US3555209A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telephone security device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-05-28
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Granted: 1971-01-12
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Expires: 1988-05-28
Abstract
Abstract In order to prevent the unauthorized use of dial-type telephones to make long distance calls, the security device of the present invention is fitted to the outer case of a standard desk or walltype telephone instrument. In position, it permits the dialing of up to, say, eight digits, and then prevents the dialing of any further digits until the telephone handpiece has been replaced and removed. The number of digits permitted will depend upon the type of installation, eight digits being used in a PABX: in a PABX a long distance direct dialed call requires the dialing of 9-1-and seven digits, i.e. nine digits in all, and any attempted call is aborted in the absence of the last digit. A lug on the rotatable dial mechanically sets a stop after eight dialings, which stop then engages the lug to prevent the ninth dialing.
Inventors
- 👤 Rainseford H Ireland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:17
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/66; H04M1/677
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A security device suitable for use with a dial-type telephone set having a handpiece, a cradle in or on which the handpiece rests when not in use, and a rotary signalling dial, the device being adapted to restrict the use of the dial to the effective dialing of a series of digits no greater in number than a predetermined number, comprising: a. a base member adapted for securement to said telephone set; b. a member provided on said dial so as to extend outwardly from that dial; c. ratchet means carried by said base member; d. ratchet operating means arranged to cooperate with said member provided on said dial and, when actuated by that member, to move the ratchet means through a first predetermined distance; e. stop means arranged so that when the ratchet means has been moved through a second predetermined distance from a reset position further dialing movement of said dial in a clockwise direction is prevented; f. reset means carried by the base member and actuated automatically when said handpiece is restored to its cradle to return the ratchet means to its reset position; and g. guard means arranged to prevent unauthorized disabling of the security device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A security device suitable for use with a dial-type telephone set having a handpiece, a cradle in or on which the handpiece rests when not in use, and a rotary signalling dial, the device being adapted to restrict the use of the dial to the effective dialing of a series of digits no greater in number than a predetermined number, comprising: a. a base member adapted for securement to said telephone set; b. a member provided on said dial so as to extend outwardly from that dial; c. ratchet means carried by said base member; d. ratchet operating means arranged to cooperate with said member provided on said dial and, when actuated by that member, to move the ratchet means through a first predetermined distance; e. stop means arranged so that when the ratchet means has been moved through a second predetermined distance from a reset position further dialing movement of said dial in a clockwise direction is prevented; f. reset means carried by the base member and actuated automatically when said handpiece is restored to its cradle to return the ratchet means to its reset position; and g. guard means arranged to prevent unauthorized disabling of the security device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
A security device according to claim 1, in which: a. the ratchet means include a toothed segment movable by the ratchet operating means; b. a pivotally mounted complementary pawl; and c. the reset means is arranged to effect relative lateral movement between the teeth of the segment and the pawl to free the toothed segment from the pawl for automatic return to the reset position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
A security device according to claim 2, in which: a. the pawl is pivotally mounted on the base member; b. the toothed segment is pivotally mounted on the base member so that it can rock bodily to produce said relative lateral movement between the teeth of the segment and the pawl; and c. the reset means is arranged to rock the toothed segment on its pivot on the base member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
A security device according to claim 3, in which: a. the telephone set is a desk-type set and the reset means comprises a reset lever pivotally mounted on the base member; b. said lever includes a part positioned over the cradle or switch buttons of said desk-type telephone set; and c. said lever is effective when depressed to effect the resetting of the toothed segment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A security device according to claim 4, in which: a. the reset lever is separate from the pivoted toothed segment; and b. the reset lever includes lugs which are effective upon replacement of the handpiece to rock the toothed segment to effect resetting.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
A security device according to claim 3, in which: a. the telephone set is a hook-type set and the reset means comprises a reset lever pivotally mounted on the base member; b. this reset lever includes parts extending respectIvely above and below the hook of the telephone set; and c. the lever is effective when depressed to effect the resetting of the toothed segment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
A security device according to claim 1, in which: a. the member fixed to the telephone dial is in the form of a bush fitting inside one of the fingerholes of that dial; b. the bush carries a lug extending beyond the periphery of the dial; and c. the lug is arranged during clockwise dialing movement of the dial to engage the ratchet means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A security device according to claim 1, in which the guard means is adapted to admit key means by which the security means can be disabled.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
166 words
A security device for use with a standard telephone set having a cradle, a handpiece and manually operable means for producing telephone signals identifying a telephone set comprising: a. a base member adapted for attachment to said standard telephone set; b. a member fixed to the signalling device; c. ratchet means carried by said base member and adapted to cooperate with the member fixed to said signalling device such that each time said signalling device is operated in a normal manner to produce said signals, with said handpiece removed from said cradle, the member fixed to said signalling device operates to move the ratchet means through a first predetermined distance; d. stop means arranged when said ratchet means has been moved through a second predetermined distance from a reset position to prevent further dialing of said signalling device; e. reset means carried by the base member and actuated automatically when said handpiece is restored to said cradle to return said ratchet means to its reset position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
166 words
A security device for use with a standard telephone set having a cradle, a handpiece and manually operable means for producing telephone signals identifying a telephone set comprising: a. a base member adapted for attachment to said standard telephone set; b. a member fixed to the signalling device; c. ratchet means carried by said base member and adapted to cooperate with the member fixed to said signalling device such that each time said signalling device is operated in a normal manner to produce said signals, with said handpiece removed from said cradle, the member fixed to said signalling device operates to move the ratchet means through a first predetermined distance; d. stop means arranged when said ratchet means has been moved through a second predetermined distance from a reset position to prevent further dialing of said signalling device; e. reset means carried by the base member and actuated automatically when said handpiece is restored to said cradle to return said ratchet means to its reset position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A security device according to claim 9, in which said telephone is of the cradle type on which the handpiece rests when not in use and said producing means includes a rotary signalling dial.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A security device according to claim 9, in which said telephone is of wall-type with a hook on which the handpiece rests when not in use and said producing means includes a rotary signalling dial.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3358087A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-11 | 1974-07-13 | 1975-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-11 | 1978-07-13 | 1979-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-11 | 1982-07-13 | 1983-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |