Card display apparatus

Abstract

A card display apparatus for securely loading, maintaining, removing, and displaying a game or collector card. The apparatus includes a housing having an inner space configured to contain at least one card. The inner space of the housing has a width that is substantially equal to the uniform width of a card, with or without a protective cover.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This present invention generally relates to displaying of collectables and in particular to a card display configured to hold one or more collectable or the like cards.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Cards have been very popular for centuries and are a basis for a large number of games and / or displays. The popularity of collector cards has only increased in the rise of online marketplaces and trading platforms making it easier for collectors to buy, sell and trade cards from around the world. For purposes of this specification, cards discussed include playing cards which have a size approximately 3.5 inches tall and 2.5 inches wide. There are also numerous types of collector or trading cards that are sized to approximate the size of playing cards. These cards are often associated with various hobbies and interests.

[0003] For instance, athletic collector cards encompass a wide range of sports and related activities. Baseball cards are among the earliest and most popular types of collector cards. They feature baseball players and have been produced by various companies since the late 19th century. Many people collect baseball cards because they evoke memories of their childhood or of watching their favorite players and teams. The cards often represent moments in sports history that hold sentimental value. Some collectors view baseball cards as an investment, hoping that their value will appreciate over time. Rare or vintage cards, especially those featuring Hall of Fame players or significant moments, can fetch high prices in the collector's market.

[0004] Football cards feature players from American football teams. Basketball cards showcase players from basketball leagues such as the NBA (National Basketball Association) and WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association). They have a dedicated collector base and are produced by companies like Topps, Panini and Upper Deck. Hockey cards feature players from ice hockey leagues, including the NHL (National Hockey League). They are popular among hockey fans and collectors and are produced by companies like Upper Deck. Soccer cards, also known as football cards in many parts of the world, feature players from soccer leagues and teams around the globe. Golf cards showcase professional golfers and significant moments in golfing history. While not as common as other sports cards, they still have a dedicated following among golf enthusiasts. Such cards became popular in the mid-20th century and are produced by companies such as Topps, Panini, and Upper Deck.

[0005] Non-sports cards encompass a broad range of themes, including entertainment-related subjects. For instance, Pokémon trading cards are popular among collectors, especially among fans of the Pokémon franchise. The Gathering Cards is a popular collectible card game (CCG) that features fantasy-themed cards with unique artwork and abilities. “Yu-Gi-Oh!” trading cards are another popular collectible card featuring characters, monsters, and spells from the Yu-Gi-Oh! series. Marvel collectible cards featuring characters from Marvel and DC comic books such as Super Hero cards, feature artwork, character profiles, and information about various comic book series. Collectible cards also include playing cards of universities and college sports teams such as those produced by Parody Productions and their Hero Decks such as Ohio State Football Heroes playing cards wherein each card has a particular player's image and bio. There are many other categories such as Chicago Heroes (groupings by city's professional sports teams), political parties, horse racing, country music stars, Hollywood, poker heroes, Rock & Roll and even playing cards featuring American Revolution heroes with a history lesson on every Hero's card making it a learning tool for children. These are just a few examples of collector cards. There are many other types of trading cards available, covering a wide range of interests and hobbies.

[0006] Collecting cards can be a hobby that provides enjoyment and a sense of accomplishment. Organizing and cataloging cards, trading with others, and completing sets can be fulfilling activities for enthusiasts. Collecting cards can be a social activity that brings people together. Whether it's trading with friends, attending card shows, or participating in online forums and communities, collectors often enjoy connecting with others who share their passion.

[0007] Overall, the reasons for collecting cards are diverse and can vary from person to person, but they often reflect a combination of nostalgia, investment potential, personal interest in the sport, and social connection within the collector community.

[0008] Playing cards may need to be displayed to players. Particularly, when a playing card (e.g., a Knock Card for a Gin Rummy game) needs to be displayed for the purposes of game play, it reveals important information for the players to consider and analyze, often determining further game strategies and such devices are also intended to hide cards, or portions of cards, so no information can be revealed as cards are moved during the playing of a game, inopposite to the present invention. Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 10,039,972 entitled “PLAYING CARD DISPENSER AND DISPLAY APPARATUS”, and U.S. Pat. No. 11,654,347 entitled “PLAYING CARD DISPENSER AND DISPLAY APPARATUS” are directed to display only the upper portion of the most forward card in the deck while the majority of the card is totally blocked from view as are the entire faces of the subsequent cards in the deck in order to not give information about any subsequent Knock Cards.

[0009] What is presently lacking in the art is a card display apparatus of a shape that can be used for securely holding and displaying the full face of a collector card or playing card. The subject invention is in opposition to the two patents previously mentioned where, in both cases, the majority of the most forward card (and the totality of all subsequent cards) is purposely hidden.

[0010] It is common in most gin rummy games to use a whiskey or cocktail glass to hold a full deck of playing cards to be used as the Knock Card deck. The size and shape of such a glass is not tailored to securely hold a standard playing card deck and the cards can easily shift within the glass which may prematurely expose (inadvertent or intentionally) significant information of a subsequent Knock Card that could provide an unfair advantage to one or more players, disturb the gaming process and lower the integrity of the game. The present invention serves a completely different function and is exactly opposite the two previously mentioned patents for its purpose is to fully expose and display the full face of the forward most card with no concern for premature information on subsequent cards being exposed.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0012] The invention comprises a card display apparatus that includes a housing that is placed on the top surface of a tabletop for displaying one or more collector cards or the like therewithin. Side walls for the card display apparatus are spaced apart from one another the approximate width of a card, or a card placed within a protective enclosure. Protective covers may be used for all cards to prevent exposure to the elements. Such a protective cover may consist of a plastic film or a transparent box, either of which operate as protective enclosures.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the housing includes a rear wall, wherein the rear wall forms an angle ranging from about zero (0°) degrees to about one hundred eighty (180°) degrees, relative to the tabletop; a front wall substantially parallel to the rear wall; two opposite side walls substantially parallel to one another, carefully sized to closely and telescopically receive a standard playing card deck or collectables cards with the sides extending between the front wall and the rear wall to join same respectively.

[0014] The deck storage and displaying region as defined by the front, rear, and side walls is configured to contain a collector card. The width and the height of the housing are configured to enable a user to manually lift a card, with or without a cover, from the front or the rear of the housing.

[0015] In yet other embodiments of the invention, the angle between the rear wall and the tabletop ranges from about forty (40°) degrees to about ninety (90°) degrees.

[0016] In other embodiments, each side wall of the housing can be round or formed in the shape of a rectangle, a parallelogram, or a trapezoid. A base of the housing includes a rubber or the like friction enhancing material.

[0017] In one preferred embodiment, at least one of the front walls and the rear wall of the housing is shaped as a rectangle. The display will securely hold the entire deck or portions thereof and handsomely sit on a desk, dresser, night stand, and the like. The cards can be moved from front to back, or back to front, to display the next card.

[0018] In some embodiments, each side of apparatus further includes a triangle-shaped side wing extending between the rear wall and the tabletop.

[0019] In some embodiments, the walls, cover or wings of the apparatus may include a region for accommodating promotional notation or other designs and / or text.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The following drawings illustrate by way of example and not limitation. For the sake of brevity and clarity, every feature of a given structure is not always labeled in every figure in which that structure appears. Identical reference numbers do not necessarily indicate an identical structure. Rather, the same reference number may be used to indicate a similar feature or a feature with similar functionality, as may non-identical reference numbers.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a top right perspective view of an embodiment of display apparatus according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a top left perspective view of the display apparatus of FIG. 1, according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 3 is an elevated rear view of the display apparatus of FIG. 1, according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 4 is an elevated front view of the display apparatus of FIG. 1, according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 5 is an elevated left side view of the display apparatus of FIG. 1, according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 6 is an elevated right side view of the display apparatus of FIG. 1, according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 7 is a top plane view of the display apparatus of FIG. 1, according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 8 is a bottom left perspective view of the display apparatus of FIG. 1, according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 9 is a bottom plane view of the display apparatus of FIG. 1, according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 10 is a top right view of an alternative embodiment of the display apparatus of FIG. 1, according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 11 is a top right view of an alternative embodiment of the display apparatus of FIG. 1, according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 12 is a top left view of an alternative embodiment of the display apparatus of FIG. 1, according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 13 is a top left view of an alternative embodiment of the display apparatus of FIG. 1, according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 14 is a top left view of an alternative embodiment of the display apparatus of FIG. 1, according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 15 is a top right view of an alternative embodiment of the display apparatus of FIG. 1, according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 16 is a top right view of an alternative embodiment of the display apparatus of FIG. 1, according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

[0037] FIG. 17 is a top left view of an alternative embodiment of the display apparatus of FIG. 1, according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 18 is a top right view of an alternative embodiment of the display apparatus of FIG. 1, according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 19 is a top right view of an alternative embodiment of the display apparatus of FIG. 1, according to various embodiments of the disclosure;

[0040] FIG. 20 is a top left view of an alternative embodiment of the display apparatus of FIG. 1, according to various embodiments of the disclosure; and

[0041] FIG. 21 is a top left view of an alternative embodiment of the display apparatus of FIG. 1, according to various embodiments of the disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Furthermore, in the detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and other features have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present display apparatus.

[0043] Generally speaking, various embodiments of the present invention provide for a display apparatus for securely loading, maintaining, removing, and displaying standard sized collector cards. The invention is not limited to collector cards and may be used to display calendar cards, playing cards and the like. An adapter insert may be employed having a height, width and depth, capable of being juxtaposed to one or more of said bottom, side, front and rear walls, respectively, to convert the dimensions of the housing to, in turn, accommodate decks of varying height, width and depth.

[0044] Referring to the Figures in general, illustrated is a preferred embodiment of display apparatus 100, according to the present invention. FIGS. 1 and 2 shows a perspective view of the display apparatus 100, and FIGS. 3-9 show the rear, front, side, top, and bottom view of apparatus 100, respectively. Alternative designs of the display apparatus 100 are shown in FIGS. 10-17 according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

[0045] The display apparatus 100 is used on a generally horizontal tabletop 101. The display region formed by the walls of the housing 50 may accommodate the thickness 37 of a single card or a playing card deck, through depth 37 (FIGS. 1 and 2) between front wall 51 and rear wall 52. Likewise, side walls 54 and 55 are spaced apart to width 36 to closely receive a card.

[0046] Housing 50 is positioned on the tabletop 101, as shown in FIGS. 1-9. Housing 50 includes front wall 51, rear wall 52, bottom wall 53, two opposite side walls 54 and 55, and a base 62. Those six walls collectively form an inner space—i.e., a deck storage and displaying region—which has a width closely approximate to the width of a conventional collector card, which approximates a standard playing card.

[0047] The walls of the housing 50 are fabricated of transparent material. As such, a card in housing 50 is also visible through the transparent portion of front wall 56. Translucent or opaque may also be employed but the transparent material is preferred to optimize the card viewing angles. The front wall cutout portion allows for an unobstructed view of the card.

[0048] Side walls 54 and 55 of housing 50, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are opposite one another, and are substantially parallel to each other. Side walls 54 and 55 are spaced apart from one another at distance 36, the approximate width of a standard collector or playing card. This serves to limit or avoid the undesired shifting of the card. Each of side walls 54 and 55 of housing 50 may be in the shape of a rectangle, a parallelogram, or a trapezoid. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, side walls 54 and 55 each have a trapezoidal shape.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, rear wall 52 is substantially parallel to front wall 51 and may be also in the shape of a rectangle. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, rear wall 52 may form an angle relative to tabletop 101. That angle may range from about zero (0°) degrees to about one hundred eighty (180°) degrees, or more preferably from about forty (40°) degrees to about ninety (90°) degrees, thereby improving the position from which users can view the card(s) displayed by apparatus 100.

[0050] Further, to support or balance rear wall 52, housing 50 may include two opposite side wings (e.g., side wings 58 and 59). Apparatus 100 may also include a logo on the top cover 60, at logo position 61 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 7), or on side walls 54 and 55, or front wall 51.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, base 62 extends between the two side walls 54, 55 and remains on the tabletop 101. In a preferred embodiment, extending from a wall of the base 62 is a rubberized pad 64 made of a non-slip material to prevent unwanted movement of the display apparatus 100. The base is optional, the sidewalls can operate as the base.

[0052] In some other embodiments, while the angle between the rear wall and the tabletop is less than 90 degrees, the bottom wall may have a tapered thickness, in order to form a generally 90-degree angle between the bottom wall and the rear wall. The size and shape of the other embodiments are not limiting.

[0053] An alternative design of the display apparatus 200, as shown in FIG. 10, includes front wall 251, rear wall 252, bottom wall 253, two opposite side walls 254 and 255 and a base. Those six walls collectively form an inner space—i.e., a deck storage and displaying region—which has a width closely approximate to the width of a conventional collector card, which approximates a standard playing card. Display apparatus 200 includes a top cover 260.

[0054] Another alternative design of the display apparatus 300, as shown in FIG. 11, includes front wall 351, rear wall 352, bottom wall 353, a continuous circle side wall 354, and a base. These walls collectively form an inner space for display of at least one card. Display apparatus 300 also includes a top cover 360.

[0055] FIG. 12 shows yet another alternative design of the display apparatus 100. Display apparatus 400 includes front wall 451, rear wall 452, two opposite side walls 254 (not shown) and 255, and an elongated base. These walls collectively form an inner surface for display of at least one card. The elongated base protrudes from the rear of the display apparatus 400 and provides a top surface 460 for promotional material.

[0056] Likewise, FIG. 13 shows yet another alternative design of the display apparatus 100. Display apparatus 500 includes front wall 551, rear wall 552, two opposite side walls 554 (not shown) and 555, and an elongated base. Rear side wall 552 includes a dual cutout in the card display. These walls collectively form an inner surface for display of at least one card. The elongated base protrudes from the rear of the display apparatus and provides a top surface 560 for promotional material.

[0057] FIG. 14 shows yet another alternative design of the display apparatus 100. Display apparatus 600 includes front wall 651, rear wall 652, two opposite side walls 654 (not shown) and 655, and an elongated base. Rear side wall 652 includes a continuously straight back for the card display. These walls collectively form an inner surface for display of at least one card. The elongated base protrudes from the rear of the display apparatus 600 and provides a top surface 660 for promotional material.

[0058] Another alternative design of the display apparatus 700, as shown in FIG. 15, includes front wall 751, rear wall 752, bottom wall 753, two opposite side walls 754 and 755 (not shown), and a base. The housing of display apparatus 700 in this embodiment is triangular in shape. These walls collectively form an inner space for display of at least one card. Display apparatus 700 also includes a top cover 760.

[0059] Yet another alternative design of the display apparatus 800, as shown in FIG. 16, includes front wall 851, rear wall 852, bottom wall 853, a plurality of side walls 854, 857 that extend the exterior of the housing, and a base. The housing of display apparatus 800 in this embodiment is in the shape of a polygon. These walls collectively form an inner space for display of at least one card. Display apparatus 800 also includes a top cover 860 with a cavity 862 for aesthetics and for the display of promotional material.

[0060] FIG. 17 shows yet another alternative design of the display apparatus 100. Display apparatus 900 includes front wall 951, rear wall 952, two opposite side walls 954 (not shown) and 955, and an elongated base. These walls collectively form an inner surface for display of at least one card. The elongated base protrudes from the rear of the display apparatus 900 and provides a top surface 960 for promotional material.

[0061] An alternative design of the display apparatus 1000, as shown in FIG. 18, includes front wall 1051, rear wall 1052, bottom wall covered by a top cover 1060, two opposite side walls 1054 and 1055 (not shown), and a base. Here, the walls collectively form a substantially horizonal inner space—i.e., a deck storage and displaying region—which has a width closely approximate to the width of a conventional collector card, which approximates a standard playing card. Display apparatus 1000 includes a logo position 1061 located on the top cover 1060.

[0062] Yet another alternative design of the display apparatus 1100, as shown in FIG. 19, includes front wall 1151, rear wall 1152, bottom wall 1153, two opposite side walls 1154 and 1155 (not shown), and a base. These walls collectively form an inner space for display of at least one card. The housing of display apparatus 1100 this embodiment is substantially horizontal with an opening for the display of a conventional collector card. Display apparatus 1100 also includes a top cover 1160.

[0063] Another alternative design of the display apparatus 1200, as shown in FIG. 20, includes front wall 1251, rear wall 1252 with a slight taper, bottom wall 1253, two opposite side walls 1254 (not shown) and 1255, and a base. These walls collectively form an inner space for display of at least one card.

[0064] Similarly, display apparatus 1300, as shown in FIG. 21, includes a front wall 1351, rear wall 152 with the same slight taper, a bottom wall (not shown), two opposite side walls 1354 (not shown) and 1355, and a base. The inner space functions similarly to display apparatus 1200, with an extended front wall 1351.

[0065] The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A card display comprising: a housing having a rear wall positioned substantially parallel to a front wall with two opposite side walls substantially y parallel to one another extending at least between the front wall and the rear wall to join same respectively, said side walls being spaced apart from one another the approximate width of a card, a bottom wall enclosed between said front wall, said rear wall, and said side walls; said front, rear, side, and bottom walls collectively forming a substantially rectangular displaying region, with the rear walls of the interior forming a right angle therebetween one another, so as to be capable of containing a card; said front wall being lower than the uniform height of said card; wherein the width and the height of the housing are configured to enable access to said card at both the front and rear of the housing.

2. The card display of claim 1, wherein each said wall is transparent.

3. The card display of claim 1, wherein an angle between said rear wall and a tabletop ranges from about forty (40°) degrees to about ninety (90°) degrees.

4. The card display of claim 1, wherein each side wall of said housing having a shaped selected from the group consisting of: square, rectangular, parallelogram, trapezoid or round.

5. The card display of claim 1, wherein the front wall and said rear wall are of substantially the same height.

7. The card display of claim 1 including an adapter insert having a height, width and depth, capable of being juxtaposed to one or more of said bottom, side, front and rear walls, respectively, to convert the dimensions of the housing to, in turn, accommodate decks of varying height, width and depth.

8. The card display according to claim 1 in which one or more of said front side and rear walls of said housing includes a notation region for displaying promotional information.

9. The card display according to claim 1, wherein the angle between said rear wall and said tabletop is less than 90 degrees, said bottom wall having a tapered thickness between the bottom wall and the rear wall.

10. The card display according to claim 1 include a base extending between said side walls.

11. The card display according to claim 10 including a non-slip material attached to the base.

12. The card display according to claim 1 in which one or more of side walls of said housing includes a notation region for displaying promotional information.

13. The card display according to claim 1, wherein each said wall is transparent and said base wall is opaque.

14. The card display according to claim 1, wherein said side walls are spaced apart from one another the approximate width of a card placed within a protective cover.

15. The card display according to claim 1, wherein at least one said wall is opaque.

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