Rural mailbox flexible support

Abstract

A rural mailbox used for temporarily mails storage having a flexible support system or a flexi-modular that absorbs and reduces lateral impact through its spring system/mechanism by allowing the support arm to deflect and soften the magnitude of shock impact. The flexible support system or flexi-modular is a horizontal member of the mailbox post and can be utilized or mounted on any traditional mailbox vertical member or post that made of woods or hard plastics. The flexible support system or flexi-modular includes a base, a leaf spring, a horizontal support member and a pivot bolt assembly. The base is a main interface to the vertical post, as well as other sub-components of the flexi-modular. It is integrated with two extended lugs that hold the horizontal member through the pivot bolt and allow it to swing in plane to the left or right of the mailbox. The leaf or coil spring is attached to the base by fasteners, and its duty is to reposition the horizontal member after every impact, also acts like a load damper, which minimizes or absorbs impact and help to prolong the mailbox and its post support through many more winters. More importantly, the flexi-modular maintains a classy and traditional appearance of the rural mailbox assembly.

1 . A flexible rural mailbox support system or flexi-modular assembly that is capable to absorb lateral/side impact and prolong service life for the mailbox and its support post, comprising:
 a. A base  01  of the flexi-modular depicted in an exploded view of  FIG. 3  that has a flat mounting surface, several mounting holes and integral lugs which are normal to the mounting surface. The lugs also have mounting thru holes that are co-axis with the lug outer radius.   b. A horizontal support member  02  of the flexi-modular depicted in an exploded view of  FIG. 3 , is hollow and has double chamfers at mounted end and a mounting pilot hole thru surfaces.   c. A load absorber spring  03  of the flexi-modular depicted in an exploded view of  FIG. 3 , is a leaf spring style that has a flat surface and two mounting holes at center where the flat surface interfaces with the base  01 . Both ends of the spring  03  have a curvature surface that designed for smooth rubbing contact with the inner surfaces of the horizontal support member  02 . The spring  03  can be made from standard spring materials such ferrous or non-ferrous materials as well as high flexural strength plastics.   d. A pivot bolt of the flexi-modular assembly depicted in  FIG. 3  has two washers,  4   b  and a nut,  4   c.  The bolt  4   a  has a longer shank where it interfaces with the base  01  and the horizontal support member  02 . The bolt assembly  4   a,    4   b  &  4   c  can be made of metal or plastic materials. However, this pivot bolt is a substitutable component. It can be used by other long bolts such a cutter-pin style.   e. Two counter-sunk fasteners that hold the spring  03  to the base  01 .   
     
     
         2 . The rural mailbox flexible support system or flexi-modular assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said flexi-modular assembly having a shock absorber spring that is flexible and absorbs lateral forces/impacts that a plow-truck generates during its snow cleaning operation.