Mail receptacle with delivery indicator

Abstract

The “Mail Receptacle with Delivery Indicator” is a device which will allow the user of the unit to visually detect the presence of mail without opening the unit, or even approaching said unit directly. There are several possible embodiments of said device, including but not limited to a unit which can be placed at the roadside in rural areas for delivery of mail, a unit which can be mounted on the outside wall of a house for delivery of mail in urban areas, a smaller unit, possibly assembled in groups, which could be used for multiple dwellings such as apartment complexes, a special unit to be placed inside a wall locker in a school, factory, or any other location in which wall lockers are used, or a decorative unit which could be placed on a desk or table to be used for personal or interoffice communication. The unit may also include a recording means which would allow a verbal message for the user of the mailbox to be recorded and played back at the convenience of the user. The unit may also include a security mechanism which prevents unauthorized persons from having access to mail within the unit. The unit may also include a protected area for displaying the name and / or house number of the user, providing easier identification of the proper unit for someone delivering mail.

Description

[0001] This utility patent application claims priority of provisional patent application 60 / 759925 filed Jan. 19, 2006, which is incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to devices and systems for detecting the presence of verbal or written communication in a receptacle intended to receive such communication. More particularly, the invention relates to devices and systems for detecting the presence of such communications without the need to open the receptacle. The invention also relates to protection of such communications from unauthorized users, and more easily identifying the proper receptacle to receive such communications. REFERENCES CITED [0003]U.S. Patents1.4,101,877July 1978Rush2.4,154,393May 1979Darvishan3.4,314,102Febuary 1982Lowe & McFiggans4.4,633,236June 1985Buhl & Holger5.4,999,612March 1991Cherveny6.5,040.723August 1991Kelly7.5,239,305August 1993Murphy & Shea8.5,335,848August 1994Schreiber9.5,382,945January 1995Nova...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0025] The present invention allows the user to detect the presence of mail or messages within the mailbox without having to approach the mailbox directly, use a remote control device to activate the indicator, or be inside the building or at the location where a separate indicator is positioned. Several embodiments of this invention are possible, including but not limited to one which is intended to be suspended within a school or work locker, one which is intended to be positioned on the outside wall of a house, one which is intended to be positioned at the side of a road or street, and one which is intended to be placed on a desk or table in a home or office. Other embodiments could also be developed using this technology.

Problems solved by technology

Such devices would not be readily adaptable to other embodiments.

If the current between the house and the unit should be interrupted for any reason, the device would not be able to function.

If the weight of the mail was not sufficient to trigger the signal, or if the flow of the current between the mailbox and the house was interrupted in any way, the device would not function.

Therefore it cannot be seen by approaching the multiple mailbox unit.

The indicator hangs down below the mailbox, making it difficult to see during the day and nearly impossible to see at night.

This device and others like it which are further detailed in other examples of prior art are intended mainly for rural mailboxes, which are positioned at the side of the road, and would not be readily adaptable to other embodiments.

This system would not work with a mailbox in which mail is deposited through a slot.

This system would not work with a mailbox in which mail is deposited through a slot.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,066,381 describes a system incorporating a flag style indicator which extends out from the front of the mailbox, making it difficult to see from the house even during daylight hours, since such mailboxes typically face toward the street, not the house.

It also would not be readily visible at night.

In this position the indicator would be only marginally visible during the day and very difficult to see at night.

Also, if the remote control unit were to be lost, stolen, or simply forgotten at home, the indicator could not be activated.

Depending on the sensitivity of the system, small items might not possess enough weight to activate the system, which consists of a light.

This light is only visible from the front of the mailbox, which typically faces away from the house, making it difficult to see for someone inside the house.

This system would not be adaptable to mailboxes in which mail is deposited by way of a slot.

The system allows a person inside the dwelling to communicate with the person delivering mail, but does not make provision for recording or playing back a message.

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