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US5317632A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Timed telephone silencer. (telephone silencer with timer function)

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-10-18
•
Granted: 1994-05-31
•
Expires: 2011-10-18
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Abstract

Abstract A timed telephone silencer with its associated features is disclosed, its intended use being for selectively disabling (silencing) a telephone for a user-determined interval during a time period when the user does not wish to be disturbed by telephone calls. The device provides a cord with attached modular plug for connecting the device to a telephone line, and a cord with modular jack for connecting a telephone to the device. A quartz-controlled clock provides the timing function, with a selector knob on the top external surface of the housing for choosing the number of hours that one wishes to have his telephone remain silent. The same knob can be used to instantly abort a period of telephone silence, or make the telephone operational for a few moments or minutes and then return to the period of telephone silence. The user can see by a glance at the device whether his telephone is in the on or off mode, this possible because of indicator lights on the device. At the end of the user-determined period of telephone silence, the device automatically returns an attached telephone to full function. The device operates on 110 VAC power.

Inventors

  • 👤 David W. Ellison

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 20:45
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/66; H04M1/663

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim 224 words
A device for disabling the dialing and ringing functions of a telephone for a period of time selected by the user, after which period of time the telephone automatically is restored to full function; the device comprises: (a) one knob on the exterior of the device for setting or controlling the device as opposed to various programming buttons and switches; (b) an internal design based on the use of a clock-driven cam, operating a lever switch, with the lever switch operating a double-pole-double-throw relay, the latter disabling or enabling the telephone's function; (b1) the external knob is affixed by means of a set screw to the upper end of the shaft of the cam, which upper end protrudes slightly through the top of the housing of the device; the knob can therefore turn the cam, which is slip-fitted onto the hour shaft of the clock motor; turning the knob, therefore, causes a little depression machined into the outer face of the cam to move away from the lever switch, activating the lever switch, it, in turn, activating the relay, the relay, in turn, disabling telephone function; the clock motor now functions, and brings the cam slowly back around to where the depression in the cam face causes the lever switch to trip and actuate the relay, thereby restoring telephone function, and stopping the clock.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 224 words
A device for disabling the dialing and ringing functions of a telephone for a period of time selected by the user, after which period of time the telephone automatically is restored to full function; the device comprises: (a) one knob on the exterior of the device for setting or controlling the device as opposed to various programming buttons and switches; (b) an internal design based on the use of a clock-driven cam, operating a lever switch, with the lever switch operating a double-pole-double-throw relay, the latter disabling or enabling the telephone's function; (b1) the external knob is affixed by means of a set screw to the upper end of the shaft of the cam, which upper end protrudes slightly through the top of the housing of the device; the knob can therefore turn the cam, which is slip-fitted onto the hour shaft of the clock motor; turning the knob, therefore, causes a little depression machined into the outer face of the cam to move away from the lever switch, activating the lever switch, it, in turn, activating the relay, the relay, in turn, disabling telephone function; the clock motor now functions, and brings the cam slowly back around to where the depression in the cam face causes the lever switch to trip and actuate the relay, thereby restoring telephone function, and stopping the clock.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4260855A Cited
US4480154A Cited
US4405839A Cited
US4683583A Cited
US4924499A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1997-05-30 1997-11-29 1998-05-31 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2001-05-30 2001-11-29 2002-05-31 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2005-05-30 2005-11-29 2006-05-31 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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