US4937860A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Security device for a telephone instrument
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-06-13
•
Granted: 1990-06-26
•
Expires: 2008-06-13
Abstract
Abstract A security device for a telephone instrument including a separate handset to prevent full access to the telephone dial or push-buttons but allow unobstructed access to the handset. The instrument is placed between base and cover portions of the device to partially enclose the instrument and block access to the dial or push buttons to prevent outgoing calls, which portions may be releasably locked together with a locking device.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:01
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/66; H04M1/667
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A security case for a telephone instrument including dialling means and a separate handset, comprising a base portion adapted to fit under the telephone instrument, a dial cover portion adapted to extend from and articulate with the base portion to enclose the telephone instrument when in a closed condition except for the handset, wherein the cover portion defines an aperture to accommodate the handset, thereby preventing full access to the dialling means in the closed condition while allowing unobstructed access to the handset, a cover extension portion extending from one side of the dial cover portion adapted in use in the closed condition to define and enclose a space to one side of the telephone, and locking means housed within the cover extension portion and adapted to releasably engaged the base portion with the dial cover portion so as to retain the telephone instrument therebetween, wherein the dial cover portion defines an aperture adapted in use to locate above the push button associated with a push button dialling means and used to call emergency services, thereby not preventing an outgoing emergency call in the closed condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A security case for a telephone instrument including dialling means and a separate handset, comprising a base portion adapted to fit under the telephone instrument, a dial cover portion adapted to extend from and articulate with the base portion to enclose the telephone instrument when in a closed condition except for the handset, wherein the cover portion defines an aperture to accommodate the handset, thereby preventing full access to the dialling means in the closed condition while allowing unobstructed access to the handset, a cover extension portion extending from one side of the dial cover portion adapted in use in the closed condition to define and enclose a space to one side of the telephone, and locking means housed within the cover extension portion and adapted to releasably engaged the base portion with the dial cover portion so as to retain the telephone instrument therebetween, wherein the dial cover portion defines an aperture adapted in use to locate above the push button associated with a push button dialling means and used to call emergency services, thereby not preventing an outgoing emergency call in the closed condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A security case as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dial cover portion is hinged to the base portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A security case as claimed in claim 2 wherein the locking means is disposed between the base portion and the dial cover portion in a region remote from the hinges.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A security case as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dial cover portion is slidable with respect to the base portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A security case as claimed in claim 1 wherein--the base portion is adapted for wall mounting, and adapted to receive a telephone instrument, and the dial cover portion is adapted to engage detachably with the base portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A security case as claimed in claim 2 wherein the cover portion is hinged to the base portion by means of lift-off hinges.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A security case as claimed in claim 5 wherein the base portion defines an aperture to accommodate a separate telephone wall mounting bracket.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
150 words
A security device for a telephone instrument including dialling means and a separate handset, comprising a generally flat base portion, a dial cover portion integrally formed with the base portion so as to define a raised pocket adapted to partially receive the telephone instrument and thereby prevent full access to the dialling means while allowing unobstructed access to the handset, a base portion side extension, extending away from the dial cover portion, a movable abutment member located on the base portion side extension adapted to abut a protruding side of a telephone instrument received in the pocket, and to move in the plane of the base, and, locking means adapted to releasably engage the abutment member with respect to the base portion side extension to hold the telephone instrument in the pocket defined by the dial cover portion. whereby different sizes of telephone instrument may be accomodated by the device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
150 words
A security device for a telephone instrument including dialling means and a separate handset, comprising a generally flat base portion, a dial cover portion integrally formed with the base portion so as to define a raised pocket adapted to partially receive the telephone instrument and thereby prevent full access to the dialling means while allowing unobstructed access to the handset, a base portion side extension, extending away from the dial cover portion, a movable abutment member located on the base portion side extension adapted to abut a protruding side of a telephone instrument received in the pocket, and to move in the plane of the base, and, locking means adapted to releasably engage the abutment member with respect to the base portion side extension to hold the telephone instrument in the pocket defined by the dial cover portion. whereby different sizes of telephone instrument may be accomodated by the device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A security device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the abutment member comprises a slidable holding member adapted to slide inwardly and outwardly along guide means located on the side extension of the base portion, towards and away from the pocket.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
177 words
A security case for a telephone instrument including dialling means and a separate handset, comprising a base portion adapted to fit under the telephone instrument, a dial cover portion adapted to extend from and articulate with the base portion to enclose the telephone instrument when in a closed condition except for the handset, wherein the cover portion defines an aperture to accommodate the handset, thereby preventing full access to the dialling means in the closed condition while allowing unobstructed access to the handset, a cover extension portion extending from one side of the dial cover portion adapted in use in the closed condition to define and enclose a space to one side of the telephone, and locking means housed within the cover extension portion and adapted to releasably engage the base portion with the dial cover portion so as to retain the telephone instrument therebetween, wherein the dial cover portion defines a grille, which in use in the closed condition, locates above a telephone speaker associated with buzzer means, thereby not hindering audibility of the telephone buzzer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
177 words
A security case for a telephone instrument including dialling means and a separate handset, comprising a base portion adapted to fit under the telephone instrument, a dial cover portion adapted to extend from and articulate with the base portion to enclose the telephone instrument when in a closed condition except for the handset, wherein the cover portion defines an aperture to accommodate the handset, thereby preventing full access to the dialling means in the closed condition while allowing unobstructed access to the handset, a cover extension portion extending from one side of the dial cover portion adapted in use in the closed condition to define and enclose a space to one side of the telephone, and locking means housed within the cover extension portion and adapted to releasably engage the base portion with the dial cover portion so as to retain the telephone instrument therebetween, wherein the dial cover portion defines a grille, which in use in the closed condition, locates above a telephone speaker associated with buzzer means, thereby not hindering audibility of the telephone buzzer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-06-25 | 1993-12-25 | 1994-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-25 | 1997-12-25 | 1998-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-25 | 2001-12-25 | 2002-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |