Television remote control adaptor

• US 5,408,044 A
• Filed: 01/12/1993
• Issued: 04/18/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marvin Sandler
• Original Assignee: Marvin Sandler
• Inventors: Spiegel, Alan M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Horgan, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US08/003,514
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 174/52.1, 340/825.57, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 359/142, 359/143, 359/146, 359/148, 359/180, 455/151.1, 455/151.2, 455/151.4, 455/154.1, 455/153.1, 455/128, 455/352, 455/353, 455/354, 455/355, 334/8, 341/22, 341/176, 341/21, 200/257, 200/282, 200/283, 200/293, 200/296, 200/329, 200/333, 200/341, 361/679, 361/680, 361/727, 361/730, 361/731
• US Class Current: 174/520
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/004 Larger or different actuating area
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/014 handicapped
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/066 replaceable
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/044 Protecting cover
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/032 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/025 Stands or organisers to facilitate location or operation
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 9/06 using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. light

Abstract

A television remote control adaptor includes a protective housing for receiving the remote control unit and oversized pushbuttons for manipulating the remote control unit from outside of the adaptor. The television remote control is held in precise orientation of the adaptor by a spring retainer clip. An aperture at one end of the housing permits the infrared transmitters of the remote control unit to activate a television set. An open mesh is attached across the closed face of the housing adjacent to the remote control pushbuttons. Four or five adaptor buttons are attached to the outside of the mesh and held in place by a pair of leg protrusions that engage the mesh. A longer, thinner protrusion, also attached to the adaptor button, passes through the mesh and contacts the underlying remote control pushbuttons when the adaptor button is depressed by the user. The housing not only protects the remote control unit but it also makes it possible for the pushbuttons to be manipulated by individuals having limited visual acuity or manual dexterity.

Claims

1. An adaptor apparatus for receiving a remote control unit having an infrared transmitter and a plurality of control pushbuttons, said apparatus comprising:

a housing for receiving said remote control unit;

mesh means attached to said housing, said mesh means having an outer surface that faces outwardly and an inner surface that faces said remote control unit when installed in said housing;

retainer means for retaining said remote control unit in said housing; and

,

adaptor button means attached to said housing for activating said control pushbuttons of said remote control unit.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said adaptor button means comprises:

a mesh means engaging section;

a depressible section attached to said mesh engaging section;

an extension section attached to said depressible section; and

,

a protruding section attached to said extension section, wherein said protruding section passes through said mesh means,

wherein said depressible section is locatable on the outside surface of said mesh means such that depression of said adaptor button means causes said protruding section to contact at least one of said remote control pushbuttons.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said retainer means comprises a spring means.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said housing includes a front aperture therein,

wherein said aperture is located adjacent said infrared transmitter of said remote control unit so that said infrared transmitter can transmit through said housing.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said mesh engaging section of said adaptor button means comprises at least one leg having a diameter slightly larger than the openings in said mesh so that said leg can frictionally engage said mesh means.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said mesh engaging section comprises two legs.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said housing includes two sides at least one of which includes a channel therein for receiving said spring means.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said spring means comprises:

a leaf spring section engagable in said channel in said housing;

an L-shaped section attached to said leaf spring section; and

,

a rear clip section for holding said remote control unit against said L-shaped section.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said mesh means comprises a mesh having openings therein in the range of 0.125 inches to 0.250 inches.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said remote control unit comprises a television remote control unit.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said adaptor button means comprises at least five adaptor button means.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said depressible section and said extension section of said adaptor button means have a general L-shape.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising:

label means attachable to said adaptor button means for identifying said adaptor button means.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising:

a plurality of feet attached to said housing,

wherein said feet improve the stability of said remote control unit when said feet of said remote control unit rest on a surface.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 when said two legs of said mesh engaging section have a diameter in the range of 0.135 to 0.260 inches.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 further including:

pad means attached to said housing and said spring means for helping to hold said remote control unit in said housing.

2. An adaptor apparatus for receiving a remote control unit having an infrared transmitter and a plurality of control pushbuttons, said apparatus comprising:

a housing for receiving said remote control unit;

spring means for biasing said remote control unit in said housing;

a plurality of adaptor button means for activating said control pushbuttons of said remote control unit; and

,

support means attached to said housing for supporting said plurality of adaptor button means and for independently positioning said adaptor button means with respect to each other and with respect to said remote control unit,

wherein at least three of said adaptor buttons means can be independently positioned with respect to said control pushbuttons of said remote control unit.