Mail delivery indicator system

• US 7,559,456 B1
• Filed: 05/07/2008
• Issued: 07/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dean Mckenzie
• Original Assignee: Dean Mckenzie
• Inventors: McKenzie, Dean
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller; William L.
• Application Number:
  US12/116,564
• Time in Patent Office: 433 Days
• Field of Search: 232/35, 232/34, 232/45, 232/17, D99 29- 32, D99/43, 116/215
• 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 mailbox delivery indicator system (700) for indicating when the mailbox door has been opened includes a signal ball (600) and a signal holder arm (501, 503, 505) extending laterally from the front face of a mailbox door. The signal holder arm (501, 503, 505) includes a ring section (507) for holding the signal ball (600) such that the ring section (507) includes a locking member (513). The locking member (513) extends from an edge of the ring section (507) for engaging with a clevis (603) on the signal ball (600) to hold the signal ball (600) in a fixed position within the ring section (507). The mailbox delivery indicator system (700) works to signal the user that mail has been delivered when the signal ball (600) is disengaged from the locking member (513).

Claims

1. A mailbox delivery indicator system for indicating when a mailbox door has been opened comprising:

a signal ball;

a signal holder arm extending laterally from the front face of the mailbox door, the signal holder arm includes a ring section for holding the signal ball; and

wherein the ring section includes a locking member extending from an edge of the ring section which engages with a clevis on the signal ball to hold the signal ball in a fixed position within the ring section; and

wherein the ring section includes a tether for fastening to the signal ball.

2. A mailbox delivery indicator system as in claim 1, wherein the locking member extends above the ring section.

3. A mailbox delivery indicator system as in claim 1, wherein the signal holder arm includes an offset section for angularly displacing an end of the signal holder arm opposite to that of the mailbox door.

4. A mailbox delivery indicator system as in claim 1, wherein the ring section includes a guard positioned around an inner portion of the ring section for blocking objects from accidentally removing the signal ball.

5. A mailbox delivery indicator system as in claim 1, wherein the ring section includes a guard positioned around an outer portion of the ring section for blocking objects from accidentally removing the signal ball.

6. A mailbox delivery indicator system as in claim 1, wherein the clevis forms a substantially square loop.

7. A mailbox bracket assembly for attachment to a mailbox door for providing a visual signal when the mailbox door has been opened comprising:

a signal ball having a clevis;

a signal holder arm mounted to the mailbox door and extending laterally therefrom, the signal holder arm including a ring section for holding the signal ball therein;

at least one guard section extending around the ring section for blocking objects from inadvertently contacting the signal ball; and

at least one locking member extending from the ring section for engaging with the clevis for holding the signal ball into a fixed position within the ring section; and

wherein the ring section includes a tether for fastening to the signal ball.

8. A mailbox bracket assembly as in claim 7, wherein the signal holder arm includes an offset for displacing an end of the signal holder arm.

9. A mailbox bracket assembly as in claim 7, wherein the at least one guard section includes an upper guard and a lower guard.

10. A mailbox bracket assembly as in claim 9, wherein the upper guard extends around an outer edge of the ring section.

11. A mailbox bracket assembly as in claim 10, wherein the lower guard extends around an inner edge of the ring section.

12. A mailbox bracket assembly as in claim 7, wherein the at least one locking member extends above the ring section.

13. A mailbox bracket signaling system for a mailbox door comprising:

a signal ball having a clevis extending from its surface;

a signal holder arm attached to the mailbox door, the signal holder arm includes an offset section;

a ring section attached to the signal holder arm for holding the signal ball in a fixed position therein;

a locking member extending from and above the ring section; and

wherein the locking member engages with the clevis for holding the signal ball in the fixed position within the ring section; and

wherein a chain attaches between the ring section and the signal ball.

14. A mailbox bracket signaling system as in claim 13, wherein the clevis is substantially square in shape.

15. A mailbox bracket signaling system as in claim 13, wherein the ring section includes at least one guard for blocking objects from inadvertently removing the signal ball from the ring section.

16. A mailbox bracket signaling system as in claim 15, wherein the at least one guard includes an upper guard extending around an outer portion of the ring section and a lower guard extending around an inner portion of the ring section.

17. A mailbox bracket signaling system as in claim 13, wherein locking member includes a flanged end for preventing the locking member from sliding through the clevis.