Pocket pals

Abstract

A portable, novelty item, which comprises a plurality of items, such as cards, removably secured together, the items having indicia thereon. The indicia can be text, such as jokes, riddles, motivational sayings, or graphics, such as sports figures, sports teams, and the like. The individual items are removable and replaceable from the assemblage, thus allowing trading or exchanging of the items.

Description

Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) is claimed to provisional application Ser. No. 60/316,926, filed on Aug. 30, 2001, and entitled “Assemblage of Collectable Cards”. The complete disclosure of application 60/316,926, is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The invention relates to a portable novelty item having a plurality of removable and replaceable items, such as cards, retained together by a fastening system, the plurality of items having indicia thereon.

BACKGROUND

For many people, the daily routine of work, school, and other daily activities can be very mundane, boring, stressful, or any combination of such experiences. To escape from, or at least temporarily avoid, the daily routine, many people rely on activities that remove them from the daily routine. Such activities include golfing, fishing, vacationing, or any other time spent away from the office, school, or typical location. For many people, simply an afternoon off is a welcome retreat.

However, many people cannot regularly disrupt their schedule to enjoy extensive periods of rest, relaxation, or simply, plain fun, that comes from golfing, fishing, vacationing, and other such activities. Rather, the majority of the relaxation that occurs daily occurs in quick time intervals and involves activities such as reading the newspaper, taking a coffee break, or daydreaming.

What is needed is a convenient activity that can provide a break from the ordinary activities of the day and that provides a welcome break.

SUMMARY

The present invention is a fun, mood brightening product that boosts morale and that can be interesting, funny, series, a mind-teaser, or motivational. The present invention is a collection of individual items removably secured together by an attachment system, the individual items having indicia thereon.

The individual items are preferably configured to stack or nest together to form a compact collection or assemblage. A preferred form for each of the items is as a planar card, such as a playing card or trading card.

The indicia is present on at least one surface of the items, and for a planar item such as a card, can be present on only one surface or on two opposite surfaces. The indicia may be printed text or graphics on the item surface, may be present within the item itself, e.g., integral within the item rather than present on the surface thereof, or the indicia may be present as apertures or other areas within the item devoid of material. Examples of suitable text includes jokes, riddles, fortunes, encouraging sayings, trivia questions, wisdom, facts, motivational sayings, slogans, corporate mission statements, and the like. Examples of graphics include depictions of sports figures, sports team logos, movie stars, music stars, political figures, cartoons, animals, and the like.

The attachment system can be any mechanism that secures the individual items together, yet allows removal of an item when desired. Examples of usable attachment systems include, but are not limited to, chains, rings, loops, bolts, screws, latches, clamps, clips, rivets, and other flexible or rigid fasteners.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is an assemblage of cards held together by an attachment system such as a chain, the cards having printed text such as fun quotes, jokes, facts, or games present on one side. The opposite, second side of the card may be unprinted or blank, for example, to allow writing messages thereon. In another preferred embodiment, the assemblage of cards has graphics printed thereon.

In particular embodiment, the present invention is an assemblage

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an assemblage according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an assemblage according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a collection or assemblage of individual items, such as cards, held together by an attachment system such as a chain (such as a key chain), a stud, or other similar item that retains the items together.

Referring now to the figures, a first embodiment of an assemblage is shown as assemblage 10. Assemblage 10 has a plurality of individual items 20 held together by an attachment system 30. Specifically, plurality of individual items 20 has a first item 20a, a second item 20b, a third item 20c, and so on. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, items 20 are planar cards having a first surface 22 and an opposite, second surface, not designated in FIG. 1. Items 20 have an aperture 23 therethrough extending from first surface 22 to the opposite second surface for passing attachment system 30 through item 20.

Attachment system 30 of assemblage 10 is a flexible, segmented chain 32 having a clasp 34. Such a chain 32 with clasp 34 is commonly known as a key chain.

First surface 22 has indicia 25 thereon. For assemblage 10, indicia 25 consists of printed text. Preferably, each item 20, such as first item 20a, a second item 20b, a third item 20c, and so on has indicia 25 thereon, either on first surface 22, the opposite second surface, or both surfaces.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a second embodiment of an assemblage is shown as assemblage 110. Assemblage 110 has a plurality of individual items 120 held together by an attachment system 130. Specifically, plurality of individual items 120 has a first item 120a, a second item 120b, a third item 120c, and so on up to a twentieth item 120t. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, items 120 are planar cards having a first surface 122 and an opposite, second surface 124. Items 120 have an aperture 123 passing an attachment system 130 through items 120. Attachment system 130 of assemblage 110 is a two-part engageable system having a male portion 136 and a female portion 138 that are engageable. Such an attachment system 130 may be commonly known as a stud or a rivet.

The various features of assemblage 10, 110 are further described below. As summarized above, assemblage 10, 110 has a plurality of items 20, 120 with indicia 25 thereon, removably connected by attachment system 30, 130.

Generally, multiple items 20, 120 will be present in assemblage 10, 110. At least two items 20, 120, preferably at least three items 20, 120, and more preferably at least 10 items 20, 120 are present. In assemblage 110, twenty items 120, present as 120a, 120b, 120c, . . . 120t, are shown. In another preferred embodiment, thirty-two or thirty-four items 20, 120 may be present. No matter what number of items 20, 120, assemblage 10, 110 has a collection, assembly, compilation, or other grouping of items 20, 120.

Items 20, 120 can be any suitable shape or size. Items 20, 120 can be generally two-dimensional or three-dimensional. By use of the term “two-dimensional”, it is intended to designate a structure having a length and a width significantly greater than the thickness of the structure. For example, a sheet of paper or a playing card is intended to fall within the term two-dimensional in this context. However, it is preferred that items 20, 120 are fairly two-dimensional, to allow for easy stacking or nesting of item 20, 120. For example, items 20, 120 may be corrugated, concave, convex, or other arcuate shape.

Examples of suitable shapes include squares and other rectangles, circles, ovals or ellipses, stars, other polygons such as triangles, hexagons, pentagons, and so on, and irregular or undefined shapes. In FIGS. 1 and 2, items 20, 120 are rectangular. Usually, the largest dimension of item 20, 120 is no greater than about 5 inches, typically no greater than about 4 inches. In most designs, the largest dimension of item 20, 120 is about 2 to 3 inches. If item 20, 120 is a circle, the largest dimension is its diameter. Items 20, 120 are preferably shaped and sized so that assemblage 10, 110 can be stored in small spaces such as a backpack, a brief case, a pocket, or a desk drawer.

The preferred item 20, 120 is a card, similar to a playing card or a trading card, having dimensions of about 1 inch by 2 inches by 0.125 inch thick, to 2 inches by 3 inches by 0.125 inch thick. A card has a first surface 22, 122 and an opposite second surface 124, each of which are suitable for having indicia 25 thereon.

Items 20, 120 can be made from virtually any material such as paper (cellulose), a polymeric material (commonly referred to as plastic), metal, cloth, or any composite or combination thereof, the only preference being that items 20, 120 are fairly lightweight to allow multiple items 20, 120 to be easily stored and carried by a person. For example, items 20, 120 can have a paper or other cellulose base laminated or otherwise coated with a plastic material. Alternately, the entire thickness of items 20, 120 can be plastic. In another example, items 20, 120 can be formed from thin metal sheets, such as aluminum. Preferably, items 20, 120 are somewhat flexible, yet resilient.

It is not necessary that each of items 20, 120 are made from the same material or have the same shape and/or size. For example, it may be desired to have the outermost items, such as item 120a and item 120t, made from a more durable material than the interior items 120b, 120c, etc. Similarly, outermost items 120a, 120t may be slightly larger in size than inner items 120b, 120c.

Indicia 25 can be present in or on items 20, 120, in or on either one or both surfaces 22, 122 and 124. For a multilayer item 20, 120, such as a laminated paper card, indicia 25 may be present on the paper base with a plastic coating thereover. Alternately, indicia 25 may be present within or on the plastic coating.

Indicia 25 can be any visual marking on items 20, 120. Indicia 25 may be text or graphics on items 20, 120. Examples of suitable text includes jokes, riddles, fortunes, encouraging sayings, trivia questions or other mind games, wisdom, motivational sayings, poems, famous quotes, and the like. Examples of graphics include depictions of sports figures, sports team logos, corporate logos and other organization logos, movie stars, music stars, political figures, cartoons, animals, states, shapes, colors, and the like. Holograms can be used to provide a special or spectacular image. Preferably, indicia 25 present on the various items 20, 120 is at least distantly related so that assemblage 10, 110 has a theme associated therewith. For example, items 20, 120 of a first assemblage can have jokes and/or riddles thereon, and items 20, 120 of a second assemblage can have cartoon characters.

Indicia 25 may be present within the item itself, that is, indicia 25 is present within the item rather than present on the surface thereof. Examples include having indicia 25 on a paper base which is then coated. In another embodiment, indicia 25 may be present as three-dimensional embossed, raised, or textured areas. For example, indicia 25 may be raised above surface 22, 122. In another variation, indicia 25 may be present as apertures or other areas within the item devoid of material.

Preferably, indicia 25 on each item 20, 120 is related, thus creating assemblage 10, 110 with a common theme. In some assemblages 10, 110, a few items 20, 120 may be present that have no indicia present; rather, items 20, 120 are blank. Preferably, at least 50% of items 20, 120 have indicia 25 thereon, more preferably at least 75% of items 20, 120 have indicia 25 thereon.

Items 20, 120 include aperture 23, 123 therethrough to allow inclusion of attachment system 30, 130 which retains items 20, 120 together. As stated, attachment system 30, 130 is openable or otherwise accessible to allow items 20, 120 to be removed and replaced as desired. Attachment system 30, 130 detachably holds items 20, 120 securely together until it is desired to remove an item 20, 120. A first example of a suitable attachment system is attachment system 30 of FIG. 1. Attachment system 30 is a flexible, segmented chain 32 held together by clasp 34; it is commonly known as a key chain. Another example of a suitable attachment system is attachment system 130 of FIG. 2, which is a male/female engageable mechanism having male portion 136 and female portion 138. Male portion 136 and female portion 138 can be threaded to facilitate engagement, or male portion 136 may merely snap into female portion 138, such as with a compression fitting. Examples of other suitable attachment systems 30, 130 include rings, loops, bolts, screws, latches, clamps, clips, rivets, and other fasteners.

Attachment system 30, 130 can be flexible (such as attachment system 30) or be rigid (such as attachment system 130). Attachment system 30, 130 may be metal, plastic, or any other suitable material.

Items 20, 120 of assemblage 10, 110 of the present invention may be viewed and enjoyed, and exchanged or traded like “baseball cards” or other types of trading cards. Assemblage 10, 110 is appropriate for all ages of users, depending upon the content of indicia 25 present thereon.

While there have been described what are considered to be preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the teachings herein. Thus, while the invention has been described in the context of, perhaps, educational, motivational, advertising, relaxational, or enjoyment methods, the content of the indicia printed on the cards may be modified, the indicia being of the same general subject matter. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

Claims

1. An assemblage comprising:

(a) a plurality of cards, each of said plurality of cards having: (i) a first surface and an opposite second surface; (ii) at least 50% of said first surfaces having indicia thereon; (iii) an aperture extending through each of said plurality of cards; and

(b) an attachment system passing through each of said apertures and configured to detachably secure said cards together.

2. The assemblage according to claim 1, wherein at least 75% of said first surfaces has indicia thereon.

3. The assemblage according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of cards comprises paper.

4. The assemblage according to claim 1, wherein was plurality of cards comprises plastic.

5. The assemblage according to claim 1, wherein said indicia comprises text.

6. The assemblage according to claim 5, wherein said text is at least one of jokes, riddles, fortunes, encouraging sayings, trivia questions, wisdom, motivational sayings, poems, and famous quotes.

7. The assemblage according to claim 1, wherein said indicia comprises graphics.

8. The assemblage according to claim 7, wherein said graphics includes at least one of sports figures, sports team logos, organization logos, movie stars, music stars, political figures, cartoons, animals, states, shapes, and colors.

9. The assemblage according to claim 1, wherein said second surface is void of indicia.

10. The assemblage according to claim 1, wherein said attachment system is one of a chain, ring, loop, bolt, screw, latch, clamp, clip, or rivet.

11. The assemblage according to claim 10, wherein said attachment system is a segmented chain.

12. A card novelty comprising:

(a) a plurality of rectangular cards, each of said cards having: (i) a first surface and an opposite second surface; (ii) at least 50% of said first surfaces having indicia thereon; (iii) an aperture extending through each of said plurality of cards; and

(b) a reclosable attachment system passing through each of said apertures and configured to detachably secure said cards together.

13. An assemblage comprising:

(a) a first card having: (i) a first surface and an opposite second surface; (ii) said first surface having indicia thereon, said indicia being one of a joke, riddle, fortune, encouraging saying, trivia question, wisdom, motivational saying, poem, or famous quote; (iii) an aperture extending through said first card;

(b) a second card having: (i) a first surface and an opposite second surface; (ii) said second card having indicia thereon, said indicia being a joke, riddle, fortune, encouraging saying, trivia question, wisdom, motivational saying, poem, or famous quote similar to that present on the first card; (iii) an aperture extending through said second card;

(c) a third card having: (i) a first surface and an opposite second surface; (ii) said third card having indicia thereon, said indicia being a joke, riddle, fortune, encouraging saying, trivia question, wisdom, motivational saying, poem, or famous quote similar to that present on the first card and the second card; (iii) an aperture extending through said third card; and

(d) an attachment system passing through each of said apertures and configured to detachably secure said cards together.

14. The assemblage according to claim 13, wherein said attachment system is one of a chain, ring, loop, bolt, screw, latch, clamp, clip, or rivet.