Abstract:
A safety pay telephone using conventional telephone mechanical and electrical components mounted within a telephone housing, typically mounted on a wall, with the earpiece and mouthpiece mounted within the telephone. To operate, the user deposits the proper amount of currency and pushes an on/off switch, dials his number, and then places his ear next to the fixed earpiece. A method of retrofitting a conventional telephone with a retrofit housing member that permits that existing handset to be protected within a retrofit housing member. The safety phone is designed for use in prisons so inmates within a prison cannot hang themselves with a handset cord or break a handset and handset cord off for use as a weapon. The safety telephone is also designed for use in environments wherein the telephone is subject to abuse. The safety telephone design reduces the cost of maintenance by eliminating the need to fix and replace telephone components.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This is a continuation-in-part under 37 CFR 1.53(b) to application Ser. No. 10/352,611, filed on Jan. 28, 2003 now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part application under 37 CFR 1.53(b) to application Ser. No. 09/709,753, filed on Nov. 11, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,512,828, issued on Jan. 28, 2003, which is a continuation application under 37 CFR 1.53(b) to application Ser. No. 09/459,314, filed on Dec. 10, 1999, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part application under 37 CFR 1.53(b) to application Ser. No. 09/017,982, filed on Feb. 3, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,169. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates generally to telephone equipment and more specifically to a structure and method for retrofit of a pay telephone for use by inmates or in other environments wherein the telephone is subject to abuse (hereinafter referred to as a safety phone). 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Numerous hands-free telephone equipment systems have been taught in prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 2,277,907, issued to Goodale, Jr. et al., discloses a speaker attachment for a conventional telephone. U.S. Pat. No. 3,144,513, issued to Sherron, teaches a partially enclosed telephone stall with a microphone and speaker mounted in the enclosure wall of the booth. U.S. Pat. No. 4,101,735, issued to Bridenbaugh, uses a shared transducer, alternately functioning as a speaker and a microphone, connected to a conventional telephone. U.S. Pat. No. 4,104,485, issued to Pessel et at, discloses a loudspeaker system mounted over a conventional telephone. U.S. Pat. No. 5,371,790, issued to Nevo et at, discloses a telephone such that a mouthpiece, an earpiece, an electronic circuit board, a push-button dialing pad and a dial tone actuating switch are contained in a single housing and which places the entire phone in a housing similar to a conventional telephone handset. The Nevo &#39;790 patent does not teach safety and vandal resistance elements; in fact, the entire phone or alternatively the exterior connection cable may easily be used as a weapon. None of the prior art utilizes a design for a telephone that can be securely mounted to a wall or other support structure, and is self-contained with minimal external parts, as described herein. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention provides, inter alia, a new and improved telephone that:
         provides hands-free operation;   is easy to use;   is economical to manufacture;   is resistant to vandalism and is thus low-maintenance;   has no external cord, handset or other external parts that could be used as a weapon or means for vandalism or self-injury;   has an escrow mechanism for accepting payment; and   provides for retrofitting an existing phone with an abuse-resistant configuration.       

   This invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The telephone contains conventional telephone mechanical and electrical components, including a push-button dialing pad, earpiece, mouthpiece, electronic circuitry, and switching circuitry. The components are mounted within a telephone housing, typically mounted on a wall, with the earpiece and mouthpiece mounted within the housing to serve as a hands-free telephone for safety. Inmates within a prison can no longer hang themselves with a handset cord or break off the handset and handset cord to use as a weapon. In non-prison use, the phone is more resistant to vandalism or destruction. This phone reduces repairs by eliminating the need to fix and replace the telephone handset, thereby saving money for the cost of maintenance. 
   The drawings are illustrative only, and changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. Other objects of the invention will become apparent from time to time throughout the specification hereinafter disclosed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention mounted into a wall. 
       FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the embodiment in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the invention, showing diagrammatically an electrical circuit incorporating a volume control for the earpiece and mouthpiece. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternate exemplary embodiment of the present invention on a freestanding mount. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a conventional prior art payphone. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an existing payphone retrofit with a retrofit housing member according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a cut-away side view of an exemplary embodiment of a retrofit housing member of  FIG. 6 , cut along line  7 - 7 . 
       FIG. 8  is a cut-away side view of an alternate exemplary embodiment of a retrofit housing member of  FIG. 6 , cut along line  7 - 7 . 
       FIG. 9A  is a flow diagram of a retrofitting method of the current invention. 
       FIG. 9B  is a flow diagram of a handset protecting step of the current invention. 
       FIG. 9C  is a flow diagram of an alternative handset protecting step of the current invention. 
       FIG. 9D  is a flow diagram of a transitioning handset step of the current invention. 
       FIG. 9E  is a flow diagram of a switch replacing step of the current invention. 
   

   Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is a telephone, or just phone, described as telephone  10 , generally depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 , of the type having a durable or hardened housing  12 , capable of being mounted to a building wall, such as building wall  14  of prison  16 . While telephone  10  is described as being mounted and used in prison  16 , it is understood that telephone  10  may be used, mounted or free standing, in any location where a telephone is desired that encompasses the safety and security features described herein. Telephone  10  may be modified for use with coin or card payment mechanisms using standard methods and electrical/mechanical designs for this feature. 
   Typically, telephone  10  may be recessed into wall  14 , so that only a portion of housing  12  is accessible to a user. Alternatively, telephone  10  is mounted to building wall  14  by mechanical and locking attachment of housing  12  to a mounting plate (not shown) that is anchored to building wall  14 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , housing  12  includes a housing front wall  20 . Housing front wall  20  includes a front wall inner surface  21  and a front wall outer surface  24  opposite the front wall inner surface  21 . Front wall outer surface  24  is generally exposed to a user, while the front wall inner surface  21  is generally interior to the housing  12  and inaccessible to a user. Components affixed to the front wall inner surface  21  are thus protected from abuse by the user. Located within housing  12 , and typically attached to front wall inner surface  21 , are an electronic circuit board  19 , an earpiece  28 , and a mouthpiece  30 . Earpiece  28  and mouthpiece  30  may be referred to collectively as a handset  26 , even if their physical connection is merely proximity. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , typically, a push-button dialing pad  18  is a component of electronic circuit board  19 , which is mounted to the front wall inner surface  21 . In an alternative embodiment, push-button dialing pad  18  can be separate from electronic circuit board  19  and electrically connected. A plurality of push-button digits  22  of push-button dialing pad  18  extend outward through push-button apertures  23  through housing front wall  20 . A plurality of push-button digits  22  extend a sufficient distance to afford full travel distance for each of the push-button digits  22  to effect activation of the electric information switch associated with each push-button digit  22 . Alternatively, push-button digits  22  may be substantially flush with or slightly recessed with respect to the front wall outer surface  24 , such as to protect the push-button digits  22  from abuse, and the push-button apertures  23  may be sufficiently large to accommodate a user&#39;s finger while depressing the push-button digits  22 . 
   Aural output and input to telephone  10  is provided respectively by earpiece  28  and mouthpiece  30 , each extending outward from housing front wall  20  through a respective aural aperture  38 . In the exemplary embodiment, both the earpiece  28  and the mouthpiece  30  are mounted to the interior of the housing  12  on or near the front wall inner surface  21  of the front wall  20 . Earpiece  28  and mouthpiece  30  are each electrically connected to electronic circuit board  19  by connection wire  32 . Earpiece  28  and mouthpiece  30  are mounted such that earpiece  28  is positioned above mouthpiece  30 . Earpiece  28  and mouthpiece  30  are affixed to housing front wall  20  using any appropriate form of attachment known in the art. This means of attachment may include adhesives, mechanical clamps (not shown) interior to housing  12 , or any other means of attachment that provides secure mounting of earpiece  28  and mouthpiece  30  to housing  12 , such that they can not be easily removed from the outside of housing  12 . In the exemplary embodiment, annular seals  42  seal earpiece  28  and mouthpiece  30  into aural apertures  38 . Each annular seal  42  extends about earpiece  28  and mouthpiece  30  within the two vertically spaced apart apertures  38  in the housing front wall  20  of the housing  12 . 
   In an alternative embodiment, earpiece  28  and mouthpiece  30  are mounted within telephone  10 , preferably to front wall inner surface  21 , such that no portions of earpiece  28  or mouthpiece  30  extend through housing front wall  20 . This mounting may thus further protect the earpiece  28  and mouthpiece  30  from abuse. In this embodiment, aural communication to earpiece  28  and mouthpiece  30  is afforded through a sound transparent section of housing front wall  20 , such as a plurality of small holes. This sound transparent section provides protection to earpiece  28  and mouthpiece  30 , while allowing sound to pass through to a user. In this embodiment, housing front wall  20  may be contoured to ergonomically fit a typical human face (not shown), so as to increase user comfort and promote proper sound transfer from the mouthpiece  30  and from the earpiece  28 . 
   A dial tone actuating component  36  extends through housing front wall  20  of housing  12  via dial tone actuating switch aperture  37 , for manually actuating a dial tone of telephone  10 . In the exemplary embodiment, dial tone actuating component  36  is an on/off pushbutton switch  56  known in the art, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . Push button switch  56  may require constant pressure applied by the telephone user to maintain electrical circuit continuity, or may be a toggle push button requiring a first depression to actuate and a second depression to disengage. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, dial tone actuating component  36  may be any on/off electrical switch capable of completing an electric circuit, including but not limited to a toggle lever switch, a relay, or a breaker switch. However, dial tone actuating component  36  should be limited in dimension to prevent injury to the user from being struck by dial tone actuating component  36  or its related structure, and for dial tone actuating component  36  to be ergonomically correct for proper usage. This ergonomic correctness includes proper positioning on housing front wall  20 , proper throw distance of dial tone actuating component  36 , and absence of surround structure, such as a switch-hook, that creates a hazard. 
   Dial tone actuating component  36  is electrically connected between phone line  58  (shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) and electronic circuit board  19 . Phone line  58  accesses telephone  10  through housing  12  from a protected passage interior to the housing  12 . In an exemplary embodiment, phone line  58  enters housing  12  through the wall mounting plate (not shown) behind or interior to the mounted housing  12 , such that phone line  58  is not exposed to vandalism or environmental damage. Typically, phone line  58  is routed through a remote telephone routing switching equipment, for supervisory override control of telephone  10 . Phone line  58  may be any form of communication transmission medium that may be protected by enclosing in a protective housing. Exemplary phone line  58  is a wire line. 
   Earpiece  28 , mouthpiece  30  and push-button dialing pad  18  are also electrically and functionally connected to electronic circuit board  19 . Electronic circuit board  19  includes electronic components known in the art of telephone and electrical switching to receive electrical signals from mouthpiece  30  and phone line  58 , to transmit electrical signals to earpiece  28  and phone line  58 , and to receive and process electrical input from push-button dialing pad  18  for transmission to phone line  58 . 
   Referring primarily to  FIG. 3 , volume control assembly  60  can be electrically connected to earpiece  28  and mouthpiece  30  for increasing and decreasing sound coming out of earpiece  28  and sound going into mouthpiece  30 . In an exemplary embodiment, volume control assembly  60  comprises on/off push-button switch  56 , having built-in volume control circuit  62 , with rotatable control knob  64 . 
   In the exemplary embodiment, amplifier  66  is included, electrically connected between volume control circuit  62  and earpiece  28  and mouthpiece  30 . Typically, amplifier  66  is a component of electronic circuit board  19 . Typically, when control knob  64  is manually rotated in a clockwise direction, the sound coming out of earpiece  28  and the sound going into mouthpiece  30  will be increased. When control knob  64  is manually rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the sound coming out of earpiece  28  and the sound going into mouthpiece  30  will be decreased. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , in the exemplary embodiment, telephone  10  is mounted on building wall  14  at a height such that earpiece  28  is approximately level with the ear of an average height adult user. 
   Telephone  10  is equipped with an escrow mechanism indicated generally at  75 , which in the exemplary embodiment is of a style known in the art suitably designed to recognize the receipt of coin currency and enable operation of telephone  10  when the proper amount of currency has been introduced. Various payment receiving slots may be employed to facilitate the introduction of payment to telephone  10 . In the exemplary embodiment, housing front wall  20  may be provided with coin receiving slot  72 , which allows for introduction of coin currency into housing  12 . Escrow mechanism  75  is located so that the currency is deposited into coin box  87 . In the exemplary embodiment, escrow mechanism  75  is housed within vault  80 , and coin box  87  is accessible from the back of telephone  10 , from the opposite side of wall  14  from housing front wall  20 . As is well known in the art, a coin return slot  70  is included in housing front wall  20  for return of coin currency when appropriate. Alternative methods of receiving currency may also be provided, such as optional credit card receiving slot  71  or paper currency receiver (not shown) without varying from the inventive subject matter. As known in the art, escrow mechanism  75  receives payment for calls and permits activation of electronic circuit board  19  as long as appropriate payment is maintained. 
   To use telephone  10 , a user deposits sufficient funds and actuates dial tone actuating component  36 . With dial tone actuating component  36  actuated, telephone  10  receives a dial tone and the user dials the desired phone number. The user then places his ear next to earpiece  28 , or in an alternative embodiment next to the sound transparent section of housing front wall  20  in front of earpiece  28 , to hear the person being called. The vertical orientation of mouthpiece  30  is such that mouthpiece  30  is ergonomically oriented below earpiece  28  for normal speech input into mouthpiece  30  when the user&#39;s ear is placed next to earpiece  28 . In the exemplary embodiment, the volume for earpiece  28  and mouthpiece  30  is controlled by control knob  64  as described above. When the call is finished, the user disengages dial tone actuating component  36 , such as by releasing on/off button  56  in one embodiment, again pushing on/off button  56  in another embodiment, or stroking a lever in yet another embodiment. 
   In an exemplary embodiment, telephone  10  is capable of dialing out to another phone, but is not enabled to receive incoming phone calls. An advantage of this embodiment is to control phone traffic and ensure safety by preventing potentially undesirable outside phone calls. 
   In an alternate exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , wherein like reference numerals are generally analogous to those of  FIGS. 1-3 , a telephone  110  is constructed from a telephone housing  112 , styled in a fashion known to the art. Housing front wall  120 , analogous to the front wall  20  of the previous figures, is modified to accept dial tone actuating component  36 . Aural apertures  38  are made in housing front wall  120 . Typical switch hook lever (not shown) and handset hooks (not shown) are removed or never installed. In this fashion, housing  112  protects working mechanisms of telephone  110 , in order to reduce telephone&#39;s  110  potential for debilitating abuse. 
   Telephone  110  may be mounted to a freestanding mount  15 . Freestanding mount  15  provides secure support to telephone  110  and protection to phone line  58 , which connects to telephone  10  through the interior of freestanding mount  115 . 
   Telephone  110  illustrates that escrow system coin box  87  can be arranged to be accessed from the front of housing  112 . Alternate embodiments of a telephone according to the invention permit alternate orientations of escrow system coin box  87 . In an exemplary embodiment, coin box  87  of telephone  110  is located in the housing  112  in a manner known in the art, so as to be difficult to remove absent the key for a locking mechanism, such as locking mechanism  88 . 
   Referrring to  FIGS. 5 through 8 , a particular advantage of the invention is that, in some embodiments, an existing conventional phone  100  may be retrofitted to make an abuse-resistant phone  101  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . For example, housing  112  of an existing phone  100  may serve as and be referred to as a main housing member  112 . Main housing member  112  includes a portion of each of inner surface  121 , generally interior to main housing member  112 , and outer surface  124 , opposite interior surface  121 . Retrofit housing member  113  is securable to main housing member  112  with a fastening member, such as hidden mounting brackets  46  and screws  47 . Thus, retrofit housing member  113  is to be viewed as a part of housing  112  for this embodiment. Aural apertures  38  are included on retrofit housing member  113 . Mouthpiece  30  and earpiece  28  are fixed with respect to the retrofit housing member  113  of housing  112 , such that mouthpiece  30  and earpiece  28  may be selectively retrofitted and secured via retrofit housing member  113  to an existing phone  100 , making retrofit safety phone  101 . 
   The embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  has a particular advantage in that existing telephones may be modified rather inexpensively, as compared with the cost of constructing a new phone. For example, conventional handset  26  may be used to supply the earpiece  28  and mouthpiece  30 . Conventional handset  26  has a handle  29 , with earpiece  28  and mouthpiece  30  spaced apart on and rigidly secured to handle  29 . Handset  26  may be secured to retrofit housing member  113  by positioning at least one retention bracket  44  about handle  29  and fastening to retrofit housing member  113  with at least one retention fastener  45 . In the exemplary embodiment a fixed treaded shaft extends outwardly from retrofit front wall inner surface  117  and a compatibly threaded nut is mountable thereon to secure retention bracket  44  holding handset  26 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5 through 8 , a retrofit safety phone  101  of the current invention may be constructed by modifying a conventional phone  100 . The procedural flow of such a method is generally depicted in  FIG. 9A  and consists of handset protecting  250  and switch replacing  260  that can occur in either sequence. Handset protecting  250 , shown in more detail in  FIG. 9B , comprises handset securing  252 , which consists of securing handset  26  against the inner front wall  117  of retrofit housing member  113 , and retrofit housing securing  254 , which consists of securing retrofit housing member  113  to housing front wall  120 , covering the entirety of connection wire  32  and connection wire aperture  33 , such that all of connecting wire  32  and handset  26  extending from the front  120  of conventional phone  100  are contained within the space defined by retrofit housing member  113  and front wall outer surface  124 . 
   In an alternative embodiment depicted in  FIG. 9C , handset securing  252  comprises transitioning handset  254  and cutting hole  257 , which may in part occur in either order. As shown in  FIG. 9D , transitioning handset  254  may comprise handset disconnecting  255  followed by handset mounting  256 . Additionally referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  5 , and  8 , cutting hole  257  may need to occur prior to completing handset mounting  256  in embodiments where handset  26  is accessed from the back of retrofit housing member  113  through opening  50 . Cutting hole  257  creates opening  50  in front wall  120  large enough to permit handset  26  to pass through, but yet can be completely covered by retrofit housing member  113 . Handset mounting  256  securely installs handset  26  into retrofit housing member  113 , and secures retrofit housing member  113  to housing front wall  120 , occluding the opening in front wall  120 , and connecting connection wire  32  to electronic circuit board  19 . Transitioning handset  254  includes disconnecting  255  handset  26  from electronic circuit board  19  in order to pull connection wire  32  from housing front wall  120 . Mounting  256  handset  26  and connection wire  32  may then be accomplished from the back of phone  100  to electronic circuit board  19 , running connection wire  32  and handset  26  through opening  50 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 9A and 9E , switch replacing  260  comprises switch-hook removing  262 , wherein switch-hook assembly  27  of conventional phone  100  is removed from phone housing front wall  120 , and switch installing  264 , wherein dial tone actuator assembly  35  is sized and secured as a direct replacement to switch-hook assembly  27 . 
   The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. It is understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. While certain novel features of this invention have been taught and pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.