Abstract:
The laundry coin anti-theft device protects a laundry coin box from damage by brute force attacks, such as by a sledgehammer, or prying, such as from a crowbar. The laundry coin anti-theft device is a pin that crosses the centerline of the laundry coin box lock, blocking access. The laundry coin anti-theft device protects itself by the use of a sleeve, the sleeve making it difficult to cause damage by twisting because the sleeve prevents gripping.

Description:
FIELD 
     This invention relates to the field of anti-theft devices, particularly for coin storage within laundromats. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Laundromats present an appealing target for thieves. Long operational hours and large amounts of cash and coins create an appearance of easy theft. Each machine in a laundromat has an associated coin box for storage of coins, generally quarters. Coin boxes are infrequently opened and can accumulate hundreds of dollars of quarters between changes. 
     Existing systems for protecting coin boxes are bulky and complicated. A system for protecting a coin box that is itself too costly or complicated is not used, and is thus ineffective. 
     What is needed is a practical and straightforward device for protecting laundromat coin boxes. 
     SUMMARY 
     Coin boxes are most susceptible to brute-force attacks. A crowbar can be inserted between the wall of the coin mechanism housing and the coin box, forcing open the coin box. Or a sledgehammer may be used against the face of the coin box, breaking the coin box lock. 
     Rather than making expensive modifications to the coin box to attempt to prevent theft, it is more economical and efficient to modify existing coin mechanism housings to block access to the coin box lock, and the coin box itself. If a thief does not have room to insert a crowbar, the coin box cannot be pried open. If a thief cannot hit the face of the coin box lock with a sledgehammer, the lock cannot be broken. 
     The laundry coin anti-theft device accomplishes both of these goals. It crosses the centerline of the face of the coin box, blocking crowbar access. The laundry coin anti-theft device also prevents the sides of the coin mechanism housing from being pried away from the coin box by coupling the left side to the right side. 
     Additionally, the lock is protected because if a thief attempts to hit the face of the coin box, he will hit the laundry coin anti-theft device first. 
     Thus, the pin portion of the laundry coin anti-theft device provides protection to the coin box. But, this makes the pin itself a target for damage. If the pin can be removed, then the coin box is again accessible. 
     The pin is susceptible to failure by twisting and cutting. If the pin can be gripped in two locations with large wrenches (e.g., pipe wrenches), there may be sufficient twisting force to break the pin. Alternatively, if the pin can be gripped with one wrench and the lock on the pin gripped with a second wrench, it is possible to cause the pin to fail or the lock to fail. Or, if the pin can be gripped and cut with bolt-cutters or sawn, it can be removed. 
     There are three primary design features of the laundry coin anti-theft device that make these failures unlikely. 
     The first is a flat, disc-shaped head. The head is thin and round, making it difficult to grasp. There is optionally a chamfered edge or rounded edge on the head, minimizing what little flat surface the circumference of the head provides to grasp. 
     The second is the sleeve. The sleeve rotates freely on the pin, making it difficult to grip the pin. With the sleeve covering nearly the entire pin there is little room to grasp the portion of the pin in front of the coin box. Thus, the lock remains the only portion that can be grasped, and two or more points of contact are required to apply a twisting force to the pin. As a result, the laundry coin anti-theft device cannot be destroyed by twisting. Nor is a saw effective, because the sleeve rotates with the passing of the saw. The sleeve can be constructed of a very robust material, such as hardened steel, making it impervious to all by the largest bolt cutters. 
     The third is the room for a larger, more robust lock. The coin box itself does not have room for a large lock, limiting how robust the installed lock can be. In contrast, the laundry coin anti-theft device can accommodate a substantial, robust lock. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of a first embodiment of the laundry coin anti-theft device. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a first side view of a first embodiment of the laundry coin anti-theft device. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a second side view of a first embodiment of the laundry coin anti-theft device. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a detailed view of a first embodiment of the laundry coin anti-theft device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the laundry coin anti-theft device  1  of the present invention is shown. The laundry coin anti-theft device  1  includes a pin  2  (see  FIG. 4 ) that includes a head  4 , a rod portion  6 , having a proximal end  8  and a distal end  10 . The head  4  is adapted for contact with an exterior surface of the coin mechanism housing  54 . The head preferably has a substantially circular shape to make gripping it difficult. 
     The laundry coin mechanism holds  54  houses two components, the coin slide  50  into which a customer inserts coins, and coin box  52 , which holds the coins that have been accepted by the coin slide  50 . Thieves are more likely to target the coin box  52  that the coin slide  50  because coins only reside within the coin slide  50  during insertion, afterwards falling into the coin box  52 . Access to the coin box  52  by way of the coin slide  50  is difficult, requiring more time that a thief is willing to spend on a single machine. 
     The coin box lock  53  (hidden behind the laundry coin anti-theft device  1 ) secures the coin box  52  from being opened by curious customers. But the coin box lock  53  is susceptible to being picked, as well as overridden by brute force. 
     The rod portion  6  is an elongated shaft that is integral to the head  4 , extending from the head  4 . The head  4  engages the exterior surface of the coin mechanism housing  54  with a contact surface having an area sufficiently large to prevent being pulled through the penetration in the coin mechanism housing  54 . 
     The rod portion  6  is substantially round, preferably with a circular cross-sectional shape. But many other designs and shapes can be used to accomplish the same purpose. For example, a rod of triangular cross-section is equally effective because while the triangular shape results in the pin  6  being more easily gripped, it is still enclosed by the sleeve  20 , preventing access to the rod portion  6  of the pin  2 . 
     It is anticipated that the pin be constructed of a robust material, such as steel, to resist crushing force. But any other material is anticipated, including all types of metals and composite materials. 
     The rod portion  6  of the pin  2  is preferably smooth. A smooth surface reduces friction with the sleeve  20 , in turn lowering the resistance between the sleeve  20  and the pin  2 , making it difficult to transfer any rotational force from the sleeve  20  to the pin  6 . 
     It is anticipated that the sleeve be constructed of a robust material, such as steel, to resist crushing force. But any other material is anticipated, including all types of metals and composite materials. 
     The sleeve has a proximal end  26 , closest to the head  4  of the pin  2 , and distal end  28 , closest to the lock penetration  12  and lock  40 . 
     Lock penetration  12  is a hole or other type of attachment point for a lock  40 . The lock  40  illustrated is a round padlock, often used in high-security settings because of its robust construction and the limited access to the shank. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a first side view of an embodiment of the laundry coin anti-theft device  1  of the present invention is shown. The distal end  10  is shown more clearly, including lock penetration  12  and lock  40 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a second side view of an embodiment of the laundry coin anti-theft device  1  of the present invention is shown. The proximal end  8  is more clearly shown, and the flat, round shape of the head  4  near the proximal end  8 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , an embodiment of the laundry coin anti-theft device  1  of the present invention is shown. Outer diameter  14  of the pin  2 , is shown. 
     Additional detail of the sleeve  20 , including inner surface  22 , outer surface  24 , proximal end  26 , distal end  28 , inner diameter  30 , outer diameter  32 , and thickness  34  is shown. 
     The inner surface  22  and outer surface  24  are preferably smooth to make it difficult for a thief to grip the sleeve  20 . A smooth inner surface  22  reduces friction between the pin  2  and sleeve  20 . The inner diameter  30  of the sleeve  20  is larger than the outer diameter  14  of the pin  2 , again to allow for ease in sliding. 
     The sleeve  20  is shown as circular, but many other shapes are permissible assuming that sliding motion is still permitted between the pin  2  and the sleeve  20 . 
     The sleeve  20  does not need to form a complete tube, as would be formed by drawing metal through a die. The sleeve  20  may be formed by bending a metal plate to form a tube, which by virtue of its manufacturing would leave a gap, and may be of a less than perfect circular shape. 
     Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
     It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.