Mail delivery alert system

• US 7,843,340 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2008
• Issued: 11/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Willis Noland Davis
• Original Assignee: Willis Noland Davis
• Inventors: Davis, Willis Noland
• Primary Examiner(s): GOINS, DAVETTA WOODS
• Application Number:
  US12/167,449
• Publication Number:
  US 20100001861A1
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 340/569, 340/539.1, 340/545.1, 340/545.6, 340/545.7, 340/545.8, 232/17, 232/34, 232/36, 232/37, 232/20, 232/45, 455/412.1, 455/412.2, 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 mail delivery alert system includes a mailbox housing that encloses an interior space that defines an open front. A door is pivotally coupled to the housing and is movable between open and closed configurations relative to the open front. A first sensor is positioned in the housing so as to detect an opening of the door and a second sensor is positioned so as to detect the presence of an article, such as mail, in the open space of the housing. The system includes a transmitter and a processor. The processor includes programming for actuating the transmitter to transmit an alert signal through the air upon the first sensor detecting an opening of the door and the second sensor detecting the presence of an article in the open space of the housing. The system includes a receiver remote from the housing for receiving the alert signal.

Claims

1. A mail delivery alert system, comprising:

a mailbox housing that encloses an interior space and that defines an open front;

a door pivotally coupled to said housing and movable between open and closed configurations relative to said open front;

wherein said housing includes a bottom wall having upper and lower surfaces, a top wall opposite said bottom wall, and opposed side walls extending from said top wall to a point beneath said bottom wall, such that said lower surface of said bottom wall and said side walls form a cavity;

a first sensor positioned on a front face of said bottom wall so as to detect an opening of said door;

a second sensor positioned on said bottom wall of said housing so as to detect the presence of an article of mail positioned on said bottom wall;

wherein said first sensor is a photosensor;

wherein said second sensor is a light emitting diode and reflector combination;

a transmitter;

a battery;

a processor electrically connected to said battery, said first and second sensors and to said transmitter, said processor including programming for actuating said transmitter to transmit an alert signal through the air upon said first sensor detecting an opening of said door and said second sensor detecting the presence of an article in said open space of said housing;

wherein said processor, said transmitter, and said first and second sensors are positioned in said cavity;

a receiver remote from said transmitter for receiving said alert signal;

wherein said processor includes;

a predetermined code associated with said mailbox housing that is different from a code associated with any other mailbox housing;

programming for actuating said transmitter to include said predetermined code with said alert signal; and

programming requiring that said second sensor detects the presence of article a predetermined time after said first sensor detects an opening of said door before actuating said transmitter, whereby to avoid a false detection of mail indicative of a mail delivery person taking outgoing mail or being delayed in depositing incoming.

2. The system as in claim 1 wherein said receiver includes an ornamental housing in the form of a mailbox, said housing being mountable to a wall.

3. The system as in claim 1 wherein said housing includes a visual or audio indicator indicative of receipt of said alert signal.

4. The mail delivery alert system as in claim 1, further comprising an on/off switch mounted to said mailbox housing and electrically connected to said battery and said processor so as to selectively enable said processor to be energized or deenergized.