Coin system

Abstract

The invention relates to a coin system which comprises a plurality of coins, each coin comprising an imprint of different nominal values in the respective currency unit, optionally also the area of validity, and optionally other imprints in the form of characters, one or more graphics, and / or security features, the coin system being characterized in that all of the coins of the system have a rectangular or square shape and imprints of graduation lines which are regularly spaced apart on at least one of the two sides, run parallel to the edges of the coins, and together form at least one scale, running at a right angle thereto, for measuring section lengths, the graduation lines being imprinted on each coin in such a way that at least one length scale formed by the graduation lines runs along one of the edges, and a corresponding scale designation and the unit corresponding to the respective scale optionally also being imprinted at least next to some of the graduation lines.

Description

[0001] coinage

[0002] The present invention relates to novel coins which together form a coin system, and their use for measuring distances and optionally weights, heights and / or angles.

[0003] STATE OF THE ART

[0004] Currencies are means of exchange used to simplify the exchange of goods and services in the economy. They serve as units of account and stores of value and are usually issued and supported by a central authority, such as a government or a central bank. The use of currency enables the efficient and convenient exchange of goods and services and is an essential component of economic systems. On the other hand, measurements are indispensable for trade and commerce. They allow for the description, quantification, and comparison of goods in a standardized manner. Accurate measurements are necessary to ensure that a product meets the specifications required by the buyer and seller, such as having a specific length or weight.Measurements are also used to determine the value of goods, as prices are often based on the quantity or quality of the goods traded. Furthermore, measurements are used to establish standards to ensure that certain products are safe and suitable for their intended use.

[0005] For a long time, goods and services have been primarily paid for in cash, in the form of banknotes and coins. Despite the steady increase in cashless payments via credit or debit cards and internet transfers in recent years, these remain the main means of payment in private business transactions. Nevertheless, no banknotes or coins are currently known that are suitable for the precise measurement of physical quantities of objects, such as lengths, weights, or angles – regardless of whether these are properties of purchased goods or other items or objects encountered in everyday life.

[0006] In the field of numismatics, several coins are known to feature scale markings, but these are all commemorative coins that are not actually used in commerce and consequently were not designed for practical measurements in everyday use. For example, the Austrian Mint issued a commemorative series of four 20-euro silver coins entitled "Towards the Sky" (2019: "The Dream of Flying," "The Era of Powered Flight"; 2020: "Journey Above the Clouds," "Faster Than the Sound"), each depicting sections of an angular scale or a compass rose. Only the fourth coin in this series, shown in Fig. 1A, will be discussed in detail here, as it is the only one to feature an angular scale marked in 10° increments, described as a "stylized section of a radar display."However, the depictions of the Concorde and the Eiffel Tower completely obscure a good part of the scale and its origin, making angle measurements practically impossible with these coins.

[0007] The coin "Terra 2023" from the Pressburg Mint (Bratislava), shown in Fig. 1B, features an uninterrupted and even numbered 360° angle scale as an artistic element. However, this coin is completely impractical as a measuring instrument because the numbers are illegibly small and the scale's divisions are extremely short, placing them far from both the edge and the coin's center. Even if an object smaller than the scale were placed on the coin, angles could not be read accurately. The same problem would arise if the coin were placed on a larger object to determine the angle: due to the distance between the scale and the edge, the very small size of the divisions, and the numbering, no values ​​could be read correctly.

[0008] And in Latvia, a 1-lats commemorative coin, shown in Fig. 1C, was issued in 2012 to mark the 150th anniversary of Riga Technical University. It features a length and an angle scale, but both are unnumbered, and their markings, similar to those on the four Austrian commemorative coins, are positioned so far from the edge that no even approximately accurate measurements are possible—especially not of angles. Banknotes depicting measuring scales are completely unknown to the inventor.

[0009] Against this background, the aim of the invention was therefore the development of means of payment, in particular coins, which are very suitable for measuring physical quantities of objects and with which simple and precise measurements are also possible.

[0010] REVELATION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention achieves this objective by providing a coin system comprising a plurality of coins, each bearing an imprint of different nominal values ​​in the respective currency unit, optionally also of the area of ​​validity, as well as optionally further imprints in the form of characters, one or more graphics and / or security features, characterized by the fact that all coins of the system have a rectangular or square shape;and on at least one of the two sides comprise regularly spaced markings running parallel to the edges of the coins, which together form at least one scale running at right angles thereto for measuring lengths, wherein on each coin markings are such that at least one of these length scales runs along one of the edges, and wherein at least next to some of the markings a corresponding scale number and, where appropriate, the unit corresponding to the respective scale is marked;and in a second aspect by providing the use of all embodiments of the coins of the coin system according to the invention, described below, for measuring distances and, optionally, other physical quantities, as explained in more detail below. In contrast to the few prior art coins described in the introduction, on which mainly angular scales are imprinted as an indication of certain technical features or historical events, and in particular also to the Latvian commemorative coin shown in Fig. 1C, which, although it includes a length scale, has unnumbered markings whose divisions do not extend to the edge of the coin, the coins forming the coin system according to the invention are indeed very suitable for measuring lengths. Even in the simplest embodiment described above, distances can be measured very accurately using the coins.

[0012] Of course, circular coins could also be designed, featuring a scale along a straight line passing through the center of the circle, formed by graduations stamped at right angles to it. However, when using such coins for measuring length, reasonably accurate readings would only be possible if the object to be measured were placed on such a coin—or, if it is larger than the diameter of a single coin, on several coins placed side by side—since placing the scale against the object from the side would be impossible. Furthermore, when using multiple coins, care would have to be taken to position them precisely so that the stamped scales all run along a straight line, which would be relatively complex, especially if the coins in such a coin system had different diameters.

[0013] Since the coin system according to the invention consists of rectangular or square coins on which at least some of the graduations extend to the edge of the coins, and the length scale consequently runs along this edge, these coins can simply be placed against a distance to be measured, e.g., an object whose length is to be determined, and the corresponding length can be read on the numbered scale. Due to their shape, to measure lengths exceeding that of a single coin, two or more of the coins can just as easily be placed adjacent to each other against the distance or object to be measured and pressed together in order to read the length. The coins of the system according to the invention are designed such that their combination represents a linear mapping, which is therefore homogeneous and additive. Such coins according to the present invention can thus readily be used as a replacement for a ruler and provide identical measurement results.

[0014] Given that the coins forming the coin system according to the invention, i.e. coins with imprints of at least one numbered length scale running along the edge, were also previously unknown, for the sake of simplicity both the coin system and the individual coins are referred to herein as being according to the invention.

[0015] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the zero point of the at least one scale is located in one of the corners or at half the edge length of the coins, more preferably in one of the corners. Positioning the zero point at half the edge length of the coins offers, for example, the advantage that the lengths of two objects, especially those smaller than the length of the respective coin, can be easily compared by placing them side by side on the coin, adjacent to each other at the zero point. Conversely, if the zero point is located in one of the corners, this simplifies the measurement of lengths greater than that of a single coin using several coins placed side by side.Furthermore, in particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, in which two length scales are embossed on the two edges starting from the zero point located in the corner, both the length and the width of an object placed on a coin (or on several coins placed next to each other) can be measured simultaneously.

[0016] Furthermore, according to the invention, it is preferable that the graduations of the length scale are embossed at regular intervals of 1 mm, 5 mm, and / or 1 cm if measurements are to be taken in meters. Alternatively, whole-number fractions or multiples of 1 inch (1 in) can of course also be embossed, which may be particularly desirable in the USA or the United Kingdom (and in some former colonies). In any case, at least some of the graduations are, of course, numbered accordingly to simplify reading, and the corresponding unit of measurement will usually also be indicated.

[0017] In further preferred embodiments, the edge of the coins has a reeding, wherein the reeds are provided at regular intervals corresponding to the smallest unit of the length scale, e.g. 1 mm, such that at least some of the reeds on the coin edge represent extensions of all graduations of the scale beyond the edge of the coin.

[0018] The term "coin edge" (or "reeding") refers to the narrow side surface between the edges of the obverse and reverse sides of the coin. This edge can be smooth or, as described above, preferably a reeded edge according to the invention. If the spacing of these reeds corresponds to the smallest unit of the scale, all of its graduations appear to extend beyond the edge, as if bent vertically downwards if the coin rests on a flat surface. This facilitates the measurement of the coin by positioning it on objects whose length is to be determined and by reading the corresponding lengths.

[0019] In preferred embodiments of the invention, all imprinted graduations of the length scales extend inwards from the edge, wherein the coins either have no rim or an existing rim is interrupted by the respective graduations. A rim is understood to be a thickening at the edge of a coin. Should a rim be provided on the coins according to the invention, it is even more preferably interrupted by all graduations in order to simplify its extension in the form of a reeding on the coin's edge and / or its conceptual extension in the plane beyond the edge of the coin.

[0020] Furthermore, for this reason, in preferred embodiments the edges of the coins are only slightly rounded, i.e., to the minimum extent necessary to avoid sharp edges. In some preferred embodiments, at least some of the graduations of the length scale, preferably in the form of embossed dashed or dotted lines, extend across the entire width or length of the coins to the opposite edge, thus enabling, for example, the comparison of lengths on opposite sides of the coins.

[0021] Specifically with regard to measuring distances greater than the length of a coin by placing two or more coins according to the invention side by side along the distance to be measured, the length and width of the coins are particularly preferably each an integer multiple divisible by five of the smallest unit of the scale, e.g., in the case of edges whose length is each a multiple of 5 mm. For example, a coin according to the invention, which has graduations at intervals of 1 mm and centimeter markings, can, in particularly preferred embodiments, be 2 cm long and 1 cm wide.

[0022] In particularly preferred embodiments, the coins have an edge length that varies according to their face value, with those with the highest face values ​​having the greatest edge length and vice versa, wherein the greater edge lengths may optionally be 1.5 times, 2 times, or 3 times the shortest edge length. In this way, the face values ​​of the coins of the coin system according to the invention are easier to distinguish without having to read them off.

[0023] Similarly, particularly preferred embodiments of the coin system are characterized in that the coins also have a thickness (or height, if the coin rests on a flat surface) and / or weight that varies according to their face value, wherein those with the highest face values ​​have the greatest thickness and / or the greatest weight, and vice versa, wherein, even more preferably, the greater thicknesses and / or higher weights are 1.5, 2, or 3 times the smallest thickness and / or smallest weight. Naturally, the respective thickness and weight of the coins should preferably be imprinted on them. In this way, using the coins of the system according to the invention, it is possible, in addition to measuring distances in a plane, to simultaneously determine the heights of objects, whereby several coins can again be stacked on top of each other for the measurements.On the other hand, the coins can also be used to determine the weight of objects. For example, simply by comparing the weight of one or more coins held in one hand with that of a particular object held in the other hand, the object's weight can be estimated, at least approximately. If, however, a balance scale is available, the weight measurement using the coins of the system according to the invention can even be carried out with relatively high accuracy.

[0024] In particularly preferred embodiments, the length, height, and mass / weight of the individual coins of the system according to the invention each correspond to round values. Furthermore, the coin system according to the invention is preferably designed such that the nominal values ​​of the coins are selected so that they can be intuitively combined to cover a wide measuring range using as few coins as possible, while still enabling precise measurements. This can be achieved, for example, by having the values ​​of the individual coins correspond to a logarithmic series, a geometric series, or a Renard series. For example, preferred coins could have side lengths of 1, 2, and 3 cm (instead of, for example, Euro coins, which have side lengths of 24.25 mm, 23.25 mm, and 25.75 mm). They have thicknesses of 1, 2 and 3 mm (instead of, for example, Euro coins of 2.38 mm, 2.33 mm and 2.20 mm) and masses of 1, 2 and 5 g (instead of, for example, Euro coins of 7.8, 7.5 and 8.5 g).The nominal values ​​of the described coins should preferably also follow such sequences, which is already the case for numerous currencies (e.g., EUR 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.50, 1 and 2; or USD 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1). By selecting round values ​​for length, thickness, and mass, coins in particularly preferred embodiments consistently yield round values ​​for the derived properties such as area, volume, or pressure.

[0025] In further preferred embodiments, the coins of the coinage system comprise, on at least one of their two sides, further regularly spaced markings of graduations, which together form a scale for measuring angles and point from at least one edge of the coin towards the origin of the angle scale, wherein, at least next to some of the graduations, a corresponding scale number and, optionally, the unit corresponding to the respective scale are marked. Analogous to the length scale, the graduations of the angle scale are particularly preferably marked at regular intervals of 1°, 5°, 10° and / or 20°, corresponding to the most widely used angle unit in everyday life, i.e., degrees (°).Alternatively, integer quotients of 2TT, or possibly integer multiples of the radius (rad), can also be stamped on the coins for measurements in radians or arctangents, whereby in any case at least some of these should be appropriately numbered. This allows the coins to be used not only for measuring lengths, heights, or weights, but also for measuring angles.

[0026] In such embodiments, the origin of the angle scale is preferably located at an edge, e.g., at half the side length of the coins, and the corresponding graduations point towards the origin at least from the edge of the coins opposite the origin. This facilitates the positioning of a coin for angle measurement. Alternatively, the origin of the angle scale may be located in the middle of the coins, where "in the middle" here does not mean at the edge, at half the width and either i) at half the length of the coins or ii) in a region of 20-30% of the length of the coins, and the corresponding graduations point towards the origin from at least two edges, or optionally from all four edges, of the coins.The latter embodiments offer sufficient distance to all edges, including the nearest transverse edge, but simplify angle readings on the opposite transverse edge and the two longitudinal edges, since at least some of the graduations, provided they are marked over at least a large part of the distance from the edge to the origin of the scale, can be relatively long to facilitate the mental extrapolation of the graduations to the two points between which the angle is to be determined. In particular, in such embodiments, at least some of the graduations of the angle scale extend over essentially the entire length from the edges of the coins to the origin.The origin of the angle scale is particularly preferably: a) if it is located at one of the edges of the coins, indicated by means of an imprinted arrow pointing towards the edge; or b) if it is located in the middle of the coins, i) indicated in the form of an imprinted dot or circle or ii) indicated by means of a, preferably circular, perforation to the center of which the corresponding graduations point; which in each case facilitates the correct positioning of the coin for angle measurement.

[0027] A perforation offers the additional advantage of controlling the weight of the respective coin if it is also intended for use in determining weight. A similar principle applies if, instead of a perforation, a transparent area made of a transparent material is provided around the origin of the angular scale. This will generally be a transparent amorphous solid, i.e., a glass, for which, for example, inorganic silicate glasses or organic glasses made of transparent plastic are suitable. Particularly preferred are those glasses whose thermomechanical properties are adapted to the base material of the coins, the latter generally being a metal or a metal alloy, although the present invention is not limited to this.In particular, the thermal expansion of the base material and the material used for the transparent window should differ as little as possible to ensure dimensional stability and corresponding measurement accuracy over a wide temperature range. This is especially desirable in designs where one or more markings simplifying measurements are depicted on the transparent area. These include, in addition to a central dot or crosshair at the origin of the angle scale, extensions of some graduations imprinted on the coin onto the transparent window in the direction of the origin. All of these serve to enable more precise positioning of the scale's origin and more accurate reading of the measured angles. Specific examples of suitable materials for metal coins with a central transparent plastic window and their manufacturing processes can be found, for example, in RM.Afonso et al., “A new type of bi-material coin,” Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part B Journal of Engineering Manufacture 233(12): 2358-2367 (2019); DOI: 10.1177 / 0954405412470418.

[0028] In further preferred embodiments, both an angular scale and at least one linear scale are embossed on the same side of the coins, and both the zero point of at least one linear scale and the origin of the angular scale are located either i) at one of the edges at half the length of the coins or ii) in the middle of the coins exactly at the intersection of the diagonals of the rectangular or square shape, in order to simplify the measurements.

[0029] Finally, the respective measurement deviation (measurement inaccuracy, measurement uncertainty) of the scales can also be imprinted on coins according to the invention, which may be, for example, 1% of the respective unit of measurement or numbering, such as 0.1 mm in the case of intervals of 1 cm, ± 0.1° for numbering at intervals of 10°, etc.

[0030] As mentioned above, the present invention relates in a second aspect to the use of a coin system according to the invention for measuring distances and, optionally, weights, heights and / or angles. For this purpose, as explained above, several coins can also be used together by placing them next to and adjacent to each other in order to determine distances that exceed the length of the largest coin.

[0031] In the case of coins with varying heights and / or weights depending on their face value, several coins can be used together by i) stacking them on top of each other to determine heights that exceed the height of the thickest coin, and / or ii) placing them in a scale or the like to determine weights that exceed the weight of the heaviest coin.

[0032] In the case of coins that include an imprinted angle scale, the origin of which lies in the center of the coin and is indicated by a preferably circular perforation or a transparent window, to which, preferably its center, the corresponding graduations point, a coin of suitable size is preferably placed on a point assumed to be the origin of the scale in such a way that this point lies exactly at the imaginary intersection of the graduations, preferably at the center of the circular perforation, in order to determine, starting from this origin, the angle between two points lying outside the coin surface.

[0033] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0034] The present invention is described in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments, which are not to be understood as limiting, and with reference to the accompanying figures, which illustrate the following:

[0035] Fig. 1 shows illustrations of the special coins mentioned in the introduction, which include imprints of scales; Figs. 2 and 3 are exemplary schematic representations of preferred embodiments of coins of the coin system according to the invention with imprints or illustrations of several length scales; Figs. 4, 5, 8 and 11 are photographs of simple first prototypes of coins according to the invention; Figs. 6, 7, 9 and 10 are schematic representations of the execution of measurement processes using several coins according to the invention; Figs. 12, 13 and 14 are photographs of the execution of measurement processes using coins according to the invention; Figs. 15 and 16 are photographs of the weight determination of various coin prototypes; and Figs. 17 and 18 are photographs of a simple prototype of a coin with length scales and an angle scale on the reverse.

[0036] EXAMPLES

[0037] As mentioned at the outset, the three coins shown in Fig. 1 each bear markings of at least one angle scale or one angle and one length scale; however, these all serve merely as decoration or as references to certain technical features and / or historical events. Due to the scales not extending to the edge and the complete absence or virtually illegible smallness of the markings, all coins with scale markings known from the prior art are completely unsuitable for actual measurements of angles or lengths.

[0038] In contrast, a coin forming the coin system according to the invention can, even in its simplest embodiment, be used quite simply as a ruler, since they all a) have a rectangular or square shape and b) have at least one length scale running along an edge of the coin, at least some of whose divisions c) are numbered, preferably also bearing the corresponding unit of length.

[0039] For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that the application of the graduations of the scales, the numbering, the unit of measurement, and other representations to the coin body, which is generally made of a metal or a metal alloy, is collectively referred to as "minting," without intending to limit the present invention to this. Thus, in addition to a conventional minting tool, a punch, or an etching or embossing tool, laser engraving or, under certain circumstances, even computer-controlled 3D printing (for which appropriate alternative materials would have to be selected) can be used, for example, to produce the coins according to the invention.

[0040] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment of a rectangular coin of the coin system according to the invention, which has a length scale extending along each of its four edges over the entire edge length. The scale's graduations are provided at intervals of 1 mm, and its zero point is located at one of the corners. The graduations at 5 mm from the origin are shown slightly longer. The preferred size of this coin according to the invention is 2 x 1 cm, and the graduations at the halfway point of the coin, i.e., at 1 cm, are numbered. Additionally, the respective edge lengths of a longitudinal and a transverse edge, i.e., 2 cm and 1 cm respectively, are indicated and marked by double arrows. Furthermore, the measurement deviation of ± 1 mm is also noted (which in this case is assumed to be very high and corresponds to one full graduation mark).

[0041] The lower illustration is a side view of the coin's edge on the long side, which is also 20 mm long and 1 mm high, as indicated on the left of the image. Furthermore, it is a "reeded edge," with all the reeds representing extensions of the scale's graduations beyond the coin's edge.

[0042] Using such a coin according to the invention, lengths of up to 2 cm can be measured without difficulty; when using several of them, of course, even greater lengths are possible, which will be discussed in more detail later. Furthermore, the four length scales allow, for example, the comparison of the lengths of two objects placed on opposite sides of the coin, or the simultaneous measurement of the length and width of an object placed on the coin.

[0043] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of such a rectangular coin, in which the analogous reeded edge of one side is also shown, and, most importantly, all the graduations of the four scales are depicted as thin lines running the entire length or width of the coin. This embodiment significantly facilitates both the comparison of the lengths of two objects on opposite sides of the coin and the simultaneous measurement of the length and width of an object placed on the coin.

[0044] Fig. 4 shows a photograph of a first prototype of a coin of the coin system according to the invention, which largely corresponds to the embodiment schematically depicted in Fig. 2 with four length scales on the edges. However, the markings here refer to the mass (colloquially also: the weight) of the coin, which is indicated as 0.5 g – at least on the photographed side of the coin. In practice, the length scales would be marked on the opposite side of the coin. The latter also applies to all the other coins shown in Fig. 5 based on photographs of prototypes, which together constitute a complete coin system according to the invention (with the bottom row shown enlarged). These are rectangular or square and each has side lengths of 1 cm or 2 cm, a thickness or height of 1 mm, 2 mm, or 3 mm, and increasing masses, which are indicated on the photographed side in Fig. 5.From the smallest and thinnest coin (top left) to the largest and thickest (bottom right), these have the following values: 0.25 g, 0.5 g (for two coins above; one of which is the one from Fig. 4), 1 g, 2.0 g, 5.0 g and 10.0 g respectively.

[0045] The coins were each cut from different metal sheets, and the markings and numbers were engraved by hand by the inventor. When selecting the various metal alloys, particular attention must be paid to their specific gravity in order to obtain precise, rounded values ​​for the area, height, and weight of all the coins. In this particular case, the coins were made of aluminum or brass.

[0046] As the photographs in Figures 15 and 16 demonstrate, the heaviest coin of this embodiment of the system according to the invention (Figure 15) has a weight of 10.00 g, determined to two decimal places using a digital scale, which corresponds to a measurement deviation or inaccuracy of less than 0.01%. Figure 16 shows the simultaneous weight determination of three prototypes of the coin with a nominal weight of 1 g, whose combined weight is 3.02 g. The measurement deviation per coin is therefore less than 1% in this case.

[0047] In this way, such coins of the system according to the invention are also very well suited for determining the weight of various objects, for example, quite simply by comparing the weight of one or more coins held in one hand with that of an object held in the other hand, whereby the latter can be estimated at least approximately. However, using a balance scale, a weight measurement using several coins of the system according to the invention can even be carried out quite accurately.

[0048] Due to the different dimensions of the coins, the system according to the invention is also very well suited for determining the lengths, widths, and heights of a wide variety of objects. Figure 6 schematically illustrates a case where three identical coins, designated as "coin a", have a total length that is three times the length "a" of one "coin a", i.e., "3a". In this way, lengths up to "3a" can be measured quite accurately according to the present invention. Using the embodiment of the coin system according to the invention shown in Figure 5, this would, for example, be a length of up to 3 x 2 = 6 cm, as can be seen in the photograph in Figure 8, where three coins with a length of 2 cm (and a weight of 1 g; in Figure 5, top right) are arranged accordingly. Figure 6 thus demonstrates that a combination of coins according to the invention is homogeneous for length measurement, even if the coins are arranged offset from one another as shown.

[0049] Fig. 7 schematically shows the use of two different coins of the system, "coin a" and "coin b", for joint use in length measurement, whereby lengths up to the combined lengths of the two coins, i.e., "a+b", can be measured – with the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 above, therefore up to 2 + 1 = 3 cm. Fig. 7 thus shows that the combination of coins according to the invention for length measurement is not only homogeneous but also additive, since the length measurement represents a linear transformation.

[0050] Figures 9 and 10 schematically illustrate analogous height measurements using two coins according to the invention, with two identical coins of the system being combined in Figure 9 and two different coins of the system in Figure 10. Measurements up to the combined height of the two coins are again possible, for example, up to 2 x 3 = 6 mm (Figure 9) or 2 + 3 = 5 mm (Figure 10). It follows that height measurements using coins according to the invention are both homogeneous and additive, and thus represent linear mappings, so that the coins of the system according to the invention can be intuitively combined for length as well as for height or thickness measurements.

[0051] Figure 11 shows a photograph as a practical example of the use of three identical coins stacked on top of each other, from the system in Figure 5, again the one with a length of 2 cm (and a weight of 1 g) from Figure 8, which has a height of 2 cm, for measuring heights up to 3 x 2 = 6 mm. Since the coins in preferred embodiments do not have a rim, coins of different sizes can be stacked without slipping into each other and thus without causing a measurement error.

[0052] Figures 12, 13, and 14 illustrate the use of coins according to the invention for measuring length and height, using the example of a foil-wrapped chewy candy or sweet: Figure 12 shows the length being measured, Figure 13 shows the length and width being measured, which, by simple mental arithmetic, yields the area, each using the same two different coins of the system. In Figure 14, the height of the candy is measured using the largest coin, measuring 2 x 2 cm (with a thickness of 5 mm and a weight of 10 g). Due to the preferably flat edges of the coins, the coins according to the invention, especially those with a thickness of several millimeters, can also be stood upright and used for length measurement.

[0053] Finally, Figures 17 and 18 are photographs of a simple prototype of a coin according to the invention, featuring four length scales and an angle scale on the reverse. To be able to stamp an angle scale on one or more coins of the coin system according to the invention, in addition to at least one length scale, larger coin lengths than the previously shown 2 cm are recommended in order to be able to read the angles to be measured relatively accurately. However, significantly larger edge lengths would be rather disadvantageous for everyday use as cash and are therefore not preferable. Alternatively, the angle scale can be stamped on the reverse of the coins, as is the case with the prototype shown in Figures 17 and 18. On the obverse of the simple square prototype shown in Figure 17, cut from a brass plate, a length scale is depicted on each of the four edges (i.e.,(Drawn by the inventor to illustrate the principle of the invention), the zero point of which is located at 1 cm halfway along the coin's edge and is numbered on two sides. The graduations are provided at 1 mm intervals over the total length of 2 cm, with those at 5 mm and 1 cm being slightly extended. Furthermore, the coin's thickness (3 mm), size (2 x 2 cm), measurement deviation (± 1 mm), and weight (10 g) are indicated (in this order). On the reverse side, an angle scale in degrees is provided, with the origin at the midpoint. The scale's graduations are marked at 10° intervals by thin lines running continuously from the respective edge to the origin, allowing, for example, more precise measurement of small objects that can be placed on the coin. Additional graduations are also marked continuously at 45° and -45°.The graduations extend beyond the edge of the coin to facilitate, for example, the measurement of larger objects onto which the coin can be placed.

[0054] In summary, it can be stated that the present invention enables, for the first time, measurements of distances and, if necessary, angles using coins forming a coin system, which can be easily carried out by any owner of such coins without having to have a ruler, protractor, or the like at hand.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. A coin system comprising a multitude of coins, each bearing an imprint of different nominal values ​​in the respective currency unit, possibly also of the area of ​​validity, as well as possibly further imprints in the form of characters, one or more graphics and / or security features, characterized in that all coins of the system have a rectangular or square shape;and comprising, on at least one of the two sides, regularly spaced markings running parallel to the edges of the coins, which together form at least one scale running at right angles thereto for measuring lengths, wherein on each coin markings are such that at least one of these length scales runs along one of the edges, and wherein at least next to some of the markings a corresponding scale number and, where appropriate, the unit corresponding to the respective scale is also marked.

2. Coin system according to claim 1, characterized in that the zero point of the at least one scale is located in one of the corners or at half the edge length of the coins, wherein optionally the graduations are stamped at regular intervals of 1 mm, 5 mm and / or 1 cm, of which optionally at least some are numbered.

3. Coin system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the edge of the coins has a reeding, wherein the reeds are provided at regular intervals corresponding to the smallest unit of the length scale, e.g. 1 mm, such that at least some of the reeds on the edge of the coin represent extensions of all divisions of the scale beyond the edge of the coin.

4. Coin system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that all imprinted graduations extend inwards from the edge, wherein the coins either have no rim or an existing rim is interrupted by the respective graduations and wherein the edges of the coins are only slightly rounded.

5. Coin system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least some of the divisions extend over the entire length and / or width of the coins to the opposite edge.

6. Coin system according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that all coins have edge lengths corresponding to an integer multiple of the smallest unit of the scale divisible by five, e.g. edges whose length is each a multiple of 5 mm.

7. Coin system according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the coins have an edge length that varies according to their nominal value, wherein those with the highest nominal values ​​have the greatest edge length and vice versa, wherein optionally the greater edge lengths are 1.5 times, 2 times or 3 times the smallest edge length.

8. Coin system according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the coins have a thickness and / or weight that varies according to their nominal value, wherein those with the highest nominal values ​​have the greatest thickness and / or the greatest weight and vice versa, wherein optionally the greater thicknesses and / or higher weights are 1.5 times, 2 times or 3 times the smallest thickness and / or smallest weight.

9. Coin system according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the coins comprise on at least one of the two sides further regularly spaced markings of graduations which together form a scale for measuring angles and extend from at least one edge of the coin towards the origin the angular scale, wherein at least next to some of the graduations a corresponding scale number and, where appropriate, the unit corresponding to the respective scale is imprinted, wherein, where appropriate: a) the origin of the angular scale is located at an edge, e.g. at half the side length of the coins, and the corresponding graduations point at least from the edge of the coins opposite the origin towards the origin, or b) the origin of the angular scale is located in the middle of the coins at half the width and either i) at half the length of the coins or ii) in a range of 20-30% of the length of the coins, and the corresponding graduations point at least from two edges, where appropriate from all four edges, of the coins towards the origin; wherein, where appropriate, at least some of the graduations of the angular scale extend over substantially the entire length from the edges of the coins to the origin.

10. Coin system according to claim 9, characterized in that the origin of the angle scale: a) if it is located at one of the edges of the coins, is indicated by means of an imprinted arrow pointing towards the edge; or b) if it is located in the middle of the coins, i) is indicated in the form of an imprinted dot or circle or ii) is indicated by means of a circular perforation, to the center of which the corresponding graduations point.

11. Coin system according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that on the same side of the coins both an angular scale and at least one linear scale are embossed and both the zero point of at least one linear scale and the origin of the angular scale are located either i) at one of the edges at half the length of the coins or ii) in the middle of the coins exactly at the intersection of the diagonals of the rectangular or square shape.

12. Use of a coin system according to one of claims 1 to 1 for measuring distances and optionally weights, heights and / or angles, wherein optionally several coins are used together by placing them next to and adjacent to each other in order to determine distances which exceed the length of the largest coin.

13. Use according to claim 12, characterized in that the coins, depending on their face value, i) have a varying thickness and / or ii) a varying weight, and several coins are used together by i) stacking them on top of each other to determine heights which exceed the height of the thickest coin, and / or ii) placing them in a weighing pan to determine weights which exceed the weight of the heaviest coin.

14. Use according to claim 12, characterized in that the coins comprise an imprinted angle scale, the origin of which lies in the center of the coins and is indicated by a circular perforation, to the center of which the corresponding graduations point, wherein, for measuring angles, a coin of suitable size is placed on a point assumed to be the origin of the scale such that this point lies exactly in the center of the circular perforation in order to determine, starting from this origin, the angle between two points lying outside the surface of the coin.

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