Mailbox notification apparatus
View Patent ↗A notification apparatus and method for a package receptacle, such as a mailbox, including a receiving door with a closure lip, a mounting plate, a notification flap, and a self-contained spring loaded hinge between the mounting plate and the notification flap. The mounting plate is securable to a mailbox with at least a portion of the notification flap securable under a door of the mailbox, and, when the door is opened, the flap rotates approximately 90-degrees about the hinge toward the mounting plate.
1. A notification apparatus for a mailbox, the notification apparatus comprising:
a mounting plate;
a notification flap;
a self-contained spring loaded hinge between the mounting plate and the notification flap;
wherein the mounting plate is securable to a mailbox with at least a portion of the notification flap securable under a door of the mailbox; and
wherein, when the door is opened, the flap rotates approximately 90-degrees about the hinge toward the mounting plate;
wherein a stretcher rod is removably attached to and extends above the flap and the mounting plate.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flap includes a flange disposed at a 90-degree angle to the flap.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the flange rotates with the flap when the door is opened to provide a secondary notification that the door has been opened.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mounting plate is secured to the mailbox by screws, rivets, or a nut and bolt combination.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flap is disposed on a top of the mailbox.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the flap has a width and wherein an end portion of the flap has an end portion width that is less than the width of the flap.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flap is disposed on a side of the mailbox.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the flap has a width and wherein an end portion of the flap has an end portion width that is less than the width of the flap.
9. A method of using a notification apparatus for a mailbox, the method comprising:
providing a mounting plate, a notification flap, and a self-contained spring loaded hinge between the mounting plate and the notification flap, with the mounting plate secured to the mailbox;
hinging at least a portion of the notification flap under a door of the mailbox; and
wherein, when the door of the mailbox is opened, the flap rotating approximately 90-degrees about the hinge toward the mounting plate;
wherein a stretcher rod is removably attached to and extends above the flap and the mounting plate.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the flap includes a flange disposed at a 90-degree angle to the flap.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the flange rotates with the flap when the door is opened to provide a secondary notification that the door has been opened.
12. The method of claim 9 wherein the mounting plate is secured to the mailbox by screws, rivets, or a nut and bolt combination.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein the flap is disposed on a top of the mailbox.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the flap has a width and wherein an end portion of the flap has an end portion width that is less than the width of the flap.
15. The method of claim 9 wherein the flap is disposed on a side of the mailbox.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the flap has a width and wherein an end portion of the flap has an end portion width that is less than the width of the flap.