Multi-unit mail receptacle system

Abstract

A mail receptacle system incorporating multiple individually accessible discrete storage compartments disposed within a frame structure with lockable user access doors disposed in mated hinging relation relative to the frame structure such that when the access doors are in a closed position, a male/female relation is established between portions of the doors and the frame structure. The access doors utilize a multi-piece construction wherein the hinging edges of the doors are displaceable from the door body thereby permitting the door body to be easily and readily replace in the event of damage.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and which constitute a part of this specification herein and together with the general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description set forth below, serve to explain the principles of the invention wherein;

FIG. 1 is a face view of a multi-unit mail receptacle unit with the doors closed;

FIG. 2 is a magnified view of a hinging edge of a unit door;

FIG. 3 is a magnified view of a lock portion of a unit door;

FIG. 4 is a view taken generally along line 4-4 in FIG. 1 showing the unit door in closed relation with the mail receptacle frame;

FIG. 4A is a cross-section of the unit door body alone,

FIG. 5 is an exploded front perspective view of unit door illustrating the multi-piece construction;

FIG. 6 is an exploded rear perspective view of unit door illustrating the multi-piece construction; and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the unit door in fully assembled condition.

Claims

1. A mail storage unit comprising a frame structure and a plurality of compartments adapted to receive mail, wherein at least a portion of the compartments include multiple piece hinging access doors, the multiple piece hinging access doors having an interior surface adapted to face towards the interior of the compartments when the access doors are in a closed position and an exterior surface adapted to face away from the interior of the compartments when the access doors are in a closed position, the multiple piece hinging access doors comprising a hinge plate and a body portion slidingly engaging the hinge plate, wherein the hinge plate comprises a shoulder portion adapted to support a hinge pin and a tongue portion projecting away from the shoulder portion, and wherein the interior surface includes a channel adapted to slidingly engage the tongue portion of the hinge plate.

2. The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein the channel is bordered by a first substantially “L” shaped ear extending substantially parallel to a top edge of the body portion and a second substantially “L” shaped ear extending substantially parallel to a bottom top edge of the body portion.

3. The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein the hinge plate is secured in place relative to the body portion by a set screw extending through an opening in the hinge plate such that the set screw engages an interior surface of the body portion.

4. The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein the access doors are formed from metal.

5. The invention as recited in claim 4, wherein said metal is an aluminum alloy.

6. The invention as recited in claim 4, wherein each of the hinge plate and the body portion comprise single piece extrusions.

7. A mail storage unit comprising a frame structure and a plurality of compartments adapted to receive mail, wherein at least a portion of the compartments include multiple piece hinging access doors, the multiple piece hinging access doors having an interior surface adapted to face towards the interior of the compartments when the access doors are in a closed position and an exterior surface adapted to face away from the interior of the compartments when the access doors are in a closed position, the multiple piece hinging access doors comprising a hinge plate and a body portion slidingly engaging the hinge plate, wherein the hinge plate comprises a shoulder portion adapted to support a hinge pin and a tongue portion projecting away from the shoulder portion, and wherein the interior surface includes a channel adapted to slidingly engage the tongue portion of the hinge plate, the shoulder portion of the hinge plate comprising a substantially “U” shaped hinging edge running substantially parallel to a channel adapted to hold the hinge pin, the substantially “U” shaped hinging edge being oriented such that it projects outwardly towards the exterior of the storage unit and wherein the frame structure includes a substantially “L” shaped edge projection including a leg projecting towards the interior of the storage unit, such that the leg projecting towards the interior of the storage unit extends into the interior of the substantially “U” shaped hinging edge when the access door is in a closed position.

8. The invention as recited in claim 7, wherein the channel is bordered by a first substantially “L” shaped ear extending substantially parallel to a top edge of the body portion and a second substantially “L” shaped ear extending substantially parallel to a bottom top edge of the body portion.

9. The invention as recited in claim 7, wherein the hinge plate is secured in place relative to the body portion by a set screw extending through an opening in the hinge plate such that the set screw engages an interior surface of the body portion.

10. The invention as recited in claim 7, wherein the access doors are formed from metal.

11. The invention as recited in claim 10, wherein said metal is an aluminum alloy.

12. The invention as recited in claim 10, wherein each of the hinge plate and the body portion comprise single piece extrusions.

13. A mail storage unit comprising a frame structure and a plurality of compartments adapted to receive mail, wherein at least a portion of the compartments include multiple piece hinging access doors, the multiple piece hinging access doors having an interior surface oriented to face towards the interior of the compartments when the access doors are in a closed position and an exterior surface oriented to face away from the interior of the compartments when the access doors are in a closed position, the multiple piece hinging access doors comprising a hinge plate and a body portion slidingly engaging the hinge plate, wherein the hinge plate comprises a shoulder portion adapted to support a hinge pin and a tongue portion projecting away from the shoulder portion, and wherein the interior surface includes a channel adapted to slidingly engage the tongue portion of the hinge plate, the shoulder portion of the hinge plate comprising a substantially “U” shaped hinging edge running substantially parallel to a channel adapted to hold the hinge pin, the substantially “U” shaped hinging edge being oriented such that it projects outwardly towards the exterior of the storage unit and wherein the frame structure includes a substantially “L” shaped edge projection including a leg projecting towards the interior of the storage unit, such that the leg projecting towards the interior of the storage unit extends into the interior of the substantially “U” shaped hinging edge when the access door is in a closed position, wherein the channel is bordered by a first substantially “L” shaped ear extending substantially parallel to a top edge of the body portion and a second substantially “L” shaped ear extending substantially parallel to a bottom top edge of the body portion, the top edge and the bottom edge of the body portion each including a raised lip such that a first groove is defined between a raised lip and the first substantially “L” shaped ear and a second groove is defined between a raised lip and the second substantially “L” shaped ear and wherein the frame structure includes outwardly extending projections along the top edge and the bottom edge of the storage compartments adapted for insertion into the first and second grooves when the access door is in a closed position.

14. The invention as recited in claim 13, wherein the hinge plate is secured in place relative to the body portion by a set screw extending through an opening in the hinge plate such that the set screw engages an interior surface of the body portion.

15. The invention as recited in claim 13, wherein the access doors are formed from metal.

16. The invention as recited in claim 15, wherein said metal is an aluminum alloy.

17. The invention as recited in claim 15, wherein each of the hinge plate and the body portion comprise single piece extrusions.