IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,700,167
Granted Patent B1
US 9,700,167 · App. 15/251,290 · Granted Jul 11, 2017

Impact resistant mailbox support apparatus

Inventor: Victor Nordberg (Plymouth, MA)
A47G29/1216A47G29/1212
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,700,167
App. No.
15/251,290
Granted
Jul 11, 2017
Kind
B1
Abstract

An impact resistant mailbox support apparatus including a mailbox support post and a mailbox having a dome-shaped body, a front door, and an attachment arm hingedly attached to the mailbox support post. The attachment arm has at least one first spring-loaded self-returning hinge. The attachment arm of the mailbox is configured to selectively swing in one of a rightward direction and a leftward direction upon impact and return to an original pre-impact position following impact as a result of the at least one first spring-loaded self-returning hinge. The mailbox support post optionally includes a lower half, an upper half pivotally attached to the lower half, and a second spring-loaded self-returning hinge. The upper half is configured to selectively rotate in one of a rightward direction and a leftward direction upon impact and return to an original pre-impact position following impact as a result of the second spring-loaded self-returning hinge.

Claims (15)

1. An impact resistant mailbox support apparatus comprising:

a cylindrical mailbox support post having a bottom end and a top end; and

a mailbox having a dome-shaped body, a front door, and an attachment arm hingedly attached to the cylindrical mailbox support post proximal the top end, the attachment arm having at least one first spring-loaded self-returning hinge for hingedly attaching the attachment arm to the cylindrical mailbox support post;

wherein the attachment arm of the mailbox is configured to selectively swing in one of a rightward direction and a leftward direction upon impact and return to an original pre-impact position following impact as a result of the at least one first spring-loaded self-returning hinge;

wherein the cylindrical mailbox support post further comprises a lower half, an upper half pivotally attached to the lower half, and a second spring-loaded self-returning hinge;

wherein the upper half is configured to selectively rotate in one of a rightward direction and a leftward direction upon impact and return to an original pre-impact position following impact as a result of the second spring-loaded self-returning hinge.

2. The impact resistant mailbox support apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a display disposed on the upper half of the cylindrical mailbox support post proximal the top end;

at least one light emitting diode disposed within the cylindrical mailbox support post behind the display;

at least one solar panel disposed on the top end of the cylindrical mailbox support post;

a power inverter disposed within the cylindrical mailbox support post adjacent to the at least one solar panel; and

a battery disposed within the cylindrical mailbox support post adjacent to the power inverter;

wherein the at least one light emitting diode, the at least one solar panel, the power inverter, and the battery are in operational communication with each other;

wherein the at least one light emitting diode is configured to illuminate the display.

3. The impact resistant mailbox support apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a flower box attached to the cylindrical mailbox support post.