CLAIMS:
1. A Personal Identification Number - PIN Shield & Holder for Keys, Gadgets and Credit Cards, Promotional Device, which unfolds and/or springs open to form a PIN security mask around a PIN keypad at Shop Check-Outs and Cash Point Machines, comprising a Device having a rectangular shaped back of translucent, thin sheet of semi rigid material, embodying two integral unfolding triangular shaped sides, unfolding at bases of triangular sides; said Device optionally provided with Credit Card and/or Cash Pocket means, attachment means for Keys and/or Gadgets and Promotional means, said sides embodying instant releasable fastener means, said Device characterised by the absence of finger & hand attachment means and absence of apertures.
2. A PIN Shield & Holder for Keys, Gadgets and Credit Cards, Promotional Device as in claim I 3 wherein said translucent, semi rigid material of said Device includes translucent card, plastic, nylon and synthetic material.
3. A PIN Shield & Holder for Keys, Gadgets and Credit Cards, Promotional Device as in claim 2, wherein dimensions of said base of said rectangular shaped back match said outside width of said PIN keypads, and dimensions of two other sides of said triangular shapes, when open, are provided to give a comfortable view of said keypad to user only, whilst obscuring bystander views, and views from above.
4. A PIN Shield & Holder for Keys, Gadgets and Credit Cards, Promotional Device as in claim 3, wherein preferably said semi rigid material of said security shield is pre-formed and so provided, that when said fastener means is released, said Device springs open to form a silhouette having a rectangular profile that fits around said top end of said PEST keypad.
5. A PEST Shield & Holder for Keys, Gadgets and Credit Cards, Promotional Device as in claim 4, wherein said attachment means for Keys and/or Gadgets includes key rings, and quick releasable key hooks and gimmicks securely attached to Device by fastener means, including eyelet rivets.
6. A PBSf Shield & Holder for Keys, Gadgets and Credit Cards, Promotional Device as in claim 5, wherein said fastening means includes Velcro™ means, and press stud means attached to adjacent contact faces near apex of said triangular sides.
7. A PDSf Shield & Holder for Keys, Gadgets and Credit Cards, Promotional Device as in claim 6, wherein said Wallet means comprises at least one rectangular shaped pocket provided on inside face of said rectangular shaped back of said Device, preferably said pocket is sufficient to accommodate a plurality of cash and credit cards.
8. A PDSf Shield & Holder for Keys, Gadgets and Credit Cards, Promotional Device as in claim 7, wherein said Gadget means includes a Swiss Army knife, and alternatively a variety of novelties and gadgets, miniature tools, miniature torch, and a coin purse.
9. A PIN Shield & Holder for Keys, Gadgets and Credit Cards, Promotional Device as in claim 8, wherein said Promotional means comprises provision of a printed advertisement on a convenient face of said Device.
10. A PIN Shield & Holder for Keys, Gadgets and Credit Cards, Promotional Device as in claim 9, wherein said triangular shaped sides optionally include truncated triangular shaped sides.
11. A PIN Shield & Holder for Keys, Gadgets and Credit Cards, Promotional Device as in claim 10, wherein optionally said device is provided with second folding means, enabling a larger sized PBSJ Shield (when open) to be folded twice to form a small compact size, capable of slipping into small pockets inside clothes and handbags, optionally including instant releasable fastener means to secure said device when double folded.
12. A PESf Shield & Holder for Keys, Gadgets and Credit Cards, Promotional Device as in claim 11, wherein optionally top edge of said rectangular shaped back is provided with a fold down rectangular shaped extension, similar in size and material to said rectangular shaped back including instant releasable fastener means (including Velcro™) to secure said device when top and sides are closed. |
PIN Shield & Holder for Keys, Gadgets and Credit Cards
Field; This invention relates to a Personal Identification Number - PIN Shield & Holder for Keys, Gadgets and Credit Cards, which springs open to form a PIN security mask around a PIN keypad at Shop Check-Outs and Cash Point Machines, to minimise card fraud by obscuring view of bystanders, and illegal wireless micro CCTV cameras planted above PIN keypads of Cash Point Machines.
Existing State of the Art:
PIN Card Fraud: The increasing risk of Personal Identification Number - PIN card fraud, is currently widely publicised in the media, and appears to mainly come from bystander fraudsters ! viewing and memorising the PIN as it is punched into keypads at Shop Check-Outs and Cash Point Machines- (also known as ATMs - Automated Teller Machines). Recently, with the availability of wireless micro CCTV cameras illegally planted above PIN keypads of Cash Point Machines, the fraudsters can view and record a PIN from the privacy of a car parked nearby.
Shortcomings of Prior Art: Although several patents have been filed for a security mask for use around ia PIN keypad, all of these without exception embody in their master claim 1, the provision of "finger & hand attachments and /or apertures", which render them cumbersome tq use, and the embodiment of see-through apertures nearly useless. In the present invention there are no "finger & hand attachments or apertures".
Preliminary Search Report - Category "A w Anticipations Only:
At the time of filing, a Search on the esp@cenet Worldwide Patent database revealed several Category "A" anticipations - Category "A" because all of them without exception embody in their master claim 1, the provision of "finger & hand attachments and / or apertures". The last line of master claim 1 of the present invention reads "characterised by the absence of finger & hand attachment means and absence of apertures" which makes it distinctly different from all the Category "A" patent anticipations cited below:-
EP1607916, US5509224, US4667087, US5401551, US5566390, FR2773903, US5353349, FR2775377, EP0092048, EP0936644, FR2861879, DE20200401844U, and DE202004014904U.
Product Searches on the World Wide Web produced no anticipations of the present invention.
Summary of Invention; - A PIN Shield & Holder for Keys, Gadgets and Credit Cards which springs open to form a PIN security mask around a PIN keypad at Shop Checkouts and Cash Point Machines, having a rectangular shaped back of translucent, thin plastic sheet with two integral unfolding triangular sides, optionally provided with a Credit Card Pocket, and Key rings, foldable into a small compact wallet.
USES:
Springs open to form a PIN security mask around a PIN keypad at Shop Check-Outs and Cash Point Machines, to minimise card fraud.
Serves as a key fob and holder for keys, gadgets, cash and credit cards.
Advantages:
1. Minimises card fraud by obscuring view of bystanders, and 2. Minimises view of illegal micro CCTV cameras planted above Cash Point Machines.
3. Serves as a convenient holder for keys, gadgets, cash and credit cards.
4. No finger & hand attachments and apertures.
REFERENCE TO DRAWINGS:
Fig IA is a perspective illustration of the invention - Personal Identification Number - PIN Shield & Holder for Keys, Gadgets and Credit Cards shown in the unfolded sprung open mode, ready for use to fit around a PIN keypad, as provided at Shop Check-Outs and Cash Point Machines.
Fig IB is a perspective illustration of the invention shown in the folded closed mode, with keys and gadget neatly concealed inside ready to put in one' s pocket,
Fig 2A is a back perspective view of the invention shown in the unfolded sprung open mode, ready for use to fit around a PESf keypad, as provided at Shop Check-Outs and Cash Point Machines.
Fig 2B is a back perspective view of the invention shown in the folded closed mode, with keys and gadget neatly concealed inside ready to put in one's pocket.
Fig 3 A is a front in use perspective view of the invention wherein said triangular sides are truncated triangular sides, and the back top edge is provided with a fold down top extension.
Fig 3B is a perspective view of figure 3A when the sides and top are fully folded and secured.
Fig 4A is an in use perspective view of a larger size PIN Shield provided with means to fold twice to fit into small pockets inside clothes and handbags.
Fig 4B is a perspective view of Fig 4 A when double folded and secured.
DESCRIPTION
1. Referring to Figs 1 & 2 of the drawings, the present invention - Personal Identification Number - PIN Shield & Holder for Keys, Gadgets and Credit Cards,
Promotional Device, which unfolds and/or springs open to form a PDSf security mask around a PEST keypad at Shop Check-Outs and Cash Point Machines, comprises a Device, 1, having airectangular shaped back, Ib, of translucent, thin sheet of semi rigid material, embodying two integral unfolding triangular shaped sides, 2 & 3, unfolding at bases, 2b & 3b, of triangular sides; the Device, 1, optionally provided with Credit Card and/or Cash Pocket means, 4, attachment means, 5, for Keys, 6, and/or Gadget, 6g, and Promotional means,; 7, the sides, 2 & 3, embodying instant releasable fastener means, 2v & 3 v, the Device, 1, characterised by the absence of finger & hand attachment means and absence of apertures.
2. The translucent, semi rigid material of the Device, 1, includes translucent card, plastic, nylon and synthetic material.
3. The dimension of the base of the rectangular shaped back, Ib, match the outside width of the PIN keypads, and dimensions of two other sides, 2 & 3, of the triangular shapes when open, are provided to give a comfortable view of the keypad to user only whilst obscuring bystander views, and views from above.
4. Preferably the semi rigid material of the Device, 1, is pre-formed and so provided that when the fastener means, 2v & 3v, is released the Device, 1, springs open to form a silhouette having a rectangular profile that fits around the top end of a PIN keypad.
5. The attachment means, 5, for Keys, 6, and/or Gadget, 6g, includes key rings, 5, and (not shown) quick releasable key hooks and gimmicks securely attached to Device, 1, by fastener means, 5r, including eyelet rivets, 5r.
6. The instant releasable fastener means, 2v & 3v, includes Velcro™ means, and alternatively (not shown) press stud means, attached to adjacent contact faces near apex of the triangular sides, 2 & 3.
7. The Card Wallet means, 4, comprises at least one rectangular shaped pocket, 4, provided on inside face of the rectangular shaped back, Ib 5 of the Device, 1, preferably the pocket, 4, is sufficient to accommodate a plurality of credit cards and cash.
8. The Gadget means, 6g, includes a Swiss Army knife, 6g, and alternatively a variety of novelties and gadgets, miniature tools, miniature torch, and a coin purse (none shown).
9. The Promotional means, 7, comprises provision of a printed advertisement means, 7, on a convenient face; Ib, of the security Device, 1.
10. The triangular shaped sides, 2t & 3t, optionally include truncated triangular shaped sides, 2t & 3t-Fig 3A.
11. Optionally — Sheet 4 - the device, 15, is provided with second folding means, 8, enabling a larger sized PIN Shield, 15, (when open) - Fig 4A - to be folded twice to a smaller compact size, 15b, — Fig 4B - capable of slipping into small pockets inside clothes and handbags, optionally including an instant releasable wrap around strap fastener means, 16, tp secure the device, 15, when double folded.
12. Optionally - Fig3A - the top edge, lit, of the rectangular shaped back, 11, is provided with a fold down rectangular shaped top extension, 12, similar in size and material to the rectangular shaped back, 11, optionally including instant releasable fastener means, 13v & 14v (including Velcro™) to secure the device when top and sides are closed.