US2526297A

US2526297A - Card retaining device

Info

Publication number: US2526297A
Application number: US95020A
Authority: US
Inventors: Tendler Jack
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1949-05-24
Filing date: 1949-05-24
Publication date: 1950-10-17
Anticipated expiration: 1967-10-17

Description

Oct. 17, 1950 J. TENDLER CARD RETAINING DEVICE Filed May 24, 1949 JNVENTOR. JAQK TENDLEIZ dummy V Patented Oct. 17, 1950 UNITED STATES FATE-NT; OFFICE,

v "CARD RETAINING DEVICE Jack Tendler, Washington, D. C. Application May. 24, 1949, Serial No. 95,020

v 1 This invention relates to a playing card holding or retaining device and more particularly to'a' card retaining device for holding cards from blowing or inadvertently sliding on a table or the like. 2

It is an object of this invention to provide a playing card retaining device of the kind to be more particularly described hereinafterl, which may be economically and attractively formed of metal, plastic or other suitable resilient material engageable with a package of cards for releasably clamping the cards on the base which supports the clamping member.

Another object of this invention is to provide a card retaining device of this kind which is formed in such a manner that the resilient clamping member will exert substantially the same clamping force on the uppermost card of a deck of playing cards and the lowermost card when nearly all of the cards have been withdrawn from the device.

A further object of this invention is to provide a card clamping device for playing .cards for securely holding on one side thereof a deck or partial deck of cards, face down, after the hands have been dealt and for holding down the discarded cards, face up, adjacent the face down cards for securely holding against inadvertent movement on. the table as from wind or the like.

With the above and other objects in view,

4' Claims. (C1. 24-66) my invention consists in the arrangement, combination and details of "construction disclosed in the specification and drawings and then more particularly pointed out in the app'endedlclaiins.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a card retaining device constructed according to'an em bodiment of my invention.

Figure '2 is an end elevation of the card retaining device with the packages of cards reti'onfpartly broken away of a second modified form of this invention. n

, Referrin to the drawings, thenumeral l0 designates generally a card retaining and clamp ing device, constructed according to an embodiment of my invention, for holding a card or deck of cards in a clamped position, as on a table or the like, for retaining the card or cards against blowing or inadvertently sliding about the table as caused by wind or other exterior causes. The card retaining device I0 is particularly formed for clampingeither two decks of cards or one deck of cards and a pile or package of discards,

as used in games of pinochle, rummy or the like.

The card retaining device In is preferably formed of metal, plastic or other suitable inherently resilient material, the card playing device |0 being preferably formed as a substantial integral unit wherein the base and clamping jaws are formed from the same strip of material. The retaining'device I0 is formed with a longitudinally extending strip, of metal or other material which will normally be disposed in a horizontal plane and defines a'base II on which a pack or deck of cards C are adapted to be clampingly engaged and positioned.

A clamping member 12 is fixed to or, preferably formed integral with, the base I I and extends upwardly from the base at the center therer of. A second clamping member I4 is also formed integral with the base or secured to the base I I and one arm of the U-shaped clamping member I2. The clamping member 14 is also U- shaped in configuration having a pair of side arms l5 and I6 connected together at their upper ends by an arcuate bight portion or member H. The U-shaped clamping member l2 is formed with an upwardly extending side arm I8 and a vertical side arm l9 connected at its upper end to the upper end of the side arm l8 by a resilient bight portion 20. The lower end of the side arm I8, of the clamping member 12 is fixed to or formed integrally with the center portion of the base II and the side arm l5 of the clamping member I4 is fixed to or formed integral with the base II and the side arm E8 of the other clamping member [2.

The oppositely directed arcuate bight portions or connecting bars I1 and 20 extend outwardly from the center bar 2|, formed by the fixed side arms [5 and I8 and extend along the length of the base H, vertically spaced therefrom.

I A clamping jaw 22 is formed on the lower end of the sidearm l9 and is adapted to be biased into clampin engagement with the base II or with a card or deck of cards supported on the base on one side of the connecting bar or supporting member 2|. A similar, inwardly directed arcuate jaw member 24 is formed on the lower end of the other freeside arm I!) of the other" clamping member l4 and is also adapted to resiliently bear against the upper side of the base member II on the other side of the upstanding member 2!. The

clamping jaws

22 and 24 are substantially semi-cylindrical in configuration opening upwardly within the clamping members l2 and [4 to provide for the free sliding movement of a card or cards below the clamping jaws and above the base [I to provide for the clamping engagement of the

jaw members

22 and 24 on the upper surface of the cards C.

In the use and operation of the card retaining device after hands of cards have been dealt from the deck the remaining deck is clamped on the device it] by sliding the remaining cards, face down, under one of the clamping jaws, as the jaw 22. The cards discarded from each hand are slidingly engaged, face up, under the other jaw member 24 whereupon the cards to be further dealt will be supported in the device adjacent the discarded cards and secured against acc dental displacement from their arrangement in their packs and against displacement from the table. The arcuate jaw members 22' and 24pmvide for the selective sliding of the cards C from between the clamping member 62 and base H to be inserted thereafter below the other clamping jaw 24 and above the base II on the other side of the upstanding member 21. In other games iwvo decks of cards C will be supported on the clamping member l0, one deck being supported under the clamping member l2 and the other declt being supported under the clamping member l4 whereupon the top card of each of the decks may be slidably removed from under the

clamping jaw

22 or 24.

In Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings there is shown a modified form of this invention wherein the clamping jaws are formed in a modifiedmanner. The modified card retaining device llla is formed in substantially the same manner as the card retaining device It], described aboveh and includes a pair of clampingmembers l2a and Ma, not shown in the drawings which are fixed to and extend'upwardly above a base member H-a spirally looped, clamping jaw member 22a. The

spirally looped clamping jaw member 22a is formed with an outer segmental convolution 25a and; an inner convolution 26a. The outer convolution 25a is formed with a central, downwardly opening aperture 21a on the lower side thereof having an axis which is positioned vertically, parallel to the length of the clamping bar [9a. A spherical bearing member 28a, is rotatably supported in the circular opening 21a and extends downwardly a slight distance below the surface defined by the outer edge of the outer convolution 2511, at the bottom of the clamping member [2a. The free edge of the inner convoluti'on 25a is adapted to bear against" the upper side of the spherical bearing member 2811 for retaining the bearing member 28a within thejaw member 220: and, extending slightly. downwardly below the lower surface of the outer convolution. f

In the use and operation of the modifiedcard retaining member [0a, the cards are handled and positioned in substantially the same manner as the cards are handled in the use of the card retaining member [0, the bearing member 28a providing for the free, intentional, sliding or rotating of the cards engaged between the jaw member 22a and the base I la for selectively positioning the cards while they are clamped on the card retaining device Illa.

In Figure 6 of the drawings, there is shown a second modified form of card retaining member l0b having a horizontal fiat base lib and a central upstanding supporting member 212). An upwardly bowed connecting bar or bight member 201) is fixed to, or preferably formed integral with the extreme upper end of the connecting bar Zlb and an accordion pleated or zigzag foldable clamping arm or member I2b is formed on the lower outer end of the connecting bar 2%. A clamping jaw 22b is formed on the extreme lower end of the zigzag connecting bar 521) and is formed-with an outwardly opening hook member or arcuate' clamping surface 30 for engagement with the fiat surface of a playing card to be clamped between the resilient member I21) and the base iii). A similar connecting bar I'lb is fixed on the upper end of the upwardly extending" bar'2i-b and extends over the base llb on the opposite side from the connecting bar 2012. A similar accordion foldable resilient member, not shown in the drawings, is fixed to the outer end of the connecting bar l'lb for engaging a second pack or deck of. cards on the other side of the base Hb, in the same manner as the engagement of the cards in the forms of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 5, inclusive.

In the normal position of the zigzag resilient member 121), shown in full lines in Figure 6 of the drawings, the cards will be resiliently pressed against the base Nb and as additional cards are placed underneath the clamping jaw 22]), the pleats or connecting arms of the zigzag member I222 will be folded upwardly to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 6. The formation of the zigzag resilient member l2b provides for the increased tension on the playing cards as the resilient member is folded or reduced in length and the tension on the cards will be slightl reduced as the cards are removed from underneath the clamping jaw 2222. In all other respects the use and operation of the card retaining member lllb is similar to the use and operation of the card retaining members H] and [Ba described above.

I do not mean to confine myself to the exact details of construction herein disclosed, but claim all variations falling within the purview of the appended claims.

' What is claimed, is:

1. A playing card holding device comprising a fiat elongated horizontal base'for the support thereon of at least two stacks of cards, a first U-shaped resilient clamping member positioned transversely and having its bightfacing said base, one of the legs of said member extending between the two stacks of cards, said one leg of said member having its end fixedly secured to said base and forming a backing for one. of said stacks of cards, the other of the legs of said member having its end shaped to form a clamping jaw adapted to slidably engage the top; most card of said one stack of cards, a second U -shaped resilient clamping member positioned transversely offand' having its bight facing. said base, one of the legs of said second member extending between the two stacks of cards, said one leg of said second member abutting said one leg of the first named member and having its end fixedly secured to said base and forming a backing for the other of said stack of cards, said two fixed legs abut-ting each other throughout their lengths, the other of the legs of said second member having its end shaped to form a clamping jaw adapted to slidably engage thev topmost card of the other of said stacks of cards.

2. A playing card holding device comprising a fiat elongated horizontal base for the support thereon of at least two stacks of cards, a first U-shaped resilient clamping member positioned transversely of and having its bight facing said base, one of the legs of said member extending between the two stacks of cards, said one leg of said member having its end fixedly secured to said base and forming a backing for one of said stacks of cards, the other of the legs of said member having its end turned inwardly to form a clamping jaw adapted to slidably engage the topmost card of said one stack of cards, a second U-shaped resilient clamping member positioned transversely of and having its bight facing said base, one of the legs of said second member extending between the two stacks of cards, said one leg of said second member abutting said one leg of the first named member and having its end fixedly secured to said base and forming a backing for the other of said stacks of cards, the two fixed legs abutting each other throughout their lengths, the other of the legs of said second member having its end turned in wardly to form a clamping jaw adapted to slidably engage the topmost card of the other of said stacks of cards.

3. A playing card holding device comprising a fiat elongated horizontal base for the support thereon of atleast two stacks of cards, a first u-- shaped resilient clamping member positioned transversely of and having its bight facing said between the two stacks of cards, said one leg of said member having its end fixedly secured to said base and forming a backing for one of said stacks of cards, the other of the legs of said member having its end formed with a ball supporting loop adapted to slidably engage the topmost card of said one stack of cards, a second U-shaped resilient clamping member positioned transversely of and having its bight facing said base, one of the legs of said second member extending between the two stacks of cards, said one leg of said second member abutting said one leg of the first named member and having base, one of the legs of said member extending its end fixedly secured to said base and forming a backing for the other of said stacks of cards, said two fixed legs abutting each other throughout their lengths, the other of the legs of said second member having its end formed with a ball supporting loop adapted to slidably engage the topmost card of the other of said stacks of cards.

4. A playing card holding device comprising a fiat elongated horizontal base for the support thereon of at least two stacks of cards, a first U-shaped resilient clamping member positioned transversely of and having its bight facing said base, one of the legs of said member extending between the two stacks of cards, said one leg of said member having its end fixedly secured to said base and forming a backing for one of said stacks of cards, the other of the legs of said member adjacent its end being provided with a zigzag foldable portion, the end of the other of the legs of said member being turned outwardly to form a clamping jaw adapted to slidably engage the topmost card of said one stack of cards, a second U-shaped resilient clamping member positioned transversely of and having its bight facing said base, one of the legs of said second member extending between the two stacks of cards, said one leg of said second member abutting said one leg of the first named member and having its end fixedly secured to said base and forming a backing for the other of said stacks of cards, said two fixed legs abutting each other throughout their lengths, the other of the legs of said second member adjacent the free end being provided with a zigzag: foldable portion, the end of the other of the legs of said second member being turned outwardly to form a clamping jaw adapted to slidably engage the topmost card of the other of said stacks of cards.

JACK TENDLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 209,577 Meincke Nov. 5, 1878 345,933 Spiegel July 20, 1886 635,295 Brown Oct. 24, 1899 1,147,548 Richter July 20, 1915 1,944,343 Herman Jan. 23, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 133,814 Great Britain Oct. 23, 1919