US3727009A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telephone security device having key lock
Assignee: BOISSEVAIN Mfg PROD Ltd
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Filing: 1970-09-24
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Granted: 1973-04-10
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Expires: 1990-09-24
Abstract
Abstract A telephone security device is intended to prevent unauthorised use of the distant-direct-dialing facility on dial-type telephones. It makes use of a mechanism which is stepped by operation of the dial to call a digit, and which after a predetermined number of digits has been called locks the dialing mechanism to prevent further dialing. The predetermined number is so selected as to prevent the desired misuse of the telephone.
Inventors
- 👤 R Ireland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 13:13
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/66; H04M1/677
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 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 extentd 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; g. guard means arranged to prevent unauthorised disabling of the security device; and h. lock means which by application of a key can be set to permit either unrestricted use of the dial or restricted use only of the dial under control of the said stop means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 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 extentd 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; g. guard means arranged to prevent unauthorised disabling of the security device; and h. lock means which by application of a key can be set to permit either unrestricted use of the dial or restricted use only of the dial under control of the said stop means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 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. the ratchet means include a pivotally mounted pawl complementary to the said toothed segment; 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
71 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 the said relative lateral movement between the teeth of the segment and the pawl; and c. the reset means are 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
44 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 a part which is effective upon replacement of the handpiece to rock the toothed segment to effect resetting.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A security device according to claim 1, in which said member provided on the said dial is an integral lug formed on that dial.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
A security device according to claim 1, in which: a. the member fixed to the said 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
116 words
A security device according to claim 1, in which: the said lock means have three operating positions, namely a. a first ''''restricted'''' position in which the security device is effective to limit the number of digits which can be dialed in an effective group by use of the said dial; b. a second ''''free'''' position in which the said ratchet means is rendered ineffective and in which the dial can be used to dial any desired number of digits as an effective group; and c. a third ''''locked'''' position in which the key operating the lock means can be removed and in which the said ratchet means are locked to prevent all use of said dial.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A security device according to claim 8, in which: said key is removable only when the lock means are in the ''''restricted'''' position and when the lock means are in the ''''locked'''' position.
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) | 1976-04-09 | 1976-10-09 | 1977-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-09 | 1980-10-09 | 1981-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-09 | 1984-10-09 | 1985-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |