FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is directed to a mailbox device. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a mailbox device configured to allow a user to inspect the interior or contents of the mailbox prior to opening thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] There exists a wide variety of mail boxes that are currently manufactured and sold. Most of these mailboxes are configured to mount or be supported on top of a post anchored in the ground. The current mailboxes are typically made of metal or plastic material.

[0003] The current mailboxes have a front door that flips downwardly to insert or retrieve mail. Currently, these mailboxes are made of materials that are opaque, and do not allow a user to look inside the mailbox or inspect the contents thereof prior to opening the door. Further, whether the mail has been delivered or the mailbox has been tampered with cannot be discerned until the current mailboxes are opened and a user looks inside.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide an improved mailbox.

[0005] A second object of the present invention is to provide a mailbox configured to allow a user to visually inspect the contents or interior of the mailbox prior to opening.

[0006] A third object of the present invention is to provide a mailbox device provided with a window in at least one of a door portion or container portion of the mailbox device.

[0007] A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a mailbox device according to the present invention having a see-through portion or window.

[0008] A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a mailbox having at least one portion or component made of a see-through material.

[0009] A sixth object of the present invention is to provide a mailbox device having a door portion made of a see-through material connected to a container portion.

[0010] A seventh object of the present invention is to provide a mailbox device having a container portion and door portion both made of see-through material.

[0011] The present invention is directed to a mailbox device configured to allow a user to inspect the inside of the mailbox prior to opening thereof. For example, a person can see whether or not mail has been delivered by visual inspection, even from a distance, and/or can visually inspect the contents of the mailbox prior to opening the mailbox. This feature is important with respect to safety and security of a person opening a tampered mailbox containing a prank, dangerous material (e.g. explosive, cutting device, gun) or otherwise booby-trapped by someone else.

[0012] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a see-through door portion of the mailbox. For example, the door portion can be provided with a window cut through or molded in the door portion. The window can be opened or covered with a see-through material, such as a plastic sheet or a molded window. In another preferred embodiment, a portion of the door portion or the entire door portion is made of a see-through plastic material (e.g. made by injection molding). In another preferred embodiment, one or more portions of the container portion of the mailbox is made of see-through material to provide a see-through window or the entire container portion is made of see-through material to allow visual inspection from all sides. In a further preferred embodiment, the front door and the rear panel of the container portion are both made of see-through plastic material so that you can see through both the front and the back of the mailbox so that there exists adequate natural light to view the inside thereof. Optionally, the mailbox can be provided with one or more interior light sources to illuminate or partially illuminate the interior of the mailbox to enhance visual inspection thereof prior to opening. For example, a solar powered device mounted on the mailbox or post of the mailbox in combination with a battery pack powers one or more lights mounted within the mailbox device.

[0013] The present invention is directed to new construction of mailboxes, and/or alterations to existing mailboxes. For example, a conventional opaque door can be replaced with a see-through plastic door installed by removing the existing rivets or fasteners and swapping out the opaque door with the see-through door. In other versions, an existing mailbox can be drilled with a hole saw and plastic insert windows can be glued or snap fit into the openings to allow visual inspection of the interior thereof.

[0014] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the entire mailbox is made of a see-through plastic material such as plastic. For example, the plastic material can be clear or not clear but translucent to allow visualization of the shape and sizes of the contents of the mailbox. For example, a clear plastic mailbox can be lightly frosted (e.g. by shot penning or sandblasting) to allow some visual access to the interior of the mailbox prior to opening while adding some texture and/or color to visually enhance the look of the mailbox. Alternatively, paint or some other finish product can be sputtered onto a clear mailbox again to add texture and/or color to visually enhance the mailbox. Even further, the clear mailbox can be slightly tinted to allow visual inspection of the contents thereof while also adding aesthetic beauty. In a preferred embodiment, the mailbox is tinted so that you cannot see into the mailbox until a light switch is turned to on illuminate the interior of the mailbox then allowing a user to visually inspect the mailbox prior to opening thereof. In another embodiment, a liquid crystal type coating or layer is incorporated or applied to the plastic material that can be electrically activated to act as a light shutter to selectively view or make opaque the plastic material to allow visual inspection in one mode and preventing visual inspection in another mode.