GAME BOX REPAIR DEVICE

Abstract

A game box protector and repair device configurable to conform to different shape and sized game boxes. The game box protector and repair device including four bracket members, each bracket member has a first portion oriented at an angle relative to a second portion configured to conform to a corner portion of a game box. An elongated cord member is provided that is expandable and is movably coupled to each bracket member. The elongated cord member is configured to adhere each bracket member to a respective corner portion of a box so as to bind each corner portion enabling the device to conform to different shape and sized game boxes.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to game and toy boxes and more specifically to a device for repairing the broken corners of these boxes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A consistent problem that has existed in almost every household is the fact that game boxes and toy boxes often have their corners broken which allows the pieces to be lost or misplaced. Also the broken corners often result in the pieces or other items in the box being crushed due to the lack of structural strength in the box to support other boxes on its top surface. Once the corners become broken, it is not long before the edges become broken. Small children are often the culprits in destroying the game boxes by stepping on them or pulling them apart causing the corners to split.

It is an object of the invention to provide a game box protector and repair device that can be used to restore damaged game or toy boxes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The game box protector and repair device is used to reinforce the corners of preferably paper and plastic boxes such as those used by toy and game manufacturers such as “Monopoly”, “Clue”, “Sorry”, “Strategy”, etc. Most families have bought numerous of boxed games and have had the corners and other edges stepped on or pulled apart by children causing the corners and other edges to break. The game box protector and repair device in accordance with certain illustrated embodiments is designed to repair these game boxes and give them structural integrity.

A certain embodiment of the invention relates to a game box protector and repair device configurable to conform to different shape and sized game boxes. The game box protector and repair device including four bracket members, each bracket member has a first portion oriented at an angle relative to a second portion configured to conform to a corner portion of a game box. An elongated cord member is provided that is expandable and is movably coupled to each bracket member. The elongated cord member is configured to adhere each bracket member to a respective corner portion of a box so as to bind each corner portion enabling the device to conform to different shape and sized game boxes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the invention can be understood with reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention taken together in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a game box using the present invention box repair device;

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrates different configurations for a bracket member as used in the present invention box repair device; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention box repair device being applied to a game box.m

WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is now described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an illustrated embodiment of the present invention is shown. The present invention is not limited in any way to the illustrated embodiment as the illustrated embodiment described below is merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms, as appreciated by one skilled in the art. Therefore, it is to be understood that any structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. Furthermore, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention. It is also to be appreciated that like reference numerals identify like elements.

Referring to FIG. 1, illustrated is the box repair device (BRD) in accordance with certain illustrated embodiments of the invention, designated generally by reference numeral 10, shown cooperatively attached to a game box 100. As will be appreciated from the below discussion, the BRD 10 is configured and operable to reinforce the corners of typically paper and plastic boxes such as those used by toy and game manufacturers when one or more of the corners separate (FIG. 4).

With reference now to FIG. 4, the BRD 10 includes four (4) bracket members 12, 14, 16 and 18 each identical to one another. With reference to FIG. 2, each bracket member has a first portion 22 oriented at a 90° angle relative to a second portion 24. While a preferred embodiment is to orient the first 22 and second 24 portions at a 90° angle relative to one another, it is not to be understood to be limited thereto as the first 22 and second 24 portions may be oriented at an acute angle relative to one another which achieves the intended functionality of the present invention.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, each first 22 and second portion 24 consists of an elongated body member configured to conform the side surface 102, 104 of a game box 100 in proximity to a corner 106 thereof. As shown in FIG. 3, each first 22 and second 24 portion of each bracket member 12, 14, 16 and 18 may be configured in various shapes (e.g., FIG. 3 illustrates a scalloped shape) configured and adapted to achieve the intended functionality of the present invention. Each bracket member 12, 14, 16 and 18 is preferably formed of a rigid material such as metal, wood, plastic or the like.

As best shown in FIG. 4, each bracket member 12, 14, 16 and 18 is operatively coupled to one another via a cord member 50 preferably having elastic qualities. Each bracket member 12, 14, 16 and 18 is preferably provided with a plurality of apertures through which the cord member interlaces therethrough. As will be appreciated below, it is to be understood the elastic and expandable qualities of the cord 50 enable BRD 10 to conform to boxes of various sizes and configurations (e.g., square or rectangle). For instance, as shown in FIG. 4, BRD 10 may be expanded in the direction of any arrow designated by “A”, “B”, “C” or “D” or any combination thereof so as to conform to a desired size and/or configuration of a box 100.

Each bracket 12, 14, 16 and 18 is also preferably movably positioned on cord member 50 such that they may be repositioned relative to one on cord member 50 so as to accommodate various configurations of a box 100 it is to be applied thereto. For instance, when applied to a box 100 having a square configuration, each bracket 12, 14, 16 and 18 is preferably spaced equidistant from one another on cord member 50. And when applied to a box 100 having a rectangular configuration, brackets 12 and 14 are spaced equidistant from one another as are brackets 16 and 18 wherein brackets 12 and 18, and 14 and 16 are spaced equidistant from one another at a spacing greater than the spacing between brackets 12 and 14, and 16 and 18 so as to conform to a rectangular configured box.

In use, and with continuing reference to FIG. 4, when a user desires to apply BRD 10 to a box 100 typically having at least one separated corner 108 (which distance of separation is indicated by “E”), the user preferably expands BRD 10 along arrows “A-D” so as to conform about the outer side portions of the box 100, wherein each respective bracket member 12, 14, 16 and 18 is adjacent a respective corner portion 106 of box 100, as shown in FIG. 1. It is to be appreciated that the elastic quality of cord member 50 causes each aforesaid bracket member 12, 14, 16 and 18 to pinch inward relative to the box corner 106 it is adjacent so as to bind each box corner portion 106.

While the invention described above in accordance with certain illustrated embodiments, it is to be appreciated the invention is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. Optional embodiments of the present invention may also be said to broadly consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated herein, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements or features, and wherein specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Although illustrated embodiments of the present invention has been described, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A box protector and repair device comprising:

four bracket members, each bracket member has a first portion oriented at an angle relative to a second portion configured to conform to a corner portion of a box; and

an elongated cord member coupled to each said bracket member configured to adhere each said bracket member to a respective corner portion of a box so as to bind each said corner portion.

2. A box protector and repair device as recited in claim 1 wherein said box is a game box.

3. A box protector and repair device as recited in claim 1 wherein said game box is constructed of cardboard.

4. A box protector and repair device as recited in claim 1 wherein each said bracket is fabricated of material from the group consisting of metal, plastic or wood.

5. A box protector and repair device as recited in claim 1 wherein said first portion of each said bracket member is oriented at a 90° angle relative to said second portion of each said bracket member.

6. A box protector and repair device as recited in claim 1 wherein said first portion of each said bracket member is oriented at an acute angle relative to said second portion of each said bracket member.

7. A box protector and repair device as recited in claim 1 wherein each said bracket member is identical to one another.

8. A box protector and repair device as recited in claim 1 wherein said first portion of each said bracket member includes a first elongated body member and said second portion of each said bracket member includes a second elongated body member.

9. A box protector and repair device as recited in claim 1 wherein said elongated cord member is expandable wherein said device is configurable to conform to various shaped and configured boxes.

10. A box protector and repair device as recited in claim 1 wherein each said bracket is provided with at least one aperture configured to receive said elongated cord member.

11. A box protector and repair device as recited in claim 1 wherein each said bracket member is movably positioned on said elongated cord member.

12. A game box protector and repair device configurable to conform to different shape and sized game boxes, said device comprising:

four bracket members, each bracket member has a first portion oriented at an angle relative to a second portion configured to conform to a corner portion of a box; and

an elongated cord member that is expandable and is movably coupled to each said bracket member configured to adhere each said bracket member to a respective corner portion of a box so as to bind each said corner portion enabling said device to conform to different shape and sized game boxes.

13. A box protector and repair device as recited in claim 12 wherein said game box is constructed of cardboard.

14. A box protector and repair device as recited in claim 12 wherein each said bracket is fabricated of material from the group consisting of metal, plastic or wood.

15. A box protector and repair device as recited in claim 12 wherein said first portion of each said bracket member is oriented at a 90° angle relative to said second portion of each said bracket member.

16. A box protector and repair device as recited in claim 12 wherein said first portion of each said bracket member is oriented at an acute angle relative to said second portion of each said bracket member.

17. A box protector and repair device as recited in claim 12 wherein each said bracket member is identical to one another.

18. A box protector and repair device as recited in claim 12 wherein said first portion of each said bracket member includes a first elongated body member and said second portion of each said bracket member includes a second elongated body member.

19. A box protector and repair device as recited in claim 12 wherein each said bracket is provided with at least one aperture configured to receive said elongated cord member.