GB2204190A

GB2204190A - Device for locking a communication jack into its socket

Info

Publication number: GB2204190A
Application number: GB08710028A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Salim Bhimji
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-04-28
Filing date: 1987-04-28
Publication date: 1988-11-02
Also published as: GB8710028D0

Abstract

A device for locking a telephone or other communication jack (20) into its corresponding socket (25) comprises a first bracket (10) adapted to be secured to a wall surface adjacent to one side of said socket (25), an element such as a chain (14) hingedly or lockably attached to said bracket (10) so as to be extendible across the socket and having therein an aperture such as in a chain link (18), of a shape such that a communication jack (20) can pass when the jack is aligned with the long axis of the aperture but is prevented from being withdrawn when the jack is rotated from said alignment as is needed to fit into its socket, and a second bracket (22) adapted to be fixed to the surface adjacent to the socket on the other side thereof from said first bracket, the chain being lockable into said brackets or into said second bracket, e.g. by a padlock through a hole (32). Thus in the locked position of the device the jack on the end of its cable is held in position in its socket and cannot be withdrawn through said aperture. The locking chain may have one link (18) of said appropriate size for passage of the jack. The chain is preferably permanently secured to the first bracket and is attachable to the other bracket by a tongue-and-keyhole (28, 30) arrangement at the free end of the chain. <IMAGE>

Description

DEVICE FOR LOCKING A COMMUNIGATION JACK INTO ITS SOCKET This invention relates to a device for locking a communication jack, especially the jack of a telephone, into its socket, to prevent unauthorised removal thereof.

It is the object of the invention to provide a means for readily and effectively locking a telephone jack, especially that of a standard British Telecom jack, into its corresponding socket to prevent removal of the telephone handset attached thereto and if possible replacement by an unauthorised telephone, especially when the originally present handset has been rendered unusable to unauthorised persons by the provision of some locking or barring device.

According to the invention I provide a device for locking a communication jack into its corresponding socket, which comprises a first bracket adapted to be secured to a surface adjacent to one side of said socket, an element hingedly or lockably attached to said bracket so as to be extendible accross the socket and having therein an aperture of a shape such that a communication jack can pass in one orientation of the jack but is prevented from being withdrawn when the jack is rotated from said first orientation so as to fit into its socket, and a second bracket adapted to be fixed to the surface adjacent to the socket on the other side thereof from said first bracket, said element being lockable into said brackets or into said second bracket whereby in the locked position of the device the jack on the end of its cable is held in position in its socket and cannot be withdrawn through said aperture.

In its preferred embodiment said apertured element comprises a chain, having one link of said appropriate size for passage of the jack, and the chain is permanently secured to one fixing bracket and can be attached to the other bracket by a tongue-and-keyhole arrangement at the free end of the chain which is attachable to the other bracket.

The device will be further illustrated by reference to the preferred embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying Fig. 1, which is a perspective view of the embodiment.

A first fixing bracket 10 is provided with means such as screw holes whereby it can be attached by screws ,12 to a wall surface, at least some of the screws being positioned where they cannot easily be reached by a screwdriver when the device is locked. A chain 14 is permanently attached at 16 to this bracket. One link 18 of the chain is of a size through which a British Telecom jack 20 can just be passed when the longer axis of the jack body is aligned with the long axis of the link 18.

A second fixing bracket 22 is provided which can also be fixed by screws 24 to the wall surface on the other s-ide of the Telecom socket 25, and the free end D.f the chain 14 terminates in an element 26 having a tongue 28 which fits into a keyhole-like slot 30 in the bracket 22. A hole 32 is provided for the insertion of a small padlock (not shown) to lock the chain into position over the socket.

In its locked position, the chain 14 fits closely over the socket and holds the jack in position so that it cannot be withdrawn sufficiently to be rotated to be withdrawn through the link 18; this position is shown in Fig.2.

In other embodiments, in place of the chain 14. a rigid bar could be provided having the desired size of aperture as in the link 18, although such a rigid construction may present greater difficulty in appropriately siting the device. Also, both ends of the bridging element or chain 14 could lock into their respective brackets, and in place of means 32 for attachment of a padlock there could be integral locking means in the bracket or brackets.

This device may be of particular use in conjunction with a device for locking the press buttons or dial on a telephone handset by a cord to the jack to be thus locked into its socket, for example the device of my copending application filed today. The device may also be used for locking any conmunicaion jack having an elongated body shape ino its socket.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A device for locking a communication jack the body of which has an elongated cross-section into its corresponding socket, which comprises (a) a first bracket adapted to be secured to a surface adjacent to one side of said socket, (b) an element hingedly or lockably attached to said bracket so as to be extendible across the socket and having therein an aperture of a shape such that a communication jack can pass in one orientation of the jack but is prevented from being withdrawn when the jack is rotated from said first orientation so as to fit into its socket, and (c) a second bracket adapted to be fixed to the surface adjacent to the socket on the other side thereof from said first bracket, said element being lockable into said brackets or into said second bracket whereby in the locked position of the device the jack on the end of its cable is held in position in its socket and cannot be withdrawn through said aperture.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein said apertured element comprises a chain, having one link of said appropriate size for passage of the jack;

3. A device according to Claim 2, wherein the chain is permanently secured to one fixing bracket and can be attached to the other bracket hy a tongue-and-keyhole arrangement at the free end of the chain.

4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said aperture receives the body of a jack of a telephone handset.

5. A device as claimed in Claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawing.