Bingo caddy

Abstract

A bingo caddy which comprises a bingo card having a plurality of groups of random numbers in vertical and horizontal rows. First and second superimposed panels are interconnected along three sides and open at a fourth side to form a sleeve, wherein the bingo card can be inserted between the first and second panels of the sleeve. The first panel has an array of holes therein to produce specific bingo game patterns over the groups of random numbers on the bingo card, thereby enabling a person to mark the numbers exposed in the holes on the first panel with a marker when playing multiple bingo games.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a bingo game accessory, and more particularly, a bingo caddy.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Numerous innovations for devices to aid in the playing of bingo have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention.

A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,811,680, Issued on May 21, 1974, to Benesch teaches an arrangement for supporting game cards such as bingo cards on the lap of a player or on a table surface in front of the player. A plurality of boards are interlinked to accommodate a number of such game cards used by the player. Removable legs attachable to the boards allow the board to be supported on the lap of a player at an inclined angle, or on a table surface in front of the player. Interlinking or disengagement of the boards are achieved without the application of tools.

A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,913,921, Issued on Oct. 21, 1975, to Bourassa teaches a mask for a bingo card comprising a sheet made of a plastic material having a first transparent clear portion representing a predetermined symbol composed of squares whose dimensions correspond to the ones of the squares of a bingo card and a second portion which is less transparent or which has a contrasting color with the first portion. The mask located over the bingo card enables to easily distinguish the squares of the card which must be filled in order to win.

A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,291,882, Issued on Sep. 29, 1981, to Del Monte teaches a bingo card holder, for supporting a plurality of bingo cards to be played simultaneously by a single player, that includes at least a pair of holding means, such as longitudinal slots, each of which is capable of supporting at least one bingo card, with such cards being holdable so that one is substantially horizontal, preferably inclined downwardly and forwardly toward a player, and the other is substantially vertical, preferably inclined upwardly and away from the player. The holders are usually molded of a synthetic organic polymeric thermoplastic material, are adaptable to be joined together, may be nested for storage, may include recess means for holding bingo playing materials and incidentals, and preferably include projections in the walls of the slots for better holding the cards.

A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. D271,895, Issued on Dec. 20, 1983, to Runions teaches an ornamental design for a bingo-card holder, as shown and described.

A FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,783, Issued on Oct. 8, 1991, to Hull et al. teaches a bingo caddy useful for transporting and containing bingo player's paraphernalia including a pillow and slanted fold-out multiple playing surfaces with a holding device to hold bingo cards or the like and user friendly placement of marker's etc. The bingo caddy has a unique two section lid or top which folds into a compartmentalized configuration for easy access to all paraphernalia.

A SIXTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,326, Issued on May 25, 1993, to Rundell et al. teaches a bingo sheet organizing device having a first panel with a size suitable for receiving a bingo sheet, a second panel having a size suitable for receiving a bingo sheet, and a body connected in hinged relationship to an edge of the first and second panels. The first and second panels extend radially outwardly from the body. A suitable retainer is provided so as to retain the bingo sheet on each of the panels. The body is a tubular member having at least one hinge member extending outwardly therefrom. The hinge member extends generally longitudinally along the body. A handle is fastened to an exterior surface of the tubular member and extends outwardly transverse to a plane of the second panel. An elastic band extends around the first panel distal to the connection of the first panel to the body so as to receive the bingo sheet therewithin. A lip is formed along an edge of the first panel in resilient contact with the panel so as to receive an edge of the bingo sheet.

A SEVENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. D341,165, Issued on Nov. 9, 1993, to Miles teaches an ornamental design for a bingo card caddy, as shown and described.

It is apparent now that numerous innovations for devices to aid in the playing of bingo have been provided in the prior art that are adequate for various purposes. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, accordingly, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a bingo caddy that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a bingo caddy that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a bingo caddy that is simple to use.

BRIEFLY STATED, STILL YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a bingo caddy which comprises a bingo card having a plurality of groups of random numbers in vertical and horizontal rows. First and second superimposed panels are interconnected along three sides and open at a fourth side to form a sleeve, wherein the bingo card can be inserted between the first and second panels of the sleeve. The first panel has an array of holes therein to produce specific bingo game patterns over the groups of random numbers on the bingo card, thereby enabling a person to mark the numbers exposed in the holes on the first panel with a marker when playing multiple bingo games.

The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The figures of the drawings are briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing a person playing a plurality of prior art bingo games;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view, with parts broken away, showing in greater detail the person using a marker in playing one of the prior art bingo games;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of an embodiment of the present invention configured for playing Letter X bingo games, and showing two back-to-back bingo cards ready to be inserted therein;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of the present invention, as in FIG. 3, after the two back-to-back bingo cards are inserted therein;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view, with parts broken away, showing the person using the marker in playing one of the bingo games in the present invention, as in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic plan view of the present invention configured for playing Double Diamond bingo games;

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic plan view of the present invention configured for playing Small Picture Frame bingo games;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic plan view of the present invention configured for playing Small Diamond bingo games;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic plan view of the present invention configured for playing Checker Board bingo games;

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic plan view of the present invention configured for playing Star of India bingo games;

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic plan view of the present invention configured for playing Letter F bingo games; and

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic plan view of the present invention configured for playing Black Out/Full House bingo games.

A MARSHALING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING

Prior Art

• 20 person
• 22 table
• 24 standard bingo card
• 26 number on standard bingo card 24
• 28 marker

Invention

• 30 bingo caddy
• 32 first bingo card of bingo caddy 30
• 34 number on first bingo card 32
• 36 first panel of bingo caddy 30
• 38 second panel of bingo caddy 30
• 40 first side of first and second panels 36, 38
• 42 second side of first and second panels 36, 38
• 44 third side of first and second panels 36, 38
• 46 fourth side of first and second panels 36, 38
• 48 sleeve formed by first and second panels 36, 38
• 50 hole in first panel 36
• 52 second bingo card of bingo caddy 30
• 54 hole in second panel 38
• 56 thin flexible sheet for first and second panels 36, 38
• 58 plastic material for thin flexible sheet 56
• 60 transparent window in first and second panels 36, 38
• 62 word “BINGO” on bingo cards 32, 52

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, which are a diagrammatic perspective view showing a person playing a plurality of prior art bingo games and an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view, with parts broken away, showing in greater detail the person using a marker in playing one of the prior art bingo games, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a person is sitting in front of a table 22 and is playing prior art bingo games with standard bingo cards 24. When numbers are called by a caller the person 20 will mark numbers 26 on each standard bingo card 24 with a marker 28.

Referring now to the other figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIGS. 3 through 14, which are a diagrammatic plan view of an embodiment of the present invention configured for playing Letter X bingo games, and showing two back-to-back bingo cards ready to be inserted therein; a diagrammatic plan view of the present invention, as in FIG. 3, after the two back-to-back bingo cards are inserted therein; an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4; an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 4; an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view, with parts broken away, showing the person using the marker in playing one of the bingo games in the present invention, as in FIG. 4; a diagrammatic plan view of the present invention configured for playing Double Diamond bingo games; a diagrammatic plan view of the present invention configured for playing Small Picture Frame bingo games; a diagrammatic plan view of the present invention configured for playing Small Diamond bingo games; a diagrammatic plan view of the present invention configured for playing Checker Board bingo games;

a diagrammatic plan view of the present invention configured for playing Star of India bingo games; a diagrammatic plan view of the present invention configured for playing Letter F bingo games; and a diagrammatic plan view of the present invention configured for playing Black Out/Full House bingo games, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto.

The present invention is a bingo caddy 30 which comprises a bingo card 32 having a plurality of groups of random numbers 34 in vertical and horizontal rows. First and second superimposed panels 36,38 are interconnected along three sides 40, 42, 44 and open at a fourth side 46 to form a sleeve 48, wherein the bingo card 32 can be inserted between the first and second panels 36, 38 of the sleeve 48. The first panel 36 has an array of holes 50 therein to produce specific bingo game patterns over the groups of random numbers 34 on the bingo card 32, thereby enabling the person 20 to mark the numbers 34 exposed in the holes 50 on the first panel 36 with the marker 28 when playing multiple bingo games.

The bingo caddy 30 further comprises a second bingo card 52 having a plurality of groups of random numbers in vertical and horizontal rows. The second bingo card 50 is placed back-to-back with the first bingo card 32, wherein the bingo cards 32,52 can be inserted together between the panels 36, 38 of the sleeve 48. The second panel 52 has an array of holes 54 therein to produce specific bingo game patterns over the groups of random numbers on the second bingo card 52, thereby enabling the person 20 to mark the numbers exposed in the holes 54 in the second panel 52 with the marker 28 when playing the multiple bingo games.

The first panel 36 and the second panel 38 each is comprised of a thin flexible sheet 56 formed out of plastic material 58 having a particular solid color to match up with the bingo games being played. The first panel 36 and the second panel 38 each is comprised with a plurality of spaced apart transparent windows 60 formed in the thin flexible sheet 56, whereby the words “BINGO” 62 on each bingo card 32, 52 can be seen through the transparent windows 60 by the person 20.

The array of holes 50, 54 in the first panel 36 and the second panel 38, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 7, comprises Letter X bingo game patterns. The array of holes 50, 54 in the first panel 36 and the second panel 38, as shown in FIG. 8, comprises Double Diamond bingo game patterns. The array of holes 50, 54 in the first panel 36 and the second panel 38, as shown in FIG. 9, comprises Small Picture Frame bingo game patterns. The array of holes 50, 54 in the first panel 36 and the second panel 38, as shown in FIG. 10, comprises Small Diamond bingo game patterns. The array of holes 50, 54 in the first panel 36 and the second panel 38, as shown in FIG. 11 comprises Checker Board bingo game patterns. The array of holes 50, 54 in the first panel 36 and the second panel 38, as shown in FIG. 12, comprises Star of India bingo game patterns. The array of holes 50, 54 in the first panel 36 and the second panel 38, as shown in FIG. 13 comprises Letter F bingo game patterns. The array of holes 50, 54 in the first panel 36 and the second panel 38, as shown in FIG. 14, comprises Black Out/Full House bingo game patterns. The array of holes 50, 54 in the first panel 36 and the second panel 38 can also comprise other types of bingo game patterns (not shown).

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodiments of a bingo caddy, accordingly it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

Claims

1. A bingo caddy which comprises:

a) a bingo card having a plurality of groups of random numbers in vertical and horizontal rows;

b) first and second superimposed panels interconnected along three sides and open at a fourth side to form a sleeve, wherein said bingo card can be inserted between said first and second panels of said sleeve; and

c) said first panel having an array of holes therein to produce specific bingo game patterns over the groups of random numbers on said bingo card, thereby enabling a person to mark the numbers exposed in said holes on said first panel with a marker when playing multiple bingo games.

2. The bingo caddy as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a) a second bingo card having a plurality of groups of random numbers in vertical and horizontal rows, said second bingo card placed back-to-back with said first bingo card, wherein said bingo cards can be inserted together between said panels of said sleeve; and

b) said second panel having an array of holes therein to produce specific bingo game patterns over the groups of random numbers on said second bingo card, thereby enabling the person to mark the numbers exposed in said holes in said second panel with the marker when playing the multiple bingo games.

3. The bingo caddy as recited in claim 2, wherein said first panel and said second panel each comprises a thin flexible sheet formed out of plastic material having a particular solid color to match up with the bingo games being played.

4. The bingo caddy as recited in claim 3, wherein said first panel and said second panel each comprises a plurality of spaced apart transparent windows formed in said thin flexible sheet, whereby the words “BINGO” on each said bingo card can be seen through said transparent windows by the person.

5. The bingo caddy as recited in claim 2, wherein said array of holes in said first panel and said second panel comprises Letter X bingo game patterns.

6. The bingo caddy as recited in claim 2, wherein said array of holes in said first panel and said second panel comprises Double Diamond bingo game patterns.

7. The bingo caddy as recited in claim 2, wherein said array of holes in said first panel and said second panel comprises Small Picture Frame bingo game patterns.

8. The bingo caddy as recited in claim 2, wherein said array of holes in said first panel and said second panel comprises Small Diamond bingo game patterns.

9. The bingo caddy as recited in claim 2, wherein said array of holes in said first panel and said second panel comprises Checker Board bingo game patterns.

10. The bingo caddy as recited in claim 2, wherein said array of holes in said first panel and said second panel comprises Star of India bingo game patterns.

11. The bingo caddy as recited in claim 2, wherein said array of holes in said first panel and said second panel comprises Letter F bingo game patterns.

12. The bingo caddy as recited in claim 2, wherein said array of holes in said first panel and said second panel comprises Black Out/Full House bingo game patterns.

13. The bingo caddy as recited in claim 2, wherein said array of holes in said first panel and said second panel comprises other types of bingo game patterns.