GB2123753A - Telephone index and auto dialling device - Google Patents

Abstract

A casing contains a set of selectable register cards (9) for telephone numbers and a device connectable to a telephone enabling automatic dialling of telephone numbers stored in a number storage unit. A keyboard (36) enables a stored telephone number to be accessed from the number storage unit (31) by inputting a stored code number recorded on the register cards. Time display, repeat dialling and a battery power supply for the automatic dialling device are provided. A date display, means for weighing items to be posted and for indicating the appropriate postal rate for an item being weighed, and/or a loudspeaker means connectable to a telephone are also provided. The register cards (9) are selected by separate keys (220-232) actuating two-armed levers and swivelling levers (274 etc.) to flip up a selected card into the case cover (215). The arrangement provides a compact telephone register-automatic dialling device and enables numbers not stored in the dialling device to be recorded on the register cards. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for storing and reproducing information, call numbers, subscribers' addresses, etc.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for storing and reproducing information, call numbers, subscribers' addresses, etc.

One object of the invention is to provide an apparatus making it possible to store the names of telephone subscribers, their call numbers and/or addresses, together with short numbers, whilst also permitting the automatic dialling of stored call numbers, after feeding in a short number.

An aspect of the invention, provides apparatus of the above type, constructed in such a way that in a casing are provided.

a) a telephone register with selection or dialling means, whereby on the casing with a box-like base part, whose upper casing cover plate is provided with a dish-shaped recess for receiving a stack of loose register cards, carrying code letters, with marginal register-like selection cutouts, is pivotably mounted a top which covers the cards and which is in operative connection with twoarmed selection and control levers, which can be depressed by vertical key pressure, which engage on the register cards by means of swivelling levers, which have on their front free ends selection keys combined in a keyboard and which have tongue-like sections at the ends opposite to the selection keys, the register cards of the stack being held in lateral guides the vicinity of the top pivot, b) a device connectable to a telephone for the automatic dialling of stored call numbers, which is provided with a call number storage unit, a keyboard with figures keys and with working keys, the keyboards of the telephone registers and the number dialling device being juxtaposed or superimposed in the casing, c) a time display means with or without a - device for stopping the running time, and d) a power supply for the automatic dialling device constructed in the form of a battery.

A second aspect of the invention provides a telephone register, in which in a casing are provided: a) a telephone register with selection or dialling means, whereby on the casing with a box-like base part, whose upper casing cover plate is provided with a dish-shaped recess for receiving a stack of loose register cards, carrying code letters, with marginal register-like selection cutouts, is pivotably mounted a top which covers the cards and which is in operative connection with twoarmed selection and control levers, which can be depressed by vertical key pressure, which engage on the register cards by means of swivelling levers, which have on their front free ends selection keys combined in a keyboard and which have tongue-like sections at the ends opposite to the selection keys the register cards of the stack being held in lateral guides in the vicinity of the top pivot, b) a device connectable to a telephone for the automatic dialling of stored call numbers, which is provided with a call number storage unit, a keyboard with figures keys and with working keys, the keyboards of the telephone registers and the call number dialling device being juxtaposed or superimposed in the casing, c) a time display means with or without a device for stopping the running time, d) a power supply for the automatic dialling device constructed in the form of a battery, and e) a postal fee indicating or postal tariff summating device.

An apparatus constructed in this way offers the possibility of storing on the register cards of a telephone register the telephone subscribers, their call numbers and also their addresses and code numbers, so-called index numbers, so that with the aid of the short numbers associated with the individual subscribers on the register cards, an automatic dialling of the desired subscriber is possible. Only the short numbers taken from the telephone register cards are then fed into the keyboard of the call number dialling device after the call numbers associated with the individual subscribers have been stored therein.The particular advantage of the apparatus constructed according to the invention is the integration of a call number dialling device constructed in per se known manner into a telephone register, so that by means of the latter, the possibility is given of identifying the telephone subscriber by address and call numbers if the desired subscriber is to be dialled manually. In addition, the telephone register offers the possibility to note the short numbers, index numbers or code numbers for the individual telephone subscribers and which are necessary for putting the call number dialling device into operation.Thus, after looking up in the telephone register, the short number associated with the subscriber to be called is keyed into the call number dialling device and then the call number associated with this short number and stored in the device is automatically dialled and consequently the connection with the desired telephone subscriber is made. The casing of the apparatus constructed according to the invention can be provided with a plug for producing the connection between the call number dialling device and a telephone. Otherwise there is a fixed connection between the call number dialling device and the telephone.

Another aspect of the invention provides apparatus for use in storing and reproducing information such as telephone numbers, and the like, the apparatus comprising a casing housing a register comprising a plurality of register cards on which information may be entered, selection means for selecting a particular register card to enable information thereon to be read, means connectable to a telephone enabling automatic dialling of telephone numbers stored in a number storage unit forming part thereof, and a keyboard enabling a stored telephone number to be accessed from the storage unit for dialling, time display means, and power supply means for said automatic dialling means.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described diagrammatically, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which are shown: Fig. 1 apparatus for storing and reproducing information comprising a telephone register and a call number dialling device, Fig. 2 a plan view of a telephone register in the apparatus of Fig. 1 with the upper casing part removed, Fig. 3 a two-armed operating lever of telephone register, in a side view.

Fig. 4 the top with lateral guides for the register cards and with the telephone register pivot pin holding the top, in a side view.

Fig. 5 the top with the register cards of the top pivot and with the swivelling levers of the telephone register pivotably mounted thereon, in a view from the inside of the top.

Fig. 6 a swivelling lever of the telephone register, in a diagrammatic view.

Fig. 7 the telephone register with a raised top and with the upper casing cover plate removed, in a plan view.

Fig. 8 and 9 the operation of a telephone register selection lever cooperating with the swivelling lever, on the one hand with the top closed and on the other with the top open, in side views.

Figs. 1 Oa and 1 Ob the register card portions with selection cutouts in the edge areas, in a plan view.

Fig. 11 the storage and reproduction apparatus with juxtaposed keyboards of the telephone register and call number dialling device, in a plan view.

Fig. 12 another embodiment of the storage and reproduction apparatus with superimposed keyboards for the telephone register and the call number dialling device, in a plan view.

The apparatus for storing and reproducing information, call numbers, subscribers' addresses, etc., according to Fig. 1, comprises a casing with a box-like base part 211, whose base plate is 212 (Fig. 7). The box-like base part 211 is provided with an upper cover plate 214, which passes into a frontal, console-shaped, bevelled portion 214a.

Casing 2 contains a telephone register 20 with selection devices for selecting individual register cards from a register card stack 9 and an automatic call number dialling device 30.

Telephone register 20 is constructed as follows.

A dish-shaped recess 213 is formed in the casing cover plate 21 4 and is used for receiving the register card stack 9, which consists of a plurality of sheets or cards carrying identification marks. In the present embodiment, there are 1 3 cards, which are designated in Figs. 1 Oa and 1 Ob as 301, 302,303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311,312,313. At the front and back, the individual cards have lines for the insertion of names, addresses, call numbers and code numbers. The letters of the alphabet are also printed on the cards, in such a way that card 301 carries on the side facing the following card 302, the letter "A", whilst the following cards 303 to 313 in each case carry two letters, whereof one letter is printed on the front and the other letter on the back of the card.Another arrangement of the letters is also possible. In addition, cards 301 to 313 have on their longitudinal edges facing the back of casing 2, selection cutouts 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327,328,329,330, 331,332, 333 to which further reference will be made hereinafter.

On the narrow sides adjacent to the longitudinal edges of the cards and approximately level with the selection perforations 322 to 333, each card 301 to 313 has slit-iike recesses 340,341, which are used for holding and guiding the cards in casing 2 (Fig. 5).

The dish-shaped depression 213 can be closed by means of a top 215, which is preferably constructed in key-like manner and is provided with an all-round edge or rim, level with the complete register card stack 9 (Fig. 1). Top 215 is pivotably mounted in the direction of arrow X by means of a pivot 21 6 fixed to the casing base plate 212 and is extended beyond pivot 216 by means of a portion 215 (Fig. 4). Curved guide rails 217, 218 are laterally shaped on to top 215 and comprise angle sections, which by in each case one of their two flanges are guided in recesses 340, 341 of register cards 301 to 303. Thus, even during their pivoting movement, the register cards 301 to 313 are held in top 215 (Figs. land 5).

Selection and control levers 220, 221,222, 223, 224, 225,226,227,228,229, 230, 231 and a closing lever 232 are frontally arranged with respect to the dish-shaped depression 213 on the portion 21 4a of casing cover plate 214 which is bevelled in console-like manner.

Selection levers 220 to 231 are used for transferring the selected card in the viewing direction, whilst lever 232 returns the flapped-up top 21 5 to the closed position.

Each selection lever 220 to 231 and also the closing lever 232 comprises a two-armed lever 240, 241,242, 243, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251 and 252. These two-armed levers 240 to 251 and 252 are pivotably mounted by means of journals 235, 236 formed centrally and on either side of each lever, the journals being held in bearings 237, 238 shaped on to the base plate 212. The two arms of each lever are designated 240a, 240b, 241 a, 241 b, 242a, 242b, 243a, 243b,244a,244b,245a,245b,246a,246b, 247a, 247b, 248a, 248b, 249a, 249b, 250a, 250b, 251 a, 251 b and 252a, 252b (Figs. 1,2 and 3).

The lever arm ends 240a to 251 a and 252a of levers 240 to 251 and 252 carry approximately rectangular keys 220a, 221 a, 222a, 223a, 224a, 225a, 226a, 227a, 228a, 229a, 230a and 231 a, which by means of openings formed in the bevelled portion 241 a of casing cover plate 214 are guided through to such an extent that keys 220a to 231 a and 232a project out of the bevelled portion 21 4a of cover plate 214 and can be depressed by finger action.

The selection keys 220a to 231 a arranged on the console-like, bevelled portion 214a of casing cover plate 214 are combined into a keyboard 6 (Fig. 1).

In the vicinity of selection keys 220a to 231 a and 232a is provided on base plate 21 2 of casing 2 a foam member 239 which, in the relaxed state, maintains keys 220a to 231 a and 232a in a raised state, whilst the free ends of lever arm 240b to 251 b and 252b come to rest on base plate 212 (Fig. 3). However, if one of the keys is depressed in the direction of arrow Xl (Fig. 3), then in the vicinity of said key, the foam member 239 is compressed and the other free end of the lever is raised. On removing the pressure exerted on the key, the foam member 239 attempts to move into its original starting state, which means that the keys are moved upwards into their original starting position, counter to the direction of arrow Xl.

Differently constructed spring or resilient members can be used in place of foam member 239.

The ends of lever arms 240b to 251 b of selection levers 220 to 231 are constructed as tongue-shaped portions 240c, 241 c, 242c, 243c, 244c, 245c, 246c, 247c, 248c, 249c, 250c, 251 c, which have a horizontally directed section 260 (Fig. 3), which at one side passes into an upwardly sloping, bent end zone, whilst this is followed at the other end of the horizontal section by a bent guidance surface 216, which slopes upwards in the direction of keys 220a, to 231 a (Figs. 2 and 3).

With each selection lever 220 to 231 is associated a swivelling lever 270,271,272,273, 274, 275,276,277, 278, 279, 280,281, whose guidance surfaces 260 to 261 cooperate with the tongue-shaped portions 240c to 251 c of levers 240 to 251. Each swivelling lever 270 to 281 comprises an approximately rectangular or square, disk-shaped member with an opening 285 formed in one of its four corner areas for the passage of pivot 216. Preferably, a pin-like bearing 286, 287 is shaped on to the swiveiling lever and namely on the two sides thereof and through which is passed the pivot 21 6 and which simultaneously serve as spacers when the swivelling levers 270 to 281 are mounted on pivot 216 (Figs. 6 and 7).

Due to the fact that the bearing 286, 287 receiving pivot 216 of each swivelling lever 270 to 281 is provided in one of the four corner areas of said lever, there is an eccentric mounting of swivelling levers 270 to 281 on pivot 21 6. The four lateral edges of each swivelling lever 270 to 281 are designated 288, 289, 290, 291. The lateral edges 288, 289 are at right angles to one another and in the vicinity thereof is provided the opening 285 for pivot 216. Lateral edge 289 passes into a circular portion 289a, to which is connected lateral edge 290, which is guided in sloping and circular manner towards the free end of lateral edge 288. The circular portion passes into a portion 219 running approximately parallel to the lateral edge 289, but which is shorter than the latter.The surface 292 surrounded by lateral edges 288,291, shown in broken line form in Fig.

6 can be solid or in the form of an opening. In the latter case, the bearing lugs with opening 285 is shaped on to the two shaped body lateral edges 288, 289 in the connecting area thereof.

The construction of swivelling levers 270 to 281 and the shaping of guidance surfaces 189, 290 is such that when the top 215 is closed (Fig.

8), the swivelling lever surface 290 comes to rest on the rising portion 261 at the ends of lever arms 240b to 251 b. If e.g. key 220a is now depressed, the selection lever 220 pivots about its central rotation axis, 235,236 in such a way that the free end of lever arm 240b is raised. The guidance surface 290 of swivelling lever 270 rolls in the direction of its guidance surface 289 on guidance portion 261 at the free end of lever arm 240b in such a way that the swivelling arm 270 is rotated on pivot 216 in the direction of arrow Y.During this rotary movement of swivelling lever 270, the corner portion 288a of the latter engages on the inside of top 21 5 and simultaneously passes through the particular selection cutouts of those register cards, which are located below the card to be selected, so that swivelling lever 270 comes to rest on the card to be selected and the latter, with the stack of cards above it and the top are raised and transferred into an approximately vertical position. To prevent an automatic flapping back of the opened top 215, the latter has an open position corresponding to an angle greater than that 90 relative to the plane of the casing top plate 214 (Fig. 9). In addition, the upwardly sloping end portions 240c to 251 c hold the top in a raised position.

However, swivelling levers 270 to 281 need not have the aforementioned construction. It is also possible to construct the finger keys as selection levers with a key lever arm and a pressure lever arm pivoting the lifting fingers by -means of a toothed portion. The selection levers then engage directly in the pivotable fingers, whilst toothed portions are provided on the selection levers and lifting fingers which, with the fingers pivoted downwards, are out of engagement therewith and only during the raising of the fingers come into reciprocal engagement.

The selection levers have projections, which press on the lifting fingers in the pivoting direction and cause a pivoting movement until the toothed portions mesh together.

The operation of the aforementioned telephone register 20 will now be explained. If key 224a is depressed, by means of lever 244, the swivelling lever 274 associated therewith is pivoted and lever 274 is passed through the selection cutout 326oftheregistercards3l3,312,311,310, 309, 308, 307, and 306 indicated in recess 213 of the bottom cover plate 214 and whereby said cards are indicated from bottom to top and engage on the underside of register card 305, as shown in Fig. 1. Due to the fact that swivelling lever 271 has been pivoted upwards, top 215 is opened and simultaneously the cards 304, 303, 302, 301 positioned above cards 305 are also flapped upwards.If key 232a is depressed, cam 282 slides on a sloping surface 283 (Fig. 2) formed on the free end of lever 242 and pivots about pivot 21 6 in such a way that it comes to rest on the portion of top 21 5 arranged below the pivot 21 6. As a result, top 21 5 is forced in the direction of arrow Y1 and is pivoted into the closing position under its own weight after passing beyond the vertical top position (Fig. 4) and is simultaneously subject to a braking wedging by means of portion 240c of lever 240.

The top is closed by operating closing key 242 by means of cam 282, which is also arranged on pivot 216 (Fig. 7).

The inner area of casing 2 contains, apart from telephone register 20, the device 30 for the automatic dialling of stored call numbers connected or connectable to the telephone (Fig.

1). This call number selection device 30 is constructed in per se known manner and comprises a call number storage unit 31 and figures keys 37 and working keys 38 combined into a keyboard 36. Keyboard 6, 36 of telephone register 30 and call number dialling device 30 are juxtaposed in the casing as shown in Figs. 1 and 11, or are superimposed therein according to Fig.

12.

Keyboard 36 of call number dialling device 30 comprises keys 37 carrying figures 1 to 9 and 0.

By means of figures keys 37, on operating a corresponding working key, the individual call numbers of the telephone subscribers are fed into the call number sotrage unit 31 and can be called up at any time for automatic dialling by feeding in a short or code number. Here again, a working key is to be operated, after feeding in the short or code number by means of figures keys 37. The working keys 38 comprise, for example, a so-called index key, which is operated if the short or index number of the desired telephonee is fed in. A further working key is constituted by a repeat key, which is operated if the engaged sign is heard after initiating the automatic dialling process and for this purpose the dialling device 30 is connected to a loudspeaker 35.After depressing the repeat key, the dialling process is repeated as often as required until the connection with the desired subscriber has been made. A further working key is a programming key, which is operated if call numbers are to be stored in the call number storage unit 31. By means of a loudspeaker key, it is possible to switch on loudspeaker 35 provided on casing 2, so that conversations can be held with the subscriber via the loudspeaker, when the receiver has been replaced. A cancel key is able to cancel these call numbers which are no longer required. For special processes, it is also possible to provide further working keys, which initiate further special functions.In addition, a luminous numeral display can be provided in the upper cover plate of casing 2 in the vicinity of the call number dialling device 30 and rnakes it possible to check the dialling process. The dialled call number can also be shown on this luminous numeral display.

Due to the fact that the cards of the telephone register 20 carry the telephone subscribers with their short numbers for performing automatic dialling operations, an apparatus is provided, which compactly combines a telephone register and an automatic call number dialling device, so that a large number of subscribers can be stored on register 20 in a very small space so that, as in known telephone computers, there is no need for supplementary modules for storing further call numbers in conjunction with the names of subscribers. As the capacity of the telephone register is in all cases greater than the storage capacity for telephone numbers in the call number storage unit of the dialling device, the register can also be used for noting non-stored call numbers so that the overall apparatus has many uses.

Casing 2 also contains a time display means 50, which is e.g. constructed as an electronic digital clock and can be provided with a time stopping device, it also being possible to connect it to a recording means for the conversation time.

Besides a large 24 hour digital display with a digital display brightness control, it is also possible to have a 24 hour LED-display, it being possible to use a normal clock as the time indicator with normal time and the possibility of setting a different local time. The time display means 50 can also be linked with a month and date display (Fig. 1).

For operating device 30 for the automatic dialling of stored call numbers, the interior of casing 2 contains a power supply 60, comprising at least one battery, by means of which the time display means 50 is also operated.

In addition, casing 2 contains a device 70, by means of which postal tariff summation can be carried out using the keyboard 36, or which is constructed in such a way that keyboard 36 can be useil for feeding the postal tariffs into a storage mechanism. They can then be read back by typing in the letter weight and the postal tariff associated therewith, whilst taking account of special surcharges, such as for airmail and/or express mail and/or registered mail (Fig. 1).

It will be seen that constructions embodying the invention provide subscribers with devices having simple and compact forms, so that the subscribers and owners of them are provided with a multiplicity of storage possibilities, apart from the possibility of automatic dialling.

Claims (6)

1. An apparatus for storing and reproducing information, call numbers, subscribers' addresses, etc., wherein in a casing are provided a) a telephone register with selection or dialling means, whereby on the casing with a box-like base part, whose upper casing cover plate is provided with a dish-shaped recess for receiving a stack of loose register cards, carrying code letters, with marginal register-like selection cutouts, is pivotably mounted a top which covers the cards and which is in operative connection with twoarmed selection and control levers, which can be depressed by vertical key pressure, which engage on the register cards by means of swivelling levers, which have on their front free ends selection keys combined in a keyboard and which have tongue-like sections at the ends opposite to the selection keys the register cards of the stack being held in lateral guides in the vicinity of the top pivot, b) a device connectable to a telephone for the automatic dialling of stored call numbers, which is provided with a call number storage unit, a keyboard with figures keys and with working keys, the keyboards of the telephone registers and the call number dialling device being juxtaposed or superimposed in the casing, c) a time display means with or without a device for stopping the running time, and d) a power supply for the automatic dialling device constructed in the form of a battery.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the casing are provided a) a telephone register with selection or dialling means, whereby on the casing with a box-like base part, whose upper casing cover plate is provided with a dish-shaped recess for receiving a stack of loose register cards, carrying code letters, with marginal register-like selection cutouts, is pivotably mounted a top which covers the cards and which is in operative connection with twoarmed selection and control levers, which can be depressed by vertical key pressure, which engage on the register cards by means of swivelling levers which have on their front free ends selection keys combined in a keyboard and which have tonguelike sections at the ends opposite to the selection keys the register cards of the stack being held in lateral guides in the vicinity of the top pivot, b) a device connectable to a telephone for the automatic dialling of stored call numbers, which is provided with a call number storage unit, a keyboard with figures keys and with working keys, the keyboards of the telephone registers and the call numbers dialling device being juxtaposed or superimposed in the casing, c) a time display means with or without a device for stopping the running time, d) a power supply for the automatic dialling device constructed in the form of a battery, and e) a postal fee indicating or postal tariff summating device.

3. Apparatus for use in storing and reproducing information, such as telephone numbers, and the like, the apparatus comprising a casing housing a register comprising a plurality of register cards on which information may be entered, selection means for selecting a particular register card to enable information thereon to be read, means connectable to a telephone enabling automatic dialling of telephone numbers stored in a number storage unit forming part thereof, and a keyboard enabling a stored telephone number to be accessed from the storage unit for dialling, time display means, and power supply means for said automatic dialling means.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, further including means for weighing items to be posted and for indicating the appropriate postal rate for an item being weighed.

5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said casing contains a loudspeaker connectable to a telephone.

6. Apparatus for storing and reproducing information substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.