GB2148039A - Coin Holder - Google Patents

Abstract

A coin holder is provided in peripheral regions thereof with a plurality of spaces in the same plane, each space being capable of holding a coin (13), and there also being provided retention means (7a, 7b, etc.) for normally retaining a coin (13) in a respective space, which retention means (7a, 7b, etc.) can be overridden in order to remove a coin (13) from its respective space. The holder is slim and can be designed to be carried in a credit card wallet, unlike bulky known coin holders in which the coins are stored in a stack. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Coin holder This invention relates to a coin holder and is more particularly, although not exclusively, concerned with a coin holderwhich conveniently contains a small number of identical coins.

Coin holders are already known, which enable a plurality of coins to be stored in a stacked form on a spring-loaded platform urging the stacktowards an upper retaining lipwhich allowsthe uppermost coin onlyto be removed sideways. These known coin holders, however, are bulky, and are usually employedeither as static coin holders or in a vehicle.

According to the present invention, there is provided a coin holder provided in peripheral regions thereof with a pluralityof spaces inthe same plane, each space being capable of holding a coin, there also being provided retention means for normally retain ing a coin in a respective space, which retention means can be overridden in orderto remove a coin from its respective space.

It is possible to make the coin holder the same size as a common credit card or bank card. The coin holder could then be conveniently held in a credit card pouch or wallet.

Additionally,thecoin holdercould be produced in a variety of styles, of the same general size, containing spaces which could hold different sizes of coins.

Forexample, a coin holdercould have six such spaces,threealongeach longeredgeofthecoin holder, each space to contain a single one Pound Sterling coin. The spaces could be of other dimensions in order to accommodate other denominations of coins, including foreign coins.

In one embodiment ofthe present invention each space of the coin holder is flanked on two opposite sides bytwo resiliently flexible arms capable of gripping at least part of the peripheral region of a coin and capable of being forced apartto permit removal of that coin.

Such an embodiment of coin holder is preferably of a laminar construction, comprising: a central lamina made of a resilientlyflexible material, which includes the flexible arms, with spaces provided in the peripheral region ofthe lamina, each space being shaped so as to envelope at least 180 of the circumference of a coin to be located in the space, but with provision for the flexible arms to be overridden in orderto remove the coin; and two further laminae on opposite sides ofthe central lamina,each ofthefurtherlaminae being securely attached to the central lamina, and each of the further laminae being shaped such that in the coin holderthe spaces in the central lamina are at least partly enclosed bythefurther laminae whilst leaving exposed sufficient of a coin in a space for gripping.

Another embodiment ofthe present invention provides a coin holder wherein, in respect of each space, the retention means is one or more barb which grips one or both ofthe generally opposing surfaces of a coin in order normallyto retain that coin in the holder, but with provision for the retention means to be overridden in order to remove the coin.

This embodiment preferably comprises: two planar spaced-apart portions, made of a generally flexible material,with recesses provided in the peripheral regions; an interconnecting portion which defines a plurality of spaces which open onto the periphery of the coin holder; and one or more barb, in each space, attached or mou Ided to the inwardly directed face of one or both of the opposing planar spaced-apart portions;; wherein the barbs are generally rigid, and insertion of a coin into any individual space causes the planar spaced-apart portions, in the region of the respective space, to flex outwardly, exerting pressure on the coin in order normally to retain the coin in the respective space, and the recesses in the planar spaced-apart portions are opposite the spaces and are shaped such that, in use, there is sufficient room to grip a coin and remove the coin from its respective space.

The appearance ofthe coin holder can be made attractive and/or serve an advertising purpose. For example, coloured surfaces or surfaces devoted to advertising can be provided.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will be made, byway of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded, oblique view of one embodiment of the coin holder of the present invention; and Figure 2 is an oblique view of another embodiment of the coin holder, which employs barbs to retain the coins in their respective spaces, part of the holder being cut away to illustrate a barb.

With reference to Figure ia a central lamina 1 is flanked by two outer laminae 2 and 3. The central lamina is attached to the outer laminae 2,3 by eight studs 4, there being four ofthese studs 4 on either side ofthe central lamina 1. The studs 4fit into holes 5 in the outer laminae 2,3 and securely locate and fix the three laminae 1,2,3 together. The central lamina 1, as indicated, has six spaces, each space being defined by two arms, 7a and 7b, or 8a and 8b, etc. Each arm, e.g.

7b, is separated from the arm, e.g. 8a, of the adjacent space orfrom the end portion 9 of the central lamina 1, by a small gap 10 which enables the arms to flex, so permitting the coins to be inserted into or removed from the spaces.

A coin 13 can be inserted into the space as indicated by the arrow 11. The coin 13then resides in the space such thatthe longitudinal axis ofthe coin 13 is perpendicularto the plane of the central lamina 1.

The outer laminae 2,3 have recesses 12 provided in their periphery. These recesses 12 are of such a size that, in use, coins are prevented from escaping in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the coin. The recesses 12 are, however, large enough for a coin in its respective space to be gripped and removed.

With reference to Figure 2, this coin holder can be regarded as comprising two planar spaced-apart portions 22 and 23, and an interconnecting portion 24, which defines the spaces 25,26, etc. for containing the coins.

Each space, e.g. 25 or 26, contains two barbs 27 (only one of which is shown) which grip a coin when the coin is inserted as indicated by the arrow 28. The planarspaced-apart portions 22 and 23, areflexible, so that insertion of a coin causes the spaced-apart portions 22 and 23 to flex and exert a force tending to retain the coin in the space.

The barbs 27 are either secured onto the inwardly directed face 29 of the spaced-apart portions or moulded as an integral part ofthe inwardly directed face 29 ofthespaced-apart portions 22,23. The barbs 27 are located in their respective space, e.g. 25 or26, within the confines of the three walls (provided by the interconnecting portion) of each space, e.g. 25 or 26, and recesses, e.g. 30,31, provided in the periphery of the spaced-apart portion, e.g. 22.

The recesses, e.g. 30,31, are of such a size that, in use, sufficient of a coin, in its respective space, is enclosed to preventthe coin escaping in a direction along the longitudinal axis ofthe coin. Further,the recesses, e.g. 30,31, are of such a sizethat a coin, in its respective space, may be gripped and removed along a direction generally opposite to that indicated by the arrow 28.

The coin holder shown in Figure 2 is formed of two identical components each of which comprises one of the planar regions 22,23 and half ofthe interconnect ing portion 24, there being provision to secure the two components together.

Forthe coin holderto resemble a bank card or cheque card, it can have a length of approximately 86mm, a width of approximately55mm and a thickness of, say, 5mm, although the thickness will vary from holderto holder depending on the thickness of the coin to be stored.

Claims (8)

1. A coin holder provided in peripheral regions thereofwith a plurality of spaces in the same plane, each space being capable of holding a coin, there also being provided retention means for normally retaining a coin in a respective space, which retention means can be overridden in orderto remove a coin from its respective space.

2. Acoin holderaccording to Claim 1,wherein each space ofthe coin holderisflanked on two opposite sides by two resiliently flexible arms capable of gripping at least part ofthe peripheral region of a coin and capable of being forced apartto permit removal ofthat coin.

3. A coin holder according to Claim 2, being of a laminar construction, comprising: a central lamina made of a resilientlyflexible material, which includes the flexible arms, with spaces provided in the peripheral region ofthe lamina, each space being shaped so asto envelope at least 1800 of the circumference of a coin to be located in the space, but with provision for the flexible arms to be overridden in orderto remove the coin; and two further laminae on opposite sides ofthe central lamina, each ofthefurther laminae being securely attached to the central lamina, and each ofthefurther laminae being shaped such that in the coin holder the spaces in the central lamina are at least partly enclosed bythefurtherlaminaewhilstleaving exposed sufficient of a coin in a space for gripping.

4. Acoin holderaccordingto Claim 1,wherein, in respect of each space, the retention means is one or more barb which grips one or both ofthe generally flat opposing surfaces of a coin in order normally to retain that coin in the holder, but with provision forthe retention means to be overridden in orderto remove the coin.

5. Acoin holder according to Claim 4, which comprises: two planar spaced-apart portions, made of generallyflexible material, with recesses provided in the peripheral regions; an interconnecting portion which defines a plurality of spaces which open onto the periphery of the coin holder; and one or more barb, in each space, attached or moulded to the inwardly directedface of one or both of the opposing planar spaced-apart portions;; wherein the barbs are generally rigid, and insertion of a coin into any individual space causes the planar spaced-apart portions, in the region ofthe respective space, to flex outwardly, exerting pressure on the coin in order normally to retain the coin in the respective space, and the recesses in the planar spaced-apart portions are opposite the spaces and are shaped such that, in use, there is sufficient room to grip a coin and removethe coin from its respective space.

6. A coin holder according to Claim 5, wherein the coin holder is formed of two opposing components each ofwhich comprises one ofthe planar portions and part of the interconnecting portion.

7. A coin holder according to any preceding claim, wherein the coin holder measures approximately 86mm by55mm by5mm.

8. A coin holder, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, or as illustrated in Figure 1 or Figure 2 ofthe accompanying drawing.