초록 ▼

An apparatus and method for enhancing the security of a cluster box unit which includes a protective enclosure, internal cabinetry, door, hinge and locking system. The cluster box unit may also include outgoing mail compartment doors that are heavily constructed and rigidly reinforced, with the lock

An apparatus and method for enhancing the security of a cluster box unit which includes a protective enclosure, internal cabinetry, door, hinge and locking system. The cluster box unit may also include outgoing mail compartment doors that are heavily constructed and rigidly reinforced, with the locks carried thereon protectively shielded, and with the extensible bolts of these locks being engaged by brackets that not only lock the outgoing mail compartment doors but also the master loading doors of the cluster box units. The cluster box unit may also include master loading doors are provided with hinges that extend the full height of the doors—hinges that are defined by pivotally interfitting elements of extrusions that very sturdily mount the master loading doors, that prevent prying or bending the doors in the vicinities of their hinges. The interfitting elements of the hinge extrusions also permit the doors to be installed on their surrounding door frames quickly and easily, and permit one or both of the master loading doors to be quickly and easily removed for service or replacement when necessary.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A cluster box mail delivery unit comprising: an enclosure comprising two sidewalls, a top wall, a bottom wall, a front face, and a back face; at least two door assemblies on the front face of the enclosure, wherein each door assembly comprises a first inner edge and a first o

What is claimed is: 1. A cluster box mail delivery unit comprising: an enclosure comprising two sidewalls, a top wall, a bottom wall, a front face, and a back face; at least two door assemblies on the front face of the enclosure, wherein each door assembly comprises a first inner edge and a first outer edge; at least one compartment door within each door assembly configured to pivot relative to the door assembly; and at least one fastening member formed along the first inner edge of each door assembly for securing the at least two door assemblies in a closed position; wherein each door assembly pivots relative to the enclosure along the first outer edge of each door assembly; each fastening member further comprising an upright portion, an extending portion, and a hook portion; each upright portion further comprising a second inner edge and a second outer edge; each extending portion protruding outward from the respective second inner edge of the upright portion; and each hook portion extending from the respective extending portion and engaging with an opposing hook portion, forming a gap between at least one second inner edge of the upright portion and the engaged hook portions. 2. The cluster box mail delivery unit of claim 1, wherein one hook portion comprises at least one rearwardly turned hook portion and a second hook portion comprises at least one forwardly turned hook portion. 3. The cluster box mail delivery unit of claim 1, wherein the second outer edge of the upright portion comprises a bar portion for anchoring the fastening member into the door assembly. 4. The cluster box mail delivery unit of claim 1, wherein at least one of the extending portions comprises a box-shaped cross-section. 5. The cluster box unit of claim 1, wherein the hook portions are configured to rigidly interlock as the gap is widened between the at least one second inner edge of the upright portion. 6. A fastening apparatus for securing at least two door assemblies of a cluster box mail delivery unit comprising: a first fastening member for securing to a first of the door assemblies, the first fastening member comprising a vertical upright portion, a vertical extending portion, and a vertical first hook portion; a second fastening member for securing to an opposing second of the door assemblies, the second fastening member comprising a vertical upright portion, a vertical extending portion, and an opposing vertical second hook portion, wherein the upright portion of each fastening member comprises an inner edge and an outer edge, the outer edge for securing to the respective door assembly; wherein the extending portion of each fastening member protrudes outward from the inner edge of the respective upright portion; and wherein the hook portion of each fastening member protrudes outward from the respective extending portion such that the first hook portion of the first fastening member engages with and interlocks with the opposing second hook portion of the second fastening member, forming a gap between the inner edge of the upright portion of the first fastening member and the engaged hook portions. 7. The fastening apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first hook portion comprises at least one forwardly turned hook portion and the opposing second hook portion comprises at least one rearwardly turned hook portion. 8. The fastening apparatus of claim 6, wherein the outer edge of the upright portion of at least one of the fastening members comprises a bar portion for anchoring the at least one fastening member into the respective door assembly. 9. The fastening device of claim 6, wherein the first hook portion is configured to rigidly interlock with the opposing second hook portion as the gap is widened between the inner edge of the upright portion of the first fastening member and the engaged hook portions.