Mailbox

Abstract

To provide a mailbox that allows for easy insertion of small, easily bent mail while maintaining security features. [Solution] The mailbox comprises a main body 4 in which a mail slot 706 and a storage space 401 are formed, and a flap 6 fixed to the main body 4 at a position on one side in the direction along the mail slot 706, and capable of opening and closing the mail slot 706 in the storage space 401. The flap 6 extends to the other side opposite to the mail slot 706, and the main body 4 has opposing parts 701a and 701d at a position on the other side of the mail slot 706, with a gap 110 between them that is continuous from the mail slot 706 to the storage space 401, and the opposing parts 701a and 701d are positioned off from a virtual straight line that passes from the mail slot 706 through the gap 110 and connects one end of the opposing parts 701a and 701d to the other end of the flap 6.

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

[0001] The present invention relates to a postal pillar for posting mailed items.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a postal pillar including a main body for accommodating a delivered item (mailed item) and an insertion opening (posting opening) for inserting (posting) the mailed item into the main body has been known (see Patent Document 1). The posting opening is closed so as to be entirely covered by a plurality of small flaps. The small flaps are configured to rotate inwardly when pushed by the mailed item when the mailed item is posted into the posting opening, thereby opening the posting opening.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, generally, in a postal pillar provided with flaps such as the plurality of small flaps described above, while exhibiting a crime prevention function by making the mailed items accommodated in the main body difficult to see and difficult to take out, in order to post a mailed item, the flap has to be pushed to open the posting opening. For example, in the postal pillar described in Patent Document 1, regardless of the size of the thickness dimension of the mailed item, by rotating the mailed item to be inserted into the posting opening inward while pushing the small flap with the mailed item, the posting opening is opened and the mailed item is accommodated in the main body. Therefore, when attempting to post a mailed item such as a flyer with a small thickness dimension that is easily bent, with a mailed item having a small thickness dimension, there is a problem that the force to push and rotate the small flap is insufficient, making it difficult to open the posting opening and difficult to post the mailed item.

[0005] The objective of this invention is to provide a mailbox that allows for easy insertion of mail that is small in thickness and easily bent, while maintaining its security function. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention provides a mailbox comprising: a main body having a mail slot and a storage space for receiving mail to be deposited through the mail slot; and a flap fixed to the main body at a position on one side in the direction along the mail slot and capable of opening and closing the mail slot within the storage space, wherein the flap extends to the other side opposite to the mail slot, and the main body has a facing portion at a position on the other side of the mail slot, with a gap between it and the flap that is continuous from the mail slot to the storage space, wherein the facing portion is positioned off from a virtual straight line that passes from the mail slot through the gap and connects the one end of the facing portion to the other end of the flap. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mailbox that allows for easy insertion of mail that is small in thickness and easily bent, while maintaining its security function. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing a mailbox according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A front view showing the mail slot of a postbox according to the above embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III. [Figure 4] A front view showing the main parts of a modified example of the mailbox according to the above embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken along the VV line. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Structure of this embodiment] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 3 show a delivery box 1 having a mailbox 2 (post box) according to this embodiment. In the following description, the left-right direction of delivery box 1 is defined as the X-axis, the up-down direction of delivery box 1 is defined as the Y-axis, and the depth direction of delivery box 1 is defined as the Z-axis. The X, Y, and Z axes are orthogonal to each other.

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing delivery box 1, including mailbox 2. Figure 1(A) shows the outer door 8, inner door 5, and the door of parcel receiving box 3 in the closed state. Figure 1(B) shows the outer door 8, inner door 5, and the door of parcel receiving box 3 in the open state. The delivery box 1 includes the aforementioned mailbox 2 as well as a parcel receiving box 3. The mailbox 2 and the parcel receiving box 3 are formed as a single unit. The mailbox 2 is placed on top of the parcel receiving box 3. The mailbox 2 comprises a main body 4 that forms a mail slot 706 and a storage space 401 for accommodating mail 100 deposited from the mail slot 706, and a flap 6 fixed to the main body 4 at one (upward) position in the direction that closes the mail slot 706 (the direction along the mail slot 706, the Y-axis direction), and capable of opening and closing the mail slot 706 in the storage space 401. The main body 4 of the mailbox 2 is made of metal such as steel and comprises a housing 40 formed in the shape of a hollow rectangular prism, an inner door 5 and an outer door 8 which are installed to open and close in an opening 400 formed in the front of the housing 40, and a flap 6 installed on the inner door 5. The inner door 5 is composed of a frame 7 with a mail slot 706 formed therein for mail 100 to pass through. In this embodiment, the frame 7 is formed such that the longitudinal direction of the mail slot 706 extends in the X-axis direction along the horizontal direction. As shown in Figure 2, the frame 7 comprises a lower frame portion 701, an upper frame portion 702, a hinge vertical frame portion 703, and a door edge vertical frame portion 705. In this embodiment, the frame 7 is formed of a hollow material that forms a hollow portion 710 (see Figure 3). The upper frame portion 702 faces the lower frame portion 701 in the Y-axis direction, with the mail slot 706 in between. The hinge vertical frame portion 703 faces the door edge vertical frame portion 705 in the X-axis direction, with the mail slot 706 in between. The hinge vertical frame portion 703 is rotatably connected to the main body portion 4, so that the inner door 5 can be installed on the main body portion 4 so that the opening 400 can be opened and closed. A locking device 10 is installed near the door frame 705. The inner door 5 can be locked to the housing 40 by the locking device 10. The operator of the mailbox 2 can unlock and lock the inner door 5 using the locking device 10, and can open and close the inner door 5 when it is unlocked. The outer door 8 is located on the outside of the inner door 5 and is installed so that it can be opened and closed by an operator.

[0011] [Structure of flap 6 and lower frame 701] Here, the structure of the flap 6 and the lower frame 701 will be explained based on Figures 1 to 3. Figure 2 is a front view showing the main parts of the mailbox 2 when the outer door 8 is open and the inner door 5 is closed. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the broken line in Figure 2, and an enlarged view of the area enclosed by the dashed line, which includes the flap 6 and the lower frame 701. The flap 6 comprises a plurality of protruding pieces 601 and a flat plate portion 602 that extends in the X-axis direction and is continuous with the upper part of the plurality of protruding pieces 601. The plurality of protruding pieces 601 are formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape. The plurality of protruding pieces 601 are arranged in a line along one longitudinal side of the flat plate portion 602, with spacing in the X-axis direction. Thus, the flap 6 has a shape in which a rectangular flat plate material has a slit along the Y-axis direction. In this embodiment, the plurality of protruding pieces 601 and the flat plate portion 602 are formed integrally. The flap 6 is made of a flexible material such as vinyl, rubber, resin, or plastic. The flap 6 is positioned with the side on which the protruding pieces 601 are formed facing downwards and the side on which the flat plate portion 602 is facing upwards. The flap 6 is fixed to the upper frame portion 702 so as to be elastically deformable in the direction toward the storage space 401 from the outer door 8 (hereinafter referred to as the inward direction) along the Z-axis direction. As a result, the flap 6 is installed so that the mail slot 706 can be opened and closed. The lower frame portion 701 has a lower edge portion 711 that demarcates the mail slot 706 on the other (downward) side in the direction of closing the mail slot 706. The multiple protrusions 601 extend to the other (downward) side beyond the lower edge portion 711. Therefore, the multiple protrusions 601 overlap with the lower frame portion 701 on the XY plane. When the flap 6 is closed over the mail slot 706, the multiple protrusions 601 have a counter region 601a at their lower part that faces the lower frame portion 701. The lower frame portion 701 has a piece-shaped opposing portion 701a that hangs down in the Y-axis direction from the lower edge portion 711 and faces the flap 6 in the Z-axis direction. The opposing portion 701a faces the flap 6 at a position other than the position of the mail slot 706 (below it). The opposing portion 701a is positioned outside the flap 6 (towards the mail slot 706). Therefore, the flap 6 is configured in such a way that it is difficult for it to be flipped out from the mail slot 706 by elastic deformation, making it difficult to remove the mail 100 from the storage space 401 through the mail slot 706. In this embodiment, the surface 701b (partition surface) of the lower frame portion 701 that partitions the storage space 401 is positioned inside the opposing portion 701a (towards the rear in the Z-axis direction). Here, the surface 701b is a surface formed on the lower frame portion 701 that aligns with the XY plane and faces the storage space 401. Furthermore, the lower frame portion 701 has a sloped surface 701c that inclines diagonally upward from the upper edge of the surface 701b toward the lower edge of the opposing portion 701a. That is, the lower frame portion 701 has a sloped surface 701c that inclines diagonally downward from the mail slot 706 toward the storage space 401, and this sloped surface 701c faces the opposing area 601a of the flap 6 and constitutes an opposing portion 701d that extends toward the storage space 401 from a position closer to the mail slot 706 than the flap 6. The main body 4, as described above, forms a gap 110 (clearance) between the opposing portion 701a and the inclined surface 701c and the opposing region 601a of the flap 6, which extends from the mail slot 706 to the storage space 401. A straight line D (virtual straight line) can pass through this gap 110 without interfering with either the flap 6 or the lower frame 701. The straight line D passes through this gap 110 from the mail slot 706 to the storage space 401. The lower frame 701 and the flap 6 are positioned with this straight line D in between them.

[0012] [Setting for gap 110] Here, we will explain the arrangement settings for forming a gap 110 between the lower frame portion 701 and the flap 6 through which a straight line D passes for the mail 100 to pass. As shown in the enlarged view of the portion enclosed by the dashed line in Figure 3, the line (virtual straight line) connecting the upper end A of the opposing portion 701a and the lower end B of the flap 6 is denoted as line AB. The line (virtual straight line) connecting the upper end A of the opposing portion 701a and the upper end C of the surface 701b (the lower end of the slope 701c) is denoted as line AC. Also, the line (virtual straight line) connecting the lower end B of the flap 6 and the upper end C of the surface 701b is denoted as line BC. Note that line AB may also be line A'B, where A' is the end of the lower edge portion 711 in the depth direction (towards the storage space 401) and A' is the end of the end of the lower edge portion 711 and A' is the line connecting the end A' and the lower end B of the flap 6. In Figure 3, A' is in the same position as the upper end A. The lower frame portion 701 is positioned so that the portion inside the upper end A (towards the storage space 401) is below line AB. Specifically, the inclined surface 701c and the surface 701b are positioned below line AB. This allows a straight line, such as line D, to be drawn between the flap 6 and the lower frame portion 701. Thus, a gap 110 is obtained along line D that does not interfere with either the flap 6 or the lower frame portion 701. Here, the opposing portions 701a and 701d, which face the flap 6 at a position below the position of the mail slot 706, are positioned off the line AB that connects the upper end A, which is also the lower edge portion 711, and the lower end B of the flap 6. The presence of the gap 110 creates a path for mail 100 with a small thickness to be inserted, even when the flap 6 is closed. Furthermore, the distance between line AC and the lower end B of flap 6 is substantially equal to or greater than the thickness of the mail 100 that can pass through with flap 6 closed. Therefore, it is preferable that the distance between line AC and the lower end B of flap 6 be set to be at least equal to the thickness of the mail 100 assumed to be small in thickness. Note that the straight line D only needs to be able to be drawn linearly between the flap 6 and the lower frame portion 701 without interfering with either the flap 6 or the lower frame portion 701. For example, it can also be obtained by arranging the lower end portion B of the flap 6 above the line AC. Also in this case, the portion inside (towards the accommodation space 401) from the upper end portion A of the lower frame portion 701 will be arranged below the line AB. Further, the straight line D can also be obtained by arranging the outside of the upper end portion C of the surface 701b of the lower frame portion 701 below the line BC. Also in this case, the portion inside from the upper end portion A of the lower frame portion 701 will be arranged below the line AB. Note that in the case of this embodiment, the straight line D is obtained within the range of the inclination from the line AB to the line BC. Further, the upper end portion of the inclined surface 701c is arranged outside (towards the outer door 8) of the opposing portion 701a. Thereby, when the deposited item 100 is deposited, it is possible to prevent the deposited item 100 from being sandwiched between the opposing portion 701a and the inclined surface 701c and entering into the hollow portion 710. Therefore, when depositing the deposited item 100, the deposited item 100 can be guided to the accommodation space 401, making it easy to deposit. By arranging so that the straight line D can be drawn between the flap 6 and the lower frame portion 701, a gap 110 along the straight line D is obtained between the flap 6 and the lower frame portion 701. Therefore, when depositing the deposited item 100 with a small thickness dimension, even when the flap 6 is closed, a gap 110 for the deposited item 100 to pass through is obtained, making it easy to deposit.

[0013] When depositing a deposited item with a large thickness such as a booklet or a book (not shown), the flap 6 is pushed inward by the deposited item, causing the flap 6 to elastically deform and bend inward while opening the deposit opening 706, and expanding the communication area between the deposit opening 706 and the accommodation space 401. When the deposited item passes through the deposit opening 706 and is accommodated in the accommodation space 401, the flap 6 returns to its original shape and returns to the state of closing the deposit opening 706. On the other hand, deposited items 100 such as papers like flyers and postcards, plastics such as clear files, vinyls, cloths, etc., with a small thickness dimension and easy to bend, pass through the gap 110 through which the straight line D passes while the flap 6 is closed and are accommodated in the accommodation space 401.

[0014] According to the above embodiments, a gap 110 for a mail item 100 with a small thickness dimension to pass through is obtained along a straight line D that does not interfere with either the flap 6 or the lower frame portion 701 between the flap 6 and the lower frame portion 701. Therefore, when mailing a mail item 100 with a small thickness dimension, there is no need to elastically deform the flap 6 while pushing it with the mail item 100 to form a gap for the mail item 100 to pass through, and it can be mailed through the gap 110 along the straight line D. As a result, problems such as the mail item 100 with a small thickness dimension getting caught on the flap 6, being sandwiched between the flap 6 and the lower frame portion 701, or being bent, which make it difficult to mail the mail item 100, are prevented, and it can be mailed smoothly. Also, regardless of the size of the thickness of the mail item, after the mail item is mailed, due to the presence of the flap 6, the mail item is difficult to be seen from the outside. Also, due to the presence of the flap 6, it is difficult to put a hand into the main body portion 4 from the mail slot 706 to take out the mail item. Therefore, it can also perform a security function. As a result, the postal pillar 2 has a gap 110 through which a mail item 100 with a small thickness dimension can pass even when the flap 6 closes the mail slot 706, so it is easy to mail even a mail item 100 with a small thickness dimension while maintaining the security function. Also, even for a mail item with a thickness dimension larger than that of the gap 110 along the straight line D, a certain part of the mail item can pass through this gap 110, so less pushing force is required compared to the case where there is no gap 110, and it is easy to mail. Also, by setting the side where the flap 6 is fixed upward and the direction in which the flap 6 extends downward, the mail item 100 is mailed through the gap 110 from above to below. Since the mail item 100 is likely to hang downward (in the direction of gravity) due to its own weight, it becomes easier to pass through the gap 110, and it is even easier to mail. Also, the frame body 7 is formed of a hollow material, whereby the strength of the frame body 7 can be improved. Furthermore, the flap 6 is made of a flexible material that can be elastically deformed to the extent that it can open and close the mail slot 706. Therefore, if the flat plate portion 602 of the flap 6 is fixed to the upper frame portion 702, the mail slot 706 can be opened and closed by the force of the mail being inserted, without the need to configure a mechanical mechanism for rotation such as a rotating shaft or hinge. Thus, by using the flap 6, the number of parts can be reduced.

[0015] [Differentiation] In the above embodiment, a sloped surface 701c is formed between the opposing portion 701a and the surface 701b. However, the shape of this portion does not need to have a sloped surface 701c, as long as it is located below line AB. In this case, for example, the opposing portion 701d may be formed in an L-shape or in a stepped shape. In the above embodiment, surface 701b is positioned outside the flap 6, but it may also be positioned inside the flap 6. In this case, the lower frame portion 701 is positioned below line AB in the range that is at least outside the flap 6 and inside the upper end A, but it is preferable that it is also positioned below line AB in the range inside the flap 6. This allows the mail 100 to pass through the gap 110 along the straight line D even in the range inside the flap 6, so that mail can be deposited smoothly. In the above embodiment, a gap 110 was obtained by the positional relationship between the lower frame portion 701 and the flap 6, allowing a mail item 100 with a small thickness to pass through. However, as shown in the modified examples in Figures 4 and 5, a secondary mail slot 707 may be further formed in the lower frame portion 701, positioned below the mail slot 706. The secondary mail slot 707 extends in the X-axis direction and is narrower than the mail slot 706. The dimension of the secondary mail slot 707 from one side to the other (vertical dimension) is smaller than the dimension of the mail slot 706 from one side to the other (vertical dimension), and is small enough to allow a mail item 100 with a small thickness to be inserted. Note that in the shape of the lower frame portion 701 shown in Figure 5, the configuration corresponding to the opposing portion 701d, which is composed of a slope 701c, is omitted, and the secondary mail slot 707 is provided at a lower position than the opposing portion 701a and the flap 6. Furthermore, mail with a larger thickness cannot be passed through the secondary mail slot 707 and will be deposited through the main mail slot 706, as in the previous embodiment. This makes it even easier to deposit mail with a smaller thickness 100. Even in this case, it is difficult to remove mail after it has been deposited from the main mail slot 706 with the flap 6, or from the narrow secondary mail slot 707. It is also difficult to look inside the main body 4 from the main mail slot 706, which is closed by the flap 6, or from the narrow secondary mail slot 707. Therefore, it also serves as a security measure. Furthermore, as shown in the modified example in Figure 5, the configuration of the opposing part 701d may be omitted to facilitate the insertion of mail 100 from the secondary mail slot 707. In this case, the opposing part 701a remains. In the modified example shown in Figure 5, the secondary mail slot 707 is provided at a lower position than the opposing part 701a, making it even easier to insert mail 100. In the above embodiment, the flap 6 is directly fixed to the upper frame portion 702 with fasteners such as rivets and screws, but it is not limited to this, and for example, a spacer 9 (see Figure 5) may be interposed between the upper frame portion 702 and the flap 6. In other words, the flap 6 may be fixed via the spacer 9 to one (upper) position relative to the mail slot 706. By fixing the flap 6 to the upper frame portion 702 with the spacer 9 in between, the flap 6 is positioned rearward (towards the storage space 401) in the Z-axis direction from the position of the mail slot 706 by the size of the spacer 9, that is, by the Z-axis dimension of the spacer 9. This sets back the position of the flap 6, making it easier to form a gap 110. Furthermore, the size of the gap 110 can be adjusted according to the size of the spacer 9, and it is also possible to suppress the flap 6 from sticking to the frame body 7 such as the opposing portion 701a and the opposing portion 701d. Furthermore, for example, by expanding the shape of the upper frame portion 702 to the rear in the Z-axis direction, the flap 6 can be set back without using the spacer 9. In this case, the flap 6 can be set back without increasing the number of parts. In the above embodiment, the mailbox 2 is placed on top of the parcel receiving box 3, but a separate mailbox 2 without the parcel receiving box 3 may also be configured. In the above embodiment, the locking device 10 is a dial lock type, but it is acceptable to use any locking method, such as locking with a key or locking by authentication such as fingerprints, as long as it can be managed by the administrator of the delivery box 1. In the above embodiment, the mailbox 2 is configured as a front-loading, front-retrieval type with an inner door 5 for the administrator to retrieve the mail 100. However, it is not limited to this configuration. For example, the mailbox 2 may not have an openable inner door 5, but instead have a retrieval door installed on the back (rear) of the main body 4, thus being configured as a front-loading, rear-retrieval type. In this case, the frame 7 may be formed to fit into the opening 400, or the frame 7 and the main body 4 may be formed integrally. Furthermore, although the mail slot 706 and the secondary mail slot 707 are formed so that their longitudinal direction aligns with the horizontal direction, they are not limited to this and can be any shape that allows mail 100 to pass through. For example, the mail slot 706 and the secondary mail slot 707 may be formed so that their longitudinal direction aligns with the vertical direction (Y-axis direction). In the above embodiment, the flap 6 is made of the aforementioned flexible material, and the mail slot 706 can be opened and closed by the elastic deformation of the flap 6. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and for example, the flap 6 may be made of a metal plate or the like. Even in this case, the flap 6 can be attached to the upper frame portion 702 by incorporating a mechanical mechanism such as a hinge, so that it can be opened and closed on the inside.

[0016] [Summary of the present invention] (1) The mailbox of the present invention comprises a main body having a mail slot and a storage space for storing mail to be deposited from the mail slot, and a flap fixed to the main body at a position on one side in the direction along the mail slot and capable of opening and closing the mail slot in the storage space, wherein the flap extends to the other side opposite to the one side of the mail slot, and the main body has a facing portion at a position on the other side of the mail slot that faces the flap with a gap between it and the flap that is continuous from the mail slot to the storage space, wherein the facing portion is positioned off from a virtual straight line that passes from the mail slot through the gap and connects the one end of the facing portion to the other end of the flap. According to the present invention, even when the mail slot is closed, a straight gap can be formed between the flap and the main body, allowing thin mail items such as flyers to pass through the gap without interfering with the flap. Therefore, thin mail items such as flyers can be easily inserted. Furthermore, the flap makes it difficult to see the mail being delivered from the outside and difficult to remove from the mail slot. Therefore, the flap also provides a security function. This creates a straight gap that allows even when the flap is closed, enabling the passage of small-thickness mail. This provides a mailbox that makes it easy to insert small, easily bent mail while maintaining security features. (2) In the mailbox of the present invention, one side may be positioned upwards and the other side downwards. With this configuration, similar to (1), a straight gap can be formed that allows mail with a small thickness to pass through even when the flap is closed, providing a mailbox that makes it easy to insert mail that is small in thickness and easily bent, while maintaining security features. Furthermore, by positioning the side where the flap is fixed upwards and the direction in which the flap extends downwards, mail passes through the formed straight gap from top to bottom as it is dropped. Because mail tends to hang downwards (in the direction of gravity) due to its own weight, it becomes easier for it to pass through the gap, making it even easier to drop. (3) In the postbox of the present invention, the opposing portion may extend from a position closer to the mail slot than the flap toward the storage space. With this configuration, the opposing part, which has a shape that extends from a position closer to the mail slot than the flap towards the storage space, can guide small mail items such as flyers into the storage space. (4) In the postbox of the present invention, the opposing portion may have a slope that is inclined toward the other side as it moves from the mail slot side toward the storage space side. With this configuration, mail is smoothly guided down the slope, making it easier to deposit. Similarly, even mail with a large thickness that requires the flap to move can be easily deposited as it is guided down the slope. Furthermore, the presence of the slope allows for a smaller gap between the flap and the main body compared to, for example, a stepped design on the opposing side, making it more difficult to insert a hand into the gap and thus enhancing security. (5) In the postbox of the present invention, a secondary mail slot is formed in the main body, and the dimension of the secondary mail slot from one side to the other side may be smaller than the dimension of the main mail slot from one side to the other side. With this configuration, mail with a small thickness can be easily inserted by passing it through the secondary mail slot. Therefore, mail with a small thickness does not need to have the flap opened to create a gap for passage, making it easy to insert. In addition, the secondary mail slot is formed to be smaller in height than the main mail slot, resulting in a narrower shape. As a result, it is difficult to remove mail from the secondary mail slot after it has been inserted, and it is also difficult to look into the contents of the storage space from the secondary mail slot. Therefore, it can also serve a security function. (6) In the postbox of the present invention, the flap may be fixed to the main body via a spacer and positioned at a distance from the mail slot toward the storage space. With this configuration, the flap is positioned inward (towards the storage space) and spaced apart from the mail slot by the size of the spacer. Therefore, a straight gap is easily created between the flap and the main body. This makes it easier to insert even small mail items. Furthermore, the size of the gap can be adjusted by changing the size of the spacer. In addition, it is possible to suppress the flap from sticking to the main body. (7) In the postbox of the present invention, the flap is flexible, and the mail slot may be opened and closed by the elastic deformation of the flap. With this configuration, the flap opens inward due to the force of the mail being inserted, without the need for a rotating shaft or hinge or other mechanical mechanism to rotate it. This allows for easy opening and closing of the mail slot, and also reduces the number of parts by using this flap. [Explanation of symbols]

[0017] 1...Delivery box, 10...Locking device, 100...Mail, 110...Gap, 2...Mailbox, 3...Package receiving box, 4...Main body, 40...Housing, 400...Opening, 401...Storage space, 5...Inner door, 6...Flap, 601...Convex part, 601a...Opposite area, 602...Flat plate part, 7...Frame, 701...Lower frame, 701a...Opposite part, 701b...Surface, 701c...Inclined surface, 701d...Opposite part, 702...Upper frame, 703...Hinge vertical frame, 705...Door edge vertical frame, 706...Mail slot, 707...Secondary mail slot, 710...Hollow part, 711...Lower edge, 8...Outer door, 9...Spacer, A...Upper end, AB...Line, AC...Line, B...Lower end, BC...Line, C...Upper end, D...Straight line.

Claims

1. A main body having a mail slot and a storage space for receiving mail placed through the mail slot, A flap is fixed to the main body at a position on one side in the direction along the mail slot with respect to the mail slot, and is capable of opening and closing the mail slot within the storage space. Equipped with, The flap extends from the mail slot to the other side, which is opposite to the one side. The main body portion is provided with a facing portion that faces the flap at a position on the other side of the mail slot, with a gap between it and the flap that is continuous from the mail slot to the storage space. A mailbox in which the opposing portion is positioned off from a hypothetical straight line that passes through the gap from the mail slot and connects one end of the opposing portion to the other end of the flap.

2. The mailbox according to claim 1, wherein one side is positioned upward and the other side is positioned downward.

3. The postbox according to claim 1, wherein the opposing portion extends from a position closer to the mail slot than the flap toward the storage space.

4. The mailbox according to claim 1, wherein the opposing portion is formed with a slope that inclines toward the other side as it moves from the mail slot side toward the storage space side.

5. The main body has a secondary mail slot, The mailbox according to claim 1, wherein the dimension of the secondary mail slot from one side to the other side is smaller than the dimension of the mail slot from one side to the other side.

6. The mailbox according to claim 1, wherein the flap is fixed to the main body via a spacer and is positioned spaced apart from the mail slot toward the storage space.

7. The aforementioned flap is flexible, The mailbox according to claim 1, wherein the mail slot is opened and closed by the elastic deformation of the flap.

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