Device for holding and viewing playing cards

• US 7,478,813 B1
• Filed: 05/01/2006
• Issued: 01/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Christopher P. Farrell, David A. Hofferber
• Original Assignee: Christopher P. Farrell, David A. Hofferber
• Inventors: Hofferber, David A., Farrell, Christopher P.
• Primary Examiner(s): LAYNO, BENJAMIN
• Application Number:
  US11/414,944
• Time in Patent Office: 995 Days
• Field of Search: 273/150, 273/151, 273/148.A, 273/148.R, D21/392, D21/393, D21/394, D21/395, D21/396, D21/397
• US Class Current: 273/148.00A
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/10 Card holders

Abstract

A device for holding and viewing playing cards is herein provided and discloses an apparatus that allows the viewing of playing cards that are placed down on the device for those who have limited use of their hands or would benefit from such a device. The invention takes the form of an angled stand with the approximate dimensions of four inches by six inches where a portion of this area is used to hold the cards face down, as placed there by the dealer or player'"'"'s assistant, although other sizes and shapes for accommodating multiple card are envisioned. The device is shielded so that adjacent players are denied the ability to view the cards. A dual mirror assembly is visible through a viewing window that is used by the player. In such a manner, players without the use of their hands or arms can see their cards in an easy manner without the aid of another person.

Claims

1. A device for holding and viewing playing cards comprising:

a structure, wherein said structure further comprises;

two opposing side walls, each of which are semi-trapezoidal in shape with a first height and a second height, a front end and a rear end, and a top edge and a bottom edge;

an angled wall of rectangular shape of a particular width with a front edge fixedly attached to an intermediary vertical location on said front end of each of said side walls and a rear edge fixedly attached to an intermediary horizontal location at each of said bottom edge of said side walls, said angled wall joins together said side walls, wherein said intermediary horizontal location is located to the rear of the horizontal location of said first height and said angled wall is positioned to achieve a viewing angle;

a bottom wall of rectangular shape with a width corresponding to the width of said angled wall with a front edge fixedly connected to said rear edge of said angled wall and a rear edge fixedly connected to a point at said rear end and said bottom edge of each of said side walls;

a rear wall of rectangular shape with a width corresponding to the width of said angled wall and a bottom edge perpendicularly fixedly connected to said rear edge of said bottom wall and a top edge fixedly connected to said second height of each of said side walls;

a playing card surface with a shape and size corresponding to said bottom wall with a rear edge perpendicularly fixedly connected to said top edge of said rear wall and a front edge fixedly connected to an intermediary location vertically opposite that of said bottom wall, said playing card surface is in parallel orientation with said bottom wall,

a lower interior wall with a shape and size corresponding to said rear wall with a top edge perpendicularly fixedly connected to said front edge of said playing card surface and a bottom edge perpendicularly fixedly connected to said front edge of said bottom wall, wherein said rear edge of said angled wall abuts said lower interior wall;

a top wall with a front edge fixedly connected to a point at said front end and said first height of each of said side walls and a rear edge fixedly connected to said first height of each of said side walls; and

,

an upper interior wall with a top edge perpendicularly connected to said rear edge of said top wall and a bottom edge fixedly connected to an intermediary location of said side walls vertically downward, said intermediary location corresponding to at least the height of said second height of each of said side walls;

a mirror system; and

,

a vertical adjustment means for said device.

2. The device in claim 1, wherein said playing card surface has a length smaller than a conventional playing card.

3. The device in claim 1, wherein said mirror system further comprises a bottom mirror for removable placement on said angled wall and an interior mirror for removable placement on said interior wall, said interior mirror receives an image reflected from said bottom mirror placed at said viewing angle to reflect said image through said device to a user, said image is from an object placed on said playing card surface and extending over said front edge of said playing card surface.

4. The mirror system of claim 3, wherein said bottom mirror and said interior mirror may be permanently fixed to said angled wall and said interior wall, respectively.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said vertical adjustment means comprises two rectangular legs with an interior slot for receiving attachment means and retention means for setting a vertical adjustment, said attachment means attaches each leg to the exterior surface of said front end of said side walls.

6. The vertical adjustment means of claim 5, further comprising rounded-off corners, and a wing nut for said retention means.

7. A method for holding and displaying playing cards, comprising the steps of:

providing a structure further comprising;

two opposing side walls, each of which are semi-trapezoidal in shape with a first height and a second height, a front end and a rear end, and a top edge and a bottom edge;

an angled wall of rectangular shape of a particular width with a front edge fixedly attached to an intermediary vertical location on said front end of each of said side walls and a rear edge fixedly attached to an intermediary horizontal location at each of said bottom edge of said side walls, said angled wall joins together said side walls, wherein said intermediary horizontal location is located to the rear of the horizontal location of said first height and said angled wall is positioned to achieve a viewing angle;

a bottom wall of rectangular shape with a width corresponding to the width of said angled wall with a front edge fixedly connected to said rear edge of said angled wall and a rear edge fixedly connected to a point at said rear end and said bottom edge of each of said side walls;

a rear wall of rectangular shape with a width corresponding to the width of said angled wall and a bottom edge perpendicularly fixedly connected to said rear edge of said bottom wall and a top edge fixedly connected to said second height of each of said side walls;

a playing card surface with a shape and size corresponding to said bottom wall with a rear edge perpendicularly fixedly connected to said top edge of said rear wall and a front edge fixedly connected to an intermediary location vertically opposite that of said bottom wall, said playing card surface is in parallel orientation with said bottom wall,

a lower interior wall with a shape and size corresponding to said rear wall with a top edge perpendicularly fixedly connected to said front edge of said playing card surface and a bottom edge perpendicularly fixedly connected to said front edge of said bottom wall, wherein said rear edge of said angled wall abuts said lower interior wall;

a top wall with a front edge fixedly connected to a point at said front end and said first height of each of said side walls and a rear edge fixedly connected to said first height of each of said side walls;

an upper interior wall with a top edge perpendicularly connected to said rear edge of said top wall and a bottom edge fixedly connected to an intermediary location of said side walls vertically downward, said intermediary location corresponding to at least the height of said second height of each of said side walls;

a mirror system further comprising a bottom mirror for removable placement on said angled wall and an interior mirror for removable placement on said interior wall, said interior mirror receives an image reflected from said bottom mirror placed at said viewing angle to reflect said image through said device to a user, said image is from an object placed on said playing card surface and extending over said front edge of said playing card surface; and

,

a vertical adjustment means further comprising two rectangular legs with an interior slot for receiving attachment means and retention means for setting a vertical adjustment, said attachment means attaches each leg to the exterior surface of said front end of said side walls;

placing said structure onto a horizontal surface,

adjusting said mirror system therewith said vertical adjustment means,

placing a playing card on said structure,

viewing an image of said playing card reflected by said mirror system.