Telephonic communications – Terminal accessory or auxiliary equipment – Protective structure
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-18
2001-11-06
Chiang, Jack (Department: 2642)
Telephonic communications
Terminal accessory or auxiliary equipment
Protective structure
C379S439000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314185
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to sanitary covers for telephone handsets and, more specifically, to an easily transportable and nonburdensome device removably connected to a telephone handset for preventing the transfer of germs and the like through contact with at least one of the microphone and speaker sections of the telephone handset.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous sanitary covers for telephone handsets have been provided in the prior art. Such covers are used to cover at least one of the microphone and speaker of the telephone handset to prevent the transmission of germs, bacteria and the like from one user to a subsequent user of the telephone. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,546,217; 4,964,161; 5,054,063 and 5,396,557 all are illustrative of such prior art. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,546,217
Inventor: John L. Frehn
Issued: Oct. 8, 1985
An inexpensive, disposable sanitary cover for telephones, comprising a sleeve-like member adapted to receive and retain therein a telephone handset, and wherein a cord-encasing member is also provided to encase a telephone cord. A generally conformable base-encasing member adapted to encase and seal a telephone base member from direct contact with a telephone user is also provided for.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,161
Inventor: Allen R. Trowbridge, Jr.
Issued: Oct. 16, 1990
A cover for a telephone handset includes a monolithic, one-piece body that has speaker-covering and ear piece-covering holes defined therein, and a speaker filter element and an ear piece filter element removably mounted on the body in covering relationship with each of the holes. The filter elements are removed and replaced after each use of the cover so that germs on one handset will not be transmitted to the speaker or ear piece of another handset by the cover.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,063
Inventor: Josephine N. Lo et al.
Issued: Oct. 1, 1991
A sound-permeable disposable sanitary telephone cover attachable to the sound transmitting portions of a telephone for protecting a user from contacting the sound transmitting portions of the telephone and being exposed to bacteria and other contagious and infectious agents carried by the telephone. The telephone cover comprises a disposable sheet sized to cover the sound transmitting members of a telephone, the sheet including a number of layers of material bonded together. One or more layers comprising the sheet may be water impermeable and may include a disinfectant to deter the transfer therethrough of bacteria and other germs. The cover is attached to a telephone through the use of an adhesive.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,396,557
Inventor: Matulina Tonci
Issued: Mar. 7, 1995
A disposable sanitary pad and associated dispenser for covering portions of a telephone handset to protect a user from contact with those portions. The pads are contained within a dispenser assembly and are attachable to both the mouthpiece and the ear piece of the telephone handset by hook and pile fasteners. The dispenser allows a simultaneous placement of a pair of pads to the handset from an underlying supply of the same and includes a desiccant assembly for maintaining the pads in a dry condition.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to sanitary covers for telephone handsets and, more specifically, to an easily transportable and nonburdensome device removably connected to a telephone handset for preventing the transfer of germs and the like through contact with at least one of the microphone and speaker sections of the telephone handset.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary cover for telephone handsets that will overcome the shortcomings of prior art devices.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary cover for telephone handsets which is able to prevent the transfer of germs and dirt from one user of a telephone to subsequent users.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary cover for telephone handsets which is able to adapt for attachment to any size telephone handset.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary cover for handsets which is made of a flexible elastic material which conforms to the shape of the microphone or speaker portion of the telephone handset when placed thereon and may be easily removed therefrom for future use on another telephone handset.
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary cover for telephone handsets including a connector device for removably securing the sanitary cover to the microphone or speaker section of the telephone handset and preventing inadvertent removal of the sanitary cover therefrom.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary cover for telephone handsets including a connector device imbedded within the periphery of the sanitary cover for aiding in the securement of the sanitary cover to the telephone handset.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary cover for telephone handsets which may be covered with a disinfectant prior to and after use for increasing the resistance of the sanitary cover to the transmission of germs.
A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary cover for telephone handsets including a pattern of perforations extending through a central portion thereof for increasing the ability of the sanitary cover to transmit sound waves therethrough.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary cover for telephone handsets that is simple and easy to use.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary cover for telephone handsets that is economical in cost to manufacture.
Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds.
A sanitary cover for connection to the microphone or speaker portions of a telephone handset and preventing transmission of microscopic particles present on the handset therethrough. The sanitary cover includes a central section and a peripheral section integral with and extending around the central section. The central section is positioned to cover a face side of either the microphone or speaker portion of the handset whereby the peripheral section extends along a side of the microphone or speaker portion, removably securing the sanitary cover thereto. Both the central and peripheral sections are made of a flexible material. The cover may further be provided with a connection device for further securing the sanitary cover to the microphone or speaker portion and preventing accidental and inadvertent removal of the sanitary cover therefrom. Furthermore, the central section may be provided with at least one perforation extending therethrough for reducing distortion caused to sound waves emanating from the speaker or spoken into the microphone.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 644680 (1900-03-01), Ordway
patent: 961369 (1910-06-01), Peck
patent: 3238313 (1966-03-01), Kalogris
patent: 4546217 (1985-10-01), Frehn
patent: 4964161 (1990-10-01), Trowbridge, Jr.
patent: 5054063 (1991-10-01), Lo et al.
patent: 5396557 (1995-03-01), Tonci
patent: 2674713 (1992-10-01), None
Chiang Jack
Schwartz Jack J.
LandOfFree
Sanitary cover for a telephone handset does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Sanitary cover for a telephone handset, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Sanitary cover for a telephone handset will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2606811