US3953679A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telephone answering device utilizing Mobius loop activating switch
Assignee: PHONE MATE
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Filing: 1974-02-11
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Granted: 1976-04-27
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Expires: 1994-02-11
Abstract
Abstract A telephone answering device employing a conventional tape recorder and an endlesss broadcast recording tape having a twist of 180° therein, popularly known as a Mobius loop, driven by the drive capstan of the conventional tape recorder, activates a tone switch and a shut-off switch in alternate 360° revolutions of the broadcast tape.
Inventors
- 👤 Neal Buglewicz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 17:44
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/64; H04M1/65; H04M1/6515
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A telephone answering device comprising: a. A first recording tape for recording an incoming message; b. a play back head and a record-erase head associated with said first recording tape; c. a second recording tape for recording and playing back a pre-recorded message, said second recording tape comprising a closed loop said closed loop having a twist therein so as to form a Mobius loop, said pre-recorded message recorded on one surface of said loop; d. a play back head and a record-erase head associated with said second recording tape; e. a tone generating switch, said tone generating switch activated by a switching means associated with said second recording tape on one revolution of said second recording tape; and f. a power shut off switch, said power shut off switch activated by said switching means associated with said second recording tape on a second revolution of said second recording tape.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A telephone answering device comprising: a. A first recording tape for recording an incoming message; b. a play back head and a record-erase head associated with said first recording tape; c. a second recording tape for recording and playing back a pre-recorded message, said second recording tape comprising a closed loop said closed loop having a twist therein so as to form a Mobius loop, said pre-recorded message recorded on one surface of said loop; d. a play back head and a record-erase head associated with said second recording tape; e. a tone generating switch, said tone generating switch activated by a switching means associated with said second recording tape on one revolution of said second recording tape; and f. a power shut off switch, said power shut off switch activated by said switching means associated with said second recording tape on a second revolution of said second recording tape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The telephone answering device of claim 1 in which said second recording tape has one surface smoother than its other surface, said smooth surface being drawn past the record-erase head associated with said second recording tape after said switching means associated with said second recording tape has activated said tone generating switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The telephone answering device of claim 2 in which said tone generating switch and said power shut off switch are located on opposite surfaces of said second recording tape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The telephone answering device of claim 2 in which said first recording tape and said second recording tape are positioned in separate planes parallel to one another.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The telephone answering device of claim 4 in which said first recording tape and said second recording tape are driven by the same central drive capstan.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
139 words
A telephone answering device activated by an incoming telephone call for playing back a pre-recorded message and recording a message from a caller comprising a. a first tape recording system comprising a play back head, a record-erase head and a recording tape. b. a second tape recording system comprising a play back head, a record-erase head, a second recording tape in the shape of an endless loop having a twist therein so as to form a Mobius loop, a switching means associated with said second recording tape, a tone generating switch activated by said switching means associated with said second recording tape on alternate revolutions of said second recording tape, a power shut off switch, said power shut off switch activated by said switching means associated with said second recording tape on alternate revolutions of said second recording tape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
139 words
A telephone answering device activated by an incoming telephone call for playing back a pre-recorded message and recording a message from a caller comprising a. a first tape recording system comprising a play back head, a record-erase head and a recording tape. b. a second tape recording system comprising a play back head, a record-erase head, a second recording tape in the shape of an endless loop having a twist therein so as to form a Mobius loop, a switching means associated with said second recording tape, a tone generating switch activated by said switching means associated with said second recording tape on alternate revolutions of said second recording tape, a power shut off switch, said power shut off switch activated by said switching means associated with said second recording tape on alternate revolutions of said second recording tape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The telephone answering device of claim 6 in which said recording tape has one surface which is smoother than its other surface, and said smooth surface is drawn across by said record-erase head associated with said second recording tape after said switching means associated with said second recording tape has activated said tone generating switch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The telephone answering device of claim 7 in which said first recording tape and said second recording tape are both advanced by a common drive capstan at the same time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The telephone answering device of claim 6 in which said recording tape of said first tape recording system is located on one side of the tape recorder base plate and said second recording tape of said second tape recording system is located on the other side of the tape recorder base plate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-04-27 | 1979-10-27 | 1980-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-04-27 | 1983-10-27 | 1984-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-04-27 | 1987-10-27 | 1988-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |