PROTECTIVE CASE FOR COLLECTIBLE CARDS

The present invention is a protective case for collectible cards and other items, which provides a solution to the problem of protecting collectable items while shipping and displaying. The core components of the invention are a case with an indent configured to secure a collectable card or other item and a flat base configured to act as a base so the protective case is able to stand on end and display the collectable card or other item, and connective hinges configured to secure the connective hinges to other protective cases or other protective devices.

BACKGROUND

Various forms of protective cases exist for collectable cards and other valuable items. Many collectable cards are graded and placed in a hard clear plastic case. The case is intended to be permanent in most cases and it is desirable to keep the case from being damaged so the view of the card is not encumbered by scratches and dents.

Collectable cards are normally shipped in boxes with protective filler such as packing peanuts or bubble wrap. Although this is generally adequate protection for a single card in a protective case, when several cards are shipped together they can often end up rubbing against one another and damaging each other. Also, the cards do not arrive in a presentable manner. The person receiving the cards has to carefully unwrap the cards and place the cards in a separate device for presentation.

Most devices used for presenting cards would provide very little protection for the cards or are too bulky to ship one or even a handful of cards.

SUMMARY

The disclosed device is unique when compared with other known devices and solutions because it provides a protective case that can be used both for shipping and for display.

The disclosed device is unique in that it is structurally different from other known devices or solutions. More specifically, the device is unique due to the presence of: (1) a case with an indent for a card or similar item and connecting items for connecting the protective case to another protective case or other protective element; and (2) a case with a flat bottom balanced to stand and display the card or other item either alone or while connected to other cases or protective elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the Summary above, in this Detailed Description, the claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used—to the extent possible—in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.

The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range including that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 1” means 1 or more than 1. The term “at most” followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range, including that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, “at most 4” means 4 or less than 4, and “at most 40%” means 40% or less than 40%. When, in this specification, a range is given as “(a first number) to (a second number)” or “(a first number)— (a second number),” this means a range whose limits include both numbers. For example, “25 to 100” means a range whose lower limit is 25 and upper limit is 100 and includes both25and100.

FIG.1shows an example front view of a protective case100. The protective case100may have a base105with an indent110in the base105. The protective case100may also include first connectors122on a first side of the base105and second connectors124on a second side of the base105opposite the first side. The base105may have a rectangular prism shape with a flat bottom side. The indent110may have a rectangular prism shape as well (which may be complementary to the shape of a collectable card or card case). In some embodiments, other shapes may be used so the indent110conforms to the shape of the object being shipped and/or displayed in the protective case100.

Standard collectable cards (not shown) are 3.5 by 2.5 inches. A card case (not shown) for a standard collectible card may be about 4.5 by 3 inches and about 0.25 inches thick.

The indent110may be slightly larger than the size of the card case about 4.55 by 3.05 inches and about 0.25-. 5 inches deep. The base105may have a height of 5-7 inches, width of 4-5 inches and depth of about 0.75-1.25 inches. It may be advantageous to have the indent110be deeper than the thickness of the card case to provide some protection to the card case from objects rubbing the front face of the protective case100.

The first connectors122and second connectors124may be part of a hinge system for connecting protective cases100and other protective devices together in a way that connected protectives cases100and other protective items can close (e.g., go face to face) for shipping and storage and open for display and standing on end. In the example shown inFIG.1, the first connectors122may be male connectors for a hinge system and the second connectors124may be female connectors for the hinge system. From the perspective ofFIG.1, the first connectors122may be on or around the front left edge of the base105and the second connectors124may be on or around the back right edge of the base105. Restated, the first connectors122and the second connectors124may be on opposite edges of the base105. The first connectors122may have a shank and a ball making up the male connector. The second connectors124may include two prongs with indents complimentary to the ball of the first connector122so that the ball of the first connector122fits securely between the two prongs. Other hinge systems such as hinges that use pins may also be used. The first connectors122and second connectors124may be made of plastic, metal, or other durable material suitable for hinge systems. The base105may be made of plastic, wood, metal, or other materials suitable for protecting and supporting (for display and storage/shipment) a card case or other item.

Protective cases100that hold more than one card case or another item are also possible. For example, multiple indents110may be included in a protective case100. In some non-limiting embodiments protective cases100may have a top component310and a bottom component320whereby top component310and bottom component320are connected by a series of detachable snap fastening connections. When connected together top component310may cover and protect a card place in indent110which is positioned on bottom component320.

FIG.2shows an example front view of two connected protective cases100.FIG.3shows an example bottom view of the two connected protective cases100with the cases folded together in a closed position. Each of the protective cases may include a different layout of first connectors and second connectors. For example, one protective case100may have first connectors on a front edge (edge connecting to front side of the base105with the indent110) while the second protective case100may have second connectors on a front edge (edge connecting to a back side of the base105opposite the front side). In this way, the second connectors124on the first protective case (left inFIG.2) and the first connectors122on the second protective case100(right inFIG.2) can be connected in a way that protective cases100can rotate (relative to each other) to a closed position where the front sides of the protective cases100are proximate to each other and rotate (relative to each other) to an open position where the front sides are visible to a viewer. In the closed position (shown inFIG.3) the front faces may be about parallel, in an open position (shown inFIG.2) the front faces may be about 90-180 degrees from each other. The bottom side (viewed inFIG.3) of protective cases100may be flat such that the protective case100may be stood up on end on the bottom side. In some embodiments, the protective case100may also be balanced such that the protective case will balance/stay up when stood up on the bottom side (with or without a card case or other item in the indent110).

The first connectors122and second connectors124may extend out and way from the base105(e.g., diagonally away from the front face or back face of the base105) such that the connection between the first connectors122and second connectors124of different protective cases100allows the protective cases100to rotate to a position where the front faces of the protective cases are parallel and proximate to each other.

FIG.4shows an example front view of a protective case300connected to a protective case200.FIG.5shows an example bottom view of the protective case300connected to the protective case200with the protective case and the protective case folded together in a closed position. The protective case300may be similar to the protective case100in all but that the protective case300only includes first connectors322on a front edge of a base305of the protective case300. The protective case may not include second connectors324(not shown in this figure) on a back edge of the base305. If second connectors324are included on a protective case300then first connectors322may not be included. Restated, the protective case300may include either first connectors322or second connectors324on a front edge of the base305. The base305may include an indent310similar to the indent110of protective case100. The first connectors322and second connectors324of the protective case300may be the same as the first connectors122and second connectors124of the protective case100.

The protective case200may have a base205and first connectors222(not shown in this figure) or second connectors224on an edge of the base205. The base205may have similar dimensions to the base305of the protective case300so the protective case200can close over the indent310in the protective case to protect the card case or other item in the indent310. The protective case200may also act to stabilize the protective case300when the protective case200and protective case300are connected and are in an open position and stand on end. The protective case200may be thinner than the protective case300because it does not need to have an indent such as indent310for containing a card case or other item.

FIG.6shows an example front view of two connected protective cases300. One protective case300may have first connectors322on a front edge of the base305and the other may have second connectors on a front edge of the base305. Thus, the first connectors of the first protective case300can connect with the second connectors324of the other protective case300such that the protective cases can close to a closed position and open to an open position.

FIG.7shows an example bottom view of several protective cases100,300and a protective case200connected and folded together. The protective cases100may be connected to another protective case100, protective case300, or protective case200. The protective case100, protective case300, or protective case200may be connected by connecting in a line with first connectors122,222,322and second connectors124,224,324. At one end of the line a protective case300or protective case200may be connected and at a second end of the line a protective case300or protective case200may be connected so that no additional first connectors122,222,322and second connectors124,224,324stick out from the ends of the line. The middle of the line may be protective cases100that can connect on both sides. The line may have any number of protective cases100, so any number of card cases or other items can be protected by a line of protective case100, protective case300, and/or protective case200. When the line is folded into a closed position, all of the indents110,310may be covered by the base105,205,305of one of the other protective cases100, protective cases300, or protective case200. The line of protective case(s)100, protective case(s)300, and/or protective case(s)200may be considered a device with each of the protective case(s)100, protective case(s)300, and/or protective case(s)200being a protective element. The line may be secured in a closed position by securing devices (not shown) such as rubber band, cord, latches, hooks, or other similar devices, which may be permanently fixed to one of the protective elements.

In some embodiments, the card case or other item may be held in the indent110(or indent300) by friction between the base105(or base305) and the card case or other item. However, in other embodiments different features may be included to improve friction or otherwise help secure the card case or other item in the indent110.

The protective case200may be used when an odd number of protective cases100,300are needed, thus rather than having a protective case100,300without a card case or other item in the indent110,310, protective case100(that may be thinner and lighter than a protective case100,300and more aesthetically pleasing) may be used.

FIG.8shows an example front view of a protective case100with friction pads112. The friction pads may include a material with at least one of greater elasticity and greater surface friction than the material of the base105. The friction pads112may include rubber, silicone, adhesive putty, or other similar materials. The friction pads112may be placed within the indent110to provide additional friction between the card case or other item and the base105to hold the cards or other items in the indent110in the base105. The friction pads112may be arranged on one or more sides of the indent110. In some embodiments, friction pads112may be included on all sides of the indent110. Indent110may have an upper semi hemispherical or hemispherical portion114allowing for easier removal of cards.

FIG.9shows an example front view of a protective case100with a pressing plate116. The pressing plate116and at least one spring118or other pressing device may be included in the indent110and configured to press a card case or other item in the indent by pressing the card case or other item into a wall of the indent opposite the pressing plate116. The pressing plate may include a hard material such as metal, plastic, or similar materials, and may also include a high friction material such as rubber, silicone, or other similar materials over the hard material.

FIG.10shows an example front view of a protective case100with a turn button130. The turn button may include a pin passing into the base105and an arm capable of turning around the pin to a position partially over the indent110and to a position where the arm is not over the indent110. The turn button130may thus be configured to secure a card case or other item in the indent110while the arm is partially over the indent110and configured to not prevent the case cover or other item from entering or leaving the indent110when the arm is not over the indent110.

The protective case100may include one or more of the friction pads112, pressing plate116and springs118, and turn button130. For example, the protective case100may include friction pads112in the indent110and one or more turn buttons130on the front face of the base105beside the indent110. Protective cases300may also include similar friction pads112, pressing plate116and springs118, and turn button130.

Advantageously, the protective cases100,300may secure and protect card cases and other items in indents. The protective cases100,300may also advantageously be connected to other protective cases100,300and protective cases200and arranged to move into a closed position that covers the indents110and an open position where the items in the indents may be viewed and displayed with the protective cases standing on a bottom side. The connection between the protective cases100,300and other protective cases100,300and protective cases200also advantageously allows for additional stabilization when the protective cases100,300and protective cases200are connected stood on end (especially when in a ‘V shape, ‘w’ shape, or similar shape).

The first connectors122,222,322and second connectors124,224,324may be separated and connected (i.e., removably connected) making the design modular for any number of protective cases100,200.

Also, the protective cases100have the advantage of being both protective for shipping and storage and also being useful for displaying the protected card case or other item.

Accordingly, the present description provides for various embodiments for a protective case100. Many uses and advantages are offered by the protective case100as described above in one or more non-limiting embodiments in the present description.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The present invention, according to one or more embodiments described in the present description, may be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Thus, the description is to be regarded as illustrative instead of restrictive of the present invention.