US2683526A - Coin holder - Google Patents

Description

Jufiy 13, 1954 w E- 2,683,526

COIN HOLDER Filed July 22, 1949 INVENTOR. fab/7 .5: h fieaf/e Patented July 13, 1954 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE COIN HOLDER John E. Wheatley, Cincinnati, Ohio Application July 22, 1949, Serial No. 106,206

6 Claims.

This invention has to do with a coin holder or a device that may enter into or form a part of a medium of exchange and it is a general object of the invention to provide a simple, efiective, practical structure or device useful generally as a coin holder or in combination with or as a means of handling a coin or coins, tokens, slugs, etc.

The structure provided by the present invention is suitable for use as a coin holder medium of exchange in which case it may be monetized to have a definite value, and when used in combination with a coin or coins its value will be added to that of the coin or coins to result in a unit or medium of exchange of a predetermined or desired value. The device or structure may be considered as a pocket piece to be conveniently handled or carried in a pocket, a purse, or most any usual coin handling element or structure.

The structure may serve merely as a means of facilitating convenient, quick handling of coins, as for example in the handling of a combination or group of coins necessary to make up a given value.

The structure in its preferred form involves an annular body which is cut, split or divided so that it is, in effect, a split or expansible ring, and it is preferably made of a material such as a metal having such resilience as to enable the body to yieldingly grip a coin when combined therewith.

In a preferred form of the invention the body opening in which coins are received has parts which check axial movement of one or more coins. One part preferably positively checks coin movement in one direction, while the other serves to yieldingly or frictionally resist or check coin movement preferably in the other direction. Where the structure is employed to handle coins of different sizes the parts are related so that the small or smaller coins are retained by the positive coin holding or restraining part while one of the largest coins is yieldingly or frictionally restrained or held by the other coin holding part. In the use of such preferred embodiment of the invention coins previously arranged in or applied to the structure may be conveniently and quickly discharged from the holder in the payment of an obligation or in the making of a purchase or to segregate the device from the coins for use alone as a coin by mere application of pressure on the endmost small coin while the device is retained in fingers of the hand, the thumb of which is in most cases found convenient for exerting the pressure on the small coin.

It is a general object of the'present invention to providea' structure of the general character referred to which is such that a predetermined number or combination of coins may be conveniently applied thereto or installed therein, to be handled thereby or to be added to the value thereof, as for instance, at the users convenience to establish a pocket piece or medium of exchange that can be conveniently and readily selected from a collection of usual coins and which can, if the coins only are to be used, be conveniently and quickly operated by the use of one hand to release the coins for delivery, as when paying an obligation or making a purchase. With the structure of the present invention the coin engaging element itself is of such form and construction as to be readily retained in the hand while the coins are discharged therefrom, with the result that the user may replace the structure in a pocket or purse to be reloaded at will. The device being annular in form is such that it is conveniently held following discharge of coins. For example, a user can conveniently pass a finger into the emptied device so the device is held on the finger until deposited, as in a pocket, purse, or other such receptacle.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a structure of the general character referred to which is such that it will receive and effectively hold a given combination of coins, as for instance a five cent piece and three cents, making up a value or combination of coins such as is now commonly required in the purchase of articles such as newspapers, sundry items such as are purchased in drug stores, at newsstands, etc., or are required as fares on public conveyances of various kinds, etc. The structure serves as a most convenient and practical medium for the person possessing it and also as a great convenience and time saver for the merchant or vendor. A person possessing the device can at any convenient or opportune time easily and quickly arrange or deposit the coins in the device and after acquiring some experience this operation may be performed without any particular care, study or premeditation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a structure of the general character referred to which is of such general form and nature that it may be advantageously minted or coined so that it is monetized at a predetermined value, to the end that when combined with one or more coins, it forms a medium of exchange of a value such as ordinary coins now in common use do not conveniently make or which cannot be made with ordinary coins. For example, the structure may be monetized as a fraction of a cent, or at a value of say two and a half cents. In such cases, taken alone or in combination with a coin or coins of common denomination it becomes a convenient medium of exchange for the payment of various taxes or in making purchases where items or articles are priced within narrow margins of value or at fractions of usual values, or for fares on public conveyances, etc.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of typical preferred forms and applications of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying the present invention showing it related to several coins, the coins being shown related in the order in which they are engageable in the device. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device shown in Fig. 1, and showing the coins engaged in or carried by the device. Fig. 3 is a view illustrating the hand of a user in the process of discharging coins from the device. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device showing it without coins. Fig. 5 is an end elevation, being a view taken as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the device as shown in Fig. 4, showing coins arranged therein. Fig. '7 is an end view of the loaded device as shown in Fig. 6, being a view taken as indicated by the line 'I'! on Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detailed sectional view as indicated by line 8-43 on Fig. '7. Fig. 9 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 6, showing another embodiment of the invention. Fig. 10 is a view taken as indicated by line Iii-4n on Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 5 of another modified form of the invention, and Fig. 12 is a view taken on line l2-l2 on Fig. 11.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, can be used to advantage where it is desired to have available for immediate use a predetermined group or combination of coins and where it is intended that the user should retain the device and deliver only the coins in the course of making a deposit or in paying an obligation. It is to be understood that the invention contemplates that all of the structures or devices set forth in the drawings may be monetized so as to have a predetermined value or values, in which case they may be delivered with the combination of coins held thereby, and may 5 be used in the payment of an amount corresponding to the combined value of the coins and the device. When I refer to the device as being monetized I do not intend that such terminology is limited to the device being given value by a a government, or governmental agency, but I mean to include evaluation of the device by various agencies, as for instance by public utility or transportation companies, merchandisers of various kinds, etc.

In Figs. 1 to 8 of the drawings I show an embodiment of the invention designed to handle a plurality of small coins in combination with one large coin, and for purpose of example it may be considered that the small or smaller coins are cents, while the large coin is a five cent piece. In such case the combined value of the coins carried is eight cents. It will be apparent that any desired combination may be resorted to to gain a desired value.

The device as provided by the present invention is characterized by a body A of suitable material, which body is annular or cylindrical in form to be in the nature of a ring and in the preferred form of the invention it is provided with a longitudinal cut or slit in making it a split or divided ring which is resilient. In carrying out the invention various materials or combinations of materials may be employed in the formation of the body A and for certain uses the body may be of molded or cast material other than metal, it being preferred, however, that for most uses it be formed of metal and that the metal have a substantial amount of resiliency so that the device has the gripping action hereinafter described.

The exterior of the body A may, in practice, vary widely in form, proportioning, design, etc. In the case illustrated the body A is provided with fiat smooth ends H that occur in planes normal to the axis of the body and it has an outer periphery [2 which is smooth and turned or made round so that it is concentric with the axis of the holder. It will be apparent that the exterior surfaces H and I2 of the body A may, if desired, be ornamented, provided with markings designating value, or may be employed to carry advertising matter, etc. In practice I prefer that the body be limited in size and weight so that it is generally comparable with a coin or like pocket piece.

The interior of the body A forms a coin carrying socket or pocket and it will be apparent from the drawing that the body is made of such length or extent axially as to receive and hold a group of coins making up the desired value. The structure is such that a very wide range or variation of coin combinations can be accommodated employing the structure of the present invention.

In accordance with the present invention the body A is provided at its interior or at its inner periphery with two coin retaining parts l3 and [4 which parts engage or cooperate with coins to control axial shifting of coins in the device. In the preferred form of the invention one of the retaining parts at the interior of the body positively retains the coins or checks axial movement in one direction in the body, while the other retaining part yieldingly or frictionally holds one of the coins against movement in the opposite direction and thus normally holds all of the coins and provides for release of all the coins from the holder. Movement of the releasably held coin a distance equal to its thickness is all that is necessary to effect release and when the one frictionally held coin is released all of the coins are freed for discharge. In the particular case illustrated the retainer or retaining part l3 serves to positively check axial movement of coins in the holder while the retaining part [4 yieldingly or releasably holds the coins.

The retaining part l3 in the form of the invention illustrated i in the form of a rib or flange I1 projecting inwardly at one end of the body to present a shoulder I5 that faces the opposite end of the body. The inner periphery of thebody or the body opening l6 adjacent the flange is such as to receive certain coins with clearance so that the coin that engages the shoulder I5 and other like coins within the body opening [6 are loose or free. The flange [1 having the shoulder I5 i preferably of limited radial extent so that it overlies the face of the outermost small coin in the body opening 16 at the peripheral portion thereof leaving substantially the entire face of such coin free or exposed. Further the flange with the shoulder I5 is of limited extent axially so that it does not interfere with application of a finger or thumb to the small coin at shoulder l5 in a manner such as is indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawings,

The retaining part It occurs at or is located in the body A at the end portion opposite to that at which the flange ll occurs. The part I4 is engageable with the peripheral edge 29 of a large coin and in the case being described it is such as to engage the edge of a coin X which is larger than the coins Y that fit in or are received by the body opening it. The part I4 is formed by providing an enlargement or counterbore in the body A from the end opposite the flange l1 and by thus enlarging or counterboring the body opening a stop shoulder 2! is provided in the body facing the end of the body from which the counterbore occurs. The stop shoulder is such as to limit inward movement of the large coin X and it is so spaced from shoulder as to allow a predetermined number of small coins Y to be arranged in the body to be held between the large coin X and the shoulder l5. In the case illustrated three small coins Y are engaged or carried in the body between the large coin X and the shoulder IS.

The part l5 involves a cylindrical face or surface designed to bear upon the peripheral edge 26 of the large coin X and in accordance with the present invention the counterbore is of such size that the retaining face I4 is slightly smaller in diameter than the coin X, with the result that engagement of the coin in the holder to be within the face or part It requires that the body A be sprung or enlarged slightly, which action of the body is permitted by the cut at It. The body in effect conforms itself to the size of the large coin and is such as to adapt itself to the variations that occur between different coins of the same denomination. It will be apparent that by suitably making the counterbore which provides the retaining part Id of the desired size and by forming the body of the desired weight or size and of the desired material, the holder will engage and grip the large coin X in the desired manner or with the desired pressure.

In practice it is preferred that the parts he related, proportioned and designed so that the large coin X is retained by the part is in the manner shown in Fig. 6 with sufficient pressure so that the coins remain in the body during normal handling or use of the assembly or medium, as for instance during carrying of the medium in a purse or pocket with keys, other coins, etc., while at the same time enabling the user to readily eject the coins from the body A by pressure on the exposed small coin Y in the mannersuch as is indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. From Fig. 3 of the drawings it will be apparent that the body A is enough larger than the coins so that it can be readily segregated from other coins or mediums of exchange in a pocket or purse and it may be readily retained in the hand of the user for reuse following discharge of the coins as indicated in Fig. 3. The body being a ring can be conveniently carried or held on a finger when there are no coins in it.

In the preferred form of the invention the end of the body counterbored for the formation of the retaining part I is extended slightly, as at 30, providing a suitable beveled or inclined surface 3i which adjoins or leads to the part Id. The inclined surface 3! in practice may be pitched at an angle of about to degrees relative to the axis of the holder, in which case it i effective in spreading the ring to receive the large coin the periphery of which is slightly larger than the opening in the body and in guiding the large coin A into the part It as the coins are assembled.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawings the body A which is annular in form and in the nature of a split ring, is designed to handle but a single coin'Z. In this case the shoulder IS on flange IT is engaged by the coin Z while the coin is releasably retained by the retaining part I4. This form of the invention is partially practical for use where the device is to be monetized and in such case suitable markings 35a may be provided on the exterior of the body indicating value or other information, as required. Further, it will be apparent that where the device is thus to be monetized it may be made such as to engage the coin so the coin can be conveniently released therefrom after the manner above described and as shown in Fig. 3 or it may be made to tightly grip the coin to, ineifect, remain permanently thereon.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12 of the drawings the body H is similar, generally, to the form of the invention first described, except that in this case the body is such as to carry one or more small coins Y and two or more large coins X. In this case the body opening occurring between the flange ll" and the coin holding part I4" is stepped or has two diameters, a small part or a small diameter l6 accommodating the small coin or coins Y adjacent the flange I? and a large part or large diameter l8" adjacent the retaining part [4" and such as to loosely carry or hold one or more large coins X. It is preferred that the wall of the coin gripping part Id" be relieved or recessed at circumferentially spaced portions leaving only circumferentially spaced lands or high parts that engage and hold the periphery of the large coin. When the outermost large coin has been released other large coins may tilt and discharge freely, in any event but slight pressure will displace the following large coins. This form of the invention will serve to illustrate the manner in which modifications or variations of the invention may be made, accommodating the device to various combinations of coins, as may be necessary to make up desired values. In a particular locality a public carrier may charge a fare requiring the combination of a predetermined number of coins in which event the device of the present invention may be modified or varied along the lines indicated from the foregoing description, so that such combination or group of coins is handled in the manner indicated.

I may in practice provide a sight opening 60 in the body so a person can at one point see the edges of all of the coins in the body. By locating the sight opening close to the cut in the body it may be made large, for instance, it may be a large bore as shown in the drawings without materially effecting the strength or resiliency of the body.

It is to be understood that in practice any or all of the various edges or corners presented by the structure may be dressed, beveled or otherwise finished or shaped so that they are safe and free of objectional features.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination, a longitudinally split cylindrical body defining an opening with end portions of difierent diameters, coins of difierent diameters in stacked relation in the opening with the largest coin in the portion of largest diameter and the smallest coin in the portion of smallest diameter, the body having a shoulder at the outer end of the opening portion of smallest diameter positively stopping displacement of coins therefrom and having a cylindrical gripping surface in the opening portion of largest diameter frictionally gripping the periphery of the largest com.

2. In combination, a longitudinally split cylindrical body defining an opening with end portions of different diameters, coins of diiferent diameters in stacked relation in the opening with the largest coin in the portion of largest diameter and the smallest coin in the portion of smallest diameter, there being an intermediate coin in the stack between those aforementioned, the body having a shoulder at the outer end of the opening portion of smallest diameter positively stopping displacement of coins therefrom and having a cylindrical gripping surface in the opening portion of largest diameter frictionally gripping the periphery of the largest coin, there being a portion of the opening between the said end portions thereof freely accommodating the said intermediate coin.

3. A coin holder including a longitudinally split cylindrical body defining an opening adapted to receive coins, the body having a shoulder adjacent one end adapted to positively check displacement of a coin from said end of the opening, and having a cylindrically curved gripping surface confined to and unrestricted at the other end of the opening adapted to frictionally engage and releasably retain a second coin larger in diameter than the first mentioned coin, there being space in the body smaller in diameter than the gripping surface and located between the shoulder and said gripping surface adapted to freely accommodate an additional coin.

4. In combination, a longitudinally split cylindrical body defining an opening with end portions of different diameters, coins of different diameters in stacked relation in the opening with the largest coin in the portion of largest diameter and the smallest coin in the portion of smallest diameter, there being a plurality of additional coins in the stack the size of said smallest coin, the body having a shoulder at the outer end of the opening portion of smallest diameter positively stopping displacement of coins therefrom and having a cylindrical gripping surface in the opening portion of largest diameter frictionally gripping the periphery of the largest coin, there being a portion of the opening between said end portions thereof smaller in diameter than the larger end portion and freely accommodating the said additional coins.

5. In combination, a longitudinally split cylindrical body defining an opening with end portions of different diameters, coins of different diameters in stacked relation in the opening with the largest coin in the portion of largest diameter and the smallest coin in the portion of smallest diameter, there being an additional coin in the stack the size of said largest coin, the body having a shoulder at the outer end of the opening portion of smallest diameter positively stopping displacement of coins therefrom and having a cylindrical gripping surface in the opening portion of largest diameter frictionally gripping the periphery of the largest coin, there being a portion of the opening between said end portions thereof freely accommodating the said additional coin.

6. In combination, a plurality of coins of different sizes and a single longitudinally split cylindrical body having an opening through it from one end to the other receiving the coins in stacked relation and from one end only of the body, the opening having cylindrical end portions of different diameter, the smaller end portion being adapted to freely receive the smaller coin and being smaller than the larger coin and the larger end portion being adapted to grip the larger coin, there being a stop shoulder at one end of the body adjacent the smaller end portion of the opening positively checking displacement of coins from that end of the body, the larger end portion of the opening being unobstructed at the other end of the body and frictionally holding only one of the coins, said one coin acting as a retainer for the other coins.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 632,938 Greenburg Sept. 12, 1899 837,685 Kintz Dec. 4, 1906 851,078 Dunn Apr. 23, 1907 893,890 Zamboni July 21, 1908 992,087 Vandervoort May 9, 1911 1,255,553 Nathan Feb. 5, 1918 1,751,615 Bower Mar. 25, 1930 1,771,873 Chalmers July 29, 1930 2,027,667 Brinkman Jan. 14, 1936 2,434,553 Ensley Jan. 13, 1948 2,444,804 Carruthers July 6, 1948

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