US1362941A - Mail-box - Google Patents

Description

c. HEINE.

MAIL-BOX.

APPLICATION FILED MAY I3. I920.

QYWMMM CH/WPZBS HH Patented Dec. 21,

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

I 257 55 (Qatar/M74 C. H. HEINE.

MAIL BOX.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 13. 1 920.

1,362,941, Patented Dec. 21, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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CHARLES H. HEINE, OF LEXINGTON, NEBRASKA.

MAIL-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Dec. 21 192() Application filed May 13, 1920. Serial No. 381,001.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, CHARLES H. I-IEINn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lexington, in the county of Dawson and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Maih Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention especially relates to mail boxes of the kind used in rural delivery, and the object of the invention is to provide a mail box of this class which may be manufactured at a small cost, is strong, durable and weatherproof, and may be easily operated.

In carrying out my invention I form a cylindrical receptacle of sheet metal which is closed throughout except at the top, where an opening is provided for the reception and withdrawal of mail matter. This opening is normally closed by a curved cover which is hinged to the body of the box and adapted to move in an arc concentric with the longitudinal axis of the body of the box. Springs are provided within the box which normally hold the cover closed, but permit it to be opened at will, and the cover is provided with a rack for holding packages or other mail matter which cannot conveniently be placed in the box. This neck may be employed for opening the box against the force of the springs. Within the box I arrange a clasp, by means of which a letter or other mail matter requiring postage stamps may be held and displayed, and I also provide a receptacle for coin to pay the required postage.

Other features of the invention will be hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mail box embodying my improvements attached to a support.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same. showing by full lines the cover in open position, and by dotted lines, in closed position.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section, showing the cover in closed position.

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the cover in open position.

Fig. 5 is a detail view in section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view showing particularly the clasp for holding a letter requiring postage and the coin receptacle.

F 7 is a detail sectional view showing partlcularly the manner of hinging the cover to the body of the box, and also showing the signal.

The body A of the box is preferably of cylindrical form, as shown. It is closed throughout except at the top, where an opening B is provided for the reception and withdrawal of mail matter. The box may be supported on a post C or other suitable support by means of a bracket D of suitable construction. The cover E comprises a curved lid 6 and sector shaped side pieces 6 which are pivotally connected at e to the sides of the box body in such manner that the cover may be swung from the closed position shown in Fig. 3 to the open position shown in Fig. 4.

On each side of the opening in the box the metal is beaded as indicated at b to provide smooth edges on opposite sides of the opening and the lid is so supported that it clears these beads while being moved. The rear edge of the cover is flanged at c to provide a stop to limit the forward movement of the lid, as indicated in Fig. 3.

Normally the lid is held closed by springs G, which are connected to the front edge of the lid and extend to the bottom of the box, where they are secured at 9. When the lid is closed the springs are in the position shown in Fig. 3 and hold the lid closed, but

when the lid is opened, the springs are ex tended and moved to the position shown in Fig. 1-. The upper ends of the springs are secured at g to the rib which is attached to the under side of the front part of the lid.

In order to properly hold the springs when the lid is open, I provide supports m which engage the springs and bend them in the manner shown in Fig. 4-, when the lid is thrown back, so that the springs will tend to close the lid. These supports are adjustable. Each one of them consists of a slotted plate m through which extends a bolt m which also serves to connect the lid with the box body. The plate m extends through a housing m attached to the end of the box and serves as a guide for the plate m. The plate we may be adjusted to the desired. extent so as to hold the spring with which it is associated in the proper way. Similar devices are used on each end of the box and the plates m may be so adjusted as to so engage the springs as to cause them to automatically close the box,

or they may be so adjusted as to permit the.

ceptacle 0 may be carried by the lid to receive the coin or coins necessary to pay the postage. H indicates a rack which is applied to the front portion of the lid. It serves to hold packages or other mail matter that cannot conveniently be inserted in the box. It may also be used to operate the lid, as by merely pressing against the rack with the arm or with a mail bag or other object held by the carrier or user, the lid may be opened.

S indicates a signal device consisting of a disk 8 and astem 8 which is pivotally connected at its lower end 8 with a rod .9 which is secured at s to the cover and is also secured at s to the rack. The rod 8" serves to strengthen or stiffen the rack as well as to provide a pivotal support for the signal.

The signal device is operated by hand. When the box is opened the signal device is moved to the position shown in Fig. 2. When the box is closed the device may be swung around to the position shown in Fig.

' 1 and held by the stop 01;.

Experience has demonstrated that a mail box constructed in the manner described is entirely waterproof, is strong and durable and may be easily manufactured.

While the box is especially intended for rural free delivery, it may be employed for other purposes.

I claim as my invention:

1. A mail box, comprising a cylindrical body portion having an opening at the top,

.a curved cover having sector shaped ends hinged to the body portion of the box and adaptedto move about the longitudinal central axis of the box, springs within the box attached at their lower ends to the forward portion of the bottom of the box and at their upper ends to the front portion of the cover, and supports carried by the ends of the box and within the box adapted to engage the middle portions of the springs when the cover is open.

2. A mail box, comprising a cylindrical body portion having an opening at the top, a curved cover having sector shaped ends hinged to the body portion of the box and adapted to move about the longitudinal central axis of the box, springs within the box attached at their lower ends to the forward portion of the bottom of the box and at their upper ends to the front portion of the cover, and adjustable supports carried by the ends of the box and within the box adapted to engage the middle portions of the springs when the cover is open.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

CHARLES H. HEINE.

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