US3715520A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telephone dialing apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-12-01
•
Granted: 1973-02-06
•
Expires: 1991-12-01
Abstract
Abstract An accessory for a telephone to assist in the dialing of the digits of the telephone dial includes a housing that partially covers the telephone and has an opening therein through which the dial may be observed, an array of lights preferably disposed in a semi-circle about the dial with one light associated with each digit of the dial, and a stepping switch responsive to each dialing of the dial for stepping the stepping switch. The apparatus employs a code card having two sets of connectors that are interconnected in a predetermined pattern to identify an entire telephone number. This code card is coupled between the stepping switch and the light array and is adapted to control the successive illumination of the lights in a sequence corresponding to the telephone number and with one light being illuminated at a time associated with one digit which digit is the next one to be dialed.
Inventors
- 👤 N Lambrou
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:57
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/26; H04M1/27; H04M1/274
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A telephone dialing aid comprising: a housing including means defining an opening for providing access to at least the dial of the telephone ; an array of indicator lights arranged so that one indicator light is associated with each position of the dial; sequencing means capable of selectively applying energy to one indicator light at a time and capable of assuming a plurality of positions; an actuator coupled to the sequencing means responsive to movement of the dial for advancing the sequencing means; and means intercoupling the sequencing means and the light array and arranged to couple the energy from the sequencing means to the indicator lights of the array in a sequence as the actuator advances the sequencing means corresponding to the digits of a predetermined telephone number.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A telephone dialing aid comprising: a housing including means defining an opening for providing access to at least the dial of the telephone ; an array of indicator lights arranged so that one indicator light is associated with each position of the dial; sequencing means capable of selectively applying energy to one indicator light at a time and capable of assuming a plurality of positions; an actuator coupled to the sequencing means responsive to movement of the dial for advancing the sequencing means; and means intercoupling the sequencing means and the light array and arranged to couple the energy from the sequencing means to the indicator lights of the array in a sequence as the actuator advances the sequencing means corresponding to the digits of a predetermined telephone number.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
129 words
A telephone dialing aid comprising: a housing including means defining an opening for providing access to at least the dial of the telephone ; an array of indicator lights arranged so that one indicator light is associated with each position of the dial; sequencing means capable of selectively applying energy to one indicator light at a time and capable of assuming a plurality of positions; an actuator coupled to the sequencing means responsive to movement of the dial for advancing the sequencing means; and means intercoupling the sequencing means and the light array and arranged to couple the energy from the sequencing means to the indicator lights of the array in a sequence as the actuator advances the sequencing means corresponding to the digits of a predetermined telephone number.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
129 words
A telephone dialing aid comprising: a housing including means defining an opening for providing access to at least the dial of the telephone ; an array of indicator lights arranged so that one indicator light is associated with each position of the dial; sequencing means capable of selectively applying energy to one indicator light at a time and capable of assuming a plurality of positions; an actuator coupled to the sequencing means responsive to movement of the dial for advancing the sequencing means; and means intercoupling the sequencing means and the light array and arranged to couple the energy from the sequencing means to the indicator lights of the array in a sequence as the actuator advances the sequencing means corresponding to the digits of a predetermined telephone number.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The telephone dialing aid of claim 1 wherein said housing includes means defining a first compartment for receiving the telephone and a second compartment for holding the sequencing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The telephone dialing aid of claim 1 wherein said array of indicator light is arranged in a circular pattern about the telephone dial.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The telephone dialing aid of claim 1 wherein said actuator includes a lever arm extending into the path of dialing and which is actuated each time a digit is dialed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The telephone dialing aid of claim 1 wherein said sequencing means includes a stepping switch having a plurality of fixed contacts connected to the intercoupling means and a moveable contact for selectively applying energy to one of the fixed contacts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The telephone dialing aid of claim 5 comprising energy storage means coupled to the moveable contact of the stepping switch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The telephone dialing aid of claim 1 wherein said intercoupling means includes a two part connector coupling between the sequencing means and the light array.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The telephone dialing aid of claim 7 comprising a first set of fixed contacts arranged adjacent said light array and a code card having a like set of contacts which are matable with the fixed contacts and including jumper means interconnecting predetermined contacts of the code card.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The telephone dialing aid of claim 8 wherein the first set of fixed contacts are arranged in two groups each having a plurality of contacts, and the contacts of the code card are also arranged in two groups each having a plurality of contacts.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The telephone dialing aid of claim 9 wherein one group of fixed contacts and a corresponding group of code card contacts are mated, and the other group of fixed contacts and a corresponding group of code card contacts are also mated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The telephone dialing aid of claim 9 wherein one group of fixed contacts and a corresponding group of code card contacts are mated, and the other group of fixed contacts and a corresponding group of code card contacts are also mated.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The telephone dialing aid of claim 11 wherein the first group of contacts couples to the sequencing means and the other group couples to the light array.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The telephone dialing aid of claim 12 wherein he fixed contacts are male prongs and the code card contacts are female eyelets.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The telephone dialing aid of claim 1 comprising a reset switch responsive to placement of the telephone receiver on the telephone for decoupling the energy to the stepping switch and responsive to a lifting of the telephone receiver from the telephone for coupliNg said energy.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
58 words
The telephone dialing aid of claim 14 wherein said sequencing means includes a stepping switch having a sequencing plate and a reset plate and wherein said reset switch has a reset member associated therewith responsive to placement of the telephone receiver on the telephone for actuating the reset plate to reset the stepping switch to an initial position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The telephone dialing aid of claim 15 wherein said actuator includes means for actuating said sequencing plate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The telephone dialing aid of claim 8 comprising means for ejecting the code card from the fixed contacts.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The telephone dialing aid of claim 17 wherein said ejecting means includes a plate intermediate the code card and housing and means for moving the plate upwardly.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The telephone dialing aid of claim 1 wherein said intercoupling means include a connector card and a picture associated therewith.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-06 | 1976-08-07 | 1977-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-06 | 1980-08-07 | 1981-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-06 | 1984-08-07 | 1985-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |