GB2250659A

GB2250659A - A telephone call warning apparatus with auxiliary socket

Info

Publication number: GB2250659A
Application number: GB9023475A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Maclean Leroy Marten
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-10-29
Filing date: 1990-10-29
Publication date: 1992-06-10
Also published as: GB9023475D0

Abstract

A portable telephone call warning apparatus comprises an audible warning device (4) and an auxiliary telephone socket (6) housed in a common casing (1) so that a call can be answered using a telephone handset plugged into the auxiliary socket. A coupling plug (18) electrically connected to the warning device and the auxiliary socket via a printed circuit board (5) projects from the casing for insertion into a telephone socket to be monitored in order to electrically connect the monitored socket to the warning device and the auxiliary socket. Warning of a telephone call received by the monitored socket is given by the warning device and the call is immediately answerable using a telephone handset without needing to remove the warning device. <IMAGE>

Description

Description of Invention "A telephone call warning apparatus" THIS INVENTION relates to improvements in or relating to a portable apparatus for warning a user that a telephone call is being received by a telephone socket which is being monitored by the apparatus.

In order to provide an audible warning which is louder than that provided by the usual telephone handset or to provide a warning at a remote telephone socket, it is known to provide a portable telephone call warning apparatus which is plugged into a telephone socket to be monitored in place of a telephone handset. A known device of this kind comprises a casing which contains an electric bell and from which a coupling plug in the form of a standard telephone plug projects to enable the apparatus to be plugged into a standard telephone socket.

The coupling plug is connected to the electric bell and, upon a call being received by the monitored socket, the bell rings to alert the user to the existence of the call. Most installed telephone sockets are single sockets and, whilst the known call warning apparatus is useful, it has the drawback that the apparatus must normally be unplugged from the monitored socket and replaced with a telephone handset before the call can be answered.

Whilst it is possible to plug both a warning apparatus and a telephone handset into a single telephone socket via a double socket adapter plugged into the single socket, this results in an arrangement which is bulky and unsightly and provides poor electrical contact between the installed socket and the telephone handset.

The present invention aims to provide an improved warning apparatus which obviates the above described disadvantages of the known warning apparatus.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a portable telephone call warning apparatus in which an audible device and an auxiliary telephone socket are housed in a common casing and a coupling plug electrically connected to the warning device and the auxiliary socket projects from the casing for insertion into a telephone socket to be monitored in order to electrically connect the monitored socket to the warning device and the auxiliary socket, whereby warning of a telephone call received by the monitored socket is given by the warning device and the call is immediately answerable using a telephone handset plugged into the auxiliary socket.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a portable telephone call warning apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention indicating hidden detail; Figure 2 is a rear view of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the apparatus of Figure 1, indicating hidden detail; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view on the line IV IV of Figure 1 with a plug of the apparatus removed; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view on the line V-V of Figure 1; and Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view on the line VI VI of Figure 1.

As shown in the drawings, one embodiment of a portable telephone call warning apparatus according to the present invention comprises a casing 1 composed of a front casing part 2 and a rear casing part 3, both in the form of moulded plastics components.

Mounted within the common casing 1 on the rear casing part 3 are an electric bell 4, a printed circuit board 5 and an auxiliary socket 6 in the form of a standard telephone socket.

The electric bell 4 is disposed in a bell compartment 4A of the casing 1. The ball ii is mounted on a detachable carrier in the form of a support bar 7 having bifurcated end portions 9 each of which is clamped against the rear casing part 3 by a washer 8 on a camping screw 10 passing through the end portion 9 and received in a corresponding threaded bore 11 of the rear casing part 3. A region of the front wall 12 of the front casing part 2 in front of the electric bell 4 is formed with sound outlet openings 13.

The auxiliary telephone socket 6 disposed in a socket compartment 6A in a correspondingly shaped receptacle 14 which is moulded in the rear casing part 3 and locates the auxiliary socket 6 in alignment with a socket opening 15 formed in the front wall 12 of the front casing part 2.

The printed circuit board 5 is mounted on a horizontal flange 16 of the rear casing part 3, which flange 16 defines part of the receptacle 14 and constitutes a partition between the bell compartment 4A and the socket compartment 6A.

A coupling plug 18 in the form of standard telephone plug is secured in a plug recess 19 of the rear casing part 3 so as to project from the rear casing part 3 and is electrically connected to the printed circuit board 5 which, in turn, is connected to the electric bell 4 and to the auxiliary socket 6. The coupling plug 18 forms a push-fit in the plug recess 19 and defines therewith a cable passage 20 for the conductors connecting the plug 18 to the printed circuit board 5.

In assembling the apparatus, the electric bell 4, the printed circuit board and the auxiliary socket are mounted on the rear casing part and the front casing part 2 is then glued to the rear casing part 3 at 17 to enclose the component 4, 5 and 6.

In use of the apparatus, the coupling plug 18 is inserted into a standard telephone socket (not shown) so to be monitored as to electrically connect the monitored socket to the bell 4 and the auxiliary socket 6 of the apparatus via the printed circuit board 5. Upon a call being received at the installed socket, the electric bell 4 is sounded to warn the user that a call is present, the user being able to answer the call immediately using a telephone handset (not shown) plugged into the auxiliary socket 6 of the apparatus.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A portable telephone call warning apparatus in which an audible device and an auxiliary telephone socket are housed in a common casing and a coupling plug electrically connected to the warning device and the auxiliary socket projects from the casing for insertion into a telephone socket to be monitored in order to electrically connect the monitored socket to the warning device and the auxiliary socket, whereby warning of a telephone call received by the monitored socket is given by the warning device and the call is immediately answerable using a telephone handset plugged into the auxiliary socket.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the warning device and the auxiliary socket are disposed in respective compartments of the common casing.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a circuit board electrically connected to the coupling plug, the warning device and the auxiliary socket is mounted in the casing on a partition between the respective compartments of the warning device and the auxiliary socket.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the common casing comprises front and rear casing parts connected together to enclose the warning device and the auxiliary socket.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the coupling plug projects through the rear casing part.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the rear caasing part defines a receptacle for receiving the auxiliary socket and positioning the auxiliary socket in alignment with a socket aperture in the front casing part.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the warning device is mounted on the rear casing part opposite an array of sound outlet openings formed in the front casing part.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the warning device is mounted on a carrier which is detachably mounted on the rear casing part.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the carrier comprises a support bar having bifurcated end portions receiving fixing screws threadedly engaged with the rear casing part.

10. A portbale telephone call warning apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. Any novel feature or combination of features described herrein.