US3027013A - Money saver - Google Patents

Description

March 27, 1962 s. TAlZ 3,027,013

MONEY SAVER Filed April 7, 1960 IN VENTOR. 5' ngy 75112 United States Patent ()fifice 3,027, Patented Mar. 27, 1962 t It My invention relates to a money saver device, and more in particular to a device which permits paper currency to be displayed prominently but out of the reach of the customer until the money changing transaction has been completed.

Every operator of a retail store, in which paper money of standard denominations is offered for cash payment of purchases in such a manner that change must be made, will have the experience from time to time of having a customer insist that he presented a bill of larger denomination than that for which change has been made. Rather than risk offending a customer or incur the ill will of customers not participating in the transaction, the storekeeper frequently makes change as requested by the customer unless he can demonstrate instantly that the customer is in error. Furnishing change over and above that called for by the bill presented is particularly apt to appear necessary if the customer has obviously made an innocent mistake. Because of the circumstances attending this type of transaction, it is not uncommon to find professionals who 'will deliberately trick the storekeeper, and who have so selected circumstances in the presentation of argument, that the storekeeper is frequently helpless to do anything except make payment, even though he knows that he is being deliberately cheated.

To avoid loss, both of money and good will, because of the type of occurrence discussed, various expedients have been used. A common one, of course, is to place the bill offered for payment on the cash register on a flat ledge immediately above the cash drawers. This practice has limitations which those familiar with it recognize. A more elaborate precaution employed is the use of special equipment which rings up the total amount of the sale, adds the cost of separate purchases, where such were made, and indicates change due the customer when a button or buttons are pressed indicating the total amount of money offered in payment. This type of equipment is expensive, and while it ofiers considerable improvement, it is not fool-proof against the action of a professional who knows how to make use of the slightest slip on the part of clerical people involved.

The principal object of my invention is the provision of simple inexpensive equipment which may be used to substantially eliminate the type of problem discussed.

Another object is the provision of a device to which the bill offered in payment is readily attached, so that it will be within sight but out of reach of the customer until the transaction has been completed.

In the drawings I have shown simple embodiment of the invention wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the device of the present invention attached to a surface such as the side of a cash register;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3' is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but indicating the manner in which the device may be permanently attached by screws if desired.

Referring now to the drawings, the device of my invention comprises a rectangular base preferably formed of clear plastic such as Lucite having an up-turned flange 11 within which are secured permanent magnet type attaching devices 12 for securing the device to a vertical side surface 13 which may be the side of a cash register. A holding clip 14 is secured to an uppermost top surface portion of the base 10 to releasably hold a bill 15 offered in payment. While the device may be attached in any suitable position on the cash register, I have found that an angle of about 45 to the horizontal is very suitable,

. because it permits the bill 15 to be viewed constantly through the clear plastic but keeps the bill itself in such a position that it is not easily grasped by a customer. A brace support 16 integral with the base 10 is provided in such a position that it rests against a lower portion of the surface 13. This brace support as shown in FIG. 3, is preferably bodily positioned with respect to the base 10 in such a way that it will lie in a vertical plane and in contact with the surface 13 so as to offer the greatest supporting action.

The attaching devices 12 may have any suitable shape 2 but preferably they comprise a pair of permanent magnets 17 i-mbedded in a metal or plastic base which is plastic welded into a recessed portion of the flange 11, or otherwise secured in position, so that the permanent magnets for all practical purposes become a part of the flange 11. To provide means for more firmly attaching the device to a selected surface, I provide screw hples 18 running entirely through the attaching devices 12 and through the contiguous portion of the flange 11 (FIG. 3) so that if desired a screw 19 may be threaded into a specially bored and tapped hole in the plate comprising the surface 13 (FIG. 4).

While many types of fastening means may be employed, I prefer the form shown which is suitable because it permi-ts temporary attachment until the utility of the device and its preferred location has been demonstrated, after which it may be permanently attached. It should be noted that the temporary attachment may be deleted in which only the attaching screws would be used. While a customer can bodily remove the money saver if only the permanent magnet attachment is used, generally speaking such an action on his part would be tantamount to admission that he was in the wrong and his action undoubtedly would be interpreted as criminal.

I have described a specific form of my invention so those skilled in the art may understand its functions and advantages but the scope of the invention is defined by the claims.

I claim:

1. A money saver for the purpose described comprising a base with an upper face and in the form of a rectangle slightly larger than paper currency, a flange along one side edge only of said base, a clip near a top portion of the face for engaging over a top edge of the paper currency, said clip comprising a single piece resilient member having such slight pressure against the said face that paper currency may be slid thereunder and means associated with said flange for releasably attaching said device to a vertical surface as of a cash register.

2. A money saver for the purppse described comprising a base with an upper face and in the form of a rectangle slightly larger than paper currency, a flange along one side edge only of said base, a clip near a top portion of the face for engaging over a top edge of the paper currency, said clip comprising a single piece resilient member having such slight pressure against the said face that paper currency may be slid thereunder, means associated with said flange for releasably attaching said device to a vertical surface as of a cash register, and bracing means projecting downwardly from the base to engage said surface below said attaching means.

3. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said attaching means comprises permanent magnets.

4. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said attaching means comprises permanent magnets, a hole being provided through each permanent magnet and continuing through the said flange for receipt of fastening screws engaging a vertical member-comprising said surface.

5. A money saver for the purpose described comprising a substantially rectangular base somewhat larger than paper currency, said base being formed of transparent material, a flange along one side edge only of the base, a money securing clip near a top edge of the base so that paper currency held by said clip may be viewed from above and below the base, and permanent magnet means carried by said flange for attachment to a vertical ferromagnetic surface.

6. A money saver for the purpose described comprising a substantially rectangular base somewhat larger than paper currency, said base being formed of transparent material, a flange along one side edge only of the base, a money securing clip near a top edge of the base so that paper currency held by said clip may be viewed from above and below the base, and permanent magnet means carried by said flange for attachment to a vertical ferromagnetic surface, attaching holes for screws being provided through the base flange for firm substantially permanent attachment of the device.

7. A money saver for the purpose described comprising a flat plate of transparent material, of a size and shape to support unfolded paper money, a clip for supporting paper money on a top surface of the said flat plate, and means including a flange along one side edge only of said base for securing said flat plate to a vertical surface so that the said money can be seen from both sides thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,668,429 Simon May 1, 1928 2,438,505 Hunt Mar. 30, 1948 2,474,942 Hawkins July 5, 1949 2,487,301 Borah Nov. 8, 1949 2,649,970 Broz Aug. 25, 1953

Images