IE69341B1 - A telephone mounting device - Google Patents

Abstract

A telephone mounting device (1) is disclosed which has a money-box (5) with a sliding door or cover (8). The cover (6) has a tongue (11) with an aperture (11a) which is engagable with a lock mechanism (14) behind a panel. where it is inaccessible. Thus, the cover (8) is tamper-proof because the lock is inaccessible and because it may not be forcibly levered open. The panel may be used for an advertising or instruction sign. A telephone support bracket (10) is incorporated in the cover (8) so that a telephone may be slid out to be accessible for maintenance.

Description

The present invention relates to a telephone mounting device and more particularly to that for mounting of a pay phone.

At present, such mounting devices have a money-box mounted beneath a telephone support drawer for removal of money The money-box has a lid or a Such a device is described in U.S. Patent Specification No. 4,763,352. A major problem with such devices is that the lid or drawer may be relatively easily forced, open using a tool as a lever. Another problem with presently available mounting devices is that they do not facilitate holding of a sign, for either telephone usage instructions or for advertising.

A still further problem is that a telephone must be removed from the support for maintenance, such as insertion of a new battery. This is time-consuming because of the manner in which ,, the telephone is secured to prevent vandalism. - 2 According to the invention there is provided a telephone mounting device comprising ( a telephone support; (i a money box mounted for receipt of money when dropped from a money verification means associated with a telephone mounted on the telephone support; an enclosure means; a sliding door for the money box, eaid door being mounted to protrude into the enclosure means when in, at least a closed position; and a lock for the sliding door, said lock being mounted in the enclosure means tor engagement with the sliding door.

In on© embodiment the enclosure means comprises a panel having & front wall and rearwardly-extending sides defining an enclosure when wall-mounted.

In another embodiment, the enclosure means also includes a back plate having means for securing to the panel to form an enclosure.

Preferably, the front wall of the panel comprises means for holding a display sign. t In one embodiment, the lock comprises a pin mounted for transverse engagement with the door, and an operating mechanism for the pin.

The pin is preferably operable to move downwardly in use for engagement with the sliding door.

The lock preferably includes end stops to prevent excessive pin movement.

Ideally, the sliding door incorporates the telephone support.

The invention will be more clearly understood fro® the following description of sone preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:Fig. 1 is a perspective view from behind of a telephone mounting device of the invention; Fig. 2(a) is a perspective view of a lower portion of the mounting device showing a money-box and cover in more detail, and Fig. 2(b) is a similar perspective view showing a telephone mounted on a telephone support bracket; IS Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the telephone mounting device with the cover removed; Fig. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of portion of the telephone mounting device; Fig. S is a rear view of portion of the telephone mounting 20 device; and Figs. 6(a) and 6(b) are front and side views respectively of a back plate which may optionally be used with the device of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a telephone mounting device of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The device 1 comprises a panel 2 having a front wall 2(a) and rear side portions 2(b) around the margins. The side portions 2(b) include apertures 2(e) for mounting of the panel 2 on a wall.

At the lower end of the panel 2, the device 1 comprises a rectangular money-box 5 having an upper opening 6. A wall 7 is mounted in the money-box 5 to define an elongated compartment fox’ storage of excess telephone cable. A door for the money-box 5, namely, a cover 8 having an opening 8(a), slidably engages the money-box 5 at slides 9. The cover 8 includes a telephone mounting bracket 10 formed by a pair of tapered walls. A rear portion of the cover 8 includes a (cutout) tongue 11 which protrudes rearwardly and is engagable in a slot 12 in the panel 2 when the cover 8 is in an inner closed position. The tongue 11 has an aperture 11(a).

A lock 14 for the cover 8 is mounted on the rear side of the panel 2 so that when the device is wall mounted, it is in the space between the front portion 2(a) of the panel and a wall, and is thus inaccessible. The lock 14 is shown most clearly in Pigs. 4 and 5. A key mechanism 15 is mounted in the panel in which a key may be inserted from the front as shown in Fig. 4. The key mechanism 15 engages a linkage IS which comprises a link arm 16(a) having an outer end engaging a slot 16(b) in a link plate 16(c). A transverse lock pin 17 is connected to the link plate 16(c) and is supported by mounting brackets 18 protruding rearwardly from the panel front portion 2(a). Two of the mounting brackets 18 are directly above and below the tongue 11 when it protrudes through the slot 12 when the cover S is in the closed position. The aperture 11(a) of the tongue 11 is aligned with the pin 17 in this position. The lock is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 in the closed position with the pin 17 through all of the mounting brackets 18 and the aperture 11(a). To prevent displacement of the pin 17 beyond pre-set limits, the lock 14 has a stop plate 19 at each end.

In use, the device 1 may be mounted on a wall using the apertures 2(e). The cover 8 is slid into position over the money-box 5 until the aperture 11(a) is in alignment with the pin 17. The key mechanism 15 is then operated using a suitable key so that the pin 17 engages the aperture 11(a) to prevent sliding movement of the cover 8. A telephone such as the telephone 21 illustrated in Fig. 2(b) is then mounted (using screws) on the telephone support bracket 10 to completely cover over the opening 6 of the money-box 5. When the telephone 21 is used, coins are inserted into a slot in the telephone and when verified, they drop into the money-box 5. To retrieve money from the money-box 5, the key mechanism 15 is operated to save the pin 17 upwardly to disengage the aperture 11(a).

Then, the cover 8 may be slid out to allow access to money in the money-box 5. Before installation, an instruction sign 20 may be secured to the front plate 2(a).

Referring now to Figs, 6(a) and 6(b) there is illustrated a 5 backing plate 30 having a back wall 31 and side walls 32. In use, the plate 30 may be bolted to th® panel 2 to form an enclosure for the lock 1 4 . The device 1 may then be used freestanding.

It will be appreciated that it is much more difficult to ’’break-in to the money-box 5 because leverage with an instrument such as a screwdriver will not force open the box. The lock 14 is inaccessible both when the device is freestanding and wall mounted because it is mounted behind the front panel portion 2(a). Even if the key mechanism were damaged, the pin 17 would remain in position (under gravity) and the cover 8 could not be slid open. Thus, the money-box 5 is sufficiently secure, especially in supervised areas such as hotels.

Because the telephone support is incorporated in the cover 8, and may thus be slid outwardly, maintenance such as insertion of a battery may be carried out without removal of the telephone from the mounting device.

It will also be appreciated that the mounting device 1 is of a convenient shape and appearance and the panel front portion - Ί 2(a) is suitable for mounting of an instruction sign such -» as the instruction sign 20 shown in Fig. 3. Thus, everything that is required for a telephone, namely, the -- telephone support, the money-box, a compartment for storage ex excess cable and an instruction sign for use of the telephone are all provided in the one integral unit. This is extremely convenient for installation of telephones. aos

Claims (5)

1. A telephone mounting device comprising ja telephone support; a money box mounted for receipt of money when dropped from a money verification means associated with a telephone mounted on the telephone support; an enclosure means; a sliding door for the money box, said door being mounted to protrude into the enclosure means when in at least a closed position; and a lock for the sliding door, said lock being Mounted in the enclosure means for engagement with the sliding door.

2. A device as claimed in claim. 1, wherein the enclosure means comprises a panel having a front wall and rearwardly-extending sides defining an enclosure when wall-mounted.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the enclosure means also includes a back plate having means for securing to the panel to form an enclosure.

4. A device as claimed in claims 2 or 3, wherein the front wall of the panel comprises means for holding a display sign.

5. Β. 7. 8. 9.. «· 5' ~ A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lock comprises a pin mounted for transverse engagement with the door, and an operating mechanism for the pin. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pin is operable to move downwardly in use for engagement with the sliding door. A device as claimed in claims 5 or ¢, wherein the lock includes end stops to prevent excessive pin movement. A device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sliding door incorporates the telephone support. A telephone mounting device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.