US568437A - Robert f - Google Patents

Description

Patented Sept. 29, 1896.

Wham Lego UNIT D STATES PATENT Fluent ROBERT F. FOSTER, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO ANDREIV DOUGI-IERTY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

DUPLICATE-WHIST CARD-CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 568,437, dated September 29, 1896. Application filed May 18, I894. Serial No. 511,668. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that LROBERT FREDERICK Fos- 'TER, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Card-Cases, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has for its object to maintain separate the different hands of cards for a game of whist, to pack them in the smallest possible compass, protect them from injury while packed, and yet permit each hand to be readily removed simultaneously with the removal of the other hands when required for use; and to this end my invention consists of a card-case having four rigid boxes connected to a rectangular panel, as fully set forth hereinafter, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating my improved card-case open, ready for the removal of the cards. Fig. 2 is a side view illustrating the case closed. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a section on the line at 4, Fig. 1.

A, B, O, and D represent four card-boxes, which may be of cardboard or other stiff and rigid material, so as to maintain their shape whether the cards are in or out of the boxes, and each of such dimensions as to hold a whist-hand of cards. These card-boxes consist each of a stiff board or backing d and a pocket consisting of a parallel board 6 and sides f, connecting the board 6 to the back board d, leaving one side open for the introduction of the cards. Eachwof the back boards d is connected to one edge of a central board or panel E by a hinged connection of any suitable character. As shown, each hinged connection consists of a strip g, of leather or cardboard, connected at one edge by a strip of fabric 2' to the board d and at the other edge by a strip of fabric j to the panel E, which is rectangular, and the strips g are of different widths, so that the box A can be first folded inward-and upon the panel E, after which the box B can be folded onto the box A, and the boxes 0 and D turned in in succession, thereby forming a close case or package inclosing the four hands of cards ing exposed except the edges of the cards. at one side in the boxes O and D and part of the edges at one side of the box B. In order to still further protect the cards and prevent them from wear and injury, I fasten the case 'by means of any suitable fastening device,

as, for instance, by means of a tongue h, extending from the box D into a pocket or beneath a strap 2, at the end of the box 0.

It is desirable that each player shall be able to seize his hand or cards so as to draw it from the case by a movementto the right, as thereby all of the cards can be drawn simultaneously from their boxes when the parties are opposite the four sides of the table, as usual. I therefore so construct the boxes and so connect them with the central panel E that the mouth of each box is open at the side adjacent to the rear or closed end of the next adjacent box, as is best illustrated in Fig. 1. 1 j

It is desirable in some instances to number the cases, as, for instance, when the same are employed for duplicate whist. As such numbers should be concealed I number each panel upon its upper face and cover said number with a movable cover, flap, or slide. As shown, there is a stiff card-flap q pasted to the panel at one edge and capable of being raised at the other, and the number is placed upon the upper face of the panel E, beneath the flap or upon the under side of the flap.

' By fastening the case in a closed position and by making the different boxes of rigid material I prevent the bending, wear, and abrasion of the cards which would occur if they were exposed upon a tray, as in some constructions, or if inclosed in pockets of flexible material, as in other constructions.

I am enabled to pack the four hands of cards closely together within the smallest possible space, thereby avoiding the waste of room and cumbersome package resulting from connecting the cards to the faces of trays, and the injury to the cards which results from packing together'a series of trays with the cards upon the faces is avoided.

WVhile I secure a package of small dimen sions I also thoroughly protect the cards by and completely protecting them, no part besupporting them in boxes of such a rigid character that pressure upon the cards is practically prevented.

\Vithout limiting myself to the use of any special material or the precise construction and arrangement shown, I claim as my invention- 1. The combination in a card-case, of a series of boxes each having a rigid back, a rectangular panel, the open end of each box being opposed to the closed end of the next box and hinged connections of successive1y-increasing lengths between the edges of the panel and the edges of the backs of the different boxes for the purpose specified.

2. The combination in a card-case of a rectangular panel of a series of boxes having ROBERT F. FOQTER. lVit-nesses:

EVERETT ELLIs, HENRY J. GRoss.

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