US968151A - Mail-box signal. - Google Patents

Description

W. E. HARMON.

MAIL BOX SIGNAL. APPLICATION nun 00w. 13,1909.

Patented Aug 23,1910.

WITNESSES:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM E. HARMON, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-I-IALFTO J. B. BROOK- MAN, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS.

MAIL-BOX SIGNAL.

Application filed October 13, 1909. Serial No. 522,376.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WVILLIAM E. HARMoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Houston, in the county of Harris and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Box Signals, of which the following is a specification.

My device relates to new and useful improvements in mail box signals and more particularly to that class of signals now used on rural free delivery routes.

The object of the device is to, provide a signal in connection with the locking means whereby the said signal can not be changed until the mail man or the owner unlocks the box, thereby protecting the mail against illegitimate molestation.

Another object is to provide a signal which may be easily attached to the mail boxes now in use.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention has particular relation to certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts, an example of which is given in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l is a perspective view of a mail box showing one form of signal set in position and dotted lines showing the same out of position. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a mail box showing my preferred form of signal set in position and dotted lines showing the same out of position. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the present forms of signal set in position with my locking means attached and dotted lines showing the same when out of position. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred form of signal.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings wherein like numerals of reference designate similar parts in each of the figures; the numeral 1 refers to themain body of the box which is usually made of galvanized iron, the bottom being so made as to be easily fastened to the top of a post or other means of support, the top rounded longitudinally to protect against all kinds of weather.

Numeral 2 refers to the door which is in one end of the box and hinged to the bottom thereof.

The numeral 3 refers to the hasp which is rigidly attached to the upper portion of the door, while the numeral 4: refers to the hasp which is rigidly attached to the front and top of the body 1 of the box, in a manner corresponding to the position of hasp 3 when the door is closed.

The numeral 5 refers to my preferred form of signal shown in detail in Fig. 4 and attached to the box in Fig. 2.

Numeral 6 refers to another form of signal and is shown in position in connection with the lock in Fig. l, and out of position in dotted lines.

Numeral 7 refers to still another form of signal which is attached to the side of the box and is shown in position in Fig. 3 and out of position in dotted lines in the same figure.

Numeral 8 refers to the lock which is of the ordinary padlock type, but may be of any approved type.

The preferred form of signal as shown in Fig. 4c, is made of galvanized iron or other suitable material. The upper part being of any convenient shape or size, is preferably at right angles to the lower part. In the front and central part of the base, a hole is provided to permit the shackle of the padlock to pass therethrough. At the bend of the signal a clasp 9 is fastened around the main body and may be either soldered thereto or passed through a loop in the body as shown in Fig. 4. WVhen attached to a mail box, the clasp 9 is slipped over hasp 4: and the signal is then ready for use, when in use, the upper part of the signal is raised to a vertical position and the padlock shacklepassed through the hole in the base and in the hasps on the door and body of the box.

The form shown at 6 in Fig. 1 is attached to the door of the box by a staple or other suitable means which makes a hinged joint at one end of the signal. At about the center a hole is provided, large enough to pass over the hasps and permit a padlock to clasp through the holes in the hasps and thus hold the signal erect.

Still another form is shown in position in Fig. 3. A suitable support is attached to the side of the box and to this, a shaft is connected. At the lower end of said shaft a longitudinal slot 10 is provided which embraces a pin 11 and when the shaft is in an upright position slides down over said pin and the signal is thereby held in an upright position. At the top of the support a flag is attached and to this flag a wire or other suit-able rod is connected which carries a loop at its other end so that when placed in position for locking, the shackle of the lock may be passed through the loop as Well as the hasps and thereby securely lock the said signal in position.

While 1 have shown these three forms I desire not to be limited to these alone but Wish to vary When necessary, so long as the principle is adhered to.

\V hat I claim is:

In a device of the character described a signal device comprising a display member and a securing member at substantially right angles thereto, a loop Within the angle of 15 the signal device and a clasp surrounding said device and passing through said loop, said clasp being designed to engage With a hasp carried by the body to which the signal device is to be attached.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

XVILLIAM E. HARMON.

Vitnesses CHAS. R. MUNGER, E. C. GUY.

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