TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device that is employed to protect, display and use a coin, comprising a base structure consisting of first and second parts which are linked by a connecting element, at the level of which the base structure can be folded so as to bring the first and second parts to face one another. Coin support means, which are adapted to the diameter of the coin, are disposed in the base structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The devices known for preserving a coin generally comprise a case of protection with a glass frame, in which the coin is laid out such as described in the document U.S. Pat. No. 3,100,567. Some known devices, such as the one described in the document U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,214 adapt to various diameters of coins by means of a ring whose internal and external diameters are adapted respectively to the coin and to the internal frame of the case.
The majority of the known devices only allow the protection of the coin, and not its everyday use. Thus, the structure of such devices is generally rigid and comprises closing systems that work by screwing, interlocking, or fitting.
However, these devices are not easy to implement and cannot always be reopened in a simple and reliable way. Other systems have a simple structure, but are not able to ensure a sufficient protection of a coin, when the latter is meant for everyday use.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of the invention is a device that is employed to protect, display and use a coin, and that is easy to implement and able to adapt to different diameters and thicknesses of coins. This device can be opened easily while allowing a reliable closing.
According to the invention, this goal is reached by the fact that:
- The first and the second parts are annular with a predetermined internal diameter,
- support means comprise two identical superimposed internal rings, which define an opening that is intended to house the coin. The diameter of the opening in the aforementioned internal rings is slightly greater than the internal diameter of the first and second parts of the base structure. In this way, each internal ring defines a non-covered annular area on one of the first or second parts of the base structure, said area forming an outer support lip,
- closing systems enclose at least one zone of the periphery of the device.
According to a development of the invention, the device comprises an annular adaptive structure with an opening to contain a coin whose diameter is smaller than the internal diameter of the first and the seconds parts, said adaptive structure is meant to be placed in the opening of the two internal rings.
According to a preferential mode of realization, the periphery of the adaptive structure comprises lugs, diametrically opposed, which adapt to cavities present in the internal rings. This avoids the rotation of the adaptive structure in the internal rings.
According to another characteristic of the invention, the device comprises two interposition rings respectively arranged on the two faces of the adaptive structure, the internal diameter of said interposition rings is inferior to the internal diameter of the adaptive structure in order to form internal lips.
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other advantages and characteristics will stand out more clearly from the description, which will follow, of particular modes of realizing this invention. These non-restrictive examples are represented in the drawings annexed, in which:
FIG. 1 represents a particular mode of realization of a device according to the invention, in open position.
FIG. 2 is a cross-section of a device according to the invention, in closed position.
FIG. 3 represents a base structure of a device according to the invention.
FIG. 4 represents an internal ring of a device according to the invention.
FIGS. 5 and 6 represent adaptive structures of different diameters of a device according to the invention.
FIGS. 7 and 8 are respectively, a front view of compensation joint and a cross-section of a compensation joint arranged on a part of the device according to the invention.
FIG. 9 is a cross-section of a closing element of a device according to the invention.
FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a device according to the invention comprising closing elements as in FIG. 9.
FIGS. 11 and 12 represent, in front view, various modes of realization of a device according to the invention, in closed position.
DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR MODES OF REALIZATION
As shown in FIG. 1, a device 1 for protecting, displaying and using a coin consists of a base structure 2 whose role is to contain and protect a coin and which is able to pass from an open position (FIG. 1) to a closed position (FIGS. 2 and 10). As shown in FIG. 3, the base structure 2 is composed of first and second annular parts 3a and 3b linked by a connecting element 4. To switch to a closed position, the base structure 2 is folded according to an axis A1, at the level of the connecting element 4, so as to bring the first and second annular parts 3a and 3b to face one another.
The device also comprises coin support means adapted to the diameter of the coin and arranged in the base structure 2. The support means comprise two identical superimposed internal rings 5 (FIG. 4), which define an opening 6, intended to house a coin. The internal rings 5 are laid out between the first and the second annular parts 3a and 3b when the base structure 2 is closed (FIG. 2). The diameter d1 of the opening 6 of the internal rings 5 is slightly greater than the internal diameter d2 of the first and the second annular parts 3a and 3b and the external diameter d3 of the internal rings 5 is equal to the external diameter of the annular parts 3a and 3b (FIGS. 3 and 4). Thus, when the two internal rings 5 are put between the first and second annular parts 3a and 3b, each internal ring 5 defines, on one of the first or second annular parts 3a and 3b, a non-covered internal annular area. Each internal annular area forms an outer annular support lip 7 (FIG. 1) which maintains, in the base structure 2, the support means and the coin. Each internal ring 5 can also comprise two cavities 8 diametrically opposed, and whose shape is appreciably circular.
For a coin with a diameter inferior to the internal diameter d2 of the first and second parts 3a and 3b, the device 1 comprises, preferably, an annular adaptive structure 9, like the one shown in FIG. 5. This adaptive structure 9 is meant to be placed in the opening 6 of the two internal rings 5. The adaptive structure 9 comprises an opening 9a whose purpose is to contain the coin. The diameter d4 of the opening 9a of the adaptive structure 9 corresponds appreciably to the diameter of the coin and the external diameter d5 of the adaptive structure is appreciably equal to the diameter d1 of the opening 6 of the internal rings 5. the periphery of the adaptive structure 9 comprises, preferably, two lugs 10 diametrically opposed and protruding towards the exterior of the adaptive structure 9, and preferably with an appreciably circular shaped section. The purpose of the lugs 10 is to correspond with cavities 8 of the two internal rings 5 in order to avoid the rotation of the adaptive structure 9 inside the internal rings 5. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the internal diameter d4 of the adaptive structure 9 is adapted to the diameter of the coin that the adaptive structure must contain.
The device comprises, preferably, at least one protection interface 11, disposed in the opening 6 of the internal superimposed rings 5, so as to completely cover one face of the coin. Thus, on FIG. 2, two protection interfaces 11 are arranged on both sides of the adaptive structure 9, in opening 6 of the internal superimposed rings 5. The two internal rings 5 have a thickness allowing to contain at least the protection interface 11 and the adaptive structure 9. The protection interfaces 11 are made of low thickness discs, for example, of glass or plastic. They are preferably rigid, removable and interchangeable. The diameter of the protection interfaces 11 is appreciably equal to the diameter d1 of the opening 6 of the two internal rings 5. Thus, each protection interface 11 is arranged in an internal ring 5 so as to protect the coin. When the base structure 2 is closed, the unit formed by internals rings 5, the adaptive structure 9 and the two protection interfaces 11 is retained by the outer annular support lips 7 of the base structure 2.
According to an alternative of the design, at least one compensation joint 12 used to compensate the difference in thickness between the coins to be presented, as the one shown in FIG. 7, can be arranged in central circumference of the opening 9a of the adaptive structure 9, so that the compensation joint covers the rim, or the beads around the edge when there is no rim, of the coin contained in the adaptive structure 9 (FIG. 8). The compensation joint can be circular, toric or with flat faces. The width of the full part of the joint is appreciably adapted to the rim of the coin and its external diameter corresponds appreciably to the diameter d4 of the opening 9a of the adaptive structure 9.
The compensation joint 12 thus blocks the coin within the device by exerting a pressure perpendicular to the plane of the coin, at the level of the rim, without the need for a lateral pressure on the walls of the adaptive structure 9.
The device can also comprise interposition rings. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, two interposition rings 13 are respectively arranged between the adaptive structure 9 and the protection interfaces 11. The interposition rings 13 have an external diameter equal to that of the adaptive structure 9, and an internal diameter inferior to the diameter of the opening 9a of the adaptive structure 9. Thus, each interposition ring 13 comprises a free internal annular area constituting an internal lip 14, protruding towards the interior of the adaptive structure 9, when the interposition ring 13 is arranged between the adaptive structure 9 and one of the protection interfaces 11 (FIG. 2). The internal lips 14 block the coin within the adaptive structure 9. The internal diameter of the interposition rings 13 corresponds preferably and appreciably to the diameter of the coin minus the width of the rim or of the beads around the edge if there is no rim. Thus, the internal lips 14 of the interposition rings 13 cover the rim, or the beads around the edge of the coin on all its circumference. The interposition rings 13 make it possible to mask the compensation joints 12 when these are arranged on the rim of the coin. The interposition rings 13 also prevent contact between the coin and the protection interfaces 11, and allow, with or without the compensation joints, to immobilize the coin within the adaptive structure. Thus, the coin can neither turn nor move crosswise in the opening 9a of the adaptive structure 9, and this allows the coin to be maintained in the correct position for reading.
The device 1 is maintained in closed position by reversible closing systems enclosing at least a zone of the periphery of the base structure 2. The closing systems can comprise at least one curved structure 15 with a U-shaped section, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.
The curved structure 15 is relatively flexible in order to enclose at least a zone of the periphery of the base structure 2, by embedding and by pressure. The closing structure 15 can also enclose the periphery of the protection interfaces 11 which are located under the outer support lips 7, and this so as to add rigidity to the device in closed position. The curve of the curved structure 15 is equal to that of the base structure 2. The internal height H of the curved structure 15 and the thickness of the device in closed position, are appreciably equal (FIG. 12). At least one of the internal lateral walls of each curved structure 15 can comprise a blocking lug 16 meant to correspond with a cavity 17 formed in the base structure 2. This makes it possible to ensure a better immobility of the closing system by a reversible enshrining effect. Thus, as shown in FIG. 9, the curved structure 15 has two lugs 16 which face one another.
In FIG. 10, the reversible closing systems comprise three curved structures 15, as the one shown in FIG. 9, and the first and second annular parts 3a and 3b of the base structure 2 comprise, respectively, three cavities 17, evenly spaced. The curved elements 15 enclose the folded base structure 2 and each lug 16 cooperates with a cavity of the base structure 2. The closing systems thus allow pressure to be exerted on the base structure, leading to a pinch effect on the edges of the external faces of the base structure 2. This makes it possible to transform the device into an integral and closed unit, so that the coin cannot extract itself from the device.
As shown in FIG. 11, a seam point 18 can be made by stitching on the connecting element 4 of the base structure 2, when the latter is folded. Thus the base structure remains in half-closed position while allowing an opening like a bivalve. The seam point nevertheless avoids a too large opening of the first and second annular parts 3a and 3b due to a spring effect.
A space 19 can be made in the connecting element 4 of the folded base structure 2. Thus, the device can comprise a suspension system such as a ring to form, for example a key-ring, or to convert the device into another presentation means by fixing or hanging the device to any type of known presentation support. In FIG. 11, the space 19 is defined by the seam point 18.
For example, a device represented in FIG. 12, comprises a folded base structure in which are laid out two internal superimposed rings and which comprise three cavities 17, the purpose of these cavities is the closing of the device. An adaptive structure 9, as the one shown in FIG. 5, is laid out in the opening of the two superimposed rings and this adaptive structure comprises, in its centre, a coin 20, and on its faces, an interposition ring 13. Three closing elements 15 enclose the periphery of the base structure so as to close the device, and a seam point 18 is made on the connecting element 4 of the base structure.
A device according to the invention has the advantage of adapting to any type of coin, namely to coins having different thicknesses and diameters. It also makes it possible to protect the two faces of a coin against external elements but also against the supports means contained in the device. Moreover, the device makes it possible to maintain the coin efficiently in the centre of the device, in a correct position for reading, while ensuring a secure and reversible closing. The production of such a device is easy to realize, the various elements of the device can be realized by all types of known methods, for example by cutting out and stamping. The device can be made out of all kinds of known material for example leather, plastic for the protection interface and thin steel for the embedded closing element.
The invention is not limited to the modes of realization described above. Thus, a coin with a larger diameter than the internal diameter d2 of the first and second parts 3a and 3b can be laid out directly between the two internal rings 5, without requiring the adaptive structure 9.
In this case, the diameter of the opening 6 of the internal rings 5 is appreciably equal to the diameter of the coin to be presented, and two interposition rings 13 can be laid out respectively in central circumference of the internal superimposed rings 5, this on both sides of the coin. The internal diameter of said interposition rings 13 is then smaller than the diameter of opening 6 of the internal rings 5. The device can also comprise at least a compensation joint 12 laid out in central circumference of the internal rings' 5 opening 6. The joint is intended to compensate for the difference in thickness of the coins, by filling the free interval between the rim and an interposition ring 13 and/or between the interposition ring and the protection interface 11, or between the rim and the protection interface. This joint can thus be laid out between the rim of the coin and the interposition rings 13 and/or between the interposition ring and a protection interface, or between the rim and a protection interface. The joints are thus masked by the first outer lips of the base structure 2.
Patent Application
20050150780
