Coin Holding Device

Abstract

A coin holding device having opposed members which enclose the coin and hold it therebetween. The opposed members have means for engagement with the display device in which the coin may be stored.

Description

This invention relates to coin holders and more particularly to a coin holding device of the type which can be used in cooperation with a display member.

The coin holder of the subject invention may be comprised of two transparent members formed from sheet plastic material which are adapted to enclose the coin therebetween when they are assembled. The coin holding device can be used to support a coin for display purposes. In this regard, the coin is centrally positioned within the holding device. Additionally, the periphery of the coin holding device has a recess formed therein so that a corresponding raised boss on the surface of a display member can support it.

Thus, the display member may comprise a jewelry case or other means which is suitable for displaying a coin.

Generally, the invention relates to a coin holding device comprising a first member with a recess for receiving a coin and a depending wall on the perimeter of the member. The depending wall is spaced from the coin receiving recess and a closure is provided for closing the coin receiving recess.

Additionally, the invention relates to a coin holding device comprising a box. The box is comprised of top and bottom portions with one of the portions having a display member in which a member having a coin receiving recess may be supported. A closure is provided for the member.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, one presently preferred form of the invention is illustrated; it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coin holding device supported in a jewelry case in accordance with the preferred form of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an exploded side view of the coin holding device and a coin.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the coin holding device taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 1.

Now referring to the drawing for a detailed description of the invention, a coin holding device 10 is supported in a jewelry case 12 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 6, the coin holding device is generally circular in plan so that it corresponds to the configuration of the coin which is to be displayed. However, it should be noted that the circular configuration is not essential to the functioning of the invention disclosed, but is merely set forth by way of example.

The coin holding device comprises a top member 16 and a bottom member 18. The top member comprises a substantially flat wall 17 so that it may lie along one face of a coin which is to be supported therein. At its perimeter 20 it defines an integral, downwardly directed flange 22. The top member 16 and its flange 22 function as a closure in a manner which will be described in detail below.

The bottom member 18 comprises a substantially flat wall 19 so that it lies along the opposite face of a coin to be supported by the coin holding device. On its perimeter 28 it supports first and second spaced parallel flanges 30 and 32 which are the same height and which are substantially flat interconnected by a web 34 which is integral with and perpendicular. The web lies in a plane which is parallel to the plane of wall 19.

Flange 30 and member 18 define a coin receiving recess 38. Flange 30 extends upwardly from wall 19. Flange 32 extends downwardly from web 34. Flanges 30 and 32 and web 34 define a second recess 40.

When the coin holding device 10 is assembled, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, top member 16 rests on web 34 and overlies and closes the coin receiving recess 38 while flange 22 is disposed tele-scopically over second flange 32 and is coextensive therewith. Web 34 bears against wall 17. Thus, top member 16 functions as a closure for the coin holding device.

Recess 40 may be substantially annular to the extent that it may extend completely around the coin. However, such extension is not necessary as will be apparent. However, it should be noted that web 34 which is substantially coplanar with the top of a coin which would be supported in the coin receiving recess 38 serves as a positioning member to thereby constrain the coin within the central portion of the coin holding device. Hence, when the coin holding device is not in the jewelry case 12, web 34 and its corresponding portion on top member 16 appear as a frame for the coin.

The jewelry case 12 may comprise a bottom portion 44 and a top portion 46. The top and bottom portions may be interconnected by a suitable hinge structure 48. Both the top and bottom portions may be covered with material suitable for displaying coins such as silks, felts, or materials of corresponding suitability for display purposes.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the bottom portion 46 of the jewelry case comprises a display surface 52 which supports an annular boss 54. The portion of the display surface within the annular boss defines a cavity for receiving the coin holding device 10. If desired, the central portion 58 of cavity 56 may have a depression therein so that the bottom wall of the depression lies along the bottom of bottom portion 44 to provide support for the display surface 52.

The annular boss 54 is of sufficient height, thickness and continuity so that it corresponds with the aforementioned second recess 40 in bottom member 18. Thus, the bottom member 18 may be supportingly held on the annular boss 54 while its bottom surface is supported within cavity 56.

Preferably, both top member 16 and bottom member 18 are comprised of transparent plastic material so that both faces of a coin 62 held therein may be observed. However, it may be preferred in some circumstances to let only one of the members be transparent and permit the other member to be opaque.

Additionally, it should be noted that the coin holding device functions in its intended manner entirely independently of the display surface 52 in the jewelry case 12. Furthermore, it should be noted that the display surface 52 may appear on any supporting structure that is convenient and need not be confined to a jewelry case of the type disclosed.

While the invention has been described with reference to one presently preferred form thereof, it is apparent that many other forms will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Thus, the scope of the invention should not be limited by that description, but rather, only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

I claim:

1. A coin holding device comprising a first member and a closure, said first member being formed from a sheet of transparent plastic material and comprising a first wall having substantially flat surfaces, a first flange being integral with and extending from the periphery of said first wall and being perpendicular thereto, said first wall and said first flange defining a recess for receiving a coin in said device with said first wall lying along one face of the coin and said first flange lying along the edge of the coin so that the

coin is confined in said recess, an outwardly directed web being integral with and extending from said first flange and being parallel with said first wall, a second flange being integral with and extending downwardly from said web in spaced parallel relation to said first flange and coextensive therewith so that said second flange is spaced from said coin receiving recess, said closure being formed from a sheet of transparent plastic material and comprising a second wall having substantially flat surfaces with the inner surface resting on said web and adapted to lie along the opposite face of the coin, a third flange being integral with and extending downwardly from said second wall, said third flange being coextensive with and engaing said second flange in telescopic relation.

2. A coin holding device as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second flanges and said web define a second recess in said first member, and said second recess surrounds said first recess and faces oppositely therefrom.

3. A coin holding device as defined in claim 1 wherein said third flange depends from the periphery of said second wall.