Abstract:
THE CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER is a mechanical devise which shuffles and deals playing cards to two to four players. By rotating the handle of the CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER counter clockwise, the internal mechanism is able to shuffle and deal out the proper number of cards to each player.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Many millions of people universally play card games such as bridge, poker, rummy, etc. The cards must be shuffled and dealt to the appropriate number of players. This invention allows cards to be shuffled and the players to be dealt the appropriate number of cards for the game they are playing. This invention is directed for home usage and not meant to compete with complex expensive dealing machines found at gambling establishment. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 CURRENT US CLASS: FIELD OF SEARCH 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 4807884 
                 February 1989 
                 Breeder 
               
               
                   
                 0042673 
                 March 2003 
                 Grauzer 
               
               
                   
                 0094756 
                 May 2003 
                 Grauzer 
               
               
                   
                 0017481 
                 February 2002 
                 Johnson 
               
               
                   
                  665960 
                 December 2003 
                 Blaha 
               
               
                   
                 6299167 
                 October 2001 
                 Sines 
               
               
                   
                 5445377 
                 August 1995 
                 Steinback 
               
               
                   
                 3944230 
                 March 1976 
                 Fineman 
               
               
                   
                 4513969 
                 April 1985 
                 Samsel 
               
               
                   
                 5356145 
                 October 1994 
                 Verschoor 
               
               
                   
                 5575475 
                 November 1996 
                 Steinback 
               
               
                   
                 6659461 
                 December 2003 
                 Yoseloff 
               
               
                   
                 7261294 
                 August 2003 
                 Grauzer 
               
               
                   
                 6117012 
                 September 2000 
                 McCrea 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Card games are a world wide phenomenon. The CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER shuffles a deck of cards and deals out the appropriate number of cards to each of four players. The CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER is designed to be produced relatively inexpensively. 
         [0003]    With a full turn of the handle, four cards are dealt into four receiving baskets. In seven card RUMMY with four players, the handle will be turned seven times. 
         [0004]    The CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER is most suited for the game of BRIDGE, HEARTS, and other card games in which all the cards are dealt out to four players. All the cards are dealt after thirteen turns of the handle. After the game, the cards are collected in random order and placed into the opening on the side of the CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER between the card holder and the roller, and a new game is begun. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  displays the CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER. At the top of the invention is a handle ( 3 ) to which is attached four basket struts ( 2 ). The basket struts ( 2 ) in turn are attached to the catch basket ( 4 ). The catch basket( 4 ) and its basket struts ( 2 ) surrounds the shell ( 5 ). At the lower side of the shell ( 5 ) is the card dealer opening. ( 1 ). 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  views the the CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER from the top, showing the handle ( 3 ), the shell ( 5 ), the basket struts ( 2 ) and and the catch basket ( 4 ) 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  views the the CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER from the bottom and shows the base of the shell ( 5 ) and the bottom of the catch basket ( 4 ). The shell ( 5 ) has a base diameter of 6 inches and the catch basket ( 4 ) a diameter of 8 inches. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  shows the internal mechanism of the CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER, comprised of the large horizontal gear ( 6 ), vertical gear A ( 11 ), vertical gear B ( 12 ), the roller ( 7 ), a card holder box ( 9 ), a spring ( 10 ) that pushes the floor of the card holder box ( 9 ) upward toward the roller ( 7 ) and a removable front plate ( 8 ) which when in place, permits only one card to be pushed out into the catch basket ( 4 ) every 90 degree turn of the handle. The handle ( 3 ) is prevented to turn clockwise by a ratchet mechanism ( 16 ) located at the bottom of the handle shaft ( 14 ) 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  of the CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER is a closeup of the front plate ( 8 ) that clips onto the sides of the card holder box ( 9 ). The front plate ( 8 ) is removed by pulling it straight off and can be easily replaced, being held by catch clips ( 13 ). 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  of the CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER shows the the the card holder box ( 9 ) just behind the front plate ( 8 ) [not shown]. The movable card holder box floor ( 14 ) which is hinged at the back of the card holder box ( 9 ) has a spring ( 10 ) pushing the card holder box floor ( 14 ) upward, so that the roller ( 7 ) [not shown] presses on to the top card. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  of the CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER shows the ratchet mechanism ( 16 ), preventing the handle shaft ( 14 ) from turning clockwise. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  of the CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER shows the card dealer opening ( 1 ) with the front plate ( 8 ) and the roller ( 7 ) behind the opening. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    Referring to [ FIG. 1 ], the CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER is composed of the following parts. A supporting shell ( 5 ), and a rotating catch basket ( 4 ) attached to the handle ( 3 ) by four basket struts ( 2 ) that hug the shell ( 5 ). The catch basket ( 4 ) rotates around the shell as the handle is turned. One full rotation of the handle counter clockwise turns the basket struts ( 2 ) and, in turn, the catch basket ( 4 ) likewise turns a full rotation. A ratchet mechanism ( 16 ) prevents the handle ( 3 ) from being turned clockwise [ FIG. 7 ]. 
         [0014]    Turning the handle ( 3 ) counter clockwise also turns the handle shaft ( 14 ) [ FIG. 4 ] which rotates the large horizontal gear ( 6 ) at the base of the shell ( 5 ). The large horizontal gear ( 6 ) turns vertical gear A ( 11 ) counter clockwise which, in turn rotates vertical gear B ( 12 ) clockwise. The shaft of vertical gear B ( 12 ) turns the roller ( 7 ) clockwise. The ratio of the large horizontal gear ( 6 ) to vertical gear B ( 11 ) and vertical gear A ( 12 ) is four to one. Thus, one full, turn of the large horizontal gear ( 6 ) rotates vertical gear A ( 11 ) and vertical gear B ( 12 ) four full turns. 
         [0015]    A deck of cards is placed through the card dealer opening ( 1 ) [ FIG. 1 ] while the front plate ( 8 ) is off. [ FIG. 6 ]. After the deck of card is in place between the roller ( 7 ) and the floor of the card holder box ( 14 ), the front plate ( 8 ) is replaced. The floor of the card holder box ( 14 ) is movable as it is attached to the back of the card holder box ( 9 ) by a hinge ( 15 ) [ FIG. 6 ]. The spring ( 10 ) pushes the floor of the card holder box ( 14 ) upward. The card dealer opening ( 1 ) is located on the lower portion of the shell ( 5 ) in which a portion of the roller ( 7 ) and the front plate ( 8 ) can be seen [ FIG. 8 ]. 
         [0016]    The card game proceeds as follows: The front plate ( 8 ) is removed. A deck of cards is inserted between the roller ( 7 ) and the floor of the card holder box ( 14 ). The front plate ( 8 ) is then replaced. The handle ( 3 ) is rotated counter clockwise, turning the basket struts ( 2 ) and the catch basket ( 4 ), in a similar direction. The handle ( 3 ) is prevented to turn clockwise by a ratchet mechanism ( 16 ). [ FIG. 7 ]. As the handle ( 3 ) turns, the handle shaft ( 14 ) rotates the large horizontal gear ( 6 ) and in turn, vertical gear A ( 11 ) counter clockwise. Vertical gear B ( 12 ) is the turned clockwise, as is the roller ( 7 ), pushing out the top card into the catch basket ( 4 ). As the catch basket ( 4 ) rotates a full turn, four cards are deposited into the catch basket ( 4 ). After thirteen turns of the handle ( 3 ), all the cards are shuffled out. The cards are distributed to the players, and the game begins. After the game, all the cards are collected in a random fashion and replaced into the card holder box ( 14 ).