Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This Application claims the benefit on U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/662,633 filed on Mar. 16, 2005. The contents of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/662,633 are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Trading cards are a popular way to collect images and information about characters, athletes and celebrities. Trading cards can also be used in card games and other activities. Unfortunately, many of the trading cards are manufactured in large quantities and are not very unique.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0003]     The present invention is directed to a trading card including a front wall, a back wall, a bottom wall, and a top wall. The front wall retains a viewing lens. The back wall retains an image. The bottom wall extends between the front wall and the back wall. The top wall extends between the front wall and the back wall. In one embodiment, three of the walls move relative to the other wall to move the trading card from a folded configuration to an unfolded configuration. In the folded configuration, the walls are substantially parallel to each other. In the unfolded configuration, the front wall and the back wall are substantially parallel and spaced apart, and the bottom wall and the top wall are substantially parallel and spaced apart. Additionally, the image is viewable through the viewing lens when the trading card is in the unfolded configuration. Moreover, in one embodiment, the image is on a piece of film and the viewing lens is a magnifying lens.  
         [0004]     With this design, in certain embodiments, the trading card can be sized and shaped like a regular trading card when the trading card is in the folded configuration and the trading card can be simply expanded from the folded configuration to the unfolded configuration in which the trading card functions as a magnifying viewing box.  
         [0005]     Additionally, the trading card can include a tab that is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the unlocked position, the tab allows the trading card to move from the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration. Alternatively, in the locked position, the tab inhibits the trading card from moving from the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration. In one embodiment, the tab is a portion of the bottom wall that pivots relative to the rest of the bottom wall.  
         [0006]     In certain embodiments, the walls can be made from three cards that are joined together. In this embodiment, each of the cards includes a distal end and a proximal end. Further, all of the cards are coupled to each other near the distal end and all of the cards are coupled to each other near the proximal end. With this design, the trading card can be made relatively easily and inexpensively.  
         [0007]     The present invention is also directed to a method for viewing an image. The method includes the steps of (i) providing a trading card including a front wall that retains a viewing lens, a back wall that retains the image, a bottom wall that extends between the front wall and the back wall, and a top wall that extends between the front wall and the back wall; and (ii) moving three of the walls relative to the other wall to move the trading card from a folded configuration in which the walls are substantially parallel, to an unfolded configuration in which the front wall and the back wall are substantially parallel and the bottom wall and the top wall are substantially parallel. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1A  is a top perspective view of a trading card having features of the present invention with the trading card in a folded configuration;  
         [0010]      FIG. 1B  is a bottom perspective view of the trading card of  FIG. 1A  with the trading card in the folded configuration;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2A  is a top perspective view of the trading card of  FIG. 1A  in an unfolded configuration with a tab in an unlocked position;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2B  is a top perspective view of the trading card of  FIG. 1A  in the unfolded configuration with the tab in a locked position;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2C  is a bottom perspective view of the trading card of  FIG. 1A  in the unfolded configuration with two tabs in a locked position;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3A  is an exploded view of the beginning components of the trading card; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 3B  is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the trading card. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]      FIG. 1A  is a top perspective view and  FIG. 1B  is a bottom perspective view of a trading card  10  having features of the present invention with the trading card  10  in a folded configuration  12 . As provided herein, the trading card  10  can easily be moved between the folded configuration  12  and an unfolded configuration  14  illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-2C . The trading card  10 , for example, can be a collectible item or can be used is sports or entertainment games.  
         [0017]     In one embodiment, the trading card  10  includes a viewing lens  16 , one or more images  18  (illustrated as an “X”), a front wall  20 , a back wall  22 , a bottom wall  24 , and a top wall  26 . In this embodiment, when the trading card  10  is in the unfolded configuration  14 , a user (not shown) can view the image  18  through the viewing lens  16 . Alternatively, when the trading card  10  is in the folded configuration  12 , the user is not able to view the image  18  through the viewing lens  16 . The size and shape of the components of the trading card  10  can be varied to suit the desired design requirements of the trading card  10 .  
         [0018]     The design of the viewing lens  16  can be varied pursuant to the teachings provided herein. For example, the lens  16  can be a piece of glass, plastic, or other transparent material. In one embodiment, the lens  16  is a magnifying glass that enlarges the image  18  on the piece of film  18 .  
         [0019]     The image  18  for example, can include one or more characters, sports athletes, celebrities, an entertainers, statistics, information, instructions, a game field or arena, an image used in a game, data, a character, an autograph, an animal and/or landscape. In one embodiment, the image  18  is positioned on a piece of rectangular film  28 . The film  28  can be at least partly transparent. Alternatively, the image  18  can be positioned on another medium and/or the film  28  could have another shape.  
         [0020]     Additionally, in one embodiment, the film  28  is fixedly secured to the trading card  10 . Alternatively, for example, the film  28  could be selectively removable from the back wall  22 . With this design, the film  28  could be interchangeable.  
         [0021]     The front wall  20  retains the viewing lens  16 . The back wall  22  retains the image  18 . The bottom wall  24  and the top wall  26  each extend between and maintain the front wall  20  and the back wall  22  spaced apart when the trading card  10  is the unfolded configuration  14 . In one embodiment, each wall  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  is generally rectangular shaped and each wall  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  includes a first connected edge  30 A, a second connected edge  30 B that is opposite the first connected edge  30 A, and a pair of opposed unconnected edges  30 C.  
         [0022]     In one embodiment, (i) the first connected edge  30 A of the front wall  20  is secured to the first connected edge  30 A of the top wall  26 ; (ii) the second connected edge  30 B of the front wall  20  is secured to the first connected edge  30 A of the bottom wall  24 ; (iii) the first connected edge  30 A of the back wall  22  is secured to the second connected edge  30 B of the top wall  26 ; and (iv) the second connected edge  30 B of the back wall  22  is secured to the second connected edge  30 B of the bottom wall  24 .  
         [0023]     In one embodiment the trading card  10  can be slightly weakened (e.g. embossed, scored, or crimped) at the connections between the walls  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  to facilitate relative movement of the walls  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  so that the trading card  10  can be easily moved between the configurations  12 ,  14 . In one embodiment, the trading card  10  is perforated, e.g. including a line of holes, at the connections between the walls  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  to facilitate relative movement of the walls  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26 .  
         [0024]     Additionally, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , in the folded configuration  12 , (i) the walls  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  are all substantially parallel to each other, and (ii) the viewing lens  16  and the film  28  are substantially parallel to each other. Further, in the folded configuration  12 , (i) the front wall  20  and the top wall  26  are substantially coplanar, and (ii) the bottom wall  24  and the back wall  22  are substantially coplanar.  
         [0025]     In one embodiment, in the folded configuration  12 , the trading card  10  is generally flat, rectangular shaped and has a length of between 2 and 6 inches, a width of between approximately 1.5 and 4.0 inches, and a thickness of between approximately 0.0625 and 0.25 inches. For example, in the folded configuration  12 , the trading card  10  can be similarly sized and shaped as a standard trading card having a length of approximately 3.5 inches, a width of approximately 2.5 inches, and a thickness of between approximately 0.06 and 0.2 inches.  
         [0026]      FIG. 2A  is a top, front perspective view of the trading card  10  in an unfolded configuration  14  with a pair of tabs  34  (only one is illustrated in  FIG. 2A ) in an unlocked position  36 ,  FIG. 2B  is a top, front perspective view of the trading card  10  in the unfolded configuration  14  with the tabs  34  (only one is illustrated in  FIG. 2A ) in a locked position  38 , and  FIG. 2C  is a bottom, rear perspective view of the trading card  10  in the unfolded configuration  14  with the tabs  34  in the locked position  38 . In the unfolded configuration  14 , the user can easily view the image  18  through the viewing lens  16 .  
         [0027]      FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate that in the unfolded configuration  14 , the trading card  10  (i) is now generally rectangular tube shaped having open sides; (ii) the front wall  20  and the back wall  22  are substantially parallel and spaced apart; (iii) the bottom wall  24  and the top wall  26  are substantially parallel and spaced apart; (iv) the film  28  and the viewing lens  16  are substantially parallel, space apart, and are aligned so that the film  28  can be viewed through the viewing lens  16 ; (v) the bottom wall  24  extends between the front wall  20  and the back wall  22 ; and (vi) the top wall  26  extends between the front wall  20  and the back wall  22 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 2A  also illustrates a portion of the trading card  10  in the folded configuration  12  (illustrated in phantom). In  FIG. 2A , arrow  40  illustrates movement of the trading card  10  from the folded configuration  12  to the unfolded configuration  14 . More specifically, three of the walls move relative to the other wall during movement between configurations  12 ,  14 . For example, during movement from the folded configuration  12  to the unfolded configuration  14 , (i) the front wall  20  has pivoted relative to the bottom wall  24  from being substantially parallel to the bottom wall  24  in the folded configuration  12  to being substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall  24  in the unfolded configuration  14  (approximately 90 degrees rotation); (ii) the back wall  22  has pivoted relative to the bottom wall  24  from being substantially parallel to and in substantially the same plane as the bottom wall  24  in the folded configuration  12  to being substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall  24  in the unfolded configuration  14  (approximately 90 degrees rotation); (iii) the front wall  20  has pivoted relative to the top wall  24  from being substantially parallel to and in substantially the same plane as the top wall  26  in the folded configuration  12  to being substantially perpendicular to the top wall  26  in the unfolded configuration  14  (approximately 90 degrees rotation); (iv) the back wall  22  has pivoted relative to the top wall  26  from being substantially parallel to the top wall  26  in the folded configuration  12  to being substantially perpendicular to the top wall  26  in the unfolded configuration  14  (approximately 90 degrees rotation); and (v) the top wall  26  has moved relative to the bottom wall  24  from being substantially parallel and adjacent to the bottom wall  24  in the folded configuration  12  to being substantially parallel and spaced apart from the bottom wall  24  in the unfolded configuration  14 .  
         [0029]     It should be noted that movement from the unfolded configuration  14  to the folded configuration  12  results in the opposite motion described above.  
         [0030]     As mentioned previously, the trading card  10  includes one or more tabs  34  that are moved between the unlocked position  36  (illustrated in  FIG. 2A ) and the locked position  38  (illustrated in  FIGS. 2B and 2C ). Arrow  42  in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate movement of one tab  34  from the unlocked position  36  to the locked position  38 . With the tabs  34  in the unlocked position  36 , the trading card  10  is free to move between configurations  12 ,  14 . However, when the tabs  34  are in the locked position  38 , the tabs  34  inhibit movement of the trading card  10  from the unfolded configuration  14  back to the folded configuration  12 . Stated in another fashion, the tabs  34  in the locked position  38  hold and maintain the trading card in the unfolded configuration  14 .  
         [0031]     The design, number, and location of the tabs  34  can vary. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-2C , the tabs  34  are a portion of the bottom wall  24  that has been partly cut from the bottom wall  24  and rotated. In the unlocked position  36 , the tab  34  is generally parallel and coplanar with the rest of the bottom wall  24 . In this position, the trading card  10  is free to move between configurations  12 ,  14 . In the locked position  38 , each tab  34  (i) has been rotated 90 degrees relative to the rest of the bottom wall  24 , (ii) is adjacent to the front wall  20 , and (iii) extends generally perpendicular to the front wall  20  and the rest of the bottom wall  24 . With this design, an edge of the tab  34  engages the inside of the front wall  20  to inhibit movement of the trading card  10  from the unfolded configuration  14  to the folded configuration  12  and to stabilize the trading card  10  in the unfolded configuration  14 .  
         [0032]     Additionally, in certain embodiments, the notches in the bottom wall  24  and the tabs  34  provide a convenient position to hold the trading card  10  in the unfolded configuration  14 . It should be noted that the notches and tabs  34  can be wider so that larger fingers can fit in the notches and tabs  34 .  
         [0033]     It should be noted that in one embodiment, opposite walls are generally the same size and configuration. For example, the front wall  20  and the back wall  22  have substantially the same size and configuration. Further, the top wall  26  and the bottom wall  24  have substantially the same size and configuration.  
         [0034]     Additionally, in one embodiment, the bottom wall  24  includes an arch shaped wall opening  46  located near the back wall  22 . In certain embodiments, in the folded configuration  12 , before the trading card  10  has ever been moved to the unfolded configuration  14 , the scored or weakened areas can be relatively stiff. The wall opening  46  can provide a finger hole, e.g. a place to push, to start to move the trading card  10  from the folded configuration  12  to the unfolded configuration  14  for the first time. After the trading card  10  has been moved between the configurations  12 ,  14  a number of times, the wall opening  46  may not be necessary.  
         [0035]      FIG. 3A  is an exploded view of the beginning components, and  FIG. 3B  is an exploded perspective view of one non-exclusive, embodiment of the trading card  10 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 3A  illustrates that in this embodiment, the trading card  10  can be made out of the viewing lens  16 , the piece of film  28 , and multiple cards  48 . In  FIG. 3A , the trading card  10  includes a first card  48 A, a second card  48 B, and a third card  48 C. In one embodiment, each of the cards  48 A,  48 B,  48 C is generally rectangular shaped and the same size. For example, each of the cards  48 A,  48 B,  48 C can be a piece of card stock. In one embodiment, each of the cards  48 A,  48 B,  48 C is made of 24 points card stock.  
         [0037]     In  FIGS. 3A and 3B , each of the card stocks  48 A- 48 C includes a distal end  48 D and a proximal end  48 E.  
         [0038]      FIG. 3B  illustrates that the card  48 A- 48 C have been die-cut and scored prior to assembly. More specifically,  FIG. 3B  illustrates that (i) a lens aperture  50  has been die cut from the first card  48 A; (ii) a first cut  52  (illustrated as dashed line) was made in the first card  48 A across a portion of the first card  48 A to provided a weakened area for the front wall  20  to bend relative to the top wall  26 ; (iii) a lens aperture  54  has been die cut from the second card  48 B; (iv) a rectangular shaped intermediate aperture  56  has been die cut from the second card  48 B; (v) a pair of cuts  58  have been made at the proximal edge of the intermediate aperture  56 ; (vi) a rectangular shaped film aperture  62  has been die cut from the second card  48 B; (vii) each of the tabs  34  is made with a pair of spaced apart, cuts  64  made in the third card  48 C; (viii) a second cut  66  (illustrated as dashed line) was made in the second card  48 B across a portion of the second card  48 B to provided a weakened area for the rear wall  22  to bend relative to the bottom wall  26 ; (ix) the semicircular wall opening  46  has been die cut from the third card  48 C; and (x) a rectangular shaped film aperture  68  has been die cut from the third card  48 C.  
         [0039]     As mentioned above the three card  48 A- 48 C are assembled together to form the trading card  10 . Referring to  FIG. 3B , (i) the viewing lens  16  is secured to the second card  48 B over the lens aperture  54 , (ii) the lens aperture  50  of the first card  48 A is positioned around the viewing lens  16 , and (iii) the proximal end  48 E of the first card  48 A is secured with an adhesive  70  to second card  48 B at a location that is slightly spaced apart from the proximal end  48 E of the second card  48 B. With this design, a portion of the first card  48 A and a portion of the second card  48 B cooperate to form the front wall  20 . Additionally, the first card  48 A defines the top wall  26 .  
         [0040]     Further, (i) the distal end  48 D of the first card  48 A is secured with an adhesive  72  to the distal end  48 D of the second card  48 B, (ii) the distal end  48 D of the third card  48 C is secured with an adhesive  74  to second card  48 B at a location that is slightly spaced apart from the distal end  48 D of the second card  48 B with the piece of film  28  positioned therebetween aligned with the film apertures  62 ,  68 , and (iii) the second card  48 B is separated at the cuts  58 . With this design, a portion of the second card  48 B and a portion of the third card  48 B cooperate to form the rear wall  22 . Further, the third card  48 C defines the bottom wall  24 .  
         [0041]     Finally, the proximal end  48 E of the second card  48 B is secured with an adhesive  76  to the proximal end  48 E of the third card  48 B.  
         [0042]     It should be noted that the adhesives  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76  can be replaced with another type of fastener.  
         [0043]     It is to be understood that the trading cards  10  disclosed herein is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.

Technology Category: 3