Patent ID: 6637622
Filing Date: 2003-10-28
Classification: A63F

Abstract:
A playing card dispenser having a guard apparatus for restricting access to cards within the dispenser, said dispenser comprising:a box open at the top for receiving a plurality of playing cards in an orientation to be dispensed from the box in serial fashion; a slanted forward end panel defining an opening adjacent the lower side thereof for permitting individual cards to be drawn from the box; a bottom of the box slanted downward toward said forward end panel for supporting said plurality of playing cards; said opening having a shape comprising a slit along the bottom of the panel for passing a card from the interior of the box to the exterior and extending upward from the slit to permit a dealer's thumb and/or fingers to access the next card adjacent the front panel; and said guard apparatus comprising a bifurcated plate having upper and lower sections joined by a hinge for permitting the lower section to be raised to a position where a dealer's fingers can access the opening defined in said front panel without exposing the forward-most card prior to its withdrawal from the box.