Abstract:
A coin holder and dispenser holds coins for use with a slot machine and is used to easily and efficiently dispense coins directly into the coin slot of the slot machine.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the general art of coin handling, and to the particular field of coin holders for dispensing single coins. 
     2. Discussion of Background Information 
     Many people enjoy playing slot machines. In most cases, the player is required to store coins for use with the slot machines. Such coin storage can be cumbersome and inconvenient. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a means to store and dispense coins that can be used for a slot machine in a convenient manner. 
     Many slot machines require the player to deposit a coin into the coin slot of the machine. Since many players tend to play a slot machine for great lengths of time, the repeated movement of removing a coin from a storage container and then placing the coin into the slot of the machine may be tiring and difficult, especially if the person is disabled. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a means to store and dispense coins that can be used for a slot machine and which can be used in an easy and convenient manner. 
     While the art contains devices which can hold and dispense coins, many of these known devices do not automatically dispense coins in a manner which is convenient and efficient for use with a slot machine. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a means to store and dispense coins that can be used for a slot machine and which can efficiently store coins for use and which can easily and efficiently dispense those coins directly into the coin slot of the slot machine whereby long use of a slot machine, even for a disabled person, is facilitated. 
     PRINCIPAL OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is It is a main object of the present invention to provide a means to store and dispense coins that can be used for a slot machine in a convenient manner. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a means to store and dispense coins that can be used for a slot machine and which can be used in an easy and convenient manner. 
     It is specific object of the present invention to provide a means to store and dispense coins that can be used for a slot machine and which can efficiently store coins for use and which can easily and efficiently dispense those coins directly into the coin slot of the slot machine whereby long use of a slot machine, even for a disabled person, is facilitated. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     These, and other, objects are achieved by a coin holder and dispenser for use in conjunction with a coin-operated slot machine which comprises a coin holder unit which includes a cylindrical base element having a first end, a second end, an axial dimension, an inner surface, an outer surface, a cylindrical wall connecting the first end to the second end, a coin-dispensing slot defined through the wall near the second end of the base element, the coin-dispensing slot having a first edge extending radially of the cylindrical wall, and a second edge which extends at an oblique angle with respect to the first edge and with respect to the axial dimension; a plunger slidably located inside the coin holder unit; an outer shell unit which accommodates the wall of the coin holder unit when in use, the outer shell unit including a handle having a distal end, the distal end of the handle being movable between a retracted position and a coin-dispensing position; a spring element located insde the wall of the coin holder unit and inside the outer shell unit, the spring element having one end abutting the outer shell unit and one end abutting the plunger and biasing the plunger toward the second end of the base element in the direction of the axial dimension of the base element; a coin-dispensing plunger slidably mounted on the outer shell unit, the coin-dispensing plunger including a hole which is located to releasably accommodate the distal end of the handle of the outer shell unit to releasably lock the coin-dispensing plunger to the handle of the outer shell unit to move therewith, the plunger being slidable between a retracted position and a coin-dispensing position when the distal end of the handle is moved between the retracted position and the coin-despensing position; a lock unit releasably locking the outer shell unit to the coin holder unit when the lock unit is engaged, the lock unit including a groove defined in the base element, a lever element pivotally mounted on the outer shell unit, and a tooth on the lever element; and the coin holder unit being adapted to accommodate a plurality of coins in engaging contact with the plunger and having one coin located adjacent to the coin-dispensing slot to be deposited in a coin-accepting slot of a coin-operated slot machine under the influence of the spring element and under the influence of the coin-dispensing plunger as the distal end of the handle is moved from the retracted position of the distal end to the coin-dispensing position of the handle. 
     The device embodying the present invention provides a means to store and dispense coins that can be used for a slot machine and which can efficiently store coins for use and which can easily and efficiently dispense those coins directly into the coin slot of the slot machine whereby long use of a slot machine, even for a disabled person, is facilitated. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coin holder and dispenser embodying the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded elevational view of the coin holder and dispenser embodying the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is an elevational view taken along line  3 — 3  of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a coin holder unit which is included in the coin holder and dispenser embodying the present invention. 
     FIG. 4B is a view of a dispensing slot which is included in the coin holder and dispenser embodying the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a plunger which is included in the coin holder and dispenser embodying the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an outer shell unit which is included in the coin holder and dispenser embodying the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
     Referring to the figures, it can be understood that the present invention is embodied in a coin holder and dispenser  10  which is adapted for use in conjunction with a coin-operated slot machine. The holder and dispenser  10  comprises a coin holder unit  12  which is shown in FIGS. 2 and 4A and which includes a base element  14 . Base element  14  includes a hollow cylindrical base portion  16  having a first end  18 , a second end  20 , and an axial dimension  22  which extends between the first end  18  of the base portion  14  and the second end  20  of the base portion  14 . The base portion  14  further includes an outer dimension  24  and a cylindrical side wall  26  connecting the first end  18  of the base portion  14  to the second end  20  of the base portion  16 . A coin-dispensing slot  30  is defined through the side wall  26  of the base portion  14  near the first end  18  of the base portion  14 . As best shown in FIG. 4B, the coin-dispensing slot  30  extends radially of the cylindrical base portion  16 . Coin-dispensing slot  30  includes a first edge  32  which extends radially of the cylindrical base portion  16  and a second edge  34 . Second edge  34  is spaced apart from the first edge  32  in the direction of the axial dimension  22  of the base portion  16 . The second edge  34  extends at an oblique angle, θ, with respect to the first edge  32  and with respect to the axial dimension  22  of the base portion  14 . The second edge  34  includes a first end  36  and a second end  38  with the second end  38  of the second edge  34  being located closer to the second end  20  of the base portion  16  than the first end  36  of the second edge  34 . 
     A hollow cylindrical body portion  50  has a first end  52 , a second end  54 , and a longitudinal axis  56  which extends between the first end  52  of the body portion  50  and the second end  54  of the body portion  50 . The body portion  50  further includes an inner surface  58 , an outer surface  60 , an outer dimension  62 , and an inner dimension  64 . The outer dimension  24  of the base portion  16  is larger than the outer dimension  62  of the body portion  50 . The hollow cylindrical body portion  50  is adapted to accommodate a plurality of coins. 
     The base portion  16  is unitary with the body portion  50  and is located adjacent to the first end  52  of the body portion  50 . The body portion  50  has an access opening  66  defined therein adjacent to the second end  54  of the body portion  50 . 
     A cylindrical plunger  70  is shown in FIG.  5  and has an arcuate outer circumference  72  which is slightly smaller than inner dimension  64  of the body portion  50 . The plunger  70  has a first surface  74  and a second surface  76 . In use, the plunger  70  is slidably received in the body portion  50  to move along the longitudinal axis  56  of the body portion  50  between a first position adjacent to the second end  54  of the body portion  50  and a second position adjacent to the first end  52  of the body portion  50 . The first position of the plunger  70  is shown in FIG.  3 . 
     An outer shell unit  90  is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and includes a hollow cylindrical body element  92  which has a closed first end  94 , a second end  96 , and a longitudinal axis  98  which extends between the first end  94  of the outer shell unit  90  and the second end  96  of the outer shell unit  90 . The shell unit  90  further includes an outer surface  100  having an outer dimension  102  and an inner surface  104  having an inner dimension  106 . The inner dimension  106  of the body element  92  of the outer shell unit  90  is larger than the outer dimension  62  of the body portion  50  of the coin holder unit  12  so the coin holder unit  12  can be accommodated inside the outer shell unit  90  as shown in FIG.  3 . The body element  92  of the outer shell unit  90  further includes an access opening  110  defined in the second end  96  of the body element  92  of the shell unit  90 . A spring seat element  112  is located on the closed first end  94  of the body element  92  of the outer shell unit  90 . 
     An outer clip  120  is on the outer surface  100  of the body element  92  of the outer shell unit  90 . The outer clip  120  includes a proximal end  121  connected to the outer shell unit  90  and a distal end  122 , and has a triangular projection  123  on the outer clip  120  adjacent to the distal end  122 . As indicated by double-headed arrow DHA, the outer clip  120  is movably mounted on the outer shell unit  90  to move between a coin-dispensing position indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 2, with the distal end  122  of the outer clip  120  located adjacent to the outer shell unit  90  and a retracted position shown in solid lines in FIG. 2, with the distal end  122  of the outer clip  120  spaced apart from the outer shell unit  90 . 
     In use, the body portion  50  of the coin holder unit  12  is slidably received in the body element  92  of the outer shell unit  90 , as shown in FIG.  3 . 
     A coin-moving plunger  124  is slidably mounted on hollow cylindrical body portion  50  to move as indicated by double-headed arrow MD between a coin-dispensing position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3 and a retracted position shown in solid lines in FIG.  3 . Plunger  124  includes a distal end  125 , which is located to abut a coin located adjacent to dispensing slot  30  and force that coin out of the slot  30  when the outer clip  120  is moved into the coin-dispensing position, and a proximal end  126 . A hole  127  is defined through plunger  124  and accommodates the distal end  122  of the outer clip  120  to connect the outer clip  120  to the plunger  124 . The triangular shape of projection  123  permits the outer clip  120  to be attached to the plunger  124  and to be released from the plunger  124  by holding the plunger  124  while moving the outer clip  120  to release the projection  123  from the plunger  124 . The release of the outer clip  120  from the plunger  124  permits the outer shell  90  to be removed from the body portion  50  so the device  10  can be opened to load coins therein to. The coin-moving plunger  124  can be plate-like in shape. 
     A lock unit  130  releasably locks the coin holder unit  12  to the outer shell unit  90  when the lock  130  is engaged as shown in FIG.  3 . The lock unit  130  includes a base section  132  on the outer surface  60  of the cylindrical body portion  50  of the coin holder. Unit  12  adjacent to the slot  30 , a catch groove  134  defined in the base section  132  of the lock unit  130 , and a shoulder  136  on the base section  132 . 
     A catch element  138  is mounted on the outer surface  100  of the body element  92  of the outer shell unit  90  adjacent to the second end  96  of the body element  92  of the outer shell unit  90 . Catch element  138  includes a pivot element  140 , mounted on the body element  92  of the outer shell unit  90 , and a lever element  142 . Lever  142  has a first end  144  and a second end  146 , and is connected to the pivot element  140 . As can be understood from the foregoing, lever element  138  is a first class lever. The lever element  138  forms a cylinder with an inner dimension  148  that is larger than the outer dimension  102  of the body element  92  of the outer shell unit  90 . The lever element  138  is in surrounding relation with the body element  92  of the outer shell unit  90 . 
     A catch tooth  150  is on the second end  144  of the lever element  142 . The catch tooth  150  includes a leading shoulder  152  that is adapted to engage shoulder  136  on the base section  132  when the lock element  130  is being engaged to releasably lock the coin holder unit  12  to the outer shell unit  90 . 
     The lever element  142  is mounted on the outer surface  100  of the body element  92  of the outer shell unit  90  by the pivot element  140  to pivotally move between a first orientation, shown in FIG. 3, with the catch tooth  150  located adjacent to a location which is in a surface containing the outer surface  100  of the body element  92  of the outer shell unit  90  and a second orientation with the catch element  138  in a location spaced apart from the location which is in a surface containing the outer surface  100  of the body element  92  of the outer shell unit  90 . 
     As can be understood from FIG. 3, the second end  146  of the lever element  142  moves between a first location adjacent to the outer surface  100  of the body  92  of the outer shell unit  90  when the lever element  142  is in the second position thereof. 
     As can be understood from the foregoing, the leading shoulder  152  of the catch tooth  150  is located to slidingly abut the shoulder  136  of the lock unit  130  to move the lever element  142  toward the second orientation thereof as the lock unit  130  is moved into a position to releasably lock the coin holder unit  12  to the outer shell unit  90  from a position in which the coin holder unit  12  is unlocked from the outer shell unit  90 . 
     As shown in FIG. 3, the catch tooth  150  is located in the catch groove  134  when the lever element  142  is in the first orientation thereof and the lock element  130  is engaged. The catch tooth  150  is spaced apart from the catch groove  134  when the lever element  142  is in the second orientation thereof. 
     A spring element  160  is located inside the hollow cylindrical body element  92  of the outer shell unit  90 . Spring element  160  includes a first end  162  which is in abutting contact with the inner surface  104  of the hollow body element  92  of the outer shell unit adjacent to the spring seat element  112  on the hollow body element  92  of the outer shell unit  90  when the spring element  160  is in a use condition as shown in FIG.  3 . Spring element  160  further is includes a second end  164  which is in abutting contact with the first surface  74  of the plunger  70  in a use condition of the spring element  160 . The spring element  160  biases the plunger  70  towards the second position of the plunger  70 . 
     The coin holder unit  12  is sized and adapted to slidingly contain a plurality of coins, such as quarters Q shown in FIG. 2, with one coin Q 1  of the plurality of coins in abutting contact with the second surface  76  of the plunger  70  and at least one coin Q 2  of the plurality of coins located adjacent to the coin-dispensing slot  30  defined through the side wall  26  of the base portion  16  of the coin holder unit  12 . Coin-dispensing slot  30  is sized and adapted to have the at least one coin slide through the slot  30  along the second edge  34  of coin-dispensing slot  30  into a coin-accepting slot of a coin-operated slot machine under the influence of the bias of the spring element  160  when the handle is moved into the coin-dispensing position and the plunger  70  abuts the one coin to move the one coin through the coin-dispensing slot  30  when the handle is moved into the coin-dispensing position. 
     It is understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts described and shown.