US3901537A

US3901537A - Checkbook

Info

Publication number: US3901537A
Application number: US221997*A
Authority: US
Inventors: Dorothy C Oldham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-02-25
Filing date: 1972-01-31
Publication date: 1975-08-26
Anticipated expiration: 1992-08-26

Abstract

A checkbook having carbonized checks connected in accordion fashion and record sheets also connected in accordion fashion and interleaved with the carbonized checks, the cover of the checkbook having a retaining flap in its top for the record sheets and a pocket in its bottom for retaining the last check and record sheet. In another embodiment, the bottom of the cover has a second pocket on its underside for retaining accordion folded deposit slips and deposit record sheets, and a closure is hinged to the bottom for covering these slips and sheets, this closure having a retaining flap for the deposit record sheets.

Description

1 1 CHECKBOOK Dorothy C. Oldham, 261 Bal Cross Dr., Bal Harbour, Fla. 33154 22 Filed: Jan. 31,1972

21 Appl.No.: 221,997

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Set. N0. 1 18,949, Feb. 25, 1971, abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 655,443, July 24, 1967, abandoned.

[76] Inventor:

282/5, 8,12 A, 13,14, 15 R, 16 R, 12 R; 281/5,17, 19 R, 31; 283/58 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 735,081 8/1903 Franc 283/58 895.300 8/1908 Rhodes... 281/16 1,278,185 9/1918 Malsch... 281/19 R 1,352,907 12/1920 Martin 281/17 1,477,330 12/1923 Elliot 281/19 R 1451 Aug. 26, 1975 1,913,818 6/1933 Petrick 281/16 2,098,706 11/1937 Lawson et a1. 282/12 R 2,163,777 6/1939 Delitsch 281/31 2,204,678 6/1940 Hope v 282/2 3,278,200 10/1966 Scully 282/8 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 783,401 4/1968 Canada .l 281/16 Primary Exgmirler lerome Schnall Attorney, Agent, or FirmI-Iarness, Dickey & Pierce [57] f ABSTRACT A checkbook jhaving carbonized checks connected in accordion fashion and record sheets also connected in accordion fashion and interleaved with the carbonized checks, the cover of the checkbook having a retaining flap in its top for the record sheets and a pocket in its bottom for retaining the last check and record sheet. In another embodiment, the bottom of the cover has a second pocket on its underside for retaining accordion folded deposit. slips and deposit record sheets, and a closure is hinged to the bottom for covering these slips and sheets, this closure having a retaining flap for the deposit record sheets.

4Claims, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTED AUBZBIQTS CHECKBOOK CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of my application, Ser. No. 118,949 filed Feb. 25, 1971, entitled Checkbook, now abandoned the latter application being a continuation of my application, Ser. No. 655,443 filed July 24, 1967, entitled Checkbook, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to checks and checkbooks for personal and professional use, and record keeping for checking accounts.

2. Description of the Prior Art The conventional checkbook for personal or professional use comprises a cover which folds over a pad of checks connected by a perforated upper margin to a base. As each check is written, the payor must enter the amount of the check, the name of the payee and the check number in a separate tabular record sheet and then compute the balance. This separate record sheet is usually in book form and is attached to a base retained by a flap inside one side of the cover, the base for the checks being retained by another flap on the inside of the other side of the cover.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, the checkbook cover has a relatively shallow flap on the inside of one side and a deeper flap on the inside of the other side. The checks are connected to each other in accordion fashion, that is, the bottom of each check is connected by a perforated line to the top of the next check which is folded beneath it.

A series of record sheets corresponding to the checks is also provided, these record sheets being connected to each other in the same fashion and being interleaved between the checks. The backs of the checks have carbonized portions under the payee, amount and check number lines. Each time a check is written, this information will thus be automatically transferred to the corresponding record sheet. The record sheet has indicia for filling in the balance brought forward, any deposits, and the total of the balance brought forward and deposits, these blanks being located immediately above the space for the amount of the check being written. lndicia on the record sheet also identify a space immediately below the amount of the check for the new balance. Indicia further mark a space on each record sheet for filling in the purpose of the check.

After writing a check, the payor merely detaches it from the next check and folds back said next check so that it is exposed for use. The record sheets, as they are filled out, are not detached but are retained by the aforementioned relatively shallow flap. The unused checks and record sheets are retained by slipping the last check and record sheet of the stack inside the relatively deep flap on the cover. This deep flap has a transparent window through which may be displayed the payors drivers license or other identifying means.

The payor thus has an immediate and permanent record of each check written in a compact form especially desirable for individual or professional use. The user can detach several checks and their record sheets from the book if desired and carry them separately while still being able to keep a record of the checks. This is especially desirable where joint accounts are involved. It is not necessary to enter the amount of the check or the name of the payee twice, thus contributing to convenience and accuracy in maintaining a running balance.

In another embodiment of the invention, all the above-mentioned features are incorporated, but the' bottom of the cover has a closure hinged to its edge opposite the top and swingable against the outside of the bottom. This closure is used to cover a series of deposit slips which are connected to each other in accordion fashion and have interleaved record sheets connected to each other'in the same manner. The deposit slips have carbonized portions for the date and listing of deposits which will be automatically transferred to the corresponding deposit record sheet. A shallow pocket on the inside of the closure retains completed deposit record sheets and a deeper pocket on the bottom retains the unused deposit slips and deposit record sheets by holding the lowermost slip and sheet of the stack. A fastener holds the closure in closed position when not in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention showing the cover in open position;

FIG. 2 isa front elevational view showing a completed record sheet and a completed check, parts being broken away for clarity, it being assumed in FIG. 2 that there are only three checks remaining in the stack;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view in elevation taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4 and showing the window in the deeper cover flap;

FIG. 6 is a view of the back of one of the checks showing the carbonized portions thereof;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention which includes all the elements of the first embodiment but also has a closure for the outside of the cover bottom and deposit slips with deposit record sheets, the invention being shown with the checks and check record sheets uppermost but with the closure in its open position for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second embodiment but with the cover turned so that the deposit slips and their record sheets are accessible, this view showing the retaining flap for the deposit record sheets and the second cover flap for holding the unused deposit slips and record sheets, and also showing the cover top in depending position;

FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of this second embodiment, showing the closure in its open position and the manner in which the deposit record sheets are held by their retaining flap;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along the line l0l0 of FIG. 9 and showing the internal construction of the cover in this embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is an overall side elevational view of the checkbook of this embodiment showing its position when writing a check.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6, the checkbook is generally indicated at 11 and comprises a cover 12 which may be made of any suitable material such as a decorative plastic. The cover 12 is of rectangular shape and is hinged or folded along one of its longer edges 13 so as to present a top 14 and a bottom 15. A relatively shallow flap 16 is formed on the inside of cover top 14, and a relatively deep flap 17 is formed inside the cover-bottom 15. These flaps may be fabricated of material similar to that of the cover itself. Flaps l6 and 17 are joined to their respective cover portions along the outer edges thereof but are open toward the center of the checkbook.

A stack of checks is provided, the checks being of conventional form with the bottom of each check joined to the top of the next check by a perforated line so that the checks can be and are folded in accordion fashion.

It should be noted that in FIG. 1 the three uppermost checks are designated as 18, 19 and 21, whereas in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 there are only three checks shown and these are designated as 18, 19 and 21.

As seen in FIG. 2, each check has the usual indicia 1 for designating areas in which information can be inserted by the payor. More particularly, there are areas designated for the check number, name of payee, written dollaramount, dollar amount in figures, and signature of the payee, as well as other indicia showing the drawee and the account number.

As shown in FIG. 6, the back of each check has carbonized

portions

22 and 23. These are rectangular areas of carbon material and are located in the check number, payee, and numeral amount areas.

The lower edge of check 18 is connected to the upper edge of check 19 by a perforated line 24, and the lower edge of check 19 is connected to the upper edge of check 21 by similar perforated line 25. The checks may thus be and are folded in accordion fashion so that each check is under the other.

Record sheets are provided for the checks, these record sheets being of rectangular shape corresponding to the shape of the checks and likewise being connected top to bottom by perforated lines. The record sheet for check 18 is indicated at 26, that for check 19 at 27 and that for check 21 at 28. These record sheets are interleaved between the checks, as seen in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4.

Each record sheet has indicia designating the following areas: balance brought forward, deposits (two spaces) and total of balance brought forward and deposits. These indicia are imprinted in the upper righthand corner of each record sheet. To the left of these indicia is printed another legend No. which is immediately before an area under carbonized portion 22 of the corresponding check. Thus, the check number when entered on the check itself will appear on the record sheet.

Immediately below the Total space is imprinted indicia for the amount of the check. This indicia is immediately beneath a portion of carbonized strip 23 of each check and in the same location as the numeral amount area on the check itself. To the left of this indicia is imprinted the legend fPaid T0 or similar indicia which immediately precedes a space under the main portion of carbonized strip 23. Thus, when the name of the payee is written on the check it will also appear in this space on the record sheet.

Immediately below the indicia for the numeral amount on the record sheet is a legend Balance followed by a space in which the balance, (Total, less amount of the check) may be entered later. Below the Paid To space is the legend For followed by a space in which the purpose of the check may be inserted later.

The width of each record sheet relative to the depth of flap 16 is such that when the completed record sheets-are folded away from the stack of checks and record sheets, their outer portions may be slipped under flap 16 as seen in FIG. 2.

The lowermost record sheet and the corresponding lowermost check in the stack are retained by flap 17, thus retaining the entire stack which is exposed above flap 17. This flap is also provided with a window in the form of a rectangular cutout portion 29 as seen in FIG. 5. A piece of transparent material such as celluloid which is somewhat larger than cutout 29 is placed behind the cutout and is indicated at 31. A drivers license or other identifying means can be placed behind this window for display when checks are being written. The pocket formed by flap 17 could also be used to store other items such as deposit slips.

In use, the running balance will be entered or brought forward onto each record sheet as shown in FIG. 2 and any deposits will be entered thereon. When a check is written, it will be detached from the succeeding check and the balance after subtracting the amount of said check may then be immediately entered upon the corresponding record sheet. Also, the purpose of the check may be entered on the record sheet. Writing of the check itself will automatically record the payee and check number on the record sheet as well as the amount of the check.

Assuming that when the first check is written the stack is in the position shown in FIG. 5, the next check and its record sheet may be flipped up after the first check is removed. Thus, whereas the first check is written with the stack of checks over the lower portion of the cover, the next check and each alternately succeeding check will be written with that check overlying the upper portion of that cover.

As each pair of checks has been written and removed, the pair of record sheets corresponding thereto may be slipped under the edge of flap 16, keeping them out of the way when succeeding checks are being written.

Thus, an automatic and instantaneous record will be kept of the amount and payee of each check as well as the check number, eliminating the necessity of entering these figures twice, once on the check and once on a separate record sheet.

FIGS. 7 to 11 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention which incorporates all the elements of the first embodiment but adds means for preparing and retaining records of bank deposits. This embodiment is generally indicated at 101 and has a cover generally indicated at 102 of rectangular shape and hinged or folded along one of its longer edges 103 so as to present a top 104 and a bottom 105. A relatively shallow pocket formed by a flap 106 is located on the inside of cover top 104, and a relatively deep pocket formed by a flap 107 is located inside the cover bottom 105.

These flaps serve the same purposes as the corresponding flaps 16 and 17 respectively in the first embodiment, and are intended to coact with accordion folded checks 108 and interleaved accordion folded check re-. cord sheets 109 as before. The indicia on the checks and record sheets and the carbonized portions on the checks may be the same as in the previous embodiment. With these structural elements and indicia, the checks and record sheets will have the same functions and advantages as previously. The outer edges of the completed record sheets will be retained by flap 106 while the unused checks and record sheets will be retained by inserting the lowermost check and sheet in flap 107.

In addition to top 104, however, cover 102 is provided with a closure 111. This closure is similar in its overall dimensions to top 104 but is hinged at 112 to the edge of bottom 105 opposite top 104, and swings in the opposite direction so as to be capable of overlapping the outside of bottom 105. Closure 111 has a tongue 113 centrally located along its outer edge and carrying a snap fastener capable of being secured to a complementary snap fastener 1 14 on the outside of top 104. This will be the position of closure 111 when checkbook 101 is being used to write checks, as seen in FIG. 11.

The underside of cover bottom 105 is provided with a relatively deep pocket formed by a flap 115, as seen in FIG. 8, which will retain the lowermost of a series of interleaved accordion folded deposit slips 116 and deposit record sheets 117. These are constructed in a manner similar to the checks and check record sheets described previously. That is to say, the top edge of each deposit slip is connected by perforated lines to the bottom of the next deposit slip so that they may be removed as each deposit is made. Deposit record sheets are similarly connected and are interleaved between the deposit slips. If desired, flap 115 may be used to retain only deposit slips without the duplicate record sheets.

FIG. 9 shows indicia imprinted on each deposit slip 116 and deposit record sheet 117. The deposit slip may carry thereon the name and address of the bank, a blank for the date of deposit, and the name of the depositor as well as the depositors account number in the usual magnetic indicia 118. On the right hand side is the usual box 119 for listing the deposits. Preferably, the areas marked in dotted lines at 121 and 122 beneath the date and deposit listing box respectively will be carbonized.

Each deposit record sheet 117 will have the word DUPLICATE or similar legend imprinted thereon and blanks for the date and deposit listing which are immediately beneath the carbonized portions of the deposit slips when the slips and sheets are interleaved. The deposit record sheets may also carry the depositors account number but without magnetic indicia. A relatively shallow pocket formed by a flap 123 is formed adjacent the outer edge of closure 111 at a distance such that the filled-out deposit record sheets may be retained by slipping their outer portions 124 beneath this flap. The action will thus be similar to the recordkeeping and storage of the checks and check record sheets described above.

FIG. shows an optional construction for the flaps, flap 123 being illustrated in this instance. Cover 102 of the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 11 is made up of two sheets of plastic or other decorative material united along their outer edges, with three rectangular chipboard sections 124 inserted in the top 104, bottom 105, and closure 111. The flaps will thus be formed by appropriate slits in the cover sheets. i

I claim: I

1. In a checkbook, a cover comprising a continuous flat rectangular member of flexible material folded along its upper long edge to form a top and a bottom of equal size, a first flap on the inside of said top, said flap forming a relatively shallow pocket open toward the folded edge of said cover, a second rectangular flap on the inside of said bottom and having a first long edge coextensive with the outer long edge of said bottom, two shorter edges being secured to the side edges of said bottom, the other long edge being unsecured, whereby said second flap forms a relatively deep pocket open toward the folded edge of said cover, a stack of unapertured and unnotched rectangular checks formed with the bottom of each check joined to the top of the next check by a perforated line so that the checks are folded in accordion fashion, individual record sheets corresponding to said checks, said record sheets being of unapertured and unnotched rectangular shape corresponding to the shape of said checks and being connected top to bottom and interleaved between the checks, means retaining the lowermost record sheet and the corresponding lowermost check in the stack in said relatively deep pocket thus retaining the entire stack which lies above said second flap, the width of each record sheet relative to the depth of said shallow pocket being such that when completed record sheets are folded away from the stack their outer portions only may be slipped into and retained by said shallow pocket, whereby all completed record sheets may be moved away from said stack to expose the uppermost check in response to opening movement of said cover top, overlapping indicia on said checks and record sheets for entering the numerical amount drawn and the payee, said record sheets further having indicia above and below said indicia for the amount drawn for entering the previous and new balances, said new balance indicia being spaced a sufficient distance below said outer portions of the record sheets as to be exposed below said shallow pocket, whereby a person making entries on the next check may readily view the present balance, means responsive to the making of entries at the indicia on said checks for transferring said entries to the corresponding record sheets, said last-mentioned means being in non-interfering relation with the swinging movement of said checks and record sheets about their top and bottom edges, a closure continuous with and extending from the long edge of said bottom opposite said folded edge, said closure being of the same size as said top but foldable against the outside of said bottom, a third flap on the inside of said closure shaped similarly to said first flap and secured along its side edges to said closure, the inwardly facing long edge being unsecured, whereby said third flap forms a relatively shallow pocket open toward the fold between said closure and bottom, a fourth flap on the side of said bottom facing said closure shaped similarly to said second flap and having one long edge coextensive with the fold between saidtop and bottom, the two shorter edges of said fourth flap being secured to the side edges of said bottom, the other long edge being unsecured whereby said fourth flap forms a relatively deep pocket open toward the fold between said bottom and closure, a stack of accordion-folded and interleaved deposit slips and deposit record sheets similar in size to said checks and their record sheets, means retaining the lowermost deposit slip and sheet in the pocket formed by said fourth flap, whereby the outer portions of completed deposit record sheets may be slipped into the pocket formed by said third flap, overlapping indicia on said deposit slips and record sheets for listing the deposits, and means responsive to entry of deposits on said deposit slips for transferring said entries to said deposit record sheets.

Claims

1. In a checkbook, a cover comprising a continuous flat rectangular member of flexible material folded along its upper long edge to form a top and a bottom of equal size, a first flap on the inside of said top, said flap forming a relatively shallow pocket open toward the folded edge of said cover, a second rectangular flap on the inside of said bottom and having a first long edge coextensive with the outer long edge of said bottom, two shorter edges being secured to the side edges of said bottom, the other long edge being unsecured, whereby said second flap forms a relatively deep pocket open toward the folded edge of said cover, a stack of unapertured and unnotched rectangular checks formed with the bottom of each check joined to the top of the next check by a perforated line so that the checks are folded in accordion fashion, individual record sheets corresponding to said checks, said record sheets being of unapertured and unnotched rectangular shape corresponding to the shape of said checks and being connected top to bottom and interleaved between the checks, means retaining the lowermost record sheet and the corresponding lowermost check in the stack in said relatively deep pocket thus retaining the entire stack which lies above said second flap, the width of each record sheet relative to the depth of said shallow pocket being such that when completed record sheets are folded away from the stack their outer portions only may be slipped into and retained by said shallow pocket, whereby all completed record sheets may be moved away from said stack to expose the uppermost check in response to opening movement of said cover top, overlapping indicia on said checks and record sheets for entering the numerical amount drawn and the payee, said record sheets fuRther having indicia above and below said indicia for the amount drawn for entering the previous and new balances, said new balance indicia being spaced a sufficient distance below said outer portions of the record sheets as to be exposed below said shallow pocket, whereby a person making entries on the next check may readily view the present balance, means responsive to the making of entries at the indicia on said checks for transferring said entries to the corresponding record sheets, said last-mentioned means being in non-interfering relation with the swinging movement of said checks and record sheets about their top and bottom edges, a closure continuous with and extending from the long edge of said bottom opposite said folded edge, said closure being of the same size as said top but foldable against the outside of said bottom, a third flap on the inside of said closure shaped similarly to said first flap and secured along its side edges to said closure, the inwardly facing long edge being unsecured, whereby said third flap forms a relatively shallow pocket open toward the fold between said closure and bottom, a fourth flap on the side of said bottom facing said closure shaped similarly to said second flap and having one long edge coextensive with the fold between said top and bottom, the two shorter edges of said fourth flap being secured to the side edges of said bottom, the other long edge being unsecured whereby said fourth flap forms a relatively deep pocket open toward the fold between said bottom and closure, a stack of accordion-folded and interleaved deposit slips and deposit record sheets similar in size to said checks and their record sheets, means retaining the lowermost deposit slip and sheet in the pocket formed by said fourth flap, whereby the outer portions of completed deposit record sheets may be slipped into the pocket formed by said third flap, overlapping indicia on said deposit slips and record sheets for listing the deposits, and means responsive to entry of deposits on said deposit slips for transferring said entries to said deposit record sheets.

2. The combination according to claim 1, said last-mentioned means comprising carbonized portions on the backs of said checks.

3. The combination according to claim 1, further provided with a window formed in said record flap for the display of identification for the payor of the check.

4. The combination according to claim 1, said closure being further provided with an outwardly extending tongue carrying a fastener element, and a complementary fastener element on the outside of said cover top.