Abstract: A telephone base with a display unit having a housing which is pivoted to the base. To locate the display unit in any desired angular position in simple manner, the housing has a convex outer surface formed on a constant radius centered on the pivotal axis and a plurality of parallel grooves are provided upon the surface and extending axially. The grooves are engageable by a free end of a leaf spring which is mounted directly to the housing.

Abstract: A telephone terminal base having a front plate holding dialing buttons in a set and a barrier layer behind the plate to protect a printed circuit board from environmental conditions. Ribs are provided on the front plate at each side of the set of buttons to seal against the barrier layer and screws disposed outwardly of the ribs from the set of buttons compress the barrier layer against the ribs to provide a sealing action.

Abstract: A snap-together enclosure comprises a cover, a shutter mechanism, and a base plate. The enclosure is designed to encase a jack receptacle body which is heat staked to a terminal block. The shutter mechanism is snapped into a hole in the cover and is held in place by means of tabs on the shutter and interfering ridges on the cover. The terminal block is snapped into the base plate by means of tabs on the base plate and interfering ridges on the terminal block. Finally, the cover is snapped onto the base plate, again by use of tabs and interfering ridges on the cover and base plate respectively. When the cover and shutter assembly is attached to the base plate, the jack receptacle body, enclosed therein, pushes against back walls of the tabs on the shutter to prevent the shutter from disengaging with the ridges on the cover.

Abstract: A telephone hanset is made with two elongate molded parts, a back part and a front part. The back part is arcuate in side view and is substantially rigid. The front part has a substantially flat central portion which is flexible, with a housing at each end for the transmitter and receiver. The two parts are assembled by flexing the front part to conform to the back part, the two parts being connected together. This avoids the need for complex molds for molding the front part as no re-entrant walls occur for the housings.

Abstract: Programming of a communications terminal is carried out by insertable programming members carrying a plurality of actuators. Each actuator has at least one and usually two actuating members which engage with a circuit to modify the electrical characteristics of the circuit. The actuating members themselves may contact conductor paths, connecting them selectively to a ground conductor, or interconnecting two conductor paths. The actuating members may actuate indirectly through an intermediate member. Actuating members can be at predetermined different positions along an actuator. Typically one programming member is associated with a push-button, the programming member, for example having two columns of four actuators. On depressing the push-button, the particular coding is rapidly scanned by the electronic circuitry and the particular service associated with that code is provided.

Abstract: An integral transmitter and modular jack assembly for a telephone set has a hollow housing for the transmitter and the modular jack molded as one member connected by a web. In one form the axes of the housing transmitter and acoustic chamber at the front end of the transmitter are coaxial and normal to the surface of the handset. In another form, the axes of the housing and transmitter are coaxial, but are normal to the surface of the handset, with the axis of the acoustic chamber normal to the axis of the transmitter. Preferably a circuit pattern of lead frame form, has the spring contact members of the jack formed integral with the connecting leads to the transmitter and the connecting leads to the handset receiver.

Abstract: A base-plate for a telephone set base has a bottom web or panel, with a wall extending upward around the panel for the majority of its periphery. At one side an inclined web extends inward and upward and a wall extends round the periphery of the web, with an aperture formed in the bottom panel coincident with the inclined web. The inclined web, and the wall around the web define a lower recess and an upper recess. A further recess in the bottom panel, closed on three sides and top and open on the fourth side provides access for modular plugs of the handset cord and line cord. Enclosed channels extend from the upper end and lower end to the further channel for passage of line and handset cords. A further enclosed channel extends from the lower recess to the channel from the upper end for alternate positioning of a short line cord in a wall mounting mode. Mounting means for a circuit board, hook switch and piezoceramic transducer are provided.

Abstract: A line switch assembly for a telephone switch has a unitary switch having a base within which are cantilevered contacts and a cap over the base, the cap having cam formations which actuate the contacts on reciprocal movement of the cap. An actuating member rests on the cap and has an extension with a rib which extends up into a recess in the top housing of the telephone set, the recess being one which accepts one of the handset transducers. Pressure on the rib pivots the actuating member and depresses the cap. The switch is a preassembled unit and is normally mounted on a circuit board carrying other components. A reduced number of components and quicker and easier assembly give a relatively high cost reduction.

Abstract: A pushbutton dial having pushbuttons arranged in three columns and four rows has the buttons illuminated by four LED's positioned in a light-guide plate having apertures which surround the pushbuttons. The LED's are in recesses at intersections of the outer columns and top and bottom rows, each recess between four adjacent apertures. Guide grooves at the edges of the plate redirect light issuing from the LED's and passing between apertures. The plate is transparent and the buttons translucent, the buttons being illuminated from all round their peripheries.

Abstract: A multiple cantilever spring contact switch has a base, a housing and a cap. A plurality of pairs of contacts are mounted in the base and the housing fits over the base and contacts. A cap is mounted for movement up and down on the housing and has a plurality of cam members which extend through slots in the housing aligned with the contacts. The cap is resiliently biased upward, and downward pressure on the cap moves the cap downwards and the cam members slide down the slots and actuate one contact of each pair. The contact pairs can be normally open or normally closed, or combinations thereof, and actuation of the one contact by a cam member changes the condition of the contact pair.

Abstract: A multi-outlet adaptor for plug-in telephones is in the form of a hollow box-like member in the front of which are at least two apertures with a jack aligned with and behind each aperture. A plug can be inserted through each aperture. On the rear of the box-like member is an integral plug for insertion in the normal telephone outlet or jack. The jacks in the adaptor are wired in parallel to the plug on the rear. A latch can be provided on the plug and the apertures can be profiled to provide latch engaging formations.

Abstract: An extension cord for plug-in telephones comprises a line cord having a plug at one end for insertion in a telephone outlet and multi-outlet member on the other end. The multi-outlet member is in the form of a hollow box-like member in the front of which are at least two apertures with a jack aligned with an behind each aperture for insertion of a plug. A back cover is attached to the multi-outlet member and the line cord enters through a slot in the cover. The jacks are wired in parallel to the line cord. A latch can be provided on the plug of the line cord and the aperture can be profiled to provide latch engaging formations.

Abstract: A light emitting diode indicator assembly for a multiple pushbutton array has a printed circuit board with a plurality of circuits thereon, each circuit having a connection position for a light emitting diode; a spacer attached to the printed circuit board with a location for a light emitting diode coincident with a related connection position; a light emitting diode at each location with leads connected to the related circuit; a lens over each diode; and a bezel having a first row of apertures with a lens situated in each aperture, and a second row of apertures with a pushbutton in each aperture, the bezel and spacer having interengaging formations whereby the spacer is inserted into a recess in the bezel and the formations engaged by lateral movement of the spacer relative to the bezel. There can be more than one row of lens containing apertures, and also more than one row of pushbuttons containing apertures.

Abstract: A telephone unit adaptable for either wall or desk top mounting has a retractable bracket, slidably mounted in a recess in the bottom surface of the telephone unit base. The bracket has a head portion having a keyhole aperture for fitting over a screw or similar item on the wall, and a stem portion slidable longitudinally in the recess. Two bosses formed on the telephone unit base extend through slots in the stem portion and screws in the bosses hold the bracket in position. When extended the head portion extends slightly from the base while in the retracted position the bracket is concealed.

Abstract: For telephone sets and similar forms of apparatus in which pushbuttons are mounted more or less flush with the outside surface and actuated by pivoting, a series of such pushbuttons are mounted on a shaft secured in a housing. The pushbuttons are mounted on the shaft at one end and at the other end rest on pushbutton switch mechanisms. Each button is identical and interchangeable. Locating formations on buttons and housing interengage to locate the pushbuttons. The switch mechanisms are spring loaded and urge pushbuttons to a non-actuated position. Indicator windows for removable and interchangeable indicators can be provided.