US2473106A - Telephone handset supporting fixture - Google Patents

Description

June 14, 1949. R R, MAT IESON 2,473,106

TELEPHONE HANDSET SUPPORTING FIXTURE Filed Dec. 14, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 III/ g \MEiIIIIIIIIIIIIIIWIIIWIIIIIIIEQEQM Jime 14, 1949.

R. R. m m-mason: TELEPHONE HANDSET SUPPORTING FIXTURE Filed Dec. 14, 1945 2 Sheets$heet 2 Il'llll.

*INVENTQR Patented June 14, 1949 TELEPHONE HANDSET SUPPORTING FIXTUR Roderick R. Mathieson, Grosse Pointe Park, Mich. Application December 14, 1945, .Serial No. 634,940

7 Claims.

.The present invention relates to telephone fixtures and aims to provide a novel and improved device of this character for supporting the receiver and transmitter unit of a telephone in a position for convenient use by a person comfortably seated with both hands free for examing papers, etc., while carrying on a conversation over the phone.

Another object of the invention is to provide a receiver and transmitter unit supporting fixture separate and movable with respect to the base 'unit of the telephone, both to various posltions on a desk or to another desk, table or the like without disturbing the base unit of the telephone, thereby obviating the necessity of handling the heavy and cumbersome base unit of. the .phone when moving and placing said fixture in position for convenient use of thereceiver and transmitter unit.

A further object of the invention is to construct a receiver and transmitter unit supporting fixture .in such a manner that the distribution of weight of various parts is such that it is .not necessary to provide a heavy base plate or .securing means to hold the fixture in upright position against accidental tipping over, thereby providing a relatively light movable device which can be easily moved about for convenient use of the telephone receiving and transmitter unit.

A still further object of the invention .is to provide a bracket on the fixture for engaging the receiver and transmitter unit of :a telephone, said bracket having thereon opposed gripping faces for .permitting quick and convenient placing or removing of the telephone unit thereon or therefrom, the opposed faces being of a nature whereby the weight of the unitapplies the gripping force for holding the same against movement on the bracket.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a telephone base-supporting fixture in addition to and separate from the receiver and transmitter unit fixture, which has thereon a hinge-weighted arm to be manually swung to either of two positions to engage or disengage the circuit-making and breaking buttons of the telephone base unit, thus permitting the receiver and transmitter unit to remain on its supporting fixture upon termination of a telephone conversation if such is desired.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will be apparent as the description .proceeds, the invention resides in .the construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter described and :claimed, it being understood thatchanges can be made within the scope of "what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the-invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, herein:

Figure 1 is-a perspective view of my improved fixtures, showing the :same in .use,

Figure .2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the fixture supporting the base unit of the telephone, showing said base unit in place thereon,

Figure 3 is aside elevation of the receiver and transmitter-unit supporting fixture, showing the base plate and upstanding post in section,

,Eigure 4 is aplan view nflthe fixture as shown in Figure .3,

Figure 5 is .a fragmentary elevation with the gripping faces of the bracket engaging a receiver and transmitter --unit .of a telephone, said view being takenon the roppositeside from that shown in ZEigure3,

Figure 6 is a view taken on line 6-6 of Figurel5,

Figure 7 is a. horizontalcross section taken on line 1-1 ofLE'igureB, and

Figure 8 is across section taken on line 8-8 of Figure 3.

Referring .to the drawings, .the letter A designates the fixture that supports the receiver and transmitter unit of the telephone, while the other fixture that supports the base unit with the dialing and circuit-making and breaking mechanism thereon is indicated by letter B. By providing.differentfixtures for theseparate parts of the telephone, the fixture B which supports the base may remain substantially stationary withinearms reach for dialing calls and for opening and-closing. the circuit to the line; while the other fixture 1A, supporting the receiver and transmitter unit in elevated adjusted position, may be movedabout towherever the unit may be most conveniently used.

The-fixture -B consists of a box-like body structure ll] into which is placed the base unit of the telephone with the sides of the box extending slightly upward to enclose the lower portion of the base .of the telephone and obstructing from view .the pads atthe corners thereof upon which the base normally rests. As the pads of the base rest on the bottom wall of the box I0, other'pads :H are provided on the underside of said bottom for engaging-the surface upon which the lfixture rests .to preventmarring or scratching such suriace.

At the rear of the box I'D an-elevated platform.

I2 is arranged on the same horizontal line as the upper edges of the sides of the box and has depending flanges extending therefrom to the horizontal line of the bottom of the box. From this platform l2, an upstanding rigid post I3 extends, which is arced forward as it rises upward, and which has pivoted to the upper end thereof, as at l4, a manually operated weighted arm l5 adapted to be swun to positions to depress or release the circuit-making and breaking buttons on the base unit to close or open the line. When raised, the arm I5 swings slightly past the vertical line prior to engaging a stop where it remains until manually swung downwardly to depress the electric circuit buttons.

The other fixture A has a relatively large circular base plate 20 provided with a layer of leather, felt or the like 2i attached to the under surface thereof in any well-known satisfactory manner for preventing scratching or marrin of the surface upon which it rests. Either integral with the base plate 20 or secured thereto considerably ofi center and adjacent the periphery thereof, is an upstanding post 22 of a size and configuration for providing a hand-gripping portion to lift or slide, the fixture from or about the surface of a desk or the like.

In addition to providing a hand-gripping element for the fixture, the post 22 adjustably supports a substantially light angularly formed arm 23, which consists of a lightweight rod bent intermediate its ends with a ball 24 fixed to its lateral offset upper angled end 25, while a relatively long fiat-sided portion 26, which may b square in cross section, is provided on the other or vertical angled portion 21 of the bent rod. The post 22 is hollow to receive the lower end of the angle 21 of the rod and the fiat-sided portion 26 thereof with said flat-sided portion slidably mounted in a bushing 28 fixed in th hollow of the post'by a set screw 29, said bushing having the opening therethrough of a shape similar to the cross section of the fiat-sided portion for preventing turning of the angularly formed arm with respect to the offset of the post on the base plate.

On the upper end of the hollow post 22 is mounted a cap 30 having a bore centrally thereof through which passes the angle 21 of the angularly formed arm. A reduced extension is provided on the cap to be received in the hollow of the post 22 which aligns the cap centrally of the post. Threaded in the wall of the post 22 is a winged set screw 3| which also protrudes through the opening 32 in the reduced extension of the cap 30 to engage the angle 21 for locking the angularly formed arm 23 in an adjusted vertical position and for retaining the cap 30 in place on the post 22. The fiat-sided portion 26 is of a size that it can not pass through the bore in the cap 30 and thus provides a stop for limiting upward vertical adjustment of the angularly formed arm 23 on the post 22.

A socket 33 in a head 34 formed on a bracket 35 receives the ball 24 on the outer end of the laterally extending angle 25 of the arm 23 for supporting the bracket and permitting swivel movement thereof to various adjustable positions. Located in the head 34 is a fiber insert 36 that engages the ball 24 to obtain sufiicient friction to hold the bracket against accidental turning movement on the ball 24 when once adjusted to position. The ball is held in the socket and against the fiber insert 36 by a flanged ring member 31 threaded on the head 34 and in engagement with said ball.

The bracket 35 is designed to engage opposite sides of the hand-holding portion of the receiver and transmitter unit, and takes advantage of the fact that said hand-holding portion is gradually tapered to a greater thickness at a point intermediate its ends for obtaining a wedglng action at such increased or greater thickness against opposed faces on the bracket when said hand-holding portion is placed between said opposed faces and forced downwardly into frictional contact therewith.

As shown in Figure 7, the hand-holding portion of the receiver and transmitter unit is curved transversely on one side thereof which is engaged by -a similar curved face 38 on the bracket 35, while the opposite side of said hand-holding portion is substantially fiat and contacts with a plate 39 also on said bracket, said plate being rigid and in proper spaced relation to the curved face 38 by a connecting portion 40 extending around one side of and out of contact with the hand-holding portion. The space between the curved face 38 and the plate 39 is slightly less than the greatest thickness of the hand-holding portion of the receiver and transmitter unit which permits wedging of the hand-holding portion into tight frictional engagement with and between the plate and curved face of the bracket. In order to provide surface contact rather than point contact of the curved face 38 and plate 39 with said hand-holding portion, said curved face and plate are arranged at slight angles with respect to one another, said angle relationship being such that said curved face and plate contact with said hand-holding portion throughout practically their entire lengths.

By extending th connecting portion to around by one side of the hand-holding portion of the telephon unit, the other side is left open for insertion and withdrawal of the instrument. While an open-sided bracket is necessary in view of the enlarged receiver and transmitter housings at opposite ends of the unit, yet the structure permits a quick and convenient attachment or detachment of the unit with the least possible amount of motion and exertion on the part of the user.

To further prevent accidental displacement of the receiver and transmitter unit from the bracket 35, said bracket is provided with an extension 4! having spaced ears 42 thereon which lie on opposite sides of the curved throat portion where the hand-holding portion joins the receiver. The ears are normally out of contact with the phone instrument and only come into engagement therewith should a side force be accidentally applied to the receiver and transmitter unit.

To facilitate handling of the fixture A and at the same time to improve the appearance thereof, the hand gripping portion of the post 22 is contoured in the manner shown in Figures 1 and 2, which consists of the provision of spaced annular recesses 43 and 44 for preventing downward sliding movement of the post when gripped, while longitudinally extending spaced grooves 45 are provided for preventing turning movement in the hand grip.

To reduce weight and excessive height, the base plate 20 is stepped down in thickness as it extends away from the post 22, as indicated by the numeral 46. The surface area covered by the base plate with respect to the location of the post 22, together with the weight, formation and location of associated parts supported by said post in such: thatithesbaserplatez need. not be;

weightedrtorhol'dithezfixture inupri'ght. position;

thus decreasingthez: overall weight anthtl'iereby.

holding any part of the instrument duringjand ensuing conversation. The user is thus free to use: both hands in manipulation of papers or other matters while the telephone: conversation isccontinuing; The offset of thevpost 2-2: away from the user, and the return ofsthe lateral-Lextension 25 -o-f. the arm 23 towardsthe user, gives ample room for movement of both arms of the user and does not require that the user assume an uncomfortable cramped position when placing his ear to the receiver and mouth in close proximity to the transmitter. Should he so desire, he may rest one arm on the base plate 20, thus further avoiding overbalancing of the fixture. At the conclusion of the conversation, the fixture A may be easily moved to a position out of way. The weighted arm [5 is swung forwardly and downwardly to depress the switch buttons and break the circuit to the telephone.

While two separate fixtures A and B have been shown and described, it is to be noted that the fixture B may be dispensed with. This would merely require the detaching of the receiver and transmitter unit from the bracket 35 and placing said unit in its normal position on the base of the telephone upon completion-of a conversation to close the circuit to the telephone. With this arrangement, certain short conversations may be conducted without the use of the fixture A. However, if at any time during a conversation it is desired to use the fixture, the receiver and transmitter unit may be quickly and conveniently attached thereto and said fixture adjusted to a position where the user is most comfortable with both his hands free for other use.

While the invention has herein been shown and described in detail in a specific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the main features of the invention, and such changes and modifications are intended to be covered in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A telephone fixture in combination with a receiver and transmitter unit of a telephone having a hand-holding portion between the receiver and transmitter of greater thickness intermediate its ends and gradually decreasing in thickness as it extends towards the receiver and transmitter, comprising a supporting bracket with opposed faces rigidly spaced apart a distance slightly less than the greatest thickness of said hand-holding portion, said opposed faces engaging opposite sides of said hand-holding portion for supporting the receiver and transmitter unit of the telephone, and spaced ears on said bracket extending to opposite sides of the hand-holding portion where it joins the receiver for preventing excessive lateral movement of the receiver and transmitter unit with respect to the bracket.

2. A telephone fixture in combination with a receiver and transmitter unit of a telephone having a". hand-holding portion-l between-1 there:-

dinallyromitsopposite: side; comprising. a. bracket havingzaleurvediface thereon engaging the-curved a substantially side of:the-hand-holdingsportion;

flat plate engagingsthezfiat-rsidez of the said: handholding: portion; a. connecting. portion extending; around. one" side: of. said: hand -holding portion andirigidly supporting; said fiat plate in spacecb relationito. said-curved surface'a distance slightly less than the: greatest" thicknessof said-f handholding portion; and spaced ears; on said plate. of said bracket extending: to opposite. sides of:

therhand-holdingzportion' where itjoins: the: receiver' for preventing: extensive lateral movement of. the receiver and: transmitter unit with;

respect to the bracket.

3. In a fixture for supporting a telephone hand set having a tapered handle joining transmitter and receiver units together, a holder for the hand set comprising, a fixture attachment portion, an outer end portion, and a side portion cooperating to form a socket having a laterally facing opening to receive the tapered handle of the telephone hand set, said fixture attachment portion and said outer end portion having opposed surfaces to receive and effect a wedging action with the tapered handle portion of the telephone hand set, and retainer means on one of said portions positioned to engage the hand set adjacent one of said units to prevent move ment of the hand set out of said socket.

4. In a fixture for supporting a telephone hand set having a tapered handle joining transmitter and receiver units together, a holder for the hand set comprising, a fixture attachment portion, an outer end portion, and a side portion cooperating to form a socket having a laterally facing opening to receive the tapered handle of the telephone hand set, said fixture attachment portion and said outer end portion having opposed surfaces to receive and effect a wedging action with the tapered handle portion of the telephone hand set, and retainer means on said outer end portion positioned to engage the hand set adjacent one of said units to retain the hand set in said socket.

5. In a fixture for supporting a telephone hand set having a tapered handle joining transmitter and receiver units together, a holder for the hand set comprising, a fixture attachment portion, an outer end portion, and a side portion cooperating to form a socket having a laterally facing opening to receive the tapered handle of the telephone hand set, said fixture attachment portion and said outer end portion having opposed surfaces to receive and effect a wedging action with the tapered handle portion of the telephone hand set, and spaced extensions on said outer end portion to receive a portion of the hand set therebetween adjacent one of said units to retain the hand set in said socket.

6. In a fixture for supporting a telephone hand set having a tapered handle joining transmitter and receiver units together, a holder for the hand set comprising, a fixture attachment portion, an outer end portion, and a side portion cooperating to form a socket having a laterally facing opening to receive the tapered handle of the telephone hand set, said fixture attachment portion and said outer end portion having opposed surfaces to receive and effect a wedging action with the tapered handle portionot the telephone hand set, and a pair of upwardly extending spaced ears on said end portion to receive the hand set therebetween adjacent one of said units to retain the hand set in said socket.

'7. In a fixture for supporting a telephone hand set having a tapered handle joining transmitter and receiver units together, a holder for the hand set comprising, a fixture attachment portion, a plate portion spaced from and extending above said fixture attachment portion, a side portion joining said fixture attachment portion and said plate portion together cooperating therewith to form a socket having a laterally facing opening to receive the tapered handle of the telephone hand set, said fixture attachment portion and said plate portion having opposed surfaces spaced apart to effect a wedging action with the tapered handle of said hand set, and spaced apart ears on and projecting upwardly. above said plate portion to receive a portion of the hand set therebetween and retain the hand set in said socket.

RODERICK R. MATHIESON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Images