Mail-box support

Application filed. July 7, 1926. Serial No. 120,981.

This invention relates to mail box supports and more particularly to a support for rural mail boxes enabling the box to be positioned immediately adjacent the road Over 5 which the carrier passes, so that mail may be inserted therein or removed therefrom without the carrier descending from the vehicle in which he usually makes his rounds.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which may be swung to one side, so as to provide a clear space between the edge of the road and the standard or post upon which the support is disposed, thus enabling the passage of ditching machines or the like, which must operate in trenches formed at the side of the road.

A further and more specific object of the 20 invention is to provide a structure of this character having a bracket adapted to be attached to the post and receive a vertical extension upon a horizontally disposed arm, the bracket having a notch in which the S5 arm may.engage to hold the device against rotation while still permitting ready movement of the arm, if this is desired.

These and other objects I attain by the construction shown in the accompanying 30 drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein:—

Figure 1 is a side elevation partially in section showing a preferred embodiment 35 of my invention applied to a post;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the bracket for attaching, the mail box to the arm;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3—3 of 40 Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of

Figure 1:

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5—5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a front elevation of a slightly modified form of post bracket;

Figure 7 is a side elevation thereof showing the same attached to the post;

Figure 8 is a plan view thereof detached so from the post;

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view through a pipe post showing the form of bracket suitable for use therewith;

Figure 10 is a front elevation of the bracket removed: ⁶⁵

Figure 11 is a plan view of this bracket.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates a bracket adapted to be attached to the upper end of a post 11 arranged in 60 spaced relation to the road. This bracket provides a vertically directed bearing for the reception of a vertical extension 12 formed upon a horizontal arm 13. This arm has at its outer end means 14 for at- ⁶⁵taching thereto the base board 15 upon which a rural mail box 16 is usually seated. The bracket 10 is provided at its upper end with a notch 17 in wh ich the horizontal arm 13 may drop to hold the arm against ⁷⁰rotation. The lower end.of the extension has a stop 18 for engagement with, the lower portion of the bearing limiting upward movement of the arm when the arm has been lifted sufficiently to clear this notch. ⁷⁵When the arm is lifted to clear the notch, it may be rotated so as to place the arm parallel with the road instead of at right angles to the road, as it is disposed when it is engaged in the notch. 80

The bracket 10 may take any one of a number of forms. In the form shown in Figures 1 to 5, the bracket is formed from a sheet 19 of metal at the center of which alternate portions are oppositely swaged 85 to provide oppositely directed semi-spherical loops 20 and 21, which combine to provide the bearing for the vertical extension 12. The edges of the plate are offset, as at 22, so that the faces of the offset portions 90 lie in the same plane as the outer faces of the loops 21 and accordingly the faces of these offset portions and the loops 21 will simultaneously.engage against the flat surface of a wooden post. In the offset por- 95 tions, openings 23 are provided for the passage of securing elements 24 for engagement in the post. An outwardly pressed loop 20 is arranged uppermost and the upper end of this loop is swaged, as at 25, to form an ΐθθ outwardly, extending lip having the notch 17 formed therein. In the form shown in Figures 6 to 8, which is likewise adapted for engagement with a wooden post, a cast plate 26is formed with vertically spaced 1°⁵vertically directed eyes 27 and 28, the up1,631,904 per eye 27 having in its outer face the notch 17 for the reception of the arm 13. The plate 26 may be provided with suitable openings 29 for the passage of securing elements.

In the form shown in figures' 9 to 11, which is intended for use in a supporting post ll^a consisting of a piece of pipe, the bracket is in the form of a sleeve 20 fitting the upper end of the post and having a head io 31 seating upon the upper ’end of the post.

The bore of this sleeve is of the same diameter as the vertical extension. 12 of the arm 13 and the head is formed in its upper surface with the notch 17 in which the arm 13 may rest. The sleeve 20 is secured in position in the post ll^a by .means of a set-screw 32 or the like. In this construction, if desired, a supplemental guide for the extension 12 may be provided, by placing about.

this extension above the limiting element 18 a collar 33 interiorly fitting the extension and exteriorly fitting the bore of the post ll^a. The arm 13 and its extension 12 may be conveniently produced by employing a 25 piece of pipe and bending the same to provide a right angle producing the arm 13 and its extension 12. Before bending the pipe, a piece of metal 34 is inserted in the pipe at the point where, the bend is to be formed to prevent deformation of the pipe during the bending operation. This, piece of metal further serves to reinforce the pipe at the bend and renders the arm more durable.

³⁵ The attaching bracket 14 is preferably produced by employing a metallic sheet 35 and forming at the center thereof oppositely pressed semi-circular loops 36 and 37. The side edges of this plate are then offsetj so 10 that their faces 38 are arranged in the same plane as the central portion of the inbent semi-circular portions 37. The side edges of the plate and each outwardly pressed semi-circular portion 36 are formed with 45 openings for the passage of securing elements 39 for attaching the plate to the base board 15 and other. securing elements 40 for passage through openings 41 formed in the arm 13 and engagement in the base board. These latter securing elements not only serve to prevent rotation of the bracket upon the arm but likewise serve to bind the same, bracket and base board firmly together, so that no weakening vibration may take place. It will be obvious that a construction of this character may be very readily and cheaply manufactured and may be easily installed. At all times, the arm 13, will be maintained in its proper position with its θο end adjacent the road over which the carrier will pass. . If, however, it is necessary that the arm be moved to one side for the passage of a ditching or grading machine, it may be very readily, moved and replaced.

Since the construction hereinbefore set forth is obviously capable of a certain range of change and modification without materially departing from the spirit of the invention, I do not limit myself to such specific structure except as hereinafter claimed. 70