GB2229048A

GB2229048A - Security device for telephone sockets

Info

Publication number: GB2229048A
Application number: GB8904291A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wendy Stuart
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-02-24
Filing date: 1989-02-24
Publication date: 1990-09-12
Also published as: GB8904291D0

Abstract

This invention relates to security devices which can be used to prevent the unauthorised use of telephones. The device comprises a first member 2 which can be attached to a wall 3 beside a telephone socket 8. A second member 1 is attached to the first member by a hinge 6 so that it can be locked in a position in which it covers the socket to prevent a telephone from being attached. A hasp 10 extends from the wall 3 through an aperture 11 in the second member when in the closed position to allow attachment of a padlock. <IMAGE>

Description

NOVEL SECURITY DEVICES This invention relates to novel security devices and in particular to novel security devices which prevent unauthorised access to units such as telephone sockets and electricity sockets which are mounted, for example, on walls.

Conventionally the unauthorised use of telephones has been prevented by the use of lockable devices which can be inserted into the holes in the dial of the telephone thus preventing use of the telephone. Such devices cannot be used in conjunction with modern push button telephones.

Furthermore modern push button telephones are commonly connected to the telephone system via a plug which can be placed into a socket mounted on a convenient surface, for example a wall. This means that unauthorised users may still use the telephone line and incur unauthorised costs for the owner, even if the push button telephone connected to it is disabled in some way, by using another telephone which can be plugged into the socket after the disabled telephone is unplugged from the socket.

An objection of the present invention is to obviate or mitigate these problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a novel security device for a socket comprising a first member, a second member pivotally attached to said first member and a locking means which engages and locks said second member, whereby in use said first member is attached to a surface , said second member covers the socket and is secured over the socket by the locking means, unlocking the locking means and moving the said second member allowing access to the socket.

By socket is meant any device or apparatus into which a plug, cable or other object may be inserted.

Preferably a first member will be attached to a convenient surface by known retaining means which include for example screws, nails and adhesives. Alternatively a first member may also be attached to a surface of a socket.

In a preferred embodiment a second member will be pivotally attached by for example a hinge to a first member so that the said second member covers substantially all of the surface of the said first member when the said second member is covering the socket.

Suitably the said second member may be formed from a series of members pivotally attached to each other so as to from a second member which in use is adapted to surround at least one face of a socket.

Suitably the said locking means will inciude for example, a hasp, secured to a surface, which protrudes through the said second member and through which a padlock can be placed thus preventing the said second member from being moved from a position where it covers a socket. The locking means can be secured to a surface on the socket on an adjacent surface, for example a wall on which the socket is mounted.

It will be appreciated that other suitable locking means may be employed.

Security devices of the present invention can be made from a wide variety of materials including for example metal and plastics.

it will be appeciated that security devices of the present invention may be used over any socket including for example an electricity socket.

An embodiment of a security device of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only with reference to the following diagram in which Figure 1 shows a view of a security device of the present invention.

Referring now to Figure 1 this shows a security device 1 of the present invention comprising a first member 2 attached to a surface, for example a wall 3 hy screws 4. A second member 5 is attached by a hinge 6 to the first member 2 and covers an aperture 7 in socket 8, in this case a telephone socket. The second member 5 allows the screws 4 in the first member when the second member 5 covers the socket 8 thus preventing the easy removal of the security device 1.

Locking means 9, in this embodiment comprising a hasp 10, attached to a wall and a padlock (not shown). The hasp 10 extends through an aperture 11 in the second member 5. When the padlock is removed from the hasp 10 the second member 5 can be swung back allowing a plug to be inserted into the aperture 7 in the socket 8.

Claims

1. According to the present invention there is provided a novel security device for a socket comprising a first member, a second member pivotally attached to said first member and a locking means which engages and locks said second member, whereby in use said first member is attached to a surface, said second member covers a socket and is secured over a socket by the locking means, unlocking the locking means and moving the said second member allowing access to the socket.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the pivoted attachment is a hinge.

3. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the said locking means comprises a hasp, which can be secured to a surface, which protrudes through an aperture in said second member, and a padlock which can be secured through the said hasp.

4. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the said second member comprises a number of members pivotally attached to each other whereby in use the said second member is adapted to fit around more than one face of a socket.

5. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the device is made from metal or plastic.

6. A device as substantially hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying figure 1.