Special receptacle or package – For coin
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-01
2001-07-24
Fidei, David T. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
For coin
C206S000840, C206S563000, C206S564000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264024
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to an arrangement for retaining coins. More particularly, the present invention relates to an arrangement for retaining coins having a resilient main body portion defining a generally cylindrical channel with a variable diameter.
It is generally known to provide a motor vehicle with a console for securely retaining various items during travel. For example, many motor vehicle manufacturers provide a console with one or more areas adapted for supporting a beverage container. These areas are intended to secure a beverage container which is otherwise not sufficiently stable to withstand jostling encountered during normal vehicle travel due to an upright and cylindrical construction.
It is also desirable to securely and conveniently retain change within a motor vehicle for the payment of road tolls, parking fees, and other operator incurred expenses. U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,893 discloses a vehicle ashtray incorporating a coin retaining capacity. It is also known to incorporate certain coin holders within vehicle consoles.
In conventional holders, coins are inserted into cylindrical cavities having a diameter slightly greater than that of the coins they are designed to hold. While such arrangements may have become popular, they are associated with disadvantages. In this regard, if the coins are deposited into a cylindrical cavity having a larger diameter, the smaller coins have a tendency to rattle. In addition, recognizing that the modern marketplace is global, it can be appreciated that the coins of various nations have largely variable diameters and thicknesses that are often difficult to retain with conventional holders. As such, the need exists for a coin retention mechanism adapted to accommodate significant variation in coin diameters without allowing the retained coins to rattle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a console adjacent to the driver for a motor vehicle having a coin holding portion.
It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an arrangement for retaining coins capable of accepting coins of varying diameters and preventing rattle of those coins due to vibrations from a motor vehicle. The arrangement will retain various coin sizes, including domestic (one cent, five cents, ten cents, twenty five cents) as well as foreign coins without permitting the coins to rattle.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a coin retention arrangement that may be integrally formed into the injection molded console for a motor vehicle which does not require any additional components.
The coin retention arrangement of the present invention preferably includes a partially cylindrical channel having a continuously variable diameter. The material to be used in defining the channel has a sufficient degree of resiliency for frictionally retaining one or more coins.
In one form, the present invention provides an arrangement for retaining a plurality of coins. The arrangement includes a main body portion constructed of a resilient material. The main body portion defines a coin receiving opening for at least partially receiving a plurality of coins. The opening has a length and width. The width has a variable dimension for frictioning receiving the plurality of coins. In a preferred embodiment, the main body portion partially defines a generally cylindrical channel.
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Godshall Jeffery
Ozark L. John
Calcaterra Mark P.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Fidei David T.
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