CROSS- REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present PCT patent application claims priority benefit of the U.S. Utility patent application 15/398,943, filed on 05-JAN-2017 entitled "SCRATCH CARD SURFACE REMOVER" under 35 USC 111(a). The contents of this related Utility application are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes to the extent that such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith or limiting hereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a portable scratch card surface remover.

Description of Related Art

A scratch card is commonly known as a paper based card with a latex covering in the form of an opaque substance that covers printed material underneath this covered substance. This covered printed material may be related to a prize, a hidden numbers or symbols to win a prize that is uncovered after scratching off the surface. Scratch cards are commonly used in lottery contests. The scratch cards are also used in other marketing promotions, games and other sweepstakes or contests where cards are distributed to users. Typically, a user uses a coin because of the thin and sharp corner to scratch off the surface covering.

Many lottery participants are frequent users of the scratch cards and therefore engage in scratch card games on a regular basis. As a result, it would be advantages to have a tool to actually assist in scratching the surface off a scratch card. This device provides the user a better grip than using a coin alone. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a scratch card surface remover that includes: a body portion; a means to attach at a distal end of the body portion; a rubber grip at a proximal end of the body portion; and a coin holder attached to the rubber grip, where the coin holder is adapted to receive a coin. The scratch card surface remover may also include a name plate along the body portion. Preferably, the means to attach includes a hinge clip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 depicts a scratch card surface remover in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a portable scratch card surface remover used to remove the surface of a scratch card with the use of a traditional coin. Traditionally scratch card users use coins or in some cases finger nails to remove the surface of the scratch card. However, many scratch cards are being engaged with the user and may grow weary of holding a coin or damaging their nails by scratching off the surface. The present invention provides a small hand tool in a form of an elongated body with a rubber grip and a coin holder. The coin holder holds a coin within the device and provides the user a grip area to use the coin to engage in the scratch card game. In one particular embodiment, the scratch card surface remover includes a means to attach the remover to a key ring or other object. The means to attach preferably includes a hinge clip, where the clip allows the user to attach the device to their key ring. The elongated body may be made of plastic and a rubber grip portion at the proximal and the attachment means at the distal end.

In reference to Figure 1, a scratch card surface remover in accordance with the present invention is depicted. The scratch card surface remover 100 includes a body portion 25 with a hinge clip 20 attached to the distal end of the body portion 25. The proximal end includes a rubber grip 24 with a coin holder 27. The rubber grip 24 and coin holder 27 are located at the gripping end or proximal end of the body portion 25. The coin holder 27 receives a coin 30 as shown in Figure 1 into an opening provided therein. This coin holder 27 holds the coin 30 in a stationary position while user grips the surface remover 100 at the gripping point 24. So the user does not directly contact the coin 30 and is provided with a comfortable grip at the grip point 24.

Other features of the scratch card surface remover 100 includes a name plate 22 and a hinge clip 20 that provides a means for securing or attaching the surface remover to a key ring. This enables the user to easily transport the card surface remover 100 in their pocket during non-use. Although shown as a hinge clip 20, the clip 20 may be modified to serve as a means to attach the surface remover onto a key ring. The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.