Mechanical device for indicating the operation of a mailbox flap

Abstract

Mechanical device for indicating the operation of a mailbox flap, consisting of a first component (magnet holder) for attachment to the movable mail slot flap of the mailbox, wherein at least one permanent magnet is integrated in this component; a second component (guide part) for attachment to the stationary body of the mailbox, which second component has a guide for an indicator pin and an at least partially ferromagnetic indicator pin mounted vertically movably in the guide of the guide part, characterized in that the indicator pin is held in a first position (rest position) with the flap closed by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet against the force of gravity and upon movement of the flap (second position) which increases the distance between the magnet and the indicator pin, the holding force is undershot and the indicator pin falls under the force of gravity into a lower third position indicating operation.

Description

Technical field:

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of accessories for mailboxes, in particular mechanical indicator devices that signal delivery of mail or actuation of the letter slot. State of the art:

[0002] To check their mail, users of a mailbox need to open it and look inside. This leads to repeated, often unnecessary checks, especially with irregular deliveries or mailboxes located far from the apartment (e.g., in apartment buildings). Electronic solutions that send notifications wirelessly are available, but these are complex, prone to interference, require a power source, and are expensive to purchase. Simple mechanical indicators are often not universally compatible with different mailbox types or are not weatherproof. Purpose of the invention:

[0003] The object of the present invention is to create a purely mechanical, power-independent, and weatherproof device that can be easily retrofitted to a variety of different mailbox models. The device should reliably indicate, both visually and haptically (tactilely), that the mailbox flap has been opened or closed, both from the outside. Solution to the problem and description of the invention:

[0004] This problem is solved by a device with the features of claim 1. The device, hereinafter referred to as a letterbox indicator, essentially consists of two main components and a movable indicator pin. The letterbox indicator is based on a wear-free, magnetic operating principle. Fig. 1: Shows an exploded view of the device with its main components Fig. 2: Shows a schematic representation of the device in the inactive state (rest position) with the letterbox flap closed, as well as 3 detailed views of the same state. Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the device in the activated state (display position) with the letterbox flap open, as well as 3 detailed views of the same state. Detailed description:

[0005] The device comprises a first component, the guide part (item 1), and a second component, the magnetic holder (item 2). Both parts are preferably attached to the mailbox using strong, weather-resistant adhesive strips (not shown), thus enabling damage-free installation.

[0006] The magnetic holder (Pos. 2), shown in [ Fig. [1-3], is designed for attachment to the movable letterbox flap. A permanent magnet (item 5) is firmly and completely encapsulated within this component to protect it from corrosion and weathering. The shape of the magnet holder is designed so that it can be attached to various flap types (e.g., flaps with side or top hinges). The two possible magnet positions within the magnet holder (top and bottom) also allow for both left- and right-side mounting on the letterbox. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 not explicitly shown).

[0007] The guide part (Pos. 1), shown in [ Fig. [1-3], is mounted on the outside of the stationary mailbox body, directly below the position of the magnetic holder when the flap is closed. The guide part has a vertical guide or bore in which an indicator pin (pos. 3, 4) is movably mounted.

[0008] The special shape of the guide section ensures that it lies flush against various mailbox surfaces.

[0009] The indicator pen, shown in [ Fig. 1] consists of a ferromagnetic screw (item 3) and a screwed-on, visually prominent knurled nut (item 4). The knurled nut serves as a handle for manually resetting the indicator and as a tactile surface for feeling the position of the pin. It clearly and visibly indicates any operation of the mailbox flap reliably. How it works:

[0010] The functionality can be divided into two states and one actuation: • Unactivated state (resting position) - [ Fig. 2]: The user presses the indicator pen (Pos. 3, 4 out) Fig. 1) From bottom to top. With the letterbox flap closed, the magnet (item 5) is located in the magnet holder (item 2) in close proximity to the upper end of the ferromagnetic screw (indicator pin item 3). The magnetic force is sufficient to hold the indicator pin in this upper position against gravity. • Actuation - [ Fig. 3]: When mail is inserted, the letterbox flap opens. This moves the magnetic holder (item 2) with the magnet (item 5) away from the guide part (item 1). The distance between the magnet and the screw inevitably increases. • Triggered state (display position) - [ Fig.3]: Due to the increased distance, the magnetic force is no longer sufficient to hold the indicator pin. It falls downwards by a few millimeters under its own weight (gravity) until the knurled nut (item 4) protrudes visibly from the guide. This new, lower position of the pin signals to the user that the flap has been operated.

[0011] During the day, the lower position of the pen is clearly visible. In the dark, the user can easily determine the pen's position by feel using the prominent knurled nut (item 6), without needing light. However, a fluorescent knurled nut at this location would also be conceivable to provide a visual indication in addition to the tactile one, even in the dark.

[0012] After the mail has been removed, the indicator pin is returned to its rest position by simply pushing up the knurled nut (Pos. 4) and the device is ready for use again. Reference symbol list 1 Guided Tour 2 magnetic holders 3 Indicator pen 4 Sleeve (indicator) 5 permanent magnets

Claims

[1] Mechanical device for indicating the actuation of a letterbox flap, comprising a first component (magnet holder) for attachment to the movable letterbox flap, wherein at least one permanent magnet is integrated in this component; a second component (guide part) for attachment to the stationary body of the letterbox, which has a guide for an indicator pin and an indicator pin, at least partially ferromagnetic, which is vertically movable in the guide of the guide part, characterized by , that the indicator pin in a first position (rest position) with the flap closed is held against gravity by the magnetic force of the permanent magnet, and when the flap is moved (second position), increasing the distance between the magnet and the indicator pin, the holding force is reduced and the indicator pin falls into a lower third position, indicating actuation, due to gravity. [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the indicator pin consists of a ferromagnetic screw and a knurled nut attached to it. [3] Device according to claim 2, characterized by , that the knurled nut serves both for manually resetting the indicator pen to the first position and for haptic detection of the pen's position. [4] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the permanent magnet in the first component is completely encased in plastic or another protective material to protect it from corrosion. [5] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first and second components are to be attached to the mailbox non-destructively using adhesive connections. [6] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the geometric shape of the letterbox indicator is designed in such a way that it can be mounted on letterboxes with different designs and flap geometries.

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