Credit card security device having card invalidating electromagnet

• US 5,598,792 A
• Filed: 01/09/1995
• Issued: 02/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Forrest A. Wales
• Original Assignee: Forrest A. Wales
• Inventors: Wales, Forrest A.
• Primary Examiner(s): SHEPPERD, JOHN W
• Application Number:
  US08/370,378
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 235/486, 109/41, 109/42, 109/23
• US Class Current: 109/23
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/14 with means for masking or destroying the valuables, e.g. in case of theft
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/005 the record carrier comprising an arrangement to facilitate insertion into a holding device, e.g. an arrangement that makes the record carrier fit into an etui or a casing ticket holders A45C11/18
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06196 Constructional details

Abstract

A credit card security device which prevents credit card and bank card fraud. The device includes a case with an access door secured by a lock for storing the cards and a detection member within the case for determining an entry into the case when the door is locked. The detection member operates an electromagnet within the case upon the entry. The electromagnet scrambles the code within each credit card'"'"'s magnetic strip and thereby invalidates the credit cards for future use. The detection member comprises a normally open electrical circuit when the door is closed and locked and includes switches for providing a current flow to the invalidating electromagnet upon the entry. At least one such switch is a normally open pressure switch mounted in wall of the case which closes when the entry to the case is through the wall, thereby providing the current flow to the electromagnet. Another switch is associated with the lock and is open when the lock is unlocked, thereby precluding a current flow through the circuit, and which closes if the door is forcibly opened while locked, thereby providing the current flow to the electromagnet.

Claims

1. A credit card security device, comprising:

a case having an access door for storing credit cards,

locking means for releasably locking said door to secure the credit cards therein,

detection means within said case for determining an entry into said case when said door is locked,

invalidating means within said case for invalidating the credit cards,

said detection means operating said invalidating means upon said entry,

said detection means comprising;

a normally open electrical circuit for providing a current flow to operate said invalidating means;

switch means in said circuit and in at least one wall of said case for providing said current flow through said circuit to operate said invalidating means upon said entry, said switch means being normally open to preclude said current flow and closes upon said entry to said case through said wall, whereby to provide said current flow.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking means comprises a combination lock for operating an access door release.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a first switch in said detection means circuit and a first associated with said combination lock, said first switch associated with said lock being open when said combination lock is unlocked and closed when said combination lock is locked, said open first switch precluding said current flow through said circuit upon said entry, said closed first switch allowing for said current flow through said circuit upon said entry.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein

said lock includes a non-conductive surface in said circuit which causes said first switch to open said circuit when said combination lock is unlocked and a conductive surface which causes said first switch to close upon said combination lock being locked.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a second switch in said circuit operably connected to said access door, said second door switch being open upon closure of said door and closed upon opening of said door, said closed second door switch cooperating with said first closed lock switch for providing a current flow through said circuit when said access door is open and said combination lock is locked.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein

said wall surrounding said switch means comprises at least a resilient layer of material surrounding said switch means in said wall, said material having a first normal mode and a second mode upon said entry through said wall, said second mode causing a closure of said switch means.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6,

wherein said resilient layer includes a layer of honeycomb material surrounding said switch means, said honeycomb being pressurized in said first normal mode and depressurized in said second mode, said depressurized honeycomb material allowing for a closure of said surrounded switch means whereby to provide said current flow.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein

said invalidating means includes an electromagnet in said circuit, said current flow energizing said electromagnet for invalidating the credit cards within said case.

9. A credit card security device, comprising:

a case for storing a plurality of credit cards having an access door,

a lock to secure said case,

a circuit for providing a current flow to an electromagnet upon an entry into said case when said door is locked, and

said electromagnet rendering the cards invalid for future use upon receiving said current flow,

said circuit including a normally open pressure change detection member within a wall of said case, which closes said circuit when said entry into said case is through said wall whereby to provide said current flow.

10. A credit card security device as claimed in claim 9, wherein

said circuit includes a sensor associated with said lock, said sensor being closed when said lock is locked whereby to provide said current flow.

11. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein

said pressure change detection member includes a layer of resilient material under pressure within said wall and surrounding a normally open switch in said circuit, said entry causing a depressurization of said resilient material allowing for a closing of said switch and said closing of said circuit.

12. A credit card security device, comprising:

a case for storing credit cards having an access door,

a lock to secure said case,

a detection member within said case for determining an entry into said case when said door is locked comprising a normally open electrical circuit when said door is locked, and

an invalidating member within said case and in said circuit for invalidating the credit cards,

said detection member operating said invalidating member upon said entry and including a switch member for providing a circuit current flow to said invalidating member upon said entry,

said switch member including a first sensor associated with said lock, said first sensor being closed when said lock is locked,

said switch member including a second sensor operably connected to said access door, said second sensor being open upon closure of said door and closed upon opening of said door whereby to provide said current flow through said circuit when said door is open and said lock is locked,

said switch member further including a pressure switch mounted in at least one wall of said case, said pressure switch being in a normally open position and closing when said entry into said case is through said wall whereby to provide said current flow,

said lock including a non-conductive surface which causes said first sensor to open when said lock is unlocked and a conductive surface which causes said first sensor to close when said lock is locked,

said invalidating member including an electromagnet in said circuit, said current flow energizing said electromagnet for invalidating the credit cards within said case.