US4878579A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tamper-proof coin case
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-04-24
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Granted: 1989-11-07
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Expires: 2007-04-24
Abstract
Abstract A tamper-proof coin case is presented. The coin case comprises a unitary assembly having a first substantially planar member which has a first element of an interlocking means disposed circumferentially thereabout, the first planar member being joined to a second substantially planar member having a second element of the interlocking means whose shape is complementary to the first element and which is disposed circumferentially about the second planar member. The unitary assembly has a first interior retention zone shaped such that a coin can be retained within the first interior retention zone, a second interior retention zone shaped such that at least one photograph of the coin can be retained within the second interior retention zone and a third interior retention zone shaped such that a certificate for the coin can be retained within the third interior retention zone. Each of the planar members has a first transparent portion located to permit observation of each side of a coin retained within the first interior retention zone, the first planar member further comprising a second transparent portion located to permit observation of a first photograph of the coin located within the second interior retention zone and a third transparent portion located to permit observation of a certificate for the coin located within the third interior retention zone. The unitary assembly is formed by ultrasonically welding the first and second planar members together.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan Hager
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 19:15
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47G; A47G1/00; A47G1/12; G; G07; G07D; G07D5/00; G09; G09F; G09F1/00; G09F1/10; G09F1/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
265 words
A tamper-proof coin case which is comprised of a unitary assembly comprising a first substantially planar member having a first element of an interlocking means disposed circumferentially thereabout, said first planar member being joined to a second substantially planar member having a second element of said interlocking means whose shape is complementary to said first element and which is disposed circumferentially about said second planar member, said unitary assembly having a first interior retention zone shaped such that a coin can be retained within said first interior retention zone, a second interior retention zone shaped such that at least one photograph of the coin can be retained within said second interior retention zone and a third interior retention zone shaped such that a certificate for the coin can be retained within said third interior retention zone, each of said planar members having a first transparent portion located to permit observation of each side of a coin retained within said first interior retention zone, each of said planar members further comprising a second transparent portion located to permit observation of two photographs of the coin retained within said second interior retention zone and said first planar member further comprising a third transparent portion located to permit observation of a certificate for the coin retained within said third interior retention zone; wherein the exterior surfaces of said first and second planar members which do not comprise said transparent portions have a surface texture which causes at least partial opacity; and further wherein said unitary assembly is formed by ultrasonically welding said first and second planar members together.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
265 words
A tamper-proof coin case which is comprised of a unitary assembly comprising a first substantially planar member having a first element of an interlocking means disposed circumferentially thereabout, said first planar member being joined to a second substantially planar member having a second element of said interlocking means whose shape is complementary to said first element and which is disposed circumferentially about said second planar member, said unitary assembly having a first interior retention zone shaped such that a coin can be retained within said first interior retention zone, a second interior retention zone shaped such that at least one photograph of the coin can be retained within said second interior retention zone and a third interior retention zone shaped such that a certificate for the coin can be retained within said third interior retention zone, each of said planar members having a first transparent portion located to permit observation of each side of a coin retained within said first interior retention zone, each of said planar members further comprising a second transparent portion located to permit observation of two photographs of the coin retained within said second interior retention zone and said first planar member further comprising a third transparent portion located to permit observation of a certificate for the coin retained within said third interior retention zone; wherein the exterior surfaces of said first and second planar members which do not comprise said transparent portions have a surface texture which causes at least partial opacity; and further wherein said unitary assembly is formed by ultrasonically welding said first and second planar members together.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The tamper-proof coin case of claim 1 wherein said first and second elements of said interlocking means are respectively disposed on said first and second planar members such that one fits inside the other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tamper-proof coin case of claim 1 which further comprises nibs which extend into said first interior retention zone of said unitary assembly to secure the coin in position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The tamper-proof coin case of claim 1 wherein said first interior retention zone of said unitary assembly is about 15 millimeters to about 42 millimeters in diameter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The tamper-proof coin case of claim 4 wherein said first interior retention zone of said unitary assembly is about 2.5 millimeters to about 2.8 millimeters thick.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The tamper-proof coin case of claim 1 which is formed of a plastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tamper-proof coin case of claim 6 which is formed of polystyrene.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
286 words
A tamper-proof coin case which is comprised of a unitary assembly comprising a first substantially planar member having a first element of an interlocking means disposed circumferentially thereabout, said first planar member being joined to a second substantially planar member having a second element of said interlocking means whose shape is complementary to said first element and which is disposed circumferentially about said second planar member, said first and second elements of said interlocking means being respectively disposed on said first and second planar members such that one fits within the other, said unitary assembly having a first interior retention zone shaped such that a coin can be retained within said first interior retention zone, a second interior retention zone shaped such that at least one photograph of the coin can be retained within said second interior retention zone and a third interior retention zone shaped such that a certificate for the coin can be retained within said third interior retention zone, each of said planar members having a first transparent portion located to permit observation of each side of a coin retained within said first interior retention zone and a second transparent portion located to permit observation of a first and second photograph of the coin retained within said second interior retention zone, said first planar member further comprising a third transparent portion located to permit observation of a certificate for the coin located within said third interior retention zone; wherein exterior surfaces of said first and second planar members which do not comprise said transparent portions have a surface texture which causes at least partial opacity; and further wherein said unitary assembly is formed by ultrasonically welding said first and second planar members together.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
286 words
A tamper-proof coin case which is comprised of a unitary assembly comprising a first substantially planar member having a first element of an interlocking means disposed circumferentially thereabout, said first planar member being joined to a second substantially planar member having a second element of said interlocking means whose shape is complementary to said first element and which is disposed circumferentially about said second planar member, said first and second elements of said interlocking means being respectively disposed on said first and second planar members such that one fits within the other, said unitary assembly having a first interior retention zone shaped such that a coin can be retained within said first interior retention zone, a second interior retention zone shaped such that at least one photograph of the coin can be retained within said second interior retention zone and a third interior retention zone shaped such that a certificate for the coin can be retained within said third interior retention zone, each of said planar members having a first transparent portion located to permit observation of each side of a coin retained within said first interior retention zone and a second transparent portion located to permit observation of a first and second photograph of the coin retained within said second interior retention zone, said first planar member further comprising a third transparent portion located to permit observation of a certificate for the coin located within said third interior retention zone; wherein exterior surfaces of said first and second planar members which do not comprise said transparent portions have a surface texture which causes at least partial opacity; and further wherein said unitary assembly is formed by ultrasonically welding said first and second planar members together.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tamper-proof coin case of claim 8 which further comprises nibs which extend into said first interior retention zone of said unitary assembly to secure the coin in position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The tamper-proof coin case of claim 8 wherein said first interior retention zone of said unitary assembly is about 15 millimeters to about 42 millimeters in diameter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The tamper-proof coin case of claim 10 wherein said first interior retention zone of said unitary assembly is about 2.5 millimeters to about 2.8 millimeters thick.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The tamper-proof coin case of claim 8 which is formed of a plastic.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tamper-proof coin case of claim 12 which is formed of polystyrene.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
313 words
A tamper-proof coin case which is comprised of a unitary assembly comprising a first substantially planar member having a first element of an interlocking means disposed circumferentially thereabout, said first planar member being joined to a second substantially planar member having a second element of said interlocking means whose shape is complementary to said first element and which is disposed circumferentially about said second planar member, said first and second elements of said interlocking means being respectively disposed on said first and second planar members such that one fits within the other, said unitary assembly having a first interior retention zone shaped such that a coin can be retained within said first interior retention zone, a second interior retention zone shaped such that at least one photograph of the coin can be retained within said second interior retention zone and a third interior retention zone shaped such that a certificate for the coin can be retained within said third interior retention zone wherein said first interior retention zone has a diameter of about 15 millimeters to about 42 millimeters and a thickness of about 2.5 millimeters to about 2.8 millimeters, each of said planar members having a first transparent portion located to permit observation of each side of a coin retained within said first interior retention zone and a second transparent portion located to permit observation of a first and second photograph of the coin located within said second interior retention zone, said first planar member further comprising a third transparent portion located to permit observation of a certificate for the coin located within said third interior retention zone, the exterior surfaces of said first and second planar members which do not comprise said transparent portions having a surface texture which causes at least partial opacity; wherein said unitary assembly is plastic and formed by ultrasonically welding said first and second planar members.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
313 words
A tamper-proof coin case which is comprised of a unitary assembly comprising a first substantially planar member having a first element of an interlocking means disposed circumferentially thereabout, said first planar member being joined to a second substantially planar member having a second element of said interlocking means whose shape is complementary to said first element and which is disposed circumferentially about said second planar member, said first and second elements of said interlocking means being respectively disposed on said first and second planar members such that one fits within the other, said unitary assembly having a first interior retention zone shaped such that a coin can be retained within said first interior retention zone, a second interior retention zone shaped such that at least one photograph of the coin can be retained within said second interior retention zone and a third interior retention zone shaped such that a certificate for the coin can be retained within said third interior retention zone wherein said first interior retention zone has a diameter of about 15 millimeters to about 42 millimeters and a thickness of about 2.5 millimeters to about 2.8 millimeters, each of said planar members having a first transparent portion located to permit observation of each side of a coin retained within said first interior retention zone and a second transparent portion located to permit observation of a first and second photograph of the coin located within said second interior retention zone, said first planar member further comprising a third transparent portion located to permit observation of a certificate for the coin located within said third interior retention zone, the exterior surfaces of said first and second planar members which do not comprise said transparent portions having a surface texture which causes at least partial opacity; wherein said unitary assembly is plastic and formed by ultrasonically welding said first and second planar members.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tamper-proof coin case of claim 14 wherein said plastic is polystyrene.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-11-06 | 1993-05-08 | 1993-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-06 | 1997-05-08 | 1997-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-06 | 2001-05-08 | 2001-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |