US4947424A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shutter mechanism for telephone directory
Assignee: GAD SHAANAN INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS Inc
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Filing: 1989-10-19
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Granted: 1990-08-07
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Expires: 2009-10-19
Abstract
Abstract A shutter mechanism for a telephone directory that stores telephone numbers to be dialed. The directory has physical spaces for the entry of descriptive labels (e.g. names). The shutter mechanism has a first planar surface for providing these physical spaces. It has a second planar surface overlying the first surface. The second surface is divided into alternating opaque and transparent sections such that the surface having the names can be moved underneath the second surface such that the names can be hidden by the opaque sections or revealed by the transparent sections.
Inventors
- 👤 Gad J. Shaanan
- 👤 George V. Lenaerts
- 👤 Ian D. Buchanan
- 👤 Anthony M. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:16
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/26; H04M1/27; H04M1/274; H04M1/2745; H04M1/02; H04M1/23; H04M1/27467
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A shutter mechanism for a telephone directory that stores telephone numbers to be dialled by the push of a single button, said directory comprising a plurality of such buttons, each button of said plurality of buttons having a physical space associated therewith for entry of a descriptive label, said shutter mechanism comprising: a first, approximately planar, surface for providing said physical space for said descriptive labels; a second, approximately planar, surface overlying said first surface, in a plane approximately parallel to said first surface and spaced apart therefrom; said second surface being divided into a plurality of alternating opaque and transparent sections such that when said first surface is in a first position, relative to said second surface, said physical spaces are aligned with the transparent sections of said second surface, and when said first surface is in a second position, relative to said second surface, said physical spaces are aligned with the opaque sections of said second surface, and the contents of said physical spaces are not visible.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
A shutter mechanism for a telephone directory that stores telephone numbers to be dialled by the push of a single button, said directory comprising a plurality of such buttons, each button of said plurality of buttons having a physical space associated therewith for entry of a descriptive label, said shutter mechanism comprising: a first, approximately planar, surface for providing said physical space for said descriptive labels; a second, approximately planar, surface overlying said first surface, in a plane approximately parallel to said first surface and spaced apart therefrom; said second surface being divided into a plurality of alternating opaque and transparent sections such that when said first surface is in a first position, relative to said second surface, said physical spaces are aligned with the transparent sections of said second surface, and when said first surface is in a second position, relative to said second surface, said physical spaces are aligned with the opaque sections of said second surface, and the contents of said physical spaces are not visible.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The shutter mechanism of claim 1 wherein said shutter mechanism is incorporated in the base of a telephone set.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The shutter mechanism of claim 1 or 2 wherein an interlock is included in said shutter mechanism such that when said first surface is in said second position, not only are the contents of said physical spaces not visible, but the buttons associated with said spaces are inoperative.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The shutter mechanism of claim 1 or 2 wherein said opaque and transparent sections are each of approximately equal size and shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The shutter mechanism of claim 1 or 2 wherein said physical spaces are each of approximately equal size and shape and wherein each said physical space is separated from another physical space by an area of similar size and shape to that of said physical space.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The shutter mechanism of claim 1 or 2 wherein said physical spaces are each of approximately equal size and shape and wherein each group of physical spaces is separated from another group of physical spaces by an area of similar size and shape to that of said group of physical spaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
224 words
A shutter mechanism for a telephone directory that stores telephone numbers to be dialled by the push of a single button, said directory comprising a plurality of such buttons, each button of said plurality of buttons having a physical space associated therewith for entry of a descriptive label, said shutter mechanism comprising: a first, approximately planar, surface for providing said physical space for said descriptive labels; a second, approximately planar, surface overlying said first surface, in a plane approximately parallel to said first surface and spaced apart therefrom; said second surface being divided into a plurality of alternating opaque and transparent sections such that when said first surface is in a first position, said physical spaces are aligned with the transparent sections of said second surface, and when said first surface is in a second position, said physical spaces are aligned with the opaque sections of said second surface, and the contents of said physical spaces are not visible; said physical spaces are each of approximately equal size and shape and each group of physical spaces is separated from another group of physical spaces by an area of similar size and shape to that of said group of physical spaces; and an interlock means such that when said first surface is in said second position, the buttons associated with said physical spaces are inoperative.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
224 words
A shutter mechanism for a telephone directory that stores telephone numbers to be dialled by the push of a single button, said directory comprising a plurality of such buttons, each button of said plurality of buttons having a physical space associated therewith for entry of a descriptive label, said shutter mechanism comprising: a first, approximately planar, surface for providing said physical space for said descriptive labels; a second, approximately planar, surface overlying said first surface, in a plane approximately parallel to said first surface and spaced apart therefrom; said second surface being divided into a plurality of alternating opaque and transparent sections such that when said first surface is in a first position, said physical spaces are aligned with the transparent sections of said second surface, and when said first surface is in a second position, said physical spaces are aligned with the opaque sections of said second surface, and the contents of said physical spaces are not visible; said physical spaces are each of approximately equal size and shape and each group of physical spaces is separated from another group of physical spaces by an area of similar size and shape to that of said group of physical spaces; and an interlock means such that when said first surface is in said second position, the buttons associated with said physical spaces are inoperative.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The shutter mechanism of claim 7 wherein said interlock means is a single-pole, single-throw switch.
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) | 1993-08-06 | 1994-02-05 | 1994-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-06 | 1998-02-05 | 1998-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-06 | 2002-02-05 | 2002-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |