Flat-Packable Mailbox Protector Structure for Snowplow Deflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mailbox protectors are expensive, bulky, not structurally sound, difficult to remove, and inconvenient to store during non-winter months, failing to effectively protect roadside mailboxes from snowplow damage while being easy to ship, transport, and store.

Innovation Solution

A flat-packable kit comprising a deflection surface, post bracket, and gussets that assemble easily onto a mounting post, providing structural protection and directing snow away from the mailbox, with components designed to be stackable and lightweight for efficient packaging and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current mailbox protectors are used, then protection from snowplow damage is provided, but they are expensive, bulky, and inconvenient to store

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from snowplow damageVSAvoidbulky and inconvenient to store

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mailbox protector is divided into multiple flat components that can be packaged separately in a compact manner, reducing storage space while maintaining protective functionality when assembled

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protector transitions from a three-dimensional bulky structure during storage to a functional protective structure during use, utilizing dimensional transformation to resolve the contradiction between compact storage and effective protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If current mailbox protectors are used, then protection is provided, but they are not easy to remove and store during non-winter months

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from snowplow damageVSAvoideasy to remove and store

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protector incorporates movable or adjustable components that allow easy assembly and disassembly, enabling users to install it during winter months and remove it during non-winter months without difficulty

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If current mailbox protectors are used, then protection is provided, but they are not structurally sound when deflecting snow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural soundnessVSAvoidsnow deflection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protector uses composite material construction or reinforced joint design that provides both structural integrity for snow deflection and compact form factor for storage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If current mailbox protectors are used, then protection is provided, but they are expensive relative to prior art

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from snowplow damageVSAvoidcost-effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented design allows for simplified manufacturing of individual components and reduced material costs, making the overall protector more cost-effective while maintaining protective reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11118319B2Structure in flat-packable kit form to protect mailboxes from snowplow damage

Publication Date: 2021.09.14 PINE KNOT ENTERPRISE LLC

AI summary

A structure in flat-packable kit form to protect mailboxes from snowplow damage is provided. The kit includes four to six flat components that are stackable. Two of the components and foldable so as the be secured to each other, defining a deflection surface extending in generally orthogonal directions from a shared post sleeve. The post sleeve slidably receives a mounting post disposed between the road and a roadside mailbox, where the orthogonally oriented deflection surface blocks plowed or blown snow from impacting and demining the mailbox. The flat-packable kit may include gussets for reinforcing the deflection surface by way of the post sleeve in the assembled condition.