Holders or Cases for Playing-cards, applicable also as Wall Brackets or Table Ornaments, and as Receptacles for Photographs, Visiting- cards, Bills, and the like.
Year: 1890

page_text: Dat of Application, 10th Oct., 1890-Accepted, 7th Feb., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Holders or Cases for Playing-cards, applicable also as Wall Brackets
or Table Ornaments, and as Receptacles for Photographs, Visiting-
cards, Bills, and the like.
FRANCIS JAMES BENDALL of Milford Haven in the County of Pembroke
Solicitor do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
To the front of a stout or moderately stout piece, of cardboard (rounded or
fashioned in any desired manner [sec accompanying drawings]) I attach trans-
versely or horizontally a series of 4 or any other number of pleats folds or over-
lapping strips [see 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Figure 1] each lap or fold after the top one
falling short by a given distance (its entire length) of the continuous edge of the
one above it. These pleats or folds form a series of pockets or receptacles for the
cardplayers hand of cards which after being dealt out to him can with the utmost
readiness and ease he inserted therein either in separate suits or promiscuously and
either in straight rows or in fan or horseshoe shape or in any other manner shape or
form to suit the taste or fancy of the player. If inserted in separate suits in 4 rows
the player would have the choice of arranging them either horizontally in 4 separate
folds (the cards being so arranged uprightly (as in Figure 1,) or inclined to any
desired angle so as to allow of a corner of each one standing up above the pre-
ceding card which it overlapped); or vertically in other words each suit would in
the one case run horizontally (as in Figure 1) and in the other vertically; for
instance the 10, 4 and 2 of spades, (arranged vertically) would be placed in three
separate folds instead of in one, and the same with the other suits.
As an additional convenience to the player and a saving of time to him I attach
or form or reserve the right to attach or form at the foot or bottom of the piece of
cardboard before mentioned (or in any other position) a pocket [B in Figure 1] in
which to place the whole hand of cards and thus facilitate manipulation of the cards
in arranging them in the folds. I also attach or form or reserve the right to attach
or form to in or upon the said cardboard or the pocket thereof some arrangement
or form of handle by which to more conveniently hold the holder in the hand during
the process of arranging the cards and playing the game, such arrangement con-
sisting of either a handle (C. in Figure 1) an adaptation of the palette principle,
thumb or finger pouches or coverings or any other convenience for the purpose
specified; but such a handle may be unnecessary especially with the pocket attach-
ment before referred to which of itself is a convenient projection against which to
rest the left thumb while the fingers of the hand are resting against the back of the
holder, and in which projection a side hole for inserting the thumb could be made
if desired.
It is at present intended to cover the cardboard back and front with some suitable
material or combination of materials and to form the pleats or folds alluded to of
the same or any similar or other material or combination of materials over strips of
cardboard or other suitable materials for keeping such pleats or folds true and even
and more properly adapted to the purpose designed.
As an alternative mode of making the said pleats or folds I should attach them
vertically to the cardboard (as in Figure 2) so as to allow of the cards being
inserted lengthways or sideways in the folds instead of upright, but I prefer the
other mode because the left hand index pip of each card is visible as well as some
of the card pips while by the vertical method, as most players (except left handed
people) would find it more convenient to commence arranging at the farthest left
hand pleat or fold and proceed to the extreme right hand pleat or fold (using the

page_text: right hand to insert the cards) and the folds would unless specially ordered to the
contrary be made with that object in view it. overlapping from left to right instead
of vice versa the right hand index pip would be shewn and that of course bottom
upwards. It is true that might be considered and be no inconvenience whatever,
merely giving an upside down sort of appearance to the hand, which could if desired
be instantly reversed by turning the holder upside down, but as before stated 1
think the other mode preferable, and it is more simple also.
As a further alternative mode of making the said pleats or folds (which I hereby
reserve), and equally applicable to the horizontal and the vertical methods of
attachment, the same might be arranged step ladder fashion 7 separate pleats or
folds running up one side and 6 down the other (as shewn in Figure 3) or by
forming the pleats or folds in tiers or distributing them in any other desired manner
over the holder.
I have selected covered cardboard for making the holder because it is probably
cheaper and more easily and expeditiously made up but the same could be made
of light thin wood or metal leather or any other substance or material or com-
bination of substances or materials and either polished covered or otherwise embel-
lished or in a
rough state, and I reserve the right to so make it.
Besides its primary use as a "cardplayer's companion the above described
invention can be used as a wall bracket or table ornament for holding photographs
visiting cards or letters bills &c. and for various other purposes.
2:
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is:
1. A holder or case for use by card players as a receptacle for the player's hand
of cards disposed or arranged in the manner hereinbefore set forth.
2. A pocket attachment to or portion of the said holder or case (when made with
a pocket) to receive the entire hand of cards and thus allow of more ready and easy
manipulation of the cards for the purposes of arrangement in the holder or case
than would be attainable by picking them up singly or otherwise from the table on
which they had been dealt."
3. A. convenience for comfortably and easily keeping the holder or case in the
hand by means either of the pocket or a separate handle or arrangement as herein-
before set forth or by both of those means.
4. A neat and convenient receptacle for cartes de visite, visiting cards, letters,
bills &c. and for the other purposes of a wall bracket or table ornament (when
so used).
Dated this 4th day of October 1890.
F. JAMES BENDALL.

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Oct., 1890-Accepted, 7th Feb., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Holders or Cases for Playing-cards, applicable also as Wall Brackets
or Table Ornaments, and as Receptacles for Photographs, Visiting-
cards, Bills, and the like.
I FRANCIS JAMES BENDALL of Milford Haven in the County of Pembroke
Solicitor do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :—
To the front of a stout or moderately stout piece of cardboard (rounded or
fashioned in any desired manner [see accompanying drawings]) attach trans-
versely or horizontally a series of 4 or any other number of pleats folds or over-
lapping strips [see 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Figure 1] each lap or fold after the top one
falling short by a given distance (its entire length) of the continuous edge of the
one above it. These pleats or folds form a series of pockets or receptacles for the
cardplayers hand of cards which after being dealt out to him can with the utmost
readiness and ease be inserted therein either in separate suits or promiscuously and
either in straight rows or in fan or horseshoe shape or in any other manner shape or
form to suit the taste or fancy of the player. If inserted in separate suits in 4 rows
the player would have the choice of arranging them either horizontally in 4 separate
folds (the cards being so arranged uprightly (as in Figure 1,) or inclined to any
desired angle so as to allow of a corner of each one standing up above the pre-
ceding card which it overlapped); or vertically in other words each suit would in
the one case run horizontally (as in Figure 1) and in the other vertically; for
instance the 10, 4 and 2 of spades. (arranged vertically) would be placed in three
separate folds instead of in one, and the same with the other suits.
:
As an additional convenience to the player and a saving of time to him I attach
or form or reserve the right to attach or form at the foot or bottom of the piece of
cardboard before mentioned (or in any other position) a pocket [B in Figure 1] in
which to place the whole hand of cards and thus facilitate manipulation of the cards
in arranging them in the folds. I also attach or form or reserve the right to attach
or form to in or upon the said cardboard or the pocket thereof some arrangement
or form of handle by which to more conveniently hold the holder in the hand during
the process of arranging the cards and playing the game, such arrangement con-
sisting of either a handle (C. in Figure 1) an adaptation of the palette principle,
thumb or finger pouches or coverings or any other convenience for the purpose
specified but such a handle may be unnecessary especially with the pocket attach-
ment before referred to which of itself is a convenient projection against which to
rest the left thumb while the fingers of the hand are resting against the back of the
holder, and in which projection a side hole for inserting the thumb could be made
if desired.
It is at present intended to cover the cardboard back and front with some suitable
material or combination of materials and to form the pleats or folde alluded to of
the same or any similar or other material or combination of materials over strips of
cardboard or other suitable materials for keeping such pleats or folds true and even
and more properly adapted to the purpose designed.
As an alternative mode of making the said pleats or folds I should attach them
vertically to the cardboard (as in Figure 2) so as to allow of the cards being
inserted lengthways or sideways in the folds instead of upright. but I prefer the
other mode because the left hand index pip of each card is visible as well as some
of the card pips; while by the vertical method, as most players (except left handed
people) would find it more convenient to commence arranging at the farthest left
hand pleat or fold and proceed to the extreme right hand pleat or fold (using the

page_text: right hand to insert the cards) and the folds would unless specially ordered to the
contrary be made with that object in view eizt, overlapping from left to right instead
of vice versa the right hand index pip would be shewn and that of course bottom
upwards. It is true that might be considered and be no inconvenience whatever,
merely giving an upside down sort of appearance to the hand, which could if desired
be instantly reversed by turning the holder upside down, but as before stated 1
think the other mode preferable, and it is more simple also.
As a further alternative mode of making the said pleats or folds (which I hereby
reserve), and equally applicable to the horizontal and the vertical methods of
attachment, the same might be arranged step ladder fashion 7 separate pleats or
folds running up one side and 6 down the other (as shewn in Figure 3); or by
forming the pleats or folds in tiers or distributing them in any other desired manner
over the holder.
:
I have selected covered cardboard for making the holder because it is probably
cheaper and more easily and expeditiously made up but the same could be made
of light thin wood or metal leather or any other substance or material or com-
bination of substances or materials and either polished covered or otherwise embel-
lished or in a rough state, and I reserve the right to so make it.
Besides its primary use as a "cardplayer's companion the above described
invention can be used as a wall bracket or table ornament for holding photographs
visiting cards or letters bills &c. and for various other purposes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed declare that what I
claim is:-
1. A holder or case for use by card players as a receptacle for the player's hand
of cards disposed or arranged in the manier hereinbefore set forth.
2. A pocket attachment to or portion of the said holder or case (when made with
a pocket) to receive the entire hand of cards and thus allow of more ready and easy
manipulation of the cards for the purposes of arrangement in the holder or case
than would be attainable by picking them up singly or otherwise from the table on
which they had been dealt.
3. A. convenience for comfortably and easily keeping the holder or case in the
hand by means either of the pocket or a separate handle or arrangement as herein-
before set forth or by both of those means.
4. A neat and convenient receptacle for cartes de visite, visiting cards, letters.
bills &c. and for the other purposes of a wall bracket or table ornament (when
so used).
Dated this 9th day at Ontation 1200
F. JAMES BENDALL.