Abstract:
An expandable business card is described that includes a first foldable page and a second foldable page. The first foldable page has a detachable business card. The second foldable page is connected to a booklet. The first page and second page are interconnected and slidingly engaged. When in a fir st folded position, the booklet is concealed within the perimeter of the expandable business card. When the expandable business card is opened in the second position, the booklet can expand to a predetermined size to provide an additional area for promotional information. The first page includes a projection that is not visible in the first folded position but then extends for viewing in the second open position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to business cards and more specifically to business cards that can expand and provide additional surface area for the presentation of information.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Foldable objects provide individuals with devices that can provide additional information compared to those that are simply two sided. Examples include booklets, such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,427 to Wilen, that defines a plurality of longitudinal panels that enclosed by an outer cover.  
         [0003]     Business cards are a representation of an individual and yet provide only a limited amount of area for that representation. Many businesses, such as those related to art and advertising, are highly creative and desire to:expand the amount of information that can be communicated by the traditional two sided business card formats.  
         [0004]     A business card is needed that can expand and can provide a range of different kinds of information to the holder of the card.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The preferred embodiment of the present invention is an expandable business card that comprises a first page that includes a fold that joins two panels. A first panel includes a detachable portion. The second panel includes a projection. The first page has an inner side and an outer side. A second page has four sides and includes three panels joined by two folds. A slot is defined in one of the folds. The second page has an inner side and an outer side. The outer side of the second page is connected to the inner side of the first page. A booklet is attached to the inner side of the second page. The business card has a first closed position in which the first panel of the second page is a cover and the detachable portion is a business card. The third panel of the second page is an opposed cover. The projection is at least partially concealed. A second position of the expandable business card includes the covers opened to show the booklet and the projection.  
         [0006]     The expandable business card wherein the second page has a first panel positioned under the first panel of the first page and the first panel of the second page includes a business card. The expandable business card in the second position includes the projection extending through the slot in the fold of the second page. The projection has two opposed sides and at least one of the sides of the projection can include at least one of text, an image and a graphic.  
         [0007]     The booklet in the second position includes two viewable panels and is positioned inside the perimeter of a first panel and a second panel of the second page. The booklet can expand to a third position that includes four viewable panels. The booklet can expand to a fourth position that includes eight viewable panels. The expandable business card includes a second cover opposite the first cover that can function as a cover for the booklet.  
         [0008]     In another embodiment, the expandable business card comprises a first page that includes a first panel detachable from a second panel along perforations. A fold joins the second panel and a third panel. The third panel projects from the second panel. The first page has an inner side and an outer side. A second page includes three panels joined by two folds. A slot is defined in one of the folds. The first page has an inner side and an outer side. The outer side of the second page is connected to the inner side of the first page. A booklet is connected to the inner side of the second page. A first position of the expandable business card includes the expandable business card in a closed position. The first panel of the second page is a cover that includes, for example, a detachable business card. The third panel of the second page is the opposed cover for the booklet. The projection and the booklet are at least partially concealed in the first closed position. A second position wherein the covers are opened to view the at least partially unfolded booklet. At least a portion of the third panel extends through the slot in the fold of the second page and is viewable. The booklet is positioned within the outer edges of the first panel and second panel of the second page. A third position wherein the booklet unfolds such that at least a portion of the booklet extends beyond the edges of the second page.  
         [0009]     The expandable business card of claim wherein the booklet unfolds into a fourth position that is greater than the size of the second position. The expandable business card has a height of approximately 3.5 inches when viewed as booklet. The expandable business card has a width of approximately 2.9 inches when viewed as a booklet. The expandable business card of claim  9 , wherein the expandable business card has a depth of approximately 0.1 inch.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, wherein like numerals are used to refer to the same or similar elements.  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a top frontal perspective view of an expandable business card of the present disclosure;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of a first page of the expandable business card of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of a second page of the expandable business card of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a top rear perspective view of a first page of the expandable business card of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the opened expandable business card of  FIG. 1  in a first expanded position showing a booklet;  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of the booklet of the expandable card of  FIG. 5 , in a second expanded position; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of the booklet of the expandable card of  FIG. 5 , in a third expanded position.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the preferred embodiment of an expandable business card  10  includes a first page  20 , a second page  40  and a booklet  60 . First page  20  and second page  40  are connected and interrelated. Booklet  60  is connected to second page  40 . Expandable business card  10  can advantageously expand to provide additional surface areas for the positioning of images, graphics and/or trademarks associated with the cardholder and/or the cardholder&#39;s business.  
         [0019]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , first page  20  has a first edge  22  opposed by a second edge  24  and a third edge  26  opposed by a fourth edge  28 . First page  20  includes a first panel  21 , a second panel  23  and a third panel  25 . First panel  21  and second panel  23  are preferably separated by perforations  27 . First panel  21  is preferably a business card that can be readily separated from second panel  23  by tearing along perforations  23 . The bottom of the business card includes edge  22  and the sides include a portion of opposed edges  26  and  28 .  
         [0020]     Third panel  25  is connected to second panel  23  by a fold  29 . The second panel includes a projection  31 . The terminal end of projection  31  includes an outer portion of second edge  24  that forms a corner with edge  26 . Second edge  24  has an inner portion that forms a corner with edge  28  and is connected to projection  31 . In this preferred embodiment first edge  22 , second edge  24 , perforations  23  and fold  29  are approximately parallel. First page  20  has a first side  32  opposed by a second side  34  (See  FIG. 4 ).  
         [0021]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , second page  40  includes a first edge  42  opposed by a second edge  44  and a third edge  46  opposed by a fourth edge  48 . Second page  40  has a first panel  41 , a second panel  43  and a third panel  45 . A first fold  47  separates the first panel  41  and the second panel  43 . A second fold  49  separates the second panel  43  and third panel  45 . First panel  41  can include a detachable or non-detachable business card.  
         [0022]     In the preferred embodiment, first fold  47  includes a slot  51 . Slot  51  can be a cut along a portion of fold  47  that preferably runs a predetermined distance in an inward direction from edge  46  or a hole in portions of panels  43  and/or  45 . As required, fold  47  can also include reinforcing to ensure the long term integrity of the connection of panels  41  and  43 . Second page  40  also includes an outer side  52  and an inner side  54  (See  FIG. 4 ).  
         [0023]     In the preferred embodiment, edges  26  and  28  and  46  and  48  are approximately parallel and have a fixed dimensional distance between the respective edges such that edges  26  and  46  and  28  and  48  can be aligned. Similarly, edges  22  and  42  and edges  24  and  44  are parallel and edges  22  and  42  and edges  24  and  44  can each be aligned to form a single combined edge.  
         [0024]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , expandable business card  10  is in a position in a partially open position in which booklet  60  is folded and/or unexpanded within the perimeter of pages  20  and  40 . Business card  10  has a first unexpanded position in which fold  47  and edges  41  and  21  are in close proximity and edge  44  is in apposition with fold  47 . Card  10 , as shown, has edges  28  and  48  directed downward such that card  10  is positioned like a miniature book. Portions of second sides  34  and  44  of first page  20  and second page  40  are viewable in this position. Projection  51  is partially hidden from view between first side  42  of panels  43  and  45 .  
         [0025]     Expandable business card  10  in this one preferred embodiment has dimensions that are approximately 3.5 inches in height, approximately 2.875 inches in width and approximately 0.125 inches in depth when fully folded and unexpanded. It is understood that the external dimensions of expandable business card  10  can vary depending upon the desired application, but is intended to be sized such that it can easily carried in a wallet, purse or pocket. Expandable business card  10  is preferably made of paper or paper based products, but can also include plastics or composite materials. The folds of page  20 , page  40  and booklet  60  can be preformed flexible hinges or include a separate connecting hinge.  
         [0026]     First side  42  and second side  34  preferably have a connection  53  made by an adhesive that extends in a line or strip approximately between edges  26 ,  36  and edges  28 ,  48 . Connection  53  is preferably approximately parallel to and positioned in proximity to fold  47 . Connection  53  places fold  47  and fold  29  at a predetermined fixed distance that functions to slidingly engage pages  20  and  40  to retract projection  31  in the folded or closed position and extend projection  31  in any of the expanded positions. Alternative methods for connecting include common fasteners such as staples, as well as heat bonding. Booklet  60  is attached to second side  44  of panels  41  and  43 .  
         [0027]     In operation, referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , as expandable business card  10  is unfolded or expanded about fold  47  the fixed relationship of pages  20  and  40  and position of fold  29  relative to fold  47  and connection  53  extends projection  31  through slot  51 . In this position at least a portion panel  45  and edge  44  extends over panel  41 . As card  10  is moved into a first expanded position, panel  41 , panel  43 , booklet  60  and projection  31  are shown. Business card  10  unfolds or expands about connection  53  and fold  47 .  
         [0028]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , booklet  60  in the first expanded position includes a first side  62 , an opposed second side  64 , a third side  66  and an opposed fourth side  68 . Booklet  60  in this position has two panels  61  and  63 . A first fold  65  separates panels  61  and  63  and is aligned with fold  47 . Side  64  includes a third fold  69 . The opening of expandable business card  10  extends projection  31  through slot  51  and provides an eye catching additional viewable surface for an advertisement; image and/or trademark. The folded dimensions of booklet  60  in the first expanded position are less than that of edges  42 , fold  47 , edge  46  and edge  48  of second page  40 .  
         [0029]     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , booklet  60  has unfolded and/or expanded into a second expanded position that includes unfolding along a fold  67  to show a first page of booklet  60  that has panels  71 ,  73 ,  75  and  77 . The booklet  60  may contain up to thirty-two pages depending on the weight and thickness of the paper used. Booklet  60  in this second expanded position includes a first side  72 , an opposed second side  74 , a third side  76  and an opposed fourth side  78 . Second fold  67  is preferably approximately parallel to edges  46  and  48  and can be either in proximity to edge  46  or edge  48 . Panels  75  and  77  in this preferred embodiment extend beyond edge  46 , but the remainder of booklet  60  preferably remains inside of edges  42 ,  44 .and  48 . Booklet  60  can also include a third fold  69  on side  64  that is now fully extended. This position provides a further expansion of surface area for text, images and advertising.  
         [0030]     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , booklet  60  has unfolded and/or expanded into a third expanded position that includes unfolding along fold  69  to show a third page of booklet  60  that has panels  81 ,  83 ,  85 ,  87 ,  91 ,  93 ,  95  and  97 . Booklet  60  in this third expanded position includes a first side  82 , an opposed second side  84 , a third side  86  and an opposed fourth side  88 . Booklet  60  can have a single page or multiple pages (up to thirty-two pages depending on the weight and thickness of the paper) each having one or more panels. In this third expanded position, booklet  60  extends beyond edges  44  and  46 , but preferably remaining inside of edges  42  and  48 .  
         [0031]     Expandable business card  10  is returned to the first unfolded position by folding booklet  60  about folds  69  and  67 . Booklet  60  is then conveniently stored within the outer covers of expandable business card  10  and reduced to a convenient carrying size.  
         [0032]     It is understood that while booklet  60  is described as having three positions for unfolding, booklet  60  can expand in a range from only the first expanded position to a plurality of expanded positions depending upon the desired application. Similarly, booklet  60  can include different quantities of folds that unfold or expand in differing directions that are also considered variations within the scope of the present disclosure.  
         [0033]     In the preceding specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will however, be evident that various modifications, combinations and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. For example, the external shape of expandable business card  10  can vary to provide a range of eye catching shapes and still retain the present functions. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative manner rather than a restrictive sense.