FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of playing cards, and more particularly to playing cards having a modified indicia to increase card security.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Playing cards have been around for many years and are used to play a variety of games, including blackjack, poker, and baccarat. The most common type of playing cards consist of a deck of 52 cards, divided out into four different suits; Hearts (V), Diamonds (♦), Spades (*), and Clubs ( ) printed on the face of each card. The card suits are also color coded, with the Hearts (V) and Diamonds (♦) being generally provided in red and the Spades (#), and Clubs ( ) being generally provided in black.

Each of the four suits consists of thirteen ranks cards, including numbered cards two (2) through ten (10), and face cards Jack (J), Queen (Q). King (K), and Ace (A). The face of the cards include indicia printed in diagonal upper and lower corners having the rank and suit of the card, for example 9*. Thus each card will contain on its face a suit indication along with a number or letter indication. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to playing cards having modified indentifying indicia for use in card games. For card games, a playing card deck typically has fifty-two playing cards divided equally into four suits, Hearts (V), Diamonds (♦), Spades (#>), and Clubs (Φ). Each of the suits has numbered cards, two (2) through ten (10), and face cards, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace. On each of the numbered cards and face cards there is a face having a center region and a pair of diagonally opposing corners. The numbered cards including a series of pips positioned within the center region. The pips have suit indicia and a quantity indicative of a rank of the playing card. The face cards having a rank image and suit indicia within the center region. Each of the playing cards have a modified indentifying indicia positioned proximal to each of the diagonal corners. The modified indentifying indicia increases the difficulty is reading, peaking, the playing card corners during shuffling, dealing, and game play.

In an embodiment, the indentifying indicia can be printed on the face of the playing cards in a ghost print. The ghost print decreases the contrast between face of the playing cards and the indentifying indicia. in another embodiment, the identifying indicia is spaced from a top/bottom edge of the playing cards, The indentifying indicia can be positioned substantially between the edge of the playing cards and a center line of the playing cards.

The identifying indicia can include an alphanumeric rank indicator. The rank indicator can be positioned within the center region of the playing cards. For the numbered cards the rank indicator can be positioned within the pip proximal to the opposing diagonal corners. For the face cards the rank indicator can be positioned within the suite indicia in the center region. Alternatively, the rank indicator can be position proximal to an edge of the center regions. For the numbered cards the rank indicator can positioned between a pip proximal to the opposing diagonal comers and a top/bottom edge of the playing card. For the face cards the rank indicator can positioned between the suit indicia and an edge of a playing card.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary prior art playing card;

FIG. 2 depicts a modified playing card of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 depicts another modified playing card of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 depicts another modified playing card of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 depicts another modified playing card of the present disclosure:

FIG. 6 depicts another modified playing card of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 depicts another modified playing card of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 depicts another modified playing card of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 depicts a face card of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 depicts modified face card of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 depicts another modified playing card of the present disclosure: and FIG. 12 depicts another modified playing card of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed towards playing cards having modified i dicia that can be used to increase the security of the playing cards during shuffling, dealing, and/or game play. The modified indicia are provide in opposing primary diagonal corners of the playing cards which make it difficult to read, peak, the corners of the playing cards during shuffl ing, dealing or game play.

Referring now to the drawing figures in which like reference designators refer to like elements, there is shown in FIG, 1 an exemplary prior art playing card 10. The face 12 of the playing card 1 0 is rectangular and has a pair of diagonally opposing primary comers 14 and 16. The corners 14 and 16 of the playing card 10 include identifying indicia 18, having rank 20 and suit 22 indicators of the playing card 10. For numbered cards, two (2) through ten (10), a center region 24 of the face 12 of the playing card 30 includes a series of pips 26, suit indicia, provided in a quantity indicative of the rank of the playing card 10.

In the exemplary playing card 10, the pips 26 are provide as Spades (Φ ) to represent the suit of the playing card 10, and in a quantity of nine (9) to represent the rank of the playing card 10. For numbered cards, two (2) through ten (10), the suit and number of pips 26 on the face 12 of any card correspond the rank 20 and suit 22 indicators in the diagonally opposing primary corners 14 and 16 of the face 12 of the playing card 10.

Referring to FIG. 9, for face cards 30, Jack (J), Queen (Q), King (K), and Ace (A), the face 32 of the face card 30 is rectangular and has a pair of diagonally opposing primary corners 34 and 36. The comers 34 and 36 of the face card 30 include identifying indicia 38, having rank 40; J, Q, K, and A, and suit 42; ¥,♦, and * indicators of the face card 30. A center region 44 of the face 32 of the face card 30 includes a rank image 46 to indentify the card rank, and suit indicia 48 identifying the suit of the face card 30,

In the exemplary face card 30, the rank image 46 is that of a queen, and is provided with

* suit indicia 48 to represent the suit of the face card 30. The rank image 46 and suit indicia 48 in the center region 44 correspond to rank 40 and suit 42 indicators in the diagonally opposing primary comers 34 and 36 of the face 32 of the face card 30.

Referring to FIG, 2, a modified indicia playing card 50 is provided. The face 12 of the playing card 10 is rectangular and has a pair of diagonally opposing primary comers 14 and 16. The comers 14 and 16 of the playing card 10 include identifying indicia 52, having rank 54 and suit 56 indicators of the playing card 50. For numbered cards, two (2) through ten (10), a center region 24 of the face 12 of the playing card 50 includes a series of pips 26, suit indicia, provided in a quantity indicative of the rank of the playing card 50

In playing card 50, th e pips 26 are provide as Diamonds (♦) to represent the suit of the playing card 10, and in a quantity of nine (9) to represent the rank of the playing card 50. For numbered cards, two (2) through ten (10), the suit and number of pips 26 on the face 12 of any card correspond the rank 54 and suit 56 indicators in the diagonally opposing primary comers 14 and 16 of the face 12 of the playing card 50.

The rank 54 and suit 56 indicia are printed on the playing card 50 in a "ghost" and/or "shadow" format, being lighter in shading then the pips 26 provided in the center region 24 of the playing card 50. Similarly, for face cards, not shown, identifying indicia 52, having rank 54 and suit 56 indicators, in the comers 34 and 36 of the playing card 30 are printed on the playing card 30 in the "ghost" and/or "shadow" format, being lighter is shading then rank image 46 and suit indicia 48 provided in the center region 44 of the playing card 30.

The ghost format provides a decreased contrast between the face 12 of the playing card

50 and the identifying indicia 52, making it more difficult to read the comers 14 and 16 of the playing card 50 during shuffling and dealing.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the identifying indicia 52 is provided in ghost print, However, it is contemplated that the identifying indicia 52 can be provide in regulate print, and the pips 25, rank image 46, and suit indicia 48 can be provided in ghost print.

Referring to FIG. 3, a modified indicia playing card 60 is provided. The face 12 of the playing card 10 is rectangular and has a pair of diagonally opposing primary corners 14 and 16. The corners 14 and 16 of the playing card 60 include identifying indicia 52. having rank 54 and suit 56 indicators of the playiiig card 50. For numbered cards, two (2) through ten (10), a center region 24 of the face 12 of the playing card 50 includes a series of pips 62, suit indicia, provided in a quantity indicative of the rank of the playing card 50

In the exemplary playing card 60, the pips 62 are provided as Diamonds ( ) to represent the suit of the playing card 60, and in a quantity of nine (9) to represent the rank of the playing card 60. For numbered cards, two (2) through ten (10), the suit and number of pips 62 on the face 12 of any card correspond the rank 54 and suit 56 indicia 52 in the diagonally opposing primary comers 14 and 16 of the face 12. of the playing card 60, The rank 54 and suit 56 indicators can be printed on the playing card in a "ghost" and/or '"shadow" format, being lighter is shading then the pips 62 provided in the center region 24 of the playing card 60.

The pips 62 in the center region 24 of the playing 60 are reduced in size, decreasing the area of the center region 24. The reduction in size of the center region 24 spaces the pips 62 further from the edges 64, 66, 68, and 70 of the playing card 60.

Similarly, for face cards, not shown, the rank image 46 and suit indicia 48 in the center regi on 44 are reduced in size, decreasing the area of the center region 44. The reduction is size of the center region 44 spaces the rank image 46 and suit indicia 48 further from the edges 64, 66, 68, and 70 of the playing card 60.

The reduction in size of the center regions 24 and 44 makes it more difficult to read the pips 62 and rank image 46 and suit indicia 48 of the playing cards 60 during shuffling and dealing, In an exemplary embodiment, the center regions 24 and 44 are reduced in size about 10% from the prior art playing card 10. However, this size reduction is only exemplary, and other size reductions are contemplated,

Furthermore, the playing card 60 is depicted with the ghost formatted rank 54 and suit 56 indicators. However, it is contemplated that the playing cards 60 can be utilized without the ghost formatted rank 54 and suit 56 indicators.

Referring to FIG. 4, a modified indicia playing card 70 is provided. Playing card 70 provides a decreased contrast between the face of the playing cards and the indicia printed thereon. For example, the face 72 of the playing card 70 includes a slightly gray paper or ink on which the indentifying indicia 18 and 52 and pips 26 and 62 are printed. The use of the grey paper decreasing the contrast between the face 72 of the playing card 70 the indentifying indicia 18 and 52, and pips 26 and 62. making it more difficult to read the indentifying indicia 18 and

52, and pips 26 and 62 during shuffling and dealing. Similarly, the decrease in contrast can be utilized on the face cards,

It is contemplated that the embodiments provided in FIGS. 2-4 can be utilized either in combination or separately.

Referring to FIG, 5, playing card 80 includes the rectangular face 12 and has a pair of diagonally opposin primary corners 14 and 16. The comers 14 and 16 of the playing card 80 include identifying indicia 18, having rank 82 and suit 22 indicators of the playing card 80. For numbered cards, two (2) through ten (10), a center region 24 of the face 12 of the playing card 80 includes a series of pips 26, suit indicia, provided in a quantity indicative of the rank of the playing card 80

In contrast to playing card 10, as provide in FIG. L the rank indicator 82 in playing card 80 is positioned on an opposite side of the suit indicator 22, relative to the edge 84 of the playing card 80. This positioning of the rank indicator 82 moves the indentifying indicia away from the edge 84 of the playing card 80, making it more difficult for read the corners 14 and 16 of the playing card 80 during shuffling and dealing. The rank indicia are similarly placed on face cards.

Referring to FIG. 6, playing card 90 includes the rectangular face 12 and has a pair of diagonally opposing primary comers 14 and 16, The comers 14 and 1 6 of the playing card 80 include identifying indicia 92, having rank 94 and suit 96 indicators of the playing card 90. For numbered cards, two (2) through ten (10), a center region 24 of the face 12 of the playing card 90 includes a series of pips 26, suit indicia, provided in a quantity indicati v e of the rank of the playing card 80 In contrast to playing card 10, as provide in FIG. 1, identifying indicia 92 in playing card 90 is positioned spaced from the edge 98 of the playing card 90, towards a center line 100 of the playing card 90, This positio ing of the identifying indicia 92 towards the center line 100 of the playing card 90 makes it more difficult to read the corners 14 and 16 of the playing card 90 during shuffling and dealing. The indentifying indicia are similarly placed on face cards.

Referring to FIG. 7 playing card 1 10 includes the rectangular face 12 and has a pair of diagonally opposing primary comers 14 and 16. The comers 14 and 16 of the playing card 1 10 include identifying indicia 1 12, having rank 114 and suit 1 18 indicators of the playing card 1 10. For numbered cards, two (2) through ten (10), a center region 24 of the face 12 of the playing card 1 10 includes a series of pips 26, suit indicia, provided in a quantity indicative of the rank of the playing card 80

In contrast to playing card 10, as provide in FIG. 1 , the rank indicator 114 in playing card 110 is positioned on an opposite side of the suit indicator 116, relative to the edge 118 of the playing card 110. This positioning of the rank indicator 114 moves the indentifying indicia away from the edge 118 of the playing card 110.

Furthermore, identifying indicia 1 12 in playing card 1 10 is positioned spaced from the edge 1 18 of the playing, to wards a center line 120 of the playing card 1 10. This combination of the positioning of the rank and suit indicators 1 14 and 1 16 and the moving of the identifying indicia 112 towards the center line 120 of the playing card 1 10 makes i more difficult to read the comers 14 and 16 of the playing card 1 10 daring shuffling and dealing. The indentifying indicia are similarly placed on face cards.

Referring to FIG. 8, a playing card 130 is provided. The face 132 of the playing card 130 is rectangular and lias a pair of diagonally opposing primary corners 134 and 136. For number cards, two (2) through ten (10), a center region 138 of the face 132 of the playing card 130 includes a series of pips 140, suit indicia, provided in quantity indicative of the rank of the playing card 130. The pips 140 are positioned in a diagonal region between the pair of diagonally opposing corner 134 and 136. In this manner at least one pip 140 is substantially proximal to each of the diagonally opposing comers 134 and 136,

In the exemplary playing card 130, the pips 140 are provide as Spades (*) to represent the suit of the playing card 130, and in a quantity of nine (9) to represent the rank of the playing card 130.

A rank indicator 142 is further provided in the pips 143 adjacent to the diagonally opposing primary corners 134 and 136 of the face 132 of the playing card 130. The rank indicator 142 corresponds to the number of pips 140 provided on the face 132 of the playing card

130

Referring to FIG. 10, for face cards 150, Jack (J), Queen (Q), King (K), and Ace (A). The face 152 of the face card 150 is rectangular and has a pair of diagonally opposing primary comers 154 and 156. A center region 158 of the face 152 of the face card 150 includes rank image 160 indem ⁿ ifying the card rank, and suit indicia 162 identifying the suit of the face card 150. The suit indicia 162 is proximate to, spaced from, the diagonally opposing primary comers 154 and 156, A rank indicator 164 is further provided in the suit indicia 162. The rank indicator 164 corresponds to the rank image 160 provided on the face 152 of the playing card 150.

In the exemplary face card 150, the rank image 160 is that of a queen, and is provided with * suit indicia 162 to represent the suit of the face card 150. The rank indicator 164 is provided in the suit indicia 162. The rank indicator 164 corresponds to the queen rank image

160 provided on the face 152 of the playing card 150 Referring to FIG. 1 1 , a playing card 170 is provided. The face 17.2 of the playing card 170 is rectangular and has a pair of diagonally opposing primary corners 174 and 176. For numbered cards, two (2) through ten (10), a center region 178 of the face 172 of the playing card 170 includes a series of pips 180, suit indicia, provided in a quantity indicative of the rank of the playing card 170. The pips 180 are positioned in a diagonal region between the pair of diagonally opposing corner 174 and 176. In this manner at least one pip 180 is substantially proximal to each of the diagonally opposing corners 174 and 176. in the exemplary playing card 170, the pips 1 80 are provide as Spades (<#) to represent the sui t of the playing card 170, and in a quantity of nine (9) to represent the rank of the playing card 170.

A rank indicator 382 is further provided proximal to the pip 184 adjacent to the diagonally opposing primary corners 174 and 176 of the face 172 of the playing card 170, and interposed between the pip 184 and the edge 186 of the playing card 1 0.. The rank indicator 182 corresponds to the number of pips 180 provided on the face 172 of the playing card 170. The rank indicator 182 is similarly placed on face cards.

Referring to FIG. 12, playing card 190 is provided. The face 192 of the playing card 190 is rectangular and has a pair of diagonally opposing primary corners 194 and 196. The corners 194 and 196 of the playing card 190 include identifying indicia 198, having rank 200 and suit 202 indicators of the playing card 190. The rank and suit indicator 200 and 202 are interposed between a side edge 204 of the playing card 190, and oriented parallel to a center line 206 of the playing card 190. For number cards, two (2) through ten (10), a center region 208 of the face 192 of the playing card 190 includes a series of pips 210, suit indicia, provided in a quantity indicative of the rank of the playing card 190

In the exemplary playing card 190, the pips 210 are provide as Spades (*) to represent the suit of the playing card 1 90, and in a quantity of nine (9) to represent the rank of the playing card 190. For number cards, two (2) through ten (10), the suit and number of pips 210 on the face 192 of any card correspond the rank 200 and suit 202 indictors in the diagonally opposing primary corners 194 and 196 of the face 192 of the playing card 190,

It is contemplated that the embodiments provided in FIGS, 5-12 can be utilized either in combination with the ghost print format disclosed in FIGS. 2-4.

All references cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.

All references cited herein are express!}' incorporated by reference in their entirety.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is limited only by the following claims.