Telephonic communications – Terminal accessory or auxiliary equipment – Protective structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-15
2001-07-03
Chiang, Jack (Department: 2742)
Telephonic communications
Terminal accessory or auxiliary equipment
Protective structure
C379S439000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06256388
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sanitizing device for scrubbing an inside surface of a mouthpiece and an earpiece of a telephone handset with a disinfectant to prevent the spread of disease.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
There is a possibility that a prior user making intimate contact with a mouthpiece and an earpiece of a telephone, particularly a public telephone, may transfer germs that could be spread to a subsequent user positioning the mouthpiece and earpiece in the immediate vicinity of his or her mouth and ears. While the possible spread of disease through public telephones has been a concern for years, no commercially successful device for sanitizing a telephone handset has been developed. Further work is motivated by the increased resistance of germs to antibiotics, making the best treatment, prevention of infection by use of disinfectants.
Prior art sanitizing devices for a telephone handset have been of four types. A first type provides a pad or cup which is attached to the mouthpiece or earpiece by the subsequent user. The pad or cup may be treated with a disinfectant but muffles the sound. Another type of device applies a pressurized or gaseous disinfectant when the handset is placed in a cradle. Gaseous disinfectants have not proven satisfactory due to potential mechanical problems with the activation mechanism as well as due to the present concern relating to propellants and inhaling the disinfectant. A third type of sanitizing device makes use of a source of germicidal rays such as an ultraviolet lamp. This system, however, requires a source of electrical energy not commonly available at public pay telephones. The last kind of sanitizing device uses a sponge impregnated with a liquid disinfectant somehow wicked or otherwise supplied to the pad to keep it wet. This type of device tends to dry out and the sponge gets dirty, even if it is wet with disinfectant, as those bacteria resistant to the disinfectant, potentially even more virulent to a subsequent user, tend to multiply. In addition, none of the prior art devices provides a means for scrubbing the mouthpiece or earpiece.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sanitizing device for a telephone handset that scrubs the outside surface of the mouthpiece and earpiece as they are inserted into the device. Other objects and features of the invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
In accordance with the invention, a sanitizing device for a telephone handset having a mouthpiece and an earpiece has a pair of receptacles, each of which has a perimetrical wall and an internal transverse partition wall. The perimetrical wall has an opening at a first end for receivably surrounding the mouthpiece or the earpiece and the partition wall has an aperture in which is mounted a nut with at least one radial finger. A shaft, with first and second ends and at least one spiraled groove in which said finger freely slides, is threaded in the nut. The shaft has first and second ends and a stop on the first end of the shaft for preventing removal of the shaft from the nut. A plate, adapted to engage an outer surface of the mouthpiece or the earpiece, is mounted on the second end of the shaft for rotation with the shaft. A spring is provided between the nut and the second end of the shaft for biasing the shaft towards contact between the stop and the nut.
From a starting position, when the mouthpiece and the earpiece are inserted into the first end of the receptacles and pressed against the plates, the springs compress and the shafts retract in the nuts, rotating the plates against the outer surface of the mouthpiece and the earpiece. Then when the mouthpiece and the earpiece are removed from the plates, the springs expand and the shafts extend back into starting position.
For application of a disinfectant to the outer surface of the mouthpiece and the earpiece, a sheet of material with a disinfectant is preferably provided for use on the plates in scrubbing the outer surface. While the sheet may be supplied as a stack of nested or Z-folded sheets, it is preferred that they be provided on a roll housed in compartments attached to each of the receptacles. The second end of the receptacles may be outfitted with a serrated edge or the like that cuts the roll into sheets as the mouthpiece and the earpiece are pressed against the plates. More preferably, however, the sheets are perforated.
The invention summarized above comprises the constructions hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated by the subjoined claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 157120 (1950-02-01), Backie
patent: 1564748 (1925-12-01), Barrett
patent: 2650269 (1953-08-01), Webb
patent: 2763735 (1956-06-01), Wahl
patent: 2766333 (1956-10-01), Bivins
patent: 4329548 (1982-05-01), Strassburg
patent: 4819264 (1989-04-01), Lemley
patent: 4876715 (1989-10-01), Neubert
patent: 5396557 (1995-03-01), Tonci
patent: 5550918 (1996-08-01), Zdanov
Chiang Jack
Fishel Grace J.
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