US9700166B2 and 5 Patents That Solve Weakness in Mailboxes and Beyond

Mailboxes may look ordinary, but building one that meets USPS‘ strength and impact tests is no small task. Traditional designs often bend, dent, or collapse under pressure.

US 9700166 B2 addresses this challenge with a more robust design. It reinforces weak points using rolled edges, integrated floor supports, and braced doors. This helps mailboxes withstand heavy use and unexpected impacts while staying reliable. The patent covers a mailbox structure that lasts longer and performs better.

This patent is currently tied to a case between Architectural Mailboxes, Inc. and PLM Global Logistics, LLC. But our focus here isn’t the courtroom, it’s the innovation. 

Using the Global Patent Search (GPS) tool, we will also explore similar patents. From reinforced truck bodies and shipping containers to indestructible mailbox shells, these inventions show the many ways engineers have tried to make everyday structures stronger and more resilient.

Understanding Patent US9700166B2

US9700166B2 covers a mailbox designed to be stronger and more impact-resistant than common models. It focuses on improving structural rigidity while ensuring the mailbox meets USPS Standard 7 for strength and impact testing.

Source: Google Patents

The Key Features Of This Patent Are

1. Rolled front edge with reinforcing rod – A metal rod is placed inside a rolled front edge to make the mailbox stronger.
   
2. Floor-to-body integration – The mailbox floor is joined with the body edges by rolling, hemming, or inserting flanges into the roll.
   
3. Impact-resistant front door brace – A brace is added inside the door to help absorb force during impacts.
   
4. Magnetized closure option – The reinforcing rods can be magnetized to help keep the door securely closed.
   
5. Continuous edge connection – Floor and sidewalls are connected along the entire length, preventing collapse during stress.
   
6. Front flange reinforcement – A downward flange at the front of the floor connects to sidewalls for added strength.
   
7. Tab-and-slot or notch connections – Optional connectors improve how the floor attaches to the sidewalls.
   
8. Door brace with angled ends – Designed to push the door closed and resist distortion when hit.
   
9. Arched top body – Provides additional structural support and resists bending.
   
10. Flexible assembly variations – Different combinations of rolled, hemmed, flanged, or reinforced edges can be used.

This invention focuses on building mailboxes that withstand heavy loads and impacts. By reinforcing edges, floors, and doors, US9700166B2 creates a more durable and reliable mailbox.

Similar Patents to US9700166B2

To explore the structural innovations behind US9700166B2, we used the Global Patent Search tool to find similar technologies. These references focus on reinforced designs that improve rigidity and impact resistance. Each takes a different approach to solving challenges of strength, stability, and durability in common products. Let’s take a look.

1. CA2691028A1 

This Canadian patent, CA2691028A1, published in 2009, introduces a reinforced packaging container formed from a laminated U-shaped board. The design improves the base and corners, making them resistant to stresses caused by lifting, dropping, and general handling.

Below, we include GPS snippets highlighting relevant specification passages.

What This Patent Introduces To The Landscape

1. Reinforced base and corners that handle stress from impact and weight.
   
2. Alternating narrow and wide strips of laminated material for added rigidity.
   
3. U-shaped cross-section that creates a durable structural channel.
   
4. Rigid side walls that resist folding under load.
   
5. Strength achieved without relying on heavy or bulky materials.

How It Connects To US9700166B2

• Both inventions focus on improving strength and impact resistance.
  
• This patent reinforces packaging walls with laminated strips.
  
• US9700166B2 strengthens mailboxes through the use of rolled edges, flanges, and braces.
  
• Together, they highlight different structural solutions to resist deformation.

Why This Matters

This patent shows how reinforcement at critical stress points boosts durability. It provides useful context for US9700166B2 by demonstrating parallel approaches to achieving structural rigidity in everyday products.

Related Read: Explore leading companies producing biodegradable plastics that balance strength with sustainability. These packaging innovations address performance while meeting real-world durability demands.

2. US2009236873A1 

This U.S. patent, US2009236873A1, published in 2009, introduces a corner cap assembly designed to reinforce truck body structures. It uses a stiffening member with an L-shaped body made from strong materials to connect side walls and end walls securely.

What This Patent Introduces To The Landscape

1. An L-shaped stiffening member designed for high strength and stiffness.
   
2. Reinforcement is placed at the junction of the truck side walls and end walls.
   
3. Use of metallic or non-metallic materials for flexibility in strength.
   
4. Fastening with bolts, screws, rivets, or welding for secure joints.
   
5. Multiple mounting holes at each end to improve durability and load handling.

How It Connects To US9700166B2

• Both patents address reinforcement at critical stress points to resist impact or deformation.
  
• This patent strengthens vehicle corners with L-shaped stiffeners.
  
• US9700166B2 reinforces mailboxes using rolled edges, flanges, and braces.
  
• Each reflects a structural approach to improving safety and reliability.

Why This Matters

This patent demonstrates how corner reinforcement prevents structural failure in vehicle bodies. It adds perspective to US9700166B2 by showing another method of fortifying weak points against external stress.

3. US2005167429A1 

This U.S. patent, US2005167429A1, published in 2005, introduces a dual container system designed with reinforced corners and vertical edges. The design focuses on increasing wall thickness at stress points to help the container withstand repeated impacts.

What This Patent Introduces To The Landscape

1. Reinforced recess bottom corners and vertical edges to resist impact damage.
   
2. Wall thicknesses equal to or greater than the second container body thickness.
   
3. Impact resistance is provided against both single and repeated strikes.
   
4. The thickness range is between 0.01 inches and 0.20 inches for durability.
   
5. Body recesses offset at 90° from parting lines for added strength.

How It Connects To US9700166B2

• Both patents enhance structural strength to endure repeated impacts.
  
• This patent focuses on thicker container walls at corners and edges.
  
• US9700166B2 strengthens mailbox floors, doors, and rolled edges.
  
• Each takes a material and structural reinforcement approach to impact resistance.

Why This Matters

This patent highlights how targeted reinforcement of corners and edges protects a container against stress. It aligns with US9700166B2’s approach of strengthening weak points, underscoring the importance of reinforcing structural boundaries.

4. US2008105676A1 

This U.S. patent, US2008105676A1, published in 2008, discloses a shipping container reinforced with buckling strength frames. The design uses X-shaped reinforcing members on front and rear panels to withstand torsional and angular loads, reducing the risk of deformation from external impacts.

What This Patent Introduces To The Landscape

1. Buckling strength is reinforced by frames arranged in an X-shape across panels.
   
2. Frames attached to corner posts and rail frames for added stability.
   
3. Panels with angled ridges and channels to improve impact resistance.
   
4. Enhanced ability to withstand torsional and angular loads.
   
5. Increased overall framework strength without excessive material weight.

How It Connects To US9700166B2

• Both patents focus on resisting impact and preventing structural deformation.
  
• This patent reinforces container panels with X-shaped frames.
  
• US9700166B2 enhances mailboxes by incorporating rolled edges, integrated floors, and door braces.
  
• Each applies reinforcement at critical points to absorb and redistribute stress.

Why This Matters

This patent shows how cross-bracing and panel design reduce structural damage from heavy loads or impacts. It adds context for US9700166B2 by demonstrating another proven way to reinforce thin-walled structures against stress.

5. US4792088A 

This U.S. patent, US4792088A, published in 1988, introduces a mailbox and support designed to be virtually indestructible. It features a resilient spring section in the support that absorbs mechanical shock and rebounds to its original position, even after impacts from vehicles or vandalism.

What This Patent Introduces To The Landscape

1. A resilient spring section that yields under shock but rebounds to its original position.
   
2. A mailbox shell made from heavy-gauge cylindrical steel or cast iron pipe.
   
3. An 8-inch diameter mailbox body with 1/8-inch wall thickness for maximum durability.
   
4. Hinged circular front door with a handle for secure access.
   
5. Vandal- and element-resistant construction designed to withstand extreme forces.

How It Connects To US9700166B2

• Both patents focus on strengthening mailboxes against physical stress and impact.
  
• This patent uses heavy steel and spring-mounted supports.
  
• US9700166B2 applies structural reinforcements with rolled edges, braces, and flanges.
  
• Each demonstrates different strategies to keep mailboxes functional under severe conditions.

Why This Matters

This patent highlights how robust construction and shock-absorbing supports create a mailbox resistant to damage. It adds direct relevance to US9700166B2 by showing another way inventors have solved the challenge of mailbox durability and impact resistance.

Related Read: Self-healing materials patents explore new ways to extend product life by repairing stress damage. Like reinforced mailboxes, both approaches focus on maintaining durability under repeated impact.

How to Find Similar Patents Using Global Patent Search

When analyzing reinforced mailbox designs like US9700166B2, it is important to review similar patents. The Global Patent Search tool makes this process easier by surfacing documents that focus on structural rigidity, impact resistance, and material reinforcements.

Here’s how you can use GPS to explore the technology landscape:

1. Search by patent number: Start by entering US9700166B2 into the GPS tool. You can refine your search with terms such as “impact-resistant mailbox” or “reinforced edges.”
   
2. Review highlighted snippets: GPS provides short text excerpts from similar patents. These snippets help quickly identify overlapping ideas in construction, reinforcement, or stress distribution.
   
3. Compare design mechanisms: Some references emphasize thickened corners, while others highlight stiffening members or buckling frames. Together, they demonstrate different approaches to solving the same challenge.
   
4. Check for continuity of rights: Occasionally, a patent may no longer be active due to patent abandonment. If a patent lapses due to unpaid fees or missed responses, the disclosed ideas may become available for public use. This is valid in case of FTO searches.
   
5. Understand legal signals: If a patent holder believes a product is infringing, they may send a cease-and-desist letter. While not a lawsuit, this formal warning signals the importance of knowing how your technology compares to existing patents.

Global Patent Search helps you uncover related inventions, compare key features, and gain clarity before moving forward, regardless of the intent of your search. You can leverage the tool to guide innovation with confidence and avoid unnecessary risks.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. The related patent references mentioned are preliminary results from the Global Patent Search tool and do not guarantee legal significance. For a comprehensive related patent analysis, we recommend conducting a detailed search using GPS or consulting a patent attorney.