HOLDING DEVICE FOR CARDS AND/OR BANK NOTES

Abstract

A holding device for cards and/or bank notes includes a housing for accommodating the cards and/or bank notes, wherein the housing thereof can be extended as easily as possible using exchangeable parts, wherein cards accommodated in the housing are held as gently and safely as possible. The housing includes a sliding element which extends over a corner region of the housing, and/or is part of a sliding element structure which extends over a corner region of the housing.

Claims

1. A holding device for cards and/or banknotes, comprising a cover, a housing for holding the cards and/or banknotes, and a clip held in in the housing, wherein the housing comprises a sliding element structure produced separately from the housing and assigned to the housing, wherein the sliding element structure extends over a corner region of the housing, wherein the sliding element structure comprises a plurality of sliding elements and a contact leg, wherein the sliding elements and the contact leg are connected with one another or configured in one piece, wherein the contact leg lies against an inner wall surface of the housing, wherein the sliding elements have elements on a bottom side held in depressions of a bottom of the housing and press the contact leg against a side crosspiece of the housing, and wherein the sliding element structure lines the housing, at least in certain sections, and the cover is held, indirectly or directly, by the sliding element structure.

2. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is open toward a top, wherein a plurality of side crosspieces assigned to the bottom project upward and are spaced apart from one another.

3. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the sliding elements or the contact leg or the sliding elements and the contact leg are configured to be elastically deformable and/or flexible.

4. The holding device according to claim 2, wherein a side crosspiece of the side crosspieces has a gap on an inner wall of the side crosspiece, which gap holds an element on the side crosspiece side, wherein the gap is formed out of the side crosspiece.

5. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein holding ribs or holding rivets for passing through holes in an edge of a cover extend between the contact leg and the side crosspiece.

6. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein first holding ribs are formed on the side crosspiece and are configured to be complementary to second holding ribs on the contact leg, so that the second holding ribs engage into the first holding ribs.

7. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the contact leg is configured to be elongated and the inner wall surface of the housing comprises the side crosspiece.

8. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the contact leg has a latching element or a wedge, which latching element or wedge engages into at least one of a recess and an undercut of the housing.

9. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein by means of the sliding element structure within the housing, an insertion width for a card is produced along a defined clamping length, at least in certain sections, wherein the insertion width is greater than 52 mm and less than 53.98 mm.

10. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein holding rivets extend between the contact leg and the side crosspiece, which holding rivets project through at least one of holes in the contact leg and holes in the side crosspiece, wherein the holding rivets are connected with rivet heads that project into at least one of the holes in the contact leg and the holes in the side crosspiece.

11. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the contact leg engages into the side crosspiece with a protrusion or a stud and/or passes through the side crosspiece with at least one of a protrusion, a stud and a coupling piece.

12. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the contact leg has a first coupling piece part that engages into a second coupling piece part, wherein at least one of the first coupling piece part and the second coupling piece part pass through a passage in a side crosspiece.

13. The holding device according to claim 1, wherein the contact leg has a tongue for engaging around corners of plastic cards inserted into the housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The figures show:

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a holding device having a housing and a clip and a second contact leg for fixing a replaceable cover in place, which shank has not yet been installed completely,

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view, partly in section, in which it is shown that the second contact leg can hold a replaceable cover between itself and the second side crosspiece, and fix it in place,

[0037] FIG. 3A shows the housing of the holding device, into the bottom of which two first sliding elements can be set, which fix a first contact leg in place by means of shape fit,

[0038] FIG. 3B shows the two first sliding elements that can be inserted,

[0039] FIG. 3C shows a magnified representation of a first sliding element,

[0040] FIG. 3D shows the first contact leg,

[0041] FIG. 4A shows the housing of the holding device, into the bottom of which two second sliding elements can be inserted, together with a second contact leg that is formed on them in one piece,

[0042] FIG. 4B shows a top view of the side of the second contact leg, which faces the second side crosspiece,

[0043] FIG. 4C shows a perspective view of the second contact leg,

[0044] FIG. 5A shows a representation of part of the first depressions in the bottom, which are supposed to hold the first sliding elements,

[0045] FIG. 5B shows a representation of part of the first contact leg, which is glued onto the first side crosspiece, wherein the first slide elements have not yet been clipped in place,

[0046] FIG. 5C shows a representation of part of the second contact leg that has been inserted,

[0047] FIG. 5D shows the finished, assembled holding device without clip and lid,

[0048] FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of the holding device, wherein two contact legs are provided, which engage into the side crosspieces assigned to them with protrusions, studs or a coupling piece,

[0049] FIG. 7 shows a side view of the arrangement according to FIG. 6, onto the outside of the side crosspiece, at which the cover can be easily opened and closed,

[0050] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the arrangement according to FIG. 6 in the direction toward the connection crosspiece,

[0051] FIG. 9 shows a side view of the arrangement according to FIG. 6, onto the outside of the side crosspiece, on which the cover is arranged on the housing, to flip up in the manner of a hinge,

[0052] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the arrangement according to FIG. 6 from below, in the direction toward the bottom, which has been imprinted with a logo,

[0053] FIG. 11 shows a further perspective view of the arrangement according to FIG. 6 from below, in the direction toward the bottom imprinted with a logo and in the direction of the inner side of the connection crosspiece,

[0054] FIG. 12 shows a detail view of an inner wall structured in a convex bulbous manner, which wall applies more friction to the center cards of a stack of cards than to the cards situated on the bottom or the top of the stack of cards,

[0055] FIG. 13 shows a further view of the inner wall structured in a convex bulbous manner,

[0056] FIG. 14 shows a further view of the inner wall structured in a convex bulbous manner, which is formed on a contact leg,

[0057] FIG. 15 shows a detail view of an inner wall structured in a convex bulbous manner, which wall applies more friction to the center cards of a stack of cards than to the cards situated on the bottom or the top of the stack of cards, wherein the contact leg has not yet been inserted into the housing,

[0058] FIG. 16 shows as a detail, a housing into which a flexible contact leg of the type of a flexible inlay has been inserted,

[0059] FIG. 17 shows as a detail, a housing into which multiple flexible contact legs of the type of flexible inlays have been inserted,

[0060] FIG. 18 shows a schematic exploded view of a further holding device, in which a first coupling piece part is connected in one piece with the first loose contact leg, which piece can engage into a second coupling piece part that has been produced separately, with shape fit, wherein the two coupling piece parts pass through a passage in the first side crosspiece,

[0061] FIG. 19 shows a further view of the holding device according to FIG. 18, without clip and lid,

[0062] FIG. 20 shows a further view of the holding device according to FIG. 18, without clip and lid, in the assembled state,

[0063] FIG. 21 shows as a detail, a sectional view through the two coupling piece parts, through the first contact leg, and through the first side crosspiece, against which the first contact leg lies, and

[0064] FIG. 22 shows a further detail sectional view through the second coupling piece part, which passes through the passage in the first side crosspiece and lies against an inner side of the crosspiece with an edge, wherein the first coupling piece part also passes through the passage in the first side crosspiece and engages into the second coupling piece part, which is configured to be hollow, with shape fit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0065] FIG. 1 shows a holding device for cards and/or banknotes, comprising a housing 1 that is open toward the top and has a bottom 2, wherein side crosspieces 3, 4 that project upward and are arranged at a distance from one another are assigned to the bottom 2, and wherein at least one clip 5 is provided, which projects into the housing 1 from above, in the direction of the bottom 2, so as to press cards and/or banknotes against the bottom 2.

[0066] The side crosspieces 3, 4 are connected with one another, only on a back side of the housing 1, by means of a connection crosspiece 6 that stands orthogonal to the bottom 2. From the front side, cards or credit cards can be pushed into the housing 1 in the manner of a drawer, until they make contact with the connection crosspiece 6 or other stops.

[0067] The bottom 2 furthermore has a front flat transverse crosspiece 2a, followed by an access opening 2b in the direction of the connection crosspiece 6. Cards can be moved using a finger or a thumb, through the access opening 2b. The thumb or finger then projects from below through the access opening 2b in the direction of the clip 5, which comes from above. The flat transverse crosspiece 2a lies flush with the bottom 2 and is part of the bottom 2. The clip 5 can be reversibly inserted into the housing 1 as an exchangeable part. For this reason, at least one clip 5 is held in the housing 1.

[0068] FIG. 2 schematically shows, partly in section, that a cover 7 is provided, which is held by means of a sliding element structure that lines the housing 1, at least in certain sections, wherein the sliding element structure is configured as a component produced separately from the housing 1 and has at least one contact leg 8 for reversible shape-fit, force-fit and/or material-fit contact with the housing 1 and for reversible insertion into the housing 1. The cover 7 can be inserted into the housing 1 through a slot. The contact leg 8, which is present separately from the housing 1, is configured to be elongated and lies against an inner wall of the housing 1, namely the side crosspiece 4, with the interposition of the cover 7. The contact leg 8 thereby itself forms an inner wall, which holds the cover 7. The cover 7 is therefore reversibly interchangeable, and the contact leg 8 can be held and/or stabilized by cards that are inserted into the housing 1.

[0069] FIGS. 3A-3D show the holding device for cards and/or banknotes, comprising a housing 1 that is open toward the top, which housing has a bottom 2, wherein side crosspieces 3, 4 that project upward and are arranged at a distance from one another are assigned to the bottom 2, however without the clip 5.

[0070] FIGS. 3A-3D and FIG. 5D show the housing 1 for holding the cards and/or banknotes, wherein the housing 1 comprises two sliding elements 9, which extend over a corner region 1a of the housing 1 and are configured to have an angle.

[0071] In this concrete case, a sliding element structure produced separately from the housing 1 is assigned to the housing 1, which structure comprises first sliding elements 9 and a first contact leg 8a for being laid against an inner wall of the housing 1. The first sliding elements 9 and the first contact leg 8a lie against one another after assembly. A first sliding element 9 is configured to be elastically deformable.

[0072] A first sliding element 9 has elements 10 on the bottom side, which are held with shape fit in a depression 11 of the bottom 2 formed complementary to them. In this regard, each first sliding element 9 presses the first contact leg 8a against the first side crosspiece 3. A first sliding element 9 has three elements 10 on the bottom side, which are held in the depression 11 of the bottom 2, and three elements 12 on the side crosspiece side, which rise up from the elements 10 on the bottom side and are enclosed by the contact leg 8a. For this purpose, the first contact leg 8a is configured in the manner of a palisade. The first contact leg 8a is pressed against the side crosspiece 3 at locations 13 by each element 10 of a first sliding element 9 on the bottom side, and encloses an element 12 on the side crosspiece side with a gap 14, in each instance. The first contact leg 8a is first glued onto the first side crosspiece 3, then the first sliding elements 9 are clipped in place, so that these permanently press the first contact leg 8a against the first side crosspiece 3.

[0073] FIGS. 4A-4C show the holding device for cards and/or banknotes, comprising the housing 1 that is open toward the top, once again without clip 5.

[0074] FIGS. 4A-4C and FIG. 5D show that the housing 1 comprises second sliding elements 15 that are parts of an angled sliding element structure that extends over a corner region 1b of the housing 1.

[0075] In this concrete case, the housing 1 has a sliding element structure produced separately from the housing 1 assigned to it, which structure comprises second sliding elements 15 and a second contact leg 8 for lying against an inner wall of the housing 1. The second sliding elements 15 and the second contact leg 8 are connected with one another and configured in one piece. The second sliding elements 15 are configured to be elastically deformable.

[0076] Each second sliding element 15 has an element 16 on the bottom side, which is held with shape fit in a second depression 17 of the bottom 2, configured to be complementary to it, in each instance, and thereby presses the second contact leg 8 against the second side crosspiece 4.

[0077] Holding ribs 18, 19 for passing through holes in the edge of the cover 7, which is shown in FIG. 2, extend between the second contact leg 8 and the second side crosspiece 4. First holding ribs 18 are formed on the second side crosspiece 4, which ribs are configured complementary to second holding ribs 19 on the second contact leg 8, so that the second holding ribs 19 can engage into the first holding ribs 18. In this concrete case, the second holding ribs 19 can be inserted in pin manner into the first holding ribs 18, which have holding parts. However, the first holding ribs 18 can also engage into the second holding ribs 19 in pin manner, if these were to form a corresponding holding part. As is evident from FIG. 2, at least one cover 7 is provided, which is held, indirectly or directly, by means of the sliding element structure that lines the housing 1, at least in certain sections.

[0078] The two contact legs 8, 8a are configured to be elongated and each lie against an inner wall of the housing 1, namely the side crosspieces 3, 4, indirectly or directly.

[0079] At least one latching element 20 is assigned to the second contact leg 8, which element engages into at least one recess and/or at least one undercut of the housing 1.

[0080] The first sliding elements 9 have elements 10 on the bottom side, which are held in the bottom 2, and elements 12 on the side crosspiece side, which are held in the first contact leg 8a. The elements 10 on the bottom side are connected with one another by means of constricting bridges 21. Undercuts are formed by the constrictions, and they fix the sliding elements 9 well in place in the housing 1.

[0081] FIG. 1 and FIG. 5D show that because of the presence of the sliding elements 9, 15 and the sliding element structure within the housing 1, an insertion width E for a card is produced along a defined clamping length K, at least in certain sections, wherein the insertion width E is less than 53.95 mm. This insertion width E is less than a card width as an undersize.

[0082] Here, in concrete terms, the insertion width E is a distance that extends between the contact legs 8, 8a in their finished inserted state, which function as inner contact surfaces or newly inserted inner walls. However, the insertion width E could also be a distance that extends between elements, particularly on the side crosspiece side, of sliding elements that lie opposite one another in the housing 1. Of course, the distance can also extend between a sliding element, in particular its element on the side crosspiece side, and a contact leg, if they lie opposite one another in the housing.

[0083] FIGS. 6 to 11 show a further exemplary embodiment of a holding device, in which holding rivets 22 extend between the second contact leg 8 and the second side crosspiece 4, which rivets project through holes in the second side crosspiece 4 and into holes in the second contact leg 8, wherein the holding rivets 22 are connected with rivet heads 23 in the manner of snaps, which heads project into holes in the second contact leg 8.

[0084] The holding rivets 22, together with the rivet heads 23, can pass through holes in a cover 7 and fix the latter in place between the second side crosspiece 4 and the second contact leg 8.

[0085] The rivet heads 23 lie against the inner side of the second contact leg 8, the holding rivets 22, with their heads, lie against the outer side of the second side crosspiece 4. The rivet heads 23 align with the surface of the inner side of the second contact leg 8 in their final installed state. The heads of the holding rivets 22 align with the surface of the outer side of the second side crosspiece 4 in their final installed state.

[0086] FIGS. 9 and 11 show that the second contact leg 8 lies against the second side crosspiece 4 and engages into the latter with at least one stud 26a, 26b. In this concrete case, two studs 26a, 26b are provided, which are arranged at opposite ends of the second contact leg 8 and project away from it in the direction of the inner side of the second side crosspiece 4.

[0087] An elongated stud 26a is oriented essentially parallel to the bottom 2 with its longitudinal axis, the other stud 26b is oriented essentially orthogonal to the bottom 2 with its longitudinal axis. The studs 26a, 26b lie flush with the surface of the outer side of the second side crosspiece 4 in the final installed state.

[0088] FIGS. 7 and 8 show that the first contact leg 8a lies against the first side crosspiece 3 and engages into it with at least one protrusion 24a, 24b and passes through it with a coupling piece 25 for the cover 7 according to FIG. 1.

[0089] In this concrete case, two protrusions 24a, 24b are provided, which are arranged at opposite ends of the first contact leg 8a and project away from it in the direction of the inner side of the first side crosspiece 3. An elongated protrusion 24a is oriented essentially parallel to the bottom 2 with its longitudinal axis, the other protrusion 24b is oriented essentially orthogonal to the bottom 2 with its longitudinal axis. The protrusions 24a, 24b lie flush with the surface of the outer side of the first side crosspiece 3 in the final installed state.

[0090] The holes in the side crosspieces 3, 4, which hold the protrusions 24a, 24b and the studs 26a, 26b, are configured to be complementary to them, namely they have essentially the same cross-sectional shapes as the protrusions 24a, 24b and studs 26a, 26b that they hold.

[0091] FIGS. 12 to 15 show that an inner wall 27 of the housing 1 is configured in a bulbous convex manner. In this concrete case, it is shown that the second contact leg 8 has or forms such an inner wall 27.

[0092] FIG. 16, as a detail, a housing 1, into which a flexible contact leg 8 is inserted in the manner of a flexible inlay.

[0093] FIG. 17, as a detail, a housing 1, into which multiple contact legs 8, which are shorter in comparison to FIG. 16, are inserted in the manner of flexible inlays.

[0094] Sliding elements that are situated on or in the bottom of the housing 1; and that are configured to be in one piece with and of the same material as the contact legs 8, 8 are assigned to the flexible and elastically deformable contact legs 8, 8 of FIGS. 16 and 17.

[0095] FIG. 18 shows a schematic exploded view of a further holding device 1.

[0096] In the case of this holding device 1, a first coupling piece part 25a is connected with the first, loose contact leg 8a, which is shown double, in one piece and of the same material, which piece can engage into a second coupling piece part 25b, produced separately, with shape fit.

[0097] The two coupling piece parts 25a, 25b jointly pass through a round passage 29 in the first side crosspiece 3 and thereby form a male part of a snap for attaching the cover 7.

[0098] Furthermore, a loose cover 7 is shown, which can be connected with the second side crosspiece 4 by means of a second loose contact leg 8.

[0099] Finally, a loose clip 5 is also shown, which can be inserted into the connection crosspiece 6.

[0100] FIG. 19 shows a further view of the holding device 1 according to FIG. 18, without clip 5 and cover 7. A wedge 31 is formed on the second contact leg 8, which wedge is arranged on the end of the contact leg 8 that faces the connection crosspiece 6.

[0101] The wedge 31, which can be provided in the case of all the embodiments of the second contact leg shown here, engages into a recess in the housing 1 and presses the second contact leg 8 against a cover 7, not shown here, in a suitable manner, specifically in such a manner that a desired inner dimension between the contact legs or the inner sides created by the contact legs is present in the housing 1.

[0102] FIGS. 18 and 19 show that a tongue 30 is formed on the second contact leg 8, which tongue faces the card insertion region and can engage around round corners of plastic cards that are being held and thereby protect them from friction wear.

[0103] The tongue 30 also protects the plastic cards from slipping out of the housing 1.

[0104] The tongue 30 is formed on a longitudinal end of the contact leg 8. The contact leg 8 therefore has the tongue 30 for engaging around corners of plastic cards inserted into the housing 1.

[0105] FIG. 20 shows a further view of the holding device 1 according to FIG. 18, without clip 5 and cover 7, in the assembled state, namely when the contact legs 8a, 8 are held against the side crosspieces 3, 4 with shape fit, material fit and/or force fit.

[0106] FIG. 21 shows, as a detail, a sectional view through the two coupling piece parts 25a, 25b, through the first contact leg 8a, and through the first side crosspiece 3, against which the first contact leg 8a lies firmly.

[0107] The second coupling piece part 25b is produced from metal. The first coupling piece part 25a, like the contact leg 8a, is produced from plastic.

[0108] FIG. 22 shows a further detail sectional view through the second coupling piece part 25b, which passes through the passage 29 in the first side crosspiece 3 and lies against the inner side of the crosspiece with an edge, wherein the first coupling piece part 25a also passes through the passage 29 in the first side crosspiece 3 and engages into the second coupling piece part 25b, which is configured to be hollow, with shape fit.

[0109] The contact leg 8a is in one piece with the first coupling piece part 25a, which piece engages into the second coupling piece part 25b, which is produced separately, with shape fit, wherein the two coupling piece parts 25a, 25b jointly pass through the passage 29 in the side crosspiece 3.

[0110] The second coupling piece part 25b is produced from metal and serves as the male part of a snap for setting the cover 7 on.

[0111] In this regard, the second coupling piece part 25b engages behind the frame or the first side crosspiece 3 and also serves as a holder for the first coupling piece part 25a, which engages into the second coupling piece part 25b.

[0112] Pin-like holding rivets 22 that are configured integral with and in one piece with the second side crosspiece 4 project inward from the crosspiece, so as to be able to engage into the contact leg 8.

[0113] Rivet heads 23 can be arranged or configured in the contact leg 8, which heads interact with the holding rivets 22.

[0114] The first contact leg 8a has sliding elements 9, 10 that are configured in one piece with it. The second contact leg 8 also has sliding elements 15, 16 configured in one piece with it.

[0115] The sliding elements 9, 10, 15, 16 are assigned to corner regions 1a, 1b of the housing 1. The corner regions 1a, 1b are formed by means of a bottom plane, on which the cards lie in the inserted state, and by means of inner wall planes that extend essentially orthogonally to this bottom plane.

[0116] The housing 1 can be produced, in particular, from metal, a ceramic, a carbon material, a precious metal, from titanium, a plastic or other materials. The housing 1 can be produced, in particular, by means of a powder injection molding method. Inorganic materials such as metals or ceramics can be processed by means of powder injection molding.

[0117] A housing 1 that consists essentially completely of inorganic material can be formed individually in three dimensions relatively without problems, and can be modified with regard to its physical properties, its roughness and/or its haptics, in such a manner that cards and/or banknotes are held in a gentle manner.

[0118] Metals and ceramics can be brought into complex shapes, by means of chip-cutting or casting, with greater difficulty than plastics. For this reason, metal powders or ceramic powders are mixed with plastics and then brought into the complex shape of the housing 1 by means of powder injection molding. Afterward the plastic is removed. The housing 1, which has been produced by means of powder injection molding, can then be sintered. The housing 1 is then essentially purely inorganic, in particular metallic or ceramic.

[0119] A housing 1 that is open toward the top and has a bottom 2, wherein the bottom 2 has side crosspieces 3, 4 that project upward and are arranged at a distance from one another, can be produced by means of a powder injection molding method, for a holding device of the type described here. The holding device can have a clip 5, but does not have to have one.

[0120] The powder injection molding method comprises the method steps [0121] mixing a metal powder or ceramic powder with a plastic, [0122] bringing this mixture into the shape of the housing 1, [0123] removing the plastic and hardening the housing 1.

[0124] Sliding element structures or further related components for stabilization can then be inserted into such a housing 1. Of course, clips 5 or covers 7 can also be inserted as exchangeable parts.

REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0125] 1, 1, 1 housing [0126] 1a, 1b corner region of 1, 1, 1 [0127] 2 bottom [0128] 2a front transverse crosspiece of 2 [0129] 2b access opening of 2 [0130] 3 first side crosspiece [0131] 4 second side crosspiece [0132] 5 clip [0133] 6 connection crosspiece [0134] 7 cover [0135] 8, 8, 8 second elongated contact leg [0136] 8, 8flexible contact leg, inlays and simultaneously sliding elements [0137] 8a, 8a, 8a first elongated contact leg [0138] 9, 9 first sliding element [0139] 10 element of 9, 9 on the bottom side [0140] 11 first depression in 2 [0141] 12 element of 9 on the side crosspiece side [0142] 13 locations on 8a [0143] 14 gap in 8a [0144] 15 second sliding element [0145] 16 element of 15 on the bottom side [0146] 17 second depression in 2 [0147] 18 first holding ribs of 4 [0148] 19 second holding ribs of 8 [0149] 20 latching element of 8, 8 [0150] 21 bridge of 9 [0151] 22, 22 holding rivet [0152] 23, 23 rivet head [0153] 24a, 24b protrusion of 8a [0154] 25 coupling piece of 8a [0155] 25a first coupling piece part on 8a [0156] 25b second coupling piece part [0157] 26a, 26b studs of 8 [0158] 27 convex bulbous inner wall of 8 [0159] 28 card [0160] 29 passage in 3 [0161] 30 tongue on 8 [0162] 31 wedge