Check book with forgery and theft inhibiting features

• US 5,326,136 A
• Filed: 04/12/1993
• Issued: 07/05/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lawrence R. Doyle
• Original Assignee: Lawrence R. Doyle
• Inventors: Doyle, Lawrence R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenbaum, Mark
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fridie, Jr., Willmon
• Application Number:
  US08/045,641
• Time in Patent Office: 449 Days
• Field of Search: 283/57, 283/58, 283/59, 283/62, 283/117, 283/36-43, 281/2, 281/15.1, 281/21.1
• US Class Current: 283/58
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 5/021 Cheque-books

Abstract

A check book is disclosed which includes checks arranged such that if any one or more of the checks is removed from the check book other then the top, or next check, a stripe printed on a subsequent check will become visible, thus warning that the check has been removed out of turn. An invisible authenticating signature is placed on each check. This can be easily rendered visible after the check is signed. The comparison of the two signatures provides a means for identifying a forgery. A set of symbols are printed on the face of the check. When cashing the check, the bearer may select certain of the symbols. This selection may be compared with a similar set previously chosen by the account holder to assure a bank teller that the bearer is in fact the true account holder.

Claims

1. A check book comprising a plurality of rectangular paper checks each having a face and a back, the back of each preceding said check in contact with the face of each succeeding said check, all removably bound in offset stacked alignment such that a portion of the face of each said check is simultaneously visible with the book frontally viewed, each said succeeding face including thereon a marker stripe normally covered from view by each said preceding check such that if any said succeeding check is removed from the check book before the immediately said preceding check, the stripe of that said check following the removed said check is rendered visible when frontally viewed, thus visually indicating the missing said removed check whereby theft of a check from the check book is early indicated.

2. The check book of claim 1 further including, on the face of each said check, a plurality of alphanumeric symbols provided as a means for thwarting forgery such that the execution of the check may include the selecting, by circling or otherwise marking, of at least one of the symbols as a code known only to a proper executor of the check and to the recipient of the check, such as a bank, whereby both an executed signature as well as the marked symbols, appearing on the face of the check, may be compared to like signature and said symbols previously known to the recipient in judging the authenticity of the executor.

3. The check book of claim 2 wherein the symbols constitute a series of numerals arranged in linear order across the face of each of the checks.

4. The check book of claim 2 further including, on the face of each said check, an authenticating signature, deposited in a normally non-visible material capable of later being rendered visible, such that after the execution of the check, the authenticating signature may be rendered visible for comparison with the executed signature.

5. The check book of claim 4 wherein the normally non-visible material is derived from a solution of potassium ferrocyanide, such that said material is rendered visible by a solution of ferris sulphate wiped over the authenticating signature.

6. The check book of claim 1 further including, on the face of each said check, an authenticating signature, deposited in a normally non-visible material capable of later being rendered visible, such that after the execution of the check, the authenticating signature may be rendered visible for comparison with the executed signature.

7. The check book of claim 6 wherein the normally non-visible material is derived from a solution of potassium ferrocyanide, such that said material is rendered visible by a solution of ferris sulphate wiped over the authenticating signature.

8. The check book of claim 6 further including on the face of each said check, an area marked by a series of lines for deposition of the authenticating signature such that it is known where to find the non-visible authenticating signature.