US5764752A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Off-hook telephone clearing system
Assignee: South Tech Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1996-03-15
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Granted: 1998-06-09
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Expires: 2016-03-15
Abstract
Abstract An off-hook telephone clearing system for a telephone line having at least two telephones connected thereto, comprising a howler tone detector connected to each telephone, and a telephone disconnect device having an input responsive to the howler tone detector for disconnecting a telephone being in off-hook condition from the telephone line. The clearing system may include a latching relay in the disconnect device. The latching relay may be mechanically coupled to the telephone hookswitch for delatching upon hang-up of the receiver.
Inventors
- 👤 Tyler E. Waite
- 👤 Jeffrey M. Byrd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 02:35
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/08; H04M3/14; H04M1/00; H04M1/71; H04M1/715; H04M1/82; H04M9/00; H04M9/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
An off-hook telephone clearing system for a telephone line having at least two telephones connected thereto comprising a howler tone detector connected to each telephone, a telephone disconnect device having an input responsive to the howler tone detector for disconnecting a telephone being in permanent off-hook condition from the telephone line; wherein said disconnect device includes at least one break contact in series with a respective conductor of said telephone line; and wherein the disconnect device further includes an input connected to said howler tone detector for activating said break contacts, said howler tone detector including a storage device for storing energy derived from the howler tone for energizing activation of said break contact.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
An off-hook telephone clearing system for a telephone line having at least two telephones connected thereto comprising a howler tone detector connected to each telephone, a telephone disconnect device having an input responsive to the howler tone detector for disconnecting a telephone being in permanent off-hook condition from the telephone line; wherein said disconnect device includes at least one break contact in series with a respective conductor of said telephone line; and wherein the disconnect device further includes an input connected to said howler tone detector for activating said break contacts, said howler tone detector including a storage device for storing energy derived from the howler tone for energizing activation of said break contact.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An off-hook telephone clearing system according to claim 1, wherein said telephone clearing system includes line interfacing means having inputs connected to the line for electrically interfacing the clearing system to the line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
An off-hook telephone clearing system according to claim 2, wherein said clearing system includes a holding device for holding said disconnect device in disconnect condition for a given holding time after receipt of howler tone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An off-hook telephone clearing device according to claim 1, wherein said disconnect device includes a relay having a relay coil in operative engagement with said break contacts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
An off-hook telephone clearing device according to claim 3, wherein said holding device includes at least one holding capacitor coupled to said disconnect device for holding said disconnect device in disconnect condition for said given holding time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
An off-hook telephone clearing device according to claim 5, wherein said howler tone detector includes at least one rectifier diode for rectifying said howler tone, said rectifier diode being coupled to said holding capacitor for charging said holding capacitor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
An off-hook telephone clearing device according to claim 1 including delay means connected between said disconnect device and said howler tone detector for delaying operation of said disconnect means for a given delay time.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
An off-hook telephone clearing device according to claim 2, wherein said line interfacing means include at least one interfacing capacitor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
An off-hook telephone clearing device according to claim 2, wherein said line interfacing means include a transformer having a primary and secondary winding respectively connected to said telephone line and said howler tone detector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
An off-hook telephone clearing device according to claim 4 wherein said relay includes latching means for latching said relay in operated condition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
An off-hook telephone clearing device according to claim 10, wherein said latching means include a magnetically biased relay core for magnetically holding said relay in operated condition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
An off-hook telephone clearing device according to claim 10, wherein said latching means include at least one latching relay contact connected to said relay coil for holding said relay in operated condition.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
An off-hook telephone clearing device according to claim 10, wherein said clearing device is combined with said telephone in a common housing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
An off-hook telephone clearing device according to claim 10, wherein said telephone has a hookswitch, including linkage means connecting said hookswitch with said latching means, wherein said linkage means are operative for resetting said latching means upon returning said telephone to on-hook state.
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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) | 2001-06-08 | 2001-12-08 | 2002-06-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-08 | 2005-12-08 | 2006-06-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-08 | 2009-12-08 | 2010-06-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |