GB2438650A

GB2438650A - Foldable PIN (personal identification number) shield

Info

Publication number: GB2438650A
Application number: GB0610623A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Paul Lavery
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-05-30
Filing date: 2006-05-30
Publication date: 2007-12-05
Also published as: GB2438585A; GB0610623D0; GB0700290D0; WO2007138273A1; GB2438585B

Abstract

A foldable PIN shield comprises a rectangular shaped back 1 of translucent material having two integral folding triangular shaped sides 2, 3. The shield unfolds to form a shield which obscures the view of bystanders when a PIN is being input into a machine. The shield may be provided with attachments 5 for keys 6 or other gadgets 6g and/or a credit card pocket 4. The triangular sides 2, 3 may incorporate fasteners such as hook and loop fasteners 2v, 3v to hold the device in a closed position. The translucent material may be translucent card, plastic, nylon or synthetic material. The shield may be preformed so that the shield springs open when the fasteners 2v, 3v are released. The attachments may be eyelet rivets. The shield may incorporate a Swiss Army knife, miniature tool, miniature torch or coin purse. The shield may also incorporate printed advertisements on a convenient face.

Description

1 2438650 PIN Shield & Holder for Keys, Gadsets 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.

ExistinE 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.

Shortcomin2s of Prior Art: Although several patents have been filed for a security mask for use around a 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 to 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 -Cate2ory "A" 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 I 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, U55401551, US5566390, FR2773903, US5353349, FR2775377, EP0092048, EP0936644, FR2861879, DE20200401844U, and DE2020040 1 4904U.

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 Check-Outs 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. 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.

Advanta2es: 1. Mmimises 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 1 -A -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 1 -B -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 2 -A -is a back perspective view of the invention 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 2 -B -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.

DESCRIPTION

1. Referring to Figs 1 & 2 of the drawings, the present invention -Personal 5!dentficatwn 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, comprises a Device, 1, having a rectangular shaped back, 1 b, 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 & 3v, the Device, 1, characterised by the absence offinger & 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, lb. 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, Sr.

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, 1 b, 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 on a convenient face, 1 b, of the security Device, 1.

Claims

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; the Device optionally provided with Credit Card and/or Cash Pocket means, attachment means for Keys and/or Gadgets and Promotional means, the sides embodying instant releasable fastener means, the Device characterised by the absence offinger & hand attachment means and absence of apertures.

2. A PIN Shield & Holder for Keys, Gadgets and Credit Cards, Promotional Device as in claim 1, 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 the base of the rectangular shaped back match the outside width of the PIN keypads, and dimensions of two other sides 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. A PIN Shield & Holder for Keys, Gadgets and Credit Cards, Promotional Device as in claim 3, wherein preferably the semi rigid material of said security shield is pre-formed and so provided, that when the fastener means is released, the Device springs open to form a silhouette having a rectangular profile that fits around the top end of said PIN keypad.

5. A PiN 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 PIN Shield & Holder for Keys, Gadgets and Credit Cards, Promotional Device as in claim 5, wherein the fastening means includes VelcroTM means, and press stud means attached to adjacent contact faces near apex of said triangular sides.

7. A PIN Shield & Holder for Keys, Gadgets and Credit Cards, Promotional Device as in claim 6, wherein the Wallet means comprises at least one rectangular shaped pocket provided on inside face of the rectangular shaped back of the Device, preferably said pocket is sufficient to accommodate a plurality of cash and credit cards.

8. A PiN Shield & Holder for Keys, Gadgets and Credit Cards, Promotional Device as in claim 7, wherein the 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 the Promotional means comprises provision of a printed advertisement on a convenient face of the Device.