Apparatus for coupling a telephone line to a telephone line subscriber device

Claim 1

An apparatus for connecting a multiple ringing capacity telephone line to a subscriber telephone line device set to answer after a single ringing burst and associated with a special directory number different from a primary directory number, the apparatus comprising: an input jack connectable to a wall socket for said multiple ringing capacity telephone line; an output means connectable to said subscriber telephone line device; a normally open switch connecting said input jack to said output means, said switch being closed when a closing signal is supplied said input jack being disconnected from said output when said switch is open; means connected to said output means and said switch for providing said closing signal to said switch when said subscriber telephone line device goes off-hook; a timing capacitor; means for discharging said timing capacitor continuously; diode means connected to said input jack for converting and supplying DC power only from an AC ringing current at said input jack; means connected to said diode means for charging said timing capacitor to a maximum charge value; and means connected to said diode means, said switch and said timing capacitor for supplying said closing signal when said timing capacitor has a level of charge above a predetermined threshold when said DC power begins to be supplied, whereby a second ring, arriving within a predetermined time interval after a first ring at said input jack, will be passed through to said output means.

Claim 2

An apparatus for connecting a multiple ringing capacity telephone line to a subscriber telephone line device set to answer after a single ringing burst and associated with a special directory number different from a primary directory number, the apparatus comprising: an input jack connectable to a wall socket for said multiple ringing capacity telephone line; an output means connectable to said subscriber telephone line device; a normally open switch connecting said input jack to said output means, said switch being closed when a closing signal is supplied said input jack being disconnected from said output when said switch is open; means connected to said output means and said switch for providing said closing signal to said switch when said subscriber telephone line device goes off-hook; a timing capacitor; means for discharging said timing capacitor continuously; diode means connected to said input jack for converting and supplying DC power only from an AC ringing current at said input jack; means connected to said diode means for charging said timing capacitor to a maximum charge value; and means connected to said diode means, said switch and said timing capacitor for supplying said closing signal when said timing capacitor has a level of charge above a predetermined threshold when said DC power begins to be supplied, whereby a second ring, arriving within a predetermined time interval after a first ring at said input jack, will be passed through to said output means.