Letterbox
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Many letterboxes are still designed from a mid 20th century perspective, when postcards and smaller enveloped were common. In the early 21st century, most mail is now bills or similar. Usually in a tri-folded A4 or similar size. Also common are magazines and so on - usually A4 size. Older letterboxes cannot handle some or all of these. |
Many letterboxes are still designed from a mid 20th century perspective, when postcards and smaller enveloped were common. In the early 21st century, most mail is now bills or similar. Usually in a tri-folded A4 or similar size. Also common are magazines and so on - usually A4 size. Older letterboxes cannot handle some or all of these. |
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| − | == New design == |
+ | == design goals == |
| − | * floor area sufficient to lay a [[Wikipedia:Envelope size|C4 envelope]] (or [[Wikipedia:MacBook Air|MacBook Air]], which is the same size to within 2mm) flat |
+ | * accomodate a reasonable sized package. |
| − | * 'mouth' sufficient width to eat said C4 envelope. Approx 3cm high. |
+ | * secure |
| − | * entire box should be approx 10cm high to prevent regurgitation theft |
+ | * weather protection |
| − | * top and sides of mouth should have overhang (lips!) to protect from weather. |
+ | |
| + | == design specifics == |
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| + | * 11 x 22 x 33cm (H x W x L) via following logic: |
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| + | ** floor area sufficient to lay a [[Wikipedia:Envelope size|C4 envelope]] flat. (C4 is 229 × 324 mm (9.0" × 12.8")) |
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| + | ** height sufficient to prevent regurgitation theft - say, 10cm min? |
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| + | * 'mouth' sufficient width to eat said C4 envelope. Approx 3cm high to accommodate magazines |
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| + | * top and sides of mouth should have overhang (lips!) to protect from weather. (perhaps provided by door if it's a roof door) |
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| + | * inside floor should be a raised grate to allow mail to sit *above* any weather that intrudes in, with adequate drainage to allow rain out. |
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== Security == |
== Security == |
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== Placement == |
== Placement == |
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* Between approx 100 and 150cm from ground level (keyed from height of mouth), and no further than 50cm back from the path (ie, postie reach) |
* Between approx 100 and 150cm from ground level (keyed from height of mouth), and no further than 50cm back from the path (ie, postie reach) |
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| + | |||
| + | == Identifying number == |
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| + | Letterboxes are an extremely common place to put the house number. My thoughts here are: |
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| + | * Solar powered internal LED to letterbox. (a $3 garden one will suffice). This brings benefits of internal illumination when checking letterbox at night |
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| + | * House number cut out of front of letterbox as a stencil. This hole then sealed with sheet of perspex or similar |
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| + | * Also, paint around the stencil hole also |
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| + | |||
| + | This should mean the number is visible in the three main lighting conditions: |
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| + | # daytime |
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| + | # nighttime |
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| + | # nighttime with a light shining on it. |
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| + | |||
| + | == unanswered questions == |
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| + | * should it open at the back, side, or top? |
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| + | ** side: smallest door |
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| + | ** back: furthest away from "street". secure? |
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| + | ** top: best for accessibility when checking box. Also allows for easier fix/replace of light in the top. |
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| + | |||
| + | == Further Ideas == |
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| + | * https://learn.adafruit.com/mailbox-notification-service - Alerts to your phone! |
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Latest revision as of 22:43, 15 August 2022
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The humble letterbox...
[edit] Total Perspective Vortex alertThis page is written from an Australian perspective,
based upon discussions between Nemo and postmen in both his family and friend circles |
How should it be designed?
[edit] Why redesign?
Many letterboxes are still designed from a mid 20th century perspective, when postcards and smaller enveloped were common. In the early 21st century, most mail is now bills or similar. Usually in a tri-folded A4 or similar size. Also common are magazines and so on - usually A4 size. Older letterboxes cannot handle some or all of these.
[edit] design goals
- accomodate a reasonable sized package.
- secure
- weather protection
[edit] design specifics
- 11 x 22 x 33cm (H x W x L) via following logic:
- floor area sufficient to lay a C4 envelope flat. (C4 is 229 × 324 mm (9.0" × 12.8"))
- height sufficient to prevent regurgitation theft - say, 10cm min?
- 'mouth' sufficient width to eat said C4 envelope. Approx 3cm high to accommodate magazines
- top and sides of mouth should have overhang (lips!) to protect from weather. (perhaps provided by door if it's a roof door)
- inside floor should be a raised grate to allow mail to sit *above* any weather that intrudes in, with adequate drainage to allow rain out.
[edit] Security
- Box should be lockable, and internal mail not be reachable through the mouth or other openings.
- Box should be securely bolted down to prevent theft of entire box
[edit] Placement
- Between approx 100 and 150cm from ground level (keyed from height of mouth), and no further than 50cm back from the path (ie, postie reach)
[edit] Identifying number
Letterboxes are an extremely common place to put the house number. My thoughts here are:
- Solar powered internal LED to letterbox. (a $3 garden one will suffice). This brings benefits of internal illumination when checking letterbox at night
- House number cut out of front of letterbox as a stencil. This hole then sealed with sheet of perspex or similar
- Also, paint around the stencil hole also
This should mean the number is visible in the three main lighting conditions:
- daytime
- nighttime
- nighttime with a light shining on it.
[edit] unanswered questions
- should it open at the back, side, or top?
- side: smallest door
- back: furthest away from "street". secure?
- top: best for accessibility when checking box. Also allows for easier fix/replace of light in the top.
[edit] Further Ideas
- https://learn.adafruit.com/mailbox-notification-service - Alerts to your phone!
