CRADLE CONTACT DEVICE FOR A TELEPHONE WITH A PUSH-BUTTON SET

Abstract: A cradle contact device for a telephone including a push-button set with contacts (3) for number selection. A cradle (8) arranged in the telephone is provided with an arm (6) which actuates an extra contact (5) included in the push-button set when the handset (7) is lifted or put down. This contact activates in its turn an electronic circuit (12) which carries out a plurality of contact functions.

Description: CRADLE CONTACT DEVICE FOR A TELEPHONE WITH A PUSH-BUTTON SET TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a cradle contact device for a telephone including a push-button set with contacts for number selection. BACKGROUND ART The cradle contact function in a telephone comprises a plurality of closures and breaks of electrical circuits in a given chronological oder. This function has so far been provided by mechanical means which require a given operating force to provide reliable electrical connection. The requirement of chronological order also involves that the operational movement between the end positions will be large,due to mechanical tolerances. The means used are expensive and compli¬ cated and the requirement of operating movement and operating force also result in that the handset must be made heavy to keep the apparatus in a given position. Mechanical wear can also result in that the apparatus gives an incorrect chronological order between closures and breaks in the cradle contact function. The present invention relates to a device which solves the above mentioned problems. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION The basic idea of the invention is to use a single mechanically operated contact for actuating a plurality of electronic circuits which carry out the necessary cradle contact functions. The invention is characterized by the disclosures in the accompanying claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention will now be described below in conjunction Q.:'.?l \. ifO with a drawing where Figure 1 illustrates a telephone in perspective with the front cover removed, Fiugre 2 illustrates a telephone with a cradle contact device in section and Figure 3 illustrates a circuit diagram for a conventional cradle contact device. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A conventional telephone is illustrated in Figure 1 and is provided with a cradle contact device according to the invention. A circuit board 1 carries a substructure 2 with contacts 3 included in the push-button set of the telephone, and also electronic components 4 for circuits actuated by the push-button set. These circuits perform different functions, e.g. sending audio frequency signals. Figure 2, which is a cross-section of the telephone, illustrates one of the contacts 3 in the push-button set together with the associated push-button 10, which is built into the front cover 11 of the telephone. The contacts 3 include electrical conductors 16, 17 on the substructure 2 which are connected to each other by a conductive element 18 on depression of an elastic insulating cup 19. In accordance with the invention there is a further contact 5 arranged on the substructure, and this contact can be of the same implementation as the others and is actuated by an arm 6. The arm is connected to the telephone cradle 8 which is of entirely conventional type. When the handset 7 is lifted, the arm is pivoted with the aid of a spring 9 against the contact 5, whereon an electronic cirucit 12 is activated, this circuit including electronic contacts for carrying out the desired cradle contact function. A conventional cradle contact function is indicated in Figure 3, and consists of breaking the circuit of a bell 21 and closing the circuit of the handset 20. In the above device, the cradle contact function is activated by a single mechanical contact, resulting in that the operating movement and operating force can be reduced substantially in relation to apparatus already known. There is no risk that mechanical wear will cause incorrect chronological order between the closures and breaks of the cradle contact function. In the described device the extra contact 5 is of the same implementation as the contacts 3, but it can also be of some other implementation. The drawing illustrates the contacts 3 and 5 on a common substructure but of course they can also be placed on separate substructures.

Claims: CLAIMS 1 Cradle contact device for a telephone including a push-button set with contacts for number selection, characterized in that the push-button set has a further contact (5), a cradle (8) arranged in the telephone being provided with an arm (6) for actuating this extra contact when the handset (7) is lifted or put down, this conact (5) in turn activating an electronic circuit (12) intended for carrying out a plurality of contact functions. 2 Cradle contact device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the extra contact (5) is of the same implementation as the contacts (3) for number selection.

Inventors: LINDMAN BOERJE LENNART, LINDMAN, BOERJE, LENNART
Applicants: ERICSSON TELEFON AB L M, TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET L M ERICSSON
Application year: 1984
Main classification: H04M1
IPC codes: H04M1