JP7843393B2 - gatepost - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to gateposts.

Conventionally, mailboxes with a mail slot on the top surface of the mailbox are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this mailbox, a mail slot cover is attached to the mail slot so as to open downwards toward the inside of the mailbox. A mail slot door is attached to the mail slot cover, allowing it to be opened and closed. The mail slot door has an L-shaped bend at the tip, which curves downwards, and is large enough to cover almost the entire top surface of the mailbox. The mail slot door is rotatably mounted from the top surface to the front of the mailbox.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-69322

In recent years, gateposts have been known that consist of a panel member with a nameplate or the like, mounted between a pair of support posts, with a mailbox attached below the panel member. For mailboxes installed on such gateposts, it is desirable to have a mail slot on the top side to facilitate the insertion of mail from above.

However, when installing a mailbox with a mail slot on its top surface below a panel member, the mailbox must be positioned below the panel member to ensure sufficient space for the top lid of the mail slot to open upwards. This results in a large gap between the panel member and the mailbox, making it difficult to improve the aesthetic appearance of the gatepost.

Therefore, the inventor identified the problem of providing a gatepost that can improve the aesthetic appearance by preventing interference between the panel member and the top lid, even when the panel member and the mailbox are placed in close proximity or in contact.

This disclosure relates to a gatepost comprising a pair of support posts, a panel member attached between the pair of support posts, and a mailbox attached between the pair of support posts and positioned close to or in contact with the lower part of the panel member, wherein the mailbox has a mailbox body, a mail slot opening upward toward the top of the mailbox body, a top lid attached to the mail slot so as to be openable upward toward the front end, and a retrieval lid positioned on the front side of the mailbox body so as to be openable forward toward the top end, wherein the mail slot and the top lid are positioned in front of the mailbox body than the panel member, the top lid is formed of a flat plate, the upper surface of the top lid in the closed state is flush with the upper surface of the mailbox body and extends forward of the front of the mailbox body, and the portion extending forward of the front of the mailbox body forms a handle portion on the top lid that is flush with the upper surface of the mailbox body, and the top lid in the closed state is positioned to cover the upper end of the retrieval lid in the closed state from above.

This is a front view of the gatepost. This is a side view of the gatepost. This is a perspective view of a mailbox attached to a gatepost, seen from the front. This is a perspective view of a mailbox with the top lid and retrieval lid open, seen from the front. This is a perspective view of a mailbox from the rear, with the top lid and retrieval lid open. This is a perspective view of the inside of the mailbox, seen from below. This is a perspective view showing the axis of rotation on one end of the top cover. This is a perspective view showing the axis of rotation on the other end of the top cover. This is an enlarged view of the top lid of a mailbox in a vertical cross-section obtained by cutting along the line A-A in Figure 3. This is a side view of a gatepost showing a close-up of the open top lid of a mailbox.

The embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The gatepost 1 of this embodiment comprises a panel member 3 attached to the inside of the support frame 2, and a mailbox 4 attached to the inside of the support frame 2 and positioned below the panel member 3.

The support frame 2 is composed of a pair of left and right support posts 21, 21, an upper rail 22, and a lower rail 23. The support posts 21, the upper rail 22, and the lower rail 23 are formed, for example, from extruded metal profiles in a rectangular tubular shape. The pair of support posts 21, 21 are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other and are erected vertically upward from the installation surface G, which is, for example, the ground in front of the entrance. The upper rail 22 is provided to connect the upper ends of the pair of support posts 21, 21 horizontally. The lower rail 23 is provided to connect the pair of support posts 21, 21 horizontally on the upper surface of the installation surface G.

The panel member 3 is made of a rectangular plate material made of metal or resin. The panel member 3 is attached between a pair of support columns 21, 21, in contact with the upper rail 22. As shown in Figure 2, the panel member 3 consists of two plates: a front panel 31 and a rear panel 32, which are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other. As shown in Figure 1, a nameplate 33 and an intercom 34 are provided on the surface of the front panel 31. Lighting (not shown) for illuminating the nameplate 33 is provided on the surface of the front panel 31 or on the upper rail 22.

The gatepost 1 in this embodiment is a functional gatepost in which the functions of a nameplate 33, intercom 34, lighting, and mailbox 4 are integrated into one unit inside the support frame 2. In the gatepost 1 of this embodiment, the side facing the nameplate 33 and intercom 34 is defined as the "front," and the opposite side is defined as the "rear."

As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 10, the mailbox 4 is attached to the lower part of the panel member 3 inside the support frame 2. More specifically, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the mailbox 4 is attached to the support columns 21, 21 by screws (not shown) that penetrate from the inside of the mailbox body 41 through screw holes 41d, 41d on both sides 41b, 41b of the mailbox body 41. In this embodiment, the mailbox 4 is in contact with the lower end 3a of the panel member 3. However, the mailbox 4 may be positioned closer to the lower end 3a of the panel member 3, provided that it does not detract from the appearance.

The mailbox body 41 has a mail retrieval opening 42 and a mail insertion opening 43. The retrieval opening 42 is formed by a large rectangular opening on the front of the mailbox body 41. A retrieval cover 44 is provided over the retrieval opening 42, covering its entire surface. The lower end of the retrieval cover 44 is rotatably attached to the front side of the lower surface 41c of the mailbox body 41 by a hinge 441. This allows the retrieval cover 44 to be opened forward at its upper end. As shown in Figure 3, when the retrieval opening 42 is closed, the retrieval cover 44 constitutes the front surface of the mailbox 4. That is, the vertical height dimension of the retrieval cover 44 is approximately equal to the vertical height dimension of the mailbox 4. The horizontal width dimension of the retrieval cover 44 is approximately equal to the horizontal width dimension of the mailbox 4.

As shown in Figure 4, the upper edge, both side edges, and lower edge of the retrieval opening 42 are provided with an upper edge plate portion 421, side edge plates 422, 422, and lower edge plate portion 423, respectively, which project forward in an L-shape. The left and right side portions 44b, 44b and the lower end portion 44c of the retrieval lid 44 are bent so that they are flush with both sides 41b, 41b and the bottom surface 41c of the receiving box body 41, so that when the retrieval opening 42 is closed, the side edge plates 422, 422 and the lower edge plate portion 423 are covered from the outside. As a result, the boundary line between the receiving box body 41 and the retrieval lid 44 is not visible from the front side of the mailbox 4, thus improving the appearance of the mailbox 4 and the gatepost 1. Furthermore, the upper end portion 44a of the retrieval lid 44 is slightly bent toward the receiving box body 41 side. As shown in Figure 9, this upper end portion 44a is positioned above the upper edge plate portion 421 when the outlet 42 is closed.

As shown in Figures 5 and 9, waterproofing materials 442 and 443 made of rubber or the like are provided on the rear side of the retrieval lid 44. Waterproofing material 442 extends laterally to the upper rear end of the retrieval lid 44. When the retrieval lid 44 is closed, waterproofing material 442 abuts against the front surface 421a of the upper edge plate portion 421. Waterproofing materials 443 and 443 extend vertically on both sides of the rear side of the retrieval lid 44. When the retrieval lid 44 is closed, waterproofing materials 443 and 443 abut against the front surfaces 422a and 422a of the side edge plate portions 422 and 422. This seals the space between the receiving box body 41 and the retrieval lid 44 around the retrieval opening 42, preventing rainwater from entering the inside of the receiving box body 41 from the retrieval opening 42.

As shown in Figures 4, 6, and 9, a magnet 424 is provided in the center of the front panel surface 421a in the width direction. When the dispensing opening 42 is closed, the dispensing lid 44 is attracted by the magnet 424, maintaining the closed state of the dispensing opening 42. As shown in Figure 5, the water-sealing material 442 is divided into two parts to avoid the magnet 424.

As shown in Figures 5 and 9, an L-shaped piece 444 is provided on the rear surface of the retrieval lid 44, extending in the width direction below the water-sealing material 442 and projecting backward. As shown in Figure 9, the L-shaped piece 444 is positioned below the upper edge plate portion 421 of the receiving box body 41 when the retrieval lid 44 is closed. As shown in Figures 4, 6, and 8, a dial-type locking mechanism 45 is provided on the side of the mail slot 43 of the receiving box body 41. The locking mechanism 45 has a locking piece 451 positioned inside the receiving box body 41. The L-shaped piece 444 is provided with a locking hole 444a that engages with the locking piece 451 of the locking mechanism 45. The retrieval lid 44 is locked to the receiving box body 41 when the locking piece 451 engages with the locking hole 444a.

The mail slot 43 opens upwards, positioned slightly towards the front end of the upper surface 41a of the receiving box body 41. More specifically, as shown in Figure 10, the mailbox 4 is mounted so as to protrude forward from the support frame 2. The mail slot 43 is located on the upper surface 41a side of the receiving box body 41, in the portion that extends forward from the support frame 2.

The mail slot 43 is positioned slightly lower than the height of the upper surface 41a of the receiving box body 41. The width of the mail slot 43 is smaller than the width of the receiving box body 41. The receiving box body 41 is provided with a rim plate 431 that protrudes upward, surrounding the mail slot 43. The upper end of the rim plate 431 is positioned slightly below the height of the upper surface 41a of the receiving box body 41.

The mail slot 43 is provided with a top cover 46 that can be opened and closed to cover the entire surface of the mail slot 43. The top cover 46 is attached to the receiving box body 41 such that its front end can be opened upwards toward the mail slot 43. The top cover 46 is made of, for example, a 1.2 mm thick metal plate. The top cover 46 covers the entire mail slot 43 and extends along the entire width of the receiving box body 41. That is, both side ends 46b, 46b of the top cover 46 are positioned on the extension lines in the planar direction of both side surfaces 41b, 41b of the receiving box body 41. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the top cover 46 is provided so that it fits into the portion of the mailbox 4 that protrudes forward from the support frame 2.

As shown in Figure 9, the front end 46a of the top lid 46 extends slightly forward beyond the retrieval lid 44, which forms the front of the mailbox 4, when the mail slot 43 is closed. This extended portion forms a handle 461 for opening and closing the top lid 46. If the extension amount E of the top lid 46 is too large, it may detract from the appearance of the mailbox 4; if it is too small, it will be difficult to open and close the top lid 46. Therefore, the extension amount E can be, for example, 1 mm or more and 3 mm or less.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, mounting bases 462, 462 are provided at both ends of the underside of the top lid 46, respectively, for rotatably attaching the top lid 46 to the receiving box body 41. The outer surfaces 462a, 462a of the mounting bases 462, 462 are positioned on the extensions of the surface directions of the two sides 41b, 41b of the receiving box body 41. Cushioning materials 462b, 462b made of rubber or the like are provided on the underside of the mounting bases 462, 462, respectively. The cushioning materials 462b, 462b mitigate the impact when the top lid 46 is closed and suppress the generation of abnormal noise.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the mounting bases 462, 462 are rotatably attached by pivot shafts 463, 463 to brackets 432, 432 provided on the rear sides of both sides of the opening plate 431 of the receiving box body 41. The inner ends 463a, 463a of the pivot shafts 463, 463 are restricted from moving inward by the shaft portions 433a, 433 of screws 433, 433 that penetrate the rear opening plate 431 from the mail slot 43 side. This prevents the pivot shafts 463, 463 from coming loose.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, a waterproofing material 464 made of rubber or the like is provided on the underside of the top lid 46. The waterproofing material 464 extends across the width of the top lid 46. As shown in Figure 9, when the top lid 46 is closed, the waterproofing material 464 contacts the top plate 431a, which is bent at a right angle forward from the upper end of the front edge plate 431. This seals the space between the receiving box body 41 and the top lid 46 on the front side of the mail slot 43, preventing rainwater from entering the inside of the receiving box body 41 from the mail slot 43.

As shown in Figure 9, the top lid 46 in the closed state is positioned flush with the upper surface 41a of the receiving box body 41. The handle portion 461 of the top lid 46 is also positioned flush with the upper surface 41a of the receiving box body 41. The outer surfaces 462a, 462a of the mounting bases 462, 462 of the top lid 46 are positioned flush with both sides 41b, 41b of the receiving box body 41. Furthermore, the upper end portion 44a of the retrieval lid 44 in the closed state protrudes slightly above the top plate 431a and is positioned close to the back surface 46c of the top lid 46 in the closed state. As a result, the gaps visible when observing the mailbox 4 from the front, top, and side are kept to a minimum. Moreover, the retrieval lid 44 and the top lid 46 do not protrude significantly forward, upward, or to the side of the mailbox 4, and only the handle portion 461 of the top lid 46 protrudes slightly due to the thickness of the flat top lid 46. Therefore, when viewed from the front, the mailbox 4 has a clean and streamlined appearance overall.

Next, the effects of the gatepost 1 of this embodiment will be explained.

The gatepost 1 of this embodiment comprises a pair of support columns 21, 21, a panel member 3 attached between the pair of support columns 21, 21, and a mailbox 4 attached between the pair of support columns 21, 21 and positioned close to or in contact with the lower part of the panel member 3. The mailbox 4 has a mailbox body 41, a mail slot 43 opening upwards from the mailbox body 41, and a top lid 46 attached to the mail slot 43 so as to be openable upwards at its front end 46a. The mail slot 43 and the top lid 46 are positioned in front of the mailbox body 41 compared to the panel member 3. As a result, as shown in Figure 10, even when the top lid 46 is opened to insert mail M, the opened top lid 46 does not interfere with the panel member 3. Because the mailbox 4 is positioned close to or in contact with the panel member 3, no large gap is formed between the panel member 3 and the mailbox 4. Therefore, the gatepost 1 of this embodiment can further improve the aesthetic appearance.

In this embodiment, the gatepost 1 has a handle portion 461 that extends forward from the retrieval lid 44, which forms the front of the mailbox 4. The handle portion 461 is formed flush with the upper surface 41a of the mailbox body 41. Therefore, the opening and closing of the top cover 46 can be performed by placing fingers on the handle portion 461. This design avoids forming any large protruding members on the upper surface of the mailbox 4, resulting in a clean appearance when the mailbox 4 is viewed from the front, and ensuring that the visibility of the panel member 3 positioned above the mailbox 4 is not impaired. Thus, the aesthetic appearance of the gatepost 1 can be further improved.

In this embodiment of the gatepost 1, the top cover 46 is formed from a flat plate. Therefore, the top cover 46 and the handle portion 461 extend only by the thickness of the flat plate in front of the mailbox 4. This makes the top cover 46 inconspicuous within the mailbox 4, further improving the aesthetic appearance of the gatepost 1.

In this embodiment, the gatepost 1 has a retrieval lid 44 on the front side of the receiving box body 41, with its upper end 44a opening forward. The upper end 44a of the retrieval lid 44 is positioned close to the back surface 46c of the top lid 46. This minimizes the gap between the retrieval lid 44 and the top lid 16 visible when the mailbox 4 is viewed from the front, further improving the aesthetic appearance of the gatepost 1.

1. Gatepost, 3. Panel member, 4. Mailbox, 21. Support post, 41. Mailbox body, 41a. Top surface, 43. Mail slot, 44. Retrieval lid, 44a. Upper end, 46. Top lid, 46a. Front end, 46c. Back surface, 461. Handle/handle

Claims (1)

A pair of support pillars,
A panel member is installed between the pair of support columns,
A mailbox is provided, which is mounted between the pair of support columns and positioned close to or in contact with the lower part of the panel member.
The aforementioned mailbox comprises a mailbox body, a mail slot opening upward toward the top of the mailbox body, a top lid attached to the mail slot so that its front end can be opened upward toward the top, and a retrieval lid positioned on the front side of the mailbox body so that its upper end can be opened toward the front.
The mail slot and the top lid are positioned in front of the receiving box body,
The top lid is formed of a flat plate, and the upper surface of the top lid in the closed state is flush with the upper surface of the receiving box body and extends forward from the front of the receiving box body, and the portion extending forward from the front of the receiving box body forms a handle portion on the top lid that is flush with the upper surface of the receiving box body.
The gatepost is positioned such that the closed top cover covers the upper end of the closed removal cover from above.