Abstract:
The present invention provides a coin lock box including a coin lock box mounting section including a coin lock box retention structure, a coin slot formed in the coin lock box mounting section and a key mounted thereon and a coin lock box including an outer circumferential wall structure, a top wall, a base wall, a coin slot formed the top wall or the outer circumferential wall structure and a coin lock box access mechanism which restricts access to the coin lock box. The coin lock box access mechanism further includes a lock box access plate with an access plate coin slot, the lock box access plate movably mounted between an aligned position and an offset position. Finally, a lock device is operatively connected to the lock box access plate such that engagement with the key moves the lock box access plate between the aligned and offset positions.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PROVISIONAL PATENT  
       [0001]     This application claims priority based on a provisional patent, specifically on the Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/548,522 filed Feb. 27, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Technical Field  
         [0003]     The present invention is directed to coin lock boxes and, more particularly, to an improved coin lock box which includes a top plate having a key slot through which a immovably mounted key extends downwards, the top plate also including a coin pass-through opening, a coin lock box mounting structure mounted on the underside of the top plate and including mounting pin-receiving openings in the sides thereof, and a generally cylindrical coin lock box having a side wall, base wall, and top wall, the top wall including a rotatably mounted lock mechanism connected to a rotating plate mounted underneath the top wall of the lock box such that engagement by the key and rotation of the lock box opens the top or side opening in the top or side wall of the lock box and further causes the mounting pins mounted on the side wall of the coin lock box to engage the mounting pin-receiving openings of the coin lock box mounting structure to releasably secure the coin lock box underneath the top plate.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0005]     The newspaper industry uses many different types of newspaper vending machines for distribution of newspapers. These include honor boxes, standard vending machines having a door which is opened to access the newspapers once coins are placed within the machine and single vend newspaper machines. Generally speaking, however, each of these devices have one thing in common and that is that the coin box into which coins are deposited is accessible by the newspaper route delivery driver for removal of the coins in the locked box. The advantage to this situation is that the delivery driver may easily remove the accumulated monies from the coin box and take them back to the newspaper distribution center, therefore eliminating the need for a separate money collection person. The disadvantage, however, is that a dishonest delivery route driver may steal the accumulated monies or report a smaller amount of collected money, thus depriving the newspaper company of its rightfully received income. To a great extent, newspaper companies account and allow for some degree of theft by their delivery drivers and think of it as merely the cost of doing business. However, it would be much preferable to eliminated this theft, and therefore there is a substantial need for an easy-to-use coin lock box mechanism which can be fitted into the various types of newspaper vending machines and which may be quickly and easily removed and replaced by the delivery driver while preventing access to the coins deposited therein.  
         [0006]     Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved coin lock box.  
         [0007]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved coin lock box in which the access key is retained within the coin lock box support and is not carried by the coin removal attendant, thus preventing loss and/or theft of the key which permits access to the interior of the coin lock box mechanism.  
         [0008]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved coin lock box which may be quickly and easily removed and replaced within a vending machine to enhance the efficiency of use of the present invention.  
         [0009]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved coin lock box which includes a coin lock box mounting structure having a stationary key mounted therein and a portable coin lock box which may be inserted into the coin lock box mounting structure so that the key engages a locking mechanism within the coin lock box to permit coins to fall within the coin lock box and be retained therein.  
         [0010]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved coin lock box in which the coin slot is positioned on the top and/or side of the coin lock box to permit the unit to be used with a variety of vending devices.  
         [0011]     Finally, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved coin lock box which is relatively simple and durable in construction and is safe, secure, and efficient in use.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     A coin lock box includes a coin lock box mounting section including a coin lock box retention structure, a coin slot formed in the coin lock box mounting section operative to permit objects to objects to enter and exit the coin lock box mounting section and a key mounted thereon and a coin lock box including an outer circumferential wall structure, a top wall mounted on the outer circumferential wall structure, a base wall mounted on the outer circumferential wall structure, a coin slot formed in one of the top wall and the outer circumferential wall structure and a coin lock box access mechanism operative to alternatively permit and restrict access to the interior of the coin lock box. The coin lock box access mechanism further includes a lock box access plate movably mounted within the coin lock box and an access plate coin slot formed in and extending through the lock box access plate, the lock box access plate movable between an aligned position where the access plate coin slot is generally aligned with the coin slot of the coin lock box thereby allowing objects to enter and exit the coin lock box and an offset position where the access plate coin slot is generally offset from the coin slot of the coin lock box thereby restricting objects from entering and exiting the coin lock box. A lock device is mounted on the coin lock box, the lock means operatively connected to the lock box access plate of the coin lock box access mechanism such that operation of the lock device moves the lock box access plate between the aligned position and the offset position. Finally, the key engages and operates the lock device upon the coin lock box being inserted and secured within the coin lock box mounting section to move the lock box access plate from the offset position to the aligned position.  
         [0013]     As thus described, the coin lock box of the present invention provides numerous advantages over those coin reception devices found in the prior art. For example, because the key used in connection with the locking box of the present invention is kept within the vending machine at all times, it is virtually impossible for the collector of the coins to be unable to remove the coins due to loss or theft of the key. Furthermore, this feature also makes it far more unlikely that an unscrupulous individual would be able to copy the key to allow access to the contents of the coin lock box as the key is inaccessible for such a purpose. Also, because the coin lock box is quickly and easily removable from the vending machine in which it is mounted, removal and replacement of the coin lock box from the vending machine is made far more efficient than the level of efficiency permitted by those devices found in the prior art. Finally, because the positioning of the coin opening in the lock box and lock box support may be modified or changed while retaining the functionality of the coin lock box device of the present invention, the present invention may be used with a great variety of vending machines currently being produced, thus permitting retrofit installation of the improved coin lock box of the present invention. The present invention thus provides numerous advantages over those devices found in the prior art.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the coin lock box of the present invention showing a coin being inserted therein;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention showing the coin lock box and the coin lock box mounting section of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a detailed perspective view of the coin lock box mounting structure of the present invention showing the preferred generally rectangular shape of the mounting structure;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is an exploded detailed perspective view of the coin lock box section of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a detailed side elevational view of the present invention showing the coin lock box being inserted into the coin lock box mounting structure;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a detailed side elevational view of the present invention showing the coin lock box inserted into and mounted within the coin lock box mounting structure;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the coin lock box of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a detailed perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the coin lock box showing the modified elements thereof;  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is an exploded detailed perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the coin lock box of the present invention; and  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  is a detailed side elevational view of the alternative embodiment of the coin lock box.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0024]     The coin lock box mechanism  10  of the present invention is best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  as including two main sections, a coin lock box mounting section  12  and the coin lock box  50  itself which is removably and releasably mounted within the coin lock box mounting section  12 , both of which are preferably constructed of metal such as steel or stainless steel to ensure longevity and strength. In the preferred embodiment, the coin lock box mounting section  12  would include a top plate  14  having a generally rectangular coin slot  16  formed therein, as shown best in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , and would further include a key slot  18  formed at approximately the midpoint of top plate  14 . Although the key slot  18  may be of other shapes than generally rectangular, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , it is reasonably important that key slot  18  have a size and shape approximately equal or slightly larger than the dimensions of the key  20  which will extend into and downwards through key slot  18  to ensure that unauthorized access to the key is generally prevented. In the preferred embodiment, the key  20  would be of a standard key size and shape and would extend downwards through key slot  18 , as shown best in  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  3 , and  5 . The key  20  would then be secured within key slot  18  by a bolt and nut combination  22  with the bolt passing through the center hole of key  20  and into and through hole  24  formed in key mount plate  26  which is mounted on and extends upwards from top plate  14 . The exact size and shape of key mount plate  26  is not critical to the present invention so long as the key  20  is properly supported within key slot  18  with the shank of the key  20  extending downwards through the key slot  18 . Once the bolt and nut combination  22  has affixed key  20  to key mount plate  26 , the key  20  is securely mounted on key mount plate  26  in a stationary position and cannot be removed without removing bolt and nut combination  22 , which is inaccessible to unauthorized persons when mounted within the newspaper vending machine. It is an important element of the present invention that the key  20  be stationary and extend downwards through top plate  14  to engage the coin lock box  50  as will be related later in this disclosure.  
         [0025]     Extending downwards from and mounted to the underside of top plate  14  is a coin lock box mounting structure  30  which, in the preferred embodiment, would include outer walls  32  having at least two mounting pin-receiving slots  34  formed therein. It should be further noted that although the outer walls  32  are shown as generally cylindrical in shape in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and as generally rectangular in  FIG. 3 , the exact size and shape of the outer walls  32  is not critical to the present invention so long as they perform the function of retaining the coin lock box  50  within the outer walls  32  through the mounting pin-receiving slots  34  or another such mounting system. Therefore, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the outer walls  32  may be generally rectangular in shape or assume any other appropriate shape as is necessary to fit within the confines of the newspaper vending machine in which the coin lock box mechanism  10  of the present invention is to be mounted. It should also be noted that the mounting pin-receiving slots  34  guide the coin lock box  50  into the coin lock box mounting section  12 , thus facilitating removal and replacement of the coin lock box  50  even in situations where visual confirmation of the positioning of the coin lock box  50  relative to the coin lock box mounting section  12  is not available.  
         [0026]     The coin lock box  50  is best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 - 6  as including generally cylindrical outer wall  52 , a base wall  54  mounted on the underside of outer wall  52 , and a coin lock box access mechanism  60  which would preferably include the following elements. Stationary top disk  62  would be mounted on the top of outer wall  52  and would completely cover and enclose the outer wall  52 , except for coin opening  64  and center lock support hole  66 , as shown best in  FIG. 4 . Mounted on and extending through the center lock support hole  66  of stationary top plate  62  is lock mechanism  70  which, in the preferred embodiment, would be a standard key-operated locking mechanism which includes an outer stationary sleeve  72  and an inner rotating element  74  operatively connected to the lock mechanism such that when the key  20  is placed within the lock mechanism  70 , the inner rotating element  74  is rotatable relative to outer sleeve  72 . Mounted on inner rotating element  74  of lock mechanism  70  is lock box access plate  80  which is secured to inner rotating element  74  of lock mechanism  70  by a washer  82 , inner locking nut  84 , a plate support arm  86  which helps to securely mount lock box access plate  80  on inner rotating element  74  of lock mechanism  70  and prevent deformation of the lock box access plate  80  to access the interior of the coin lock box  50 , and an outer locking nut  88 , as shown best in  FIG. 4 . Lock box access plate  80  would also include a coin opening  81  formed adjacent the outer edge of lock box access plate  80  which would be of generally the same shape and size as coin opening  64  in stationary top plate  62 .  
         [0027]     The operation of coin lock box access mechanism  60  is shown best in  FIGS. 5 and 6  as the coin lock box  50  is moved upwards within coin lock box mounting section  12  with the mounting pins  56   a  and  56   b  on outer wall  52  fitting within the mounting pin-receiving slots  34  of coin lock box mounting structure  30 . As the coin lock box  50  is moved upwards, the key  20  is inserted into lock mechanism  70 , thus engaging the lock mechanism  70  and permitting rotation of coin lock box  50  relative to coin lock box mounting structure  30  as the mounting pins  56   a  and  56   b  slide within mounting pin-receiving slots  34 . As the coin lock box  50  is rotated relative to the coin lock box mounting structure  30 , the lock box access plate  80  is rotated along with inner rotating element  74  of lock mechanism  70  while the stationary top plate  62  remains stationary relative to the coin lock box  50 . In fact, if the mechanism were viewed from above, the coin opening  81  of lock box access plate  80  is initially aligned with the coin slot  16  of top plate  14  and, as the coin lock box  50  is rotated relative to top plate  14  and coin lock box mounting structure  30 , the coin opening  64  in stationary top plate  62  of coin lock box access mechanism  60  is rotated into alignment with the coin slot  16  of top plate  14  and coin opening  81  of lock box access plate  80 . Money then dropped into the coin slot  16  of top plate  14  passes completely through the top plate  14 , stationary top plate  62 , and lock box access plate  80  and into the coin lock box  50 .  
         [0028]     When the coin lock box  50  is to be removed from the coin lock box mounting section  12 , the coin lock box  50  is rotated in the opposite direction from what was described during installation. The coin opening  81  of lock box access plate  80  and coin opening  64  of stationary top plate  62  thus become offset and not aligned and this prevents access to the interior of coin lock box  50  and therefore access to monies deposited within the coin lock box  50 . The coin lock box  50  could then be returned to the newspaper company where a supervisor would open the coin lock box and remove the coins within the coin lock box  50 , thus rendering it ready for use when replaced within the coin lock box mounting section  12 .  
         [0029]     An alternative embodiment of the coin lock box mechanism  10 ′ of the present invention is shown best in  FIGS. 7-10  as including virtually all of the same features as the coin lock box mechanism  10  described in connection with  FIGS. 1-6 , including the coin lock box mounting section  12 ′, top plate  14 ′, coin opening  16 ′ formed on the side of the coin lock box mounting section  12 ′ instead of the top plate  14 ′ thereof, key  20 ′, key mount plate  26 ′, the coin lock box mounting structure  30 ′ including the outer walls  32 ′ and the mounting pin-receiving slots  34 ′. The alternative embodiment also includes each of the elements of the coin lock box  50 ′ including generally cylindrical outer wall  52 ′, base wall  54 ′, coin lock box access mechanism  60 ′ having stationary top disk  62 ′, center lock support hole  66 ′, lock mechanism  70  having outer stationary sleeve  72 ′ and inner rotating element  74 ′ and lock box access plate  80 ′ which is secured to inner rotating element  74 ′ of lock mechanism  70 ′.  
         [0030]     The alternative embodiment of the coin lock box mechanism  10 ′ as thus described is very similar in function to the embodiment described in connection with  FIGS. 1-6  but includes one significant modification to permit the coin lock box mechanism  10 ′ to be used with a different type of vending device. Specifically, the coin lock box access mechanism  60 ′ would further include a lock box access cylinder  92  which is mounted on and extended downwards from the lock box access plate  80 ′, as shown best in  FIGS. 8-10 . The lock box access plate  80 ′ would not include a coin opening  81 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , as the lock box access cylinder  92  would include the coin opening  94  which is formed on the side of the lock box access cylinder  92  to permit coins to pass through the lock box access cylinder  92  into the interior of the coin lock box  50 ′. Likewise, the coin opening  64  in stationary top plate  62  described previously in connection with the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-6  would be moved to the outer wall  52 ′ of the coin lock box  50 ′ where coins may enter into the coin lock box  50 ′ through outer wall  52 ′ through the coin opening  96  in the outer wall  52 ′. In operation, the coin lock box  50 ′ would function virtually identically to the coin lock box  50  described in connection with  FIGS. 1-6 , with the only significant difference being that the rotation of the lock box access plate  80 ′ results in rotation of lock box access cylinder  92  which would bring the coin opening  94  into alignment with coin opening  96  in outer wall  52 ′ of coin lock box  50 ′, thus allowing coins to enter into the coin lock box  50 ′ through the aligned coin openings  94  and  96 , as shown best in  FIGS. 7-10 .  
         [0031]     It should be noted that by applying similar modifications to the structural elements of the coin lock box mechanism  10  and coin lock box mechanism  10 ′ of the present invention, virtually any type of vending machine may be retrofitted to accommodate the coin lock box mechanism  10  and  10 ′ of the present invention, merely by aligning the coin openings in the appropriate location as determined by the specific vending machine to which the coin lock box mechanism  10  and  10 ′ is being added. Finally, it should be noted that the modifications disclosed in  FIGS. 7-10  would eliminate the need for the coin slot  16  found in top plate  14 , and such modifications would be understood by one skilled in the art of modifying such devices.  
         [0032]     As thus described, the coin lock box mechanism  10  of the present invention will generally prevent unauthorized access to the monies received for newspapers and thus prevent theft of the received monies. However, to generally eliminate the opportunity for theft from the coin lock box mechanism  10 , it is contemplated to alternatively include a coin lock box locking plate  40  hingedly mounted on the underside of the coin lock box mounting section  12  as shown best in  FIG. 3 . The hinged coin lock box locking plate  40  would preferably include a slot  42  into which fits a depending lock plate  44  through which a padlock  46  or the like may be removably inserted. The coin lock box locking plate  40  thus is used to prevent unauthorized removal of the coin lock box  50  from the coin lock box mounting section  12 , thus preventing theft of the coin lock box  50 . Of course, other theft prevention devices may be used with the present invention, but it has been found that the coin lock box locking plate  40  as thus described performs the theft prevention function desired very well.  
         [0033]     An additional beneficial feature of the present invention is the fact that the key remains within the coin lock box mounting section  12  at all times which ensures that the key cannot be lost or taken for duplication by the driver or any other person having access to the newspaper vending machine and this in turn ensures that monies will not be stolen from the coin lock box mechanism  10  of the present invention. Finally, because insertion and removal of the coin lock box  50  from coin lock box mounting section  12  may be quickly and easily performed, the route driver will not be inconvenienced by use of the present invention.  
         [0034]     It is to be understood that numerous additions, modifications, and substitutions may be made to the coin lock box mechanism  10  of the present invention which fall within the intended broad scope of the appended claims. For example, although the present invention has been described for use with newspaper vending machines, it may be used with virtually any type of vending machine into which money is deposited, and such minor modifications would be understood by those skilled in the art of vending machines. Also, the precise sizes, shapes, and construction materials used in connection with the coin lock box mechanism  10  of the present invention are not critical and may be modified or changed so long as the intended functionality of the coin lock box mechanism  10  is neither degraded nor destroyed. Finally, the precise and specific mounting pin and mounting pin-receiving slot arrangement may be modified or changed depending on the size and shape of the coin lock box and coin lock box mounting structure, and in fact may be replaced entirely with a different system for securely and releasably mounting the coin lock box  50  within the coin lock box mounting section  12 .  
         [0035]     There has therefore been shown and described a coin lock box mechanism  10  which accomplishes at least all of its intended objectives.