US4081630A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telephone disabling device
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1977-01-14
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Granted: 1978-03-28
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Expires: 1997-01-14
Abstract
Abstract A telephone disabling device for preventing outgoing calls while permitting a two-way conversation includes a disabling member having a cover portion extending over the dialing device. The member is hooked under a forward part of the telephone and the rear end thereof extends between the laterally spaced uprights forming the hand set cradle. A key lock carried by the disabling member is extendible into a rearwardly opening cavity in the telephone to prevent removal of the member. A modified form of disabling device prevents both outgoing calls and two-way conversation.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph W. Washburn
- 👤 Thomas A. Ashton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 01:44
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/66; H04M1/667
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
280 words
A telephone disabling device for use on a telephone of the type having a body, including a pair of laterally spaced, horizontal ledges separated by a central plane surface at a slightly lower level, each of the ledges having a pair of spaced apart uprights which cooperate with the ledges to form a cradle to receive the handset of the telephone, and the phone body having a recess extending into the back side thereof directly below the central plane surface, said disabling device comprising: a strip-like member bent by substantially right-angle bends to form first, second, third and fourth sections, said first section lying flat on the central plane surface of the phone body beneath the handset when the latter is resting in the cradle, said first section extending from the rear edge of the plane surface to a point just in front of the handset; said second section extending upwardly from the front edge of said first section, in front of the handset; said third section extending rearwardly over the top of the handset in close proximity thereto; said fourth section extending downwardly from the rear edge of said first section, directly behind the rear edge of the central plane surface; and a lock mounted on said fourth section and having a retractable part that projects into the recess below the central plane surface; said lock part engging the roof of the recess to prevent the said member from being raised with respect to the phone body; said second second section engaging the front of the handset to prevent the disabling device from moving rearwardly; and said third section preventing the handset from being lifted out of the cradle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
280 words
A telephone disabling device for use on a telephone of the type having a body, including a pair of laterally spaced, horizontal ledges separated by a central plane surface at a slightly lower level, each of the ledges having a pair of spaced apart uprights which cooperate with the ledges to form a cradle to receive the handset of the telephone, and the phone body having a recess extending into the back side thereof directly below the central plane surface, said disabling device comprising: a strip-like member bent by substantially right-angle bends to form first, second, third and fourth sections, said first section lying flat on the central plane surface of the phone body beneath the handset when the latter is resting in the cradle, said first section extending from the rear edge of the plane surface to a point just in front of the handset; said second section extending upwardly from the front edge of said first section, in front of the handset; said third section extending rearwardly over the top of the handset in close proximity thereto; said fourth section extending downwardly from the rear edge of said first section, directly behind the rear edge of the central plane surface; and a lock mounted on said fourth section and having a retractable part that projects into the recess below the central plane surface; said lock part engging the roof of the recess to prevent the said member from being raised with respect to the phone body; said second second section engaging the front of the handset to prevent the disabling device from moving rearwardly; and said third section preventing the handset from being lifted out of the cradle.
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) | 1981-03-27 | 1981-09-26 | 1982-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-27 | 1985-09-26 | 1986-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-27 | 1989-09-26 | 1990-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |