Patent Publication Number: US-4544158-A

Title: Apparatus for carrying and playing games

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     Apparatus for transporting, storing, and playing games requiring the marking of cards; e.g. &#34;Bingo&#34;. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Although games such as Bingo and the like have long been known, no really satisfactory combined card holder and playing device that stores the cards, markers, et al has been provided, and it is the object of this invention to present a lightweight carrier for the game cards or pieces which also hold the latter while used in the game, making the game easier, more fun, and unitarily serving as a complete unit to store, carry, and play. Thus, the playing appurtenances are more visible, easier to play for handicapped, and provides an alternative to loose chips. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A wedge-shaped core of generally solid material, i.e., plastic foam of rigid or at least nearly rigid nature is covered at top and bottom surfaces and front and rear edges as well as at the ends, with any suitable materials. Naugahyde for instance provides a good strong covering for the top, bottom, front and rear, and the ends may be finished off with plastic end caps. This provides a one-piece, light-weight kind of desk. Flexible plastic sheet pockets can be provided and on the top surface there is a transparent co-extensive plastic sheet that confines a plurality of playing cards in more or less permanent relation. An erasible marking pen is provided so that numbers on the cards may be repeatedly indicated and easily erased for a series of games with the same cards. There is provided an overlay elastic to hold disposable game sheets, if desired, and a cover for this protects it and provides additional space for disposable sheets. An overall plastic sheet cover is permanently connected to, e.g. the narrower edge and temporarily connected to the wider edge for carrying and storage. 
     A handle is provided on the narow edge to carry the device and the wider edge is used to stand the apparatus for storage, etc. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the new game apparatus with parts broken away; 
     FIG. 2 is an end view showing the covers open; 
     FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view on a smaller scale; and 
     FIG. 4 is a view showing the apparatus down on a table and ready for use. 
    
    
     PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
     A wedge-shaped core preferably of foamed plastic or like light-weight rigid or semi-rigid material is indicated at 10. This core has a narrow front edge 12, a wider parallel rear edge 14, and top and bottom surfaces, 16 and 18. The core is completely covered as by flexible plastic sheeting at top and bottom surfaces and front and rear edges, and the ends 20 and 22 may be covered as desired but preferably by means of molded plastic end caps. 
     A handle 24 is provided at the narrow edge 12. The plastic opaque cover sheeting is indicated at 26, FIG. 1, and is permanent over the surface and edges of the case. 
     A transparent sheet of plastic as at 28 overlies the plastic cover sheet at the top surface, secured in any convenient way, and between the covering 26 and a transparent sheet 28 there are permanently placed several playing cards, as at 30, in general partially covering the sheeting 26. These cards may be Bingo cards of stiff permanent type. One kind conveniently used is the three high type which extend top to bottom or top surface 16. The transparent sheet 28 is of a type to take erasable marking so that the cards, held immobile by the transparent sheet, can be marked, as on the transparent sheet, and the marks are easily erased for the next game. 
     An elastomeric strip 32 extends from side to side of the top surface 16 and holds disposable Bingo card or like game cards, and once used, these are thrown away. If desired, a second plastic transparent sheet 34 having a gap at 36 to insert and remove cards may be provided. These cards can be used over and over but are removable. 
     A short cover of flexible opaque plastic 38 is secured along one of its edges at the narrow edge 12 and is otherwise free of the apparatus except for a temporary type fastener part at 40, to fasten to a corresponding fastener part 39 at the free edge of the plastic cover 38. as at 42 has fasteners at 44 on the wide edge 14, wrapping about the corner 46. A the bottom surface 14, an open top pocket 48 is provided with fasteners 50 to partially close it or, of course, a slide fastener could be used for the purpose. 
     It is seen that a very convenient light-weight combined carrier and game board is provided by this invention, and it makes playing easier and adds to the enjoyment of the game. The wedge shape is more like a desk, cutting down on glare and making the numbers on the cards easier to see. This invention is especially found to benefit players who lack coordination or who have a physical handicap. Chips, of course, are done away with entirely.