TELEPHONE PROTECTIVE COVER

Abstract: A protective cover for a key-actuated switching array which projects through a generally planar surface on the equipment. The protective cover is of the type comprising a flexible elastomeric sheet (110) having one or more recessed pockets (109) adapted to overlie and receive the array of key-actuated switches, whereby each of switches is independently depressible through the sheet. The sheet includes a skirt-like border portion (111) extending laterally beyond the pockes, and the sheet is continuous between its lateral edges, whereby the key switch array may be overlaid by the one or more pockets, with the skirt-like border portion contacting the planar surface beyond the array. The array is thereby protected from spillage of liquids or the like. The pockets may be provided with suitable indicia (120) corresponding to each of the key-actuated switches for identifying the same. In addition, a gasket (117) is provided which extends completely around the periphery of the sheet in overlying relation to the border portion. The gasket is flexible and adherent to the border portion of the sheet and to the planar surface of the equipment. The gasket prior to use may have covers on its opposite sides which are removable for attachment of the gasket by the application of pressure to the sheet and to the planar surface of the equipment.

Description: Description TELEPHONE PROTECTIVE COVER Technical Field This invention relates generally to protective covering devices for use in connection with arrays of key-operated switches. Arrays of this type are ex¬ emplified by the push-buttons on a conventional push¬ button type telephone set. Background Art Within recent years, telephone sets incorporat¬ ing push-button arrays, commonly including twelve such push-buttons, have come into wide spread use and ha've largely supplanted the previously common rotary dial- type, telephone. The individual push-buttons comprising such a telephone set array normally project through the cover of the telephone, or a portion of the tele¬ phone cover. The remainder of the switching array is contained beneath this outer shell of the telephone set. In various environments, including especially industrial and commercial environments, but as well in the home, this telephone set, which is usually con¬ veniently placed with respect to a work station, is subject to damage from environmental hazards, includ¬ ing especially to spillage of liquids, which can readily seep through the openings surrounding the individual push-button keys and cause damage,, in some cases irreparable damage, to the underlying switching mechanisms. It is further to be appreciated in this connection, that in addition to the said common twelve dialing push-buttons, many telephone sets include one or more rows of further push-buttons beneath the dialing array, which buttons are used for signaling, OMPI or represent additional telephone lines or so forth. These further push-buttons present similar problems with respect to damage by liquids or similar environ¬ mental hazards, as for example, dust or sand. Disclosure of Invention In accordance with my invention, I provide a protective cover for a telephone set with an array of key-actuated switches, which generally comprises a flexible elastomeric sheet, having one or more pockets therein, which are adapted to receive and overlie the push-buttons in the array of push-buttons on the tele¬ phone set. Thus, each of the push-buttons in the array fit into pockets of the cover, so that when the cover is emplaced over the set, all of the push-buttons are covered and the buttons may be operated by depressing the outwardly projecting pockets. The pocket, or pockets, may be provided with suitable indicia corresponding to those on the keys, enabling indentification of the keys with the cover placed thereover. The protective cover is further provided with a skirt or border portion, which extends beyond the push—button covering pockets and the sheet is continuous between the lateral edges of same. In practice, it was found, however, that in order to have a fluid-tight seal a gasket had to be provided. The gasket is adapted to extend completely around the periphery of the sheet in overlying relation to the border portion. The gasket is flexible and ad¬ herent to the border portion of the sheet and to the planar surface of the equipment. The gasket prior to use may have covers on its opposite sides which are removable for attachment of the gasket by the applica¬ tion of pressure to the sheet and to the planar surface of the equipment. Brief Description of Drawings The invention is diagramatically illustrated, by way of example, in the drawings appended hereto, in which: FIGURE 1 is a top view of a first embodiment of a protective cover for a push-button telephone set of the type utilized with the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a side view of the cover of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 is another side view of the FIGURE 1 device; FIGURE 4 is a side view of a single pocket of the array in FIGURE 1; FIGURE 5 is a bottom view of the device of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 6 is a top view of a second embodiment of a protective cover for a push-button telephone set of the type utilized with the present invention; FIGURE 7 is a side view of the cover of FIGURE 6; FIGURE 8 is a top view of a third embodiment of a protective cover of the type utilized with the present invention; FIGURE 9 is a side view of the FIGURE 8 device; QM?I FIGURE 10 is a top view of a further protec¬ tive cover for a push-button telephone set of the type utilized with the present invention; FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional view of the cover of FIGURE 10, taken along the line 11-11 therein. FIGURE 12 is a further cross-sectional view of the FIGURE 10 device, taken along the line 12-12 therein; FIGURE 13 is a further cross-sectional side view of the FIGURE 10 device, taken along the line 13-13 therein; FIGURE 14 is a further front plan view of a sealing cover of the type with which the present invention is utilized; FIGURE 15 is a rear plan view of the device of FIGURE 14, showing the gasket of the invention secured thereto; FIGURE 16 is a perspective view, showing the general configuration of a gasket in accordance with the present invention; FIGURE 17 is a side elevational view of the gasket of Figure 16; FIGURE 18 is a top plan view of the gasket of • Figure 16; _ OM?I FIGURE 19 is a cross-sectional view of the Figure 18 gasket, taken along the line 19-19 of Figure 18; FIGURE 20 is a top plan view of a further em- 5 bodiment of a sealing gasket in accordance viith the invention; and FIGURE 21 is a cross-sectional view of the Figure 20 gasket, taken along the line 21-21 of Figure 20. -*- 0 Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention While the invention is about to be described in connection with a protective cover 10 for a push-button telephone subscriber set, it is to be understood that the protective cover about to be described is applicable 5 to any type of switching matrix employing push-buttons arranged in columns and rows. The cover 10 in Figure 1 is made of an elasto¬ meric material such as rubber, or it may be made of a plastic material such as polyvinylchloride. A number 0 of pockets are provided in the cover, generally shown as 11. Each of these pockets has a top portion 12 and side wall portion 13, which conform to the shape of the underlying push-button. Adjoining pockets are joined by the material of the cover as shown by 14 in 5 Figure 4; thus each of the buttons in the push-button array in a telephone set are adapted to fit into each of the pockets of the cover so that when the cover is placed over the telephone set all of the push-buttons are covered. - — ' - a -. -**. ■ - The cover is provided with a skirt 15, which extends beyond the push-button array, the sheet itself being continuous between the lateral edges generally shown as 16, 17, 18, and 19. At the top of each of the pockets a raised portion or mesa 20 is provided which may be provided with an indicia corresponding to the indicia on the underlying button of the telephone set. Such indicia can be directly molded into mesa 20, or can be applied thereto, as by printing or so forth. The underside of cover 12 may be provided with adhesive strips 21 (Figure 5), but these are generally not required where the gasket arrangement of the pre¬ sent invention is utilized. The projecting portion 20 of the pocket can be coated with, or made of a phosphorescent material which can glow in a darkened environment if properly ener¬ gized. For example, certain phosphers will glow for a limited time after exposure to ambient light or may be caused to glow by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. In some cases, phosphers can be used which will glow in response to a radio frequency field. The means for producing phosphorescence in such cases is so well- known that no showing of such means is indicated in the drawing. The protective cover 10 may be colored to match the telephone set if desired. The cover 110 of Figures 6 and 7 is typically molded of a flexible elastomeric material such as a silicone rubber, or other synthetic elastomer, natural or synthetic rubber of the like. Cover 110 is molded with a recessed portion 111 having side walls 112, which thus -forms a pocket which can cover the entire push-button array of the aforementioned telephone set. O PI The material comprising cover 110 is preferably trans¬ parent (e.g., a clear silicone rubber), whereby the underlying push-buttons are directly visible — as is suggested in shadow at 108. It is also possible, how- ever, for cover 110 to be formed of an opaque elasto- meric material, in which event indicia corresponding \ to buttons 108 can be applied to the outward face of portion 111. The cover 110 is provide with a skirt 113, which extends beyond the portion 111, the sheet itself being continuous between the lateral edges generally shown as 114, 115, 116, and 117. The underside of cover 110 may be provided with adhesive strips 118, which initially are covered with paper 122 which is removed before the strip is attached. These strips are not required, however, where the gas¬ ket arrangement of the present invention is used. Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the flexible elastomeric sheet is there seen to be provided with mesa-like projections 119 which can be provided with indicia 120 corresponding to those on the underlying telephone set buttons. Indicia 120 may comprise a phosphorescent material which can glow in a darkened environment. The cover 210 of Figure 10 is again made of an elastomeric material such as rubber, or it may be made of an elastomeric plastic material such as a polyvinyl- chloride. Cover 210 is preferably formed of a material which is substantially transparent. A rectangular grid 211 of pockets 208 are provided in the portion of cover 210 which will coincide with the telephone push-button array which is used for dialing. Each of these pock¬ ets 208 has a top portion 212 and sidewall portion 213, OM?I which substantially conform to the shape of the under¬ lying push-button. Adjoining pockets are joined by the material of the cover, as shown by 212 in Figure 11. Thus each of the buttons in the rectangular push- button dialing array in a telephone set are adapted to fit into each of the grid pockets 208 of the cover, so that when the cover is placed over the telephone set, all of the said push-buttons are covered. In addition, an elongated pocket 240 is pro- vided to cover a row of push-buttons, such as are com¬ monly provided below the switching (i.e. dialing) array. These further push-buttons (as is well-known) are used to select a particular telephone line, to signal, or for other purposes. Elongated pocket 240 is defined by side walls 242, 243, 244, and 245, and a flat upper surface 241. If desired, one or more additional elon¬ gated such pockets may be provided between pockets 240 and grid 211, to coincide with additional horizontal rows of push-buttons on the underlying telephone set. Since the material comprising cover 220 is preferably transparent, the plurality of push-buttons received in pocket 240 are fully visible, and may be actuated by the operator simply deforming the portion of upper surface 241, which overlies the desired push-button. Similarly, the operator can observe which of the push¬ buttons in pocket 240 are lit. The cover 210 is provided with a skirt 215, which extends beyond the pockets 211 and 240, the sheet itself being continuous between the lateral edges generally shown as 216, 217, 218, and 219. At - T ϊ- EA OMPI the top of each of the grid pockets 211 a raised por¬ tion or mesa 220 is provided, which may be provided with an indicia corresponding to the indicia on the underlying button of the telephone set. Such indicia can be directly molded into mesa 220, or can be applied thereto, as by printing or so forth. The underside of cover 210 may be provided with adhesive strips at the shoulders 221, 222, 223, 224/ which initially are covered with paper which is removed before the strip is attached. A preferable attaching means, however, as will be disσuseed in connection with Figures 14 through 19, comprises a fabric-like or rein¬ forced paper gasket which is sized to just coincide with the continous surface presented by shoulders 221 through 224, and which can be adhesive on both faces thereof. The indicia 209 on the mesa portions 220 of the grid pockets 208 can again be coated with, or made of a phosphorescent material which can glow in a darkened environment. In FIGURES 18 and 19 herein, there appears a telephone cover device generally indicated at 310, to which is secured a sealing gasket 312 in accordance with the invention. The gasket 312 is more specific- ally illustrated in the showing of Figure 16, and in Figures 17 through 19. The telephone covering device 310, is similar to that of Figures 1 through 3, and comprises a sheet 314 of an elastomeric material, such as a natural or artificial rubber, an elastomeric plastic or the like, which sheet is continuous between its lateral edges 316, 318, 320, and 322, and is molded or otherwise deformed, so as to be provided with a plurality of pockets 324, CMPI which project upwardly from the plane of the paper in Figures 14 (and downwardly from the plane of the paper in Figure 15). Pockets 324 are adapted to receive the push-buttons of a typical push-button type telephone set when the said cover 10 is emplaced atop the telephone set in overlying relationship to the array of dialing buttons . Alternatively, the cover may have a single pock¬ et covering the entire array as in Figure 6 through 9 , or can include an elongated pocket as in Figures 10 through 13. In any case, the cover may be provided with indicia corresponding those on each of the buttons to enable identification thereof. In the case of a single pocket, the indicia may be placed on mesa-like projections corresponding to each of the buttons. Thus, as may be seen from Figure 14, indicia 326, correspond to the underlying indicia on the telephone push-buttons are provided; and in use, the operator of the phone merely need depress the outwardly accessible portion of pockets 324 to in turn depress the underl¬ ying push-buttons and operate the telephone set. As may be seen from the view of Figure 15, which represents the rearward side of device 310, i.e. the side of device 310 which will be placed in face- to-face contact with the telephone set, is (in accord¬ ance with the invention) associated with a gasket 312, which is placed directly in contact with the skirt-like border portion 332 of device 310. In Figure 15, one surface of gasket 312 has already been secured to this skirtlike portion and part of the paper covering 334 has been lifted from the gasket 312, so that the under¬ lying adhesive 336 can be seen. * OMPI Referring to Figure 16, the gasket 312 is thus seen to comprise a base material 338, which preferably comprises a paper or cloth-like material of relatively high strength, as for example, a paper or cloth which has been reinforced with fiberglass strands. Each side of such base material 338 is provided with a pressure- sensitive adhesive 336 to enable the gasket to be se¬ cured to both the device 310 as well as to the tele¬ phone set. In order to enable most effective use of the device, it is seen that side 342 of gasket 312, which is the side preferably secured to device 310, is preferably provided with covering strips 344 of paper. These strips 344 extend as two U-shaped portions 344a and 344b with the legs of the "U" being slightly separ- ated to provide a gap 346, which enables the user to readily grasp the ends of such portions and remove them prior to use of the gasket. Gap 346 may also be seen in the side view of Figure 17. The opposed face 348 of gasket 312 (which is the side facing outwardly from the device 310 and which will ultimately be the side of the gasket placed in contact with the telephone set) prior to affixation of device 310 to the set, is covered with two further U-shaped strips of protective paper 350a and 350b. The legs or end portions 351 and 353 of these U-shaped strips 350a and 350b, overlap, and a particular arrangement is used to f cilitate removal of such strips . Such arrangement is best seen in Figure 17, where it is noted that the legs 353 of strip 350b are bent over as at 354, i.e., bent backward upon themselves and the legs 351 of strip 350a are made to overlap legs 353. Thus, it will be clear that in use, the operator need only pull back • ^ j REΛ OMPI legs 351 to gain access to the flap-like portion 353, whereupon the strips 350a and 350b are readily removed to expose the underlying pressure sensitive adhesive 336, after which the gasket 312 is ready for securing to the telephone set. It will be clear, for example, by reference to Figures 18 and 19, that the gasket 312 is designed to provide a continuous portion 360, which when placed in contact with the rearward side of a covering device 310, completely covers the skirt-like border 332 of such device. The gasket 312 is similarly, provided with a cut-out 362 at the center, which coincides with the pockets 324, so that same are open to receive the push¬ buttons of the telephone set. The gasket of the present invention will in general be configured for the particular arrangement of push-buttons on the telephone set with which the specific covering device is intended to interact. Thus, a further embodiment of the invention appears in Figure 20. This gasket 313 is used with a covering device intended to cover not the central telephone push-buttons used for dialing purpose, but rather for an instance wherein two rows of push-buttons appear at the bottom of a telephone set. These type of push- buttons are used for intercom arrangements or to act¬ ivate different outside telephone lines in common office-type telephone systems. Thus, in the instance of Figure 20, the gasket 313, while otherwise similar to that already described, includes two elongated rectangular cut-outs 366 and 368, which coincide with two single elongated pockets on a covering device of the type disclosed " in my afore¬ mentioned applications, and which has already been described. O ?I The arrangements of the covering strips as seen in the side view of Figure 21 is identical to what has been described for the gasket 312; with the paper strips 370 being arranged and removed in similar fashion. While the present invention has been set forth in terms of specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood in view of the present disclosure that num¬ erous variations upon the invention are now enabled to those skilled in the art, which variations yet reside within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention is to be broadly construed, and limited only by the scope and spirit of the claims now appended hereto. - $ TJRE OMPI

Claims: Claims : 1. A protective cover for a key-actuated switching array which projects through a generally planar surface on communications equipment or the like; said cover comprising: a flexible elastomeric sheet having one or more recessed pockets adapted to overlie and receive the said array of key-actuated switches, whereby each of said key-actuated switches is depressible through said sheet, said sheet including a skirt-like border portion extending laterally beyond said one or more pockets, and said sheet being continuous between its lateral edges, whereby said key switch array may be overlaid by said one or more pockets, with said skirt- like border portion contacting said planar surface beyond said array, said array being thereby protected from spillage of liquids or the like; and a gasket being adapted to extend completely around the periphery of the sheet in overlying relation to said border portion, said gasket being flexible and adherent to the said border potion of said sheet and to the planar surface of said communication equipment, and said gasket having covers on opposite sides thereof which are removable for attachment of the gasket by the application of pressure to the said sheet and planar surface of the equipment respectively. 2. A protective cover as claimed in claim 1, said cover having individual pockets for each of said key-actuated switches. 3. A protective cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein said covers for said gasket comprise a pair of U-shaped paper strips applied with the ends of one said "U" facing the ends of the other said "U" upon each surface of said gasket. 4. A protective cover as claimed in claim 3, wherein the legs of said U-shaped strips overlie one another to prevent adherence between the strips at the overlying zone, to facilitate grasping of the uppermost strip for removal. 5. A protective cover as claimed in claim 4, wherein the ends of the legs of said "U" at the under¬ lying zone are folded upon the said strip, to facili¬ tate grasping of the underlying strip for removal of sam . 6. A protective cover as claimed in claim 1, in which the faces of said gasket are provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. 7. A protective cover as claimed in claim 6, in which the material comprising said gasket includes reinforcing glass fibers. 8. A protective cover as claimed in claim 6 or 7, in which the pressure-sensitive adhesive is a silicone adhesive. 9. A protective cover as claimed in claim 1, in which the elastomeric sheet is a rubber. 10. A protective cover for the push button array of a push-button telephone set, comprising a flexible elastomeric sheet having upwardly directed pockets, the lower-facing ends of which are open for receiving and thereby overlying the corresponding array of push¬ buttons on said telephone; said pockets being elastic- ally depressible toward their open ends to permit in¬ dividual displacement of the underlying telephone set push-buttons received in said pockets; said sheet in- eluding a flat border portion extending laterally be¬ yond said grid and said sheet being continuous between its lateral edges, whereby said entire push-button array is overlaid by said cover and thereby protected from spillage of liquids or other environmental hazards; and a gasket being adapted to extend completely around the periphery of the elastomeric sheet, said gasket being flexible and adherent by the application of pressure, to the elastomeric sheet and the telephone set, respectively. 11. A protective cover for a key-actuated switching array which projects through a general planar surface on communications equipment or the like, said cover comprising a flexible elastomeric sheet having one or more pockets which are adapted to overlie and receive the key-actuated switches of said array so that each of said key-actuated switches is depressible through said sheet; said sheet having a flat border portion extending laterally beyond said one or more pockets, whereby said key switch array may be overlaid and covered by said pockets, with said skirt-like border portion contacting said planar sur¬ face, said array thereby being protected from spillage of liquids or the like; and a gasket comprising a thin, flexible sheet, the perimeter of which corresponds to the perimeter of said cover, whereby said sheet may be positioned to overlie the side of said cover which is adapted to interface with said planar surface of said communica- tions equipment; said gasket being cut out at the portions thereof overlying said one or more pockets • and said sheet carrying adhesive at both faces thereof rendering same adherent to at least the said border portion of said cover which extends beyond said pock- ets, and to the opposing surfaces of said equipment against which said cover is e placed, thereby sealing at least the said periphery of said cover to said equipment. CMPI -18- 12. A protective cover as claimed in claim 11, including covers overlying the said adhesive on both faces of said gasket, said covers being readily strip pable from said gasket prior to use of same. 13. A protective cover as claimed in claim 1 having indicia thereon corresponding to indicia on each of said key-actuated switches 14. A protective cover as claimed in claim 13 wherein the indicia are overlaid on each of the pockets. 14. A protective cover as claimed in claim 13 in which the cover has a single pocket having mesa-like projections corresponding to each of the key-actuated switches . 15. A protective cover as claimed in claim 10 in which the gasket has two elongated cut-outs corre¬ sponding with two single elongated pockets in the cover. 16. A protective cover as claimed in claim 13, comprising a first pocket portion for receiving the rectangular array of dialing push-buttons or a tele- phone set, and an elongated second pocket portion spaced from said first pocket portion for receiving a line of signaling or line selection push-buttons on said telephone set which are spaced from said rectang¬ ular array of dialing push-buttons . 17. A protective cover for a key-actuated switching array which projects through a general planar surface on communications equipment or the like com¬ prising: a flexible elastomeric sheet having a re- cessed portion with side walls forming a single pocket which is adpated to overlie the entire said array of key-actuated switches, whereby each of said key- actuated switches is independently depressible through said sheet, said sheet including a skirt-like portion extending laterally beyond said array, and said sheet being continuous between its lateral edges, whereby said entire key switch array may be overlaid by said pocket, with said skirt-like porition contacting said planar surface, said array thereby being protected from spillage of liquids or the like. 18. A covering element for a switching matrix including a rectangular array of push-buttons arranged in a grid of rows and columns, and at least one row of push-buttons separated from said rectangular array, all of said push-buttons being displaceable in apertures in a cover plate; comprising: -20- a flexible elastomeric sheet having a rectang¬ ular grid of pockets therein conforming to said rec¬ tangular grid of push-buttons, and an elongated pocket spaced from said grid of pockets and conforming to the said row of push-buttons separated from said rectang¬ ular grid of push-buttons; said sheet being adapted to overlie said cover plate, each of said pockets in said rectangular grid having a top portion and side walls covering one button, said side walls of adjoining pockets being joined to one another by portions of said sheet, said pockets being elastically depressible independently of one another to permit individual dis¬ placement of said buttons; said sheet having a skirt portion extending in directions away from said push- button array and being continuous between the lateral edges thereof for covering the entire push-button array and protecting the array from spillage of liquids and the like.

Inventors: MORSE MILTON
Applicants: APM CORP
Application year: 1982
Main classification: H04M1
IPC codes: H04M1