US4490586A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telephone ear piece lock
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-09-17
•
Granted: 1984-12-25
•
Expires: 2002-09-17
Abstract
Abstract A telephone ear piece lock is disclosed to prevent unauthorized use of a protected telephone instrument. The ear piece lock includes a rim mounting bracket that is permanently affixed near the receiver end of the telephone and has a flat arm radially outwardly extending therefrom. The arm is provided with a transverse slot for instrument locking purposes. A disc-like cover overfits the receiver end to function as a sound barrier when tightly held over the receiver end. A bent locking finger extends from the cover and is configured to insert through the bracket slot. The locking finger is provided with an opening to receive a portion of a portable lock therethrough, the lock serving to prevent removal of the cover from its shielding position over the telephone receiver end.
Inventors
- 👤 Melvin D. Oliver
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:34
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/66; H04M1/667
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A telephone locking device for locking over the receiver end of a telephone instrument comprising a shield means overfitting the receiver end of the telephone instrument to prevent passage of sound therethrough, the shield means comprising a generally circular, disk-like cover and a non-movable locking finger integrally extending outwardly from the cover, the locking finger being provided with a lock opening, the opening being spaced from the cover; and a bracket means permanently secured to the periphery of the telephone instrument near the said end to receive the locking finger, the bracking means comprising a base and a flat, non-movable arm extending therefrom, the arm having a longitudinal axis, the arm being provided with a slot, the said slot being oriented at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the arm, the slot being positioned to receive therethrough the portion of the locking finger having the lock opening whereby when the disk-like cover is positioned on one side of the bracket means flat arm the lock opening will be positioned on the side of the flat arm; and a portable lock insertable through the lock opening and being lockable therein, whereby removal of the locking finger from the flat arm can be prevented.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
A telephone locking device for locking over the receiver end of a telephone instrument comprising a shield means overfitting the receiver end of the telephone instrument to prevent passage of sound therethrough, the shield means comprising a generally circular, disk-like cover and a non-movable locking finger integrally extending outwardly from the cover, the locking finger being provided with a lock opening, the opening being spaced from the cover; and a bracket means permanently secured to the periphery of the telephone instrument near the said end to receive the locking finger, the bracking means comprising a base and a flat, non-movable arm extending therefrom, the arm having a longitudinal axis, the arm being provided with a slot, the said slot being oriented at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the arm, the slot being positioned to receive therethrough the portion of the locking finger having the lock opening whereby when the disk-like cover is positioned on one side of the bracket means flat arm the lock opening will be positioned on the side of the flat arm; and a portable lock insertable through the lock opening and being lockable therein, whereby removal of the locking finger from the flat arm can be prevented.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The telephone locking device of claim 1 wherein the locking finger comprises a bent locking section in spaced relation from the cover, the bent locking section being bent through ninety degrees from the plane of the cover and wherein the lock opening is provided in the bent locking section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The telephone locking device of claim 2 wherein the arm extends radially outwardly from the said receiver end and wherein the bent locking section is formed to a generally rectangular configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The telephone locking device of claim 3 wherein the portable lock comprises a body, the body being in contact with a portion of the flat arm when another portion of the lock is inserted through the lock opening, whereby relative movement between the shield means and the end of the telephone is prevented.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US725338A
Cited
US1083569A
Cited
US1138389A
Cited
US1866429A
Cited
AT134795B
Cited
US2615322A
Cited
US3301969A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-12-25 | 1988-06-25 | 1988-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-12-25 | 1992-06-25 | 1992-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-12-25 | 1996-06-25 | 1996-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |