Information
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Patent Grant
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6520405
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Patent Number
6,520,405
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Date Filed
Thursday, September 13, 200123 years ago
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Date Issued
Tuesday, February 18, 200322 years ago
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Inventors
-
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
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US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 232 44
- 232 45
- 232 17
- 070 20
- 070 60
- 070 159
- 070 160
- 070 161
- 070 162
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International Classifications
-
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.
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5,921,117
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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)