US3800089A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hands-free emergency telephone system
Assignee: U S Holding Co Inc
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Filing: 1972-02-24
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Granted: 1974-03-26
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Expires: 1992-02-24
Abstract
Abstract An all weather emergency-reporting telephone call box employing a hands-free communication system is provided. The call box uses a speaker and microphone coupled through electronic circuits which provide hands-free operation for voice reception and transmission. The housing is formed of heavy material in a configuration selected to minimize the opportunity for vandalism. Direct communications access to the emergency station can be gained by opening a door which operates a micro-switch and prepares the system for hands-free operation.
Inventors
- 👤 W Reddick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:15
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/60; H04M1/6033; H04M1/02; H04M1/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
333 words
A hands-free emergency telephone system comprising an outer housing forming an open-faced base for the support and protection of communication circuits, an outer cover plate fastened to said outer housing to form a protective cover over a part of the open face of said outer housing, a door hinged to said outer cover plate and positioned relative thereto to be operable to opened or closed positions through manual closure means, said door in its closed position forming a protective cover substantially over the remaining part of the open face of the outer housing, an inner housing formed by a multiple-faced mounting plate to which is attached an inner cover plate, said inner housing constituting a protective body containing means supporting communication circuits and components including electronic circuits, a microswitch, a microphone, a loudspeaker, and means connecting said microphone and said loudspeaker through said electronic circuits to first terminals of the microswitch, an opening in said inner housing providing access to said microswitch through said housing while preserving the protection to the microswitch afforded by said housing, said mounting plate supporting first electric terminal means connectable to lines terminating at a central office and to second terminals of said microswitch, means securing said inner housing within said outer housing and behind said outer cover plate and the door, said door covering access means to said microswitch and said door, when opened, permitting said microswitch to operate and complete electric connections between said microphone, said loudspeaker and said electronic circuits via the first and second terminals of the microswitch to the first electric terminal means, an opening through one face of said inner housing to permit acoustical coupling into the microphone, said outer housing substantially covering said one face to protect said opening and including space between said one face and said outer housing to enable acOustical coupling to be completed to said opening when the door is open, and a plurality of openings in said inner housing to permit acoustical coupling from the loudspeaker.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
333 words
A hands-free emergency telephone system comprising an outer housing forming an open-faced base for the support and protection of communication circuits, an outer cover plate fastened to said outer housing to form a protective cover over a part of the open face of said outer housing, a door hinged to said outer cover plate and positioned relative thereto to be operable to opened or closed positions through manual closure means, said door in its closed position forming a protective cover substantially over the remaining part of the open face of the outer housing, an inner housing formed by a multiple-faced mounting plate to which is attached an inner cover plate, said inner housing constituting a protective body containing means supporting communication circuits and components including electronic circuits, a microswitch, a microphone, a loudspeaker, and means connecting said microphone and said loudspeaker through said electronic circuits to first terminals of the microswitch, an opening in said inner housing providing access to said microswitch through said housing while preserving the protection to the microswitch afforded by said housing, said mounting plate supporting first electric terminal means connectable to lines terminating at a central office and to second terminals of said microswitch, means securing said inner housing within said outer housing and behind said outer cover plate and the door, said door covering access means to said microswitch and said door, when opened, permitting said microswitch to operate and complete electric connections between said microphone, said loudspeaker and said electronic circuits via the first and second terminals of the microswitch to the first electric terminal means, an opening through one face of said inner housing to permit acoustical coupling into the microphone, said outer housing substantially covering said one face to protect said opening and including space between said one face and said outer housing to enable acOustical coupling to be completed to said opening when the door is open, and a plurality of openings in said inner housing to permit acoustical coupling from the loudspeaker.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
A hands-free telephone system as claimed in claim 1, in which a switch assembly is mounted on the side of said inner housing and under said outer housing to enable a connection to be made to a second electric terminal means connectable to lines terminating at a central office and to electric circuits involving said microphone, said loudspeaker and said electric terminal means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, in which a pushbutton switch is provided through the one face of said inner housing in a protected and partially hidden position, means are provided for connecting first terminals of said push button switch through electronic circuits to a microphone and a loudspeaker, and a second electric terminal is provided which is connectable to lines terminating at a central office and to second terminals of said push button switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A hands-free telephone system as claimed in claim 1, in which the micro-switch responds to release of pressure as the door is opened to establish connections for handsfree operation of said loudspeaker and said microphone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
A hands-free telephone system as claimed in claim 1, in which acoustical coupling from the loudspeaker is completed through a second plurality of openings located near the loudspeaker, said second plurality of openings forming an array out of alignment with the openings in the face plate and permanently fixed behind the face plate to permit acoustical coupling from the loudspeaker while providing protection to the loudspeaker from objects passing through the first plurality of openings.
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) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-09-24 | 1978-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-25 | 1981-09-24 | 1982-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-25 | 1985-09-24 | 1986-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |