US4570038A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sanitary cover for telephones and the like
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-02-21
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Granted: 1986-02-11
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Expires: 2004-02-21
Abstract
Abstract Multiple embodiments of a sanitary cover for use on telephones and the like are disclosed wherein the cover includes a sound permeable or perforated element adapted for overlapping engagement with a sound transmitting portion of the telephone to prevent user contact therewith, various types of retainer means being combined with the sound permeable element for replaceably securing it in place upon the telephone. The sound permeable element preferably comprises anti-microbial material for more completely preventing transfer of bacteria or the like from the telephone to the user. A preferred retainer construction for securing the cover in place upon a common type of telephone consists of an annular flange for slip-fit engagement with the sound transmitting portion of the telephone.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Tinelli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:35
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R1/00; H04R1/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A unitary sanitary cover for use on sound transmitting portions of telephones having an annularly flanged component for each sound transmitting portion, comprising a sound permeable element for overlapping engagement with the sound transmitting portion of the telephone to prevent user contact therewith, retainer means adapted for releaseable engagement with the telephone to secure the sound permeable element in place on the telephone and having an annular flange for overlapping engagement with the flanged component of the telephone, an axially extending slot in said annular flange to facilitate installation on and removal from the telephone, the slot extending inwardly from an open end of said sanitary cover, a radially inwardly facing annular bead on the annular flange for snap-fit engagement over the flanged component of the telephone, an interior surface of the cover curved to conform with and better seat upon the flanged telephone component, and axially extending ribs on said interior surface for engagement with said flanged telephone component.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A unitary sanitary cover for use on sound transmitting portions of telephones having an annularly flanged component for each sound transmitting portion, comprising a sound permeable element for overlapping engagement with the sound transmitting portion of the telephone to prevent user contact therewith, retainer means adapted for releaseable engagement with the telephone to secure the sound permeable element in place on the telephone and having an annular flange for overlapping engagement with the flanged component of the telephone, an axially extending slot in said annular flange to facilitate installation on and removal from the telephone, the slot extending inwardly from an open end of said sanitary cover, a radially inwardly facing annular bead on the annular flange for snap-fit engagement over the flanged component of the telephone, an interior surface of the cover curved to conform with and better seat upon the flanged telephone component, and axially extending ribs on said interior surface for engagement with said flanged telephone component.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The sanitary cover of claim 1 wherein the sound permeable element comprises anti-microbial material for preventing transfer of bacteria or the like from the telephone to the user.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR475857A
Cited
US2507375A
Cited
US2607862A
Cited
US2669610A
Cited
US3148249A
Cited
US3169171A
Cited
US3299207A
Cited
US3962555A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-02-10 | 1989-08-12 | 1990-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-02-10 | 1993-08-12 | 1994-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-02-10 | 1997-08-12 | 1998-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |