US3242930A

US3242930A - Bill fold and coin holder

Info

Publication number: US3242930A
Application number: US324581A
Authority: US
Inventors: Myron L Wilner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-11-18
Filing date: 1963-11-18
Publication date: 1966-03-29
Anticipated expiration: 1983-03-29

Description

March 29, 1966 M. WILNER 3,242,930

BILL FOLD AND COIN HOLDER Filed Nov. 18, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. dlyea/v 4. l V/ZA/E/Z March 29, 1966 M. 1.. WILNER 39mm BILL FOLD AND COIN HOLDER Filed Nov. 18, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. WyZm/ A 14/4 M58 United States Patent 3,242,930 BILL FOLD AND CQIN HOLDER Myron L. Wilner, 353 Leonard St., Brooklyn, NY. Filed Nov. 18, 1963, Ser. No. 324,581 6 Claims. (Cl. 133-6) The present invention relates to a combination bill fold and coin holder.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a highly novel combination bill fold and coin holder of attractive compact-type appearance which can be manufactured and sold at a relatively low cost.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an article of the described type in which the coin holder is utilized as the means for mounting the bill fold.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an article of the described type in which the coin holder is provided with a plurality of coin wells from each of which the respective coins may be readily individually dispersed having provision for the replenishment of the coins in the respective wells through the utilization of a structure which guides and cams the coins into the wells.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an article of the character described in which provision is made fora common spring device for retracting a plurality of coin ejector devices to the inoperative position thereof after said coin ejectors have been individually utilized to eject coins from the associated coin wells.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following specification taken in connection with the appended drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention.

In the drawings:-

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a combination bill fold and coin holder pursuant to the present invention;

' FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the combined article;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the inner surface of the cover for the coin holder;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 1; the bill fold being shown in its open condition released from the coin holder;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary view partially in section and illustrates the coin ejector being utilized to eject a coin from the associated well;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view and illustrates the insertion of a coin into the coin holder;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the coin holder and bill fold in the open condition thereof;

FIGURE 9 is a top plan view of the article shown in the condition thereof illustrated in FIGURE 8 with a portion being sectioned for purposes of illustration and with the bill fold being shown in partially exploded relation;

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of FIGURE 8; and

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary sectional view and illustrates the manner in which bills are mounted in the bill fold.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is shown a combination article 10 pursuant to the present invention comprising a combination coin holder and bill fold. The coin holder is generally indicated by the reference numeral 12 and the bill fold is generally indicated by the reference numeral 14.

The coin holder 12 comprises, as here shown, a receptacle or base 16 and a cover 18 therefor. The receptacle and the cover are each formed of a suitable material tacle is provided also with the opposing side walls 2224 and the opposing end walls 26-28. As here shown, the side wall 22 is recessed as at 30 and 32 and the side wall 24 is recessed as at 34, 36 and 38. Each of the side walls is also provided with a vertical slot 40 which extends downwardly from each of the recessed portions thereof as best illustrated in FIGURE 2. Each of the side walls is provided at said recessed portion thereof with an inner hemispherical surface portion 42. Provision is also made in the receptacle 16 for the hemispherical inner wall portions 44 and 46 thereof which confront the previously mentioned hemispherical surfaces 42 to define the

circular coin wells

48 and 50. Similarly, the opposite side wall 24 is provided with three hemispherical

inner wall portions

52, 54 and 56 respectively which confront the associated hemispherical wall portions 42 of the side wall 24 respectively to define the

circular coin wells

58, 60 and 62 respectively. The spacing between the tops of

wall portions

44, 46, 52, 54 and 56 and associated ribs 88 and (hereinafter described in detail) is less than thickness of any coin yet sufiicient to permit an ejector (hereinafter described) to contact the coin. It prevents inserted coin from being pushed over said walls and provides guidance for coin-s en route in or out of the coin wells. The diameter of the Well 48 is greater than the diameter of the

wells

60 and 62 and the diameter of the well 50 is greater than the diameter of the well 48. In the arrangement and dimensions of the wells shown in FIGURE 3, the

wells

58 and 62 are adapted to receive subway tokens or dimes, the well 60', receives pennies, the well 48 is adapted to receive nickels and the well 50 is adapted to receive quarters. However, it will be understood, that the dimension of the various wells may be changed so that any desired arrangement of coins or tokens may be received thereby. It is within the scope of the present invention, if desired, to provide wells which are all of the same diameter, so that all of the wells would be adapted to receive subway tokens or if desired one particular coin denomination or any desired arrangement of wells may be provided to secure any desired arrangement for storing coins of any desired denomination. In addition, as here shown, the bottom wall 28 mounts three screws or bolts 64 for securing the cover 18 to the receptacle 16 as hereinafter described in detail. As best seen in FIGURE 5, a volute spring 66 is disposed within each coin well, the large diameter end of the spring being seated on the upper surface of the bottom wall 20. A disc-shaped follower 68 is seated at the upper narrow diameter end of each spring 66- withtin the associated coin well. The disc is grooved at the lower surface thereof as at 70 so as to receive the upper spring spiral.

The cover 18 overlies all of the coin wells which are defined in the receptacle 16 and is also provided with means for individually ejecting or removing the various coins or tokens from each of the wells. More specifically, the cover 18 is also formed of a suitable plastic or other suitable material preferably by a molding operation. The cover 18 is constituted by a relatively flat planar portion 72 from which there depends three integral fingers 74 as here shown. Each finger '74 is provided at the free end thereof with a bore 76. The previously mentioned screws 74 are threaded into the bores 76 so as to thereby secure the cover in position on the receptacle 16 as best shown in FIGURE 5. However. it will be understood that in lieu of the screws 64 any other suitable means may be utilized to secure the cover 18 in position on the receptacle 16. Overlying each of the coin wells, the cover 18 is provided with a recessed portion 78 which defines a thin wall portion 89 which as best shown in FIGURE 5 has an upper surface 82 which is offset downwardly from the major upper surface portion of the fiat portion 72 but which has a lower wall portion 84 which is in the same plane as the balance of the lower surface of the cover portion 72. Each thin wall portion 80 is provided. with a slot 86. Each slot 86 is straddled by a pair of integral parallel ribs 88-9tl which are provided on the lower or inner surface of the cover and extend from each thin Wall portion 89 rearwardly into the cover. At the forward portion thereof each of the ribs is provided with an arcuate curvature 92 as best seen in FIG- URES 5 and 6. As best seen in FIGURES 2, 5 and 6, the companion ribs for each coin well serve as detents against which the uppermost coin in a stack of coins within the well is biased by the associated spring 66. For example, as best shown in FIGURE 5 a stack of coins which is generally indicate-d by the reference numeral 94 is seated on the disc or follower 68 in the coin well .60. The spring 66 within said coin well 60 biases the stack upwardly so that the uppermost coin in the stack which is identified by the reference numeral 96 is biased into engagement with the associated pair of ribs 88 and 9%). These ribs perform the functions: permit easy insertion of coins (as hereinafter described), provide a channel or space for the ejector, guide and steady the ejector, and permit the incorporation of the secured top cover into the overall design. The cover may be embellished and otherwise provides a more finished and attractive appearance than is the case where coin wells open directly on top of the casing. Each coin well is provided with an associated opening 98 in the associated

side wall

22 or 24 as the case may be. Said opening is defined by the recessed portion in the associated side wall and the overlying thin wall portion 80 of the cover. For example, as shown in FIGURE 5, the coin Well 60 has a coin opening 98 defined by the recessed portion 36 of side wall 24 of the receptacle 16 and the overlying thin portion 80 of the cover 18. It will be noted that the coin opening 98 for each well since it extends above the, recessed portion of the associated side wall permits the uppermost coin 96 in the stack to move outwardly of the associated coin well through the associated side 'wall as illustrated in FIGURE 6 when the uppermost coin 96 is.moved in the direction of the arrow 100. In order to permit for the ejection or discharge of the coins from the associated coin wells, provision is made for a coin ejector 102 for each coin well. Each coin ejector 102 comprises a body portion 104 provided at one end thereof with a depending tail 106 and provided at the other end thereof with a forwardly projecting knurled integral finger portion 108. It will be noted from FIG- URES 5 and 6 that the fingerpiece 108 extends into the companion slot 86 so that the fingerpiece projects through the cover 18 and is accessible externally of the cover as best shown in FIGURE 1. Moreover, it will be noted that the flat cover portion72 is welled out as at 110 (FIG- URES 4 and 6) so that the body portion 1040f the ejector can reciprocate and be firmly guided between the retracted position thereof illustrated in FIGURE 5 and the projected position thereof illustrated in FIGURE 6. When the ejector is moved forward the top surface of portion 104 is in the same plane as wall 80 and provides the illusion of a continuous surface and does not permit a hole or depression to show during operation of the ejector. The ejector is provided with an ejection surface 112 which in the retracted position of the fingerpiece is spaced from the uppermost coin 26 in the stack 94. However, as the fingerpiece is moved in the, direction of the arrow 100, the ejection surface 112 engages the uppermost coin 96 and ejects or movesthe latter through the associated coin opening 98 of the associated coin well. Provision is made for a generally serpentine leaf spring 114 which is mounted within the receptacle 16 and which, as best shown in FIGURE 3 is in engagement with each of the tails 106 provided on the coin ejectors 102. When the ejectors are in retracted or inoperative disposition thereof illustrated in FIGURE 5 it will be understood that the depending tails thereof do not stress the leaf spring 114. However, as best shown in FIGURE 6 when the ejector is moved in the direction of the arrow 1%, the associated depending tail thereof stresses the portion of the leaf spring which is engaged thereby. Consequently, it will be understood that after a coin has been ejected from the coin box, as shown in FIGURE 6 and the ejector fingerpiece 108 is released, the stressed spring 114 will be operative to return the ejector to the retracted or inoperative disposition thereof.

In view of the foregoing, it will be apparent that each stack of coins 94 in its associated coin well is constantly biased upwardly toward the cover 18 so that the uppermost coin 96 abuts the associated pair of

ribs

88 and 90. Each time that the associated ejector 102 is operated from the retracted position thereof illustrated in FIGURE 5 to the projected position thereof illustrated in FIGURE 6, the uppermost coin 96 is moved outwardly through the associated coin slot 98 in the associated side wall of the coin box. The associated ejector is then automatically retracted by the spring 114 and when the ejector is fully returned to the retracted position thereof, the volute spring 66 in the associated well is operative to' move the stack upwardly so that the now uppermost coin abuts the associated ribs. Afterthe last coin in the stack has been ejected, it Will be understood that the associated coin disc 68 abuts the associated pair of ribs. It will be noted that in the retracted position of the ejector 102, the free end 116 of the fingerpiece 108 overlies the associated thin wall portion 89 of the cover. During the movement of the ejector to and from its projected position, it will be apparent that the fingerpiece rides on the upper surface of the thin wall portion 80.

The number of coins in any coin well may be readily ascertained from merely observing the slot 40 for the respective coin well. As best illustrated in FIGURE 2, the coin in any stack 94 in a coin well may readily be observed through the slot 40. When all the coins have been dispensed from a particular'coin well, a new stack of coins may readily be inserted therein. As best illustrated in FIGURE 7, the coin box may be readily reloaded by inserting a coin through the coin slot 98. The coin will be guided into position by the curved or cam portion 92 on the associated

ribs

88 and 90. As the coin is moved relative to the cam 92, it engages the underlying follower 68 and moves the latter downwardly against the bias of the spring 66 so that sufficient clearance is provided between the follower and the overlying ribs to permit for the full insertion of the first coin of the stack into the well in position on the follower 68.. Thereafter, succeeding coins may be inserted into the coin slot 98 and similarly cammed against the cam 92 for insertion in overlying relationship onto the upper surface of a previously inserted coin until the complete stack of coins is inserted into the well. Insertion is accomplished with one motion and it is not necessary to press the stack of coins down with one finger in order to make room between top coin and lower surface of the top of the coin well, as in prior art devices.

Pursuant to the present invention, the coin ,box or coin holder 12 is provided with a bill fold 14. As here shown, the bill fold 14 comprises an open box-like receptacle .118 which is preferably molded from a suitable plastic or other material suitable for the purpose. The receptacle 118 is provided with a rear wall 120 from which there extends opposing

integral side walls

122 and 124 and opposing

integral end walls

126 and 128. The side wall 124 is pivotally secured to the coin holder receptacle 16 as by the pivots 130 which may be an integrally formed plastic. A partition member 132 is mounted on the inner surface of the bottom wall 120 in spaced relation thereto by means of the spacer elements 134 to which the partition member 132 of the screws 136 threaded into said spacer elements. Said spacer element must be so placed that the wad of billswill sit well within them and parallel to

walls

126 and 128. If said spacers are situated within the widthwise dimension of the bills, the wallet will not close as the spacers will impinge on the folded wad of bills because the thickness of the bills plus the depth of the spacer may exceed the available depth of bill fold 14. As shown herein, the spacers do not limit the bill capacity of the wallet or bill fold.

The partition member is provided with a preferably integral tab 138 and with a superimposed element 140 which is suitably secured thereto along three marginal edges thereof to define a pocket 142 which is open at the top thereof. The partition member 132 is provided also with a flap extension 144 which is secured along the bottom edge thereof to the coin box receptacle 16 as by means of the screws 146. Consequently, it willbe noted that the flap is unsecured at the corner 150 thereof. The pocket 142 may be utilized for cards, stamps or any other suitable item. In order to insert a bill 152 into the bill fold 14, the partition member 132 may be tilted relative to the wall 120 of the bill fold receptacle 118 so that one end of the bill 152 may be inserted into the receptacle 118 behind the partition member 132 as best shown in FIG- URE 11. It will be noted with one end of the bill inserted into the bill fold receptacle, the other end of the bill will lie flat against the inner surface of the flap 144 so that the other end of the bill may be folded over the flap 144 along the fold line 154 thereof. The bill fold may then be closed by bringing together the bill fold receptacle 118 and the coin box receptacle 16 as indicated by the arrow 156 in FIGURE 11 or by the arrow 158 in FIGURE 9. When it is desired to remove a bill from the bill fold, the bill fold and coin holder are separated as shown in FIGURE 8 wherein the bill fold is shown in its open condition and the flap 144 may be readily turned downwardly as shown in FIGURE 8 so as to permit for the ready withdrawal of the 'bill from the bill fold receptacle 118. In order to releasably secure the bill fold in the closed or folded position thereof, provision is made for a releasable locking means comprising a detent 160 provided on the coin receptacle 16 and a companion locking element 162 which is provided on the bill fold receptacle and which may be moved into releasable snap engagement with the detent 160.

The open end feature of the wallet, illustrated in FIG- URE 8, provides the following advantages: (A) Easier counting, the wad of bills extending clear of and not being encumbered by the wallet casing, can be riflled and observed or counted as you would a deck of cards; (B)

Easier insertion and withdrawal can be accomplished in a sidewise and a semi-sidewise motion in addition to the ordinary straight up and down procedure of prior art wallets which afford access from only one direction; and (C) More compact size because folding the bills in thirds, rather than halves, reduces overall dimensions, and additional maneuvering space for bills is available outside of the wallet through its open end so that the wallet need not be enlarged to provide such space in the interior thereof.

In view of the foregoing, it will be apparent that there is provided, pursuant to the present invention, a highly novel combined coin holder and bill fold. It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein without however departing from the basic inventive concept thereof as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A coin dispenser comprising a coin receptacle, a cover for said receptacle, means defining a plurality of coin wells in said receptacle, a coin slot provided in said receptacle for each coin well through which coins may be ejected from the associated Wells, an ejector for each well mounted on said cover for movement to and from retracted and projected positions thereof to eject a coin during movement from its retracted to its projected position, and common spring means for locking each ejector in position with respect to its associated well and for returning all of said ejectors to the retracted position thereof. n 2. A coin dispenser comprising a coin receptacle, a cover for said receptacle, means defining a plurality of coin wells in said receptacle, a coin slot provided in said receptacle for each coin well through which coins may be ejected from the associated wells, an ejector for each well mounted on said cover for movement to and from retracted and projected positions thereof to eject a coin during movement from its retracted to its projected position, and common spring means for returning all of said ejectors to the retracted position thereof, each of said ejectors having a tail depending into said receptacle from said cover, and said common spring means being a serpentine spring engaged by all of said tails, whereby said spring means is operable to releasably dispose each ejector relative to its associated well.

3. A coin dispenser comprising a coin receptacle, a cover for said receptacle, means defining a plurality of coin wells in said receptacle, a coin slot provided in said receptacle for each coin well through which coins may be ejected from the associated wells, an ejector for each well mounted on said cover for movement to and from retracted and projected positions thereof to eject a coin during movement from its retracted to its projected position, each of said Wells having a spring biased follower for moving the topmost coin of a stack of coins provided in the associated well into a position to be ejected from the associated coin slot, and fixed means for camming inserted coins into stacked relation on each follower through the associated coin slot against the bias of the associated follower, said fixed means comprising downwardly extending protuberances, overlying each well and, forming cam means therefor.

4. A coin dispenser comprising a coin receptacle, a cover for said receptacle, means defining a plurality of coin .wells in said receptacle, a coin slot provided in said receptacle for each coin well through which coins may be ejected from the associated wells, an ejector for each well mounted on said cover for movement to and from retracted and projected positions thereof to eject a coin during movement from its retracted to its projected position, each of said wells having a spring biased follower for moving the topmost coin of a stack of coins provided in the associated well into a position to be ejected from the associated coin slot, and means for guiding inserted coins into stacked relation on each follower through the associated coin slot again-st the bias of the associated follower, said guide means comprising cam means overlying each coin well, said cam means being provided on guide ribs for the associated ejector said ribs being provided in fixed relation on the inner surface of said cover.

5. A coin dispenser comprising a coin receptacle, a cover for said receptacle, means defining a plurality of coin wells in said receptacle, a coin slot provided in said receptacle for each coin well through which coins may be ejected from the associated Wells, an ejector for each well mounted on said cover for movement to and from retracted and projected positions thereof to eject a coin during movement from its retracted to its projected position, and common spring means for locking each ejector in position with respect to its associated well and for returning all of said ejectors to the retracted position thereof, each of said wells having a spring biased follower for moving the topmost coin of a stack of coins provided in the associated well into a position to be ejected from the associated coin slot, and fixed means for camming inserted coins into stacked relation on each follower through the associated coin slot against the bias of the associated follower.

6. A coin dispenser Comprising a coin receptacle, a cover for said receptacle, means defining a plurality of coin Wells in said receptacle, a coin slot provided in said receptacle for each coin Well through which coins may be ejected from the associated wells, an ejector for each well mounted on said cover for movement to and from retracted and projected positions thereof to eject a coin during movement from its retracted to its projected position, each of said Wells having a spring'biased follower for moving the topmost coin of a stack of coins provided in the associated Well into a position to be ejected from the associated coin slot, and means for guiding inserted coins into stacked relation on each follower through the associated coin slot, against the bias of the associated follower, said guide means comprising cam means overlying each coin Well, said cam means being provided in fixed relation on the inner surface of said cover, the cam means for each well constituting a guide means for the associated ejector during the movement thereof..

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Read 150-37 Thurston 150-37 Hill 15 038 Wentz 15038 Willis 150-.-37

Guenther 150-37 Kusel V 206-83 Weimer 15037 Bouchard 221-232 Forsyth 206583 Cowan' 150?46 Becker 133-6 GEORGE O. RALSTON, Primary Examiner.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Examiner.

Claims

1. A COIN DISPENSER COMPRISING A COIN RECEPTACLE, A COVER FOR SAID RECEPTACLE, MEANS DEFINING A PLURALITY OF COIN WELLS IN SAID RECEPTACLE, A COIN SLOT PROVIDED IN SAID RECEPTACLE FOR EACH COIN WELL THROUGH WHICH COINS MAY BE EJECTED FROM THE ASSOCIATED WELLS, AN EJECTOR FOR EACH WELL MOUNTED ON SAID COVER FOR MOVEMENT TO AND FROM RETRACTED AND PROJECTED POSITIONS THEREOF TO EJECT A COIN DURING MOVEMENT FROM ITS RETRACTED TO ITS PROJECTED POSITION, AND COMMON SPRING MEANS FOR LOCKING EACH EJECTOR IN POSITION WITH RESPECT TO ITS ASSOCIATED WELL AND FOR RETURNING ALL OF SAID EJECTORS TO THE RETRACTED POSITION THEREOF.