Magnetic repair kit for latches and mailbox latch repair method
View Patent ↗A mailbox door latch retrofitting kit that uses a magnet attached to the interior of the mailbox to magnetically engage the door of a mailbox, or to magnetically engage a metal disk attached to the door of a mailbox. The kit includes a magnet attached to a bracket which is secured to the inside of a mailbox in a manner to permit the magnet to contact the mailbox door. The magnet secures the door of a ferrous-containing mailbox closed. For non-ferrous containing mailboxes, an optional ferrous-containing disk or flat washer is secured to the inside of the mailbox door using double sided tape and aligned for engagement with the magnet.
1. A system for retrofitting a mailbox closure, said system comprising:
the mailbox including a mailbox body, a latch, a latch receiver, a door, a door hinge, and a post;
said mailbox body comprising a top, a bottom, a right side, a left side, and an inner service, said mailbox top, bottom, and sides forming an opening, and said mailbox body placed atop said post;
said latch receiver adapted for receiving said latch;
said door including a door inner face, and said door being attached to said mailbox bottom by said door hinge;
a mailbox retrofit closure including a magnet with a magnet receiver opening, a bracket, a first screw, a second screw, a lock washer, a first nut, and a second nut;
said bracket including a slot, wherein said slot is adapted for receiving said first screw;
said bracket further including a bracket receiver opening, wherein said bracket receiver opening is adapted for receiving said second screw, and said second screw is secured to said bracket by said second nut;
wherein said magnet is secured to said bracket by inserting said second screw through said magnet receiver opening, through said bracket receiver opening, and said second nut;
wherein said bracket is attached to said mailbox body by said first screw, and is secured to said first screw by said lock washer and said first nut; and
wherein said door is secured to said mailbox body by engaging said latch with said latch receiver, and by bringing said door inner face into contact with said magnet.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said door is comprised of a ferrous material capable of being magnetically secured by said magnet.
3. The system of claim 1 further comprising:
a disk comprised of a ferrous metal;
said disk including an adhesive covered by a removable backing;
wherein said disk is attached to said door with said adhesive; and
wherein said door is secured to said mailbox body by bringing said disk into contact with said magnet.
4. A method of retrofitting a mailbox including a top, a bottom, a right side, a left side, a latch, a latch receiver, a door, and a door hinge with a magnetic latch, said method comprising the steps:
providing a magnet with a magnet receiver opening,
providing a bracket, including a bracket slot and a bracket receiver opening;
providing a first screw, a second screw, a lock washer, a first nut, and a second nut;
securing said bracket to said mailbox top by inserting said first screw through said bracket, through said mailbox top surface, through said lock washer, and through said first nut;
securing said magnet to said bracket by inserting said second screw through said magnet receiver opening, through said bracket receiver opening, and through said second nut; and
securing said door by engaging said latch with said latch receiver and by bringing the inner face of said door into contact with said magnet.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein said door is comprised of a ferrous material capable of being magnetically secured by said magnet.
6. The method of claim 4 further comprising the steps:
providing a disk comprised of a ferrous metal;
providing an adhesive covered by a removable backing to said disk;
attaching said disk to said door with said adhesive; and
securing said door by bringing said disk into contact with said magnet.