Coin change card

Abstract

A coin change organizing holder for personal use in a wallet/billfold or purse is constructed in such a fashion as to allow the coins to be retained in a series of rows or channels on the surface of a small thin rectangular card and to easily slide slightly above the surface of the card and partially overlap in a compact manner.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Coin change tends to accumulate in ones pocket or purse from cash purchase transactions due to the fact that it is sometimes difficult to tender or retrieve, count and dispense to a cashier during a purchase especially when there is a line of customers. Coin change is currently just carried in a pocket, change purse or perhaps a small container. The disclosed invention allows the change to be readily retrieved in total, also displayed in total and to be easily counted and dispensed in a simple, convenient and expeditious manner.

The coin change card is also designed and constructed to be small, light and thin such that it can be affixed to a surface and be easily and conveniently carried within a wallet/billfold or purse and thus can be expeditiously retrieved and used.

BRIEF SUMMARY/DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Change is arranged on a small thin plastic card in four separated horizontal rows or channels one row for quarters, dimes, nickels, pennies. The rows are separated by a thin straight linear shaped small plastic separators.

The external edge or side of the top and bottom rows have small thin straight linear shaped retainers. Each row is blocked at one end while the other horizontal end has a small rubber/plastic or flexible retainer affixed to or molded into the shaped separators to hold the coins in the rows on the card. The coins can also be held in the rows by small raised protrusions on the card surface between the rows near open side. The coins set against and slide on the small flanges that are on the sides of the separators and the edge retainers. Thus the coins do not set, rest and slide on the card surface it self. This construction allows the coins to partially overlap and take up less length on the card with only a little increase overall thickness.

The plastic card can be constructed in a thin form to be carried in a wallet/billfold with all the coins on the same side or can be constructed in a smaller more compact construction with a row of quarters and dimes on one side and a row of nickels and pennies on the other opposing side for pocket or perhaps purse use. The coin change card construction variations can be easily be made to accommodate more or different size coins.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1, A plane view of the coin change card showing the channels/rows, side retainers, inclined end protrusions, separators with flexible end retainers.

FIG. 2 A cross section through the middle part of the change card showing the channels/rows separators, side retainers, and the front and back sides of the card.

FIG. 3, A plane view of the separators and the end side retainers.

A cross section view of the separators and end side retainers.

A plane view of the rubber or flexible retainers.

A side view of the rubber or flexible retainers.

A side view of the inclined end protrusions.

FIG. 4. A plane view of the change card showing the channels/rows, side retainers, separators, inclined end protrusions, inclined retainer protrusion.

FIG. 5. A cross section through the middle part of the change card showing the side retainers, channel/row separators and the front and back side of the card.

FIG. 6 A plane view of a channel/row separator, a side retainer,

A cross section of the separator.

A cross section of the side retainer.

A plane view of an inclined retainer protrusion.

A side view of a inclined retainer protrusion.

A side view of an inclined end protrusion.

FIG. 7 A plane view of a change card design where side retainers and separators have flanges with smaller beveled/angled ears or inner right angle extensions at the ends of the separators.

A right side end view of the change card.

A middle cross section.

FIG. 8. A plane view an alternate construction.

A right side end view and front/back sides.

A cross section through the middle, showing side retainers, separator and front/back sides

FIG. 9. A plane view of the alternate construction change card showing Channel/rows, side retainers, inclined end protrusions, separator with flexible retainer.

A right side end view of the alternate change card showing the side retainers, channel/row separators, flexible retainers. inclined end protrusions, and front and back side.

A middle cross section view of the alternate change card from the right side showing the side retainers channel/rows, separators, inclined end protrusions, and front and back sides.

FIG. 10. A plane view of the alternate construction change card showing the channel/rows, side retainers, separators, inclined end protrusions and an inclined retainer protrusion.

A middle cross section of the alternate construction change card showing only the side retainers, channel/rows, separators, and front and back sides.

An end view from the right side of the alternate construction change card showing the channel/rows, side retainers, the separators, inclined retainer protrusions, and front and back side.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A thin card shape of plastic is constructed/molded FIG. 1., FIG. 4., FIG. 7., approximately 3½ inches by 2¾ inches on a side in the flat horizontal plane and about 0.030 Inches thick, FIG. 1. 1FIG. 4.1FIG. 7. 1. On two sides there is an side edge retainer that is about ⅛ inch in height FIG. 1. 2, FIG. 1. 3, FIG. 2. 12, FIG. 2.24, FIG. 3. 2, FIG. 4. 2-3, FIG. 5. 12, 24, FIG. 8. 1, FIG. 7. 1-2, 7, 15.

The third side end retainer FIG. 1.4, FIG. 4. 4 is about 4 or 5, 1/32 inch in height. These edges retainers are about 1/32 or 0.030 inch thick.

The other end side is partially blocked to an extent by channel/row retainers FIG. 1. 28 FIG. 3. 9-10, or inclined retainer protrusions FIG. 4. 27, FIG. 6. 9-10.

There are four horizontal rows or channels FIG. 1. 5-8, FIG. 4. 5-8, that are formed by three 5/32 inch high raised plastic shaped separators FIG. 1. 9-11, FIG. 2. 15, 18, 21FIG. 3. 1, 6, FIG. 4. 9-11, FIG. 5. 15, 18, 21, FIG. 6. 1, 6 that are about 1/32 inch in material thickness and 5/32 inch wide.

The first separator FIG. 1. 9, FIG. 2. 15, FIG. 4. 9, FIG. 5. 15, FIG. 7. 4 is approximately 1 inch from the top edge and this first row will accommodate quarters. The next separator FIG. 1, 10, FIG. 2. 18, FIG. 7. 5 is about 0.65 inches further down and this row is for dimes. The next, third and last separator FIG. 1.11, FIG. 2. 21, FIG. 7. 6 is about an additional 0.95 inches further down and this row is for nickels. The bottom edge retainer FIG. 1. 3FIG. 2. 24, FIG. 4. 3, FIG. 5. 24, FIG. 7. 15 is about an additional 0.80 inches down and forms the fourth row that is for pennies or cents. The top or upper edge retainer FIG. 1. 2, FIG. 2. 12, FIG. 4. 2FIG. 5. 12, of the first row has an shape and will be will be about ⅛ inches in height by 1/32 inch in thickness and has small flanges or lips, an outer and inner, of about 2/32″ wide FIG. 2. 13-14, FIG. 3. 4-5, FIG. 5. 13, 14, FIG. 6. 4-5, wide at right angle to the vertical retainer side. This shape of edge flanges will position and provide for holding the first row of quarters on the card and also allow the quarters to slide about 1/32″ above the card surface. The bottom or other side edge of the quarters will be held in place by the first separator that is a quarters width down. This first separator FIG. 1. 9, FIG. 2,15FIG. 4. 9, FIG. 4, 15 will have anshape FIG. 2. 15, FIG. 3. 6, FIG. 4. 15, FIG. 6. 6 and will be about 5/32 inches in height, 5/32 inches in width and have a plastic thickness of about 1/32 inch shaped with a 2/32 right angle inner and outer flanges FIG. 2. 16-17, FIG. 3. 8-7, FIG. 5. 16-17, FIG. 6. 8-7. On the quarter side there is the small 2/32″ wide right angle part of the outer flange and an opposing similar 2/32″ wide right angle part of the inner flange. On the separators dime side the small right angle part of the outer flange will be about 2/32″ wide and the associated opposing inner right angle flange will be about 2/32″ wide. The inner flanges on both the quarter side and dime side will allow the coins to slide about 1/32 inch above card surface and also allow the coins to tip or tilt and partially override as the inner and outer flanges on the separators are further apart than the thickness of the coins. The next and second separator FIG. 1. 10FIG. 2. 18, FIG. 4. 10, FIG. 4. 18 between the second row dimes and third row nickels will again be 5/32 inch in height with a 5/32 wide separator with flanges forming the shape of and the plastic thickness of about 1/32 inch. The inner and outer flange small right angle parts FIG. 2. 19-20, FIG. 5. 19-20 will be about 2/32 inch wide on either side and also about 1/32 in material thickness which will allow the coins on each side to slide above the card and partially overlap. The next, third and last separator FIG. 1.11, FIG. 2. 21 , FIG. 4. 11, FIG. 5. 21, between the nickels third row and the pennies fourth row is the same as above and in the shape of a 5/32 inch high and 5/32 inch wide inner flange FIG. 1. 22, FIG. 5. 22 and outer flange FIG. 1. 23, FIG. 5. 23, with a material plastic thickness of 1/32 inch. The inner and outer flange will also be about 2/32 inch on either side. The coins will also slide about 1/32 inch above the card on the flanges and will be able to tilt or tip and partially overlap due to the additional height clearance of the coins between the flanges. The bottom edge side retainer of the card and bottom side of the cents or pennies row will be in the an shape ⅛ inch high FIG. 1. 3, FIG. 2. 24, FIG. 3. 3, FIG. 4. 3, FIG. 5. 24, FIG. 6. 3 and a material thickness of about 1/32 inch. The inner and outer right angle flanges of the shape FIG. 1, 25-26, FIG. 5. 25, 26 will match and be about 2/32 wide and 1/32 inch thick. The cents or pennies will slide in the inner flanges about 1/32 inch above the card surface and be able to tilt or tip such that adjacent coins can partially overlap due to the additional clearance within the separator and bottom side retainer. The left hand side edge of the card and rows FIG. 1, 4FIG. 4. 4 will be 5/32:″ high vertical edge and against the edge between the rows there will be a small inclined protrusion Fig. I. 29, FIG. 3. 11, FIG. 4. 28, FIG. 6. 11

That will assist in causing the coins in each row to tilt and overlap in the correct and same orientation. The right hand card side will be flat and open for the most part except that the ends of the separator flanges FIG. 1, 27 will have a small rubber or flexible plastic retainers FIG. 1,28, FIG. 3., 9-10 that provide for retention of the coins in the rows and yet allow the coins to pass by into and out of a row channels with a little finger pressure by virtue of flexibility. If required the flexible retainers can be molded into the separators ends as an extended outer flange area with a small inward/downward projecting beveled ears FIG. 7. 9,10, 11, 12, 14, FIG. 8. 3 such that the extended flange area/ear will flex up when a coin enters or exits the channel/row at the end of the separators. The flexible retainers can also be replaced by small inclined protrusions in the middle of the rows at the right side edge of the card, FIG. 4. 27, FIG. 6. 9-10 that will retain the coins in the row and yet allow the coins to enter and exit the row by causing the card surface to flex down or relatively down in response finger induced lateral motion of the coins.

The change card construction shown in FIG. 7. Is somewhat similar to that of above however the separators FIG. 7. 4, 5, 6 have a shape with small downward/inner projecting, beveled or angled ears or flanges at and on the ends of the separators to retain the coins in the channel/rows and yet allow coins to enter and exit the channel/rows by induced upward flexing of the arms at the end of the separators.

An alternate construction of a smaller and more compact change card FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10 is that wherein the opposing sides of the card will each have two channels or rows FIG. 8. 1, 2, FIG. 9. 2, 3, FIG. 10. 2, 3 rather than four rows all on one side with the opposing side flat, smooth. The construction is similar to that described earlier however with only two rows per side, quarters and dimes on one side and nickels and pennies on the other.

There are of course obvious variations to the number of channel/rows and size/dimensions of the various components to that of the described constructions.

Claims

1. A flat small thin rectangular coin holding card with side edge retainers, side end retainer, row/channel retainers and multiple small raised parallel separators upon its upper surface forming parallel rows or channels that allow coins to be retained on the card in the rows or channels and also slide slightly above the cards surface.

2. Claim 1., wherein the side edge retainers and separators have small lips or flanges that allow the coins to move or slide within the small flanges slightly above the surface of the card and also overlap to a limited degree.

3. Claim 1., wherein one side of the card is blocked by a small vertical edge about the same height as the raised parallel separators such the coins are retained on the card in the rows.

4. Claim 1., wherein one side of the card is blocked between the side edge retainers and the parallel separators and also between the parallel separators by small inclined or sloped protrusions that help retain the coins in the rows on the card and also assist in overlapping the coins and setting the orientation of the coin overlap.

5. Claim 1., wherein at least two of the raised parallel separators on the card have small flexible ears or retainers on the end of the separators adjacent to the open end of the rows/channels such that the coins are retained on the card in their respective rows/channels and yet can enter and exit the row/channels easily with a small amount of flexing movement of the ears.

6. Claim 1., wherein on the open side edge of the card in the row/channels between the side edge retainers and separators and also between the separators, there are small sloped/inclined protrusions on the card surface that retain the coins in the row/channels and yet allow the coins to enter and exit the row/channels easily by virtue of the flexibility of the card and/or separators.

7. Claim 1, wherein the rectangular card, side edge retainers, side end retainer and separators are of such a size to allow the card with coins to be easily contained and carried within a wallet, billfold or small purse.

8. A flat thin rectangular wallet, billfold or purse coin holding card which has small raised parallel flexible retainers forming a series of rows or channels on the surface of the card that allow coins to be retained on the card and also slide on the card with a small amount of finger pressure.

9. Claim 8., wherein rows or channels are blocked on one end to retain the coins on the card while the other end of the rows/channels are open except for small protrusions or lips on the ends of the parallel retainers to assist in holding and retaining the coins in the channel/rows on the card and yet allow coins to enter and exit with a small amount of finger pressure.

10. Claim 8 wherein the card and separators are of such a size to allow the card with coins to be easily be carried and contained within a wallet, billfold, or small purse.

11. Claim 8 wherein the parallel retainers that form the rows/channels are such that the retained coins can partly overlap each other if desired.

12. A flat thin rectangular coin holding card that has small raised parallel separator retainers on opposing sides, top and bottom, of the card that form rows/channels on either side of the card such that coins can retained in an overlapping manner and yet easily be moved slightly above the common surface of the card within the channel/rows or into and out of the channel/rows.

13. Claim 12., wherein one end of the channel/row is blocked and the other end has a small flexing retainer on the end separator or small a inclined protrusion that allow coins to enter and exit the channel/row and card.