US4075439A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for providing temporary telephone service
Assignee: INSTA-DROP Inc
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Filing: 1977-01-13
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Granted: 1978-02-21
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Expires: 1997-01-13
Abstract
Abstract Telephone service for a subscriber served by an underground or aerial cable is reinstated (or new service is established) by providing a ribbon of a low tensile strength insulating material having a spaced pair of low tensile strength conductors therein. The ribbon is strung between the subscriber's telephone terminal and an uninterrupted connection to the central office, and in parallel with the severed cable to provide a temporary, low injury risk, above-ground conductor until repair of the cable is completed.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack V. Smiley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:10
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01B; H01B7/00; H01B7/08; H01B7/0838; H01B7/36; H01B7/365; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/02; H04M1/21; H04M1/215; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49194
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for reinstating or establishing telephone service between a telephone central office and a subscriber to be connected to said central office by a permanent cable, comprising the steps of: providing a low tensile strength cable having a tensile strength substantially less than 60 pounds such that such cable may be easily broken by a person inadvertently walking therethrough, said cable comprised of insulating material having a spaced pair of low tensile strength conductors therein; stringing said cable along the ground between said subscriber's terminal and an uninterrupted connection to the central office; coupling said conductors at one end of said cable to said subscriber's telephone terminal; coupling said conductors at the other end of said cable to said uninterrupted connections; whereby said low tensile strength cable provides a temporary, low injury risk, above ground conductor until repair or installation of a permanent aerial or underground cable is completed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for reinstating or establishing telephone service between a telephone central office and a subscriber to be connected to said central office by a permanent cable, comprising the steps of: providing a low tensile strength cable having a tensile strength substantially less than 60 pounds such that such cable may be easily broken by a person inadvertently walking therethrough, said cable comprised of insulating material having a spaced pair of low tensile strength conductors therein; stringing said cable along the ground between said subscriber's terminal and an uninterrupted connection to the central office; coupling said conductors at one end of said cable to said subscriber's telephone terminal; coupling said conductors at the other end of said cable to said uninterrupted connections; whereby said low tensile strength cable provides a temporary, low injury risk, above ground conductor until repair or installation of a permanent aerial or underground cable is completed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method recited in claim 1 wherein said cable comprises a flat ribbon with said conductors lying in a common plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method recited in claim 2 wherein said cable has a tensile strength on the order of about 10 pounds.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method recited in claim 3 further comprising the step of printing a warning message across the outer surface of said ribbon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method recited in claim 4 further comprising the step of providing said ribbon with an outer warning color.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method recited in claim 4 further comprising the steps of forming said ribbon by: providing two ribbons of an insulating material, each having an adhesive layer along one surface thereof; providing said two conductors; and disposing said two conductors between said two insulating layers; and thereafter pressing said two insulators together to cause the adhesive layers to bind one with the other.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for reinstating telephone service between a telephone central office and a subscriber connected to said central office by a damaged underground cable, comprising the steps of: providing a cable of an insulating material having a tensile strength of less than about 10 pounds, said cable further including a pair of spaced conductors therein likewise having a tensile strength of less than 10 pounds; stringing said cable above ground between said subscriber's telephone terminal and an uninterrupted connection to said central office; coupling said conductors at one end of said cable to said subscriber's telephone terminal; coupling said conductors at the other end of said cable to said uninterrupted connection; whereby said conductors are in parallel with said severed underground cable and said low tensile strength cable provides a temporary, low injury risk above-ground conductor until repair of said underground cable is completed.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for reinstating telephone service between a telephone central office and a subscriber connected to said central office by a damaged underground cable, comprising the steps of: providing a cable of an insulating material having a tensile strength of less than about 10 pounds, said cable further including a pair of spaced conductors therein likewise having a tensile strength of less than 10 pounds; stringing said cable above ground between said subscriber's telephone terminal and an uninterrupted connection to said central office; coupling said conductors at one end of said cable to said subscriber's telephone terminal; coupling said conductors at the other end of said cable to said uninterrupted connection; whereby said conductors are in parallel with said severed underground cable and said low tensile strength cable provides a temporary, low injury risk above-ground conductor until repair of said underground cable is completed.
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) | 1981-02-20 | 1981-08-22 | 1982-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-20 | 1985-08-22 | 1986-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-20 | 1989-08-22 | 1990-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |