Money holder
A money holder for carrying functional coin money, such as quarters or silver and gold dollars. In particular, the money holder includes a key ring portion for engaging numerous keys, wherein the key ring is attached to a holder portion through means for attachment. The holder portion is generally disc shaped and is dimensioned to receive a plurality of coins.
The present invention claims to the benefit of prior of U.S. Application No. 60/540,478, filed on Jan. 30, 2004.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable.
REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIXNot Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONOn occasion, one will need to carry functional money, such as quarters, that can be used for various situations such as operating pay phones and feeding parking meters. However, many conventional methods and devices for carrying this emergency money are often cumbersome and inconvenient. Further, the need for carrying spare change is typically underestimated and ignored in view of these shortcomings.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a device for carrying emergency money that is convenient and easily stored by the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
According to its major aspects and briefly stated, the present invention includes a money holder for carrying functional coin money, such as quarters or silver and gold dollars. In particular, the money holder includes a key ring portion for engaging numerous keys, wherein the key ring is attached to a holder portion through means for attachment. The holder portion is generally disc shaped and is dimensioned to receive a plurality of coins.
A feature of the present invention includes the use of a key ring in combination with a holder dimensioned to receive coin money. Typical key chains and key rings that include storage capacity for money are cumbersome and unsightly. These types of key chains usually include a wallet-type holder for both paper and coin money along with a key ring. The holder of the present invention is effectively and efficiently dimensioned to receive only coin money. Therefore, the key ring is easily stored and transported. Further, the shape of the holder is such that the face of the coin money can be displayed while in the holder, which adds to the aesthetical appearance of the key chain in addition to reminding the user as to what type of coin is in the holder.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a careful reading of the Detailed Disclosure of the Preferred Embodiments presented below and accompanied by the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSIn the drawings,
As illustrated in
The coin holder 14 of the present invention is further illustrated in
The upper and lower covers 20, 24 can be connected to the coupling member 30 in a variety of ways. For example, the covers 20, 24 can be threadedly engaged with the coupling member 30. As illustrated in the figures, the coupling member 30 includes an external annular wall 40, which can have external threads 42 thereon, and an internal annular wall 44. In order to connect the upper cover 20 and the lower cover 24 to the coupling member 30, the annular sidewall 34 of each of the covers can include internal threads 36 thereon, which engage the external threads 42 located at the opposing ends of the external annular wall 40 of the coupling member 30. Further, the annular sidewall 34 of the covers 20, 24 can be knurled to facilitate the gripping of the upper and lower covers 20, 24. It is also contemplated by the present invention that other means for engagement than threads can be used to secure the upper and lower covers 20, 24 to the coupling member 30, such as corresponding male and female members (not shown) or interlocking internal and external ribs (not shown).
Because the coupling member 30 of the present invention includes a generally tubular body that is hollow, as shown in
Although a variety of connectors can be used to place the holder 14 onto the key ring 12, an embodiment of the holder 14 can include means for attaching 22 as shown in
In operation, a user disengages the upper and lower covers 20, 24 from the coupling member 30. Next, the user places a coin 100 on the ledge 72 of either or both of the upper and lower ribs 63, 64. As shown in
Depending on how many coins are placed on each of the ledge 72 of the upper and lower ribs 63, 64, the spring 62 will become compressed to provide more space to accommodate additional coins, as shown in
Those skilled in the art of money holders will recognize that many substitutions and modifications can be made in the foregoing preferred embodiment with departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A money holder, comprising:
- a key ring; and
- a holder connected to said key ring, wherein said holder includes an upper cover, a lower cover and a coupling member, said upper cover and said lower cover being connected to said coupling member.
2. The money holder as recited in claim 1, wherein said upper cover and said lower cover are threadedly engaged to said coupling member.
3. The money holder as recited in claim 1, wherein said upper cover and said lower cover each includes a base wall having an opening.
4. The money holder as recited in claim 1, wherein said upper cover and said lower cover each includes an annular sidewall that is knurled.
5. The money holder as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for securing coins within said coupling member.
6. The money holder as recited in claim 5, wherein said securing means includes a spring, an upper rib and a lower rib, said spring being disposed between said upper rib and said lower rib.
7. The money holder as recited in claim 6, wherein said coupling member includes an internal annular wall having an upper annular flange and a lower annular flange, and wherein said upper rib and said lower rib each includes a rib flange, said upper annular flange and said lower annular flange being dimensioned to engage said rib flange of said upper rib and said lower rib, respectively.
8. The money holder as recited in claim 6, wherein said upper rib and said lower rib each includes a ledge dimensioned to provide a coin rest.
9. The money holder as recited in claim 1, wherein said key ring and said holder are made of metal.
10. A money holder, comprising:
- a holder including an upper cover, a lower cover and a coupling member, said upper cover and said lower cover being connected to said coupling member.
11. The money holder as recited in claim 10, wherein said upper cover and said lower cover are threadedly engaged to said coupling member.
12. The money holder as recited in claim 10, wherein said upper cover and said lower cover each includes a base wall having an opening.
13. The money holder as recited in claim 10, wherein said upper cover and said lower cover each includes an annular sidewall that is knurled.
14. The money holder as recited in claim 10, further comprising means for securing coins within said coupling member.
15. The money holder as recited in claim 14, wherein said securing means includes a spring, an upper rib and a lower rib, said spring being disposed between said upper rib and said lower rib.
16. The money holder as recited in claim 15, wherein said coupling member includes an internal annular wall having an upper annular flange and a lower annular flange, and wherein said upper rib and said lower rib each includes a rib flange, said upper annular flange and said lower annular flange being dimensioned to engage said rib flange of said upper rib and said lower rib, respectively.
17. The money holder as recited in claim 15, wherein said upper rib and said lower rib each includes a ledge dimensioned to provide a coin rest.
18. The money holder as recited in claim 10, wherein said holder is made of metal.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 14, 2005
Publication Date: Aug 4, 2005
Inventor: Valerian Sottile (Savannah, GA)
Application Number: 11/036,847