US3927282A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Buttons for attachment to push-button telephone keys
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-10-18
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Granted: 1975-12-16
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Expires: 1993-10-18
Abstract
Abstract Buttons to fit on the recently-introduced touch-tone telephone instrument keys are of larger size than the keys, occupying substantially all the space between the keys and also extending laterally and longitudinally. The bottom of each button is formed with a cavity complementary to the top of the key so that the buttons may be pressed onto the keys and are not dislodged. Large, highly visible numerals from ''''1'''' to ''''9'''' are centered on the top of each button and appropriate letters may also be added, as on dial telephones. Alternatively, the buttons may be permanently encased in a plastic holder which allows movement of the buttons to actuate the keys and the holder has space for useful information, such as the telephone number of the instrument to which it is attached, other numbers, including emergency numbers, and advertising.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold S Firstenberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 03:12
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/02; H04M1/23
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
368 words
For use with keys of the type having a rectangular shape which are positioned on a keyboard in an array of columns and rows with a first gap between the adjacent margins of said keys, a plurality of buttons each having a body having A top and a bottom, said bottom formed with a recess complementary in shape to the upper end of one of said keys, said top being rectangular in plan and dimensioned substantially larger than the tops of said keys so that when said buttons are installed on said keys the distance between adjacent margins of said buttons is substantially less than said first gap, each said top provided with a large, highly visible numeral, the top of each said key being concave and the bottom of said recess being convex with pressure-sensitive adhesive on the bottom of said recess to cause each said button to adhere to an individual key, the recesses in the bottoms of some of said buttons being centered, the recesses in others of said buttons being offset laterally and the recesses in others of said buttons being offset longitudinally, tops of said buttons being wholly exposed and unobstructed by any structure located above said tops of said buttons, the contiguous edges of adjacent buttons being disposed in close proximity to each other whereby the tops of all said buttons when positioned on said entire array of keys are disposed with minimal gaps between buttons, a thin card having dimensions greater than said array of keys, said card being formed with a plurality of substantially rectangular apertures corresponding in number to said buttons, each said button having rectangular sides, each said side formed with a groove of a breadth at least equal to the thickness of said card plus the extent of movement of one of said keys when said key is activated, the grooves on all said sides extending continuously around the periphery of said button, the margins of said apertures being within said grooves, said card being dimensioned larger than said array of keys and being formed with at least one marginal panel for display of information of the character of emergency telephone numbers, advertising matter or the like.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
368 words
For use with keys of the type having a rectangular shape which are positioned on a keyboard in an array of columns and rows with a first gap between the adjacent margins of said keys, a plurality of buttons each having a body having A top and a bottom, said bottom formed with a recess complementary in shape to the upper end of one of said keys, said top being rectangular in plan and dimensioned substantially larger than the tops of said keys so that when said buttons are installed on said keys the distance between adjacent margins of said buttons is substantially less than said first gap, each said top provided with a large, highly visible numeral, the top of each said key being concave and the bottom of said recess being convex with pressure-sensitive adhesive on the bottom of said recess to cause each said button to adhere to an individual key, the recesses in the bottoms of some of said buttons being centered, the recesses in others of said buttons being offset laterally and the recesses in others of said buttons being offset longitudinally, tops of said buttons being wholly exposed and unobstructed by any structure located above said tops of said buttons, the contiguous edges of adjacent buttons being disposed in close proximity to each other whereby the tops of all said buttons when positioned on said entire array of keys are disposed with minimal gaps between buttons, a thin card having dimensions greater than said array of keys, said card being formed with a plurality of substantially rectangular apertures corresponding in number to said buttons, each said button having rectangular sides, each said side formed with a groove of a breadth at least equal to the thickness of said card plus the extent of movement of one of said keys when said key is activated, the grooves on all said sides extending continuously around the periphery of said button, the margins of said apertures being within said grooves, said card being dimensioned larger than said array of keys and being formed with at least one marginal panel for display of information of the character of emergency telephone numbers, advertising matter or the like.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
93 words
Buttons according to claim 1 in which one of said plurality of buttons is of more than three times the width of others of said buttons, said one button being attached to the middle key of a row of three keys and said button extending above the tops of the two keys to either side of said middle key, the bottom of said last-mentioned button being recessed whereby when said last-mentioned button is depressed said middle key is depressed but said two keys to either side of said middle key are not depressed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the corners of said apertures are formed with outward extending cuts, whereby said buttons may be depressed into said card until said buttons snap into said apertures and are held in place by said card.
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) | 1978-12-15 | 1979-06-16 | 1979-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-15 | 1983-06-16 | 1983-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-15 | 1987-06-16 | 1987-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |