EP0334780A1 - Combination key and coin holder - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a device adapted to a token for a deposit retainer. It is formed from two identical elements (1). Each element comprises a clip (2) provided with a boss (3), a part (4) with its locking ramp (5), two stops (6) and (7) whose function is to limit separation and to prevent disassembly, an articulation device (8), a boss (9) and a boss housing (10) allowing closure to be maintained when the token is withdrawn, a marking surface (11) framed by two openings (12) and (13), and a key ring completes the assembly through the retaining hole (14). The device is particularly intended for hypermarket customers. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a device of several elements associating with each other to adapt to a token of particular shape or to coins, forming after assembly, a key holder intended for the users of these tokens or coins and in particular to the customers of stores with large surfaces which use these tokens or coins to deconsign the carts necessary for the collection of their purchases.

The most widespread prior techniques consist of placing tokens or coins in his bag or purse, or else in a key ring comprising a receptacle closed by any means. The disadvantage of these techniques is that the appropriate coin is used for other purposes and that the receptacle keychain is very rare because of its anonymity.

The object of the present invention is to remedy said drawback by the systematic distribution of a device specially designed for a well defined type of token or currency.

The device according to the invention comprises two similar or different elements, associating with each other by oppositions.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said elements are perfectly identical and adapted to a token of a particular shape which is already the subject of an application.

To simplify the description, we will speak of one element, which will apply to the other.

According to this particularly advantageous embodiment, said element has an oval shape in its vertical appearance, with a horizontal upper part, and with a lower part formed by two rounded radii with different radii.

In this case, said horizontal upper part comprises on its left or on its right and projecting vertically, a clamp which extends to the lower part, completing on its outside the oval aspect of the element and, in its part inside, a section adapted to that of said token.

Preferably, said element comprises, according to the invention, on its outer part, a projecting surface of slightly rectangular vertical section, intended for the marking of advertising or brands. This advertising space is framed on the left and on the right by two parallel recesses on either side at the adjacent edges. The lower part of said element has in its center and perpendicularly, a circular reservation intended for the passage of a ring.

In this case and according to the invention, said element comprises in its inner face, a projecting part integral with said element, of a thickness equal to that of said token, with a guide and retaining groove giving it the appearance of 'an L, and, an oblique locking ramp. Said locking ramp has a slope defined to cooperate with the boss of the upper clamp and said token. Its function is to control the opening and closing of the device by the action of said token.

In this case and according to the invention, said element comprises in its inner face, under and on either side of said projecting part, two reinforced stops, judiciously located to allow assembly and to prevent disassembly of the assembled device. Said stops also have the function of limiting the opening stroke of the device.

In this case, said element comprises, according to the invention, at the center of its lower part, an assembly and articulation device, produced according to a preferred mode, in half male and female part.

To keep said device in closed state when said token is withdrawn, said element comprises, according to the invention, a boss on the upper intermediate part of the clamp and, of a housing of the same diameter opposite to the upper part of said element.

• - la figure 1 est une vue intérieure en élévation frontale de l'élément.
• - la figure 2 est une vue de dessus de l'élément.
• - la figure 3 est une vue en élévation de côté.
• - la figure 4 est une vue extérieure en élévation frontale de deux éléments assemblés formant le dispositif en position de fermeture.
• - la figure 5 est une vue de dessus des deux éléments formant le dispositif en position de fermeture.
• - la figure 6 est une vue en élévation de côté de deux éléments formant le dispositif en position fermé.

Other embodiments and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows and, with reference to the accompanying drawings showing, by way of example, a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention. In these drawings:

• - Figure 1 is an interior view in front elevation of the element.
• - Figure 2 is a top view of the element.
• - Figure 3 is a side elevational view.
• - Figure 4 is an exterior view in front elevation of two assembled elements forming the device in the closed position.
• - Figure 5 is a top view of the two elements forming the device in the closed position.
• - Figure 6 is a side elevational view of two elements forming the device in the closed position.

The device according to the invention represented in FIG. 1, comprises an element bearing the general reference (1) intended to be associated with another element (1), by opposition.

The element (1) is delimited laterally by an oval shape, by a straight horizontal upper part, and by a lower part formed by two rounded shapes.

The upper part of the element (1) is surmounted on one of its sides, by a clamp (2) comprising a boss (3) on one of its lateral parts and, extending the oval appearance of the element (1) by its other lateral side.

As shown in Figure 1, the element (1) has in its inner face, a part (4) L-shaped and integral with the element (1) as shown in Figure 3. This part (4) has a ramp (5) on its left lateral side as shown in Figure 1.

In the lower position and on either side of the part (4) are the stops (6) and (7). The lower part of the element (1) has in its center, its device (8) for assembly and articulation.

The boss (9) and the boss housing (10), of reciprocal diameter, located on the upper left and right of the element (1).

As shown in FIG. 4, the advertising space (11), on the outside face of the element (1), and, slightly projecting, is framed by the recesses (12) and (13).

The device according to the invention allows, for its manufacture, the use of materials such as plastic like ABS or non-ferrous like ZAMAC. Its preferred method of manufacture will be transformation by injection under pressure of plastic material.

Its assembly is the result of long research. It requires two elements (1) presented face to face in the open position as far as the stops (6) and (7) allow, which will then be in contact, the male part of the assembly device (8) in the female part of the device. (8) of the opposite element (1), the edges of the two parts (4) will also be in contact, slightly overlapping, pinch the two elements (1) strongly against each other until they are clipped . The parts (4) will then be one inside the other. Thus made, the reservations located in the device (8) forming a hole opening right through for the passage of a key ring. Its use is as follows:
- open the token-holder device by spreading the clamps (2) as far as the stops (6) and (7) allow, presenting said token between the clamps (2), inserting said token which in turn will activate the ramps (5 ) having the effect of closing and locking the token holder device.

When said token is thus engaged in its housing, the bosses (3) of the clamps (2) are also engaged in their housings provided in said token and complete the locking of the token-carrying device in association with the tips of the ramps (5). . The withdrawal of said token takes place inversely by pulling it, opposite to pulling the token holder device.

The advantages of the device according to the invention are:
- to have at all times a cart deconsignment element by forming a harmonious and useful whole.
- leave almost all of said token visible and therefore the four fully visible advertising surfaces which justifies the invention.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown here, but many modifications can be made thereto, without departing from the scope of the invention. The geometrical configuration of the token-carrying device can of course be different from that shown here provided that it fulfills the functions described above.

Claims (7)

1) Token-holder device acting as a key-holder, characterized in that it is composed of two elements (1) which are perfectly identical according to a preferred method of manufacture, that each element (1) is asymmetrical and comprises, a clamp ( 2) with its shape (3) adapted to a token located on one of the lateral sides, clearly projecting from the upper plane above the marking surface (11), that said element (1) has in the center of its inner part, a part (4) with its ramp (5) with below, two stops (6) and (7), and, a device (8) for assembly and articulation, in its inner upper part, a boss (9) and a boss housing (10) opposite each other, in its outer part below the clamp (2) a marking surface (11) framed on either side by the recesses (12) and (13), and a reservation (14) in the axis of the element (1) and in the center of the device (8), for the passage of a ring. 2) token holder device according to claim 1, characterized in that the element (1) has in this preferred mode of manufacture, on either side of its vertical axis, two asymmetrical and complementary parts, subject to opposition of a second element (1). 3) token holder device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the clamp (2) has a shape (3) intended to cooperate according to the example, in a token shape, without this shape being restrictive for the pliers (2) which can have a particular shape depending on the tokens or coins. 4) token holder device according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the part (4) integral with the element (1), has an L shape and a configuration allowing to cooperate with another part (4) another element (1), and a ramp (5) adapted to the token or coin. 5) token holder device according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the element (1) comprises on either side of its lower interior, two stops (6) and (7), which, after assembly of two elements (1), cooperate respectively with the stops (7) and (6) of the second element (1) according to an associative relationship of the parts (4) and device (8) of the two elements (1) assembled. 6) token holder device according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the element (1) comprises on one of its sides and projecting from its upper part, a clamp (2) which after assembly between them of two elements (1), cooperates with the clamp (2) of the second element (1) and thus form a retaining assembly, outside the device and above the marking surfaces (11) of two elements (1) assembled. 7) token holder device according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that two elements (1) assembled, have in this case, on either side of the vertical axis, a symmetrical vertical section which allows by l action of a push or traction exerted on said token located outside the device, to activate the clamps (2) associated in these movements, with the ramps (5) and the articulation devices (8) and allow the 'access and visibility of said token.

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