Apparatus and Method for Protection of Coin Operated Telephones

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an apparatus for protection of coin operated telephones of the type wherein a protective cover plate is removably positioned over the coin accumulation and return areas of the telephone.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Public coin operated telephones have in the past, been provided with a coin accumulation lock box and a coin return scoop for returning unused coins to the user. In the past, the coin return scoop was merely constructed as an arcuate slide upon which coins were deposited for retrieval by the user when a telephone call made by the user was not completed or the call was terminated prior to completion. In essence, the purpose of the coin return was to provide the user with an immediate refund when the service could not be rendered. Access to coins was provided by a simple opening communicating with the coin return scoop.

As public vandalism has increased, it has taken its toll on public telephones, making the telephones the object of numerous types of vandal attacks. Coin return scoops, openings and coin boxes have been destroyed in efforts by vandals to remove coins from the telephones illegally. This activity necessitated the development of a pivotally mounted coin return door which somewhat restricted the access to the coin return scoop to prevent the introduction of illegal devices. However, subsequently other techniques and devices to gain access to the coin return area were developed by vandals. Even explosives such as M80 fireworks have been used to gain illegal access to the coins in public telephones.

In the recent past, certain attempts have been made to protect public telephones by providing a protective cover in the region of the coin box. It was assumed that providing a protective cover to the coin box would supplement the protection provided by the pivotal coin return door to protect all coins in the telephone. However, these attempts were not as successful as would otherwise have been expected, since the vandalism continued against the coin destructive protective doors and adjacent areas. In some instances, the protective cover was actually removed with structured tools. For example, such devices were not constructed to extend across the entire width of the telephone, nor were they fabricated of sufficiently heavy duty materials of sufficient dimensions to provide adequate protection. Thus, they were subject to removal by prying or other techniques.

Attempts at eliminating vandalism by providing a protective cover over the entire width of the telephone enjoyed significant success. Such success was even further improved by providing cover protection over the hinge of the coin return door in the manner disclosed in my copending application No. 07/517,418, filed Sep. 25, 1990.

However, experience with such improved devices has demonstrated that there exists room for yet further improvements in the coin return area. For example, it has been observed that vandals would stuff the area between the rear face of the protective cover and the forward face of the coin return door, thereby jamming the coin return door in the rearward position, i.e. the position which the door temporarily assumes when coins are being retrieved. Thus, with the coin return door so jammed, the returned coins tend to accumulate behind the coin return door giving the consumer the impression that the coin is lost. After sufficient time has lapsed the vandal will return to the telephone and remove the stuffing materials, i.e. paper, chewing gum, tissues, etc. This action permits the coins to drop into the coin return scoop for illegal removal by the vandal.

I have invented an apparatus for protection of coin operated telephones by providing a protective cover which extends across the entire width of the telephone in the coin box and coin return region while providing blocking protection for the coin return access opening.

A protective cover for a coin operated telephone which extends substantially over the width of the telephone in the coin accumulation box and coin return regions, the cover having means to provide user access to the coin return portion of the telephone. Means attached to the cover in the coin return region and selectively movable by the user from a first position which blocks the coin return region of the telephone and a second position which permits user access to the coin return region.

Preferably, the protective cover is provided for a coin operated telephone which includes a coin return opening and a pivotally mounted protective coin return door in the region of the coin return opening. The cover comprises a protective plate dimensioned and configured to be removably attached to the telephone in the coin box and coin return opening regions of the telephone. The invention also comprises means to provide user access to the telephone coin return opening, and means to protect the upper portion of the coin return door while permitting pivotal movement of the door to facilitate removal of coins from the return opening of the telephone. Means is attached to the protective cover in the coin return region and selectively movable by the user from a first position which blocks the coin return opening of the telephone and a second position which permits access to the coin return opening while blocking access to the space between the coin return door and the protective plate. The means to block the coin return opening is a plate member pivotally attached to the protective cover over the coin removal access opening. The plate member has a perpendicular lip at the lower edge and is pivotally movable from a first position which blocks the coin return access opening to a second position in engagement with the coin return door and which prevents insertion of objects in the space between the protective cover and the coin removal protective door when the protective door is pivoted to the coin removal position. Preferably the plate member includes outwardly extending vertical flanges along each side which nestle within the coin return opening and preferably extend outwardly to the front surface of the protective plate. Such flanges may optionally extend outwardly of the front surface of the protective plate. The plate member is welded to a hinge which is welded to the rear surface of the protective cover above the telephone coin return opening. Other suitable attachment techniques may be used.

The protective cover according to the preferred embodiment is structured to protect a telephone which includes a coin box for accumulation of user deposited coins. The coin box is adjacent the coin return opening and the protective plate extends across the width of the telephone over the coin box region and the coin return region. The protective plate is preferably comprised of a stainless steel plate approximately 7 gauge thickness (i.e. about 3/16 inch). The protective plate includes an access opening to permit user access to the coin return opening of the telephone and preferably comprises a forwardly extending indentation which permits forward pivotal movement of at least a portion of the coin removal protective door of the telephone. The coin box includes a locking protective cover door and an opening is provided in the protective plate to permit key access to the lock of the coin box door.

The protective cover further comprises means to provide access to a second lock for the coin box door positioned on one side portion of the telephone. The coin removal access opening in the cover plate preferably has a rectangular shape and is approximately 11/8 inch in width and approximately 7/8 inch in height. The protective cover is preferably permanently attached to the coin box door by welding. Other attachments are contemplated.

The pivotal door which extends across the opening of the protective cover is preferably dimensioned larger than the opening in the protective cover to prevent entry beyond the cover.

In a preferred embodiment, a protective cover is provided for a coin operated telephone which includes a coin box for locked reception of user deposited coins, coin return means for reception of coins returned to the user, access opening to provide user access to the coin return means. The cover comprises a protective cover plate dimensioned to extend over the width of the telephone in the coin box and coin return area, the cover plate including rearwardly depending flanges at each end to protect at least portions of the sides of the telephone, means to provide user access to the coin return means. A plate member forms a door which is pivotally mounted over the coin return access opening of the cover plate and adapted to block the coin return access opening when at rest and pivotal to a second position by engagement of the user's finger to cause the coin return access door to pivot rearwardly. The protective cover door thereby blocks access to the region between the protective plate and coin return access door to prevent stuffing the space with foreign objects to prevent illegal storage and removal of coins returned to users. Means is provided to facilitate selective removal of the cover plate to provide selective access to the coin box for removal of coins therefrom.

In the preferred embodiment, the protective cover for the coinbox-containing portion of a pay telephone of generally box-like construction comprises a front panel flanked by a pair of parallel, rearwardly-extending side wall panels to define a generally U-shaped construction, the construction adapted and arranged to closely abut the front and side panels of the telephone. The front panel is adapted to be permanently fastened to the coinbox cover of the telephone, and further includes means located thereon to allow operation of and access to the coin return system of the telephone and to permit access to the coinbox removal means of the telephone. Means to allow access to the coin return system is provided with means selectively movable from a first position which blocks the access means to a second position which permits user access to the coin return system of the telephone.

The coin return access means comprises an entryway to the coin return slot of the telephone and an integral raised portion of the front panel positioned to overlie the top portion of the coin return door plate of the telephone. The coin return system of the telephone includes a pivotally mounted coin return door and means to block the entryway is a door pivotally attached to the front panel. This door is dimensioned to block the entryway and is movable to the second position whereby the lower marginal portion engages the coin return door of the telephone. The coinbox removal means comprises a first notch in a side wall panel to expose a side-mounted lock on the telephone and a key entryway on the front panel aligned with the telephone coinbox lock. Further, cover is fastened to the coinbox cover by welding.

The cover may be structured to accommodate telephones having the coin return either on the right side of center or the left side.

A method is disclosed for protection of a coin operated telephone from unauthorized removal of coins, the telephone having a coin box and coin return access opening adjacent the coin box region, a pivotal door to protect the coin return opening, which comprises providing a protective cover dimensioned to extend across the entire width of the telephone over the coin box and being constructed of material and of thickness which protects the telephone coin box from unauthorized entry and the pivotal coin return door while permitting forward pivotal movement of the upper portion, providing an opening in said protective cover directly over the coin return opening of the telephone, the opening being of sufficiently less dimensions than the coin return opening of the telephone so as to provide limited access to the coin return opening to protect the coin return opening from unauthorized entry, and providing a pivotal door over the coin return opening in the protective cover whereby the pivotal door is movable from a first rest position blocking the opening to a second position in engagement with the coin return protective door of the telephone to prevent insertion of foreign objects therebetween to prevent illegal storage and removable of coins therefrom.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view from the right side, of an apparatus for protection of coin operated telephones mounted on a coin operated telephone which is shown in phantom lines;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 2--2 of FIG. 1, illustrating the limited movement provided to the coin return door of the telephone and the blocking door for the coin return access opening which forms part of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a frontal perspective view from the right side, illustrating the pivotal door of FIG. 2 in dotted lines as mounted to a telephone protective apparatus having the coin return on the left side with the pivotal door blocking the coin access opening shown;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 5--5 of FIG. 4 illustrating the coin return blocking door according to the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6--6 of FIG. 4 illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention whereby flanges are provided along each side of the pivotal door and extend outwardly to prevent stuffing or tampering of the aperture for coin removal from the sides.

Referring initially to FIG. 1 there is illustrated an apparatus 10 for protecting a coin operated telephone 12 shown in phantom lines. The protection apparatus 10 is preferably constructed of a durable strong material such as stainless steel plate of 7 gauge thickness, i.e. about 3/16 inch thick. This compares significantly to prior art devices which were constructed of lesser substantial materials and thickness.

The apparatus 10 includes a coin retrieval opening 14 of dimensions sufficient to permit entry of the user's index finger to retrieve the coin(s) from the telephone coin return scoop immediately behind the opening, yet sufficiently small to prevent the introduction of jamming devices or explosives which could be used to destroy the telephone and remove the coins illegally from the coin box. It has been found preferable to dimension opening 14 approximately 11/8 inch in height and 7/8 inch in width to permit sufficient access to the telephone coin return, yet prevent entry of illegal devices. These dimensions are only preferred and may be subject to modification as needed in any particular geographical region or public telephone location.

The apparatus 10 also includes outwardly extending bubble 16, formed by swaging or other metal forming techniques, which permits outward pivotal movement of the upper portion of the coin return door 18, yet limits this movement as shown in FIG. 2. The limitation of pivotal motion of the upper portion of coin return door 18 prevents introduction of illegal devices at the lower end portion, including explosives, which may be used to remove coins illegally from the telephone. The bubble 16 is preferably formed as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or it may assume alternative shapes consistent with the scope of the invention, yet capable of limiting the outward pivotal movement of the upper portion of the coin return door 18.

The coin return door is mounted to the telephone as follows. The cash box of the telephone is usually positioned in the lower front portion adjacent the coin return opening and contains a cash box door 20 shown in FIG. 3. The cash box door 20 is locked and unlocked by a known locking device through key cylinder 22. This cash box door 20 is permanently attached to the rear surface of the protective apparatus 10 by suitable means such as a weld shown at 24, such that the entire protective apparatus may be removed from the telephone by simply removing the cash box door 20. Door 20 is generally referred to as a "vault door". This removal is simply accomplished through the opening 26 provided in the present apparatus, which permits access of the telephone key to the key cylinder 22. Access to a second optional lock and key cylinder 28 on the side of the telephone is provided by yet another cutout section 26 on the left side in FIG. 1 and shown more clearly on the right side of the embodiment of FIG. 4. This cutout section 26 in FIG. 1 is similar to the cutout section shown in FIG. 4, except the mirror image thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, door 32 is mounted to the rear surface of the steel plate for pivotal movement by hinge 34 welded thereto. Hinge 34 is welded to the steel plate. Pivotal door 32 preferably has a rearwardly extending lip 36 generally perpendicular to the plane of door 32 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 to provide a marginal lip which engages the coin return door when the user's index finger is inserted into opening 14. The door is pivotally mounted as shown in FIG. 2 such that when the index finger of the user is inserted into opening 14 of the steel plate the door pivots rearwardly as shown in FIG. 2. In this position the area between the coin return door 18 and the steel plate is blocked, and thus prevents insertion of foreign objects such as paper, chewing gum, tissues, etc., to jam the coin return door in the rearward position. This prevents vandals from illegally storing coins as noted, i.e. behind the coin return door when jammed in the rearward position.

To prevent tampering with pivotal door 32, at least the vertical dimension of the door is preferably larger than the vertical opening 14 in the steel plate as shown in FIG. 4 in dotted lines. In FIG. 6 there is shown outwardly extending vertical parallel flanges along each side of pivotal door 32 to prevent tampering or stuffing of aperture 14 from the sides. Although these vertical flanges preferably extend to the forward surface of the steel plate as shown, they may be constructed to extend outwardly of the surface, if desired. Optionally these flanges may be eliminated if desired. Further, the hinge 34 is preferably located above the upper margin of opening 14 thus preventing entry of tools or instruments to tamper with hinge 34. When the user's index finger is removed from opening 14, door 32 returns to its normal vertical position across opening 14 under influence of gravity.

In operation, the apparatus of the invention is supplied with the telephone cash box door welded to the rear surface as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, the door and the protective apparatus is removable and attachable to the telephone by personnel having valid and authorized keys for use in the front key cylinder access opening 30 as well as in the side lock and key cylinder 28. When installed on the telephone the user is prevented from having any more access to the coin return scoop then is necessary for removal of coins. Thus, limited access is shown clearly in FIG. 2.

In summary, the apparatus 10 of the invention provides at least the following significant functions:

1. Limits inward pivotal movement of coin return door 18;

2. Limits access to the coin return scoop 30 as shown in FIG. 2;

3. Protects the telephone from vandalism;

4. Prevents illegal entry into the telephone cash box and coin return areas;

5. Difficult to remove by vandals without attracting public attention;

6. Prevents illegal stuffing of the area between the coin return door and the steel plate thus preventing illegal storage of returned coins and illegal removal of the coins by removal of the stuffing;

7. Prevents tampering with the coin return system of the telephone.

The apparatus 10 is readily detachably removable from the telephone by authorized personnel who may periodically remove the coins from the cash box by removal of the apparatus 10 and the cash box door 20 utilizing authorized validly issued keys. The pivotal door is tamperproof and not removable due to the hidden location of hinge and the dimensions of pivotal door 30.

Referring to FIG. 4 there is shown an alternative embodiment of the apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the coin return opening 14 and pivotal door "bubble" are positioned on the left side to accommodate telephones having the coin return opening and scoop on the left side. The pivotal door 14 is mounted as shown in FIG. 2 whether the coin return opening is on the left side as shown in FIG. 4 or on the right side as shown in FIG. 1. Telephones having the coin return opening on the left side are not shown in the drawings but may be readily visualized by reversing the positions of the coin return opening and coin scoop to the left side of the front portion of the telephone shown in FIG. 1 with the key cylinder 26 being just to the right of center. In FIG. 1, the key cylinder 26 is just to the left of center shown in FIG. 1. The inventive blocking door 32 for coin return access opening 14 will be mounted to the steel plate as shown, wherever the coin access opening is located.