WO2014195837A1

WO2014195837A1 - Card holder with dispensing function

Info

Publication number: WO2014195837A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/061838
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roland Iten
Original assignee: Roland Iten Mechanical Luxury Sa
Priority date: 2013-06-03
Filing date: 2014-05-30
Publication date: 2014-12-11

Abstract

The card holder for cards (100), such as credit cards; with a dispensing function, comprises at least a container (20) and a frame (10), said container comprises a sorter element (30) and said frame comprises a pin (15). When said frame is moved with respect to said container, the pin is moved with said frame and it pushes the sorter element such that the cards are placed by said sorter element in a stepped arrangement.

Description

CARD HOLDER WITH DISPENSING FUNCTION

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to the earlier US provisional application N°61/830,188 filed on June 3, 2013 in the name of Roland Iten, the content of this earlier application being incorporated in its entirety by reference in the present application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention concerns the field of card holders, for example for credit cards or other similar card (access cards and any other personal cards etc).

More specifically, the present invention concerns a card holder that has a dispensing function whereby several stacked cards may be presented to a user in a shifted manner so that each individual card may be grasped easily and individually.

BACKGROUND ART

Such card holders or containers with a dispensing function are known in the art. For example Swiss patent CH 702 919, the content of which is incorporated in its entirety in the present application by reference, discloses a container which is able to accommodate credit cards or similar cards and items, preferably of the same size. This container comprises an internal hinged element having a plurality of steps which element when operated from the outside causes the cards to emerge partially and in varying steps from the open top of the container allowing an easy grasping of each individual card contained in the container by a user. Figures 1A-1 C illustrate such a card holder. It comprises (see figure 1A) a container 2 with a lid/cover 1 and a hinged element 3 with steps that acts as a card sorter and an actuating lever 33.

As shown in figure 1 B, when the lever 33 is pressed down, the card sorter 3 rotates upwardly.

The result of the rotation of the card sorter 3 is illustrated in figure 1 C with a plurality of cards 100. Because of the steps of the element 3, each card is pushed by one step but the shift of each step is applied to each card 100 and they appear in a shifted way (or stepped arrangement) allowing a user to easily select and grasp the desired card among a plurality of cards placed one next to the other.

Other examples are given in the following publications: EP 0 287 52, WO 2010/1379675, US 5,718,329, US 2005/224149.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aim of the present invention is to improve the known devices.

More specifically, an aim of the present invention is to provide a card holder or dispenser that is easy to use and that also allows a safe containment of the cards in the container and easy distribution of said cards.

In one embodiment, the invention concerns a card holder for cards, such as credit cards or other similar cards, with a dispensing function, wherein the holder comprises at least a container and a frame. The container comprises a sorter element and the frame comprises a pin. When the frame is moved with respect to the container, the pin is moved with said frame and displaces the sorter element such that the cards present in the holder are placed by said sorter element in a stepped arrangement outside the holder to be individually grasped by a user.

The movement of said frame may be a rotation around a first axis.

The movement of the pin may be a rotation around the first axis.

The displacement of the sorter element may be a rotation around a second axis.

Preferably, the first axis and the second axis are essentially perpendicular to each other.

In one embodiment the card holder comprises locking means to lock the frame and the contained in a closed position.

In one embodiment, the card holder comprises at least a spring acting on said sorter element.

In one embodiment the sorter element comprises steps. The sorter element may comprise other equivalent means to displace cards in a stepped arrangement in accordance with the teaching of the present invention.

In one embodiment, the container comprises an opening being covered by a transparent element. For example this element may be a sapphire glass or another suitable transparent material.

Preferably the parts of the holder are made of metals, alloys and/or synthetic and/or non-synthetic materials or any suitable combination of such materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1 a to 1 c illustrate a container of the prior art; Figures 2A to 2C illustrate a mounted embodiment of the container according to the present invention;

Figures 3A to 3C illustrate a frame part of the holder of the present invention;

Figures 4A to 4D illustrate a container part of the holder of the present invention;

Figures 5 illustrates a part of the holder of the present invention and Figures 6A to 6D illustrate cut views of the holder of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The container is now described with reference to the drawings where identical elements are identified by the same numerical references.

An embodiment of the holder of the present invention is illustrated generally in figures 2A to 2C. The holder comprises a card container 20 preferably with an opening 27 that may be closed by a transparent element, for example a sapphire glass or another equivalent part. It further comprises a frame 10 that may be rotated relatively to the container 20 (see figure 2C) via hinge means 14 (for example an axis or a screw).

The frame 10 comprises (at least) one spring lock pusher 11 mounted on an axis 13 and which is used to unlock the frame 10 with respect to the container 20 by acting on the spring lock 21 which is positioned in a groove of the container. The locked (closed) relative position is illustrated in figures 2A/2B and the unlocked position (open) is illustrated in figure 2C. The container 20 further comprises a car sorter element 30 and a pin 15 which pushes the card sorter 30 as will explained in more detail hereunder and is illustrated schematically in figure 2C.

The container 20 in addition comprises a self locking spring 40 which is attached to the container 20 via an axis 22 and the spring 40 acts on the sorter element 30 via a groove 23 of the container 20.

As illustrated in figure 2C, when the frame 10 is rotated with respect to the container 20, the sorter element 30 is pushed upwards by the pin 15 (connected to the frame 10) such that the cards 100 present in the container are pushed outside from the container in stepped arrangement which allows an easy grasping of the chosen card.

Figures 3A to 3C illustrate back and front views of the frame 10 of the card holder. The frame 10 comprises as said previously at least one lock pusher 11 (preferably two, one on each side, as illustrated) which is hinged on an axis 13. The frame 10 further comprises at its bottom side the pin 15 which is used to move the sorter element 30 when the frame is rotated relatively to the container 20 as will be described in more detail hereunder.

Figures 4A to 4D illustrate in more details front a back views of the container and of a part thereof (figures 4B).

As described above, the container 20 comprises at least one spring lock 21 (preferably two) cooperating with the levers 11 of the frame 10. These elements are used to lock the container 20 in the frame 10 when in closed position, or open the locks to allow a relative rotation of the frame 10 with respect to the container 20, in an open (or use) position. Reference 24 defines the passage for the axis allowing this relative rotation of both elements 0, 20, this passage corresponding to passage 14 of the frame 10.

Figure 4B illustrate the spring 40 attached to the sorter element 30. Reference 41 defines the connection of the spring 40 to the element 30 (for example via a screw or pin or any other equivalent means) and reference 42 defines the connection the spring 40 to the container 20, for example via a screw or pin or any other equivalent means.

Since the spring 40 is on the outside of the container 20 and the element 30 is on the inside of the container, connection 41 from the spring 40 to the element 30 is made through groove 23. Of course, such a groove is not necessary if the spring 40 is mounted inside the container 20.

Reference 26 defines the card dispensing opening of the container 20.

Figure 5 illustrate a side view of the pin 15, which has preferably a mushroom shape 150, when attached to the frame 10 (partially shown here). Other shapes are of course possible.

Figures 6A to 6D illustrate in side cut views the functioning of the present invention of holder with dispensing function.

In figure 6A, the card holder is in a closed position with the frame 10 being around the container 20. In figure 6B, one has started to displace the frame 10 in rotation around axis 14/24. This movement has the effect to moving the end of pin 15 upwards since pin 15 is fixed to frame 10. The movement of rotation of pin 15 also acts on sorter element 30 and this element also undergoes a rotative movement but around axis 32 (which is essentially perpendicular to axis 14/24). By this rotation of sorter element 30 induced by the rotation of pin 15, itself provoked by the relative rotation of frame 10 with respect to container 20, the cards 100 contained in the container 20 are pushed upwards as illustrated in figure 6c, in a stepped arrangement.

Figure 6D illustrates the final position where the relative stepped position of the cards 100 is most marked. Preferably, the pin 15 is used to block the relative motion of frame 10 relatively to container 20. Of course, other means may be used to this effect.

The spring 40 is used to maintain the position of the sorter element 30 in a low position and not in the raised position as illustrated in figures 2C and 6D for example. This allows have a stable functioning of the holder of the invention.

The materials used to form the different parts of the holder may be of any type, for example metals, alloys, plastic etc. Preferably, the metals or alloys are of the precious type.

Preferably, the entire back 10' of the frame 10 is open so that a used may push the container with a finger to reach the position of figure 6D starting from figure 6A. Alternatively, the frame 10 may be only partially open.

Preferably, opening 27 is covered by a transparent material, for example sapphire glass. Of course, any other transparent material (colored or not) may be used. Alternatively, there is no opening 27 in container 20.

The locking/unlocking system 11 , 13, 21 illustrated herein is only an exemplary embodiment and equivalent alternative are possible.

The size of the holder of the present invention may be adapted to the cards to be contained: such card may be credit card, or any other cards of any other size, or even a mix of different sizes, which case the inner or the container 20 and the sorter element 30 should be adapted therefor.

Preferably, the manipulation of the holder of the present invention is made manually. A user holds the frame between his thumb and middle finger each pressing on the levers 11 at the same time to unlock the system and allow the relative motion of the frame 10 and the container 20. To realize this motion, the index finger of the user presses on the back of the container through the opening 10' of the frame 10 to reach the position illustrated in figures 2C and 6D. The holder may therefore be used with only one hand in a simple and sure manipulation. In a variant, spring means may be used to help the opening once the frame and the container are unlocked.

To close the holder, it is enough just to press the frame 10 and the container 20 in the hand of the used and both element will go back from the position of figure 6D into the position of figure 6A with all the cards 100 being held in a closed container.

The present description provides exemplary embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the subject-matter of the claims. Rather, the present description will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing the described embodiments. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The examples given in the present specification are only for illustrative purposes and should not be construed in a limiting manner. Other constructions are possible using equivalent means and within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Also the different embodiments described herein may be combined according to circumstances.

Claims

1. A card holder for cards (100), such as credit cards, with a dispensing function, wherein the holder comprises at least a container (20) and a frame (10), said container comprises a sorter element (30) and said frame comprises a pin (15), wherein when said frame is moved with respect to said container, the pin is moved with said frame and displaces the sorter element such that the cards are placed by said sorter element in a stepped arrangement.

2. The card holder of claim 1 , wherein the movement of said frame is a rotation around a first axis (14, 24).

3. The card holder of claim 1 or 2, wherein movement of the pin is a rotation around said first axis.

4. The card holder of one of the preceding claims, wherein the displacement of the sorter element is a rotation around a second axis.

5. The card holder of claim 4, wherein the first axis and the second axis are essentially perpendicular to each other.

6. The card holder of one of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises locking means (11 , 13, 21 ) to lock the frame and the contained in a closed position.

7. The card holder of one of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises at least a spring (40) acting on said sorter element (30).

8. The card holder of one of the preceding claims, wherein the sorter element (30) comprises steps (31 ).

9. The card holder of one of the preceding claims, wherein the container comprises an opening, said opening being covered by a transparent element, for example a sapphire glass.

10. The card holder of one of the preceding claims, wherein its parts are made of metals, alloys and/or synthetic materials and/or a combination of these materials.