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US4740168A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Locking device for telephone subscriber plugs

Assignee: North Hills Signal Processing Corp
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Filing: 1987-06-01
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Granted: 1988-04-26
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Expires: 2007-06-01
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Abstract

Abstract A device for providing security and environmental protection to an individual telephone subscribed pair having an appearance at a building entrance terminal. The device prevents unauthorized removal of an R.J. 11 plug, and selectively closes the opening leading to a corresponding R.J. 11 jack. In one embodiment, a sliding door is fixed upon a mounting plate and is secured in position by a simple tumbler type lock. In another embodiment, the lock itself includes integrally formed flanges that perform the same function as the sliding plate. In still another embodiment, the plate is substituted by a small padlock hasp.

Inventors

  • 👤 William V. Carney
  • 👤 Robert Leary
  • 👤 Paul V. DeLuca

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 21:03
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/60; H01R13/62; H01R13/639; H01R13/6397

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 136 words
A locking device for preventing unauthorized access to a telephone subscriber circuit jack located at a building entrance terminal structure or similar interface, said structure defining a recess accommodating a corresponding plug, said locking device comprising: a generally planar plate having inner and outer surfaces and forming a part of said building entrance terminal, said plate defining a generally rectangular opening, said jack being mounted in said opening; a cover member positioned upon said outer surface to at least partially overlie said opening in said jack, said plate having a second opening disposed adjacent said rectangular opening, locking means selectively penetrating said second opening to selectively engage said plate, said locking means simultaneously positioning said cover member to fix the position thereof relative to said opening in said plate, whereby to prevent access to said jack.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 136 words
A locking device for preventing unauthorized access to a telephone subscriber circuit jack located at a building entrance terminal structure or similar interface, said structure defining a recess accommodating a corresponding plug, said locking device comprising: a generally planar plate having inner and outer surfaces and forming a part of said building entrance terminal, said plate defining a generally rectangular opening, said jack being mounted in said opening; a cover member positioned upon said outer surface to at least partially overlie said opening in said jack, said plate having a second opening disposed adjacent said rectangular opening, locking means selectively penetrating said second opening to selectively engage said plate, said locking means simultaneously positioning said cover member to fix the position thereof relative to said opening in said plate, whereby to prevent access to said jack.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
A locking device in accordance with claim 1, further characterized in said cover member being slidably mounted on said plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 38 words
A locking device in accordance with claim 1, further characterized in said cover member being free of direct interconnection with said plate, and being maintained upon said plate by the engagement of said locking means with said plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 21 words
A locking device in accordance with claim 1, further characterized in said cover member being formed integrally with said locking means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 58 words
A locking device in accordance with claim 1, further characterized in said cover member being in the form of a hinged hasp, a first portion of which is secured to said plate, and a second pivotally associated portion of which forms the cover member, said hasp having means for locking the same in closed condition by a padlock.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3656083A Cited
US4311883A Cited
US4605270A Cited
US4600258A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1991-04-26 1991-10-26 1992-04-26 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1995-04-26 1995-10-26 1996-04-26 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1999-04-26 1999-10-26 2000-04-26 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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