COIN HOLDER AND DISPENSER FOR SAVINGS

Abstract: A coin holder (200) having a number of tubes (202) each for receiving coins of a particular denomination. Release means for releasing some or all of the coins from the tube into a chute (206), all mounted on a base and preferably provided with racks for cheque books, statements and the like.

Description: COIN HOLDER AND DISPENSER FOR SAVINGS The invention relates to a coin holder for storing coins for savings or other purposes, such as use in small businesses, for parking change or telephone coin or household use or as a store for a coin 'float' for a small business. Coin storage devices are known which comprise a plurality of coin-receiving compartments for storing coins. Some, such as that described in US Patent No.3847277 (which discloses a pair of coin-receiving tubes linked by an s-shaped support to form a stylised dollar sign) are obviously intended to be decorative as well as functional. Others, such as that in British Patent No.1388113 (which describes a compact holder for coins) disclose compact devices obviously intended for use in commerce, where coins are being deposited in and dispensed from the holder frequently, such as in a bank. The present invention is intended for use by adults or more especially children for ease in managing their coin and money matters. The invention provides a coin holder for savings comprising a base, mounting at least one coin-receiving tube, a chute having an upper coin-receiving portion and a lower outlet portion and arranged to receive coins released from the base of the coin-receiving tube or tubes, the coin-receiving tube having release means whereby coins may be released from the base of the tube into the chute for discharge from the outlet portion of the chute. The chute may be removable and means may be provided to attach a bag to the or at least one of the tubes into which coins may be dispensed. The coins received by a tube are held in a single stack, the tube being configured to receive coins of a particular size.. The release means preferably comprises a baffle slidable from beneath a lowest coin in the tube to allow a coin or coins to pass to the chute. Preferably the release means permits in one operation coins to be dispensed singly and in a second orientation coins to be dispensed in bulk i.e. a tube to be emptied of coins. Preferably the release means is arranged to allow all the coins in a tube to be released or to allow a selected number of coins in a tube to be released into the chute, some coins remaining after the release. Desirably, a plurality of coin-receiving tubes are provided, the chute arranged to receive coins released from all of the coin-receiving tubes. The release means for the tube may comprises a clip having opposed fingers capable of grasping between them curved edges of at least one coin, apertures being provided in the sides of the tube to allow said fingers of the clip to grasp said coin or coins, and baffle means at the base of the tube slidable from beneath coins in the tube to allow coins above the baffle but below the clip to pass into said chute. To achieve this the or each coin-receiving tube is provided with a plurality of pairs of slots at different positions to allow the clip to be inserted at one of a number of different locations on a tube. The clip may be made from any suitable material e.g. steel. Instead of a clip, a further sliding baffle may be provided with at least one corresponding aperture in the tube wall to allow the further baffle to be interposed between coins so supporting coins above that further baffle. The coin-receiving tubes are preferably made to allow coins therein to be visible. This is achieved desirably by making the tubes of transparent or translucent plastics. The tubes may however be opaque with one or more openings or windows through which the coins or at least part of them may be viewed. It is desirable aesthetically that the tubes shall be of about the same height. It is also desirable that they shall contain a number of coins of each denomination which amount to a unit of currency, say one pound sterling or dollar, or a multiple thereof for example five pounds/dollars or ten pounds/dollars. It is also desirable that the coins should 'fill' the tube when this amount has been reached. It will be appreciated that relatively few 50 pence or 50 cent coins need be accommodated whilst rather more one penny or one cent coins will need to be catered for. Preferably the number of coins held when each tube is full corresponds to a standard number of units of currency such as are stored routinely by banks and other institutions in bags. Thus a tube can be unloaded into such a bag and the more easily dealt with by a bank. A fascia may be provided so as to be mounted (preferably releasably mounted) in front of the tube or tubes, the fascia having apertures or windows through which coins resting in the tubes may be viewed. The fascia may bear decorative patterns such as animal motifs when used by children or for commercial use may bear company (e.g. bank) trade marks or logos. Where the rack is made wholly or partially from transparent or translucent material such as plastics the fascia may be mounted behind the rack. The rack may also have cut-out windows. At least one rack may be provided on the coin holder to receive a cheque book, paying-in book, bank statement or similar accounting papers. A pen or pencil holder may be provided on the coin holder, preferably on the base. Desirably, the base also mounts an upright back piece upon which the or at least one of the racks is provided. The back piece may receive or support said fascia. The, some, or all of the coin receiving tube(s) may be provided with a lid, preferably hinged to its tube. The lid and/or baffle of a tube may be coloured. Preferably an over-all lid is provided which when closed presents a neat appearance (and which in business applications may bear corporate logos) but which when opened gives access to the top of the tubes for depositing cpoins. There may be provided a slightly sloping shelf upon which the coins may be placed before being pushed or falling into their respective tubes. The or each tube may be provided at its open end with a raised lip making it easier for coins to be guided into the tube. The invention especially in its preferred forms has educational value for small children and teenagers in learning how to handle their money matters and also in arithmetic for example I have £19 in one tube and need £20 - the extra £1 can be made up from 1 x 50 pence piece, 1 x 20 pence pieces and 3 x 10 pence pieces. There may be provided a demountable base which when fitted enables the coin holder to stand freely on a table or desk but which when removed allows the coin holder to be wall mounted by means of suitable known fixings such as screws. The coin holder may be provided with a decorative outer shell for example in the shape of a toy dinosaur or other creature such that the tubes are visible through apertures or windows in the shell and the release means may comprise a 'hidden' button for each tube the button or buttons being camouflaged as part of the dinosaur or other creature's skin. The coin receiving chute may be arranged to form part of the animal (for example its tail) and may be arranged to pass coins received therein into a common pot or for example the animals mouth or a pot between its front paws. The invention also provides, in a second aspect, a dispensing mechanism for coins or tokens stored in a stack thereof comprising a tubular container for the stack, a first member mounted for lateral movement across the base of the stack and movable from a first position in which the stack rests on said first member and a second position in which said first member is laterally displaced permitting the stack to be released to fall downwards out of said container, and a second member mounted above said first member for sliding lateral movement from a first, rest, position to a second position in which an abutment on said second member abuts a lowermost coin of the stack and on further movement from said second position displaces said coin laterally from beneath the base of the stack. The remainder of the stack is supported by said first member upon return of said second member to its rest position. Preferably the dispensing mechanism is configured such that longitudinal axes of the first and second members are parallel and are parallel to the directions of movement of the first and second members. Advantageously the first and second members are slideably mounted one relative to the other and joined by spring means operable to urge the first and second members mutually to a configuration such that the first member is in its first position and the second member is in its first position. Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Fig 1 is a schematic perspective view, partly broken away, of a first coin holder according to the invention, from the front and one side; Fig 2 is a rear schematic perspective view, partly broken away, of the coin first holder shown in Fig 1. from the rear and the same side; Fig 3 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of one of the first coin-receiving tubes forming part of the holder shown in Figs 1 and 2 and shown with a baffle portion removed; Fig 4 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of a further coin-receiving tube suitable for use with the first holder shown in Figs 1 and 2 and having a hinged lid and; Fig. 4A shows a detail of part of the tube of Fig. 5. Fig 5 is a schematic sectional view on line V-V of Fig 4, shown with a clip engaging a coin. Fig. 6 is a schematic sectional view similar to that of Fig. 5 showing an alternative clip arrangement. Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a second coin holder according to the invention from the front one side and slightly above, said coin holder incorporating a plurality of dispensing mechanism according to a second aspect of the invention. Fig.8 is a schematic view of a drawer part of the second coin holder shown being emptied into a bank bag. Fig. 9 is a schematic view of a part of the second coin holder showing one of the coin stacks and a release baffle at the base of said stack, embodying said second aspect of the invention. Fig. 10 is a lateral schematic cross sectional view of the coin stack of Fig.9. Fig.l 1 is an enlarged schematic view of part of the release baffle mechanism shown in Fig.9 from above. Fig. 12 is an enlarged schematic view of part of the release baffle mechanism shown in Figs. 9 and 11 from below and one side. Fig. 13 is an enlarged view of the release baffle mechanism of Figs 11 and 12 shown in a single coin release position. Fig. 14 is an enlarged view of the release baffle mechanism of Figs 11, 12 and 13 shown in a multiple coin release position. Fig. 15 is a schematic perspective view from the front one side and slightly above of a third coin holder according to the invention, showing part of the holder removed. Fig. 16 is a schematic perspective view from the front one side and slightly above of the third coin holder with a front part of its moulded body removed to show the interior of coin stacks therein, and showing a horizontal section line x - x. Fig. 17 is a front elevational view of the third coin holder showing a decorative insert, partly broken away. Fig. 18 is a schematic view of a fourth coin holder according to the invention. Fig. 19 is a schematic perspective part-exploded view from the front, one side and above of a fifth coin holder according to the invention. The first coin holder shown in Figs 1-6 will now be described. Mounted on a base 10 are an upright back piece or partition 20 and coin holder tubes 30 made from clear plastics material through walls of which coins therein may be easily seen. The tubes are of diameters each dimensioned to receive a different denomination coin. At the base of each coin holder tube, the tube wall is cut away 30a (Fig 3) over half the circumference nearest to the front of the base 10 (see Fig 3) to allow the insertion of a baffle 32 so as to prevent, whilst so inserted, coins placed in the tube passing through the open base of the tube into a funnel-shaped chute 18. The baffles, one of which can be seen more clearly in Fig 3 comprise a piece of coloured plastics material, the one shown in Fig 3 having, as a variant, a small finger grip 32a on a front squared off-portion 32b, and a rounded rear portion 32c to abut the rear curved wall of the tube 30. By sliding out the baffle 32 from the tube,coins are permitted to pass into the funnel-shaped chute 18. Each tube has at least one pair of apertures in the form of slots 34 in its walls so that opposed arms 36 of a steel clip 38 (Fig 5) may be inserted through the slots to embrace coins, so jamming the embraced coins in the tube and preventing them and any coins above them falling down the tube when, for example, the baffle 32 of the tube is removed. In such circumstances only those coins above the baffle but below the clip 38 will pass into the funnel-shaped chute 18. Slots 34 are provided conveniently at intervals between which a specific number of coins equivalent to a chosen amount (say, one pound) can reside. The coin-receiving tube shown in Fig 3 is dimensioned to received twenty-one pound coins, having three pairs of apertures at five coin (£5) intervals. The tube is shown with a baffle 32 removed, such that when the tube is in place on base 10, coins are allowed to fall into chute 18. Thus in the particular example tube shown in Fig 4, which only has one pair of slots 34, and which is dimensioned to receive fifty-pence coins, the tube between baffle 32 and slots 34 will accommodate ten coins to the total value of five pounds. Also in that tube the height of the tube above the slots corresponds to ten fifty-pence coins, so that the tube will hold, when full, twenty fifty-pence coins. Further, the tube shown in Fig 4, is provided with a lid 31 attached by a hinge 3 la to a wall of the tube. The tubes shown in Fig 1 and 2 have such lids but these may instead be removable (i.e. not hinged). It should be noted that it is desirable for most types of coin and in particular for the thinner coins and also for the heavier coins, that the slots 34 and clips 38 are made to a size such that arms of the clip capable of gripping more than one coin can be inserted through the appropriate slot. The tubes 30 are each releasably secured to the base 10 by means of a partial male screw thread 31 cooperating with a corresponding female thread (not shown) in the base. Fig. 4A shows how the baffles 32 are held in a groove 32a provided in a wall of the tube 30. This groove 32a is not shown in the tube of Fig. 3. The chute 18 has an outlet spout 18a projecting through an aperture 1 1 in a front wall 13 of the base. Coins falling from coin-receiving tubes 30 fall on to an upper inclined inlet part 18b of the chute 18 from where they slide down under gravity to the outlet spout 18a and hence to a bag 19. The inlet part is inclined from front to back as well as from the sides to the spout as shown in Fig 1 , so that coins tend to move to the front of the chute and also towards the spout. The partition 20 also mounts hooks 12 for keys and/or jewellery, and on the reverse side (Fig 2) a drawer 14 is provided in which bags of cash ready-sorted can be stored before deposit at a bank. The base also has receptacles 16 (only one shown) for pens and/or pencils. The drawer 14 may have one or more partitions so that cash can be stored but also other items such as personal effects of the user, credit cards phonecards, jewellery and the like. The drawer 14 may be disguised and/or fitted with a locking mechanism and/or secret release mechanism. The partition 20 is provided with a rack 22 for the storage of empty bank bags for coins of different denominations. The rack 22 has raised lettering (not shown) to indicate the positions of bags to be stored. One of the tubes 30d (Fig 1) is shown with raised figures indicating its intended contents. All or any of the lids, or the tubes themselves and/or the baffles (Figs 3 and 4) may bear such indications. The rack 22 is divided into a number of compartments each having lowered front portions to allow the denominations printed on the bags to be seen. The partition 20 is also provided with a receptacle 24 for cash slips, and on an upper edge with a receptacle in the form of a slot 24a (shown cut away in Fig 2) for bank statements, and, on the reverse side, a rack 25 for banknotes, note pads and/or paper and a rack 26 for a cheque book and/or a paying-in book and/or a building society bank. The base 10 is provided with a foot 50 pivotally connected (not shown) to the base 10 enabling the holder when placed on a desk or table to be rotated, for example through one hundred and eighty degrees for ease of access to the reverse side. The swivel may be lockable to prevent rotation during normal use. The swivel may be arranged such that the unit normally rests on its base in contact with a table or a desk and upon operation of a lever the base is raised for swivelling on a foot prior to being lowered once more. Fig 5 is a cross-section through the tube shown in Fig 4 on line V-V and shows a clip 38 in gripping engagement with a coin 39, arms 36 of clip 38 having passed through slots 34. Fig. 6 shows an alternative arrangement of that of Fig. 5. Slots 34a are arranged on the sides of the tube and the clip 38a used in this arrangement is one of the scissor type having arms 38b biased by a spring 38c towards each other to grasp a coin therebetween. It will be seen that when a tube is full of coins, a bank approved bag is ready to hand in rack 22 for filling prior to taking to the bank in accordance with good banking practice. Instead of the or some of the clips 38 further baffles similar to baffles 32 may be provided to be received in single slots provided at intervals in place of the pairs of slots 34. These further baffles would have wedge shaped rear formations to enable them to be interposed between coins. A further slot could be provided at the rear of a tube to receive the wedge so that in this case the baffle straddles the tube. Such additional baffles could comprise pieces of thin sheet metal. The tubes or any of them may have a lower baffle 32 but no slots 34 for entry of clips 38 if, for example, a tube is to receive say one pounds worth of coins of a small denomination. The tubes may be of any convenient size and shape to accommodate coins easily. The tubes may instead of being of clear plastics may be made of translucent material or have cut-away windows so that contents are visible. An overall case may be provided into which the coin storage holder may be locked. The coin storage holder may be provided at suitable locations with markings indicating the kinds of coins or paperwork to be housed in the various parts and these markings may be for example printed, indented, raised or stick-on lettering. The coin storage holder may bear one or more logos or coloured for use say in or by banks, garages or other corporate or company users or their clients. Provision may be made for the storage of spare clips 38, for example in part of the drawer 14. Typically only a single clip would be required and this is of the type shown in Fig. 6 could be clipped to the partition or the edge of one of the racks. A clip may be provided on the spout 18a by which bags 19 can be held during filling. The tubes may be fixed to the base or releasably mounted for example by a bayonet fixing instead of the thread arrangement (as shown in Fig 3). A hopper may be provided above the tubes to sort coins placed therein according to size and deposit them in their respective tubes in known manner, mechanically or otherwise. The hopper may have an electronic sorter associated with it to fulfil this function on the base of coin weight or size. The second coin holder according to the invention shown in Figs 7-14 will now be described. The second coin holder 200 shown in Fig 7 comprises a two part housing moulded in translucent plastics material, the two parts 200a_and 200b_ being secured together and defining therebetween the coin receiving tubes 202 and upper and lower chutes 204,206. The tubes are arranged with a constriction 207 so as to receive, over part of their lengths, coins 208 is a vertical disposition (see fig 9) and at the base of each tube the coins are received in a wide part 209 in a stack 210. There is provided a transition zone 212 (see Fig 10) angled slightly to the vertical (at about 6 degrees) in order to incline the coins as they pass from vertical orientation in the constriction 207 to a stack of coins 210 in the wide part 209 of the tube 202. The constrictions 207 in the tubes are of different vertical heights such that the tubes in total, when filled, hold a known number of coins corresponding to a integral amount of pounds etc or other currency. The tubes are dimensioned such that when full, a part of the last coin received is visible above the top surface of the tube to indicate the tube is full to capacity and contents are readly for transfer to a bank plastics bag if desired. Thus coins of low denomination have a large stack part 209a_and a small vertical constriction length 207a_ , and vice versa for coins of higher values 209b_ and 207b . The number of coins in a particular tube is chosen to be the same as the number of that denomination dealt with in plastic bags by banks and other institutions. At the top of each tube is a respective chute or hopper 204 for use of loading the tube with coins. A lip (not shown) may be provided at the sides and back of the periphery of each hopper to further enhance loading of the tubes with coins. At the base of each tube there is provided a baffle release or coin dispensing mechanism, according to a second aspect of the invention, shown generally as 215 in Fig 7 for the release of a coin or coins from each tube (see Figs 9-14). Each baffle release mechanism comprises a first member 214 having a finger grip 214a, a central part 216 and a second member or coin engaging part 218. The first member 214 is connected to the coin engaging part 218 through the agency of a spring 220, and the coin engaging part 218 is simply mounted on the central part 216. The finger grip 214 is also slidable relative to the central part 216 by the agency of a slide rod 222 upon which the spring 220 is mounted. The baffle release mechanism is shown in a rest position in Figs 9 and 12. Movement of the finger part 214 laterally towards the large stack part 209 causes the finger part 214 to push the central part 216 and the coin engaging part 218 with it in the direction of arrow S in Fig 11. The coin engaging part supports the stack of coins 210 and when moved in the direction of arrow S a single coin 224 is displaced laterally from the base of the stack 210 which continues to be supported by the central part 216. the single coin 224 as shown in Fig 13 and is either received in a collecting drawer 226 or is deflected into the collecting drawer 226 by one of a series of coins deflecting baffles or chutes 228. On return to the rest position the stack 210 is again held by the coin engaging part 218 ready for a similar operation to release the next single coin (lowest in the stack). Movement of the finger part 214 away from the base 209 of the tube in the direction of arrow T in Fig 11 causes the coin engaging part 218 to be moved from under the stack of coins 210 against the bias of spring 220 releasing the whole coin contents of the tube to fall into the collecting drawer 226 or to be deflected thereto by a coin deflecting baffle or chute 228 (as shown in fig 14). The coin collecting drawer 226 is provided with a lip 232 to enable coins to be transferred with ease from the drawer to a plastic coin bank bag 230 as shown in Fig 8. The deflecting baffles 228 act to prevent stack of coins, when released, being jammed below the tubes against chute surface 206. The third coin holder shown in Figs. 15 and 16 is essentially the same as the second except that as part of its moulding it has a more rounded outer shell, 300 and is provided with a rounded cover which covers the front and top elevations when closed (not shown). At the base of the coin stacks 302 each stack has a baffle mechanism 304 as previously described in relation to the send holder. The collecting drawer 306 has a lip 308 at a rear portion thereof. It will be seen from the section line x - x that some of the tubes 310, 312 have a relatively small wide region 314 and a relatively long constricted region 316. Typically these would be for large denomination coins such as 1 pound or 1 dollar coins. The tubes 318, 320 have a relatively large (deep) wide region 322 and a relatively short constricted region 324. These will typically take low denomination coins such as one penny or one cent. Either of the first or second holders may be wholly or partially enclosed by a decorative casing such as a representation of an animal, dinosaur or 'monster'. The tubes may be left visible by windows or apertures in such a casing. A decorative screen may be placed in front or behind the coin holders to appeal to children and/or corporate logos may be added to enable the invention to be marketed as a promotional product providing advertising for the logo owner. Fig. 17 shows the third coin holder fitted with such a screen 325 in front of the coin tubes 326 (part only). The screen 325 is made of acetate material and has a window 328 aligned with each coin tube 326 so that the coins can be viewed. The remainder of the screen is decorated with a pattern attractive to the intended recipient, in this case a child, where the pattern has an animal theme. Any theme can be used e.g. cars, aircraft or trains for an older adolescent or company logos or even useful emergency data. The fourth coin holder shown in Fig. 18 comprises a coin holder similar to the third coin holder described previously and shown generally as 400 to which is affixed at each end a soft toy element. At one end there is provided a soft toy element represents the front half 402 of a puppy dog. At an opposed end there is a soft toy element representing the rear half 404 of the puppy dog. The soft toy elements are made of any suitable material such as EVA in known manner and may be made to be detachable from the coin holder 400 so that they may be replaced by other elements representing cats, fish, lions, tigers or other animals or fanciful creatures. The fifth coin holder shown in Fig. 19 comprises planar, semi rigid or foam elements 502a_ and 502b attached to a coin holder 500. These are combined with a decorative screen 504 representing part of the animal in this case a dinosaur. The front element 502a is shown detached from the coin holder 500. It is attachable by L-shaped lugs 506 which are received in and engage peripheral edges of complementary slots 508 provided in the side casing of the coin holder 500. This method of attachment may be used for the soft toy elements in the fourth coin holder shown in Fig. 18.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A coin holder for savings comprising a base, mounting at least one coin-receiving tube, a chute having an upper coin-receiving portion and a lower outlet portion and arranged to receive coins at least from the base of the coin-receiving tube or tubes, the coin-receiving tube or tubes having release means whereby coins may be released from the base of the tube or tubes into the chute for discharge from the outlet portion of the chute. 2. A coin holder as claimed in claim 1 in which the release means comprises a baffle slidable from beneath the lowest coin in a tube to allow one or more coins to pass to the chute. 3. A coin holder as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which a plurality of coin- receiving tubes are provided, the chute being arranged to receive coins released from the coin-receiving tubes. 4. A coin holder as claimed in claim 3 in which the release means is arranged to allow all the coins in a tube to be released or alternatively to allow a selected number of coins in a tube to be released into the chute, some coins remaining after the release. 5. A coin holder as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, in which each tube is configured with three distinct regions, the first being a vertical narrow wide part dimensioned to receive a coin on edge such that one face of any coin therein is visible from the front of the holder, a second part dimensioned similarly to said first part but whose axis is inclined slightly away from vertical and a third part having a cylindrical lateral cross section in which coins are received in a face to face stack, the second part acting to orientate the coins is that they readily form a stack in the third part on passing through the send part. 6. A coin holder as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 in which there is provided a plurality of tubes each having to receive a stack of coins, each having a dispensing mechanism comprising a first member mounted for lateral movement across the base of the stack and movable from a first position in which the stack rests on said first member and a second position in which said first member is laterally displaced permitting the stack to be released to fall downwards out of said container, and a second member mounted above said first member for sliding lateral movement from a first, rest, position to a second position in which an abutment on said second member abuts a lowermost coin of the stack and on further movement from said second position displaces said coin laterally from beneath the base of the stack. 7. A coin holder as claimed in claim 6 in which the dispensing mechanism is configured such that longitudinal axes of the first and second members are parallel and are parallel to the directions of movement of the first and second members. 8. A coin holder as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 in which the first and second members are slideably mounted one relative to the other and joined by spring means operable to urge the first and second members mutually to a configuration such that the first member is in its first position and the second member is in its first position. 9. A coin holder as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the release means comprises a clip having opposed fingers capable of grasping between them curved edges of at least one coin, apertures being provided in the sides of the tube to allow said fingers of the clip to grasp said coin or coins, the baffle means at the base of the tube being slidable from beneath coins in the tube to allow coins above the baffle but below the clip to pass into said chute. 10. A coin holder as claimed in claim 8 in which the or each coin-receiving tube is provided with a plurality of pairs of slots at different positions to allow the clip to be inserted at one of a number of different locations on the tube. 11. A coin holder as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 where a further sliding baffle is provided and at least one corresponding aperture is provided in the tube wall to allow the further baffle to be interposed between coins so supporting coins above that further baffle but allowing those below to be released into the chute. 12. A coin holder as claimed in any preceding claim in which at least one of the coin receiving tubes is provided with a lid having a colour coding to match the colour or coloured bags commonly provided by banks for the storage of coins of a denomination receivable in that tube. 13. A coin holder as claimed in any preceding claim in which there is provided means for inserting a screen or one of a plurality of screens behind said tube or tubes, the for each screen bearing decorative or informative designs. 14. A coin holder as claimed in any preceding claim in which there is provided means for inserting a screen or one of a plurality of screens in front of said tube or tubes, the or each screen being provided with window areas such that at least part of each tube is visible through the screen. 15. A coin holder as claimed in any preceding claim in which there is provided at least one element representing an animal or fanciful creature. 16. A coin holder as claimed in claim 15 in which the, or each element is releasably attached to said coin holder. 17. A coin holder as claimed in claim 16 in which the, or each element is made from soft material in the manner of a soft toy. 18. A dispensing mechanism for coins or tokens stored in a stack thereof comprising a tubular container for the stack, a first member mounted for lateral movement across the base of the stack and movable from a first position in which the stack rests on said first member and a second position in which said first member is laterally displaced permitting the stack to be released to fall downwards out of said container, and a second member mounted above said first member for sliding lateral movement from a first, rest, position to a second position in which an abutment on said second member abuts a lowermost coin of the stack and on further movement from said second position displaces said coin laterally from beneath the base of the stack. 19. A dispensing mechanism as claimed in claim 15 in which the mechanism is configured such that longitudinal axes of the first and second members are parallel and are parallel to the directions of movement of the first and second members. 20. A dispensing mechanism as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19 in which the first and second members are slideably mounted one relative to the other and joined by spring means operable to urge the first and second members mutually to a configuration such that the first member is in its first position and the second member is in its first position.

Inventors: HENNESSY MICHAEL JAMES, HENNESSY, MICHAEL, JAMES
Applicants: HENNESSY MICHAEL JAMES, HENNESSY, MICHAEL, JAMES
Application year: 1999
Main classification: G07D1
IPC codes: G07D1, G07D9