US Patent:
20040211827, Oct 28, 2004
Inventors:
Gaylord Gunvaldson - Selah WA, US
International Classification:
B65D091/00
Abstract:
An extendable and retractable mailbox tray, which is a sliding, guided tray that is mountable within into a standard, rural mailbox. The tray extends from the mailbox when the mailbox door is opened, and retracts back within the mailbox when the mailbox door is closed. The guided mailbox tray assembly includes a tray, which may be referred to as a “sled.” Preferably, the tray is cut out and bent into the form of a rectangular box from a single sheet of galvanized metal. The tray has a side panel and a runner slot cut within the side panel. A runner with a slot fastener end, and a bracket fastener end that is slidingly mountable into the runner slot. A bracket is mountable to the openable door of the mailbox. The bracket includes a runner fastener that is hingably attachable to the bracket fastener of the runner. The tray extends from the mailbox upon opening the door and the tray retracts back into the mailbox when the door is closed. Preferably, the tray has a pair of side panels, each with a runner slot, a pair of runners, each with a slot fasteners and bracket fasteners, for slidingly connecting the runners to the tray, and pivotably connecting the bracket to the runners.