Mailbox lock

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6520405
  • Patent Number
    6,520,405
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, September 13, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, February 18, 2003
    22 years ago
Abstract
A lock for a rural mailbox which enables normal access to the mailbox by a postal delivery person when placing mail in the box and enabling the mailbox door to be closed and locked by the postal delivery person without the use of a key or any other device to protect the mail that is in the box. The postal customer must use a key to open the lock to gain access to the protected mail.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The present invention relates to mailboxes having a pivotal access door such as a rural mailbox in which the door pivots at a lower edge thereof and a friction latch retains it in closed position. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel and unique locking device associated with a mailbox which enables normal access to the mailbox by a mail delivery person when placing mail in the box and enabling the mailbox door to be closed and locked by the locking device without the use of a key to protect the mail that is in the box from theft. A key is required to open the locking device to gain access to the protected mail.




2. Description of the Prior Art




Theft of mail from mailboxes has long been a problem encountered by postal customers. Theft of checks and other important mail is especially important in rural areas where the rural mailbox alongside the road is not visible to the postal customer. Accordingly, many efforts have been made to provide a secure, theft proof mailbox including various types of locking mechanisms and other structures to prevent access to the mail once it has been deposited in the mailbox by the mail delivery person. The following U.S. patents known to Applicant disclose various types of locking devices associated with mailboxes or other containers.



















533,442




4,726,512




5,586,718






3,802,619




5,407,126




5,692,674






3,965,705




5,476,220




5,921,117














While the above patents disclose various types of security measures for mailboxes and the like, they do not disclose a relatively simple structure that can be easily installed on a conventional rural mailbox without substantial modification of the mailbox and which will provide unobstructed access to the mailbox by a mail delivery person when inserting mail into the box and which is quickly and easily locked by merely turning a lock device, without the use of a key or any other tool, once the mail has been placed in the mailbox thus securely locking the mailbox and preventing access thereto by anyone that does not utilize an appropriate key.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The mailbox lock constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a hasp constructed of three segments which are pivotally connected. One of the segments of the hasp is secured to the top area of the mailbox adjacent the open end thereof. The second or intermediate segment of the hasp overlies the first segment to prevent access to the structure which fastens the first segment to the mailbox and extends beyond the first segment into overlying relation to an upper edge portion of the mailbox door. The third segment extends downwardly from the outer end of the second segment and extends downwardly in front of an upper portion of the mailbox door. The third segment which overlies the portion of the outer surface of the upper end portion of the mailbox door is provided with an opening therein having a unique asymmetrical configuration which enables the third segment to move inwardly of a rotatable lock member having the same configuration as the opening to a position that enables the lock member to be rotated a quarter turn to engage the outer surface of the third segment laterally of the opening to secure the third segment in locked position inwardly of the rotatable lock member. The lock member is rotatably affixed to a post that is attached to the upper end portion of the door thereby maintaining the door in closed position. The rotatable lock member and post include a key operated lock which is effective to enable the lock member to rotate from an unlocked position to a locked position without using a key but requiring a key to rotate the lock member from a locked position back to an unlocked position.




This structure enables all segments of the hasp to be positioned in a generally straight alignment against the upper surface of the mailbox so that the mailbox door can be opened without any impediment from the hasp. After mail has been placed in the mailbox and the door closed, the second and third segments of the hasp are swung upwardly and forwardly and the third segment of the hasp swung downwardly with the lock member on the door passing through the opening in the third segment and being partially rotated by a mail delivery person to a locking position transversely of the opening without use of a key. The mailbox is then securely locked and in order to gain access to the interior of the mailbox, it is necessary for a key to operate the key operated lock to return the rotatable lock member to unlocked position.




Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a locking device for a rural-type mailbox or similar container utilizing a sturdy but yet simply constructed hasp which can be easily attached to a mailbox by using readily available tools and easily manipulated fastening devices and requiring a minimum modification of the mailbox structure.




Another object of the invention is to provide a mailbox lock utilizing a three segment hasp mounted on the mailbox on an upper surface area thereof adjacent the open end of the mailbox and a rotatable lock member mounted on a post fixedly mounted on the mailbox door adjacent an upper end thereof with the segments of the hasp overlying fastening devices which secure the hasp and post to the mailbox when the third segment of the hasp is in locking engagement with the lock member mounted on the post on the door.




A further object of the invention is to provide a lock for mailboxes in accordance with the preceding objects in which the third segment of the hasp includes an asymmetrical opening through which a rotatable lock member having a configuration corresponding to the shape of the opening extends when the third segment of the hasp is in vertical position outwardly of the door. Rotational movement of the lock member results in portions of the lock member overlying outer surfaces of the third segment of the hasp with such rotational movement to a locking position requiring only that the lock member be manually rotated a partial revolution without requiring the use of any key or other device.




A still further object of the invention is to provide a mailbox lock in which the lock member, when rotated to a locked position by a mail delivery person will automatically become locked in locked position to securely protect the mail within the box with a key being required for a postal customer to move the lock member from the locked position back to an unlocked position to enable access to the mail in the box.




Yet another object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a mailbox lock in accordance with the preceding objects and which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.




These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a rural mailbox with the lock of the present invention mounted thereon and illustrating the limited rotational movement of the rotatable lock member between locked and unlocked positions.





FIG. 2

is a perspective view of the mailbox lock with the three segments of the hasp oriented against the upper surface of the top portion of the mailbox and the lock member mounted on the upper front portion of the mailbox door being in unlocked position.





FIG. 3

is an exploded group perspective view of the anchor plate, post and rotatable lock member that is secured to the front surface of the mailbox door.





FIG. 4

is a perspective view of the structure of

FIG. 3

illustrating the components in assembled position.





FIG. 5

is an exploded elevational view of the components of the lock illustrating their manner of assembly.











DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT




Although only one preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its scope to the details of construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, in describing the preferred embodiment, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.




Referring now to the drawings, the mailbox lock of the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral


10


and is illustrated in installed relation on a conventional rural-type mailbox generally designated by reference numeral


12


in FIG.


1


.




The mailbox


12


includes a longitudinally extending peripheral wall


14


having an arcuately curved upper portion


16


and an open front having a correspondingly shaped door


18


pivotally connected to the lower edges thereof by pin structures


20


to enable the mailbox door


18


to be pivoted downwardly to a generally horizontal or downwardly depending relation to the mailbox


12


to provide access to the interior of a mailbox in a manner well known. The mailbox also includes a signal flag


21


mounted thereon and the mailbox can be supported by a suitable post or other structure alongside a roadway to enable a mail delivery person in a vehicle to place mail in the mailbox in a well known manner.




The mailbox lock


10


includes a hasp generally designated by reference numeral


20


that is attached to the upper curved portion


16


of the mailbox


12


adjacent the door


18


. The lock


10


also includes a locking device generally designated by reference numeral


22


which is secured to the front surface of the door


18


adjacent the upper curved edge thereof.




The hasp


20


includes a first rectangular segment


24


secured to the upper curved surface


16


closely adjacent the open end thereof and closely adjacent the door when the door is closed. A plurality of fasteners


26


extend through the first segment


24


of the hasp


22


and through the curved top surface


16


of the mailbox


12


. Retaining nuts may be provided on the inner end of the fasteners


26


or alternatively, the first segment may be permanently secured to the mailbox by welding, epoxy or other fastening means. Pivotally attached to the first segment


24


of the hasp


20


is a second or intermediate segment


28


connected to the first segment


24


by a hinge structure


30


which defines a hinge axis transverse of the hasp and is a conventional pin and barrel hinge. Attached to the outer end of the second segment


28


of the hasp


20


is a third segment


32


of the hasp which is connected to the second segment


28


by a hinge


34


defining a hinge axis transverse of the hasp


20


. The third segment of the hasp


20


includes an asymmetrical opening


36


extending therethrough in which the lengthwise dimension of the opening is longer than the transverse dimension of the opening and may be provided with straight inner and outer end edges


38


in parallel relation to each other and inclined side edges portions


40


in order to provide a uniquely shaped opening to move over a correspondingly shaped rotatable lock member


50


forming a part of the locking device


22


when the hasp is positioned in locked position.





FIG. 2

illustrates the arrangement of all of the segments of the hasp when the door


18


is unlocked and unimpeded access can be gained to the interior of the mailbox


12


by a mail delivery person when all segments of the hasp are oriented in horizontal position against the upper surface of the mailbox. After the mail has been placed in the mailbox by the delivery person and the door


18


is closed, the second and third hasp segments


28


and


32


can be pivoted forwardly until the second segment


28


overlies the first segment


24


and the third segment


32


is pivoted downwardly toward a generally vertical position. The rotatable lock member


50


moves through opening


36


to the position illustrated in FIG.


1


. In this position, the second segment


28


overlies the first segment


24


and protects the fastening devices


26


securing the first segment


24


to the mailbox


12


from access by tools or the like which could possibly be used to separate the hasp


20


from the mailbox


12


. This arrangement makes removal of the hasp


20


from mailbox


12


difficult in the event someone wishes to gain access to the interior of the mailbox.




The locking device


22


includes a mounting plate


42


mounted on the exterior surface of the door


18


adjacent the upper edge by fasteners


44


or other securing devices such as epoxy, welding or the like. As illustrated in

FIGS. 3-5

, the locking device


22


also includes an asymmetrical projection


46


on the outer surface of the mounting plate


42


which corresponds to the configuration of the opening


36


in the third segment


32


of the hasp


20


so that the opening


36


in hasp segment


32


can be positioned in enclosing relation to the peripheral edge of the projection


46


and positioned adjacent the outer surface of the mounting plate


42


to conceal and protect fasteners


44


which secure mounting plate


42


to door


18


. Projecting outwardly from the projection


46


is a generally cylindrical post


48


rotatably supporting the lock member


50


which also has the same shape, configuration and peripheral dimensions as the projection


46


as illustrated in FIG.


4


and as the opening


36


in the third segment


32


of the hasp


20


.




The lock member


50


is rotatable in relation to the post


48


and when in the unlocked position as illustrated in

FIGS. 1 and 4

, the peripheral surfaces of the lock member


50


are in alignment with the peripheral surfaces of the projection


46


. In this position, the lock member


50


can extend through the opening


36


in the third segment


32


of the hasp


20


when the third segment


32


is pivoted downwardly to a vertical position over the lock member


50


and projection


46


so that the external surface of the third segment


32


is positioned slightly inwardly of the inner surface of the lock member


50


. This enables the lock member


50


to rotate ¼ of a turn to a perpendicular relation to opening


36


and projection


46


and transversely of the third segment


32


of the hasp. In this position, the end portions of the lock member


50


will overlie and engage portions of both side edges of the opening


36


thereby retaining the third segment


32


of the hasp


20


against the mounting plate


42


with the periphery of the opening


36


aligned with the external surface of the projection


46


.




The post


48


includes a laterally opening arcuate recess


52


for receiving a set screw


54


, such as an Allen head screw, extending through a side wall of the lock member


50


to enable the lock member


50


to be removed. The recess


52


extends 90° to enable the lock member


50


to rotate ¼ turn in relation to post


48


between locked and unlocked positions. Also, the lock member


50


includes an upward projection


56


telescopically receiving post


48


. A lock cylinder


58


rigid with projection


56


has a slot


60


therein receiving a key


62


enabling the lock member


50


to rotate ¼ turn in relation to post


48


from a locked position to an unlocked position. The lock cylinder


58


and the lock member


50


can rotate from an unlocked position to a locked position without the key


62


being inserted into the key slot


60


of locking cylinder


58


. When the lock member


50


is moved to the locked position, the locking cylinder


58


locks the lock member


50


in the locked position so that it cannot be returned to an unlocked position without inserting and manipulating the key


62


in a well known manner.




The lock member


50


and post


48


are telescopically and rotatably related and the lock cylinder


58


in lock member


50


is rotatable in post


48


. The lock cylinder


58


and post


48


include spring biased pins and tumblers as utilized in a conventional lock which are actuated by the key


62


in a well known manner to enable the lock cylinder


58


and the lock member


50


to rotate when the key


62


is inserted to move the lock member


50


from a locked to an unlocked position. When a mail delivery person approaches the mailbox with the hasp


20


in the position of

FIG. 2

, the door


18


can be opened by grasping and pulling handle


64


. After mail is inserted and the door closed, the mail delivery person can then move the hasp


20


to the position of FIG.


1


. The mail delivery person can then rotate lock member


50


¼ turn since the pins and tumblers are misaligned in unlocked position and the key has been removed. When the lock member


50


is rotated ¼ turn, the pins and tumblers become aligned and the springs cause the pins and tumblers to extend across the shear line between the lock cylinder


58


and post


48


to prevent movement of lock cylinder


58


and lock member


50


to unlocked position until the key is inserted. The specific lock structure is not shown since it is conventional and well known.




If the hasp


20


and lock member


50


are mounted in a position where the normal spring friction latch is provided, a pull handle


64


may be attached to the door at any position alongside of or adjacent the lock member


50


in order to pivot the door between open and closed positions. If the hasp and lock member are mounted offset from the top edge of the mailbox and door, the conventional spring latch structure may be utilized to move the door between open and closed positions when the lock member is in unlocked position and the hasp is positioned along the outer surface of the mailbox.




The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.



Claims
  • 1. In combination a rural mailbox having a generally horizontally disposed longitudinally elongated housing defined by a peripheral wall provided with an arcuate top surface and an open end, a closure door pivotally connected to said peripheral wall at a bottom edge of said open end, a mailbox lock selectively maintaining said door in closed relation to said open end of said wall, said mailbox lock comprising a three segment hasp mounted on said peripheral wall adjacent said open end, said three segment hasp including a mounting segment attached to said peripheral wall adjacent said open end by fasteners extending through said mounting segment and said peripheral wall, a fastener covering segment pivotally attached to said mounting segment at an end thereof remote from said open end of said peripheral wall in overlying protective relation to said fasteners extending through said mounting segment, said fastener covering segment of said hasp extending beyond an edge of said open end of said housing and beyond an edge of said door, and a door locking segment pivotally mounted on an end of said fastener covering segment outwardly of said door for overlying an outer surface of said door, and a lock member mounted on said door in releasable locking engagement with said door locking segment of said hasp to releasably retain said door locking segment in overlying relation to said outer surface of said door when said door is in closed position in relation to said open end of said peripheral wall, said door locking segment of the hasp including an opening, said lock member extending through said opening when said door locking segment is pivoted toward said door, said lock member being rotatably mounted on said door for rotation about an axis perpendicular to said door locking segment of said hasp to position said lock member in overlying engagement with a portion of said door locking segment outwardly of said opening for locking said door in said closed position, a support post projecting from and rigid with said door, said lock member including a key operated lock cylinder lockingly engaged with said support post, said lock member and lock cylinder being rotatable to an unlocked position when a key is inserted into said lock cylinder and rotatable from said unlocked position to a locked position without said key being inserted into said lock cylinder.
  • 2. The combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said lock member telescopically receives said post, said post being cylindrical and rotatably supporting said lock member, said post including an arcuate recess, said lock member including an inwardly extending projection received in said recess to limit rotational movement of said lock member.
  • 3. The combination as defined in claim 2, wherein said projection on said lock member is a removable set screw to enable removal of said lock member from said post when said set screw is removed from said recess.
US Referenced Citations (20)
Number Name Date Kind
533442 Deibert Feb 1895 A
564515 Glover Jul 1896 A
1004758 Ebbert Oct 1911 A
1471364 Schrock Oct 1923 A
2267072 Beggs Dec 1941 A
3502261 Solis Mar 1970 A
3802619 Vanderveer Apr 1974 A
3965705 Nadler Jun 1976 A
4726512 White Feb 1988 A
4753386 Phillion, Sr. Jun 1988 A
4793163 MacFarlane et al. Dec 1988 A
5407126 Coultas et al. Apr 1995 A
5476220 Cohoon Dec 1995 A
5586718 Speece Dec 1996 A
5617993 Morris Apr 1997 A
5624071 Sosan Apr 1997 A
5692674 Wicker Dec 1997 A
5921117 Illguth Jul 1999 A
5934111 Hernandez Aug 1999 A
6047573 Martinez Apr 2000 A