WO2002065410A2

WO2002065410A2 - Token housing

Info

Publication number: WO2002065410A2
Application number: PCT/GB2002/000608
Authority: WO
Inventors: Grant Kennedy. Morgan
Original assignee: G Limited
Priority date: 2001-02-13
Filing date: 2002-02-12
Publication date: 2002-08-22
Also published as: AU2002229965A1; AU2002229965A8; WO2002065410A3

Abstract

Apparatus for presenting a momentary token is disclosed, the apparatus comprising a housing which is configured for receiving and securely holding the token, the houding further being configured to comprise means for identification of origin. The housing allows removal of the token, in particular wherein the token is a coin. The apparatus may further comprise holding means for holding a token within the housing, the holding means comprising a plurality of radially inwardly biassed holding members between which a token can be held. Also disclosed is a game comprising three game pieces wherein each game piece comprises a token housing, and a wearable item for presenting a monetary token, which item comprises a wristband having thereon at least one housing which is configured for receiving and securely holding the token.

Description

TOKEN HOUSING

The present invention relates to apparatus for presenting a token and a game playable with said apparatus.

In the present economic climate there is great commercial competition between different non-linked businesses selling the same wares or providing the same services. Such commercial competition has often resulted in businesses providing special promotions for their wares or services in order to gain an advantage. The promotions can be presented in many different ways, for example discounts of a specified value or percentage, 2 for 1 offers etc.

In order to qualify for a discount, a consumer will often have to collect vouchers from, for example, a national newspaper or magazine. After presentation of the voucher the specified discount is deleted from the total amount spent and the customer pays the remaining amount. A disadvantage of this method of discounting is that the customer has to review any issued receipt to ensure that the correct discount has been given for each product or service purchased. In addition, psychologically the consumer may not believe that they are better off because they have not received any tangible/physical refund from the establishment.

A method of overcoming the latter disadvantage is to present consumers, who have purchased a product or a service from an establishment, with a voucher to entitle them to a discount the next time they make a relevant purchase from the same or a linked establishment. The disadvantage of such a system is that the vouchers are usually produced from paper and therefore can easily be torn. In addition, due to the flimsy nature of the vouchers, they often languish in a bag, a purse or a wallet of the consumer until the offer has finished, such that the consumer cannot benefit from the offer.

An object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for alleviating the above problems.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game which can be played with said apparatus.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for presenting a monetary token, the apparatus comprising a housing which is configured for receiving and securely holding the token, the housing further being configured to comprise means for identification of origin.

In this connection, if the above set out apparatus is used when presenting a token of some monetary value to a consumer then they can quickly and easily evaluate the total monetary value of the token, and the intention is that the token can be spent as money. In this respect, instead of the discounted value being removed from the total charge or vouchers being issued, a token in a housing is given to the consumer. In addition, as the consumer is actually receiving a tangible refund from the establishment they may believe that they are obtaining a greater benefit. Further, as the token is in a housing it will not be easily damaged and the housing adds some bulk to the token so it will not languish completely unnoticed at the bottom of any bags, purses or wallets. The housing should not, however, add so much bulk to the token that the token cannot be readily carried by the holder. The housing may also be produced from brightly coloured material so that it will be easily seen in a bag, purse or wallet.

In preferred embodiments, the means of identification of origin comprises an identifying colour, finish, shape or marking applied to the housing. In this connection, the apparatus may be used as a means of providing a tangible refund on purchase of a particular product. In this event, where a transaction is taking place and money is being exchanged, the provider of the refund can be certain that the refund has been provided by monitoring the movement of the apparatus . As such the refund will not be confused with other money in the transaction.

In this connection, if the token can be removed from the housing then its origins cannot be determined and if it has monetary value it can be spent at other establishments.

Alternatively, if the token cannot be removed from the housing and the housing contains an indication of the origin of the token, the token will have to be redeemed at the establishment at which it was issued or a sister establishment thereof. In addition, if a non-legal tender token with a similar size and weight to a coin (in current circulation) is placed in the housing it is important that the token cannot easily be removed to stop its misuse in, for example, vending machines.

Conveniently, the token is a coin. Preferably, the housing is dimensioned to have a close fit with the token.

If the token is a coin and the coin can be removed from the housing there is no limit to the establishments in which the coin can be spent. In preferred embodiments the housing comprises a base and an upstanding side wall. Conveniently, the upstanding side wall is resiliently flexible for allowing insertion and removal of the token.

In this connection, the thus formed container allows insertion and, if necessary, removal of the token. Advertising and marketing information can be placed on either the inside and/or the outside surface of the base of the housing. In such an embodiment if the token is intended to be removable it is important that the housing is produced from a material which will grip the token in place until the token is removed using a force. Alternatively, the edge of the side wall at the distal end to the base could have a lip which holds the token in the housing.

Optionally, the housing can comprise a top surface at the end of the side wall distal to the base.

In this connection, the top surface can be in the form of a lid which can be removed to allow insertion or removal of the token in the housing. The lid can be completely removable or hinged to the housing. Alternatively, an aperture can be provided in the side wall which will allow insertion and removal of the token from the housing. If the token is not intended to be removed from the housing the aperture on the side or the lid can be sealed after insertion of the token.

When a top surface is provided on the housing, advertising and marketing information can be placed on any side of the housing. In such an embodiment, preferably, one side of the housing is produced from a translucent or transparent material or may be formed with a window of such material, such that the value of the token is readily apparent.

Preferably the housing is produced from plastics material. Plastics materials are generally lightweight and therefore the housing does not add significant weight to the token. In addition, there are many plastics materials, for example rubbers, which have properties that will allow the token to be held in the housing during transport but will also allow the token to be removed from or inserted into the housing at will. Further, if a top surface is provided, it could, for example, be produced from thin plastics materials which can be easily torn when the token is to be removed.

Preferred apparatus of the present invention further comprises holding means for holding a token within the housing, the holding means comprising a plurality of radially inwardly biassed holding members between which a token can be held.

This preferred apparatus can be thus be used to hold tokens of different sizes. For example, where the token is a coin, the apparatus can be used to hold coins of different diameters, for example different denomination coins of a particular country, and in particular coins of different countries. Thus, the preferred apparatus allows for design and manufacture of a single apparatus of given dimensions which is usable in a number of countries.

The holding means conveniently comprises two diametrically opposed holding members. Each holding member preferably has a radially inward surface which is contoured to correspond to the outer surface of a token. For example, if a housing is intended for holding a particular coin, then the radially inward surface of each holding member preferably has a curvature which corresponds to the circumference of that coin. The holding members are movable relative to the housing, and are radially inwardly biassed to as to hold a token therebetween. Each holding member is conveniently biassed by biassing means which comprises a spring, which is fixed at one end to the housing, and at the other to a holding member.

In this embodiment, the housing preferably has a base, an upstanding side wall, and a top surface having a central opening into which a token can be placed. The biassing means comprises a spring fixed at one end to the inner surface of the side wall, and at the other to a holding member. Each holding member is movably attached to and movable radially inwardly (i.e. with the biassing force of the spring) and outwardly (i.e. against the biassing force of the spring) relative to the top surface.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a game comprising three game pieces wherein each game piece comprises the apparatus hereinbefore described wherein said game is played on any substantially flat and low- friction surface by moving said game pieces from a starting point and a finishing point on said surface by urging one game piece through the space between the two remaining game pieces .

By low-friction it is meant any smooth and glossy, slick or slippery surface which allows the movement of the game pieces thereon without a substantial amount of force.

The game pieces can be collected by buying products which result in the token in a housing being refunded, for example a meal in a pub where £1 is given off every meal. In this example, a £1 coin in a housing in the shape of an open-faced cap is given to the customer every time they buy a meal . The closed face (or base) of the cap can contain marketing material, for example, about the pub in which the meal is bought or some related establishment or product. On collecting three of the tokens in housings the necessary pieces for -the above game have been acquired and the game can be played.

As the game pieces have, in this example, monetary value the rules of the game can be set such that the winner keeps at least one of the game pieces and each subsequent game requires at least one new game piece.

Preferably the low-friction surface is a printed board or mat with a set starting point and finishing point. The surface provided should be sufficiently slick that the games pieces move readily on the surface after being urged along the surface by, for example, a flick of the finger of the player.

If a mat or board is provided then there is defined a playing surface. The mat or board may be provided with a raised edge such that the game pieces will not leave the playing surface during the game .

Alternatively the surface could be a table with suitable properties. The table need not have raised edges.

Conveniently said finishing point is a goal which has a larger width than the width of the widest part of the game piece. Clearly, the wider the goal is with respect to the widest part of the game pieces, the easier the game is to win.

Preferably the edges of the game pieces are knurled and/or otherwise treated to promote spinning of the game pieces . In particular the spinning can occur when two game pieces come in contact with each other.

Spinning of the game pieces will add a further dimension to the game because it will not be as obvious where the game pieces will move to on flicking. If the edges are contoured then on contact the contours will interact and cause spinning. In addition, extra weight could be added to one side of the housing such that it will favour moving towards the heavier side.

In preferred embodiments the game pieces are produced from a plastics material containing fluorescent dye. The fluorescent dye will result in the game pieces being aesthetically pleasing while they move on the playing surface and more importantly they will catch the users eye when not in use thereby reminding the user that they should be played with or spent.

According to the present invention there is also provided a wearable item for presenting a monetary token, which item comprises a wristband having thereon at least one housing which is configured for receiving and securely holding the token, and means for identification of origin. The wearable item provides a convenient means for presenting a monetary token, for example in circumstances where the user requires instant access to the token (s), or does not have other convenient means available for carrying the token (s).

The item may comprise a conventional wristband, for example an adjustable strap or elasticated band. The item may comprise a single housing, but preferably comprises a plurality of housings. A plurality of housings allows, for example, for presentation of a plurality of different tokens for consumers to collect which form a set. A plurality of housings also allows, for example, for presentation of a plurality of identical tokens, where the establishment issuing the tokens issues a consumer with the item for presenting the collected tokens on collection of a particular number of tokens by the consumer. Each housing may be configured for presentation of a token per se, or may be configured to house apparatus according to the present invention as hereinbefore described.

The item may be an integral piece, for example a molded article, or may comprise a wristband with which the housing (s) is/are reversibly detachable. The item is conveniently produced from a plastics material, and may comprise a co- molded wristband and housing (s) .

The means of identification of origin may be presented on the wristband or a housing, and, as described hereinabove, may comprise an identifying colour, finish, shape of marking.

The invention will now be described, by way of illustration only, with reference to the following examples and the accompanying figures.

Figure 1A shows an oblique perspective view of a first embodiment of apparatus of the present invention and Figure

IB shows a cross section along A-A of the apparatus in Figure

1A.

Figure 2 shows a game incorporating the apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 3A shows a plan view from beneath a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 3B shows a cross-section along B-B of the apparatus in Figure 3A .

Figure 4A shows a plan view from beneath a third embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 4B shows a cross section along B-B of the apparatus in Figure 4A.

Figure 5A shows a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention with the strap undone; and Figure 5B shows a side view of the apparatus in Figure 5A with the strap done up; Figure 6A shows a plan view of a fifth embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and

Figure 6B shows a cross section along line C-C of the apparatus in Figure βA.

In particular, Figures 1A and IB show apparatus 1, comprising a housing 2 holding a token 3. The token can, for example, be a coin or a piece of moulded or stamped plastics or metallic material which has been assigned a monetary value. On the closed face 4 and/or the side face 5 of the housing 2, advertising information can be printed, embossed or otherwise provided.

As an alternative, instead of having an open cavity for receiving the token, the housing may be provided with a translucent or transparent cover that covers the token and allows the value of the token provided within the housing to be established at a glance. Such a possibility is shown in Figures 3A and 3B.

In use, a consumer may collect a voucher (not shown) from a national newspaper or magazine which entitles him/her to, for example, £1 off a meal at a set venue, such as a pub. The consumer then will take the voucher to the pub and choses his/her meal. The consumer then pays for the meal and hands over the voucher. As well as handing over any change, the pub employee issues a £1 coin in a housing. In this connection, the consumer knows immediately that he/she has received £1 off the meal. There is furthermore no confusion as to the origin and amount of the refund during the transaction.

Often the consumer will buy more than one meal at one time. In this respect, when the consumer has collected at least three coins, which are preferably of the same monetary value and therefore the same weight and size, in housings, he/she can play the game set out in Figure 2.

In this connection, Figure 2A shows the triangular configuration in which the game pieces 1, 2 and 3 should be placed to start the game. In this instance, game piece 1 is sitting on the start line and game pieces 2 and 3 are placed at the furthest side of the game piece 3 from the starting line so as to form a triangle.

At the finish line if a printed board is being used a goal may be erected and if a table top is being used one participant in the game can form a goal with two fingers. The fingers can either be adjacent fingers on one hand, preferably the forefinger and the middle finger or forefingers of different hands, the crossbar of the goal being formed by the two thumbs. The former configuration of the fingers will tend to produce a goal with a smaller width that the latter configuration thus making the- game more difficult.

To start the game, game piece 1 is flicked with a finger of a participant, other than the participant whose fingers are forming the goal, in the direction of the arrow through the space between game pieces 1 and 2. Game piece 3 should move between game pieces 1 and 2 resulting in the configuration shown at B in Figure 2.

As game piece 2 is the game piece closest to the start line it is next flicked through the space between game pieces 1 and 3. The resulting configuration of the games pieces is shown at C in Figure 2.

In the given example game piece 3, which is the next piece to be flicked because it is closest to the start line, is within flicking distance of the goal. Accordingly, the participant flicks game piece 3 through the space between game pieces 1 and 2 towards the goal when the game piece 3 passes through the goal or over the finish line, as shown at D in Figure 2, the game is finished. It will be apparent that in some games it may take more moves to reach the goal than shown in Figure 2.

The game is then restarted with the participants swapping roles. The winner of the game can be the participant who takes the least number of moves to travel from the start line to the goal.

A second embodiment of the apparatus/game piece is shown in Figures 3A & B. The game piece 10 comprises a housing 11 and a hexagonal shaped token 12.

The housing 11 has side walls- 14, which have a stepped or Z shaped cross-section. The side walls 14 connect a base 13 with a token receiving portion 18. The dimensions of the base 13 are smaller than the dimensions of the token receiving portion 18. Along the edge distal to the base of two of the side walls there is provided a hinge for lid 15. Lid 15 has a protrusion 16 along each of the free edges. The protrusion 16 allows the lid to hook over the free side walls 14 to keep the lid in place. When necessary the lid can be opened to insert and remove the token 12. The lid is produced from a transparent plastics material which allows the value of the token to be instantly seen. The side walls and the base are produced from a plastics material containing a fluorescent dye and advertising material is printed on the outside of the base.

A third embodiment of the apparatus/game piece is shown in Figures 4A & B. Apparatus 20 comprises a housing 21 having a closed face 24 and an open face 26, and a circular token 22. As previously described, the token 22 can, for example, be a coin or a piece of moulded or stamped plastics or metallic material which has been assigned a monetary value. The housing 21 is of substantially greater diameter than the token 22, and is substantially thinner than the token 22, so that when the token 22 is recessed in the housing 21 it protrudes from the open face 26. The greater diameter of the housing 21 compared to the token 22 makes closed face 24 of this embodiment particularly suited for displaying advertising or marketing information, pictures, photographic representations, etc.

A wearable item according to the present invention is shown in Figures 5A and 5B. The item 30 comprises a wristband 32 having three circular token housings 34 thereon. The wristband 32 and housings 34 are co-moulded from plastics materials, and the wristband is closeable and adjustable around a wrist by engaging pin 36 with a corresponding hole 38 in the conventional way. As previously described herein, each housing is configured to receive and securely hold a token (not shown) .

A fifth embodiment of the apparatus/game piece of the present invention is shown in Figures 6A and 6B. The housing comprises a base 40, 'an upstanding side wall 41, and a top surface 42 having a central opening 43 into which a token 44 can be placed. The apparatus has two radially inwardly biassed diametrically opposed holding members 45, which are each biassed by biassing means in the form of a spring 46 attached at one end to the inner surface of the side wall 41, and at the other to the respective holding member 45. Each holding member 45 has a radially inward surface 47 which is contoured to correspond to the outer surface of the token 44. The token 44 is held between the holding members 45 by the radially inward biassing force. The holding members 45 are movably attached to and movable radially inwardly and outwardly relative to the top surface 42 .

To hold a token 44 in the housing of the fifth embodiment, the holding members 45 are pulled radially outwardly, i.e. against the biassing force of the springs 46, to present an opening

43 of greater diameter than the token 44. The token 44 may then be placed within the opening 43, and the holding members 45 can be released. The biassing force of the springs 46 causes the holding members 45 to move relative to the housing radially inwards to hold the token 44 therebetween. The token

44 can be released from the housing accordingly.

It will be understood that the embodiments illustrated show applications of the invention only for the purposes of illustration. In practice the invention may be applied to many different configurations, the detailed embodiments being straightforward for those skilled in the art to implement.

For example, in the context of the game, two or more participants can take turns flicking the token in the housing, the winner being the participant who scores the goal. The winner of the game can be awarded at least one game piece as a prize and therefore any new game requires at least one new game piece .

In connection with the apparatus, the edges or faces of the housing can be knurled or otherwise treated to promote spinning of the game pieces when contacted by another. The use of such adjusted housings can increase the difficulty and thus interest of the game.

The lid of the housing can be sealed shut after the token has been inserted therein.

As an alternative an aperture can be provided in the side wall of the housing to allow the insertion and removal of the token.

Advertising information could also be printed on the inside of the base, such that it can only be read when the token has been removed.

It will be appreciated that, where actual coinage in provided in the housings, and where the coin is removable from the housing, the recipient can spend the cion in any establishment. In order to promote loyalty to the issuing establishment in such circumstances, it is envisaged that the housings be issued in sets and that when the customer has collected a full set of the housings complete with coins, they can be traded in at the issuing establishment for an extra bonus. For example, a set of nine coloured housings may be issued, each initially contains a £1.00 coin, which could be collected and traded in for a £10.00 discount.

The nature of the sets could be wide and varied and may, for example, comprise things such as the faces of super stars, (e.g. football teams), pop or movie stars, football team crests, motor cars (pictures or logos) etc, and the sets may be "themed" to the issuing establishment. For example, pubs may issue sets of housings showing pictures of darts players or pub signs or pubs themselves.

Claims

1. Apparatus for presenting a monetary token, the apparatus comprising a housing which is configured for receiving and securely holding the token, the housing further being configured to comprise means for identification of origin.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing allows removal of the token.

3. Apparatus according to either claim 1 or 2, wherein the token is a coin.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing comprises a base and an upstanding side wall.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the upstanding side wall is resiliently flexible for allowing insertion and removal of the token.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the housing further comprises a top surface.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the top surface acts as a lid for the housing.

8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein an aperture is provided in the side wall.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing is dimensioned to have a close fit with the token.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the housing is produced from plastics material.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the means of identification of origin comprise at least one of an identifying colour, finish, shape or marking applied to the housing.

12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim which further comprises holding means for holding a token within the housing, the holding means comprising a plurality of radially inwardly biassed holding members between which a token can be held.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the holding means comprises two diametrically opposed holding members.

14. Apparatus according to claim 12 or 13 wherein each holding member has a radially inward surface which is contoured to correspond to the outer surface of a token.

15. Apparatus according to claim 12, 13 or 14 wherein each holding member is biassed by biassing means which comprises a spring, which is fixed at one end to the housing, and at the other to a holding member.

16. Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein the housing has a base, an upstanding side wall, and a top surface having a central opening into which a token can be placed, the biassing means comprises a spring fixed at one end to the inner surface of the side wall, and at the other to a holding member, each holding member being movably attached to and movable radially inwardly and outwardly relative to the top surface.

17. A game comprising three game pieces wherein each game piece comprises the apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein said game is played on any substantially flat and low- friction surface, by moving said game pieces from a starting

5 point to a finishing point on said surface, by urging one game piece through the space between the two remaining game pieces .

18. A game according to claim 17, wherein the substantially flat low-friction surface is a printed board or mat with a set

10 starting point and finishing point.

19. A game according to either claim 17 or 18, wherein said finishing point is a goal which has a larger width than the width of the widest point of the game piece.

15

20. A game according to any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the edges of the game pieces are knurled and/or otherwise treated to promote spinning of the game pieces.

20 21. A game according to claim 20 wherein spinning is promoted when two game pieces come in contact with each other.

22. A wearable item for presenting a monetary token, which item comprises a wristband having thereon at least one housing 25 which is configured for receiving and securely holding the token, and means for identification of origin.

23 An item according to claim 22 which comprises a plurality 30 of housings.

24. An item according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the housing (s) is/are as defined in any one of claims 1 to 16.