11 including a sensor connected to a lamp mounted on the housing for illuminating the housing upon the receipt of a signal.

14. A mailbox system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the rod has gear teeth formed thereon for engaging a gear on the shaft of the guide assembly.

15. A mailbox system as set forth in claim 14 wherein the gear on the shaft of the guide assembly is a ratchet gear.

16. A mailbox system as set forth in claim 10 wherein the rod is connected to the door.

17. A mailbox system comprising:

a housing including a chamber with a door allowing access to the chamber; and

a rotatable guide assembly formed of a shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and a plurality of plates extending radially from the shaft, wherein the guide assembly is adapted to rotate upon the movement of the door for transferring mail into the chamber;

said shaft of the guide assembly including a gear mechanism at an end thereof for cooperating with at least one spring-loaded rod for rotating the guide assembly in ninety degree increments.

18. A mailbox system as set forth in claim 17 wherein the rod has gear teeth formed thereon for engaging the gear mechanism on the shaft of the guide assembly.

19. A mailbox system as set forth in claim 17 wherein a second door is mounted on the housing for allowing access to the chamber to authorized persons only.

20. A mailbox system as set forth in claim 17 including a sensor connected to a transmitter for transmitting a signal via free space and further including a remote indicator for providing an indication to a remote user upon the receipt of the signal via free space.

21. A mailbox system as set forth in claim 17 including a sensor connected to a lamp mounted on the housing for illuminating the housing upon the receipt of a signal.

22. A mailbox system as set forth in claim 17 wherein the gear mechanism on the shaft of the guide assembly is a ratchet gear.