US743297A - Mail-box. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED NOV. 3, 1903.v

M. J. LAWRENCE.

MAIL BOX.

ION r UNITED STATES Patented November 3, 1903;

PATENT OFFICE.

MAIL-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 743,297, dated November .3, 1903.

Application filed March 1903.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MILTON J. LAWRENCE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Beaver, in the county of Beaver and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention provides a box involving novel structural features, especially designed for receiving and delivering mail in rural districts, same when closed preventing the cover being blown open by the wind and injuring the contentsof the box in wet weather. Combined with the box is a signal of peculiar formation to-notify by its position the carrier and resident that the box contains mail either to be forwarded or delivered. When the signal is vertical, it is a notice to the carrier that mail is to be collected and when pendent it apprises the resident either that the mail has been collected or that the box contains matter for the occupant of the premises.

For a full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result, reference is to be had to the following description and drawings hereto attached.

While the essential and characteristic features of theinvention are susceptible of modification, still the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-=- Figure l is a perspective view of a mailbox embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is an end view having the upper front portion broken awayand showing the operation of the hasp and signal by dotted lines.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in both views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The box 1 is preferably of metal, although this is not essential so long as a receptacle is provided that will protect the contentsfrom Serial No. 146,406. (No model.)

desired construction, so as to hold matter sep arated, and, as shown, straps 3 are made fast at their ends to the sides of the box and deflected intermediate of their ends to provide spaces for reception of any desired matter.

The cover 2 is hinged to a side of the box and opens upward and rearward and is provided with a pendent rim 4, encircling the upper edgeof the sides of the box and spaced therefrom a short distance, so as to preclude the entrance of water into the box. A hasp 5 is rigidly connected at one end to the free edge portion of the cover and is adapted to cooperate with a staple 6, applied to the front side of the box, so as to secure the cover against accidental opening by wind or from other cause, whereby the contents of the box are protected from inclement weather, as well as from loss by being blown away during a gale or high wind. 5 is resilient and constructed so as to automatically engage with the staple, the spring action being derived in part from the cover and partly from the construction of the hasp itself. When the cover is closed tight upon the box, the hasp 5 snaps over the staple and automatically secures the cover and prevents same from being blown open by the wind. For further securitya padlock 7 may be employed in the accustomed way, the carrier and the resident each being provided with a key to admit of access to the box.

The signal comprises an arm 8, pivoted at one end to the box and provided at its opposite end -with a disk or plate 9 of a bright color to attract attention and readily discernible from a distance. Acam-slot 10 is formed in the pivoted arm 8 at a point intermediate of its ends and is adapted to cooperate with a headed stud 11 applied to the cover, so as tohold the arm in perpendicular relation when the signal is set to indicate to the carrier that the box contains matter for collection. By having the stud 11 headed the signal-arm 8 is prevented from outward displacement when turned into a vertical position, thereby sustaining same against wind tending to force the upper end of the signal away from the box. arm 8 to throwend portions thereof in differ ent planes, whereby the lower portion may An offset 12 is formed in the pivoted The hasp bear against the box and the upper portion against the edge of the cover, this being necessary in order to obviate strain upon the pivoted connection between said arm and box, as it must be remembered that the part of the cover-carrying stud 11 projects beyond the side of the box supporting the signal. The cam-slot extends through an edge of the pivoted arm and flares atits receiving end to facilitate the entrance of the stud therein when setting the signal.

The mail-box is placed in any convenient and conspicuous place, and when the resident or occupant of premises desires to place mail for collection same is deposited in the box and the signal turned into a vertical position, the

headed stud being received in the cam-slot 10, the cover being tightly closed to cause the hasp 5 to automatically snap over staple 6. The carrier seeing the signal is advised that the box contains matter for collection and upon opening the cover automatically throws the signal so it will occupy a pendent position, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 2. The resident or occupant of the premises upon seeing the signal reversed or in pendent position is informed that collection has been made and also that the box may contain matter placed therein by the carrier for delivery. It will thus be understood that the signal by a prearranged plan may be used to notify the carrier that collection is to be made and to apprise the owner or resident that matter has been placed in the box for delivery.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In combination, a mail-box, a hinged cover therefor, a signal-arm pivoted to the box and provided with a cam-slot, and a stud applied to the cover and adapted to engage with said cam-slot and hold the signal in determinate position, said signal being released and turned aside upon opening the cover, substantially as described.

2. In combination, a mail-box, a hinged cover therefor, a signal-arm pivoted to the box and provided with a cam-slot, and a headed stud applied to said cover and adapted to cooperate With the cam-slot of the signal-arm v MILTON J. LAWRENCE.

Witnesses:

W. B. FREEMAN, A. DICKEY.

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