Abstract: A collectible casing card can include a casing member, a card member that is engaged with the casing member to define a casing member interior, and a collectible that is positioned within the casing member interior. The card member and casing member can be engaged to form a flush or non-flush engagement. The collectible casing card can include a fastener that is secured to one of the casing member and the card member. The fastener can be positioned on a side wall of the card member. The collectible can include a ring. A method for manufacturing a collectible casing card can include the steps of engaging a card member and a casing member with one another to define a casing member interior and positioning the collectible within the casing member interior. The method can include the step of imprinting an image on a top surface of the card member.

Abstract: A surface collectible (10) includes a surface member (12) and a textile (316) secured to the surface member (12). The surface member (12) is detached from a venue surface (11). The surface member (12) can be event-used. In one embodiment, the surface member (12) can include flooring. The textile (316) can include at least a portion of an article of clothing. The article of clothing can also be event-used. The surface collectible (10) can also include an image (214) imprinted on the surface member (12). The image (214) can include a sporting logo. Alternatively, the image (214) can include at least one of a professional athlete, a non-professional athlete, an athletically-involved person, an entertainer, an actor, a historical figure and a public figure. The surface collectible (10) may further include an autograph (418) inscribed on the surface member (12) and/or on the textile (316).

Abstract: Provided herein is a set of card-like structure and connector toys for building; the set comprising one or more card-like structures and one or more end cap connectors, wherein the one or more end cap connectors comprise one or more slots for inserting the card-like structures. Also provided herein is a connector toy or a kit of connector toys; comprising one or more slots for inserting card-like structures for building.

Abstract: Provided herein is a set of card-like structure and connector toys for building; the set comprising one or more card-like structures and one or more end cap connectors, wherein the one or more end cap connectors comprise one or more slots for inserting the card-like structures. Also provided herein is a connector toy or a kit of connector toys; comprising one or more slots for inserting card-like structures for building.

Abstract: A trading card (10) that is collectible by one or more users comprises a card body (12) and a first card insert (20). The card body (12) includes a first side (14), an opposed second side (16), and a first slot region (18A) that is formed into at least one of the first side (14) and the second side (16). The first card insert (20) is selectively positioned within the first slot region (18A). Additionally, the trading card (10) can further comprise a second card insert (20) that is selectively and alternatively positioned within the first slot region (18A). The card body (12) can further include a second slot region (18B). Each of the card inserts (20) can be interchangeably positioned within one of the first slot region (18A) and the second slot region (18B).

Abstract: A combination for use as a collectible item or a game piece includes a collectible miniature figurine and a first game assembly. The collectible miniature figurine includes a figure body and a figure base that retains and supports the figure body. The first game assembly includes a first game base that is selectively attachable to and detachable from the figure base without deforming either of the bases. Further, the figure base is selectively rotatable relative to the first game base when the figure base is attached to the first game base. Still further, the figure base can be selectively rotatable relative to the first game base in a step-like fashion.

Abstract: A trading card game (10) includes a first card (212) having only one immovable section (234). The game (10) also includes a second card (314) including a first section (352) and a second section (354). The second section (354) can be slidable relative to the first section (352) so that the second card (314) moves between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a portion of the second section (354) is unexposed to the players. In the second position, the portion of the second section (354) is exposed to the players, and influences the outcome of at least a portion of the game (10).

Abstract: A trading card game (10) includes a first card (212) having only one immovable section (234). The game (10) also includes a second card (314) including a first section (352) and a second section (354). The second section (354) can be slidable relative to the first section (352) so that the second card (314) moves between a first position and a second position. In the first position, a portion of the second section (354) is unexposed to the players. In the second position, the portion of the second section (354) is exposed to the players, and influences the outcome of at least a portion of the game (10).

Abstract: An interactive computer game system (10) for one or more players includes a game server (12) that generates a first game piece (19A) controlled by a first player, and a second game piece (19B). The first game piece (19A) has a first adjustable battle parameter that is adjustable by the first player and a first fixed battle parameter that is not adjustable by the first player. The second game piece (19B) can have a second adjustable battle parameter that is adjustable by the second player and a second fixed battle parameter that is not adjustable by the second player. The game pieces (19A, 19B) engage in a battle having an outcome determined by an algorithm that is based at least partly upon one or more of the adjustable battle parameters and/or one or more of the fixed battle parameters. In another embodiment, the game server (12) generates a pool of game pieces from which the players select activated first game pieces and second game pieces, respectively.

Abstract: A trading card includes 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. Three of the walls are moveable 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. Further, 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, the image can be on a piece of film and the viewing lens can be a magnifying lens.

Abstract: A collectible card (10) includes a base (12), an insert (14) and a cover layer (16) that is secured to the base (12). The base (12) includes a base recess (243) that receives the insert (14). The cover layer (16) includes a cover layer aperture (234) through which at least a portion of the insert (14) is exposed. The base recess (243) has a first configuration and the cover layer aperture (234) has a second configuration that is different than the first configuration. In one embodiment, the cover layer aperture (234) has an area that is less than the area of the base recess (243). Further, the insert (14) can be substantially non-planar and can form an insert cavity (246) positioned directly between a portion of the insert (14) and a portion of the base (12).

Abstract: A method for playing an interactive game (10) between a first player and a second player includes the steps of the first player obtaining a plurality of active first game pieces (14A) that each includes a word-forming indicia (24A), the first player positioning a first active first game piece (14A) onto one of a plurality of designated positions (22) of a game board (12) to at least partially form a first word, and the second player choosing one of two options. The options can include (i) attempting to identify the first word, and (ii) indicating that the second player does not believe the first player can form any word with the first active first game piece (14A) and the remaining active first game pieces (14A).

Abstract: A method and system for providing owners, potential buyers and other users of autographed items such as sports and other entertainment memorabilia visual evidence for verifying the authenticity of the autograph are described. A method of the present invention involves capturing an image of the signature as it is being placed on the item. The image so captured is then stored on a computer readable medium. In addition to the item itself, the owner of the item may be provided with a computer readable medium containing computer readable instructions for accessing the image and other information about the item, the signing process, the autographer, etc. The image may be captured by a camera mounted on a pen or other writing instrument.

Abstract: A method and system for providing owners, potential buyers and other users of autographed items such as sports and other entertainment memorabilia visual evidence for verifying the authenticity of the autograph are described. A method of the present invention involves capturing an image of the signature as it is being placed on the item. The image so captured is then stored on a computer readable medium. In addition to the item itself, the owner of the item may be provided with a computer readable medium containing computer readable instructions for accessing the image and other information about the item, the signing process, the autographer, etc. The image may be captured by a camera mounted on a pen or other writing instrument.

Abstract: A slitting assembly for producing a plurality of "interrupted cut" slits in a large sheet of sport card photos includes a horizontal support track carrying a plurality of individual upper slitting assemblies each including a freely rotatable upper hub, an upper blade concentrically attached to the upper hub, a resilient band circumferentially disposed on the upper hub to frictionally engage the top surface of the sheet being slit, and an upper blade biasing element to resiliently urge an edge of the upper blade against an edge of the corresponding lower blade. The upper blades are precisely parallel to the lower blades to avoid interference with notches provided in the lower blades to interrupt the slits being made. The locations of the notches are selected to compensate for slippage resulting from the frictional engagement.

Abstract: A slitting machine including a first slitting stage for producing a plurality of interrupted cut slits in an advancing sheet having a leading edge and a trailing edge includes a drive pulley, a driven pulley, and a belt engaging the drive pulley and the driven pulley to provide a power path and a return path between the drive pulley and the driven pulley. The slitting machine also includes a mechanism translating rotation of the driven pulley to drive an upper slitting assembly and notched blades of a lower slitting assembly in synchronization with the advancing of the sheet by a sheet feeder.

Abstract: A display card is provided on one surface thereof with two images which appear to an observer to be interacting. One of the images is provided on the card by quality ink printing such as lithography. At least a portion of this image occupies but only a portion of a prescribed field of view on the card. The second image, which occupies substantially all of the remainder of the field of view, is provided by a plastic coating adhered to the card and having a reflection-type hologram embossed therein. The holographic image circumscribes and touches at every possible point that portion of the printed image occupying a portion of the field of view. The method of making the display card comprising ink printing one image and adhering the plastic coating bearing the hologram on the card in a manner to circumscribe that portion of the printed image which occupies the field of view.

Abstract: An authentication system, method and article for memorabilia and other forms of articles wherein a first image-bearing medium is affixed to the article with a tamper-proof adhesive. A unique code number is imprinted on the medium. A certificate of authenticity is provided for the article and includes a second image-bearing medium with an identical unique code number. A list of unique code numbers is maintained to enable a purchaser of the article to register that article such that the purchaser or a subsequent purchaser can verify the authenticity of the authenticated article.

Abstract: A rectangular box includes an internal storage compartment. A removable insert is dimensioned to fit snugly within the internal storage compartment to define a low card storage capacity subcompartment for storing flat rectangular cards with an orientation parallel to the base surface of the box. A foldable divider can be selectively positioned between extended and retracted positions. When displaced into the extended position after removal of the removable insert, the foldable divider subdivides the internal storage compartment into first and second equal sized subcompartments to create a second high card storage capacity where the cards are oriented perpendicular to the base surface of the box.