US3716673A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Answering machine telephone line coupling device
Assignee: Electrospace Corp
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Filing: 1971-11-29
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Granted: 1973-02-13
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Expires: 1991-11-29
Abstract
Abstract A device connected between a telephone line and its associated local telephone for coupling an answering or recording machine therebetween. The device includes a voltage sensing member connected in series between one standard circuitry terminal of the telephone line and its associated local telephone terminal to prohibit the transmission of voice or other audible communications from the local telephone when a telephone call is made thereto. The device also includes a ringing sensor connected to the telephone line for activating the answering machine, and a coupling switch which is moved into a closed position by the energizing of the answering machine to close the telephone line circuit loop. A line transformer is disposed in series with the coupling switch to provide a signal path to the answering machine for the recording of information from the telephone line when the coupling switch is closed. A branch line is preferably disposed in series with the associated telephone terminals and in a parallel arrangement with the voltage sensing member to permit reception of audible signals or communications from the receiver of the local telephone.
Inventors
- 👤 K Meri
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:58
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/64; H04M1/65; H04M1/654
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A device Connectable between a telephone line and its associated local telephone for coupling an answering machine between said telephone line and said local telephone, said device including ringing sensor means associated with said telephone line for activating said answering machine, switch means associated with said answering machine for closing a telephone line circuit loop when said answering machine is activated, transformer means connected to said switch means and associated with said answering machine to provide a signal path to said answering machine for recording information from said telephone line, and voltage sensing means connected between one circuitry terminal of said telephone line and its associated local telephone terminal to prohibit transmission of audible communication from said local telephone after said telephone line circuit loop is closed by said switch means, said voltage sensing means permitting transmission of audible communication from said local telephone when said switch means is in an open condition.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
153 words
A device Connectable between a telephone line and its associated local telephone for coupling an answering machine between said telephone line and said local telephone, said device including ringing sensor means associated with said telephone line for activating said answering machine, switch means associated with said answering machine for closing a telephone line circuit loop when said answering machine is activated, transformer means connected to said switch means and associated with said answering machine to provide a signal path to said answering machine for recording information from said telephone line, and voltage sensing means connected between one circuitry terminal of said telephone line and its associated local telephone terminal to prohibit transmission of audible communication from said local telephone after said telephone line circuit loop is closed by said switch means, said voltage sensing means permitting transmission of audible communication from said local telephone when said switch means is in an open condition.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
153 words
A device Connectable between a telephone line and its associated local telephone for coupling an answering machine between said telephone line and said local telephone, said device including ringing sensor means associated with said telephone line for activating said answering machine, switch means associated with said answering machine for closing a telephone line circuit loop when said answering machine is activated, transformer means connected to said switch means and associated with said answering machine to provide a signal path to said answering machine for recording information from said telephone line, and voltage sensing means connected between one circuitry terminal of said telephone line and its associated local telephone terminal to prohibit transmission of audible communication from said local telephone after said telephone line circuit loop is closed by said switch means, said voltage sensing means permitting transmission of audible communication from said local telephone when said switch means is in an open condition.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
153 words
A device Connectable between a telephone line and its associated local telephone for coupling an answering machine between said telephone line and said local telephone, said device including ringing sensor means associated with said telephone line for activating said answering machine, switch means associated with said answering machine for closing a telephone line circuit loop when said answering machine is activated, transformer means connected to said switch means and associated with said answering machine to provide a signal path to said answering machine for recording information from said telephone line, and voltage sensing means connected between one circuitry terminal of said telephone line and its associated local telephone terminal to prohibit transmission of audible communication from said local telephone after said telephone line circuit loop is closed by said switch means, said voltage sensing means permitting transmission of audible communication from said local telephone when said switch means is in an open condition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein line means are connected in series between said telephone line terminal and said local telephone terminal to permit reception of audible signals at said local telephone when said telephone line circuit loop is closed by said switch means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein said line means include a resistor in series with a capacitor, said capacitor being disposed in a parallel arrangement with said voltage sensing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein a first static voltage is impressed across said telephone line when said local telephone is in an inactivated condition, said first static voltage changing to a second static voltage whose magnitude is less then said first static voltage when said telephone line circuit loop is closed, said voltage sensing means including a zener diode requiring a predetermined voltage to fire, said predetermined voltage being lower than said first voltage and higher than said second voltage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
71 words
A device according to claim 4, wherein said voltage sensing means includes an electronic avalanche switch connected in series between said telephone line terminal and said local telephone terminal, said electronic avalanche switch being associated with said zener diode to close a circuit between said telephone line terminal and said local telephone terminal when said zener diode is caused to fire for permitting transmission of audible communication from said local telephone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 5, wherein said voltage sensing means includes resistor means associated with said electronic avalanche switch for preventing any false triggering of said electronic avalanche switch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 5, wherein said electronic avalanche switch comprises a silicon controlled rectifier provided with a gating element, said zener diode being connected in series between said telephone line terminal and said gating element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device according to claim 7, wherein said voltage sensing means includes a bleeder resistor connected in series between said zener diode and said local telephone terminal to prevent any transient surges from being imparted to said gating element for preventing any false triggering of said electronic avalanche switch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-13 | 1976-08-14 | 1977-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-13 | 1980-08-14 | 1981-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-13 | 1984-08-14 | 1985-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |