BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing, by way of example, a theft-resistant mailbox with conventional mounting bracket, in accordance with one embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing, by way of example, a theft-resistant mailbox with secure mounting bracket, in accordance with a further embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view showing a locking mechanism for a theft-resistant mailbox, in accordance with one embodiment.
FIG. 4 is perspective view showing the locking mechanism of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is perspective view showing the locking mechanism of FIG. 3 as installed within a theft-resistant mailbox.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the locking mechanism of FIG. 3 as installed within a theft-resistant mailbox.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Theft-Resistant Mailbox with Conventional Mounting Bracket
Conventionally, mailboxes are frequently installed on a mounting post or other level surface to permit easy curbside access by postal delivery vehicles and mail carriers. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing, by way of example, a theft-resistant mailbox 10 with conventional mounting bracket, in accordance with one embodiment. The mailbox 10 includes a housing 111 that is roughly rectangular in shape, but which is open on the bottom and front surfaces. The front surface generally means the side of the mailbox 10 by which mail is received through one or more doors. The housing 11 is installed on a mounting post or other level surface 12 using a conventional mounting bracket (not shown). The housing is fixedly attached to the mounting bracket with housing fasteners 13, which are generally exposed around the outer bottom margin or other outside surface of the housing 11.
The mailbox 10 also includes a lockable mail delivery door 14 and non-lockable mail receipt door 16, which are pivotably mounted on the front surface. The lockable door 14 prevents access to delivered mail or articles, except by those individuals having a key to operate a locking mechanism 15, as further described below beginning with reference to FIG. 3. The non-lockable door 16 allows mail carriers and other individuals to deliver mail and other articles into the mailbox 10 and to retrieve items left for pickup. Other forms of theft-resistant mailboxes and conventional mounting configurations are possible.
Theft-Resistant Mailbox with Secure Mounting Bracket
A locking mechanism is only effective provided that the entire mailbox is not stolen, such as where a thief, out of desperation or expediency, removes the entire mailbox assembly by jimmying or breaking the mailbox from the mounting. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing, by way of example, a theft-resistant mailbox 20 with secure mounting bracket 23, in accordance with a further embodiment. The secure mounting bracket 23 enables the mailbox 20 to be robustly installed without exposing mounting hardware to breakage or compromise. The bracket 23 can be robustly secured to a mounting post 22, or other level or horizontal surface through internally accessible post and housing fasteners, such as described in commonly-assigned U.S. patent application, entitled “Theft-Resistant Mailbox With Secure Mounting Bracket And Method Of Constructions Thereof,” Ser. No. 11/440,644, filed May 24, 2006, pending, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
The remaining components of the mailbox 20 are constructed in a manner similar to the theft-resistant mailbox 10 with conventional mounting bracket as described above with reference to FIG. 1. The mailbox 20 thus includes a roughly rectangular housing 21, lockable mail delivery door 24, and non-lockable mail receipt door 26. The lockable door 24 similarly prevents access, except by those individuals having a key to operate a locking mechanism 25, as further described below beginning with reference to FIG. 3. Other forms of theft-resistant mailboxes and secure mounting configurations are possible.
Locking Mechanism
Providing a locking mechanism on mailbox doors helps to ensure that mail and other articles are securely stored and that access is limited. FIG. 3 is a side elevational view showing a locking mechanism 30 for a theft-resistant mailbox, in accordance with one embodiment. The locking mechanism 30 includes a locking tumbler 31 and matching key 35, which are installable in a mailbox door or similar enclosure, such as an automotive glove box or a furniture cabinet. Additionally, the locking mechanism 30 could be installed on a fixed surface against which a door opening abuts.
The locking mechanism 30 is installed by fitting the tumbler 31 through a fitted opening sized to receive the outside barrel of the tumbler 31 and sliding the tumbler 31 into the opening until the inside edge of a keyway facing 32 engages the outer edge of the mailbox door. The locking mechanism 30 is fastened into place by tightening a retaining bolt 33, or similar fastener, such as a retaining clip or fastener assembly. The tumbler 31 is rotatably coupled to an internal cam 34, which locks the mailbox door when the door is closed and the key 35 is turned. The internal cam 34 rotates freely in the same direction as the key 35, while the outside barrel of the tumbler 31 remains fixed in place on the mailbox door. FIG. 4 is perspective view showing the locking mechanism 30 of FIG. 3. The far edge of the internal cam 34 is formed into a cutout 41 that is open in the angle of rotation. The cutout 41 can be square or rectangular, as well as U- or C-shaped. Other shapes of cutouts are possible.
The locking mechanism 30 also includes components installed within the mailbox. FIG. 5 is perspective view showing the locking mechanism 30 of FIG. 3 as installed 40 within a theft-resistant mailbox. A striker pin 52 is fixedly attached to a frame 53 within the interior of the mailbox. The cutout 41 is sized to be received over the striker pin 52. When the key 35 is turned, the cutout 41 engages the internal cam 34 over the striker pin 52. In addition, an anti-pry plate 51 is fixedly attached to the inside surface of the mailbox door above the tumbler 31. The anti-pry plate 51 surrounds the internal cam when the locking mechanism is in the locked position.
The internal cam 34, striker pin 52, and anti-pry plate 51 synergistically protect a mailbox door against compromise. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view 60 showing the locking mechanism 30 of FIG. 3 as installed within a theft-resistant mailbox 11. The frame 53 is fixably attached to a chassis 61 of the mailbox 11. Additionally, the striker pin 52 extends beyond the point of engagement to the internal cam 34. A prying force applied to the mailbox door 14 would be transferred onto the mailbox chassis 61 through the combination of the cutout 41, striker pin 52, and frame 53, as well as onto the mailbox door 14 through the anti-pry plate 51. As a result, a would-be theft would have to provide force significantly greater than required to overcome a conventional key-and-tumbler cam.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described as referenced to the embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will understand that the foregoing and other changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Patent Application
20080035720
