Abstract:
The present invention is a coin inventory storage apparatus which allows a coin collector to store and display multiple coins. The coin inventory storage apparatus contains a plurality of selectively removable tubular structures for storing and displaying coins.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part application that claims priority to U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 11/788,170 filed on Apr. 20,2007 now abandoned. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of storage components for collector items and more particularly to storage component for storing and displaying multiple coins. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a coin inventory storage apparatus. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a tubular structure with a threaded neck for use in a coin inventory storage apparatus. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a coin inventory storage apparatus with a center support structure. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a modular system comprised of a plurality of coin inventory storage apparatuses. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a modular system. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a modular stacking system. 
     
    
    
     GLOSSARY 
     As used herein, the term “adjustable” refers to a component that is capable of being changed to match, fit or correspond to a specification of another component (e.g., size, shape). 
     As used herein, the term “coin receptacle” refers to a container which receives and holds coins. 
     As used herein, the term “integral display unit” refers to a component used to show, exhibit and/or store coins comprised of individual housing components. 
     As used herein, the term “interlocking structural component” refers to a feature of a housing component that facilitates connecting to a second housing component. For example, interlocking structural components may include, but are not limited to a contour, sliding track, magnetic component, interlocking ridge, snapping component, bracket, locking component tab, screw, and brace. 
     As used herein, the term “partially threaded surface” refers to a component having threads on a portion of its outer surface for fastening or securing another component. 
     As used herein, the term “pressure sensitive apertures” refers to an opening that is protected or concealed by a cover that opens when force is exerted on the cover. 
     As used herein, the term “selectively removable” refers to a component that is capable of being removed at the discretion of an individual. 
     As used herein, the term “display apertures” refers to an opening or other receptacle, such as a pocket, which allows a collector to display a message, image, coin or other object. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There are many products known in the prior art available for coin collectors to use to display and/or store their coins. For example, coin albums contain one or more pages designed to hold a designated number of a specific size coin. Coin portfolios or folders are available for storing a particular collection of coins (e.g., Presidential $1 Coins or D.C. and U.S. Annual Set) and contain a single designated space for each coin in the set. Coin albums are undesirable because a single album allows a collector to store coins only of one size. Folders are often undesirable because they allow a collector to include only one of particular coin while the collector may have multiples of a particular coin that he or she would like&#39;to display. 
     Albums and folders are generally limited to displaying single coins and are not adapted to readily store and track multiple coins. For example, a collector may have several of a certain type of coin in his or her collection and may want them in his or her home or at a coin show. For albums with multiple pages, the collector is able to display only a single coin or spread of pages at a time. In addition, albums and folders, when opened, take up a lot of space for a small number of coins. 
     Storage boxes designed to hold rolls or tubes of coins or lens sets are also known in the art. These boxes, however, do not allow a collector to display the face of individual coins. 
     It is desirable to have a coin inventory storage apparatus that allows a collector to be able to both display and store coins. 
     It is desirable to have a coin inventory storage apparatus that allows a collector to collect multiple coins. 
     It is desirable to have a coin inventory storage apparatus that allows a collector to display a large number of coins in a small amount of space. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a coin inventory storage apparatus which allows a coin collector to store and display multiple coins. The coin inventory storage apparatus contains a plurality of selectively removable tubular structures for storing and displaying coins. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the present invention, references are made in the text to exemplary embodiments of a coin inventory storage apparatus, only some of which are described herein. It should be understood that no limitations on the scope of the invention are intended by describing these exemplary embodiments. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that alternate but functionally equivalent materials, sizes and designs may be used. The inclusion of additional elements may be deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. Specific elements disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to employ the present invention. 
     It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale; instead, emphasis has been placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In addition, in the embodiments depicted herein, like reference numerals in the various drawings refer to identical or near identical structural elements. 
     Moreover, the terms “substantially” or “approximately” as used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of coin inventory storage apparatus  100  comprised of bottom surface  22 , side support structures  24   a - d  and lid  40 . In the embodiment shown, coin inventory storage apparatus  100  further includes five tubular structures  10  for coin storage. In other embodiments, coin inventory storage apparatus  100  may have more or less than live tubular structures. 
     In the embodiment shown, coin inventory storage apparatus  100  is rectangular and has four side support structures. In other embodiments, coin inventory storage apparatus  100  may have a smaller or greater number of sides and/or may be of another shape, such as square, triangular, circular or oval. 
     In the embodiment shown, the bottom of tubular structures  10  rests on bottom surface  22  and the top protrudes slightly through apertures in lid  40 . In the embodiment shown, tubular structures  10  are designed to accommodate coins that are 24.26 millimeters in diameters (i.e., quarters) and the apertures in lid  40  correspond to the diameter of tubular structures  10  stabilizing tubular structures  10  inside coin inventory storage apparatus  100 . In other embodiments, tubular structure  10  may include markings which indicate the number of coins contained in the tubular structure. 
     Coins are placed into the top of tubular structure  10  and when tubular structure  10  is full, lid  40  may be opened and the tubular structure removed and emptied or replaced with another tubular structure. 
     In the embodiment shown, bottom surface  22 , side support structures  24   a - d , lid  40 , and tubular structures  10  are comprised of plastic and are substantially transparent which allow the collector to see how many coins are in each tubular structure  10  without having to open or remove lid  40 . This allows also the collector to efficiently display his coins. In other embodiments, one or more surfaces of coin inventory storage apparatus  100  may be opaque and/or made of another material, such as wood, metal, or recycled materials. 
     In other embodiments, tubular structures  10  may be designed to accommodate coins having smaller or larger diameters (e.g., pennies, nickels, dimes, half-dollars) or be of varying sizes (e.g., diameters ranging from 17.91 to 40.6 millimeters). For example, coin inventory storage apparatus  100  may contain one tubular structure to hold pennies, one for nickels, one for dimes, one for quarters and one for half-dollars. In one embodiment, the apertures in lid  40  may correspond to tubular structure  10  having a specific diameter (i.e., tubular structure adapted to receive quarters). In other embodiments, the apertures in lid  40  are of uniform size and the upper portion of each tubular structure  10  corresponds to the size of the apertures. In this embodiment, tubular structures  10  may narrow to adapt to the size of the coin to be placed in the tubular structure. 
     In the embodiment shown, lid  40  further includes optional hinge  42  which connects lid  40  to side support structure  24   c  and optional latch  44  which fastens lid  40  to side support structure  24   a  when closed. In other embodiments lid  40  is not hinged and/or does not include a latch to fasten lid  40  when closed. In other embodiments, lid  40  may rest upon side support structures or be secured by other means, such as contours, sliding tracks, magnetic components, interlocking ridges, snapping components, brackets, locking components, tabs, screws, or braces. 
     In the embodiment shown, coin inventory storage apparatus further includes display apertures  32   a - 32   e  on side support structure  24   a  which can be used to display a message or coin, such as the coins stored in each tubular structure  10 . In the embodiment shown, display apertures  32   a - 32   c  are transparent pockets and display apertures  32   d - 32   e  are openings for inserting coins for display. 
     In other embodiments, display apertures are located on none or more than one side support structure and/or there are a smaller or larger number of display apertures on a side support structure. In other embodiments, display apertures may be another type of receptacle capable of displaying a coin, image, or message, such as a pressure sensitive aperture, and/or may be all of one type (e.g., all transparent pockets) or may be a combination of types. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of exemplary embodiments of tubular structures  10   a ,  10   b  for use in coin inventory storage apparatus  100 . In the embodiment shown, tubular structure  10   a  has threaded neck  52  and cap  62  which has threads that correspond to threaded neck  52 ; and tubular structure  10   b  has a snap-fit neck  58  that cap  68  snaps onto. 
     Lid  40  has apertures  15  which correspond to the diameter of tubular structures  10 . In the embodiment shown, coin inventory storage apparatus  100  further includes optional handle  70  for carrying. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of coin inventory storage apparatus  100  with optional center support structure  50 . In the embodiment shown, center support structure  50  is a made of plastic and has apertures  55  which correspond to the diameter of tubular structures  10  and provide additional support when tubular structures  10  contain a large number of coins. In other embodiments, center support structure  50  may be made of metal, mesh, or any other material capable of supporting tubular structures (not shown) and may be of another shape, (e.g., a grid structure). 
     In the embodiment shown, bottom surface  22  and lid  40  further include contours  80 ,  85  to help secure tubular structures  10  to bottom surface  22 . In the embodiment shown, contours  80  on bottom surface  22  are adapted to secure tubular structures of various diameters while contours  85   a ,  85   b  on lid  40  are designed for a tubular structure of a specific diameter. For example, contour  85   a  is designed to accommodate a tubular structure adapted to hold dimes and contour  85   b  a tubular structure adapted to hold nickels. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of modular system  200 . In the embodiment shown, modular system  200  is comprised of coin inventory storage apparatuses  210 ,  220 . Coin inventory storage apparatuses  210 ,  220  have interlocking structural components  230   a ,  230   b  ( 230   a  not visible) which interlock, securing coin inventory storage apparatuses together. 
     In other embodiments, any number of coin inventory storage apparatuses may be interlocked and placed side by side or front to back. In other embodiments, modular system  200  is not comprised of individually assembled coin inventory storage apparatuses but rather is comprised of coin inventory storage apparatuses that are integrally constructed. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of modular system  200  comprised of coin inventory storage apparatus  210 ,  220 . In the embodiment shown, interlocking structural component  230   a  is a groove that corresponds with rail  230   b . In other embodiments, interlocking structural components may include, but are not limited to a contour, sliding track, magnetic component, interlocking ridge, snapping component, bracket, locking component, tab, screw, and brace. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of modular stacking system  200  comprised of vertically stacked coin inventory storage apparatuses  210 ,  220 . In the embodiment shown, bottom surface  22  of coin inventory storage apparatuses  210 ,  220  has raised portion  90  to accommodate tubular. structures  10  which slightly protrude from lid  40 . 
     In the embodiment shown, bottom surface  22  has tab  73  in each corner. Tabs  73  protrude from bottom surface  22  and press into apertures  75  on lid  40  securing coin inventory storage apparatus  210  to the top of coin inventory storage apparatus  220 . In other embodiments, other means may be used to vertically stack coin inventory storage apparatuses, such as a contour, sliding track, magnetic component, interlocking ridge, snapping component, bracket, locking component, screw, or brace.