Milton S Nelsen

US Patent:

47781033, Oct 18, 1988

Filed:

Dec 28, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/138564

Inventors:

Milton Nelsen - Granville NY

International Classification:

B65D 9100

US Classification:

232 35

Abstract:

An auxillary mailbox signal device designed to indicate when mail has been in a mail receptacle and which is adapted to be selectively mounted to a standard mailbox without the need for ancillary connecting or mounting means integral with the mailbox structure is provided. The signal device includes a base portion having two spaced transverse slots therein positioned and sized to frictionally engage two downwardly extending bottom flanges of the mail receptacle. A signal arm is pivotally secured to one end of the elongated base portion so as to be rotatable between a lowered, substantially horizontal position and a raised, substantially vertical position. Tab means is secured to the signal arm in fixed relation such that when the device is attached to the receptacle with the signal arm in its lowered position and the mailbox door closed, the tab means engages the mailbox door so that with the opening of the door, the signal arm is pivoted from its non-signal horizontal position to its vertical signal position. An enhanced version of the signal device includes an upright arm at each end of the base portion positioned to engagably contact one receptacle sidewall, and releasable clamping means for compressing the upright arms against the sidewalls.