Credit card monitor

• US 3,959,789 A
• Filed: 02/21/1975
• Issued: 05/25/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Francis M. Mcgahee
• Original Assignee: Francis M. Mcgahee
• Inventors: McGahee, Francis M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pitts, Harold
• Application Number:
  US05/551,929
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: 340/280, 340/309.4, 340/282, 340/371, 340/149 A, 200/61.19
• US Class Current: 340/529
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/184 with a reminding device, e.g. when the card is not returned into its holder reminder alarms in general G08B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/08 by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0833 Card having specific functional components
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms

Abstract

A check or credit card monitor consisting of a plurality of normally closed switches adapted to be held open by insertion of credit cards or similar items between the switch contacts. The contacts are connected in parallel to a timing means adapted to energize a sensory alarm such as an audio signal, vibrator or light a predetermined time after closure of any one of said plurality of switches.

Claims

1. A document holder, comprising:

a plurality of separators adapted to hold documents there between, said separators constructed from electrically nonconductive material and incorporating electrically conductive members on facing surfaces positioned to form normally closed electrical contact pairs, said contact pairs adapted to be held open by documents inserted there between;

a switching means comprised of said contact pairs connected in electrical parallel;

a power source electrically connected to said switching means;

a time delay means responsive to said switching means; and

an alarm means responsive to said time delay means.

2. A document holder as defined in claim 1, comprising:

a mercury switch electrically connected in parallel to said switching means.

3. A document holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said alarm means comprises:

a lamp.

4. A document holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said alarm means comprises:

a buzzer.

5. A document holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said alarm means comprises:

a source of audio signals;

and a speaker.

6. A document holder as defined in claim 5 wherein said source of audio signals comprises:

an oscillator.

7. A document holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said power source comprises:

a battery.

8. A document holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said power source comprises:

a flat flexible battery.

9. A document holder as defined in claim 1 wherein said time delay means comprises:

a two state electronic switch responsive to first and second voltage levels;

a capacitor;

and a voltage divider network for charging said capacitor to said first voltage level and discharging said capacitor to said second voltage level in response to the respective opposite voltage level states of said electronic switch.

10. A document holder as defined in claim 9 wherein said two state electronic switch comprises:

a first voltage level comparator;

and a second voltage level comparator.

11. A document holder as defined in claim 1, comprising:

a case including a bottom section adapted to retain said power source, said time delay means, and said alarm means;

a top section flexibly affixed to said bottom section adapted to hold said plurality of separators and receive documents;

and a spring bias means to secure said plurality of separators in said top section and insure positive contact of said electrically conductive members.

12. A document holder as defined in claim 7, comprising:

a case adapted to house said time delay means and said alarm means;

a spring bias means affixed to said case and adapted to hold said plurality of separators and insure positive contact of said electrically conductive members; and

means to affix said flat flexible battery to said case.

13. A credit card carrying case, including a credit card monitor comprising:

means for holding at least one credit card;

a time delay means;

means responsive to the removal of any one of said credit cards and adapted to initiate said time delay means; and

an alarm means responsive to said time delay means timing out for providing a credit card missing alert.