US2077536A - Combination wallet and calendar bank - Google Patents

Description

April 20, 1937. G H. TAGGART COMBINATION WALLET AND CALENDAR BANK 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 28,

INVENTQR v ORD% H. TAGGART ATTO NEY5 April 1937- G. H TAGGART COMBINATION WALLET AND CALENDAR-BANK Filed Dec. 28, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR GORDON H. TAG 6A H T M rm ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. ac, res? UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Gordon H. Taggart, Minneapolis, Minn.

Application December 28, 1935, Serial No. 56,483

15 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved combination Wallet and calendar bank designed for use in the saving of money by putting aside coins at regular intervals as, for example, daily, and the device is so arranged that the coins inserted therein cooperate with means embodied in the construction thereof to serve as a calendar and to indicate the current date of the month, provided a coin is inserted therein daily, and said bank serving as a constant reminder of the time for inserting the next coin.

An object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described, which is comparatively simple and inexpensive in construction, and is neat in appearance and compact, whereby it may be conveniently carried in a pocket.

A further object is to provide a combination wallet and calendar bank comprising a body portion having a holder suitably hinged thereto and adapted to receive an insert comprising a plurality of coin-receiving passages, and the walls of said passages having openings therein registering with sight holes in the walls of the holder, whereby coins in the insert may readily be seen through said sight holder.

A further object is to provide a device of the class described comprising a holder having an insert removably fitting therein adapted to receive coins, preferably of a given denomination, and the walls of the holder being provided with suitable sight holes corresponding in number to the number of days in a month, and said sight holes being so arranged that each coin inserted into the insert will be positioned in line with one of said holes, whereby it may be seen therethrough, and whereby the person carrying the device is constantly reminded that he must daily insert a coin therein, thus providing a very neat and practical coin-saving device.

Other objects of the invention reside in the particular arrangement of the holder with respect to the body portion of the wallet, whereby it is normally concealed therewithin; in the construction of the coin-receiving insert which comprises a plurality of passages arranged in parallel relation and having means therein for frictionally retaining the coins in position, whereby they cannot rattle or become misplaced within the insert, and whereby they cannot be retracted from the passages; and, in the means for normally closing the lower end of the insert to prevent the removal of coins therefrom, which means is provided with a concealed lock which can only be released or unlocked when the insert has been completely filled with coins, said lock being so constructed that when the final coin is inserted into the insert, a preceding coin will engage and release the lock, whereby all of the coins may readily be removed from the insert.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a view showing my improved wallet unfolded, or open, with the holder in normal position therein;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure l, but showing the holder swung outwardly to expose the back side thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, showing the means provided within the insert for retaining the coins in position therein;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view on the line 44 of Figure 7, showing the coin-receiving passages in the insert;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 55 of Figure '7, showing the means for locking the pivoted member at the bottom of the insert against opening;

Figure 6 is a similar view showing the detent actuated by a coin, thereby to unlock the pivoted member or closure to permit the removal of coins from the insert;

Figure 7 is a View showing the insert removed from the holder and the pivoted member at the lower end thereof in normal closed position; and

Figure 8 is a view showing the lower portion of the insert with the pivoted member open to permit the removal of the coins from the insert.

The novel combination wallet and coin-actuated calendar herein disclosed, is shown comprising a body portion, generally indicated by the numeral 2 and constructed of a suitable flexible material such, for example, as leather. The body portion of the wallet, as is customary in devices of this character, is composed of several thicknesses of material constituting walls, 3, 4, 5, and 6, cooperating to provide a plurality of compartments for receiving bills, cards, and other miscellaneous articles usually carried in a wallet of this character.

An important feature of the invention resides in the calendar portion of the wallet which comprises a holder, generally indicated by the numeral l, and best shown in Figures 1 and 2. This holder is preferably constructed of a material similar to that from which the body of the wallet is made, and is secured at one edge to the body of the wallet by such means as stitching B, whereby the holder may be swung outwardly to the position shown in Figure 2, to expose the back side thereof. The holder is open at its upper end and is normally closed at its lower end by a suitable flap 9, secured in closed position by suitable snap buttons I l, as best shown in Figure 2. A plurality of sight holes l2 are provided in the front and back walls of the holder, as clearly V illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. These sight holes correspond in number to the average days in a month as, for example, thirty, there being fifteen such holes in each wall of the holder.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the unique construction of the insert, shown in Figures 3 to 8, inclusive, and generally indicated by the numeral Hi. This insert is composed of oppositely disposed plates i4 and I5 formed with longitudinally extending depressed portions l6 and Il, spaced equidistant apart crosswise of the plates, and facing inwardly, as best shown in Figure 4.

A pair of thin metallic plates l8 and i9 are arranged baok-to-loack between the side plates M and i5, and all of the plates are then suitably secured together as a unit by such means as electric spot welding, whereby they form, in effect, a rigid one-piece structure. By longitudinally depressing portions of the side plates i l and 15, as shown at E6 and ill in Figure 4, a plurality of coin-receiving passages 2|, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 are provided which extend lengthwise through the insert, as clearly illustrated in Figures 3 and I.

The inner plates i8 and 29 are provided with outwardly bent resilient projections 27 which are alined with suitable openings 28 provided in the side walls l4 and E5 of the insert, as clearly illustrated in Figures '7 and 8. The projections 2'! are arranged to engage and guide the coins through the coin-receiving passages in abutting relation, as clearly illustrated in Figures 3 and 6, and hold them firmly against the outer walls of the insert to thereby prevent the coins from overlapping in the passages and becoming jammed therein. In other words, the resilient projections 21 prevent the edges of the coins from passing one another, as each successive coin is inserted into a passage, whereby each coin inserted into a passage will forwardly move the preceding coins therein until the passage has been completely filled, as shown at the left hand side of Figure '7.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the particular arrangement of the sight holes l2 of the holder, with respect to the insert 13, whereby these holes may cooperate with the coins in the insert to indicate the current date of the month. The insert is so constructed that coins, after once having been inserted into the insert, cannot readily be removed therefrom until all of the passages in the insert have been completely filled. To thus prevent the coins from being removed from the insert before it is completely filled, a member 29 is pivoted to the lower end of the insert It by a suitable pivot pin 3!, and functions as a closure to retain the coins in the insert. When the member. 29 is swung outwardly or to the open position, as shown in Figure 8, the coins may readily be removed from the insert by shoving them out of the passages by a suitable instrument such, for example, as a finger nail file.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the means provided for looking the pivoted member or closure 29, whereby it cannot be opened until all of the coin-receiving passages in the insert have been completely filled with coins. This is a desirable feature of the invention in that it makes it necessary for the person carrying the wallet to daily insert a coin, whereby the calendar portion thereof will indicate the current day of the month. The novel locking means herein provided for locking the closure 22 against opening, is best shown in Figures 5 to 8, inclusive, and comprises a small detent or projection 32 formed by inwardly bending portions or" the metal of each of the side walls of the U-shaped member 29, as best illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. The detent 32 is adapted to engage a notch 33 in the lower portion of the front wall M of the holder l3, as shown at the lower right hand corner of Figure 8. In Figure 5, the detent 32 is shown in looking engagement with the notch 33, wherein it will be noted that the member 23 cannot be opened because of the terminal of the detent 32 being engaged with the bottom wall of the notch 33.

To move the detent 32 out of locking engagement with the notch 33, it must be bent outwardly from the position shown in Figure 5, to that shown in Figure 6, and this is automatically accomplished when the last or thirtieth coin is inserted into the insert, as will readily be understood by reference to the various figures of the drawings. In other words, the notch 33 is provided in the wall of the opening 28 of the insert, which is alined with the sight hole, marked:

No. 36 in Figure 2.

In the operation of this novel coin-actuated calendar and coin-saving device, the first coin is inserted into the passage 2|, whereby it may be seen through the sight hole marked No. I, thus indicating the first day of the month, provided, of course, that the first dime is inserted upon that particular day of the month. As a coin or dime is inserted into the insert each day, the preceding coins in passage 2i will advance until said passage has received five coins, which will represent the fifth day of the month. The sixth coin representing the sixth day of the month is inserted into passage 22 and will be exposed through the sight hole marked 6, thereby indicating that particular date of the month. When the three passages on the front side of the holder have been filled, the passages at the back side of the insert are successively filled, commencing with passage 24. If desired, the holder 7 may be turned over, as shown in Figure 3, whereby the dates of the month may readily be noted. When the thirtieth coin is insorted into passage No. 26, the coin aligned with sight hole 29 will advance to sight hole No. 38,

thereby indicating the thirtieth day of the month ly reminds the person when the next coin is to be inserted therein. The calendar portion of the device may be started on any day of the month by simply inserting the coin into whatever row the current date of the month appears, and by inserting a suflicient number of coins to advance the leading coin to the sight hole marked with the numeral corresponding to the current date of the month. From then on, a coin is inserted into the device daily until the remaining passages have been completely filled.

The insert is removably supported Within the holder 1 so that it may readily and quickly be removed therefrom for emptying, when necessary. It will also be seen, by reference to Figure 4, that it is comparatively thin and small in cross-section, whereby it takes up very little space in the wallet and adds very little additional weight to the Wallet, and whereby a combination wallet and coin-actuated calendar is provided which is extremely neat in appearance, and may be conveniently carried in the pocket in a manner similar to an ordinary Wallet.

The device has been found particularly useful as a means for stimulating periodic saving, because it may be conveniently carried by the person to thereby constantly remind him of when the next coin is to be set aside. Thus, personsattempting to make small monthly payments on contracts, to a thrift club, or the like, may find this device extremely useful, because by daily inserting therein coins of a given'denornination, the sum accumulated therein at the end of each month, may be sufiicient to meet such obligations, it being understood that the device may be madefor coins of any desired denomination, without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the class described, a body portion, a, holder fastened thereto, a wall of the holder having a plurality of sight holes therein representing the dates of the month, a coin-re ceiving insert removably fitting in the holder, and. means in the insert whereby the coins inserted, therein are progressively moved into alinementwith said sight holes, thereby to indicate the dateof the month.

2. In a device of the class described, a body portion of a suitable flexible material, a holder hinged to said body portion and having a plurality of sight holes in a Wall thereof representing the dates of the month, an insert removably fitting in the holder and having coins-receiving passages therein, and the walls of the insert having openings registering with the sight holes in the: wall of the holder, whereby coins in the insertmay be seen through said sight holes, thereby to indicate the date of the month.

3. In a device of the class described, a body' portion of. suitable flexible material capable of' folding, a holder hinged to said body portion, a wall of said holder having a plurality of sightholes therein representing dates of the month, an insert removably fitting in the holder and open at one end for receiving coins, the walls of said, insert having openings registering with the sight .holes in the wall of the holder, whereby coins in.

the insert may be seen through said sight holes,. and the sight holes in the holder being numbered. corresponding to the number of days in a month, whereby when a coin is daily inserted into theinsert, the current date may be indicated on the: holder.

4. In a device of the class described a body portion of suitable flexible material such as: leather, a holder hinged at one edge to said body portion whereby its back wall may be exposed. the front and back walls of the holder having:

a plurality of sight holes therein, the total sum of which corresponds to the number of days in a month, and an insert fitting in said holder and adapted to receive a plurality of coins corresponding to the number of sight holes in the walls of the holder, the coins positioned in the insert being visible through said sight holes, whereby they may cooperate therewith to indicate the current date of the month, if a coin is daily inserted into the insert.

5. In a device of the class described a body portion of suitable material, a holder hinged at one edge to said body portion whereby its back wall may be exposed, the front and back walls of the holder having a plurality of sight holes therein, the total sum of which corresponds to the number of days in a month, an insert fitting in said holder and adapted to receive a number of coins corresponding to the number of sight holes in the walls of the holder, each coin positioned in said insert being substantially alined with one of the sight holes in the holder, whereby the number of coins contained in the insert may readily be seen, and means for preventing removal of coins from the insert until it has been completely filled.

6. A coin-actuated calendar bank comprising a holder having a flap for closing one end thereof, an insert adapted to be fitted into said holder and comprising a plurality of coin-receiving passages, the Walls of said passages having openings therein, a plurality of sight holes in the walls of the holder alined with the openings in the walls of the insert, whereby the coins supported in the insert may be seen through said sight holes, means whereby the coins in a partially filled passage are progressively advanced therein, each time a succeeding coin is inserted into said partially filled passage, and the spacing between the sight holes lengthwise of the passages being substantially equal to the diameter of the coins, "whereby each coin inserted into the insert will come to rest in alinement with one of said sight 'holes, and thereby cooperate therewith to indicate the current day of the month.

7. A coin-actuated calendar bank comprising :a holder closed at its lower end and open at its top, a coin-receiving insert adapted to be fitted :into the holder, a plurality of sight holes in op- 'posite Walls of the holder through which coins in the insert may be seen, the number of sight holes in the walls of the holder corresponding to the number of days in the month, whereby it :a coin is daily inserted into the holder, said coins will cooperate with said sight holes to indicate the current date of the month, and :means preventing removal of coins from the in- ;sert until the latter has been completely filled.

8. A coin-actuated calendar bank comprising :a holder closed at its lower end and open at its top, a coin-receiving insert adapted to be fitted into said holder, a plurality of sight holes in opposite walls of the holder through which coins in the insert may be seen, the number of sight holes in the walls of the holder corresponding 'to the number of days in a month, whereby if a coin is daily inserted into the holder, said coins cooperate with the sight holes in the holder to :indicate the current date of the month, a pivoted :member for retaining the coins in the insert, a coin-actuated lock for securing said pivoted .member in closed position.

9. A coin-actuated calendar bank adapted to 'be carried in a pocket, said bank comprising a 1101(161', an insert fitted into said holder, said insert having openings in its opposite wa1ls,a plurality of sight holes in the front and back walls of the holder alined with the openings in the Walls of the insert whereby coins in the insert may be seen through said sight holes, the number of sight holes in the walls of the holder corresponding to the number of days in the month, whereby if a coin is daily inserted into the holder, said coins will cooperate with the sight holes in the holder to indicate the current date of the month, a pivoted member for closing the lower end of the insert to prevent removal of coins therefrom, and a lock normally securing said pivoted member against opening, said lock being arranged to be automatically actuated by a coin to release the pivoted member, when the insert has been completely filled with coins.

10. A coin-actuated calendar bank comprising a holder closed at its lower end and opened at its top, an insert adapted to be fitted into said holder, said insert having openings in its opposite walls, through which coins supported therein may be seen, a plurality of sight holes in opposite walls of the holder alined with the openings in the walls of the insert, the sight holes in the walls of the holder being marked to represent the number of days in a month, whereby if a coin is daily inserted into the holder, the coins in the insert will cooperate with the sight holes in the holder to indicate the current date of the month, a pivoted member for preventing the removal of coins from the insert until the latter has been completely filled, said pivoted member comprising a detent for locking it against opening, and said detent being arranged to be actuated by a coin in the insert to release the pivoted member, and whereby the coins in the insert cannot be removed therefrom, until the insert has been completely filled.

11, A coin-actuated calendar comprising a holder closed at its lower end and opened at its top, an insert adapted to be fitted into said holder, said insert having openings in its opposite walls, through which coins supported therein may be seen, a plurality of sight holes in the opposite walls thereof, through which coins in the insert may be seen, the sight holes in the Walls of the holder being numbered corresponding to the number of days in a month, whereby if a coin is daily inserted into the bank, the current date of the month will be indicated thereon, a pivoted member closing the bottom of the insert to prevent the removal of the coins therefrom, said pivoted member having a detent for retaining it in locked position, said detent being positioned to be actuated by a coin, when the insert is filled, whereby the pivoted member is released and may be opened to permit removal of the coins from the insert.

12. In a device of the class described, a member comprising oppositely disposed plates having 1ongitudinal recesses formed therein, a partition secured in position between said plates and cooperating therewith to provide a plurality of longitudinally extending coin-receiving passages, and a plurality of projections on the partition adapted to engage and guide the coins along the passages in abutting relation and whereby they cannot overlap in said passages.

13. In a device of the class described, a member comprising oppositely disposed plates having longitudinal recesses formed therein, a partition secured in position between said plates and cooperating therewith to provide a plurality of longitudinally extending coin-receiving passages, a plurality of oppositely disposed projections on the partition adapted to engage and guide the coins along the passages in abutting relation and whereby the coins cannot overlap in said passages, and means for preventing coins inserted into said member from being removed therefrom until at least one of the coin-receiving passages is filled with coins.

14. In a device of the class described, a member comprising oppositely disposed plates having longitudinal recesses formed therein, a partition secured in position between said plate elements and cooperating therewith to provide a plurality of longitudinally extending coin-receiving passages, said passages being open at their upper ends for the reception of coins, said partition being composed of a pair of thin sheets arranged in fiatwise relation and each equipped with resilient prongs projecting into said passages and adapted to engage and guide the coins along the passages in abutting relation, and means at the bottom of the member for retaining the coins in said passages.

15. In a device of the class described, a member comprising oppositely disposed plates forming the walls thereof, metallic plate elements arranged back-to-back between said plates, means securing all of said plates together as a unit, the outer plates having inwardly facing longitudinal recesses forming coin-receiving passages, projeotions or prongs on the inner plate elements projecting into the passages to engage and guide the coins therethrough in abutting relation, a member pivoted to the lower end of the insert and normally closing the bottoms of the passages to prevent the removal of coins therefrom, and a coin-actuated locking device for securing said pivoted member in locked position, said coinactuated locking device requiring that at least one of the passages be completely filled with coins before it can be actuated to release the pivoted member.

GORDON H. TAGGART.

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