Abstract: A touch pad shielding device for a pay telephone or ATM or similar device which requires a user to input information into a key pad. The shielding device includes a cover which is attached over the key pad on the device. Created beneath the cover is a cavity in which the user may insert his or her hand to manipulate the keys on the key pad. In one embodiment, the cover is pivotally attached over the key pad and includes a plurality of transversely aligned parallel slots. The slots are spaced apart so that viewing of the key pad is limited to the user standing in front of the key pad. In another embodiment, the cover is attached in a fixed position over the key pad and includes a plurality of, transversely aligned, pivoting slats to enable the user to adjust visibility of the key pad. Also provided herein is a method of privately inputting information into a key pad.

Abstract: A portable secure-telephone communications module including a collapsible enclosure for holding a person desiring to perform secure remote telephone communications, a secure telephone remote communication device in the enclosure, and RF shielding for the enclosure to inhibit RF leakage for preventing eavesdropping from outside the enclosure.

Abstract: A device for shielding a user from electromagnetic waves emitted by a cellular telephone. The device includes a shielding member extending between the antenna of the telephone and a user and configured to encompass the antenna on three sides.

Abstract: A receiver including a vibrator plate vibrating together with a voice coil in response to electrification of said voice coil which comprises an electrostatic discharge prevention plate having a central opening arranged above the vibrator plate with a small air gap provided therebetween. A metal cover around the top and sides of the receiver is imbedded in plastic for inhibiting electrostatic discharge via the cover. As a result the discharge path length through the air is substantially increased, reducing the likelihood of electrostatic discharge from the ear of the user.

Abstract: Pay telephone coin opening cover assemblies which include portions of the pay telephone and a mask fashioned to cover the coin return opening. The mask includes a structural element or elements which cooperate with coin return opening structure and existing interior portions of the pay telephone structure to secure against the opening a face plate which is attractive and unobtrusive in appearance. The invention allows a conventional pay telephone to be recycled into a coinless pay telephone which is attractive in appearance, friendly to the user, and cost competitive.

Abstract: The invention described herein provides a protective cover assembly for a coin-operated telephone having a coinbox-containing region which includes a protective cover plate dimensioned and configured for removable attachment adjacent the coinbox-containing region of the telephone, and a removable access plate associated with the protective cover plate for gaining access to the coinbox disposed within the coinbox-containing region of the telephone. The two-part construction eliminates the need for removal of the full protective cover assembly in order to gain access to the coinbox of the telephone.

Abstract: A pay telephone (10) is disclosed which comprises a front housing assembly (12) and a rear housing assembly (14). A rear board housing (16) is coupled to modules disposed within front housing assembly (12) through a pair of cables (48) and (50) coupled to an interconnect board (46) disposed in front housing assembly (12). Front housing assembly (12) engages rear housing assembly (14) on opposite vertical sidewalls of rear housing assembly (14) through the use of locking hooks (36a)-(36e) and locking hooks (42a)-(42e) and locking receiving slots (40a)-(40e) and locking receiving slots (52a)-(52e).

Abstract: A hand-held electronic telecommunications device is provided with a grip and protective casing made of elastomeric material for covering the back face and side walls of the device. The casing is provided with finger recesses on its exterior surface to permit the operator to reliably hold and even operate the device with one hand. The casing is constructed so as to be readily applied and even removed, as desired, by the operator himself. The manner by which the casing is supported on the device enables the casing material to avoid having to cover over any area of the front, operational face of the device, where such features as the ear piece, mouthpiece and push buttons are located.

Abstract: A blank which may be erected to form a security shield for public telephones to guard against unauthorized visual access and theft of telephone calling card numbers and information. The blank includes a plurality of hingedly connected panels, and retention slots which engage cradle posts in a conventional telephone housing. A telephone security feature is provided by dimensioning the shield so that it extends around the periphery of the key pad and limits visual access to the user. The shield panels fold into a compact arrangement of overlying panels to facilitate its ready storage and accessibility to the user.

Abstract: An environmentally protected electrical socket and plug assembly retains environmental security throughout repeated connections and disconnections. The socket and plug assembly includes a socket containing an electrical conductor and adapted to insertably receive a plug, an environmental sealant at least partially filling the socket so that the sealant is at least partially displaced from the socket when the plug is inserted into the socket, and an elastomeric containment means for containing displaced sealant when the plug is inserted into the socket and for urging the sealant back into the socket when the plug is removed.

Abstract: A test system directed to apparatus for transmitting and receiving multiple telephone transmission signals over a single twisted pair. The system converts an analog signal from a local switching station to an 80 ksymbols/sec signal for transmission over a twisted pair by a line card. A remote terminal converts the 80 ksymbols/sec signal back into a conventional analog signal for use in conventional telephone, facsimile or other related equipment. The test equipment separately tests the entire system, the line card portion of the system, the remote terminal portion of the system, and the twisted pair.

Abstract: A telephone protector comprises an encapsulated bidirectional voltage sensitive switch having three terminals protruding therefrom, one of the terminals being a grounding terminal. There is an elongated shorting bar substantially orthogonal to the three terminals and a metal fusible pellet in direct physical contact with both the grounding terminal and the shorting bar. There is a spring which impels the shorting bar into contact with the other two terminals when the fusible pellet melts.

Abstract: A high security shield for use on the upper housing of conventional telephone paystations consisting of a thick stainless steel or similar material U-shaped wrap-around welded to the standard upper housing. The unit replaces the standard die cast face plate and contains the usual face plate features to provide maximum high security. The shield covers the entire front of the upper housing as well as each of the sides.

Abstract: A potective cover for a mobile telephone may include inflatable chambers to improve resistance to damage. Additionally, interchangeable inflatable ear pads are utilizable with the cover. The cover may include ribbed inflatable chambers of varying rigidity to provide a combination of comfort and damage protection.

Abstract: A telephone cord reel according to the teachings of the present invention is shown as including a non-metallic housing base with end walls and divider walls separating a cord reel with a spring activated recoil action from a copper clad disk rotatable with the cord reel. Insulated positive and negative wires extend from the cord reel into a connecting tube where they separate at connecting wires which go to opposite sides of the disk. Copper brushes contacting the rotating disk on each side bring the current through a divider wall to a phone jack which allows connection to the phone housing. Alternate means are provided to secure the unit in or on a wall with alternate covers which have exit holes for the phone cord with means to brake the recoil action of the reel.

Abstract: A test system directed to apparatus for transmitting and receiving multiple telephone transmission signals over a single twisted pair. The system converts an analog signal from a local switching station to an 80 ksymbols/sec signal for transmission over a twisted pair by a line card. A remote terminal converts the 80 ksymbols/sec signal back into a conventional analog signal for use in conventional telephone, facsimile or other related equipment. The test equipment separately tests the entire system, the line card portion of the system, the remote terminal portion of the system, and the twisted pair.

Abstract: A bracket for mounting within a telephone paystation to retain a telephone handset armored cable of the type including a central cable terminated at at least a first end in a stop secured to said cable, and with an armored sheath encircling said cable.

Abstract: The mechanical safety assembly for a telephone set having a housing with a cover including a sliding lock for closing the cover (7). The lock includes an operating head (13) external to the body (1) of the telephone set or terminal. The head fits flush with the wall of the body (1) when in the closed position and leaving only smooth surface visible, one of said surfaces (23) being pierced with a hooking aperture (24) which is accessible by a tip (25) of a paperclip or ballpoint pen.

Abstract: An adjustable height mounting pedestal for public or coin telephones comprises a tubular post having a plurality of knockouts at varying heights ranging from a drive-up curbside height to a standard handicap access height. A backboard mounting enclosure includes an opening therein that conforms to the peripheral configuration of the telephone for which the mounting is adapted. The configuration of the backboard extends about the telephone housing forward of the rear edge of the front housing of the telephone so as to protect the telephone from prying tools. The backboard and post include dividers for dividing the space within the backboard and post into electrically isolated channels for telephone wiring and for power wiring. Adjustable channels fit within selected knocked-out openings in the post when a particular height for the backboard is selected. The mounting channels and backboard are temporarily supported during assembly, to facilitate assembly by a single worker.

Abstract: A molding method for manufacture of a resin molded part having one or more flexibly movable, pushbutton-shaped thick projections formed integrally with a base through the intermediary of thin wall portions continued from the peripheral edges of the projections, wherein a thermoplastic elastomer is used as a molding material, and wherein the thick projections, the thin wall portions, and the base are integrally molded by supplying a mass of the molding material into a mold through a gate provided adjacent the center of a portion corresponding to each of the projections. The method requires no vulcanization and permits efficient production. Furthermore, it allows well balanced flow of the molding material and eliminates the possibility of burrs and sink marks being produced.

Abstract: A telephone handset cover 10 for covering a conventional telephone handset 1, typically of the type employed in public telephone facilities. Handset cover 10 is installed upon handset 1 with or without shank 16. Shank 16 may be a single piece or a plurality of pieces. Where employed, shank 16 may be separate from cover 10 or integrally molded there into, and serves to hold handset 1 together for continuous function even in the event of breakage of handset 1. In general handset cover 10, and shank 16 function to absorb or deflect impact energy directed at handset 1 to prevent damage to, or contain the damage done to, telephone handsets in public telephone facilities. Handset cover 10 is typically nonremovable by the user, in that it is installed either with temporary epoxy glue strips 15 or with angled metal closure shanks 26. Handset cover 10 may be closed either along the back of handset 1 or along the cradle side of handset 1.

Abstract: A security mechanism for use in a telephone paystation upper housing consisting of a specialized latching mechanism which operates when a non-legal key combination is utilized to gain access to a paystation upper housing to inhibit unlocking of the upper housing and to inhibit the removal of key utilized to gain access to the upper housing. The mechanism is available in kit form and may be added to existing paystations without major modification thereto.

Abstract: A protective handset cord cover is secured around a handset cord to prevent the handset cord from becoming tangled with itself. The cover is of sufficient length to accommodate a normal and customary stretched length of the handset cord so that the handset cord is prevented from twisting upon itself and becoming entangled. The cover is of a flexible, planar material and is easily placed around a handset cord. The cover is particularly suited for use with handset cords having modular ends which are removable from a phone base at one end and from a handset at the other end or, in an alternate embodiment, for use with older model telephones or car phones in which the handset cord is permanently secured to the phone base at one end and to the handset at the other end.

Abstract: An improved telephone set of the type including a telephone body and a handset adapted to be placed on the former wherein the telephone set includes features which prevents displacement of the handset from the telephone body. The telephone body has a pair of engagement blocks incorporated therein of which part is projected outwardly of the telephone body and they are fitted into engagement recesses on the handset whereby the latter is firmly placed on the telephone body. At least the one engagement block has an engagement face which is adapted to come in contact with the engagement portion in the corresponding engagement recess, wherein each engagement block includes a pawl portion. Displacement of the handset occurs by displacing one of the pawl portions out of its respective engagement recess followed by displacement of the handset in a second direction which is different from the first direction which causes the displacement of the other pawl portion out of its respective engagement recess.

Abstract: An electrically conductive network which, at one end, has a low-resistance connection with a user's hand and, at the other end, has a high-resistance connection with ground. This protects electrical equipment such as a telephone keyset from electrostatic discharge and also protects the user from unpleasantly high discharge currents.

Abstract: A telephone keypad assembly including a one-piece deformable membrane for sealing the keypad assembly from the environment. The deformable membrane has an upper surface for mating with keypad pushbuttons and a keypad pushbutton housing unit, and a lower surface including a contact actuator for making contact with electrical switch contacts. The membrane forms raised areas or domes which bias the keypad pushbuttons and biasingly resists movement of the contact actuator toward the electrical contacts. The keypad assembly including switch contacts is protected from moisture, dust and other corrosive elements by the seal formed between the housing unit and the deformable membrane.

Abstract: A cover for a telephone mouthpiece or earpiece. A single piece of frustocircular paperboard is forced into a cylindrical cavity whereby a cover is formed having a cap portion and a skirt portion. The diameter of the cap is about fifty-six millimeters so as to fit snugly on standard telephone receivers. The skirt portion is flared, has a cutout to accommodate the handle of the telephone receiver, and has a plurality of annular ribs for reinforcement. The cover is one integral unit, designed to be completely disposable, and simple to manufacture.

Abstract: A booster and charger unit for a hand-held portable (HHP) telephone capable of preventing a casing of the unit from being heated to an excessive temperature. The casing has thereinside a charging device for charging a battery, which is installed in the telephone, and a temperature sensor responsive to the temperature of the casing. When the temperature of the casing sensed by the sensor rises to a predetermined level, charging by the charging device is interrupted or the charging current thereof is reduced.

Abstract: A housing for a telephone line protector comprises a well in which are positioned two spring biased members. A first spring biased member is adjacent to the back end of the well and biased away therefrom. The second spring biased member is axially aligned with and biased away from the first spring biased member. One line conductor is connected to the first spring biased member and the other line conductor is connected to a terminal at the back end. The spring bias of the second spring biased member is stronger than the bias of the first spring biased member. Insertion of a protector module first causes movement of the first spring biased member to contact the terminal at the back end, and then moves the second spring biased member relative to the first spring biased member. The protector module contacts a ground connection at the front end of the well as it is inserted.

Abstract: A removable, washable cover for a telephone handset comprises an outer fabric cover, suitably cotton, and an inner cushioning layer also preferably cotton having a cavity for receiving a telephone handset. An elongated opening is provided along the rear or front panels of the cover and cushioning layer. The edges of the cover along the opening are provided with cooperative fastening materials such as two strips of VELCRO.

Abstract: A pushbutton keyboard assembly has a plurality of pushbuttons mounted over a circuit board. A circuit pattern on the circuit board has a plurality of switch positions and a pushbutton is aligned with each switch position. A cap fits over each pushbutton, each cap having a clear top for viewing of an indicia printed on the top of the pushbutton. Each cap has a laterally extending flange by which it is held in position by a dial cover extending over the circuit board and having apertures for the pushbuttons and caps. By the provision of caps, the indicia can be printed using material having suitable characteristics matching the pushbutton material, without the need of also withstanding wear during use.

Abstract: This microphone includes a microphone element, speaker and antenna all internal to the microphone housing. These components are carried by a chassis that is fastened to the microphone body at its lower end which also provides the effective attachment point for the microphone cable. The speaker is mounted in the chassis at an angle having its face slight upwardly incline to project sound towards the top of the microphone. An antenna element includes walls on either side of the speaker for reflecting sound upwardly. The antenna element has apertures in its top portion to allow for the passage of sound therethrough. The microphone element is also in a position for picking up sound through the top of the microphone.