COIN PINGER DEVICE FOR ALLOY AUTHENTICATION

Abstract

An apparatus and method facilitating a coin ping test that involves placing a coin in between two prongs that are covered with caps made of silicone, fabric, soft plastic, and/or other material or combination of materials that pinch and grip the coin tightly in place for a ping test. The elasticity of the caps also allows for the coin to be pressed down on one edge and then released, resulting in the coin snapping back down onto a hammer or surface causing the coin to ping on contact.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. (canceled)

3. A device for performing a coin ping test; comprising of two of prongs, each prong forming a pincher at their ends meeting together to pinch a coin, with at least the contact surface area of the pinchers covered with a cap; where the cap is made of at least one of silicon, fabric, soft plastic or elastic gripping material; where the pair of pinchers grip the center of the coin and allow the coin to be pressed down on the edge of its outer rim; wherein when the pressed down coin rim is released the pinchers and caps snap the coin back to hit a hammer or surface causing the coin to ping and vibrate.

4. The device for performing a coin ping test of claim 3, where the coin gripped in the pinchers can be directly struck by a plastic rod, pencil, or other hard object causing the coin to ping and vibrate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention, and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 100 shows the device with protective caps over the pinchers to keep the coin safe.

[0023] FIG. 200 shows a coin held tightly in the device in between the protective caps ready for the ping test.

[0024] FIG. 300 shows the functionality where a user can press on the coins edge and release which causes the coin to snap back down in the other direction and make contact with the hammer creating a vibration and ping sound from the coin.

[0025] FIG. 400 shows how the coin vibrates in between the two caps during the ping test.

[0026] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

[0028] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0029] The present invention is directed to provide a method of ping testing a coin by tightly griping a coin in between two prongs that are covered with protective caps made of silicone, fabric, soft plastic, or other material or combination of materials that pinch the coin tightly in position for the duration of the ping test. The elasticity of the caps also allows a coin to be pressed down on the coins edge away from the device and then released, resulting in the coin snapping back down onto a hammer or surface causing the coin to make a distinctive ping sound.

[0030] One easy way to determine a coin's authenticity is by using the weight to size comparison method. Gold and silver are extraordinarily dense metals—much denser than just about any other base metal. Just about all fakes that weigh the correct amount will be too large in diameter and/or thickness. Or they will be underweight in order to achieve the correct diameter and thickness. Simply comparing the diameter and thickness of the coin in question with others known to be genuine could be enough to put you at ease.

[0031] However, to enhance the reliability, a ping test is commonly used at the consumer level. Typically, a consumer will balance a coin on their fingertip and strike the coin with an external object causing the coin to ping. Authentic gold and silver coins chime when struck and the difference in sounds is noticeable versus other base metals. The gold coin ping test is a very reliable and quick way to test whether the gold coin is real or not. If someone gently strikes the precious metal coin with another object it will make a very distinct ringing or “ping” sound as opposed to other base metals whose respective sound will be very different. An authentic 22 k (91.6%) gold coin for instance will have a very loud and long resonant tone whereas a counterfeit will make a much different sound, duration, and tone. Some counterfeits will not make a pinging sound at all. The ping test is most reliable when the user is comparing the sound of the coin in question to a coin that is known to be genuine.

[0032] The current invention allows the user to tightly hold the coin in place between the two pinchers with protective caps, which allows the coin to be safely struck or pressed down on one edge and released, the coin then snaps back down and bounces on the hammer causing the coin to ping on contact.

[0033] The invention as per its preferred embodiments is a procedure where a coin is placed in the device between two prongs that are covered with protective caps that grip the coin tightly in place. These caps mitigate the risk of a scratch on the obverse and reverse surfaces of the coin during a ping test while firmly holding the coin allowing for vibration. The elasticity of the caps also allows the coin to be pressed down on one edge and then released, resulting in the coin snapping back down onto a hammer or surface causing the coin to vibrate and ping on contact.

[0034] While a specific embodiment has been shown and described, many variations are possible. With time, additional features may be employed. The particular shape or configuration of the platform or the configuration may be changed to suit the system or equipment with which it is used.

[0035] Having described the invention in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from its spirit. Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the specific embodiment illustrated and described. Rather, it is intended that the scope of this invention be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0036] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.