WO1996008101A1

WO1996008101A1 - Telephone security device

Info

Publication number: WO1996008101A1
Application number: PCT/AU1995/000574
Authority: WO
Inventors: Graeme John Palmer
Original assignee: Azure Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 1994-09-05
Filing date: 1995-09-05
Publication date: 1996-03-14
Also published as: AUPM786494A0

Abstract

This invention relates to a security device for limiting, or preventing, access to the keys of a push-botton telephone. In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a cover (3) and base member (4) which can be locked about a telephone (2). Cover (3) prevents access to the numerical keys but an aperture (13) in the cover allows access to preset keys.

Description

"TELEPHONE SECURITY DEVICE" TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a device which can be used to restrict the calls made from a push-button telephone. BACKGROUND ART

A problem frequently encountered with household telephone connections is that a telephone may be used excessively and for non-essential calls, particularly by adolescent persons. Telephones are known which can be locked so that outgoing calls cannot be made. However, use of the telephone in an emergency situation is prevented unless the telephone can be unlocked.

Telephones of the push-button type are known in which a code must be entered to make long distance calls. While the telephone is thus still available for emergency calls, there is no restriction on the number of local calls that can be made. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a security device for a push-button telephone which restricts the calls that may be made therefrom while still allowing certain calls to be made.

In one aspect, this invention provides a telephone key pad security device comprising: a cover member locatable over the key pad of a telephone to prevent access to at least some of the keys; a hinge member pivotally connected to one side of the cover and securable to the telephone case adjacent the key pad; and an engagement member securable to the telephone case adjacent the key pad opposite said hinge member and adapted to engage said cover member and be locked thereto; wherein, disengagement of said cover member from said engagement member allows pivoting of the cover member away from the key pad to provide full access thereto.

In a second aspect, this invention provides a telephone key pad security device comprising: a cover member locatable over the face of a telephone and the key pad to prevent access to at least some of the keys, the cover member being pivotally connected to a base member which extends around the rear of the telephone case to engage said cover member at a point generally opposite said pivotal connection, wherein said cover member and base member are adapted to be locked together on engagement; and wherein disengagement of said cover member from said base member allows pivoting of the cover member away from the face of the telephone to provide full access to the key pad.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the device according to the first aspect fits over a telephone key pad whereas the device according to the second aspect fits around a telephone with the cover member of the device over the key pad.

The term "key pad" is used in the description and claims to denote the keys of a push-button telephone be they the type of keys which project through apertures in the face of the telephone or the dimple type buttons of key pads commonly referred to as "touch pads". The cover member of devices according to the invention is typically configured to cover the numeric keys of the key pad while leaving keys which can be preset accessible. Alternatively, the cover member can cover all keys except for numeric keys necessary for an emergency call (such as the "zero" key and/or the "one" key) or allow access to both the preset keys and the numeric keys necessary for an emergency call. Thus, with the cover member locked over a telephone key pad an emergency number can still be called using either a preset key or numeric key(s). Furthermore, preset keys when accessible can allow particular numbers to be called.

Cover members are typically planar although in the case of the second aspect of the invention the cover member can be bent or curved to follow the shape of the face of the telephone. Advantageously, cover members include projections from the edges thereof which project towards the face of the telephone when a cover is located over the key pad. Preferably, the projections contact the face of the telephone. The projections from the edges of cover members are to limit the accessibility of keys to thin objects which might be attempted to be inserted between the cover and the key pad to circumvent the security device. The projections may also serve to stand the underside of a cover sufficiently away from the face of a telephone so that the cover does not contact the keys. It will be appreciated, however, that this feature can be provided by other components of security devices according to the invention.

With respect to the first aspect of the invention, the hinge member and engagement member are each typically a relatively thick solid wall having a rectangular cross section. The end of a member which is secured to the telephone case can be shaped to mate with the case so that the member extends generally upright of the face of the telephone and hence of the plane of the key pad.

The hinge member and engagement member can be secured to the telephone case in any suitable manner including, but not restricted to, gluing, bonding, screwing, riveting or the like.

Preferably, the members are glued to the telephone case with an adhesive such as the type of adhesive commonly referred to as "super glue". Alternatively, the members can be each an integral part of the telephone case.

Cover members can include a button for engaging a particular key or keys of the telephone key pad. The provision of a cover-member button is advantageous for the dialling of an emergency number, particularly by a sight- impaired person. A cover-member button typically projects above the surface of the cover to allow easy access and is biased towards the disengaged position. This bias can be by way of biasing means associated with the button or passively through the action of an adjacent telephone key pad key which is biased to an outwardly extending position. The outer-most surface of a cover-member button advantageously includes an indicium or indicia which can be recognised by a sight-impaired person. Visual indicia or an indicium can also be associated with a button. With respect to the second aspect, the base member typically comprises a generally planar portion which extends across at least part of the back of the telephone and has walls at each end thereof which span respective sides of the telephone and terminate roughly level with the face of the telephone. Generally, the cover member and base member are about the same width which is preferably slightly greater than the width of the key pad.

The portion of the base member which extends across the back of the telephone can be moulded or shaped to allow for protrusions or fittings on the back of the telephone. Furthermore, the base member can have apertures therein to allow fixing the base member, and any telephone included in the locked security device, to a surface. Preferably, the base member also covers the receptacle for the line plug with the plug engaged therein. Thus, a telephone having a security device fitted thereto may not be replaced by another telephone to make outgoing calls.

The locking of the cover member to the engagement member or base member can be by any suitable means. For example, the base member or engagement member can include a tongue which fits through and protrudes beyond a slot on the cover member when located over the telephone key pad. Locking can be effected with a padlock, the link of which passes through a hole in the tongue. An alternative locking means can be provided by two pins upstanding from the base member or the engagement member which protrude through holes in the cover member. The body of a conventional padlock, suitably modified, can then be fitted over the pins to lock the cover over the telephone key pad. Other types of locking means are equally as suitable for use in conjunction with devices according to the invention.

The security devices of the invention can be fabricated from any suitable material. A preferred material is a plastics material. Advantageously, the plastics material is a high impact plastics material. It will be appreciated that a telephone with security devices according to the invention fitted and locked, allows control over the calls which can be made from the telephone through access to only certain numeric keys and/or preset keys. All incoming calls can nevertheless be received.

So that the invention may be better understood, examples of security devices will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings briefly described hereafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a telephone security device in partial breakaway with a telephone shown in phantom. Figure 2 depicts methods of locking the cover member of a security device to the engagement member or base member.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an alternative security device according to the invention, again with the telephone shown in phantom.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of another telephone security device in partial breakaway with a telephone shown in phantom. Figure 5 is an exploded view of portions of the components shown in Figure 4.

BEST MODE AND OTHER MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a telephone security device generally indicated as 1 fitted around telephone 2. Security device 1 comprises a cover member 3 and base member 4. Base member 4 includes end walls 5 and 6. End wall 5 extends to a pivotal connection 7 between cover member 3 and base member 4. End wall 6 includes a tongue 8 which projects through a slot 9 in cover member 3. Tongue 8 has a hole 10 through which the link 11 of a padlock 12 can be passed as shown in the figure.

Cover member 3 has an opening 13 therein to allow access to some of the preset keys. The upper surface of the cover adjacent a particular key can be marked, such as with a Braille character, to guide the finger of a user to a particular key. Base member 4 includes recesses, one of which is indicated at 14, for projecting feet (not shown) of telephone 2. Base member 4 also includes countersunk holes, one of which is shown at 14, which can be used to secure the device to a surface, either horizontal or vertical.

It can be appreciated from Figure 1 that cover member 3 when located over the face of the telephone as shown in the Figure only allows access to keys beneath opening 13. Padlock 12 is used to lock the cover member in the secure position. When the padlock is unlocked, cover member 3 can be swung out of the way to allow full access to the key pad.

Referring now to Figure 2 there are shown alternative locking means. In Figure 2A there is shown part of a cover member 20 having a tab 21 with holes therein which allow the tab to fit over pins 22 and 23 projecting from a member 24 beneath the tab. Member 24 could be part of end wall 6 shown in Figure 1 or the engagement member of the first aspect of the invention. Pins 22 and 23 correspond to the parallel portions of a normal padlock link so that a modified padlock body 25 can be fitted over the pins to lock cover 20 and member 24 together.

The lock shown in Figure 2B in plan view comprises a generally cylindrical body fixed to a base member or engagement member of security devices according to the invention. The lock body has a rotatable portion 26 with diametrically opposite ears 27 and 28. Cover member 29 has a circular hole with diametrically opposed slots 30 and 31 which allows the cover to pass over rotatable portion 26 when ears and slots are aligned. Rotation of rotatable portion 26 as shown generally by the double headed arrow causes ears 27 and 28 to rotate away from slots 30 and 31. When locked in the forgoing position, ears 27 and 28 prevent cover 29 being disengaged from the engagement member or the base member of the security device.

Figure 3 depicts an alternative form of security device in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. The locking means included in this example is the locking means shown in Figure 2A. Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown security device 32 and telephone 33 in phantom. Security device 32 comprises a cover member 34 located over the numeric key pad of the telephone, shown partially in phantom at 35, a hinge member 36 and an engagement member (not shown but similar to member 24 of Figure 2A). The engagement member has two pins upstanding thereof which can pass through holes in a tab 37 at the edge of cover 34. Hinge member 36 and the engagement member are cemented to the face of telephone 33.

A modified padlock 38 can be fitted over the pins projecting through tab 37 thereby locking cover 34 and the engagement member together and securing the numeric key pad of the telephone but allowing access to preset keys generally indicated at 39.

It will be appreciated that unlocking of padlock 38 allows cover 34 to be hinged away from numeric key pad 35 allowing access thereto so that the telephone can be used normally. Figure 4 shows a security device similar to that shown in Figure 1 but which includes a "quick-dial" button associated with preset keys. Security device 41 is shown fitted about telephone 42 depicted in phantom. Cover 43 of device 41 includes an aperture 44 generally corresponding to the preset keys of the telephone. A button 45 in the form of a lipped panel can be positioned in aperture 44 as shown in the figure. Button 45 is moveable up and down within aperture 44 but is retained therein by resilient members at the top edge of the button (not shown in the figure).

Cover 43 of device 41 can be secured to base member 46 via a padlock 47. Other details of the manner of securing the cover to the base are essentially the same as shown in Figure 2A with the exception that the pins (22 and 23 of Figure 2A) received by padlock 47 project from the end 48 of base member 46 through apertures adjacent the edge of cover 43 rather than through a tab such as like item 21 of Figure 2A.

Figure 5 depicts how button 45 can be used to depress particular keys of the preset key pad. The figure shows preset key pad 51 having plurality of keys upstanding therefrom, one of which is indicated at 52. Button 45 of Figure 4 is shown in alignment with the key pad. The underneath of button 45 has a plurality of recesses corresponding to keys. One such recess is shown at 53. However, the underside of button 45 is not recessed above one key at each end of the key pad, keys 54 and 55 for example.

When button 45 is in position over key pad 51 as shown in Figure 4, depressing end 56 of the button will depress key 54. Depressing the other end of the button will depress key 55. Button 45 is biased outwardly away from key pad

51 by the spring-loading of the keys. Pivoting of the button about a central lateral axis allows either key 54 or 55 to be depressed.

It will be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention depicted in Figures 4 and 5 allows one of two preset numbers to be rapidly dialled by depressing the appropriate end of button 45. An embossed indicium 57 is shown at one end of button 45 to aid a sight-impaired person using a phone with which the security device is associated.

It will also be appreciated that the security devices exemplified above can accept incoming calls at all times.

It will be further appreciated that the examples are merely illustrative of the invention and many modifications and changes can be made to the exemplified devices without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A telephone key pad security device comprising: a cover member locatable over the face of a telephone and the key pad to prevent access to at least some of the keys, the cover member being pivotally connected to a base member which extends around the rear of the telephone case to engage said cover member at a point generally opposite said pivotal connection, wherein said cover member and base member are adapted to be locked together on engagement; and wherein disengagement of said cover member from said base member allows pivoting of the cover member away from the face of the telephone to provide full access to the key pad.

2. Device according to claim 1 , wherein said cover member covers only numeric keys of said key pad.

3. Device according to claim 1 , wherein said cover member covers all keys of said key pad save for at least one numeric key.

4. Device according to claim 1 , wherein said cover member includes projections from the edges thereof which project towards the face of said telephone when said cover is located over said key pad.

5. Device according to claim 4, wherein said projections from said cover contact said face of said telephone.

6. Device according to claim 1 , wherein said cover member includes a button engagable with at least one key when said cover is located over said key pad.

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein said button is engagable with at least one preset key.

8. Device according to claim 6, wherein said button is biased towards disengagement from said at least one preset key.

9. Device according to claim 1 , wherein said base member comprises a generally planar portion which extends across at least part of the back of the telephone and has walls at each end thereof which span respective sides of the telephone and terminate essentially level with said face of said telephone.

10. Device according to claim 1 , wherein said base member is moulded or shaped to allow for protrusions or fittings on the back of the telephone.

11. Device according to claim 1 , wherein said base member includes apertures for fixing said base member to a surface.

12. A telephone key pad security device comprising: a cover member locatable over the key pad of a telephone to prevent access to at least some of the keys; a hinge member pivotally connected to one side of the cover and securable to the telephone case adjacent the key pad; and an engagement member securable to the telephone case adjacent the key pad opposite said hinge member and adapted to engage said cover member and be locked thereto; wherein, disengagement of said cover member from said engagement member allows pivoting of the cover member.

13. Device according to claim 12, wherein said cover member covers only numeric keys of said key pad.

14. Device according to claim 12, wherein said cover- member covers all keys of said key pad save for at least one numeric key.

15. Device according to claim 12, wherein said cover member includes projections from the edges thereof which project towards the face of said telephone when said cover is located over said key pad.

16. Device according to claim 15, wherein said projections from said cover contact said face of said telephone.

17. Device according to claim 15, wherein said cover member includes a button engagable with at least one key when said cover is located over said key pad.

18. Device according to claim 17, wherein said button is engagable with at least one preset key.

19. Device according to claim 12, wherein said hinge member and said engagement member are each a solid wall having a substantially rectangular cross section.

20. Device according to claim 19, wherein said hinge member and said engagement member have ends shaped to mate with the case of said telephone so that each of said members extends generally upright of the face of the telephone when secured thereto.