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US 5,181,242 AGranted
Quick release latch mechanism for a telephone handset
AssigneeAT&T Bell Laboratories
InventorLarry D. Stack
Life of this patent
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AssigneeAT&T Bell Laboratories
InventorLarry D. Stack
Estimating the term…
A quick release latching mechanism is provided for restraining a handset of a telephone set. Easily adaptable to fit most existing telephone sets with minimal modifications, the latching mechanism is also easily manufactured, yet satisfies existing safety requirements by being able to restrain the handset during harsh operating conditions. The handset is securely restrained in the handset cradle of a telephone set base by a floating toggle type latch which is balanced around its pivot point and is the only moving part in the quick release latching mechanism. A coil spring is provided to return this latch to its closed position. Any shock forces encountered by the latch are not absorbed or counterbalanced by the spring force since these shock forces are applied in a direction normal to the force exerted by the spring. The spring force, therefore, does not secure the latch in the closed position. Rathr it simply serves to return the latch to this position when the latch is permitted to move freely. The latching mechanism is not only of simplified and reliable construction, but also permits easy insertion and removal of the telephone handset.
A latching mechanism for restraining a telephone handset in a handset cradle, the mechanism comprising:
A method of restraining a telephone handset in a handset cradle, the method comprising the steps of:
A latching mechanism for restraining a telephone handset in a handset cradle, the mechanism comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.