WO1998017142A1

WO1998017142A1 - A coin storage device

Info

Publication number: WO1998017142A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/017105
Authority: WO
Inventors: Spiro Koumandarakis
Original assignee: Handelman, Joseph, H.
Priority date: 1996-10-23
Filing date: 1996-10-23
Publication date: 1998-04-30
Also published as: AU7474196A

Abstract

A coin storage device (10) comprises a tray-like member (12) which is divided into a plurality of compartments (14), each compartment (14) being shaped and dimensioned to accommodate a predetermined number of coins of a particular denomination therein.

Description

A COIN STORAGE DEVICE THIS INVENTION relates to a coin storage device.

According to the invention, there is provided a coin storage device which includes a tray-like member which is divided into a plurality of compartments, each compartment being shaped and dimensioned to accommodate a predetermined number of coins of a particular denomination therein.

It will readily be appreciated that, by having the compartments shaped and dimensioned to receive a predetermined number of coins of the particular denomination therein, the number of coins can be determined rapidly by a cursory inspection of the compartments. Thus, by determining the number of compartments which are filled or partially filled, the number of coins in the tray-like member can be ascertained.

The compartments may be arranged in a matrix comprising a plurality of rows and columns in the tray-like member. A plurality of semi-cylindrical zones may be formed in the tray-like member in side-by-side relationship with adjacent zones being separated from each other by walls. Each zone may, in turn, have at least one division therein so that the divisions and the walls define the matrix of rows and columns of compartments in the tray-like member.

The compartments may be shaped to accommodate a part of a periphery of a coin snugly therein. Thus, for example, in the case of round coins, the compartments may be semi- circular cylindrical.

The tray-like member may have a peripheral wall portion. The wall portion may be at least partially flared to render a plurality of the tray-like members stackable.

At least a part of the wall portion may have a shoulder defined therein for serving to stack an upper traylike member on top of a subjacent tray-like member at a sufficient height such that the coins in the subjacent traylike member can be accommodated beneath the upper tray-like member .

Further, the divisions and the walls dividing the zones may have lands on upper surfaces thereof against which corresponding formations of an upper tray-like member bear for retaining the tray-like member in sufficiently spaced relationship to allow the coins to be accommodated between the tray-like members.

The invention is now described by way of example with reference to -the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings,

Figure 1 shows a three dimensional view of a coin storage device, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows a side view of a pair of devices in use;

Figure 3 shows an end view of the pair of devices;

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the device;

Figure 5 shows a sectioned side view of the pair of the devices taken along line V - V in Figure 3; and

Figure 6 shows a sectional end view of the pair of devices taken along line VI - VI in Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, a coin storage device, in accordance with the invention, is illustrated and is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The device 10 comprises a tray-like member or tray 12 which is divided into a plurality of compartments 14. The compartments 14 are arranged in a matrix comprising of a plurality of rows and columns.

Hence, each compartment 14 is separated from an adjacent compartment by an intervening wall 16. Further each end compartment 14 is partly defined by an end wall 18. The end wall 18 forms part of a peripheral wall portion 20 of £he tray 12. The peripheral wall portion is defined by the two end wall portions and a pair of side wall portions 22. Each side wall portion 22 is stepped to define a shoulder 24 against which a subjacent device 10.2 (Figures 2, 3, 5 and 6) abuts.

A division 25 is defined in each compartment 14. Hence, as illustrated schematically in Figure 3 of the drawings, when coins 26 are stored in the compartments 14, a gap 28 is defined between the compartments 14 due to the division 25 to enable a person's finger to be placed between two bundles of coins 26 to enable the bundle of coins 26 to be removed from the relevant compartments 14.

It is to be noted that the wall portion 20 of the tray 12 is flared to accommodate the device 10.2 beneath the device 10.1. Additionally, the shoulder 24 holds the device 10.2 in spaced relationship relative to the device 10.1 as illustrated more clearly in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings . The construction of the devices 10.1 and 10.2 is such that a sufficient gap is left between the stacked trays 12 of the devices 10.1 and 10.2 to accommodate coins 26 between the devices 10.1 and 10.2. Also, for this purpose, an upper surface of each wall 16, 18 and the divisions 25 define lands 30 against which formations 32 (Figures 5 and 6) of _rthe device 10.1. bear.

Each compartment 14 is shaped and dimensioned to accommodate a predetermined number of coins of a particular denomination snugly therein. In the case of round coins 26, the compartments 14 are of semi-circular cylindrical shape.

In use, coins to be stored are placed in the compartments 14.

The compartments 14 accommodate a predetermined number of coins of a particular denomination therein. Thus, the compartments 14 are in the form of a matrix of two rows and five columns. Each compartment 14 may, for example, accommodate five coins therein. Hence, if the compartments 14 are each shaped to receive five one rand coins therein, it will readily be ascertainable that when all the compartments 14 are filled to capacity, the device 10 holds fifty rand worth of one rand coins and similarly in respect of other denominations and numbers of compartments 14.

Hence, by means of the invention, a device 10 is provided which readily facilitates the counting and storage of coins . This should improve the efficiency of banks and businesses dealing with a large number of coins.

Claims

CLAI S

1. A coin storage device which includes a tray-like member which is divided into a plurality of compartments, each compartment being shaped and dimensioned to accommodate a predetermined number of coins of a particular denomination therein.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 in which the compartments are arranged in a matrix comprising a plurality of rows and columns in the tray-like member.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the traylike member includes a plurality of semi-cylindrical zones formed in a side-by-side relationship with adjacent zones being separated from each other by walls.

4. The device as claimed in claim 3 in which each zone includes at least one division therein so that the divisions and the walls define the matrix of rows and columns of compartments in the tray-like member.

5. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 inclusive, in which the compartments are shaped to accommodate a part of a periphery of a coin snugly therein.

6. The device as claimed in claim 5, in which the compartments are semi-circular cylindrical.

7. The device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 inclusive, in which the tray-like member includes a peripheral wall portion.

8. The device as claimed in claim 7 in which the wall portion is at least partially flared to render a plurality of the tray-like members stackable.

9. The device as claimed in claim 8, in which at least a part of the wall portion has a shoulder defined therein for serving to stack an upper tray-like member on top of a subjacent tray-like member at a sufficient height such that the coins in the subjacent tray-like member can be accommodated beneath the upper tray-like member.

10. The device as claimed in claim 4, in which the divisions and the walls dividing the zones include lands on upper surfaces thereof against which corresponding formations of an upper tray-like member bear for retaining the tray-like members in sufficiently spaced relationship to allow the coins to be accommodated between the tray-like members.