Abstract:
A card-connector is provide for the construction 3-dimensions objects with cards, such as playing cards. The card connector can include a card receiving portion and an interconnection portion. The card receiving portion can be bifurcated to define a first side portion, a second side portion, and a slot. The interconnecting portion can have at least one of a ball portion or socket portion of a ball and socket joint, where two interconnecting portion can be connected to form a ball and socket joint. Multiple card connectors can be joined together with the interconnecting portions to create 3-dimensional objects with the cards.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates generally to card connectors, and more particularly, to card connectors which can be used to build three dimensional objects with cards. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Playing cards can be used to construct 3-dimensional objects. Connectors may be used to hold adjacent playing cards together, where multiply playing cards and connectors can be used to create the 3-dimension objects. 
         [0003]    Such prior art connector can include interlocking discs having slots for receiving and gripping a playing card. Such interlocking discs are disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2002/0090881 entitled Construction Toy, U.S. Publication No. 2012/0000059 entitled Object Connector; and U.S. Publication No. 2013/0230353 entitled Construction Toy. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention provides a card-connector used to construction 3-dimensions objects with cards, such as paper or plastic cards in differing shapes and sized. For example, rectangular cards such as playing cards. Multiple card connectors and cards can be joint together to construct the 3-Dimensional objects. The card connector can include a card receiving portion and an interconnection portion. The card receiving portion can be bifurcated to define a first side portion, a second side portion, and a slot. The interconnecting portion can have at least one of a ball portion or socket portion of a ball and socket joint, where two card connectors can be connected together with the interconnecting portion to form an articulating ball and socket joint. 
         [0005]    The first and second portions of the card receiving portion can each include a plurality of segmented elements, where a gap is interposed between adjacent segmented elements. The segmented elements can be arranged on the first and second side portions in an alternating pattern 
         [0006]    Each of the plurality of segmented elements has a tip thickness and a midpoint point thickness, wherein the tip thickness is less than the mid-point thickness. The differing thickness create a differential slot height, where the slot height at the tip is greater than the slot height at mid-point of the segmented elements. 
         [0007]    The card connector can include a plurality of card receiving portions, where the interconnector portion is interposed between the cards receiving portion. In an example, the card connector includes a first card receiving portion and a second card receiving portion. 
         [0008]    The first and second card receiving portions are affixed together at an 180° angle. Alternatively, the first and second card receiving portions are affixed together at a 90° angle. It is further envisioned that the first and second card receiving portions can be affixed to together at any angle, including 30°, 45°, 66°, 90°, and 180°. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  depicts an isometric view of a card connector of the present disclosure including a ball portion; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  depicts an isometric view of a card connector of the present disclosure including a socket portion; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  depicts a front view of the card connector of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  depicts a front view of the cards connector of  FIG. 1 , include nub elements; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  depicts a cross sectional view of the cards connector of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  depicts a cross sectional view of the card connector of  FIG. 2 , including raised ridge lines; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  depicts a top view of a rectangular card connector of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  depicts a front view of the card connector of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  depicts a side view of the cards connector of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  depicts a curved card connector of the present disclosure; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  depicts an isometric view of a card connector having an alternative card gripping means; 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  depicts a front view of the card connector of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  depicts an isometric view of an alternative card connector of the present disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  depicts a front view of the card connector of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  depicts a top view of the card connector of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  depicts a top sectional view of the card connector of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 17  depicts an isometric view of an alternative card connector of the present disclosure with a ball portion of a ball and socket joint; 
           [0027]      FIG. 18  depicts a front view of the card connector of  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 19  depicts a side view of the card connector of  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 20  depicts a top view of the card connector of  FIG. 17 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 21  depicts an isometric view of an alternative card connector of the present disclosure with a socket portion of a ball and socket joint; 
           [0031]      FIG. 22  depicts a front view of the card connector of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 23  depicts a side view of the card connector of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 24  depicts a top view of the card connector of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 25  depicts a side sectional view of the card connector of  FIG. 21 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 26  depicts an isometric view of a rectangular card connector of the present invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 27  depicts a front view of the card connector of  FIG. 26 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 28  depicts an isometric view of a pair of card connector affixed together; 
           [0038]      FIG. 29  depicts a side view of the pair of card connectors of  FIG. 28 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 30  depicts an isometric view of a pair of card connector affixed together; 
           [0040]      FIG. 31  depicts a side view of the pair of card connectors of  FIG. 30 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 32  depicts an isometric view of an intermediate connector element of the present disclosure; 
           [0042]      FIG. 33  depicts a side sectional view of the intermediate element of  FIG. 32 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 34  depicts an isometric view of an alternative intermediate connector element; and 
           [0044]      FIG. 35  depicts a side sectional view of an alternative intermediate connector element of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0045]    The present disclosure relates to a device(s) used to connect playing cards and methods for using the device(s). The device can be used in many applications including but not limited to the assembly of artistic structures, construction of toys, storage, and organization. 
         [0046]    Referring now to the drawing figures in which like reference designators refer to like elements, there is shown in  FIGS. 1-3  a card connector  10  of the present disclosure. The card connector  10  includes a card receiving portion  12  and interconnecting portion  14 . The card receiving portion  12  is bifurcated having a first side portion  16  and a second side portion  18 , with a center slot  20  interposed therebetween. A slot height “H” of the center slot  20  is sized to compressively fit a thickness of a card to be positioned therein to compressively and frictionally hold the card. 
         [0047]    The interconnecting portion  14  can include one of a ball or socket portions  22 ,  24  of a ball and socket joint. To form a card connector assembly, the ball  22  of a first card connector  10  is inserted into the socket  24  of the second card connector  10 , forming an articulating ball/socket joint  26 . The ball/socket joint  26  provides a frictional connections, such that upon movement of one card connector  10  with respect to another card connector  10  the relative position of the card connectors  10  are maintained. 
         [0048]    The ball/socket  22 ,  24  can be connected directly to the card receiving portion  12 . Alternatively, the ball/socket  22 ,  24  can be attached in a spaced apart fashion, where an extension element  28  is interposed between the ball/socket  22 ,  24  and the card receiving portion  12 . 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIGS. 4-5 , in the card receiving portion  12 , inner surfaces  30 ,  32  of the first and second side portions  16 ,  18  can include a plurality of nubs  34  which extend into the center slot  20 . The nubs  34  can be positioned on the inner surfaces  30 ,  32  of the first and second side portions  16 ,  18  in an alternating pattern, along the length and or width of the inner surfaces  30 ,  32 . The plurality of nubs  34  act to increase the gripping force on an inserted playing card. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , in the card receiving portion  12 , inner surfaces  30 ,  32  of the first and second side portions  16 ,  18  can include a plurality of raised ridge lines  36  which extend into the center slot  20 . The raised ridge lines  36  can be positioned on the inner surfaces  30 ,  32  of the first and second side portions  16 ,  18  in an alternating pattern, along the length and or width of the inner surfaces  30 ,  32 . The plurality of raised ridge lines  36  act to increase the gripping force on an inserted playing card. 
         [0051]    It is also envisioned that the inner surfaces  30 ,  32  of the first and second side portions  16 ,  18  can include any texture element which act to increase the gripping force on an inserted playing card. 
         [0052]    A circumferential edge  40  of the card receiving portion  12  can be arcuate in shape, for example, being substantially semi-circular in shape, though different arcuate circumferential shapes  40  are contemplated. 
         [0053]    Referring to  FIGS. 7-9 , in another embodiment, the card receiving portion  12  can be rectangular is shape having a length “L” and width “W,” where the length “L” is greater than the width “W.” Alternatively, the length “L” can be less than the width “W”, or equal to the width “W.” 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , in another embodiment, the card receiving portion  12  can be curved along its length “L.” Alternatively, the card receiving portion  12  can be curved along it width “W” (not shown). 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the inner surfaces  30 ,  32  of the first and second side portions  16 ,  18  of the card receiving portion  12  can include a plurality of alternating and opposing raised ridge lines  42  and troughs  44 , where the opposing raised ridge lines  42  and troughs  44  are aligned. The raised ridge lines  42  and troughs  44  can be positioned on the inner surfaces  30 ,  32  of the first and second side portions  16 ,  18  in an alternating pattern, along the length and or width of the inner surfaces  30 ,  32 . The plurality of raised ridge lines  42  and troughs  44  act to increase the gripping force on an inserted playing card. 
         [0056]    Referring again  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in the interconnecting portion  14 , the ball  22  can be substantially, spherical in shape. The socket  24  can take the form of a substantially, hemi-spherical socket, where the ball  22  is removably positionable into the socket  24 . The socket  24  is seized to frictionally secure the position of the ball  22  with respect to the socket  24 . Alternatively, the socket  24  can be substantially hemispherical in shapes defining a side wall  50 , where the side wall  50  include alternating gaps  52  and legs  54  arranged about the side wall  50 . The socket  24  can be made of elastic material, such as plastic, such that the legs  54  can provide a spring force against an inserted ball  22 . 
         [0057]    The gaps  52  can be sized to receive the extension element  28  element therein. In this manner, the angular range of motion between a pair of interconnects card connectors can be increase past 90°. Additionally, the gaps  52  can be sized such that the extension element  28  can be snap fitted into the gap  52 , locking the position of the pair of interconnecting card connectors. 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIGS. 13-16  a card connector  60  of the present disclosure includes a card receiving portion  62  and interconnecting portion  64 . The card receiving portion  62  is bifurcated having a first side portion  66  and a second side portion  68 , with a center slot  70  interposed therebetween. A slot height “H” of the center slot  70  is sized to compressively fit a thickness of a card to be positioned therein to compressively and frictionally hold the card. 
         [0059]    The first and second side portions  66 ,  68  can each include a plurality of segmented elements  72 , where on each of the first and second side portions  66 ,  68  a gap  74  is interposed between adjacent segmented elements  72 . The segmented elements  72  can be arranged on the first and second side portions  66 ,  68  in an alternating manner, such that no two opposing segments  72  on the first and second side portions  66 ,  68  are aligned with each other. 
         [0060]    The segmented elements  72  can be cantilevered such that the center slot  70  is sized to compressively fit a width of a card therein. Similar to card connected  10 , the side portions  66 ,  68  can include nubs or raised ridge lines on the inner surfaces. 
         [0061]    The interconnecting portion  64  can include one of a ball or socket  82 ,  84 , where two card connectors  60  can be connected together by interconnecting the ball  82  and socket  84  to form a ball/socket joint  86 . The ball/socket joint  86  provides a frictional connections, such that upon movement of one card connector  60  with respect to another card connector  60  the relative position of the card connectors  60  are maintained. 
         [0062]    The ball/socket  82 ,  84  can be connected directly to the card receiving portion  62 . Alternatively, the ball/socket  82 ,  84  can be attached in a spaced apart fashion, where an extension element  88  is interposed between the ball/socket  82 ,  84  and the card receiving portion  62 . 
         [0063]    Referring to  FIGS. 17-20 , a first card connector  90  of the present disclosure includes a card receiving portion  92  and interconnecting portion  94 . The card receiving portion  92  is bifurcated having a first side portion  96  and a second side portion  98 , with a center slot  100  interposed therebetween. A slot height of the center slot  100  is sized to compressingly fit a width of a card to be positioned therein to compressively and frictionally hold the card. 
         [0064]    The first and second side portions  96 ,  98  can each include a plurality of segmented elements  102 , where on each of the first and second side portions  96 ,  98  a gap  104  is interposed between adjacent segmented elements  102 . The segmented elements  102  can be arranged on the first and second side portions  96 ,  98  in an alternating manner, such that no two opposing segments  102  on the first and second side portions  96 ,  98  are aligned with each other. 
         [0065]    A tip portion  108  of the segmented elements  102  can be blunted, having a tip thickness less than a thickness at a mid-point of the segmented element  102 . In this manner a slot height H 1  at the tip is greater than a slot height H 2  at the mid-point of the segmented elements  102 . The increased slot height H 1  at the tip  108  can allow for an easier insertion of the playing card. 
         [0066]    The segmented elements  102  can be cantilevered such that the center slot  100  is s sized to compressingly fit a width of a card therein. Similar to card connected  10 , the side portions  96 ,  98  can include nubs or raises ridge lines on the inner surfaces. 
         [0067]    The interconnecting portion  94  can include a ball  106  portion of a ball/socket joint. The ball  106  can be a solid spherical ball, or in the alternative a segmented ball.” 
         [0068]    Referring to  FIGS. 21-25 , similar to first card connector  90 , a second card connector  110  of the present disclosure includes a card receiving portion  112  and interconnecting portion  114 . The card receiving portion  112  is bifurcated having a first side portion  116  and a second side portion  118 , with a center slot  120  interposed therebetween. A slot height of the center slot  120  is sized to compressingly fit a width of a card to be positioned therein to compressively and frictionally hold the card. 
         [0069]    The first and second side portions  116 ,  118  can each include a plurality of segmented elements  122 , where on each of the first and second side portions  116 ,  118  a gap  124  is interposed between adjacent segmented elements  122 . The segmented elements  122  can be arranges on the first and second side portions  116 ,  118  in an alternating manner, such that no two opposing segments  122  on the first and second side portions  116 ,  118  are aligned with each other. 
         [0070]    A tip portion  130  of the segmented elements  122  can be blunted, having a tip thickness less than a thickness at a mid-point of the segmented element  122 . In this manner a slot height H 1  at the tip  130  is greater than a slot height H 2  at the mid-point of the segmented elements  122 . The increased slot height H 1  at the tip  130  can allow for an easier insertion of the playing card. 
         [0071]    The segmented elements  122  can be cantilevered such that the center slot  120  is sized to compressingly fit a width of a card therein. Similar to card connected  10 , the side portions  116 ,  118  can include nubs or raises ridge lines on the inner surfaces. 
         [0072]    The interconnecting portion  114  can include a socket  124  portion of a ball/socket joint. The socket  124  can take the form of a substantially, hemi-spherical socket, where the ball  106  is removably positionable into the socket  124 . The socket  124  is sized to frictionally secure the position of the ball  106  with respect to the socket  124 . Alternatively, the socket  124  can be substantially hemispherical in shape, defining a side wall  125 , where the side wall  125  include alternating gaps  126  and legs  128  arranged about the side wall  125 . The socket  124  can be made of elastic material, such as plastic, such that the legs  128  can provide a spring force against an inserted ball  106 . 
         [0073]    The first and second card connectors  90 ,  110  can be connected together by interconnecting the ball  106  and socket  124  to form a ball/socket joint. The ball/socket joint provides a frictional connections, such that upon movement of the first card connector  90  with respect to the second card connector  110  the relative position of the card connectors  90 ,  110  are maintained. 
         [0074]    The ball/socket  104 ,  124  can be connected directly to the card receiving portions  92 ,  112 . Alternatively, the ball/socket  104 ,  124  can be attached in a spaced apart fashion, where an extension element  106 ,  136  is interposed between the ball/socket  104 ,  124  and the card receiving portion  92 ,  112 . 
         [0075]    A circumferential edge of the card receiving portions  92 ,  112  can be arcuate in shape, for example, being substantially semi-circular in shape, though different arcuate circumferential shapes are contemplated. 
         [0076]    Referring to  FIGS. 26 and 27 , in another embodiment, the card receiving portions  92 ,  112  can be rectangular is shape have a length “L” and width “W,” where the length “L” is greater than the width “W.” Alternatively, the length “L” can be less than the width “W,” or equal to the width “W.” 
         [0077]    In an embodiment, a pair of card receiving portions  140  can be connected together in a fixed relationship. Referring to  FIGS. 28 and 29 , a pair of card receiving portions  140  are fixed together at an 180° angle with respect to each other. An interconnecting portion  142  can be interposed between the pair of card receiving portions  140 . The interconnecting portion  142  can take the form of a ball or socket portion of a ball and socket joint as had been previously described. 
         [0078]    Referring to  FIGS. 30 and 31 , the pair of card receiving portions  140  are fixed together at a  900  angel with respect to each other. An interconnecting portion  142  can be interposed between the pair of card receiving portions  140 . The interconnecting portion  142  can take the form of a ball or socket portion of a ball and socket joint as had been previously described. It is further contemplated that the card receiving portions can be fixed together at any specific angle α, including but not limited to, 180°, 90°, 60°, 45°, 30°, and the like. 
         [0079]    In a further embodiment, intermediate connectors are provided to connect a plurality of card connectors together. Referring to  FIGS. 32 and 33 , an intermediate connector  150  includes a pair of opposing connector elements  152 ,  154 . The connector elements  152 ,  154  are depicted as socket portions of a ball and socket joint. However, it is envisioned that the connector elements  152 ,  154  can be either ball portions, socket portions, or one of each. Referring to  FIG. 34 , an intermediate connector having a ball connector element  156  and a socket connector element  158  is shown. 
         [0080]    Referring to  FIG. 35 , an intermediate connector  160  is provided having four connector elements  162 ,  164 ,  166 ,  168 . The connector elements  162 ,  164 ,  166 ,  168  are depict as socket portions of a ball and socket joint. However, it is envisioned that the connector elements  162 ,  164 ,  166 ,  168  can be either ball portions, socket portions, or combinations thereof. Additionally, the intermediate connector are depicted as having 2 and 4 connector elements, however it is contemplated that the intermediate connector can include any plurality of connector elements, include 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, . . . connector elements. 
         [0081]    All references cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
         [0082]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is limited only by the following claims.