Patent Publication Number: US-4222190-A

Title: Device for holding flip cards

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Design application Ser. No. 873,090, filed Jan. 27, 1978. 
    
    
     The present invention relates generally to card storage and viewing equipment, and specifically concerns a weatherproof device for holding flip cards. The device is compact enough to be hand-held and also sturdy enough to be used without additional support on a table or other flat surface. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for holding flip cards which is weathertight. 
     It is an additional object of the invention to provide a device for holding flip cards which is substantially the same size as the cards and yet allows for easy access to the cards when the case is opened. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a device for holding flip cards which allows for easy viewing of both sides of each card. 
     In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating objects and features of the present invention, a box-shaped case of unique construction is provided. The case has a cover which is hingedly mounted to the compartment in which the cards are contained. Rings for retaining the cards are secured to the cover. A cover flap extension permits the cards to be displaced when the cover is opened. The displacement allows enough room for a person to insert one or more fingers into the box to flip the cards in the manner of the pages of a book. Both sides of the cards may be viewed in this manner. 
    
    
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention may be understood more completely by reading the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the closed case supported in an upright position; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the case supported in its opened position; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along contour 3--3 of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 with the cover shown in its maximally open position; 
     FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially along line 5--5 in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the device; 
     FIG. 7 is a top plan view with respect to FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a left side elevational view with respect to FIG. 6, the right side elevational view being a mirror image thereof; 
     FIG. 9 is a bottom elevational view with respect to FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view with respect to FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 11 is a front elevational view with respect to FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the device showing the cover opened. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the details of the drawing, the invention is directed to a construction for a case 10 for holding flip cards 28. The case 10 has a cover 12 which is hingeably connected at a first edge to compartment 44, which has an open top. Cover 12 is mounted to compartment 44 to close the top. 
     Cover 12 includes cover top 46, hinge pins 48, rings 26, displacing means 20, and locking protrusions 22. Hinge pins 48 extend outwardly from a point along a first edge of cover 12. The pins 48 are dowel-shaped and protrude past the periphery of cover top 46. 
     Retaining means in the form of rings 26 are secured to the top surface 46 of cover 12 on the side which is in the interior of case 10 when case 10 is closed. They are secured at a first edge of cover 12 and at a securement position a spaced distance from the first edge along the length of the cover. Each ring 26 is adapted to extend through an aperature in each of the cards 28 to permit the cards 28 to be turned in the manner of the pages of a book. 
     In the preferred embodiment, displacing means 20 protrude from the same surface of cover 12 as the rings 26. The edge of displacing means 20 may be beveled to provide sealing engagement with compartment 44 as will be explained in more detail below. 
     Cover 12 also has locking protrusions 22. These locking protrusions 22 are positioned on the periphery of cover 12. 
     Compartment 44 is made up of bottom wall 32 and at least one side wall which extends upwardly from the bottom wall to form a closed perimeter for the compartment. In the preferred embodiment, bottom wall 32 is rectangular in shape and includes a lifter 16 for cards 28. The perimeter includes side wall 14 and 14&#39;, terminal wall 40 and end wall 18. Side walls 14 and 14&#39; are resilient and each have a hole 14a near the top corner nearest end wall 18, a center projection 38 extending into the interior of compartment 44, and notches 24. Center projection 38 is shorter than side walls 14 and 14&#39; by a distance equal to the thickness of cover top 46. The top of center projection 38 is center rest surface 36. Terminal wall 40 is the same height as center projection 38 and is the first portion of reduced height. Its top is cover rest surface 36. End wall 18 may be the second portion of reduced height, and may have a beveled edge. 
     In use, the hinge pins 48 fit into holes 14a in side walls 14 and 14&#39; and the cover is hingeably mounted about the axis containing the pins. When cover 12 is closed, the bevels on cover flap extension 20 and end wall 18 are complementary and form a seal. Additionally locking protrusions 22 on cover 12 are aligned with the notches 24 and snap into resilient side walls 14 and 14&#39;, thereby acting as a detent means for securing the cover in a locked position. An overlap portion of cover top 46 extends into the first portion of the perimeter which is of reduced height and rests on center rest surface 36 and cover rest surface 30. The exterior surface of cover top 46 lies flush with the top of side walls 14 and 14&#39;. 
     When cover 12 is opened, rings 26, which extend through aperatures in cards 28, displace the cards 28 towards end wall 18 and displacing means 20 displaces the cards 28 laterally with respect to compartment 44. This allows room between the unattached ends of the cards 28 and terminal wall 40 for a person to insert their fingers into compartment 44 to flip the cards 28. A lifter 16 supports the cards 28 at the end distant from retaining means 26 and acts as an aid in flipping the cards 28. The cards 28 may be printed on one or both sides and easily viewed. 
     In a preferred embodiment, case 10 is made of a clear plastic material, and is approximately 41/4 inches in length, 23/4 inches in width and 5/8 inch in height. When made of styrene in the dimensions specified above, case 10 weighs approximately 34 grams (1.2 ounce). A preferred embodiment of the invention looks substantially as shown in FIGS. 6 to 12. 
     Case 10 containing cards 28 is ideal for many types of activities. For example, it is contemplated that this device may be used for outdoor activities, such as boating or camping trips. Guides or manuals, e.g. a first aid manual, may be printed on cards 28. The case is compact, being only slightly larger than cards 28, lightweight, weathertight, and easily packable, all desirable features in a device which is to be carried on outdoor activities. Alternatively, case 10 may be used to hold recipe cards, photographs, or other similar types of materials. It is also contemplated that case 10 may be stood on a portion of the perimeter and the periphery of cover 12 for viewing cards 28 which are contained within it. 
     Although the invention has been described in terms of a rectangular embodiment, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the other embodiments in accordance with the present invention may be used. For example, retaining a rectangular embodiment, the cover 12 may be hingedly connected to compartment 44 and the rings 26 may be attached to cover 12 along a long edge in contrast to what is shown in the drawings. In fact, the compartment 44 and cards 28 may be any geometric shape, e.g. triangular, oval, or whatever, and still fall within the scope of the invention. The displacing means 20 need not extend across an entire side of a card 28, but could alternatively be narrow finger-like extensions. Of course the number of rings 26 may be varied as well. What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is set out in the accompanying claims.