Mechanical greeting card

• US 5,979,942 A
• Filed: 02/28/1996
• Issued: 11/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zivko G. Ivicic
• Original Assignee: Zivko G. Ivicic
• Inventors: Ivicic, Zivko G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fridie, Jr., Willmon
• Application Number:
  US08/608,463
• Time in Patent Office: 1,350 Days
• Field of Search: 281/22, 281/38, 281/36, 281/29, 281/51, 283/117, 283/64, 412/57, 40/124.1
• US Class Current: 283/117
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 15/042 Foldable cards or sheets B42D15/045 and B42D15/08 take precedence

Abstract

A novel greeting card is disclosed having metallic leaves secured with one or more mechanical hinges. Various forms of engravings, hinges, leaves and overlays may be provided. Interior leaves may be inserted as well. The greeting card constitutes a permanent or semi-permanent commemoration of a special occasion or event.

Claims

1. A greeting card comprising

at least two leaves, a first leaf and a second leaf, wherein at least one of said two leaves is partially formed out of metal, at least one of said leaves having words for communication of a desired message from a sender to a recipient located thereon, and

at least one mechanical hinge said mechanical hinge connecting said two leaves wherein said first leaf and said second leaf have surfaces facing each other, wherein said mechanical hinge connecting said surfaces of said first leaf and said second leaf which face each other permit said surfaces to substantially touch each other over the entirety of their surfaces thereby providing a substantially flat greeting card comprising said first and second leaves.

3. A greeting card as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first leaf and said second leaf are both entirely formed from metal.

5. A greeting card as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said hinges comprises two plates, a first plate and a second plate, said first plate being secured to said front leaf and said second plate being secured to said back leaf, each of said plates having knuckles extending therefrom, said knuckles of said plates being interleaved to form a tubular shaft, said tubular shaft having a pin passing therethrough.

6. A greeting card as claimed in claim 5, wherein said plates are rectangular in shape.

7. A greeting card as claimed in claim 5, wherein said plates are non-rectangular in shape.

8. A greeting card as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hinge comprises at least one spiral connector, and wherein said front leaf and said back leaf each has holes provided therein, said spiral connector being threaded through said holes in said front leaf and said back leaf to connect said front leaf and said back leaf together.

9. A greeting card as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hinge comprises at least one cylindrical connector, and wherein said front leaf and said back leaf each has at least one slit therein, said cylindrical connector being threaded through said slits in said front leaf and said back leaf to connect said front leaf and said back leaf together.

10. A greeting card as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one interior leaf placed between said first leaf and said second leaf, wherein said one interior leaf has front and back surfaces which are in substantial communication with the facing surfaces of said first and said second leaves to provide a substantially flat greeting card comprising one interior leaf and said first and second leaf.

11. A greeting card as claimed in claim 10, wherein said interior leaf is secured to said first leaf and said second leaf with a fastener.

12. A greeting card as claimed in claim 10, wherein said hinge comprises at least one spiral connector, and wherein said front leaf, said back leaf and said interior leaf are each provided with holes, said spiral connector securing said interior leaf to said first leaf and said second leaf, said spiral connector being threaded through said holes in said first leaf, said interior leaf, and said second leaf.

13. A greeting card as claimed in claim 10, wherein said hinge comprises at least one cylindrical connector, and wherein said first leaf and said second leaf and said interior leaf are each provided with slits, said cylindrical connector securing said interior leaf to said front first leaf and said second leaf, said cylindrical connector being threaded through said slits in said first leaf, said interior leaf, and said second leaf.

14. A greeting card as claimed in claim 10, wherein said interior leaf has knuckles extending therefrom, said knuckles interleaving with a first set of knuckles of said first leaf and a second set of knuckles of said second leaf, said greeting card having a pin extending through said knuckles of said interior leaf and through said first set of knuckles and through said second set of knuckles to form a hinge which secures said first leaf, said interior leaf and said second leaf together.

15. A greeting card as claimed in claim 10, wherein said interior leaf is made of metal.

16. A greeting card as claimed in claim 10, wherein said interior leaf is made of paper.

17. A greeting card as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a metallic overlay on at least one of said two leaves.

20. A greeting card as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said two leaves has a window provided therein.

21. A greeting card as claimed in claim 20, wherein said window is in the shape of at least one word.

22. A greeting card as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said two leaves has engravings thereon.

23. A greeting card as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said two leaves is substantially in the shape of a circle.

24. A greeting card as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said two leaves is substantially in the shape of a heart.

25. A greeting card as claimed in claim 10, wherein said interior leaf is smaller than said back leaf.

26. A greeting card as claimed in claim 1, wherein the edge of at least one of said two leaves is curved in shape.

27. A greeting card as claimed in claim 1, wherein said card is further provided with a writing instrument.

29. A greeting card as claimed in claim 1, wherein said words commemorate a specific occasion.

2. A greeting card as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one of said two leaves is entirely formed out of metal.

4. A greeting card as claimed in claim 2, wherein knuckles extend from each leaf to form tubular extensions that are interleaved to form a tubular shaft, and wherein said hinge comprises said interleaved knuckles secured with a pin passing through said tubular shaft.

18. A greeting card as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first leaf and said second leaf are each formed from the same metal.

19. A greeting card as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first leaf and said second leaf are each formed from different metals.

28. A greeting card as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one of said leaves is provided with a cutout on its side.

30. A greeting card as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one of said leaves comprises a precious metal.

31. A greeting card as claimed in claim 2, wherein said metal comprises gold.

32. A greeting card as claimed in claim 2, wherein said metal comprises silver.

33. A greeting card as claimed in claim 2, wherein said metal comprises copper.

34. A greeting card as claimed in claim 2, wherein said metal comprises platinum.

35. A greeting card as claimed in claim 2, wherein said metal comprises bronze.

36. A greeting card as claimed in claim 2, wherein said words are engraved on said greeting card.