Field of Search:
273/13A,131AD,134AE,135AD,136B,137AE,144R,144A,148R,1M 294/65.5 206/350,818 220/230
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to games of chance which employ games cards and markers therefor. More particularly, the present invention relates to apparatus for facilitating the playing of such games of chance. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a storage box and markers for use therewith which facilitate the playing of such games of chance.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The growing popularity of organized games involving game cards and markers, such as, Bingo, is apparent. This is especially true in light of the recent trend by many States to legalize the organized playing of such games. Under normal mass player settings there is usually involved multiple game card playing by a multitude of such players. Furthermore, the playing area is often defined by confined quarters. Thus, at the completion of any one game there is created great turmoil in sweeping or removal of markers preparatory to commencement of the next game. Thus, a need has arisen for apparatus which will facilitate quick and easy clearance of the game cards at the conclusion of any one game while concommitantly providing easy storage and accessibility to game markers to thereby reduce the needed playing area required of any one player.
It should be noted that heretofore there have been devices proposed for removing magnetically attractable markers from game cards with magnetic means. See, inter alia, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,970,003 and 3,684,288. However, these prior art devices do not fully consider the problems associated with mass game card playing situations.
The present invention, on the other hand, is fully accomodating of the heretofore encountered problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention there is provided an apparatus for facilitating the playing of game cards utilizing markers which enables the game card to be quickly and efficiently cleared at the termination of the game. The present invention contemplates a storage and retaining box which includes a bottom or base portion having an upstanding wall as well as a lid portion. Magnetic means is associated with the lid portion.
Further, the present invention includes a plurality of magnetically attractable game discs which, when not in use, are retained within the storage box.
In using the present apparatus, after completion of any one game, the lid of the storage box is swept over the game card thereby attracting the markers thereonto. The lid is cleared of the markers by contacting the lid with the upstanding wall to disengage the markers from the lid. The markers then fall back into the bottom portion of the box where they are retained until put into use.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention reference is made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing. In the drawing like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a game disc storage box of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through the storage box illustrated in FIG. 1 taken along the line 2--2 thereof;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a game card with discs thereon;
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the collector lid of the present storage box positioned over a game card with discs thereon; and
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the storage box illustrating the clearing of the discs from the collector lid thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Now with reference to the drawing, and in particular FIGS. 1-3, there is depicted therein a storage box, generally indicated at 10, contemplated for use in conjunction with a game card 12. The game card is of the type having a plurality of playing spaces 14 formed or imprinted thereon. For example, and as shown in the drawing, the present invention is efficaciously utilized in conjunction with the playing of Bingo.
As is known to those skilled in the art, in playing the game a plurality of game discs or markers 16 are disposed within the playing spaces as a consequence of the game, itself. According to the present invention the markers 16 hereof are magnetically attractable markers. Thus, the markers 16 may be constructed completely of a ferromagnetic material or the like. In a preferred form, the markers are formed from a clear thermoplastic material having a ferromagnetic material embedded therewithin. However, it is to be understood that in the practice of the present invention the only limitation upon the markers is that they be magnetically attractable.
Referring again to the drawing, the storage box 10 includes a base or bottom portion 18 and a top or lid portion 20. The bottom portion 18 includes a base support 22 and an upstanding wall 24 integrally formed therewith at the edge of the support. Thus, the bottom portion 18 defines a storage area 26 in which is stored the markers 16.
The lid portion 20 includes a top support wall 28 and a downwardly depending sidewall 30. The lid portion 20 is dimensioned slightly greater than the bottom portion 18 such that the bottom portion 20 is slidingly received therewithin, as shown in FIG. 2. Optimally, the sidewall 30 terminates short of the base support 22 to facilitate disengagement between the lid portion and the bottom portion.
Disposed within the top support wall 28 is a magnetic means, such as a magnetic plate 32. The plate 32 is, preferably, centrally disposed within the top support wall by embedding it therewithin or by disposing it therewithin by any other suitable mode. As shown in the drawing, the plate 32 is disposed within the lid portion 20 proximate the under or inner surface 34 of the top support wall 28.
The plate 32 is selected such that it generates a sufficient magnetic field and strength to attract onto the top support wall 28 a plurality of markers 16. However, the field strength generated by the plate 32 is not so great as to preclude easy disengagement of attracted markers from the lid portion 20.
With reference now to FIGS. 4-5 there is depicted therein the mode of utilization of the instant invention. Initially, at the conclusion of a game there is normally a plurality of markers situated on the game card. To clear the markers from the card the lid portion 20 is separated from the bottom portion 18. Then, the lid portion 20 is brought into proximity with the markers 16 on the card 14 and is inverted to expose the top support wall 28 thereto. By placing the lid portion over the card a plurality of markers are attracted thereonto simultaneously and retained thereon.
To clear the lid portion of the markers, the lid portion is brought into abutting contact with the free edge of the upstanding wall 24. By "scraping" the lid against the free edge, the markers are dislodged from the top support wall and drop into the storage space 26 where they are retained until subsequent use. At the completion of a user's playing the lid portion can be placed over the bottom portion thereby retaining the markers therewithin for easy transportability.
It is apparent from the preceding that the present invention provides a means for easily clearing a plurality of game cards by sweeping the lid portion of the box thereover, to thereby facilitate the playing of such games. After sweeping one or more cards the discs are dislodged from the lid in the manner hereinbefore described.
It should be noted with regard to the present invention that although the storage box has been illustrated with a rectangular configuration, other configurations are within the scope hereof.