Mailbox

The present application relates to a mailbox constituted of different parts.

Mailboxes of different shape and construction have been known for a very long time and can designed in many different ways to conform to demands on function, configuration and resistance to the forces of weather. The classical shape is typically a smaller box arranged on a pillar in order to be in the desired height for the mailman. This classical type of mailbox most often have an inner volume which hardly is sufficient a day rich of advertising handout if there also should be room for a voluminous newspaper. Such a box will thereby be filled rather quickly in case the owner is away from home for a couple of days. This could of course serve as an undesired signal which could lead to burglary in the home of the owner. It's needless to say that this isn't desired.

In order to avoid this problem, so-called weekly mailboxes become popular in some countries. These are mainly designed on the principle that the pillar is cancelled and that the box is extended downwards to the ground so that the inner volume is radically increased. The box is then most often provided with some kind of hatch close to the ground on one of the sides of the box where the mail can be removed. The depth of the box is due to the required height of the inlet often so large that it impossible for a normal person to reach the bottom of the box without tools. This is of course not practical hence the arrangement with the side wall hatch. We may however note that this side hatch is burdened with a number of drawbacks and disadvantages. It will for example be blocked by snow in wintertime, especially by road snow clearance since a post box almost always is placed close to a road. It is also known that snow from snow clearance becomes more compact and therefore is more difficult to remove. A hatch on the side is usually also provided with some type of lock of security reasons. There is a great risk that such a lock will freeze since the risk for it being iced up is quite large wintertime. It is also very difficult to make such a hatch watertight without making the mailbox very costly. The risk is hereby rather large that meltwater as well as rainwater finds its way in which, if not destroys the mail, makes it unpleasant to handle before it has dried. This is a problem.

Another problem is freight and storage which everyone who is involved in knows is costly. A box is to the largest extent air and a box of the type discussed above is very space consuming which means it takes up much space at both transport and storage. This is not desired. It is of course possible to deliver the box in the form of a kit where the buyer have to

assemble four sides, a base and a top part. This will, however, create further possibilities for rain and meltwater to seep into the box which is a problem one tries to avoid. Also the length of such a package with separate side walls will be difficult to handle, mostly due to the fact that the top part often is given a somewhat special and bulky design, but also due to the side wall hatch which have to be provided with a secure lock and some kind of hinge. These, user related problems, as well as problems of logistical nature are not desired.

It has through the present invention been made possible to solve the above problems, and drawbacks been avoided whereby a mailbox which to the greatest extent solves logistical problems with maintained consideration for user related problems relating to weather, assembly and handling of mail has been brought about.

Accordingly, the invention relates to a mailbox comprising a container with sides, a top part and a bottom part. The invention is characterised in that the container is constructed as a first container portion and a second container portion. The first container portion is so constructed that its main part may be contained inside the second container portion. The second container portion is so constructed that it can contain the main part of the first container portion. The first container portion is provided with a first assembly flange which is intended to co-operate with a second assembly flange on the second container portion. The mailbox can, after having been assembled by means of the said first and second assembly flanges, be provided with a partition wall which divides the first container portion from the second container portion.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the main part of the top part can be contained in the first container portion.

As said above, the first container portion is provided with a first assembly flange which is intended to co-operate with a second assembly flange on the second container portion. This can for example be designed so that the two container parts are slided together. The flanges can also be provided with holes in which means of attachment are inserted. It is here possible to use for example, thread cutting screws, screw with a nut on opposite side where the nut either is separate or welded, or even blind rivets.

As a result of the design of the container, one of the container parts will have a cross-section are which is somewhat bigger than the other. It is, within the scope of the present invention, possible to have the smaller container portion stand on the larger one when assembled. It is however certain advantages by letting the larger one stand on the smaller. The first advantage is that the risk that rainwater will find its way into the mailbox will be reduced. A second advantage is that the design options on the mounting devices for the top part will

become less limited as they will not have to be contained within the inside cross section of the large container portion. The top part is accordingly the provided with an assembly member intended to co-operate with an upper portion of a first or second container portion.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the mail box can be provided with a partition wall which parts the first container portion from the second container portion. This is regarded as a normal user position where the mail can easily be reached and is the position to be used when mail is emptied every day. The partition wall can easily be removed and can be stored standing on the bottom of the mail box in case the mail box is not emptied every day. The mail box is hereby suitably provided with a base bin which without interference can run vertically through the first and second container portions. The base bin is suitably provided with a manoeuvring handle which is easily reached from the upper opening of the mailbox. The construction of the base bin is suitably such that it can be used for carrying mail.

The top part is, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, provided with a locking device which can be locked towards the container by means of a key or the like and thereby prevent unauthorised tampering. The top part is suitably further provided with an inlet which is accessible although the top part is locked, and that said inlet is so designed that attempts at reaching the mail inside the container through this opening will be hampered.

The inlet is suitably also provided with a flap which in its lower edge is provided with a hinge. The flap suitably opens inwards. The top part as well as the flap is suitably provided with drip moulds which have the purpose of leading rain water along the outside of the mailbox. The flap is preferably also provided with a return spring. The inwards movement of the flap is limited to a maximum of around 30° below the horizontal position whereby unauthorised access into the mailbox is hampered. It will in principle be enough to limit the flap movement to horizontal position, but it is found that the risk for having mail caught in the opening is reduced by having the flap open slightly more than horizontal position. The top portion is provided with a front face in which the inlet is arranged and a rear face in which a hinge is arranged. The hinge allows the top part to be opened upwards^ackwards after opening the locking device whereupon an authorised person may access the contents of the mailbox. The hinge is suitably so constructed that it easily can be put together by the average handy man and that it after correct assembly not will be possible to disassemble without use of key or special tools.

The mailbox is suitably mounted towards a foundation via a base plate which creates a distance between the mailbox and the foundation. According an alternative embodiment of the invention the mailbox is mounted onto a vertical surface such as a wall via a base plate which creates a distance between the mailbox and the vertical surface. The top part can hereby be opened at a greater angle. The base plate may be used for attaching the mailbox on a wall, a fence, a pillar or the like, after having made holes in any of the side wall of the mailbox, preferably the rear side. Said base plate may alternatively be used for attaching the mailbox towards a horizontal surface. The base plate is in this case is attached to the bottom part of the mailbox whereby the hole making in a side wall of the mailbox is omitted.

The invention is described further together with enclosed figures which show an embodiment of the invention whereby;

-figure 1 show, in perspective view, an assembled mailbox 1 according to the present invention.

-figure 2 show, seen from the side, an upper portion of the mailbox 1 shown in figure 1.

-figure 3 shows an unassembled mailbox 1 according to the present invention.

-figure 4 shows a top part 4 to a mailbox 1 according to the invention. The top part is shown from the inside.

Figure 1 shows accordingly, in perspective view, an assembled mailbox 1 according to the present invention. The mailbox 1 comprises a container 2 with sides 3, a top part 4 and a bottom part 5. The container 2 is constructed as a first container portion 2 ¹ and a second container portion 2 ^π . The first container portion 2 ¹ is so constructed that its main part may be contained inside the second container portion 2 ^π whereby the second container portion 2 ^π is so constructed that it can contain the main part of the first container portion 2 ¹ . Also the top part 4 can be contained in the first or second container portion 2 ¹ or 2 ^π respectively.

The top part 4 is provided with a locking device 45 which can be locked towards the container 2 by means of a key or the like and thereby prevent unauthorised tampering. The top part 4 is further provided with an inlet 40 which is accessible although the top part 4 is locked. Said inlet 40 is so designed that attempts at reaching the mail inside the container 2 through

this opening will be hampered. The inlet 40 is provided with a flap 41 which in its lower edge is provided with a hinge 42 (see figure 4). The flap 41 opens inwards and is provided with a return spring 43 (see figure 4). The inwards movement of the flap 41 is limited to a maximum of around 30° below the horizontal position whereby unauthorised access into the mailbox 1 is hampered. The top portion 4 is provided with a front face in which the inlet 40 is arranged and a rear face in which a hinge 44 (see figure 2) is arranged. The hinge 44 allows the top part 4 to be opened upwards/backwards after having opened the locking device 45 whereupon an authorised person may access the contents of the mailbox 1. The hinge 44 (see figure 2 and 4) is so constructed that it easily can be put together by the average handy man and that it after correct assembly not will be possible to disassemble without use of key or special tools.

The mailbox 1 is mounted towards a foundation via a base plate 23 which creates a distance between the mailbox 1 and the foundation (see also figure 3). The mailbox 1 is alternatively mounted onto a vertical surface such as a wall via the base plate 23 which creates a distance between the mailbox 1 and the vertical surface so that the opening of the top part 4 isn't obstructed. Accordingly, the base plate 23 may be used for attaching the mailbox 1 on a wall, a fence, a pillar or the like, after having made holes in any of the side wall 3 of the mailbox 1. The same base plate 23 may alternatively be used for attaching the mailbox 1 towards a horizontal surface. The base plate 23 in this case is attached to the bottom part 5 of the mailbox 1 whereby the hole making in a side wall 3 of the mailbox 1 is omitted.

Any known means, like rivets, screws, nuts, snap-in, pins or glue may be used for assembly.

Figure 2 show, seen from the side, the upper portion of the mailbox 1 from figure 1. The top part 4 is provided with an assembly member 4 ¹ intended to co-operate with an upper portion of a second container portion 2 ^π . The top part 4 is provided with a locking device 45 which can be locked towards the container 2 by means of a key or the like and thereby prevent unauthorised tampering. The top part 4 is provided with an inlet 40 (see figure 1) which is accessible although the top part 4 is locked. Said inlet 40 is so designed that attempts at reaching the mail inside the container.2 through this opening will be hampered. The inlet 40 is provided with a flap 41 which in its lower edge is provided with a hinge 42 (see figure 4). The flap 41 opens inwards and is provided with a return spring 43 (see figure 4). The inwards movement of the flap 41 (see figure 1 and 4) is limited to a maximum of around 30° below the horizontal position whereby unauthorised access into the mailbox 1 is hampered. The top portion 4 is provided with a front face in which the inlet 40 is arranged and a rear face in

which a hinge 44 is arranged. The hinge 44 allows the top part 4 to be opened upwards/backwards after opening the locking device 45 whereupon an authorised person may access the contents of the mailbox 1. The hinge 44 (see also figure 4) is so constructed that it easily can be put together by the average handy man and that it after correct assembly not will be possible to disassemble without use of key or special tools.

Figure 3 shows an unassembled mailbox 1 according to the present invention. The mailbox 1 comprises a container 2 with sides 3, a top part 4 and a bottom part 5. The container 2 is constructed as a first container portion 2 ¹ and a second container portion 2 ^π . The first container portion 2 ¹ is so constructed that its main part may be contained inside the second container portion 2 ^π whereby the second container portion 2 ^π is so constructed that it can contain the main part of the first container portion 2 ¹ . Also the top part 4, a partition wall 20 and a base bin 22 can be contained in the first or second container portion 2 ¹ or 2 ^π respectively. The first container portion 2 ¹ is provided with a first assembly flange 21 ^J which is intended to co-operate with a second assembly flange 21 ^π on the second container portion 2 ^π .

The mailbox 1 can, after having been assembled, be provided with a partition wall 20 which divides the first container portion 2 ¹ from the second container portion 2 ^π . The partition wall 20 is intended to be used as a so called false bottom.

The mailbox 1 is also provided with a base bin 22 which without interference can run vertically through the first and second container portions 2 ¹ and 2 ^π respectively. The base bin can hereby stand on the bottom of the first container portion 2 ¹ and be lifted out of this, through the second container portion 2 ^π . The base bin 22 is provided with a manoeuvring handle which is easily reached from the upper opening of the mailbox 1. The construction of the base bin 22 is such that it can be used for carrying mail.

The base bin 22 can hereby be arranged in the first container portion 2 ¹ meaning at the lowermost position in the container 2. The partition wall 22 can then be arranged on the flange between the two container portions 2 ¹ and 2 ^π respectively which thereby hides the base bin 22. It can accordingly be stored here when not in use. It is according to an alternative embodiment of the invention possible to design the base bin 22 in such a way that it also can be arranged on top of the partition wall 20, meaning in the uppermost part of the container 2, and thereby be used for collecting mail in normal use. The partition wall 20 is removed and the base bin is arranged on the bottom of the container 2 when collecting mail for a longer period such as a week.

The top part 4 is provided with a locking device 45 which can be locked towards the container 2 by means of a key or the like and thereby prevent unauthorised tampering.

The mailbox 1 is mounted towards a foundation via a base plate 23 which creates a distance between the mailbox 1 and the foundation. The mailbox 1 is alternatively mounted onto a vertical surface such as a wall via the base plate 23 which creates a distance between the mailbox 1 and the vertical surface so that the opening of the top part 4 isn't obstructed. Accordingly, the base plate 23 may be used for attaching the mailbox 1 on a wall, a fence, a pillar or the like, after having made holes in any of the side wall 3 of the mailbox 1. The same base plate 23 may alternatively be used for attaching the mailbox 1 towards a horizontal surface. The base plate 23 in this case is attached to the bottom part 5 of the mailbox 1 whereby the hole making in a side wall 3 of the mailbox 1 is omitted.

As evident by figure 3 the mailbox 1 can, though its construction, be given a compact transport package which is relatively volume saving during transport and storage and is easy to bring home due to the handy format without lowering the demands on functionality.

Figure 4 shows a top part 4 to a mailbox 1 according to the invention. The top part 4 is seen from the inside. The top part 4 is provided with an assembly member 4 ¹ intended to co-operate with an upper portion of a second container portion 2 ^π (see also figure 2). The top part 4 is further provided with a locking device 45 which can be locked towards the container 2 by means of a key or the like and thereby prevent unauthorised tampering. The top part 4 is provided with an inlet 40 (see figure 1) which is accessible although the top part 4 is locked. Said inlet 40 is so designed that attempts at reaching the mail inside the container 2 through this opening will be hampered. The inlet 40 is provided with a flap 41 which in its lower edge is provided with a hinge 42. The flap 41 opens inwards and is provided with a return spring 43. The inwards movement of the flap 41 is limited to a maximum of around 30° below the horizontal position whereby unauthorised access into the mailbox 1 is hampered. The top portion 4 is provided with a front face in which the inlet 40 is arranged and a rear face in which a hinge 44 is arranged. The hinge 44 allows the top part 4 to be opened upwards/backwards after opening the locking device 45 whereupon an authorised person may access the contents of the mailbox 1. The hinge 44 is so constructed that it easily can be put together by the average handy man and that it after correct assembly not will be possible to disassemble without use of key or special tools. The top part 4 and its flap 41 is suitably

provided with drip moulds which have the purpose of drawing rain and condense water along the outside of the mailbox 1.

The invention is not limited by the embodiment shown since this can be varied in different ways within the scope of the invention such defined by the description and patent claims.