TRAVERSE CITY -- Living in Northern Michigan, you know one of the casualties of winter could be something you use nearly every day.

Your Mailbox!

A Northern Michigan man is improving on an idea that could eliminate the snow plow from taking it out.

Before you know it, Snowplows around northern Michigan will be out clearing our roads.

And like it or not, your mailbox could be something that gets plowed over along with the snow.

"My mother lived on Voice Road in Kingsley for years and I went down and repaired hers about three times a year," said Bernard Yantz, maker of the Tip Up Mailbox Kit.

That got Bernard to thinking after seeing something similar in canada.

He says he noticed some of the mailboxes up there were tipped up to avoid the snow and snowplows.

"They were all basically cobbled together made by Canadians in different fashions, but the concept worked," said Yantz.

So, Bernard took that concept and decided to takes things a step further.

Through trial and error, Bernard came up with several different prototypes made out of wood before settling on a metal base and hinge.

"Make it universal so everyone can build one," said Yantz.

The result is the tip up mailbox kit.

The 75-dollar kit provides the hinge, hardware and detailed installation instructions.

You'll have to buy three four by fours and the weights.

But, would that new mailbox contraption create a road hazard? I took that question to the folks at the Grand Traverse County Road Commission."

"We don't permit mailboxes in the right of way. We just tell people to be careful what they install," said Mary Gillis, Manager of the Grand Traverse County Road Commission.

And does Bernard's tip up mailbox cause any problems for the mail carrier?  He insists it doesn't, "They're always changing the mail persons and nobody's complained."

For more information, click here.