Patent Application
20070095884
Children are increasingly using the e-mail, instant messaging mobile telephones to communicate. This style of communication requires very little proper grammar and punctuation. As a result, children may be experiencing a loss of some reading and writing skills. Thus, a need exists to promote more formal written communication.
The mailbox for children is a creative idea that broadens children's worlds by giving them a sense of independence and importance. The mailbox creates excitement for them when they check to see if they have mail. It encourages families to actually write letters again and builds family unity through the children. As a result, communication within the family and with friends is greatly enhanced and will help to revitalize and revolutionize letter writing.
In one general aspect, a mailbox game includes a mailbox having a rectangular container or box with an opening, a lid and a hinge that attaches the lid to the box to cover the opening. The game also includes play stamps having an adhesive backing.
Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. For example, the mailbox may have a rotating flag that is attached to the box. There may also be a dial to provide a mailbox status of full or empty.
The mailbox may have animated features, such as, for example, a set of eyes positioned on the box, curved cut-out areas on the lid that resembles a character having a forehead proximate to the eyes and a mail slot in a lower portion of the box that resembles a character with a mouth.
Rollers may be positioned in the box to deliver mail through a mail slot. The rollers are rotated by a motor which is controlled by a motor controller. A push-button switch may be used to send a command to the motor controller to operate the motor.
As another feature, the mailbox may have a motion sensor, a switch to operate the motion sensor, a speaker and a processor configured to emulate speech upon activation of the motion sensor.
In still another embodiment, the mailbox includes a platform positioned in the box, one or more springs positioned between the box and the platform and a lever to release the platform from a position of maximum spring compression.
In a further embodiment, the mailbox has a rotating axel mounted in the box, a platform attached to the rotatable axel and a lever to tilt the platform causing mail to slide out of the box.
In another general aspect, a method of playing a mail game includes mounting a toy mailbox to a door of a child's room, depositing mail in the mailbox and manipulating a signal device to indicate that mail is deposited in the mail box.
The game may have other features and other items may be part of the overall game, such as, for example, stationary and letters. The mailbox may also have drawing surfaces on the box and/or the lid.
A flag 106 is attached to the outside of the mailbox 100. The flag may be rotated to a vertical position or it may be positioned horizontally. As another feature, a dial 108 is mounted to the outside of the mailbox to show a mail status as either empty or full. Alternatively, a sliding bar or other indicator may be used to show mail status.
In another embodiment as shown in
A rotatable flag 208 is positioned on the outside of the box 200 and is mounted to a circular shaft 210 which passes through a circular opening in the box 200. The shaft is attached to a lever 212 which has a curved portion 214 that can be rotated down against the platform 202 to compress the springs 204.
In operation, mail is placed inside the box and the lid 216 of the mailbox is closed. A clasp 218 secures the lid 216 to the box 206. The flag 208 is rotated to a vertical position to release the lever 212. The position of the mail between the lid 216 and the platform 202 prevents the platform from moving upward. Thus, once the lid 216 is reopened, the mail “pops” up into view above the top of the box 206.
As shown in
Embodiments of the game may include a mailbox with lighting, a motion sensor and/or recorded sound or speech. Referring also to
When one of the switches 604, 606, 608 is actuated, the processor 602 responds by producing a signal that causes the speaker 610 to produce speech or other sounds. The processor 602 may produce different sounds and speech in response to actuation of different switches and different combinations of switches. In addition, if a particular switch is actuated multiple times, the processor 602 may produce different sounds and speech in response to each actuation.
When used in conjunction with the mailbox shown in
When the mailbox is not manipulated within a predetermined time period (e.g., if a switch is not actuated within 30 seconds), the processor enters a sleep mode in which the processor turns off. Once the processor is in sleep mode, the on/off switch 612 must be actuated to turn on the processor.
The game may include play stamps with an adhesive backing and that have a similar appearance to U.S. Post Office stamps. The game may also have other accessories, such as, for example, stationary, letters, envelopes and/or notes. A package of letters may be included to personalize the mailbox with the child's name. The mailbox may also have other features such as a viewing peep-hole or a light, such as an LED. Various types of mail status indicators are shown in
Surfaces may be smooth, textured, or ribbed depending on production suggestions from the manufacturer. Colors of mailbox may also vary. Some section on the front of the box may be left smooth and unobstructed to allow for future marketing of Trademark designs, for example, “Spiderman” or “My Little Pony.”
Certain safety features may be incorporated into the mailbox design. For example, edges of the mailbox may be rounded or folded. The mailbox may be made of high impact plastic in a variety of colors. The mailbox may also be designed for ease of use. For example, the mailbox may have a sliding drawer with a knob to pull out or push in the drawer. As another example, the mailbox may have a pivoting drawer such as that shown in
Playing the game is fairly straight forward. The mailbox is mounted to the door of a child's bedroom with screws, an adhesive or magnets. Then, the child is encouraged to write letters to real and/or imaginary family members or friends. In turn, received letters are put into the mailbox of each child. Play stamps can be used to send a letter within a household so that the children have the feel of receiving authentic mail.
This utility patent application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/721,628 filed on Sep. 30, 2005.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60721628 | Sep 2005 | US |
