Game cartridge storage and dispensing system and method for the same

Abstract

A system for storing and dispensing game cartridges and a method for the same. A housing system that requires a user to store a game cartridge in the apparatus before another game cartridge in the apparatus can be dispensed. Thus, insuring that game cartridges will be returned to a storage apparatus before another game cartridge is removed thereby preventing game cartridges from being lost and keeping all game cartridges not being played in one storage container.

Description

This is a non-provisional application of provisional application 61/338,213 filed on Feb. 16, 2010 by Michael Rosenberg.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field

The present disclosure relates to a system for storing and dispensing game cartridges and a method for the same. In particular, the present disclosure provides for a housing system that requires a user, in particular a child, to store a game cartridge in the apparatus before another game cartridge in the apparatus can be dispensed. Thus, the present disclosure provides an apparatus and a method for insuring that game cartridges will be returned to a storage apparatus before another game cartridge is removed thereby preventing game cartridges from being lost and keeping all game cartridges not being played in one storage container.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a storage apparatus for housing and dispensing game cartridges. The apparatus only permits one game cartridge to be dispensed at a time when another game cartridge is returned to the housing apparatus. Game cartridges, such as but not limited to flash media card video game cards, can be housed in a holder formed as a card holder casing where the cartridges are aligned serially therein with respect to one another so that when one cartridge is pushed in at one end, one can be pushed out at the other end. The cartridge casing is preferably formed of plastic or metal and has springs and ribs on each side to control the movement of the cartridges along the path of the interior of the casing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 detailing the ribs, ramp stops, springs and hinge pins;

FIG. 3 shows the hinge and hinge pin, ramp stops and alignment holes of a portion of the game cartridge storage device in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows the entire assembled game cartridge storage device in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a first position of a game cartridge entering the device of the present disclosure where the game cartridge is passing over a ramp stop located at the entrance of the device causing a spring which is attached to a lens cover for the device to flex upward;

FIG. 6 shows a second position of a game cartridge inside the device of the present disclosure where the game cartridge has passed over a ramp stop located at the entrance of the device and the spring attached to a lens cover for the device is back in its initial position;

FIGS. 7A-7E describes the parts of the present disclosure wherein:

FIG. 7A is the device in an open position showing a holder;

FIG. 7A is the device in a closed position showing a holder;

FIG. 7C is the stylus;

FIG. 7D is a game cartridge; and

FIG. 7E is a blank cartridge to be used as a filler in any one of the tracks of the housing of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring to the drawings of FIGS. 1-4, FIG. 1 illustrates at least one portion 3 of a game cartridge storage device 5. The hinge 6 and hinge pin 7 permits another identical portion 4 to be hingedly attached thereto although the present disclosure can have one or two or any number of such storage device portions attached as desired and is not limited to any number of such portions including one such portion, if preferred. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the cartridge storage portion 3 includes springs 8 for advancing the cartridges (not shown) as they travel from one end 14 of the device to the other 15 being directed by the ribs 9. The energy directors 10 are preferably configured as raised melt lines of plastic material due to the welding process to attach the top and bottom portions of the housing and its associated lens (or casing over) together. The springs 8 are configured to advance the cartridges in one direction along a longitudinal axis of the cartridge device from one ramp stop 12 at one end to another ramp stop 12 so as to go toward and over the ramp stop 12 and also serves to hold the game cartridges in place as the first cartridge nearest the ramp stop 12 advances toward and over the ramp stop 12 (see FIG. 2). The springs are formed as part of the lens and tilt down before the game cartridge passes through and flex upward as the game cartridge passes through the housing to give leeway for the cartridge to get through the housing as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. The springs and ramp stops serve to lock the cartridge in place when all the cartridges are loaded in the housing that the housing will accommodate. A stylus holder (FIG. 7C) is provided in the housing for a stylus used on the screen of a game associated with a game cartridge such as but not limited to a Nintendo game. Blank game cartridges (FIG. 7E F) can be used as fillers in any track of the housing of the device. The device can have two or more tracks on each side of the housing as desired (see FIG. 7A) FIG. 7b shows the device in a closed position. Ribs 9 are provided to prevent a lens or cover casing 16 (see FIG. 4) covering the device from being scratched by the game cartridges as the game cartridges slide through the device. The alignment pins 11 connect the housing and the lens together. The alignment holes 13 (see FIG. 3) mate with male members that extend from the lens.

While certain embodiments have been shown and described, it is distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A storage apparatus for housing and dispensing game cartridges comprising:

a housing for housing a plurality of game cartridges along a longitudinal axis of said housing so that said cartridges are aligned serially therein so that only one game cartridge is dispensed at one end of said housing when another game cartridge is returned to the housing at another end of the housing.

2. The housing according to claim 1 wherein the housing has springs, and ribs on each side to control the movement of the cartridges along the path of the interior of the casing.

3. The housing according to claim 2 wherein said ribs and said springs serve to guide said cartridges as the cartridges slide along a track within the housing along said longitudinal axis.

4. The housing according to claim 2 further including ribs located on each side of said interior of said housing and a lens covering a top surface of said housing so that said ribs prevent the lens from being damaged when said game cartridges slide through said housing.

5. The housing according to claim 1 wherein the housing is formed of plastic.

6. The housing according to claim 1 wherein the housing is formed of metal.

7. The housing according to claim 1 wherein said housing has ramp stops to prevent a game cartridge from being inserted into the housing when a track of the housing is filled with game cartridges to insure that the game cartridges can only be inserted and move in one direction along said longitudinal axis of said housing and so that said springs permit said game cartridges to ride up and over the ramp stops and held in place.

8. A method for storage and dispensing game cartridges comprising:

housing a plurality of game cartridges along a longitudinal axis of a housing so that said cartridges are aligned serially therein so as to dispense only one game cartridge at one end of said housing when returning another game cartridge to the housing at another end of the housing.