Abstract:
A case for cards, keys and numbered disks comprising a platform, a set of numbered disks stored in the platform, an open ended trap in the platform for capturing some of the numbered disks corresponding to a lottery number, a transparent cover on opposite sides of the platform for viewing the disks and cards stored in the case, and a chain for carrying keys. A characterizing feature of the invention is that multiple traps are provided for picking daily and weekly lottery numbers. A second characterizing feature of the invention is that the traps allow easy entry of disks and impede a flow of disks out of the traps.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to cases and games of chance and more particularly to a combined card, key and lottery number picker case for daily and weekly lotteries. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Government lotteries are major sources of revenue in the United States and foreign countries. Each year billion of dollars are collected to supplement taxes. The annual collections in the United States have matched the combined income of America&#39;s five most profitable corporations. 
     Lotteries have gained so high a degree of acceptance that it is believed that the United States government may soon adopt a national lottery for trimming its large budget deficits. Numerous foreign countries have already adopted national lotteries, including Canada, Great Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Australia, Ireland and Austria. 
     State and foreign lotteries vary considerably, especially between daily, weekly and semi-weekly lotteries. Daily lotteries require betters to match three or four digit numbers randomly selected at public drawings. Weekly and semi-weekly lotteries require betters to match sets of numbers randomly selected at public drawings. The number of choices given bettors in weekly and semi-weekly lotteries vary from 54 numbers in New York and Illinois to 25 numbers in West Virginia. 
     Lottery betting stations are generally found in retail establishments such as supermarkets, pharmacies and party stores. Bets are most often placed at the same check-out counters which retailers use for their ordinary business. Many betters do not select numbers until they are at a betting station. This causes congestion at check-out counters, especially when there are many betters because lottery prizes are high. 
     In my U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,245, an improved lottery number picker is disclosed. Although the number picker is easy to use, it is not deemed to be sufficiently compact to be more portable. 
     From the above, it will appreciated that if a compact, portable lottery number picker for daily, weekly and semi-weekly lotteries were available to betters, it would reduce the time for placing bets and relieve congestion at betting stations. The compact number picker would be welcomed by retailers as well as betters. 
     If the compact picker offered other benefits in addition to the benefit of picking lottery numbers for daily, weekly and semi-weekly lotteries, it would be more widely accepted. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a compact case for cards, keys and numbered disks. The case generally comprises a platform, a set of numbered disks stored in the platform, an open ended trap in the platform for capturing some of the numbered disks, a transparent cover attached to opposite sides of the platform for covering and viewing the disks and cards stored in the case, and a chain for carrying keys. 
     A principal and characterizing feature of the invention is multiple traps for picking daily, weekly and semi-weekly lottery numbers. A second characterizing feature of the invention is the design of the traps which allows easy entry of disks and impedes disks from flowing out of the traps. 
     One benefit of the invention is that it can be carried in articles of clothing and ladies&#39; purses. This benefit provides betters with a quick and easy means for picking numbers at betting stations, thereby reducing congestion, reduces waiting times and reduces interference with a proprietor&#39;s ordinary business. 
     Another benefit is that it can be used as an I.D. tag for luggage and brief cases, rather than for carrying keys. 
     A still further benefit is it can be used for storing identification cards, business cards, and advertising materials. Information can be provided on the cards, such as, vehicle registration numbers and driver license numbers which are needed when purchasing gas and other items on credit and registering at motels. The information can also be used for retrieving lost keys, in the event the case is lost. The business cards can be used by professionals and businesses to promote goodwill and to advertise their products and services. 
     Further benefits, features and embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing description and accompanying drawings which describe the invention in detail. A preferred embodiment is disclosed in accordance with the best mode which is contemplated for practicing the invention and the specific features in which exclusive property rights are claimed are set forth in each of the numbered claims which are appended to the detailed description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and further objects, characterizing features, details and advantages thereof will appear more clearly with reference to the diagrammatic drawings illustrating a presently preferred specific embodiment of the invention by way of non-limiting example only. 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of a case for carrying cards, keys and disks and for randomly selecting sets of six numbered disks according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a right side view of the device shown in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of the device shown in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the device shown in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view drawn to an enlarged scale taken on the line 5--5 in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 6 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment for randomly selecting lottery numbers for daily and weekly or semi-weekly lotteries. 
     FIG. 7 is a right side view of the alternate embodiment. 
     FIG. 8 is a front view of the alternate embodiment. 
     FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the alternate embodiment. 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 10--10 in FIG. 8. 
     FIG. 11 is a plan view of a case for carrying keys and disks and a lottery number picker for randomly selecting three digit numbers, four digit numbers and sets of six numbered disks, according to the invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a right side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11. 
     FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 13--13 in FIG. 11. 
     FIG. 14 is a front view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11. 
     FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 15--15 in FIG. 11. 
     FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11. 
     FIG. 17 is a plan view of an embodiment wherein a card is bonded to an outside surface of a case. 
     FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 18--18 in FIG. 17. 
     FIG. 19 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment which is similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 5, except that a card is bonded to a bottom surface of a platform. 
     FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 18--18 in FIG. 17. 
     FIG. 19 is a rotated plan view of the embodiment shown in 
     FIGS. 1-5 showing how disks are captured in a trap of the device shown in FIGS. 1-8. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, in FIGS. 1 through 5, inclusive, a case 20 for carrying cards, keys, and numbered disks is shown according to the invention. The case 20 can be used as an I.D. Tag for suitcases and brief cases. 
     The case 20 generally comprises a rectangular shaped transparent platform 21 having a space 22 for storing numbered disks 23 and a card 24; a set of numbered disks 23 for selecting lottery numbers; a transparent cover 25 attached to the platform 21 for covering and viewing the disks 23 and a card 24. A chain 26 attached to an outward extending portion 27 of a right side wall 28 of the cover 25 for carrying keys. 
     In the orientation depicted in the drawings,, the platform 21 has a horizontal wall 30, a front wall 31, left side wall 32, right side wall 33, and a rear wall 34. The transparent cover 25 overlaps the platform 21 and has a horizontal wall 35, a front wall 36, a right side wall 28, a left side wall 38, and a rear wall 39. 
     With reference to FIG. 5, longitudinal ribs 40 extend along the outside surface of the platform front 31 and rear 34 walls and the inside surfaces of the cover front 36 and rear 39 walls. The ribs 40 interlock to retain the cover 25 to the platform 21. As shown in the enlarged cross-sectional view of FIG. 5, the ribs 40 are sloped to facilitate interlocking. It should be noted from FIG. 5, that when the ribs 40 are interlocked, their adjacent surfaces 41 are steeply sloped to prevent the ribs from being easily separated. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, the end portions of the ribs are offset from the sides of cover 25 and the platform. The offsets reduce the rigidity of the cover walls 28, 38 and platform walls 31, 34 and allow them to flex during the interlocking of the ribs 40. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 17, a characterizing feature of the invention is a trap 42 for capturing disks. The trap 42 allows disks 23 to easily enter but having entered, impedes them from easily leaving the trap 42. The length of the trap 42 corresponds to the number of disks 23 which must be captured. The trap length does not allow extra disks 23 to be captured. In the illustrated embodiment, six disks 23 are captured from a set of fifty disks. To this purpose, the trap 42 allows six disks 23, and only six disks 23, to be captured. 
     The trap 42 has an inner wall 43 and a parallel outer wall 44 which extend downwardly from an inner surface of the cover 25 and are parallel to the platform&#39;s rear wall 34. An end portion 45 of the trap&#39;s outer wall 44 is sloped to provide a ramp 45 at the entrance 46 of the trap. An end portion 47 of the trap&#39;s inner wall 43 is hook-shaped and turns outwardly toward the trap&#39;s outer wall 44. 
     The operation of the trap 42 can be best understood by reference to FIG. 17. To select a lottery number, the case 20 is rotated to empty the trap of disks 23. The case 20 is agitated to randomize the positions of the disks 23 and rotated to capture six of the disks 23. As the case 20 is rotated to capture disks 23, some disks 23 accumulate at the entrance 46 of the trap 42, forcing other disks 23 up the ramp 45 and into the trap 42. The upward movement of disks 23 on the ramp 45 pushes other disks 23 out of the path of disks 23 on the ramp 45. 
     When the case 20 is rotated further such that the trap 42 becomes horizontal, the trap&#39;s hook-end portion 47 impedes disks 23 from flowing out of the trap 42. With reference to FIG. 5, in the interior of the case 20, between the trap 42 and the horizontal platform wall is an opaque card 24. The card is installed before the disks 23 and cover 25 are installed. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 6 through 10, an alternate embodiment 48 is shown having an upper space 53 with a single trap 49 for a six number weekly lottery and a lower space 54 with a pair of traps 50, 51 for three and four digit daily lotteries. The traps 49, 50, 51 are formed in a transparent upper cover 55 and a transparent lower cover 56. The covers 55, 56 overlap a platform 52 and are attached to the platform 52 with pairs of interlocking ribs 40. 
     With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the traps 50, 51 in the lower cover are orthogonal and extend from an inside surface of the lower cover 56 for picking three and four digit daily lottery numbers. The trap 49 for picking six of the numbered disks 23 extends from an inside surface of the upper cover 55 and has the same configuration as the trap 42 of the first described embodiment 20. The trap 50 for capturing four of the numbered disks 23 is comprised of an outer wall 58 and a parallel spaced apart inner wall 59. Both walls 58, 59 are parallel to the lower cover&#39;s rear wall 60. The trap 50 has ramp 61 and hook 62 end portions. 
     Referring to FIG. 9, the trap 51 for capturing three of the numbered disks 23 has an outer wall 63 and an inner wall 64 extending from the inner wall 59 of the trap 50 and parallel to the lower cover&#39;s right side wall 65, and hook-shaped 66 and ramp 67 end portions. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 11 through 16, an embodiment 60 is shown which is similar to the embodiment 48 of FIGS. 6 through 10 except that upper 49 and lower 50, 51 traps are formed in a platform 70 and the card 24 has been deleted. It will be observed that identical covers 71 have been used in this embodiment 60 because the traps 49, 50, 51 are incorporated in the platform 70. 
     In FIGS. 17 and 18, I have shown an embodiment 73 having a transparent platform 74, a transparent cover 78 and a card 75 which is adhesively bonded to a lower surface of the platform 74. It will be noted that the upper 76 and lower 77 surfaces of the card are visible through the cover 78. Thus, information, such as instructions and manufacturer identification can be seen on the upper surface 76 of the card, and other information, such as advertising can be seen on the lower surface 77 of the card. 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that my invention provides a compact case for cards, keys, and numbered disks having characterizing features and advantages over the prior art. 
     Although only several embodiments of my invention have been shown for the purpose of describing my invention and the manner of using the invention, it is not my intention to limit the claims to these embodiments, since other embodiments become obvious after having the benefit of the disclosure, by such changes as shape, material and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit thereof.