Credit card security device

• US 6,374,757 B1
• Filed: 12/02/1999
• Issued: 04/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Avner Farkash
• Original Assignee: Avner Farkash
• Inventors: Farkash, Avner
• Primary Examiner(s): Gall, Lloyd A.
• Application Number:
  US09/453,092
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: 70/57, 70/571, 70/58, 70/63, 702/76, 206/37, 206/38, 206/449, 109/23, 109/24, 109/30, 109/31, 109/38, 340/5.73, 340/568.1, 340/568.7, 340/571
• US Class Current: 109/23
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/182 Credit card holders
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5031 Receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7057 Permanent magnet

Abstract

A device for preventing unauthorized use of data carriers, such as credit cards, ATM cards, and flexible discs, including: (i) a casing having at least one pocket having an opening, the pocket adapted to receive at least one card, and (ii) inner workings, disposed within the casing, the inner workings including a magnet affixed to a sliding arm, the sliding arm held in place by the card, such that unauthorized removal of the card through the opening allows the sliding arm to slide such that the magnet deactivates a magnetic strip disposed on the card.

Claims

1. A device for preventing unauthorized use of data carriers, including credit cards, ATM cards, and flexible discs, comprising:

(i) a casing having at least one pocket having an opening, said pocket adapted to receive at least one card;

(ii) inner workings, disposed within said casing, said inner workings including a magnet affixed to a sliding arm, said sliding arm held in place by said card,

such that unauthorized removal of said card through said opening allows said sliding arm to slide such that said magnet deactivates a magnetic strip of said card.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said inner workings include a lock, said lock adapted to control said arm.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said lock includes a protruding tooth, and wherein said lock can be manipulated such that said protruding tooth blocks said sliding arm, thereby allowing the safe removal of said card.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said sliding arm includes a protrusion that is held in place by said card, and wherein said lock is manipulated such that said protruding tooth on said lock is disengaged from said sliding arm, such that the removal of said card releases said sliding arm and results in deactivation of said card.

5. The device of claim 3, further comprising a spring, said spring exerting a constant pressure on a side of said card, such that in prying apart walls of the device, said spring pushes said card out of position, thereby releasing said sliding arm and deactivating said card.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a keyhole through which said arm is cocked by a key that pushes said inner workings into place before initial use and after improper withdrawal of said card.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a safety lock, disposed on said casing, said safety lock protecting against inadvertent removal of said card by an authorized user.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein a protrusion is slidably attached to an inner side of said casing, said protrusion aligned so as to cooperate with said sliding arm, such that prying apart walls of said casing separates said protrusion from said card, thereby releasing said sliding arm and deactivating said card.

9. A device for preventing unauthorized use of data carriers, including credit cards, ATM cards, and flexible discs, comprising:

(i) a casing having at least one pocket having an opening, said pocket adapted to receive at least one card;

(ii) inner workings, disposed within said casing, said inner workings including a magnet affixed to an arm,

wherein said arm is affixed and positioned such that prying apart walls of the device triggers movement of said arm along with said magnet affixed thereto, such that said magnet deactivates a magnetic strip of said card.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said inner workings include a lock, said lock adapted to control said arm.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said lock includes a protruding tooth, and wherein said lock is manipulated in a pre-determined manner such that said protruding tooth blocks said arm, thereby allowing the safe removal of said card.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said arm includes a protrusion that is held in place by said card, and wherein said lock is manipulated such that said protruding tooth on said lock is disengaged from said arm, such that the removal of said card releases said arm and results in deactivation of said card.

13. The device of claim 9, further comprising a safety lock, disposed on said casing, said safety lock protecting against inadvertent removal of said card by an authorized user.

14. The device of claim 9, further comprising a keyhole through which said arm is cocked by a key that pushes said inner workings into place before initial use and after improper withdrawal of said card.

15. The device of claim 9, wherein a protrusion is attached to an inner side of said casing, said protrusion aligned such that prying apart walls of said casing separates said protrusion from said card, thereby releasing said arm and deactivating said card.

16. The device of claim 9, wherein said movement of said arm is a sliding movement.

17. A plurality of devices according to claim 9, each of said devices including inner workings having a unique internal configuration, and wherein each said configuration of said inner workings is substantially obscured from an outside view, such that an opportunity for successful removal of the said card by unauthorized access through walls of said casing is appreciably reduced.