Keychain Ticket Scratcher

Abstract

An inventive device for protecting the hands, fingers, and skin while scratching latex or other protective film from the surface of a ticket is disclosed. The device is comprised of a housing, a slider member, and a resilient scratching member in a parallel position with the housing. The slider member is moved in a downward position toward the farthest point in order to release the scratching member and the receptacles. In use, the hands, fingers, and skin are protected as the receptacles are opened and the scratching member engages with the surface of the ticket.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

“Not Applicable”

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

“Not Applicable”

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

“Not Applicable”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new combination keychain and ticket scratcher for conveniently removing latex or similar film covering from a game ticket while protecting the user's hands, fingers or skin from dust, shavings, or ink.

The use of a coin or any semi-circular device to scratch off game tickets is known in the prior art. There are many known prior art scratch off apparatuses. These include U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,2322 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,470,574B1. These devices are very common and are often purchased at grocery stores and convenience stores. Scratch-off coating materials are used to conceal numbers on a ticket. These coatings can contain a variety of materials including silicone, wax, ink, and acrylic resin. Aluminum foil is also used as a component of some multilayered tickets. Though many ticket purchasers have numerous convenient ways to scrape the protective film from game tickets, these devices do not provide protection for the hands, fingers or skin. The scratched off dust or particles can leave the hands, fingers or skin discolored and dirty.

In these respects, the keychain ticket scratcher according to the present invention, departs from the concepts and designs of prior art and therefore provides a device primarily developed for the purpose of removing latex or the like from game tickets while protecting the user's hand, fingers or skin from discoloration or dust. The keychain function of the ticket scratcher makes it accessible and easier to locate. The user would therefore avoid using fingernails or other objects to remove the film from a ticket.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This device will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices by safeguarding the user from dust or similar residue. The dust or residue from a scratched off game ticket can get into contact with the skin, clothing or other surface areas. In some cases, the fingers or skin might become covered with a colored dust layer and some residue might become hidden beneath the fingernails. The dust or residue is later transferred onto other surface areas if the hands or clothing are not washed immediately. Depending on the composition or coverings of the game ticket, allergy sufferers would have a continued exposure to the dust or residue. The presence of dust or residue is even more pronounced in multiple ticket scratches. This device is novel in that it protects the user from dust or residue after use. Once the device is engaged, the receptacles on the device prevent dust or residue from rubbing onto the skin and subsequently onto other surface areas.

Therefore, a general objective of the invention is to provide a keychain ticket scratcher that can be used to scratch game tickets and protect the hand, fingers, and skin while it is being used.

Another objects of the invention are to create a device that can be easily stored or carried around by attaching a keychain ring into the device and to create a device that is economical in cost to manufacture.

Further benefits of the invention will appear as the description proceeds, wherein the detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the preferred embodiments of the invention, without placing limitations thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the keychain ticket scratcher embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the keychain ticket scratcher showing how the device can be used.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the keychain ticket scratcher showing the slider member at the top position.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the keychain ticket scratcher showing the slider member at the bottom position and the open receptacles.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the keychain scratcher with the slider member in a closed position.

FIG. 5a is a side view of the keychain scratcher showing the slider member and the receptacles in a closed position.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the keychain ticket scratcher showing the slider member and receptacles in an open position.

FIG. 6a is a side view of the keychain ticket scratcher showing the slider member and receptacles in an open position.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the keychain ticket scratcher showing the receptacles completely retracted within the housing.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the keychain ticket scratcher showing an actuated slider member, the receptacles in an open position, and the scraping member extended out of the device.

FIG. 9 is a front cross-sectional view of the keychain ticket scratcher.

FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the keychain ticket scratcher.

FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of the keychain ticket scratcher showing the slider member being moved along the side of the device, the scratching member being extended out of the device and the receptacles in the open position.

FIG. 12 is a top cross-sectional view of the keychain ticket scratcher.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A keychain ticket scratcher device 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 though 12 of the accompanying drawings.

The keychain ticket scratcher device 10 includes a housing 12, which generally has a rectangular shape. The device 10 has a front side 14, a back side 16, a top side 18, a bottom side 21, a right side 22 and a left side 24. The sides are connectable and form an interior space 26. The device 10 is constructed of a durable plastic material although a lightweight metal would also be acceptable. The front side receptacle 41 and the back side receptacle 42 are releasably attached to the interior space 26 by a plurality of support structures 48. The support structures 48 are releasably attached to the interior space 26 of the housing 12. The support structures 48 are made of a durable plastic material.

The various parts for the device 10 may be made of any color and made in different sizes and capacities. The device 10 is portable and can be used as a keychain.

The bottom side 21 has a first elongated slot 28 extending between the front side 14 and back side 16. The right side 22 of the device 10 has a second elongated slot adapted to receive the slider member 54. The first elongated slot 28 is further positioned in the center of the front side 14 and the back side 16. The first elongated slot 28 is adapted to receive the scraping edge 32 of the scratching member 51 after the slider member 54 is moved down the farthest point 56 along the right side 22 of the device 10. The front side 14 has a front side opening 34, which is adapted to accommodate the height and width of the front side receptacle 41. The back side 16 has a back side opening 36, which is adapted to accommodate the height and width of the back side receptacle 42. Moving slider member 54 to its farthest point 58 along the second elongated slot 44 opens the receptacles. The front side receptacle 41 is movable between open and closed positions about a front side hinged member 46. The back side receptacle 42 is movable between open and closed positions about a back side hinged member 48. The front side hinged member 46 and the back side hinged member 48 are adapted to spring back and thereby enable the front side receptacle 41 and the back side receptacle 42 to close. The front side receptacle 41 and the back side receptacle 42 have a plurality of support structures 48 that enable the front side receptacle 41 and the back side receptacle 42 to be releasably attached to said device 10.

The front side receptacle 41 and the back side receptacle 42 have a vertical distance sufficient to allow separation by the slider member 54 as the slider member 54 is moved to the farthest point 58 along the second elongated slot 44. The front side receptacle 41 and the back side receptacle 42 are arranged in a parallel relation to each other. The front side receptacle 41 and the back side receptacle 42 have a generally concave interior.

The scratching member 51 has a top portion 52 and a scratching edge 32. The scratching member 51 is constructed of a semi-rigid plastic, which gives it a spring like quality and is adapted to engage the game ticket. The scratching edge 32 of the scratching member is substantially semi-circular and is beveled. The scratching member 51 is attached to the back surface 56 of the slider member 54. The width and length of the top portion 52 of the scratching member 51 allows it to open the front side receptacle 41 and said back side receptacle 42 at a 45 degree angle.

The slider member 54 is substantially rectangular in shape and is movable in the second elongated slot 44. The slider member 54 has a front surface 55 and a back surface 56. The back surface 56 extends into the housing and is adapted to engage the scratching member 51 in a manner such that when the slider member 54 is in contact with the scratching member 51, the scratching member 51 can be moved down to the farthest point 58 and engage the front side receptacle 41 and the back side receptacle 42. The width of said second elongated slot 44 is at least as large as the diameter of said back portion 55 of the slider member 54, whereby the slider member 54 can be moved.

The top side 18 has a loop 61 in the outer surface thereof that can be aligned to permit insertion of a keychain therein. The loop 61 is adapted to fit a keychain or similar device. The loop will provide a suitable way of retaining the keychain ticket scratcher in a convenient location and it can be easily located when needed to scratch game tickets.

Still in reference to the drawings, the inventive ticket scratcher device 10 may also include a gripping portion 62 on the front side 14 of the device 10. A user of the device 10 may place a thumb on the front side 14 of the device 10 and firmly hold the gripping portion 62.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, I do not wish to limit the same to the exact and precise details of the structure, and I reserve the right to make all modifications and changes so long as they remain within the scope of the invention and the following claims.

Claims

1. A device for removing latex or protective film on a gaming ticket comprising:

A housing generally having a rectangular shape, a front side, a back side, a top side, a bottom side, a right side, and a left side all defining an interior space; said interior space having a plurality of support structures releasably attached to a front side receptacle and a back side receptacle, said support structures being releasably attached to said interior space; said bottom side having a first elongated slot extending between said front and said back sides and further positioned in the center of said front and said back sides, said first elongated slot being adapted to receive the bottom portion of the scratching member after the slider member is moved down to the farthest point along said right side of said device; said right side having a second elongated being adapted to receive the front surface of the slider member; said front side having a front side opening and said back side having a back side opening adapted to accommodate the height and width of said front side receptacle and said back side receptacle; said front side receptacle and said back side receptacle being actuated by moving said slider member to a farthest point along said second elongated slot, said front side receptacle and said back side receptacle are actuable between open and closed positions about a left side hinged member and a right side hinged member adapted to spring back into a closed position; said scratching member having a top portion, a scratching edge, and said slider member attached thereon; said slider member having a front surface and a back surface, and being movable in said second elongated slot, said back surface extending into said housing and being adapted to engage said scratching member in a manner such that when such slider member is in contact with said scratching member, said slider member can be moved down to said farthest point down and engage said front side receptacles and said back side receptacles; said top side having a loop in the outer surface thereof that can be aligned to permit insertion of a keychain loop therein, such keychain loop being adapted to fit a keychain or similar device.

i. A device according to claim 1 wherein said front side, said back side, said top side, said bottom side, said left said, and said right side are connectable in order to form said housing.

ii. A device according to claim 1 wherein said device is portable.

iii. A device according to claim 1 wherein said device is constructed of a durable plastic material.

iv. A device according to claim 1 wherein said device may be made of any color and made in different sizes and capacities.

v. A device according to claim 1 wherein the width of said second elongated slot is at least as large as the diameter of said back portion of said slider member, whereby said slider member can be moved.

vi. A device according to claim 1 wherein said front side receptacle and said back side receptacle are arranged in a parallel relation to each other.

vii. A device according to claim 1 wherein said front side receptacle and said back side receptacle have a vertical distance sufficient to allow separation by said slider member as said slider member is moved to said farthest point on said second elongated slot.

viii. A device according to claim 1 wherein said support structures are made of a durable plastic material.

ix. A device according to claim 1 wherein said front side receptacle and said back side receptacle have a generally concave interior.

x. A device according to claim 1 wherein said scratching edge has a scratching width, a scratching length, and is generally beveled.

xi. A device according to claim 1 wherein said scratching member is constructed of a thin metal or semi-rigid plastic which imports a spring like quality to the device.

xii. A device according to claim 1 wherein the width and length of said top portion of said scratching member allows it to open said front side receptacle and said back side receptacle at a 45 degree angle.

xiii. The device according to claim 1 wherein such keychain loop is adapted to fit a keychain, backpack belt or similar devices.