Mailbox, mailbox protection apparatus, and method
An apparatus for use on a mailbox having a substantially vertical side, includes a first panel; a second panel; a hinge joining the first panel and the second panel; an angle limiter; and a mounting device for securing the apparatus to the mailbox. A mailbox is improved by mounting on the box an apparatus having a panel to provide a surface oriented to tangentially receive the impact of substantially horizontally-directed debris directed toward the mailbox.
1. An apparatus for a mailbox comprising:
an angled panel component comprising a first panel and a second panel joining the first panel at a joint to form an angle between them;
a support bracket on the second panel, the support bracket being between the second panel and the first panel; and
a mounting device for securing the apparatus to the mailbox;
wherein the joint comprises a hinge and the apparatus further comprises an angle limiter which interconnects the first panel and the second panel.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the support bracket is dimensioned and configured to cooperate with the second panel to define a seat for receiving the mailbox.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second panel has a distal edge opposite from the joint and the support bracket has an upward-extending surface positioned on the second panel to define the seat for receiving the mailbox.
4. An improved mailbox comprising:
a container having a bottom panel; and
an apparatus mounted on the container, the apparatus comprising:
an angled panel component comprising a first panel and a second panel joining the first panel at a joint to form an angle between them;
a support bracket on the second panel, the support bracket being between the second panel and the first panel; and
a mounting device securing the apparatus to the container;
wherein the first panel is oriented to tangentially receive the impact of substantially horizontally-directed debris directed toward the mailbox when the second panel is disposed horizontally;
wherein the support bracket is dimensioned and configured to cooperate with the second panel to define a seat for receiving the container; and
wherein the joint comprises a hinge and the angled panel component further comprises an angle limiter which interconnects the first panel and the second panel.
5. The mailbox of claim 4 wherein a portion of the second panel extends from the support bracket away from the joint to define the seat for receiving the container.