Abstract:
A fundraising method is presented including the sale of trays and trading cards, the latter exchanged between participants in a competitive fashion to complete a collection of cards so as to unlock a code or puzzle. Trays and trading cards include clues suggesting the proper placement of the cards onto the trays. The fundraising method includes selling a plurality of trays and trading cards from a fundraiser to a plurality of participants, exchanging the trading cards between participants, assembling the trading cards onto trays by participants, assisting participants to complete at least one tray with correctly assembled trading cards, and awarding a winner.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is based upon and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/168,247 filed Apr. 10, 2009 entitled Puzzle Based Fundraising Method, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference thereto. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    None. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The invention relates generally to a fundraising method implemented via the sale of trays and trading cards. Trading cards are exchanged by participants in a competitive manner to complete a collection of cards. A code or puzzle is deciphered when a complete set of cards is properly assembled along a tray. Trays and cards include clues suggesting the proper location of cards along the trays. 
         [0005]    2. Background 
         [0006]    Several devices and methods pertaining to fundraising are noteworthy from the related arts. 
         [0007]    Parker, in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/473,333 and 11/431,098, describes puzzle devices and puzzle-based fundraising methods. Embodiments of the invention include a puzzle-based fundraising apparatus for use in fundraising activities. The apparatus includes at least one cell. Each cell has a pre-designated donation level. Furthermore, each cell having a unique donation level may include a unique initial cell appearance. The method may include implementing a multi-dimensional device having multiple cells. Each cell may represent a corresponding donation value. The method may additionally include obtaining a fundraising commitment for a donation value corresponding to a cell and associating the fundraising commitment with the corresponding cell. 
         [0008]    Fass, in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/417,742 and 11/327,019, describes a fundraising board game for an organization including a board with indicia. The indicia corresponds to one or more donation values, wherein the indicia is disposed on a front surface of the board, wherein when the device is activated, the device supplies the indicia corresponding to the one or more donation values, and a user donates the one or more donation values to an organization. A method implemented by a fundraising system is also provided. The fundraising system includes at least one fundraising apparatus, at least one fundraising apparatus operator, and at least one donating person. The method includes receiving by the apparatus operator an amount of funds from a donating person, said amount corresponding to at least one resting location of a dial that is spun at least one time by the donating person, said resting location occurring after the dial has been spun by the donating person. 
         [0009]    Hawkins, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,904, describes a cylindrical slide puzzle system including a cylindrical member, such as an open cylinder, cup or mug, having a slide puzzle incorporated with an outer cylindrical surface thereof. The slide puzzle includes a plurality of slide puzzle elements or pieces which are preferably arranged to form three horizontal rows between the top and bottom edges of the open cylindrical member, cup or mug, thus allowing for better fit as the slide puzzle elements proximate both the top and bottom are firmly held in place along at lease one side surface and a better fit is assured between the puzzle pieces. 
         [0010]    As is readily apparent from the discussions above, the related arts do not include a fundraising method facilitated by trading cards arranged along a board so as to completely fill all spaces on the board and to solve a code or puzzle. 
         [0011]    Therefore, what is required is a fundraising method facilitated by trading cards and trays whereby trading cards are arranged along a tray so as to completely fill all spaces on the tray to solve a code or puzzle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    An object of the invention is to provide a fundraising method facilitated by trading cards and trays whereby trading cards are arranged along a tray so as to completely and correctly fill all spaces on the tray to solve a code or puzzle. 
         [0013]    In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the fundraising method could include the following steps: selling trays and trading cards to participants by a fundraising group which could be a not-for-profit entity; trading or otherwise exchanging trading cards by and between participants; competing to be the first participants to complete a puzzle; assisting participants to identify winners; and awarding winners. Trays and trading cards are sold to the fundraiser by an administrator which could be a for-profit or other non-profit entity. The administrator could be compensated by sales of trays and puzzle packs to the fundraiser and optionally by receiving a portion of the profits realized by the fundraiser. The fundraiser&#39;s profits could be realized by marking up the price of the trays and puzzle packs paid by the participants. At least one participant within each themed category could receive a cash prize from the fundraiser for completing his or her tray and puzzle before others within the same group. 
         [0014]    In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the trading step could be performed within a forum which could be either manually or electronically implemented. 
         [0015]    In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, a portion of proceeds from the selling step could be donated to a third party. 
         [0016]    In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, each tray could include a plurality of identifiers each separately corresponding to one particular design disposed on a trading card so as to suggest the proper location of the trading card on a tray. 
         [0017]    In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, each identifier could be a clue which could be presented in a question-like format. 
         [0018]    In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, each trading card could include at least one symbol whereby a plurality of symbols form a code when a plurality of trading cards is properly placed onto and completing a tray. 
         [0019]    In accordance with other embodiments, each symbol could be a letter, a number, or a design in part or whole. 
         [0020]    In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the trading cards could include designs and/or words consistent with one or more specific themes. 
         [0021]    In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, each tray could include indicia identifying a sponsor. 
         [0022]    In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the award step could include a monetary prize or gift or a non-monetary prize or gift, the latter including but not limited to a dinner, a party, a plaque or a certificate. 
         [0023]    In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the award step could have a sponsor purchasing a tray with trading cards from a winner. 
         [0024]    In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the trading cards and/or trays could include a plurality of designs with multiple copies of each design. 
         [0025]    In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the number of copies for at least one design for the trading cards is less than the number of copies for each of the other designs. 
         [0026]    In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the fundraising method could include selling a plurality of trays and a plurality of trading cards to a plurality of participants, facilitating the exchange of trading cards between participants, and placing trading cards onto a tray to assemble a hidden code. 
         [0027]    In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the participants are assisted so as to ensure identification of at least one winner. 
         [0028]    In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, at least one participant receives an award for unlocking a hidden code or puzzle. 
         [0029]    In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the trading cards could include at least one rogue card. 
         [0030]    The fundraising method is implemented via a puzzle-like device which could include a theme-based tray and non-interlocking trading cards. Puzzle devices are marked or coded to identify the fundraising activity or fundraiser. Each player or participant separately purchases a tray and trading cards. Trading cards could be sold in package form including one or more cards. Each player is required to purchase at least one pack, preferably two or more. In some embodiments, each player places theme-based trading cards within a similar themed tray to complete the puzzle and reveal an encoded message along the surface thereof. The object is to complete the puzzle before other players. The quantity of one or more trading cards within a themed category is limited to reduce the number of potential winners. 
         [0031]    The method of play requires participants to trade cards to complete a collection of cards which correctly fill all spaces along a tray. It is understood that the term trade is used interchangeably with other terms whereby a card is passed from one party to another party with or without ownership rights, examples including, but not limited to, exchanging, bartering, collecting, selling, lending, and borrowing. One or more card designs are limited to restrict the number of completely fillable trays. 
         [0032]    Each tray could include clues and puzzles for the participant to research and solve so as to correctly identify placement of cards along a tray. Further, the play method could require a participant to properly assemble trading cards on a single tray to decipher a hidden code. The play method could also require participants to identify, discard, or otherwise trade rogue cards which prevent or frustrate completion of the code. The play method is not just a competition, but could also functions as a learning tool through which participants find and acquire information to properly solve clues and puzzles. The play method could require the participants to engage in a variety of activities including bartering, trading, negotiating, and problem solving. 
         [0033]    The device and method of play facilitate a fundraising method for non-profit organizations, examples including, but not limited to, schools, religious organizations, sports teams, and civic groups. In a first selling step, an administrator could sell trading cards and board-like trays to a fundraiser. In a next selling step, the fundraiser could sell trading cards and trays to participants, namely, students, children, families, and the like. In a trading step, participants could trade and share trading cards so as to secure cards required to completely fill the identified spaces within one or more trays. In a competing step, each participant could place trading cards onto his or her tray to completely fill the spaces within the tray. In an assisting step, the administrator could assist the participants to identify completed game boards. Participants who complete his or her game board then could sell the completed game board to the fundraiser or a sponsor thereof and allow the fundraiser or sponsor to display the completed tray along with the participant&#39;s name and photograph. 
         [0034]    The described invention provides advantages over the related arts. The invention facilitates a children-centric fundraiser method enabling both game play and fundraising for a variety of beneficiaries including, but not limited to, schools, organizations, individuals, families, groups, charities, or causes, the latter further including, but not limited to, autism, diabetes, and cystic fibrosis. The fundraising method includes educational aspects allowing participants to better develop an understanding of a topic with life long implications, examples including, but not limited to, the environment, conversation, recycling, agriculture, energy, health, and diet. The invention reinforces a child&#39;s sense of accomplishment, self worth, responsibility, and achievement. 
         [0035]    The above and other objectives, features, and advantages of the preferred embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like referenced numerals designate the same or similar elements. 
       REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           1 - 6  Step  23  Recess 
           7  Administrator  24  Flap 
           8  Fundraiser  25  Base 
           9  Participant  26  Electronic trading forum 
           10  Winning Participant  27  Manual trading forum 
           11  Third party  28  Participant 
           12  Tray  29  Identifier field 
           13  Trading card  30  Identifier 
           14  Play area  31  Tray 
           15  Code  32  Card field 
           16  Joint  33  Clue 
           17  Symbol  34  Identification field 
           18  Security field  35  Indicia 
           19  Border  36  Endorsement field 
           20  Design  37  Trading card 
           21  Front face  38  Symbol 
           22  Back face 
       
     
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
         [0053]    Additional aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will be understood and will become more readily apparent when the invention is considered in the light of the following description made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
           [0054]      FIG. 1  is a flowchart illustrating a fundraising method implemented with trays and trading cards in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0055]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating interaction between various parties during the implementation of the puzzle-based fundraising method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0056]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view illustrating a tray and trading cards with theme-based designs in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0057]      FIG. 4   a  is a top plan view illustrating the front face of a trading card with design and symbols in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0058]      FIG. 4   b  is a bottom plan view illustrating the back face of a trading card with design and security and identification indicia in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0059]      FIG. 5   a  is a cross section view illustrating a trading card recessed within a game tray in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0060]      FIG. 5   b  is a cross section view illustrating a trading card secured along one edge of a tray via a flap-like structure. 
           [0061]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating interaction between multiple participants and forums facilitating the exchange of trade cards in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0062]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view illustrating a tray with multiple queries and trading cards with designs, images, and/or words representing a match or answer to each specific query in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0063]    Reference will now be made in detail to several preferred embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. The drawings are not to precise scale. While various features and steps are separately described herein, it is understood that two or more such features and/or steps could be combined into a single embodiment. 
         [0064]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-2 , the fundraising method could include a variety of steps. In the first selling step  1 , an administrator  7  sells trays  12  and trading cards  13  to a fundraiser  8 . In another selling step  2 , the fundraiser  8  sells the same trays  12  and trading cards  13  to participants  9 . The sales price of trays  12  and trading cards  13  in the second selling step  2  includes a markup representative of the funds raised by the fundraiser  8 . In the trading step  3 , participants  9  trade or otherwise transfer trading cards  13  so as to secure trading cards  13  required to completely fill the identified spaces along their respective trays  12 . In the competing step  4 , each participant  9  places trading cards  13  onto his or her tray  12  until all spaces are completely filled within the tray  12 . In the assisting step  5 , the administrator  7  assists participants  9  to identify one or more winning participants  10 . A winning participant  10  is a participant  9  who completes his or her puzzle before other participants  9 . Winning participants  10  receive a gift or prize from either the administrator  7  or fundraiser  8  in the awarding step  6 . The gift or prize could include, but not limited to, money, savings bond, or other money-based award or a dinner, party, plaque, certificate or other non-monetary based award or recognition. 
         [0065]    The fundraiser  8  could be a not-for-profit entity, examples including, but not limited to, schools, religious organizations, sports teams, and civic groups. The administrator  7  could be a for-profit or not-for-profit entity. Participants  9  could include, but not limited to, students, children, families, and the like. 
         [0066]    In some embodiments, the administrator  7  or fundraiser  8  could donate a portion of payments made by the fundraiser  8  to the administrator  7  to a third party  11 . The third party  11  could include a not-for-profit group or organization identified as the recipient of a donation by the fundraiser  8 . Payments from the fundraiser  8  to administrator  7  could include compensation in the first selling step  1  and a portion of the markup or profits from proceeds received by the fundraiser  8  from participants  9  in the second selling step  2 . 
         [0067]    Trays  12  and trading cards  13  are sold to a fundraiser  8  by an administrator  7 . The administrator  7  is compensated by sales of the trays  12  and trading cards  13  to the fundraiser  8  and might receive a portion of the profits realized by the fundraiser  8 . Profits of the fundraiser  8  are realized by marking up the price of the trays  12  and puzzle packs  13  paid by the participants  9 . At least one participant  9  within each themed category could receive a cash prize from the fundraiser  8  or administrator  7  for completing his or her tray  12  before others within the same themed category or all such categories. In some applications, it might be difficult for participants  9  to complete one or more trays  12 . In such cases, the administrator  7  could provide one or more facilitators, examples including, but not limited to, an employee, volunteer, sub-contractor, or agent, to work with the participants  9  so as to encourage game play resulting in the completion of trays  12  and identification of winners. 
         [0068]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 ,  4   a , and  4   b , an exemplary tray  12  and several exemplary trading cards  13  are shown. Trays  12  and trading cards  13  could be separately purchased. Trays  12  and trading cards  13  could include a variety of themes, examples including, but not limited to, math, science, history, geography, objects, events, famous persons, plants, animals, words, phrases, and quotes. The difficulty and challenge offered by the method of play increases with the number of themes and/or themed-based categories sold by a fundraiser  8 , the number of trading cards  13  required to complete a tray  12 , and the number of rogue trading cards  13  which frustrate the completion of trays  12 . 
         [0069]    Each tray  12  includes a play area  14  and a border  19 . The play area  14  is sufficiently large so as to allow for the placement of trading cards  13  therein. For example,  FIG. 3  shows a play area  14  with eight spaces accommodating eight trading cards  13  arranged in a two by four configuration. However, it is understood that the play area  14  could be sufficiently sized so as to accommodate any number of trading cards  13 . The play area  14  could also include a code  15 , examples including, but not limited to, a word or phrase composed of letters, numbers, designs or symbols, printed or otherwise disposed thereon. The border  19  could include indicia used to identify the tray  12 , participant  9  and/or fundraiser  8 . Trays  12  are preferred to be theme-based and include identifiers  30  which reference events, persons, animals, plants, objects, or any other set which could be grouped into a common class or category. For example,  FIG. 3  includes identifiers  30  which reference birds. The location of each identifier  30  corresponds to the locations onto which the matching trading card  13  is properly placed. In some embodiments, a tray  12  could include two or more themed categories. 
         [0070]    Referring again to  FIG. 4   a , the front face  21  of a trading card  13  is shown including a design  20  and a pair of symbols  17 . The design  20  allows the trading card  13  to be matched with an identifier  30  on a tray  12 . For example, a design  20  could include a picture, drawing, image, and/or one or more words. The symbol  17  could correspond to portions of the code  15  within the play area  14 . In other embodiments, the code  15  might only be visible after all trading cards  13  with corresponding symbols  17  are properly assembled onto a tray  12 . A symbol  17  could include a letter or number or portions thereof. One or more symbols  17  could appear on a single trading card  13 . Placement of the trading card  13  onto the play area  14  must match the identifier  30  and could properly correspond to the code  15  within the placement area. In some embodiments, at least two trading cards  13  are required to complete one or more letters, numbers, or designs comprising the code  15 . In other embodiments, it may be advantageous to have rogue trading cards  13  which properly match one or more identifiers  30 , but not allow the symbol  17  to match the letters, numbers, or designs within the code  15 . 
         [0071]    Referring now to  FIG. 4   b , trading cards  13  could include a security field  18  which appears on the back face  22  of each trading card  13  to prevent counterfeiting or the like. The security field  18  could include a watermark, alphanumeric series, hologram, bar code, or other difficult to duplicate marking. Likewise, it is desired for each trading card  13  to include an identifier field  29  which restricts use of the trading card  13  to the fundraising activities of a single fundraiser  8 . 
         [0072]    Each tray  12  and trading card  13  may be composed of cardboard, wood, plastic, or other durable material. Referring now to  FIG. 5   a , the play area  14  could include one or more recesses  23  which allow for the secured placement of trading cards  13  onto the tray  12 . Alternatively, the tray  12  could include a rigid or semi-rigid base  25  and have one or more bendable flaps  24  disposed about its perimeter which allow a participant  9  to secure trading cards  13  to the tray  12 , as represented in  FIG. 5   b . In the latter embodiment, the bendable flap  24  could be adhesively bonded or mechanical fastened to the base  25  along a joint  16 . A trading card  13  is inserted between the base  25  and flap  24  is a sliding fashion and pinched or grasped there between. 
         [0073]    Each participant  9  separately purchases a tray  12  and trading cards  13 . Trading cards  13  could be sold in packs of two or more. Each participant  9  could be required to purchase more than one pack to participate in the fundraising effort. Each participant  9  collects the theme-based trading cards  13  which correspond to his or her tray  12  by trading or sharing trading cards  13  with other participants  9 . Trading cards  13  which correspond to a tray  12  are placed onto and secured thereto to match the identifiers  30  and allow for the completion of the code  15  via the alignment of symbols  17 . 
         [0074]    The number of trading cards  13  required to complete a tray  12  is game dependent. For example, the tray  12  shown in  FIG. 3  requires eight trading cards  13  to complete the challenge. However, it might be advantageous to require more than eight such pieces for game play to increase the difficulty of the game and total funds raised thereby. The object of the challenge is to complete to completely and properly fill the play area  14  with trading cards  13  so as to complete the game. 
         [0075]    To limit the number of potential winners, the quantity of one or more trading cards  13  within one or more themed categories could be limited. The number of trading cards  13  could allow for at least one winner capable of completely and correctly filing the spaces on his or her tray  12 . Limitations on the number of trading cards  13  require the participants  9  to trade unwanted trading cards  13  so as to secure those pieces required to complete a tray  12 . 
         [0076]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , trading and sharing activities could include both manual and electronic means. For example, participants  28  could trade and share trading cards  13  in a manual trading forum  27  which could include a school yard during recess, while walking home from school, or activities at a party or gathering. Participants  28  might also trade and share trading cards  13  in an electronic trading forum  26  which could include communication means over the Internet or a website specifically dedicated to such activities. Also, tray  12  and trading cards  13  could be purchased directly from the fundraiser  8  over the Internet. 
         [0077]    The following example describes one possible method of play to illustrate the features of the invention. The description is not intended to limit or otherwise constrain the overall scope of the invention. 
         [0078]    Participants  9  could purchase one of twelve trays  12  with different themes. Each themed group could include a total of fifty trays  12 . Each tray  12  could require the proper placement of eight trading cards  13  for completion. Participants  9  could purchase trading cards  13  bundled in packs of three trading cards  13 . Accordingly, each participant  9  would be required to purchase at least three packs of trading cards  13  to potentially win. Packs would include trading cards  13  from the twelve different themed categories. The total number of trading cards  13  for one or more designs within each themed group could be limited to one so as to allow for only twelve winners, representing a two percent chance of winning. 
         [0079]    One theme could include birds. The corresponding trays  12  could identify eight birds, examples including a Robin, Cardinal, Blue Jay, Finch, Bald Eagle, Hummingbird, Seagull, and Hawk. Trading cards  13  could be sold showing images of the referenced birds. Additional birds could appear on the trading cards  13  to complicate play. For example, a ninth trading card  13  having the image of a Pigeon could be included, but not match any identifier  30  on the trays  12  or match an identifier  30  but not properly complete the code  15 . The number of trading cards  13  showing a Bald Eagle could be limited to one so as to allow for only one winner within the themed category. 
         [0080]    The period of play could be limited to a specified time period including hours, days, weeks, or months or an unspecified period allowing all trading cards  13  to be sold and/or winners identified. At the end of the play period, facilitators could be sent to interact with participants  9  to review trading cards  13  and trays  12  which are partially completed. The facilitators could ensure that all trading cards  13  which are limited in number and required to win are utilized by participants  9  to expedite winners. Upon conclusion of the fundraising effort, trays  12  with trading cards  13  are retained as a decorative reminder of the event. 
         [0081]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , an exemplary tray  31  is shown including a plurality of card fields  32  for use with the fundraising method described herein. Each card field  32  could include a clue  33  in the form of a question. Each clue  33  could correspond to a single trading card  37  and/or design therefore. Each trading card  37  could include a design which properly answers or corresponds to the clue  33  and a symbol  38  used to construct a code  15 . The tray  31  could further include indicia which identify the game, fundraiser  8 , or other information to promote sales of trays  31  and trading cards  37 . An identification field  34  could be provided along one side of the tray  31  allowing a participant  9  to identify his/her name and other pertinent information. Indicia  35  or other markings could appear along the tray  31 . The tray  31  or card fields  32  could include an endorsement field  36  that allows the fundraiser to promote sponsors and other parties who contributed supplementary funds to the fundraiser  8 . 
         [0082]    The description above indicates that a great degree of flexibility is offered in terms of the invention. Although various embodiments have been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.