Headphone-convertible telephone handset

Claim 1

A telephone instrument that can be used either as a handset or as a headset; said instrument comprising an elongated arcuate hollow handle (20) having a first open end and a second essentially closed end; a first earpiece (42) located on said handle at its closed end; arcuate strip means (61, 62) slidably engaged with said handle for movement between a first position fully retracted into the handle and a second position extended out of the handle; a second earpiece (11) carried on said arcuate strip means for movement therewith whereby said second earpiece can assume a first position contiguous to the open end of the handle or a second position spaced away from the open end of the handle; a receiver (55) located within said second earpiece; an arcuate elongated tube (8) slidably mounted within the handle for movement through its closed end between a retracted position and an extended position; a transmitter (9) carried on said tube for disposition within the handle when the tube is in its retracted position; spring means (81) biasing said tube to its extended position; latch means (85) normally retaining said tube in its retracted position; and means (63) responsive to movement of said arcuate strip means from the fully retracted position for releasing said latch means so that the spring means can then move the tube and transmitter to the extended position.