INSTALLATION OF SUPPORT FOR CURRENCY, CREDIT CARDS AND SIMILAR OBJECTS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Priority Claim The present application is a continuation request in part of the previously pending application filed previously, which has Serial No. 11 / 416,965, filed May 3, 2006 incorporated herein by reference. Field of the Invention A support installation comprising an elongate band formed of a plurality of movably interconnected segments and selectively selectable from a normally contracted orientation toward an expanded orientation, wherein the overall size and structure of the band is such as to surround and retain paper money, other types of currency and a variety of cards including, but not limited to, credit, identification and commercial cards, as well as other objects. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNIQUE The devices specifically proposed to hold and / or retain currency, in particular paper money, have been known and used for many years. Perhaps in its simplest form, the coin supports may comprise an elastic or "rubber" band that has sufficient dimension and elasticity to surround the folded paper money and the like. In addition to the relatively unattractive aesthetic properties of such an elastic band of the coin holder, the reliability of such structures is questionable, especially when access to the retained currency is a frequent occurrence throughout the day. Other common types of coin-holding devices include money clips typically formed from a single piece of relatively flexible material, such as metal, plastic or a variety of other suitable materials. In addition, it is known that conventional coin holders are made of silver, gold or other precious metals. Also common to conventional coin holders or similar supports is the inclusion of numerous extravagant designs and decorative attires that include a decorative structure such as coins, jewelry, inscribed plates, etc. When such conventional structures are used, the coin is typically folded and placed in a space defined by the overall structure of the flexible coin holder. A frequently recognized disadvantage of known coin fasteners is the relatively small amount of currency and / or credit cards that can be inserted into the holding space without permanently deforming it. Such deformation of the coin holder would of course make it unreliable or worse, useless for the express purpose of containing bent coin, in the manner described above. Perhaps the most commonly recognized advantage of coin fasteners and other types of coin fasteners is the ability to allow the user to carry the coin held in a relatively small area such as trouser bags or jackets or other conveniently small areas but easily accessible. Such a convenient sizing of the known coin fasteners overcomes the disadvantages and problems associated with carrying currency, credit cards and the like to coin in purses, wallets, purses, etc. Although purses or wallets are still in common use, the ability to easily and quickly access the folded currency and / or credit cards contained therein becomes problematic. Although coin holders and other types of fasteners of the type set forth above are no longer as popular as in pin years, the decreased use of such structures may possibly be directly attributable to the increased use of credit cards. The growth in the use of credit cards and other types of card structures, such as ATM cards, smart cards, etc. has resulted in the need for a means of conveniently and securely carrying one or more such cards in the person of an individual. further, the popularity of coin fasteners is more specifically attributable to the fact that both the currency and the plurality of credit cards can not be retained effectively and / or reliably by conventional coin holders of the types described above. In addition, although coin holders may have been considered a convenient and efficient way to retain paper money, they are not as effective for the purpose of carrying credit cards, driver's licenses or other identification cards of the type set forth above. Currently, as in the near future, the technology in electronic or "smart" cards will advance to the point where the amount of paper currency that an individual usually carries can be significantly reduced. However, it is considered that an improved coin support installation would still be desirable while overcoming the problems of the type set forth above. Therefore, there is a growing and significant need for an effective and efficient support facility structured to hold currency in the form of paper money, credit cards, smart cards, ATM cards as well as identification cards such as driver's license and Similary. In addition, such a proposed currency support facility must have the structural and operational versatility to accommodate currency and / or credit cards of an increased size, thereby enabling a user to carry a plurality of such credit and / or identification cards. currently with paper money in an efficient and effective way. Also the structural conflability of a proposed and preferred coin support installation must be ensured by forming it from a durable material such as metal or a variety of other materials. Finally, a proposed support installation must also demonstrate sufficient versatility to be highly decorative and / or aesthetically pleasing in that the material of the components from which it is formed can be either costly or inexpensive and can be produced to include highly decorative features. or other similar embellishments to be distinguishable from the aforementioned coin holder structures. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a support installation for paper money, credit cards and other types of currency as well as various types of identification cards, transaction cards or similar purpose cards, similar in structure, configuration and dimension to conventional credit cards. Accordingly, as used herein, the term "currency" is intended to be broadly interpreted and includes but is not limited to paper currency, credit cards and other commonly negotiable instruments, as well as cards or similar devices that are not associated directly with the conduct of a financial transaction. More specifically, the support installation comprises an elongated band which can assume a closed continuous configuration and be otherwise structured to surround and thereby retain the coin and / or credit cards. Such an operative retention position of the band is facilitated by the band that is structured from a plurality of movably interconnected segments. Depending on the specific preferred embodiments used, the interconnected segments may extend along at least a portion or substantially the entire length of the band. In addition, a connection installation is movably placed and structured to movably interconnect the plurality of segments, such that the adjacent segments are movable in relation to each other. This movable interconnection of the plurality of segments allows the band to be selectively placed in either an expanded orientation or a contracted orientation. How will it be apparent, when in the expanded orientation, at least part of the plurality of segments are arranged in a spaced apart relationship. In contrast, the contracted orientation of the plurality of segments places them in a relationship that is more closely adjacent to each other. The contracted orientation can be further defined by the plurality of segments having their longitudinal edges or sides confronting the longitudinal edges or sides of the next adjacent segments along part or all of the length of the band. It will be apparent that when in the expanded position, the total size of the band, such as when it assumes its closed configuration normally continuous, is lengthened to accommodate the surrounding retention clutch with the coin having greater volume or dimension. When in the contracted orientation, the entire dimension of the band is reduced in order to provide a tight, comfortable, surrounding clutch of the retained coin. Accordingly, the connection arrangement is co-operatively structured with the plurality of movable interconnected segments in order to normally deflect the band towards the contracted orientation. Therefore, when the band is applied first or repeatedly in its operating relationship surrounding the coin that is retained, it intentionally lengthens toward its expanded orientation. By doing so, the band is placed efficiently around the coin in retention relation to it. After this, the normal derivation of the plurality of segments interconnected movably to the contracted orientation will automatically reduce the size of the band, typically to the size of the coin that is retained, so that a clutch is established comfortable retention of the band in relation to the currency. It is emphasized that the connection installation may comprise a variety of different structures each of which are operable to movably interconnect the plurality of segments. Furthermore, such movable interconnection thus allows the ability of the plurality of segments to selectively move relative to each other in the terms of separation such that the arrangement of the band between the expanded orientation and the contracted orientation can be carried out easily and easily. quickly. However, regardless of the specific mode of the connection arrangement, its structural and operative characteristics must be such as to effect a normal deviation of the band towards the aforementioned contracted orientation in order to automatically establish the proposed surrounding retention clutch of the band around paper money, credit cards and other types of currency, identification cards or similar objects that are held by the band of the support installation.
At least one preferred embodiment of the support installation of the present invention further comprises a coupling device connected to the band. Furthermore, the structure of the coupling installation must be such as to allow a variation in the total length of the band. In addition, the closed configuration assumed by the band may be increased or otherwise adjusted to accommodate the retention of different amounts and / or sizes of currency, credit cards, etc. As such, the coupling installation can be assumed as a grooved spring closure plate or other appropriate type of structured closure to facilitate adjustment of the entire length of the band. Such an adjustment may include an increase or decrease in the length thereof, when the coupling installation is selectively placed in a first operative position or in a second operative position. Therefore, proper manipulation of the coupling installation will facilitate adjustment of the length of the band either in its expanded orientation or its contracted orientation. A further feature incorporated in at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention is the provision of a deployment structure more specifically defined by a deployment field having an exposed surface. The deployment field can be connected along the length of the band or alternatively it can be connected or otherwise associated with the coupling installation in its various structural and operational forms. Regardless of the location or specific structural characteristics of the deployment field, the included exposed surface may be placed and structured to incorporate any of a variety of different predetermined indications thereon. Such indications may include, but not be limited to, a variety of artistic and / or decorative elements, logos, trade names, individual or initial names, as well as any type of personal messages or the like. These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clear when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into consideration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the installation of support of the present invention in a surrounding operative position and retaining various coin forms. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the support installation of the embodiment of Figures 1 disposed away from its operative position in coin retention relation but in a contracted orientation. Figure 3 is a front view in partial section showing the support installation of the present invention in an expanded orientation. Figure 4 is a front perspective view in partial section that includes a coupling facility and associated deployment structure and. field of deployment exposed externally of the support installation. Figure 5 is an internal perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 4. Figure 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the coupling installation. Figure 7 is a side view of yet another embodiment of the coupling installation. Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout all the various views of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY As represented in the accompanying drawings, the present invention is directed to a support installation generally indicated as 10 for paper money, credit cards, other currency forms, identification cards and the like all indicated generally as 20. Accordingly, as used herein the term "currency" is intended to be broadly construed and includes but is not limited to, paper money, credit cards, smart cards as well as other types of cards and instruments commonly negotiable. More specifically, the support installation 10 comprises an elongate band 12 that includes or is at least partially defined by a plurality of segments 14 extending along most or in some preferred embodiments, over substantially the entire length of the band 12. Moreover, the plurality of segments 14 are movably interconnected by a connection installation generally indicated as 16 and comprising a plurality of connection links or similar structures 18. The connection installation 16 serves to selectively interconnect and movably the plurality of segments 14 in a manner that facilitates the movement of each segment 14 relative to the next adjacent segment 14 as will be apparent from a review of Figures 4 and 6. According to this, the connection installation 16 and in particular the plurality of feeder links 18 are cooperatively structured with the plurality ad of moveable segments 14 so as to allow movement of the plurality of segments 14 in relation to each other and specifically in relation to the next adjacent segments 14. As such, the band 12 is selectively positioned between an expanded position as depicted in Figure 3 and a contracted position as depicted in Figures 2, 4 and 5. In addition, the cooperative structuring between the connecting installation 16, including the plurality of connecting links 18 and the plurality of segments 14 is such as to normally divert the plurality of segments 14 along at least a portion of the strip 12 toward the contracted orientation, as depicted in Figures 1 and 2 , 4 and 5. When it is desired to lengthen the band 12 towards the expanded orientation, part or all of the plurality of segments 14 can be separated into at least one partially spaced relation to each other. Alternatively, at least part of the segments 14 can be separated as shown in Figure 3 while others of the plurality of segments 14 of the band 12 can still be in a substantially contracted orientation. Accordingly, when in the contracted orientation part or all of the plurality of segments 14 can be described more specifically as having their longitudinal sides or edges 14 'arranged in clutch with each other or at least immediately adjacent and / or in confronted relation between each other. yes as clearly shown in Figures 2, 3 and 5. Therefore, although part of the plurality of segments 14 can be separated in the preferred expanded orientation, others of the plurality of segments 14 can be placed concurrently in the contracted orientation. . The degree of expansion or contraction is thus determined by the user of the support installation 10, when this is placed around or otherwise placed, operatively in retention relation surrounding the coin 20. Still other characteristics of At least one preferred embodiment of the present invention is the provision of a coupling installation generally indicated as 24, 24 'and 24. "The coupling installation 24, 24' and 24" are in the form of a plate structure. corrugated bending spring closure or any of a variety of appropriate coupling structures or devices. However, common to any of the possible embodiments of the coupling installation is the ability to adjust the total length of the band 12, such that the longitudinal dimension thereof, either in the contracted or expanded orientation, may be increased. or otherwise vary. Such proposed change in the longitudinal dimension of the band 12 facilitates the placement of the band 12 in its surrounding relationship and operational retention for the coin 20, regardless of the volume or total size of the coin 20. This capacity leads to a significantly greater versatility for the installation of support 10 that is not typically available in coin fasteners or other coin fasteners of the conventionally known type. further, the coupling installation 24 'and 24", in at least one embodiment, can be secured to the opposite free ends of the band 12 as in 15 and 17. Therefore, the free ends 15 and 17 in at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figures 2, 6 and 7, can be movably connected to each other in such a way that the strip 12 would not be placed in a continuous closed configuration. in several portions along the length of the band 12 and can be fixedly connected to the band portions 15 'and 17. As an example, the coupling device 24 can be located at any point along the length of the length of the band 12. When placed in this manner, the coupling device 24 is co-operatively structured with the plurality of segments 14 as well as with the connection device 16 to facilitate adjustment of the length of the band 12. s, a user of the coupling device 20 and / or 20 'can increase the length of the strip 12 when this is necessary to operably position the web 12 in surrounding relation to an increased amount of currency 20.
With main reference to Figure 4 and 5, still another embodiment of the present invention comprises the coupling installation 24 having a deployment field generally indicated as 26 connected thereto. The deployment field 26 and more specifically an exposed outer surface 28 is placed on an outer or outer portion of the band 12 in such a way that it can be easily observed. In addition, the deployment field 26 and in particular the outer or exposed surface 28 may be structured to include the predetermined indications. Such indications can vary significantly in the content and include various artistic and / or decorative elements, as well as logos, trade names, personal or initial identification, messages, inscriptions, etc. According to this, in the embodiment of Figure 4 the coupling installation 24 is located mainly on the outside of the band 12 to facilitate observation of the exposed surface 28 of the deployment field 26. However, in the embodiment of the Figure 2, the coupling installation 24 'is placed at least partially or mainly in an unexposed position inside the band 12. When the coupling installation 24' is placed relatively in an unexposed position as shown in the Figure 2, the deployment field 26 and the exposed surface can be located in the band 12 different from the direct association with the coupling installation 24. Therefore, the various preferred embodiments of the coin support installation 10 of the present invention exceed many of the disadvantages and problems associated with coin holders, coin holders and similar structures that are known and conventionally structured . In addition, the coin holder installation 10 of the present invention can be highly decorative having at least the plurality of segments 14 formed from a variety of different materials including precious or non-precious metals, plastic, various composites or other types of synthetic materials. and may also include additional decorative ornamentation that may be placed at various locations along the band 12 and / or on or in direct association with the deployment field 26 and / or the outer exposed surface 28, associated therewith. However, the versatility of the coin support installation 10 is such that the material from which the plurality of segments 14 is formed, the connecting device 16 and / or the coupling device 24 can be relatively inexpensive yet sufficiently durable to provide a long operable life of the coin support installation 10. Looking specifically at the embodiments of Figures 6 and 7, an adjustable hook-and-bar automatic closing mechanism can be employed as the 24"coupling installation. example, one of the free ends 17 may include a series of retention bars 30, as in Figure 6 or a series of hook elements 31 as in Figure 7, placed at separate intervals to define different holding positions and in a manner Reverse concealed in a lower side of the deployment field 26 may be corresponding coupling structures such as the hook element 31 ' illustrated in Figure 6 or retaining bar 30 'illustrated in Figure 7. In this way the coin support installation can be effectively closed in an operative orientation, however the tension of that closure around the items to be secured It can easily vary to correspond to the thickness of the items to be insured. This provides a significant advantage over more complex adjustment structures that are not proposed to vary on a routine basis. Furthermore, it should be noted that the embodiments of Figures 6 and 7 are proposed to be illustrative, it being understood that if desired the multiple attachment points can be maintained below the deployment field 26 instead of the free end 17 as illustrated. further, a variety of other easily adjustable automatic locking mechanisms can be employed wherein a series of fastening points are provided for selective securing by the user in response to the demands of the articles to be held. Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the preferred embodiment described of the invention, it is proposed that all issues in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be construed as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.