CA1170538A - Wall telephone stand - Google Patents
Wall telephone standInfo
- Publication number
- CA1170538A CA1170538A CA000349815A CA349815A CA1170538A CA 1170538 A CA1170538 A CA 1170538A CA 000349815 A CA000349815 A CA 000349815A CA 349815 A CA349815 A CA 349815A CA 1170538 A CA1170538 A CA 1170538A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- stand
- telephone
- housing
- telephone stand
- accordance
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Landscapes
- Telephone Set Structure (AREA)
Abstract
WALL TELEPHONE STAND
Abstract of the Disclosure A wall telephone stand is disclosed that includes facilities for both displaying messages and for storing a telephone directory. The stand comprises a support member adapted to be mounted to a wall, a housing secured to the support member, and a display member secured to the housing. The housing includes a handset cradle on one side and a storage compartment open to the other side, while the display member includes a display panel surrounded by a frame. The manner of assembly is such that the user can select on which side of the stand the handset cradle is situated and the type of display panel and style of frame to be used.
Abstract of the Disclosure A wall telephone stand is disclosed that includes facilities for both displaying messages and for storing a telephone directory. The stand comprises a support member adapted to be mounted to a wall, a housing secured to the support member, and a display member secured to the housing. The housing includes a handset cradle on one side and a storage compartment open to the other side, while the display member includes a display panel surrounded by a frame. The manner of assembly is such that the user can select on which side of the stand the handset cradle is situated and the type of display panel and style of frame to be used.
Description
`` ~17~53~3 WALL TELEPHONE STAND
FIELD OF THE INVEWTION
This invention relates to wall telephone stands and within that field to a wall telephone stand including both display and storage facilities.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the use of one's telephone, it is often necessary to refer to the telephone directory. It is, therefore, advantageous to be able to store the directory in some location adjacent to the telephone. with a desk telephone, the director~ can be kept on the same surface on which the telephone is supported or in a drawer adjacent to the surface. But a wall telephone may, in fact, be remote to such a storage space for the directory. And while it is possible to suspend the directory from a hook or the like mounted on the wall, this detracts from the appearance of the room.
In the use of a telephone, it is also often necessary to leave messages relating to telephone calls.
It is, therefore, advantageous to have a pad of paper or other wrlting sur~ace and the means to write on the surface proximate to the telephone. With a desk telephone, even though it lacks a message display surface, at least a writlng surface and a writing implement can be conveniently kept on the same support on which the telephone rests. A
wall telephone, on the other hand, may again be remote from such a support.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with an aspect of the invention there is provided a wall telephone stand comprising a rear surface adapted to be mounted on a vertical support, char-acterized by a front surface including a message displayportion, a cradle adjacent to the message display portion for accommodating a telephone handset, and a storage compartment situated between the front surface and the , !
'~ ~
?~
11 7~.~ 5; 3 8 - la -rear surface, the storage compartment being free of any electrical components.
A wall telephone stand in accordance with the present invention solves these problems in that it includes facilities for both displaying messages and for storing a telephone directory. More particularly, a wall telephone stand embodying the present invention includes a housing having a handset cradle on one side and a telephone directory storage compartment open to the other side.
Face portions that provide the front and rear surfaces of the housing are generally planar and each includes ;7Q5~3 identical pairs of vertically spaced slots adjacent to its side edges. The slots in one face portion serve to mount the housing on a support member that is secured to a wall, while the slots on the other face portion serve to mount a display member comprising a frame and a panel, such as a chalkboard or a corkboard, to the housing. The top surface of the housing includes a well for storing an eraser and chalk for use with a chalkboard or a pad of paper and pencil for use with a corkboard.
Because the slots on the fa~e portfons of the housing are identical, the housing can be assembled to the support member and the display member in either of two positions. In one position, the handset cradle is on the left and the storage compartment opens to the right, and in the other position, the handset cradle is on the right and the storage compartment opens to the left. The means for assembling the housing to the support member and the display member to the housing is such that the user of the telephone stand can readily assemble the combination with the housing in whichever position is most convenient.
Furthermore, the manner in which the panel and the frame of the display member are assembled together i8 such that the user of the telephone stand can readily change the panel and/or the frame of the display member.
Because the display member is situated on the front of the telephone stand and the panel is essentially neutral, the frame serves as a dominant visual feature of the stand.
Therefore by selecting a frame having the appropriate color, texture, and shape, the user is able to impart to the telephone stand a character that is compatible with the surrounding decor whether it be contemporary, traditional, early American or anything else.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a wall 35~ telephone set in accordance with the present invention consisting of a handset supported on a stand comprising a support member, housing, and display member;
li7~53~3 FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the support member mounted to a wall;
FIG. 3 is a persepctive view of the housing positioned with the handset cradle located on the left side of the housing;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the housing positioned with a dieectory storage compartment open to the left side of the housing;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged partially exploded perspective view showing how the housing is ~ounted on the support member and showing a plug that is used to lock the housing in place;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the back of the display member; and FIG. 7 is an enlarged partially exploded perspective view showing how the display member is mounted on the housing and showing a plug that is used to lock the display member in place.
DFTAILED DESCR~PTION
Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawing, a wall telephone set in accordance with the present invention comprises a stand 10 electrically connected by a cord 20 to a handset 30, the handset advantageously being of the type that includes a dial 35. The stand 10 consists of a support member 100, a housing 300, and a display member 400.
As shown in FIG. 2, the support member 100 comprises a rectangular wall plate 110 having an opening 112 in its middle and a forwardly extending rim 114 disposed about its circumference. The opening 112 is of a size to accomodate a standard wall telephone outlet 40, and when this outlet is present, the wall plate 110 is advantageously fastened to the wall with the outlet positioned within the opening since the outlet provides a ready connection to a telephone line.
With or without the outlet 40, the telephone set is connected to an outside telephone line by means of a -` ` 117~)538 -~,, line cord 50 having a modular plug 52 at each end. The plug 52 on one end of the cord 50 is either connected to a socket in the wall telephone outlet 40 or to a socket in a floor-level telephone outlet (not shown). In the latter 5 case, the end of the cord 50 passes through either a center notch 115 or a side notch 116 in the bottom of the ri~ 114.
The plug 52 on the other end of the cord is connected to a socket 338 (FIG. 3) in the housing 300, and that end of the cord is passed throuyh one of the side notches 116 of the 10 rim 114. Any slack in the line cord 50 is taken up by wrapping the cord around four plastic spring clips 120 joined to the wall plate 110 adjacent to its corners.
The rim 114 of the wall plate 110 also includes a pair of spaced-L-shaped hooks 118 extending forwardly from 15each side portion of the rim, the hooks in each pair being in vertical alignment with one another. In a manner hereinafter described, the hooks 118 are used to mount the housing 300 on the support member 100 while a spring latch 130 joined to the wall plate 110 locks the housing in 20 place.
Turning now to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the housing 300 comprises a box-like structure including a storage well portion 310 that provides the top surface, a pair of face portions 320 that provide the front and rear surfaces, a 25cradle portion 330 at one side and a storage compartment 340 that opens to the other side.
Each face portion 320 includes four slots 322, the spacing of which is identical to the spacing of the hooks 118 (FIG. 2) of the support member 100. In addition, 30as shown in FIG. 5, each slot 322 has a double-ended keyhole shape ln that the upper and lower ends of the slots are narrower than an enlarged circular center portion.
Each slot 322 is of a size to permit the vertical leg of a hook 118 to pass through it. Furthermore, the interior 35surface surrounding each slot 322 has a grooved portion 323 above the slot that is adapted to receive the vertical leg of a hook 118.
GENAR0-73 ~l~Q~38 ,_ Thus, the housing 3~0 is mounted on support member 100 (~IG. 2) by positioning the housing in front of the support member with the slots 322 in one of the face portions 320 in registration with the hooks 118. The 5housing 300 is then moved against the support member lOo, resulting in the slots 322 moving past the vertical legs of the hooks 118. Thereafter, the housing 300 is moved downwardly, moving the grooved portion 323 above the slots 322 behind the vertical legs of the hooks 118 to thereby lOsecure the housing to the support member 100.
Since the slots 322 in each face portion 320 of the housing 300 are identical, it is seen that the housing can be mounted on the support member 100 either oriented as it is shown in FIG. 3 or oriented as it is shown in FIG. 4.
15Consequently, the cradle portion 330 can be on either the left or the right, whichever is most convenient, with of course the storage compartment 340 opening to the opposite side.
While the hooks 118 of the support member 100 20serve to secure the housing 300 to the support member, they do not lock the housing 300 in place. This is accomplished by two separate means to assure that the housing 300 is not inadvertently dislodged once it has been mounted in place.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first lock is 25 provided by the interaction of the spring latch 130 of the support member 100 with a ramp 325 and a recess 326 in the adjacent face portion 320. The spring latch 130 includes a cantilever arm 132 having a forwardly extending tongue 134 at its ree end. The tongue 134 is deflected rearwardly by 30 the ramp 325 when the housing 300 is moved downwardly after having been positioned over the vertical legs of the hooks 118. Then when the housing 300 is fully seated on the hooks 118, the tongue 134 is in registration with the recess 326, and lt moves forward into the recess to lock 35 the housing in place. To release the spring latch 130 it is necessary to insert a screwdriver blade or the like through aligned holes 328 in the face portions 320 to ~.~7(~ 8 deflect the cantilever arm 132 and thereby the tongue 134 rearwardly and at the same time move the housing 30 upwardly.
Referring to FIG. 5, the second lock is provided 5 by the inter~ction of plugs 350 with the hooks 118 of the support member 100 and the shaped surface surrounding the slots 322 in which the hooks are positioned. The plugs 350 are oval in shape and the upper end of each plug has a slot 352 formed therein. In addition, the plugs 350 are of a 10 size to provide a friction fit with oval-shaped interior recesses 324 surrounding the slots 322. And when one of the plugs 350 is pressed into a recess 324, the bottom of the slot 352 underlies the hook 118 positioned within the associated slot 322. The plugs 35~ thereby prevent the 15 housing 300 from being moved upwardly to disengage the housing from the support member 100. Consequently, it is necessary to pry out the plugs 350 before the housing 300 can be removed from the support member 100.
Turning now to ~IGS. 1 and 3, the cradle portion 20 330 of the housing 300 is shaped to accommodate the telephone handset 30 when the handset is not in use, the handset operating a hook switch plunger 332 when the handset is placed in the cradle portion. The cradle portion 330 serves as a cover for a cavity 360 within which 25 circuit components of the telephone, such as the hook switch and ringer, are located, and in order to provide access to the cavity for servicing of these components, the cradle portion is secured so as to be removable without disassembly of any other portion of the telephone stand.
3~ ~s shown most clearly in FIG. 1, the cradle portion 330 has a pair of laterally extending fingers 33g at its upper end that when positioned in complementary recesses 314 in the housing 300 properly locate the cradle portion with respect the cavity 360. The cradle 35 portion 330 is then secured in place by a pair of screws (not shown) that extend through holes in a center recess 335 and thread into holes in tabs 362, the screw heads being normally covered by an insert (not shown) that , .;
: , 7C~38 ; fills the recess. In addition, the cradle portion 330 is secured in place by a third screw (not shown) that extends through opening 336, seen in FIG. 3, in the lower end of the cradle portion and threads into a hole (not shown) in 5 the underside of the housing 300.
The storage compartment 340, shown in FrG. 4, opens to the side opposite to the cradle portion 33Q and is of a size to accommodate a telephone directory. To assist in removing the directory from the storage compartment 340, 10 the bottom surface of the compartment advantageously includes a tray 345. The exposed end of the tray 345 has a downwardly extending lip 346 that can be grasped by the user to pull the tray and thereby the directory from the storage compartment 340.
Referring now to ~IGS. 1 and 6, the last major component of the wall telephone stand is the display member 400. The display member 400 comprises a frame 41d and a dlsplay panel 420, such as a chalkboard 422 or a corkboard 424. As shown in FIG. 6, the display panel 420 20 i8 oE a size to be accommodated within the frame 410 and is held in place by clips 430 that extend behind the panel and beneath the heads of screws 412 threaded into the back of the frame 410.
In addltlon, the back of frame 410 has four 25 post8 414 extending therefrom, the spacing of which is identical to the spacing of the slots 322 (FIGS. 3 and 4) in each face portion 320 of the housing 300. The posts 414 are of a size to be positloned wlthin the narrow ends of the slots 322 and, referring also to FIG. 7, the posts are 30 terminated by enlarged heads 415 of a size to pass through the circular centers of the slots.
Thus, the display member 400 is mounted on the houslng 300 by positioning the display member in front of the housing with the heads 415 of the posts 414 in 35reglstration wlth the circular centers of the slots 322 in the adjacent face portion 320. The display member 400 is then moved against the housing 300, resulting in the ;117{~538 heads 415 passing through the circular centers of the slots 322. Thereafter the display member 400 is moved downwardly, moving the heads 415 behind the narrower lower end of the slots 322 and thereby securing the display member 400 to the housing 300.
From the foregoing it is seen that the f rame 410 and the display panel 420 of the display member 400 can be readily changed by the user of the telephone stand. Thus, for example, the corkboard 424 can be substituted for the chalkboard 422 or vice versa. Furthermore, the frame 410 can be in color or in woodgrain and it can be of any shape.
Since the display member 400 occupies the front of the telephone stand it constitutes the dominant visual feature of the stand. But the display panel 420 is essentially lS neutral, and therefore it is the appearance of the frame 410, that is, its color, texture, and shape, that imparts a particular character to the telephone stand. Thus, the user of the telephone stand, by selecting the appropriate frame, can provide the telephone stand with an appearance that is compatible with contemporary, traditional, early American, or any other decor.
To prevent inadvertent dislodgement of the display member 400 from the housing 300, one face of the locking plugs 350 has a cylindrical depression 354 at its lower end that is of a size to accommodate the head 415 of a post 414. Thus, when the plugs 350 are pressed into the interior recesses 324 surrounding the slots 322, the cylindrical depressions in each plug encircle the adjacent head 415. The display member 400 is thereby blocked from being moved upwardly so as to disengage it from the housing 300 until the plugs 350 have been pried out.
FIELD OF THE INVEWTION
This invention relates to wall telephone stands and within that field to a wall telephone stand including both display and storage facilities.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the use of one's telephone, it is often necessary to refer to the telephone directory. It is, therefore, advantageous to be able to store the directory in some location adjacent to the telephone. with a desk telephone, the director~ can be kept on the same surface on which the telephone is supported or in a drawer adjacent to the surface. But a wall telephone may, in fact, be remote to such a storage space for the directory. And while it is possible to suspend the directory from a hook or the like mounted on the wall, this detracts from the appearance of the room.
In the use of a telephone, it is also often necessary to leave messages relating to telephone calls.
It is, therefore, advantageous to have a pad of paper or other wrlting sur~ace and the means to write on the surface proximate to the telephone. With a desk telephone, even though it lacks a message display surface, at least a writlng surface and a writing implement can be conveniently kept on the same support on which the telephone rests. A
wall telephone, on the other hand, may again be remote from such a support.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with an aspect of the invention there is provided a wall telephone stand comprising a rear surface adapted to be mounted on a vertical support, char-acterized by a front surface including a message displayportion, a cradle adjacent to the message display portion for accommodating a telephone handset, and a storage compartment situated between the front surface and the , !
'~ ~
?~
11 7~.~ 5; 3 8 - la -rear surface, the storage compartment being free of any electrical components.
A wall telephone stand in accordance with the present invention solves these problems in that it includes facilities for both displaying messages and for storing a telephone directory. More particularly, a wall telephone stand embodying the present invention includes a housing having a handset cradle on one side and a telephone directory storage compartment open to the other side.
Face portions that provide the front and rear surfaces of the housing are generally planar and each includes ;7Q5~3 identical pairs of vertically spaced slots adjacent to its side edges. The slots in one face portion serve to mount the housing on a support member that is secured to a wall, while the slots on the other face portion serve to mount a display member comprising a frame and a panel, such as a chalkboard or a corkboard, to the housing. The top surface of the housing includes a well for storing an eraser and chalk for use with a chalkboard or a pad of paper and pencil for use with a corkboard.
Because the slots on the fa~e portfons of the housing are identical, the housing can be assembled to the support member and the display member in either of two positions. In one position, the handset cradle is on the left and the storage compartment opens to the right, and in the other position, the handset cradle is on the right and the storage compartment opens to the left. The means for assembling the housing to the support member and the display member to the housing is such that the user of the telephone stand can readily assemble the combination with the housing in whichever position is most convenient.
Furthermore, the manner in which the panel and the frame of the display member are assembled together i8 such that the user of the telephone stand can readily change the panel and/or the frame of the display member.
Because the display member is situated on the front of the telephone stand and the panel is essentially neutral, the frame serves as a dominant visual feature of the stand.
Therefore by selecting a frame having the appropriate color, texture, and shape, the user is able to impart to the telephone stand a character that is compatible with the surrounding decor whether it be contemporary, traditional, early American or anything else.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a wall 35~ telephone set in accordance with the present invention consisting of a handset supported on a stand comprising a support member, housing, and display member;
li7~53~3 FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the support member mounted to a wall;
FIG. 3 is a persepctive view of the housing positioned with the handset cradle located on the left side of the housing;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the housing positioned with a dieectory storage compartment open to the left side of the housing;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged partially exploded perspective view showing how the housing is ~ounted on the support member and showing a plug that is used to lock the housing in place;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the back of the display member; and FIG. 7 is an enlarged partially exploded perspective view showing how the display member is mounted on the housing and showing a plug that is used to lock the display member in place.
DFTAILED DESCR~PTION
Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawing, a wall telephone set in accordance with the present invention comprises a stand 10 electrically connected by a cord 20 to a handset 30, the handset advantageously being of the type that includes a dial 35. The stand 10 consists of a support member 100, a housing 300, and a display member 400.
As shown in FIG. 2, the support member 100 comprises a rectangular wall plate 110 having an opening 112 in its middle and a forwardly extending rim 114 disposed about its circumference. The opening 112 is of a size to accomodate a standard wall telephone outlet 40, and when this outlet is present, the wall plate 110 is advantageously fastened to the wall with the outlet positioned within the opening since the outlet provides a ready connection to a telephone line.
With or without the outlet 40, the telephone set is connected to an outside telephone line by means of a -` ` 117~)538 -~,, line cord 50 having a modular plug 52 at each end. The plug 52 on one end of the cord 50 is either connected to a socket in the wall telephone outlet 40 or to a socket in a floor-level telephone outlet (not shown). In the latter 5 case, the end of the cord 50 passes through either a center notch 115 or a side notch 116 in the bottom of the ri~ 114.
The plug 52 on the other end of the cord is connected to a socket 338 (FIG. 3) in the housing 300, and that end of the cord is passed throuyh one of the side notches 116 of the 10 rim 114. Any slack in the line cord 50 is taken up by wrapping the cord around four plastic spring clips 120 joined to the wall plate 110 adjacent to its corners.
The rim 114 of the wall plate 110 also includes a pair of spaced-L-shaped hooks 118 extending forwardly from 15each side portion of the rim, the hooks in each pair being in vertical alignment with one another. In a manner hereinafter described, the hooks 118 are used to mount the housing 300 on the support member 100 while a spring latch 130 joined to the wall plate 110 locks the housing in 20 place.
Turning now to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the housing 300 comprises a box-like structure including a storage well portion 310 that provides the top surface, a pair of face portions 320 that provide the front and rear surfaces, a 25cradle portion 330 at one side and a storage compartment 340 that opens to the other side.
Each face portion 320 includes four slots 322, the spacing of which is identical to the spacing of the hooks 118 (FIG. 2) of the support member 100. In addition, 30as shown in FIG. 5, each slot 322 has a double-ended keyhole shape ln that the upper and lower ends of the slots are narrower than an enlarged circular center portion.
Each slot 322 is of a size to permit the vertical leg of a hook 118 to pass through it. Furthermore, the interior 35surface surrounding each slot 322 has a grooved portion 323 above the slot that is adapted to receive the vertical leg of a hook 118.
GENAR0-73 ~l~Q~38 ,_ Thus, the housing 3~0 is mounted on support member 100 (~IG. 2) by positioning the housing in front of the support member with the slots 322 in one of the face portions 320 in registration with the hooks 118. The 5housing 300 is then moved against the support member lOo, resulting in the slots 322 moving past the vertical legs of the hooks 118. Thereafter, the housing 300 is moved downwardly, moving the grooved portion 323 above the slots 322 behind the vertical legs of the hooks 118 to thereby lOsecure the housing to the support member 100.
Since the slots 322 in each face portion 320 of the housing 300 are identical, it is seen that the housing can be mounted on the support member 100 either oriented as it is shown in FIG. 3 or oriented as it is shown in FIG. 4.
15Consequently, the cradle portion 330 can be on either the left or the right, whichever is most convenient, with of course the storage compartment 340 opening to the opposite side.
While the hooks 118 of the support member 100 20serve to secure the housing 300 to the support member, they do not lock the housing 300 in place. This is accomplished by two separate means to assure that the housing 300 is not inadvertently dislodged once it has been mounted in place.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first lock is 25 provided by the interaction of the spring latch 130 of the support member 100 with a ramp 325 and a recess 326 in the adjacent face portion 320. The spring latch 130 includes a cantilever arm 132 having a forwardly extending tongue 134 at its ree end. The tongue 134 is deflected rearwardly by 30 the ramp 325 when the housing 300 is moved downwardly after having been positioned over the vertical legs of the hooks 118. Then when the housing 300 is fully seated on the hooks 118, the tongue 134 is in registration with the recess 326, and lt moves forward into the recess to lock 35 the housing in place. To release the spring latch 130 it is necessary to insert a screwdriver blade or the like through aligned holes 328 in the face portions 320 to ~.~7(~ 8 deflect the cantilever arm 132 and thereby the tongue 134 rearwardly and at the same time move the housing 30 upwardly.
Referring to FIG. 5, the second lock is provided 5 by the inter~ction of plugs 350 with the hooks 118 of the support member 100 and the shaped surface surrounding the slots 322 in which the hooks are positioned. The plugs 350 are oval in shape and the upper end of each plug has a slot 352 formed therein. In addition, the plugs 350 are of a 10 size to provide a friction fit with oval-shaped interior recesses 324 surrounding the slots 322. And when one of the plugs 350 is pressed into a recess 324, the bottom of the slot 352 underlies the hook 118 positioned within the associated slot 322. The plugs 35~ thereby prevent the 15 housing 300 from being moved upwardly to disengage the housing from the support member 100. Consequently, it is necessary to pry out the plugs 350 before the housing 300 can be removed from the support member 100.
Turning now to ~IGS. 1 and 3, the cradle portion 20 330 of the housing 300 is shaped to accommodate the telephone handset 30 when the handset is not in use, the handset operating a hook switch plunger 332 when the handset is placed in the cradle portion. The cradle portion 330 serves as a cover for a cavity 360 within which 25 circuit components of the telephone, such as the hook switch and ringer, are located, and in order to provide access to the cavity for servicing of these components, the cradle portion is secured so as to be removable without disassembly of any other portion of the telephone stand.
3~ ~s shown most clearly in FIG. 1, the cradle portion 330 has a pair of laterally extending fingers 33g at its upper end that when positioned in complementary recesses 314 in the housing 300 properly locate the cradle portion with respect the cavity 360. The cradle 35 portion 330 is then secured in place by a pair of screws (not shown) that extend through holes in a center recess 335 and thread into holes in tabs 362, the screw heads being normally covered by an insert (not shown) that , .;
: , 7C~38 ; fills the recess. In addition, the cradle portion 330 is secured in place by a third screw (not shown) that extends through opening 336, seen in FIG. 3, in the lower end of the cradle portion and threads into a hole (not shown) in 5 the underside of the housing 300.
The storage compartment 340, shown in FrG. 4, opens to the side opposite to the cradle portion 33Q and is of a size to accommodate a telephone directory. To assist in removing the directory from the storage compartment 340, 10 the bottom surface of the compartment advantageously includes a tray 345. The exposed end of the tray 345 has a downwardly extending lip 346 that can be grasped by the user to pull the tray and thereby the directory from the storage compartment 340.
Referring now to ~IGS. 1 and 6, the last major component of the wall telephone stand is the display member 400. The display member 400 comprises a frame 41d and a dlsplay panel 420, such as a chalkboard 422 or a corkboard 424. As shown in FIG. 6, the display panel 420 20 i8 oE a size to be accommodated within the frame 410 and is held in place by clips 430 that extend behind the panel and beneath the heads of screws 412 threaded into the back of the frame 410.
In addltlon, the back of frame 410 has four 25 post8 414 extending therefrom, the spacing of which is identical to the spacing of the slots 322 (FIGS. 3 and 4) in each face portion 320 of the housing 300. The posts 414 are of a size to be positloned wlthin the narrow ends of the slots 322 and, referring also to FIG. 7, the posts are 30 terminated by enlarged heads 415 of a size to pass through the circular centers of the slots.
Thus, the display member 400 is mounted on the houslng 300 by positioning the display member in front of the housing with the heads 415 of the posts 414 in 35reglstration wlth the circular centers of the slots 322 in the adjacent face portion 320. The display member 400 is then moved against the housing 300, resulting in the ;117{~538 heads 415 passing through the circular centers of the slots 322. Thereafter the display member 400 is moved downwardly, moving the heads 415 behind the narrower lower end of the slots 322 and thereby securing the display member 400 to the housing 300.
From the foregoing it is seen that the f rame 410 and the display panel 420 of the display member 400 can be readily changed by the user of the telephone stand. Thus, for example, the corkboard 424 can be substituted for the chalkboard 422 or vice versa. Furthermore, the frame 410 can be in color or in woodgrain and it can be of any shape.
Since the display member 400 occupies the front of the telephone stand it constitutes the dominant visual feature of the stand. But the display panel 420 is essentially lS neutral, and therefore it is the appearance of the frame 410, that is, its color, texture, and shape, that imparts a particular character to the telephone stand. Thus, the user of the telephone stand, by selecting the appropriate frame, can provide the telephone stand with an appearance that is compatible with contemporary, traditional, early American, or any other decor.
To prevent inadvertent dislodgement of the display member 400 from the housing 300, one face of the locking plugs 350 has a cylindrical depression 354 at its lower end that is of a size to accommodate the head 415 of a post 414. Thus, when the plugs 350 are pressed into the interior recesses 324 surrounding the slots 322, the cylindrical depressions in each plug encircle the adjacent head 415. The display member 400 is thereby blocked from being moved upwardly so as to disengage it from the housing 300 until the plugs 350 have been pried out.
Claims (9)
1. A wall telephone stand comprising a rear surface adapted to be mounted on a vertical support, characterized by a front surface including a message display portion, a cradle adjacent to the message display portion for accommodating a telephone handset, and a storage compartment situated between the front surface and the rear surface, the storage compartment being free of any electrical components.
2. A telephone stand in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the handset cradle is on one side of the stand.
3. A telephone stand in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the storage compartment opens to the other side of the stand.
4. A telephone stand in accordance with claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the message display portion comprises a chalkboard.
5. A telephone stand in accordance with claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that display portion comprises a corkboard adapted to have notes tacked thereto.
6. A telephone stand in accordance with claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that an upper surface of the stand includes a well for keeping an eraser and chalk or pencils and a note-pad.
7. A telephone stand in accordance with claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the display portion is surrounded by a frame that provides the telephone stand with a particular character and is selected to make the telephone stand compatible with the surroundings in which the telephone stand is to be place.
8. A telephone stand in accordance with claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the display portion occupies substantially the entire front surface of the stand.
9. A telephone stand in accordance with claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that means for securing a support member of the telephone stand are provided such that the telephone stand can be assembled either with the handset cradle on the left side or the right side of the stand.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US3072479A | 1979-04-17 | 1979-04-17 | |
| US030,724 | 1979-04-17 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1170538A true CA1170538A (en) | 1984-07-10 |
Family
ID=21855661
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000349815A Expired CA1170538A (en) | 1979-04-17 | 1980-04-14 | Wall telephone stand |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1170538A (en) |
-
1980
- 1980-04-14 CA CA000349815A patent/CA1170538A/en not_active Expired
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US5251105A (en) | Portable electronic apparatus having a battery pack with a mechanism for latching and an independent mechanism for temporarily preventing detachment | |
| US6310768B1 (en) | Portable computer with detachable display | |
| US4368359A (en) | Wall telephone stand | |
| CA1170538A (en) | Wall telephone stand | |
| JPH023346B2 (en) | ||
| JP7412956B2 (en) | Furniture with top plate | |
| KR200411301Y1 (en) | Multipurpose Supporter Keeping Keyboard | |
| KR910006039Y1 (en) | Telephone case | |
| JP3045080B2 (en) | Wiring device | |
| JP3726612B2 (en) | Desktop / wall-mounted electronic devices | |
| USD308680S (en) | Control console set for telephone exchanges | |
| JPH0532104Y2 (en) | ||
| JPH0543232B2 (en) | ||
| KR200219122Y1 (en) | computer desk | |
| JPH0313217Y2 (en) | ||
| KR890003472Y1 (en) | Tape cassette cabient | |
| JP3754544B2 (en) | Remote control keyboard for vending machines | |
| JPH0350566Y2 (en) | ||
| KR200161288Y1 (en) | Display for tobacco | |
| JPS61184384U (en) | ||
| JPH0246137Y2 (en) | ||
| JP4791780B2 (en) | Altar | |
| JPS5918055Y2 (en) | Door pushing device for furniture, etc. | |
| JPH018056Y2 (en) | ||
| JP2583930Y2 (en) | Charger for cordless telephone |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |