PLAYING CARD SUPPORT DEVICE AND METHOD THEREFOR

PATENT COOPERATION TREATY APPLICATION

IN THE RECEIVING OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

Be it known that I, Joseph Palmer, residing at 122 Acadian Drive, Stockbridge, GA 30281, a citizen of the United States of America, have invented certain new and useful improvements in a PLAYING CARD SUPPORT DEVICE AND METHOD THEREFOR of which the following pages comprise the specification.

CROSS-REFERENCE AND PRIORITY CLAIM TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present Patent Cooperation Treaty Patent Application claims priority to, and the full benefit of, United States Provisional Application entitled "Playing Card Display Device and Method Therefor," filed on December 18, 2006 on behalf of Joseph Palmer, having assigned Serial Number 60/875,493.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to card games, and more specifically, to a device for displaying cards and a method therefor.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Card games have long been a preferred pastime of many individuals, and, over time, numerous and varied games have been developed. Some games, such as "texas hold'em" poker for example, involve dealing cards in a face-up manner upon a playing surface, whereafter each of a number of players may use the dealt cards, called community cards, in playing the game. Thus, each of the players involved in the game, as well as each observer, needs to see these community cards, such as in order to decide how to play a particular hand

of the game.

Conventionally, the community cards are placed centrally on a table in an attempt to make the community cards visible to all the players, and to spectators. Unfortunately, however, due to the large number of people that sometimes play in the game at the same time, some of the players may encounter difficulty in viewing the community cards.

In addition, as the game is being played, many players enjoy consuming food and beverages. When these foods and beverages spill on the table, the playing cards can be ruined. Therefore, in an effort to maintain the integrity of the game, food and beverages are often forbidden in the vicinity of card games.

It is desirable, therefore, to provide a device that improves the visibility of community cards, making them easier to see for all players of a card game, and that protects cards from environmental damage.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a playing card display device comprising a planar member having an upper surface disposed at an angle to a support on which said playing card display device rests, a foot connected to a lower edge of the planar member and disposed at an angle thereto for supporting at least one playing card disposed on the planar member, wherein the at least one playing card is elevated above, and inclined with respect to, the support when the at least one playing card is disposed on the planar member.

According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present invention, in its preferred form, is a playing card display device capable of retaining at least one playing card disposed thereon for viewing by players of a card game.

According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the playing card display device is capable of being moved relative to a support, such as a table, on which it rests.

According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the playing card display device includes lighting means for illuminating markings on a surface of at least one playing card.

According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the playing card display device includes lighting means for entertainment of the players and/or spectators of a card game, and/or for communication of information pertaining to the card game.

According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the playing card display device includes means for preventing damage to at least one playing card disposed thereon caused by spilled food and/or beverages, wind, rain, dust, smoke, ashes, or other substances found in the surrounding environment.

According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the playing card display device includes advertisements, instructions, slogans, logos, pictures, and/or other text or graphic representations printed, or otherwise reproduced thereon, or attached thereto.

According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the playing card display device includes at least one portion adapted and/or configured to receive one or more of a predetermined number of playing cards disposed thereon.

According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the playing card display device includes a power supply adapted and/or configured to power the lighting means.

According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the playing card display device includes means for releasably retaining at least one playing card disposed thereon.

According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the playing card display device includes a switch in operable connection with the lighting means to switch between

selected ones of a plurality of operation modes of the lighting means.

According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the playing card display device includes a luxurious, high friction, low friction, and/or water-resistant covering or surface, or the like.

According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the lighting means is removable.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reading the following Detailed Description and Claims in light of the accompanying drawing Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Accordingly, the present invention will be understood best through consideration of, and reference to, the following Figures, viewed in conjunction with the Detailed Description of the Invention referring thereto, in which like reference numbers throughout the various Figures designate like structure and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a playing card display device according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear perspective view of the device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side perspective view of the device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a playing card holding device according to the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the device of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of another playing card holding device according to the

present invention.

It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the invention to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION QF THE INVENTION

The present Patent Cooperation Treaty Patent Application claims priority to, and the full benefit of, United States Provisional Application entitled "Playing Card Display Device and Method Therefor," filed on December 18, 2006 on behalf of Joseph Palmer, having assigned Serial Number 60/875,493.

In describing preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the Figures, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention is not, however, intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

In that form of the preferred embodiment of the present invention chosen for purposes of illustration, Figs. 1-4 show playing card display device 100, preferably comprising planar member 110, foot 120, and base 130. Preferably, planar member 110 is relatively thin with respect to its length and width, and is preferably made from a lightweight and rigid material having high durability, illustratively such as plastic, wood, cardboard, paper material, metal, rubber, epoxy, glass, and/or combinations thereof. Planar member 110 further preferably has additional beneficial characteristics, such as water resistance, low cost, ease of workability, and/or other characteristics as will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art. Planar member 110, according to a preferred embodiment, is formed from a polycarbonate

material having a thickness of approximately l/δ" ¹ of an inch, having a length of approximately 18 inches, and a width of approximately 2Vi inches. Furthermore, planar member 110 may, optionally, include a surface, integral therewith or permanently or removably attached thereto, having beneficial characteristics, such as high friction, low friction, soft feel, high durability, water resistance, matte finish, glossy finish, and/or combinations thereof, among others. Optionally, planar member 110 includes felt 112 covering at least a portion of upper surface HOa.

Foot 120 preferably comprises the same or similar material as planar member 110 and may also optionally include a surface covering. Foot 120 may be attached to lower edge 110b of planar member 110, or may preferably be integrally formed with planar member 110. Foot 120 preferably extends approximately perpendicularly to the major axes of planar member 110 such that playing card display device generally has an L-shape cross-sectional profile, as is shown more clearly in Fig. 2. According to the preferred embodiment, foot 120 may be approximately l/8 ^th of an inch thick, 17 inches long, and 11 /16 ^th of an inch wide, centrally disposed on planar member 110.

Base 130 is preferably disposed on bottom surface HOd (Fig. 2), opposite upper surface 110a, at or near upper edge 110c of planar member 110. Base 130 preferably supports planar member 110 on a surface, such as table top 500, and maintains planar member 110 stable and disposed at an angle with respect to table top 500. For this purpose, base 130 may be a wedge, covering all, or nearly all of at least a portion of the bottom surface along the length from upper edge 110c to lower edge HOb. Alternatively, base 130 may cover only a portion that is substantially less than all of bottom surface HOd and that is proximate upper edge 110c, such that lower edge 110b rests on table top 500, thereby creating and maintaining the angular disposition of planar member 110 with respect to table top 500. According to a preferred embodiment, base 130 planar member HO, foot 120, and

base 130, when assembled, generally have a Z-shaped cross-sectional profile.

Playing card display device 100 may, optionally, include lighting means 140, such as an LED, incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, reflective, retro-reflective, glow-in-the-dark, or other lamp. Preferably, lighting means 140 includes an integral power supply and control means for controlling selective activation of any active elements of lighting means 140, including various activation patterns wherein selected ones of a plurality of individual lamps making up lighting means 140 are switched on, off, or between various operation modes, such as different brightness levels or colors, flashing patterns, or the like. Lighting means 140 may, optionally, be removable from playing card display device 100. According to a exemplary arrangement, lighting means 140 may include a plurality of portions, such as portions 140a, 140b, 140c, 14Od, 14Oe, and 14Of, arranged on upper surface 110a at different locations, generally dividing upper surface 110a into different regions 151, 153, 155, 157, and 159 where playing cards may be placed during a card game for viewing by players and/or spectators of the card game. Thus, playing card display device 100 preferably includes a plurality of separators, such as portions of lighting means 140 to create and/or define regions 151-159.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, creation and/or definition of such regions may be accomplished by alternative means than the illustrated portions of lighting means; for example, strips of material may be attached to, or formed on, upper surface 110a, such that regions 151, 153, 155, 157, and 159 define wells in which playing cards may be retained, and inhibit undesired movement of playing cards disposed therein. Alternatively, such wells or regions may be created and/or defined by integral separators formed by molding, machining, or the like. According to the preferred embodiment, each of regions 151-157 is approximately 2'λ inches wide and 2 '/2 inches long. In addition to including such separate regions 151-159, planar member 110 may be formed such that a playing card

disposed on upper surface 110a thereof and abutting foot 120 may overhang upper edge 110c, at least by a small amount, whereby a user may easily grasp the playing card for removal.

Markings 160 may optionally be included on playing card display device 100, preferably at least in regions 151, 153, 155, 157, and 159, and preferably also on foot 120. Markings 160 may be printed or otherwise integrally formed on playing card display device 100, or, alternatively, may be removably or permanently attached thereto using means such as labels, stickers, Velcro, magnetic means, or other suitable means. Additionally, one or more of markings 160 may be formed by an electronic display, such as an LCD display, an LED display, or the like, and may be configurable as desired with static, dynamic, and/or cyclical displays, and may, optionally, receive one or more control signal remotely via a control device. Markings 160 preferably comprise content such as words or images, including instructions, advertisements, slogans, logos, pictures, or other text or graphic representations. Preferably, at least one of lighting means 140 and markings 160 convey information about a card game being played to a player and/or a spectator, such as what game is being played, what stage of a hand of the game is currently being played, instructions regarding how to proceed with the game, results of the game, or the like.

Now referring more particularly to Fig. 4, playing card display device 100 optionally includes protective cover 410 disposed above, spaced apart from, and generally parallel to, upper surface 110. Thus, a playing card may be inserted in between upper surface 110 and cover 410, in space 420 and be protected therein from environmental hazards, such as wind, spilled foods or beverages, rain, smoke, dust, or ash, among other debris and contaminants that may soil, tarnish, or otherwise damage the playing cards. Protective cover 410 further prevents any unauthorized or undesired manipulation of the cards disposed thereunder by players and/or spectators, and, when transparent, protective cover preferably allows

unobstructed viewing of the playing cards. According to an alternative embodiment, protective cover 410 may take the form of a strap, elastic, magnetic, or Velcro-fastened means, as a sleeve or otherwise, configured and arranged to retain playing cards disposed on surface 110.

Now referring to Figs. 5 and 6, playing card holding device 600 preferably comprises a box shaped wall structure 610 defining partially enclosed space 605 in which playing cards can be stored. Separators 620 preferably divide partially enclosed space 605 into at least two portions, such as a first portion above, and a second portion below, separators 620, for separating playing cards of two categories, such as unused and used playing cards. Playing card storing device 600 preferably further includes lighting means 640, and may optionally include a power supply and control means. Playing card storing device 600, including lighting means 640, is preferably constructed from similar materials, using similar construction techniques, to playing card display device 100, and may be used in association therewith during a card game.

Now referring more particularly to Fig. 7, playing card holding device 700 preferably comprises planar member 710, foot 720, and base 730. Planar member 710 is preferably formed of a substantially rigid material, and is preferably the same or similar material to that of planar member 110. Foot 720 is preferably attached to planar member 710 proximate an edge thereof, and preferably extends generally perpendicularly therefrom. Likewise, base 730 is preferably attached to planar member 710, spaced from foot 720, to dispose planar member 710 at an incline with respect to a support surface, such as a table. Planar member 710 preferably further includes well 750 in which playing cards may preferably be disposed and retained. Well 750 may be formed by application of strips of material, as shown in Fig. 7, or may be formed by molding, machining, or the like. Lighting means 740 may, optionally be included according to the preference of a user, as may one or more printed messages,

slogans, designs, instructions, or the like, or other ornamentation.

In use, playing card display device 100 is preferably disposed proximate a dealer of a card game. As required by the particular card game being played, the dealer may deal cards in a face-up manner, placing the face-up cards on upper surface 110a of planar member 110 proximate an appropriate portion thereof, and below cover 410 if one is used, as required by the particular game. Subsequent actions may be made by the players, and/or the dealer, in response to the face-up cards displayed on playing card display device 100. Additional cards may be dealt face-up and likewise placed on different portions of upper surface HOa. When the card game, or a hand or round thereof, has concluded, the face-up cards may be collected from upper surface 110a and returned to the deck of cards.

According to one embodiment, the deck of cards is stored in partially enclosed space 605 of playing card holding device 600. When cards are dealt, only those cards dealt may be removed from playing card holding device 600 and given to a player, or placed on upper surface HOa proximate an appropriate portion thereof. When cards are used, such as if a player leaves a hand or folds, or otherwise discards, the used cards may be stored in a portion of partially enclosed space 605 separate from the portion in which the rest of the deck is stored, such as below or above separators 620. As required by the particular game, both the used cards and the rest of the deck may be removed from playing card storing device 600 for shuffling or other manipulation.

According to another embodiment, a respective playing card holder 700 may be associated with one or more, or each, player of the card game. As required by the selected game being played, if each player receives cards that are dealt in a face-down manner, the player may store such cards dealt face-down within well 750 playing card holder 700, wherein such cards may likewise be protected from damage, and, furthermore, wherein a clear indication may be made by such player that the player intends to continue playing the

hand. Should the player decide to fold his hand, removal of any cards dealt face down from playing card holder 700 may provide a clear signal to other players that the player has indeed folded.

If a particular game, such as poker, requires that the position of the dealer be adjusted at various points during a game, or between rounds or games, playing card display device 100 and playing card holding device 600, if used, may be moved to another position proximate the position of the new dealer for use thereby. Alternatively, however, if practicable and desired, playing card storing device 600 may be fixed to, or integral with a playing structure such as table top 500. As with playing card display device 100, playing card holder 700 may be separate or integral with a card table.

Having, thus, described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein, but is only limited by the following claims.