Mobile cellular telephone

• US 6,983,170 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2001
• Issued: 01/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jerry Stulberger
• Original Assignee: Jerry Stulberger
• Inventors: Stulberger, Jerry
• Primary Examiner(s): Beamer, Temica
• Assistant Examiner(s): Perez, Julio
• Application Number:
  US09/969,705
• Publication Number:
  US 20030064748A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,553 Days
• Field of Search: 455/556, 455/343, 455/89, 455/90, 455/569, 455/557, 4554041-404, 455/460, 455/88, 455/345, 455/575, 179/2, 379/58, 379/62, 379/354, 379/430, 379/446, 379/454, 379/447
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/001 Vehicle control means, e.g. steering-wheel or column
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0059 using clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0063 using adhesive means, e.g. hook and loop fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/203 in steering wheels or steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6083 by interfacing with the vehicle audio system

Abstract

The present invention 10 is a cellular telephone that is releasably attached to the airbag cover 14 of the steering wheel 12 of a vehicle 16. The present invention 10 can be attached by hook and loop material 24 or by a strap means 60. Power to the telephone is supplied by a cord 20 which receives power from the 12-volt cigarette lighter outlet 22. The cord 20 has a breakaway junction 46 disposed so that the cord will break away in the event that the airbag 14 is activated. Positioned between the cellular telephone and the cigarette lighter 22 is a spring-loaded retractor means 18 which will store cord 20 as released as the steering wheel is turned. The present invention 10 also comprises an awaken mode 56 for lethargic users 54 so that a preprogrammed telephone call will be made when the telephone 10 is turned on. Additionally, the present invention 10 comprises means for interfacing 64 with an independent cellular telephone which telephone can be controlled by the present invention 10 by placing the independent cellular telephone in a cradle 66 connected to the present invention 10. Additionally, the present invention 10 comprises multiple breaking points 76 whereby the housing 30 and electronics 78 contained therein will break into multiple pieces when the airbag 72 deploys.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a cellular telephone and appurtenances for attachment to an airbag cover of a vehicle steering wheel for use by an operator of the vehicle, comprising:

a) a housing for containing the cellular telephone, said housing having a front and a back;

b) means for attaching said housing to the airbag cover;

c) means for controlling the cellular telephone whereby the operator is able to control and communicate with the cellular telephone; and

,

d) means for supplying power to the cellular telephone whereby the cellular telephone can be operated, wherein said housing further comprises means for multiple weakened breaking lines whereby said housing will break into multiple sections when subjected to a breaking force such as the deployment of an airbag.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for controlling the cellular telephone further comprises means for multiple weakened breaking lines whereby said means for controlling the cellular telephone will break into multiple sections when subjected to a breaking force such as the deployment of an airbag.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

means for an awaken mode disposed on the cellular telephone whereby the cellular telephone automatically calls a previously entered telephone number upon expiration of a previously established period of time.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said means for an awaken mode is activated when the cellular telephone is turned on and may be cancelled while the call is being made.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising means for an interface device whereby the cellular telephone assumes control of an independent cellular telephone and forwards all of the functions of an independent cellular telephone to the cellular telephone.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said means for an interface device further comprises a cradle for receiving an independent cellular telephone.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said housing is pliable to conform to the shape of the airbag cover.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said means for attaching said housing to the airbag cover further comprises mating hook and loop material.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said hook and loop material further comprises a first hook and loop material member disposed on said back of the cellular telephone and a second mating hook and loop material member disposed on the airbag cover.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said means for attaching said housing to the airbag cover further comprises a strap connector mechanism.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said strap connector mechanism further comprises a plurality of straps, said straps having a first end and a second end, said second end having a hook thereon, wherein said first end is connected to said housing of the cellular telephone and said hook is connected to the airbag cover.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said means for controlling the cellular telephone further comprises a microphone, a speaker, a visual display, a keypad, a note pad, multiple control buttons for said note pad, and an earpiece outlet jack.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said means for supplying power to the cellular telephone further comprises an on/off switch and a cord having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to an input jack on said housing and said second end connected to a retractor means whereby the cord length varies in response to the steering wheel being turned.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said cord is disposed internal the vehicle.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a wire junction disposed on said cord disposed between said input jack and said retractor means to allow said cord to become separated if the airbag is activated.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising hook and loop material for attaching said cord to a steering column of the vehicle.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising an elongated tube member for receiving said cord, said tube member being disposed on said retractor means.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said cord further comprises a vehicle lighter plug adapter for insertion into a lighter plug outlet of the vehicle and a length of coiled cord deposed between said retractor means and the lighter plug outlet.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a rechargeable battery power supply.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising means for a conventional 110-volt AC power supply.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a factory installed power outlet for supplying power to the cellular telephone.