FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a system for absorbing an impact on a mailbox. More particularly, the present invention relates to an impact assembly for a mailbox that combines flexibility and a return action.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
According to the US Postal Service, there are over 150 million residential mail delivery points in the United States. Many of these residential delivery points have mail-post/mailbox assemblies. Another large portion of these delivery points are located in areas with high levels of snow and snow removal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Snow removal leads to the destruction of thousands of mailboxes each year. For those whose mailboxes or mail-posts have been destroyed, replacement costs can be more than $100. Furthermore, such replacements are not guaranteed to be protected from future snow impact damage.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a system that prevents and/or mitigates the damage caused to mailboxes and mail-posts.
What is desired is a system that allows a mailbox and/or mail-post to absorb a measure of impact from incoming snow. It is further desired that such a system allow for the automatic return of said mailbox/mail-post assembly to an upright position.
In one configuration, a system is provided comprising at least one first attachment point, a housing configured to be attached to a mailbox/mail-post, a post, a spring connected from a first point on the housing to a first point on the post, a controlled rate retraction device parallel to the spring connected from a second point on the housing to a second point on the post, and a hinge linking the housing with the post, wherein a separation between a first face of the housing and a face of the post is achieved in a predeterminable direction, and the separation having an angle range of at least 0 to 90 degrees. The controlled rate retraction device quickly extends to absorb the energy of an impact on the mailbox/mail-post from an impacting material such as snow, while the spring forces a retraction/contraction of a mailbox/mail-post to an upright position.
The controlled rate retraction device then retracts, providing a slow/controlled return of the mailbox/mail-post from a use position to a second position such as from a lateral position to an upright position. The first attachment point allows for the mating of the apparatus with a mailbox/mail-post. The post can be an assembly comprising a stake and the first face of the post. In one configuration, the spring has a spring constant value of at least 3 lbs./ft. to 50 lbs./ft, more preferably, 4-30 lbf/ft, even more particularly 5-20 lbf/ft. In certain preferred embodiments, the spring constant is 6-10 lbf/ft, or about 6.5-8 lbf/ft. The spring is preferably a compression spring, an extension spring, a torsion spring, a constant force spring, a Belleville spring, a drawbar spring, a volute spring, a garter spring, a flat spring, a gas spring, or an air spring. In one configuration, the controlled rate retraction device is a pneumatic cylinder. In one configuration, the housing attaches to the post with a hinge.
Other objects of the invention, its particular features, and advantages will become more apparent from consideration of the following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the mailbox impact return system according to a first configuration of the invention, in an upright position.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mailbox impact return system according to the first configuration of the invention, in an extended position.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the mailbox impact return system according to a second configuration of the invention, in an extended position.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the mailbox impact return system according to the second configuration of the invention, in an upright position.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate mounting/anchoring system for the mailbox impact return system of FIGS. 1-4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers designate corresponding structure throughout the views.
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a mailbox impact return system 100. A first attachment point 110 can be located at a first end of the system 110a. The first attachment point 110 can also be a first attachment point located on an upper side of a housing 110b or a first attachment point located on a lower side of the housing 110c. A spring 104 and a controlled rate retraction device 102 can connect laterally across a housing configured to be attached to a mailbox/mail-post 112. A spring 104 can be connected from a first point on the housing 114a to a first point on a post 114b. A controlled rate retraction device 102 can be positioned parallel to the spring 104, and can be connected from a second point on the housing 116a to a second point on the post 116b. The housing 112 can have a first face 118. A post 108 can be formed from a stake 130 and a first face of the post 120. In one embodiment of the invention, the housing 112 and post 108 can be linked by a hinge 106. FIG. 1 shows a 0 degree separation between the first face of the housing 118 and a first face of the post 120. The hinge 106 can allow for movement of the housing 110 relative to the post 108 in a predeterminable direction. The stake 130 can allow the post 108 to keep and retain stability, and can be hammered slightly in the ground as seen in FIG. 1 or further into the ground in another embodiment of the invention, or inserted/embedded in a concrete anchor which extends below ground.
Now referring to FIG. 2, the mailbox impact return system is in an extended position 200. Connecting laterally across the housing 112 a spring in an extended position 105 and a controlled rate retraction device in an extended position 103 are present. The hinge 106 can allow the housing 112 to pivot at an angle relative to the post 108. In an extended position, a separation 202 can be seen to appear between the first face of the housing 118 and the first face of the post 120. The spring in an extended position 105 exhibits to a force causing the housing 112 towards a vertical position. The controlled rate retraction device in an extended position 103 does not exhibit a force but counteracts the exhibited force of the spring in an extended position 105 such that it causes the housing's return to the vertical position to be more consistent. The first face of the housing 118 can be a flat edge, which when it hits the first face of the post 120 can stop the retraction forces of the extended spring 105 and spring 104, and can hold the housing 112 in a vertical position. The first attachment point 110 is being held by a hand to indicate the mailbox impact return system in an extended position 200.
Now referring to FIG. 3, an image of the mailbox impact return system in an extended position 300 is shown according to a second configuration of the invention. Here, an embodiment of the invention is shown where a mailbox 304 and a mail-post 302, which form an assembly 306, are seen coupled, via the first attachment point located on an upper side of the housing 110b, with the mailbox impact return system in an extended position 200. The separation 120 between the first face of the housing 118 and first face of the post 120 can be seen, with the post 108. Such a position can be caused by an impact from snow resulting from street snow removal. In the embodiment of the invention seen in FIG. 3, the housing 112 is seen coupled to the assembly 306, such that the housing 112, the spring 104, and the controlled rate retraction device 102 fit within the assembly 306. The housing 112, along with hinge 106 can be located off-center from the mailbox and mail-post assembly 306. The off-center location of the plurality of parts relative to the assembly 306 minimally affects the stability and strength of the mailbox impact return system.
Now referring to FIG. 4, an image of the mailbox impact return system in an upright position 400 is shown according to the second configuration of the invention. Here, the assembly of the mailbox and mail-post 306 is seen according to the second configuration of the invention.
Referring to FIG. 5 the lower portion of the mailbox impact return system includes a generally quadrilinear or square shaped receiver to which a post can insert and be clamped to. The post would preferably be buried in the ground or more preferably in cement.
Patent Application
20240081571
