Abstract
A card backer (2) configured to be supportingly arranged adjacent to a card (4) arranged in a sleeve (6) is disclosed. The card backer (2) comprises one or more arced corner portions (8) and arced edges (10). Hereby, it is possible to protect the card (4) against wear and damage during usage.
Claims
1. A card backer (2) configured to be supportingly arranged adjacent to a card (4) arranged in a sleeve (6), wherein the card backer (2) comprises one or more arced corner portions (8) and arced edges (10).
2. A card backer (2) according to claim 1, wherein the card backer (2) is plate-shaped and has a basically rectangular shape.
3. A card backer (2) according to claim 2, wherein the length (L.sub.2) of the card backer (2) is 91 mm.
4. A card backer (2) according to claim 2, wherein the width (W.sub.2) of the card backer (2) is 64 mm.
5. A card backer (2) according to claim 1, wherein the card backer (2) is made of a material that regains its shape in a first configuration (I) after bending the card backer (2) into a second configuration (II), wherein the angle (α) between two opposite ends of the card backer (2) is at least 10 degrees.
6. A card backer (2) according to claim 1, wherein the card backer (2) comprises arced corner portions (8) that are rounded to a radius of 1 mm.
7. A card backer (2) according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the card backer (2) is 0.2 mm or less.
8. A card backer (2) according to claim 1, wherein the card backer (2) comprises an enclosure (30) formed of a thermoplastic polymer.
9. A card backer (2) according to claim 8, wherein the enclosure (30) formed as a protective sleeve is made of polypropylene.
10. A card backer (2) according to claim 9, wherein the enclosure (30) has a uniform thickness and covers the entire core (28) of the card backer (2), wherein the core (28) is made of metal.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] The invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below. The accompanying drawings are given by way of illustration only, and thus, they are not Limitative of the present invention. In the accompanying drawings:
[0046] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a card backer according to the invention in a configuration, in which the card backer has been inserted into a card sleeve behind a card;
[0047] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the card backer shown in FIG. 1;
[0048] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a card backer according to the invention;
[0049] FIG. 4A shows a close-up view of a card backer shown in FIG. 3;
[0050] FIG. 4B shows a cross-sectional view of another card backer according to the invention;
[0051] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a card backer according to the invention;
[0052] FIG. 6 shows a close-up view of a card backer shown in FIG. 5;
[0053] FIG. 7 shows a front view of a card backer according to the invention;
[0054] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a card backer according to the invention in a first and second configuration;
[0055] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of a card backer according to the invention placed next to a card and a sleeve;
[0056] FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the card backer shown in FIG. 9 in a configuration, in which the card backer has been inserted into the sleeve adjacent to the card shown in FIG. 9;
[0057] FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the card backer shown in FIG. 10 in a configuration, in which the card backer has been inserted into the sleeve that has been inserted into an additional sleeve;
[0058] FIG. 12 shows a card backer according to the invention being inserted into a sleeve;
[0059] FIG. 13 shows the card backer shown in FIG. 12 in a configuration, in which the slip of the sleeve is being inserted into the sleeve;
[0060] FIG. 14 shows the card backer shown in FIG. 13 in a configuration, in which the slip of the sleeve has been lockingly inserted into the sleeve;
[0061] FIG. 15 shows a card backer according to the invention being inserted into a sleeve together with a card;
[0062] FIG. 16 shows the card backer and card shown in FIG. 15 in a configuration, in which they have been fully inserted into the sleeve;
[0063] FIG. 17 shows a cross-sectional view of a card and a card backer according to the invention; and
[0064] FIG. 18 shows a cross-sectional view of the card and card backer shown in FIG. 17 in a configuration, in which the card backer and card have been inserted into a sleeve.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0065] Referring now in detail to the drawings for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention, a card backer 2 of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a card backer 2 according to the invention in a configuration, in which the card backer 2 has been inserted into a card sleeve 6 behind a card 4. The card 4 has a width W.sub.1 that is slightly smaller than the width W.sub.2 of the card backer 2. The width W.sub.2 of the card backer 2 is smaller than the width W.sub.3 of the sleeve 6.
[0066] The card 4 has a length that is slightly smaller than the length of the card backer 2. The length of the card backer 2 is smaller than the length of the sleeve 6.
[0067] In one embodiment, the width W.sub.1 of the card 4 corresponds to the width W.sub.2 of the card backer 2.
[0068] In one embodiment, the width W.sub.1 of the card 4 is slightly larger than the width W.sub.2 of the card backer 2.
[0069] In one embodiment, the length of the card 4 corresponds to the length of the card backer 2.
[0070] In one embodiment, the length of the card 4 is slightly larger than the length of the card backer 2.
[0071] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the card backer 2 shown in FIG. 1. It can be seen that the card backer 2 has arced edges 10 and arced corner portions 8. Hereby, the card backer 2 will not scratch the card or card sleeve (see FIG. 1) when inserted behind the card in a card sleeve.
[0072] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a card backer 2 according to the invention. The card backer 2 comprises an arced edge 10. Accordingly, the arced edge 10 prevents the card backer 2 from scratching a card or card sleeve when inserted behind the card in the card sleeve.
[0073] FIG. 4A illustrates a close-up view of a card backer 2 shown in FIG. 3. The radius R.sub.1 of curvature of the arced section 12 of the arced edge 10 of the card backer 2 is indicated. A straight portion 14 extends in extension of the arced section 12 having an indicated radius R.sub.1 of curvature. In one embodiment, the radius R.sub.1 of curvature is approximately 1 mm.
[0074] FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-sectional view of another card backer 2 according to the invention. The card backer 2 basically correspond to the one shown in FIG. 3. The card backer 2, however, comprises an enclosure 30 formed as a thermoplastic polymer. In one embodiment, the enclosure is made of polypropylene. The enclosure 30 is formed as a protective sleeve surrounding the core 28 of the card backer 2. The core 28 of the card backer 2 may be made of a metal. In one embodiment, the core 28 of the card backer 2 is made of steel.
[0075] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a card backer 2 according to the invention. The card backer 2 comprises a semi-circular-shaped arced edge 10 preventing the card backer 2 from scratching a card or card sleeve that the card backer 2 is brought into contact with.
[0076] FIG. 6 illustrates a close-up view of a card backer shown in FIG. 5. The radius R.sub.2 of curvature of the arced edge 10 of the card backer 2 is indicated.
[0077] FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of a card backer 2 according to the invention. The card backer 2 has a length L.sub.2 and a width W.sub.2. The card backer 2 is equipped with arced corner portions 8. In one embodiment, the length L.sub.2 of the card backer 2 is 91 millimetres and the width W.sub.2 is 64 millimetres.
[0078] In one embodiment, the arced corner portions 8 are rounded to a radius of 1 mm (so that the radius of curvature is 1 mm). The edges of the card backer 2 are free of sharp bits. Hereby, the card backer 2 cannot cut or scratch the card, the sleeve or the fingers of the user.
[0079] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a card backer 2 according to the invention in a first configuration I and second configuration II. In the first configuration, no force is applied to bend the card backer 2 and thus the card backer 2 is straight. In the second configuration II, however, a force is applied to the card backer 2 such that it becomes bent. The angle α between the opposite ends of the card backer 2 is indicated. It can be seen that angle α is approximately 40 degrees.
[0080] In the second configuration II, the card backer 2 experiences an elastic deformation which is a temporary shape change that is self-reversing after the force is removed. Accordingly, the card backer 2 returns to its original flat shape, after the force is removed as illustrated in the first configuration I. This can be accomplished because the card backer 2 is made of a material that allows a change in shape of the material at low stress that is recoverable after the stress is removed. The use of the card backer 2 makes it possible to generate a louder sound when a card hits the surface of a table (like illustrated in FIG. 8 in configuration I).
[0081] In one embodiment, the card backer 2 is made of a thin sheet of metal.
[0082] In one embodiment, the card backer 2 is made of steel.
[0083] In one embodiment, the card backer 2 is made of a low alloy, medium carbon steel or high carbon steel with a high yield strength. Hereby, it is possible for the card backer 2 to return to its original shape even when the card backer 2 has been exposed to significant bending or twisting. In one embodiment, the card backer 2 is made of steel having a Brinell hardness between 350 and 415.
[0084] In one embodiment, the card backer 2 is made of spring steel (used in the manufacture of springs).
[0085] In one embodiment, the card backer 2 is made of 1074/1075 (SAE grade) steel.
[0086] In one embodiment, the card backer 2 is made of 1095 (SAE grade) steel having a yield strength in the range 413-517 MPa. The steel may have a hardness (HRC) in the range 48-51.
[0087] In one embodiment, the card backer 2 is made of 301 (SAE grade) steel having a yield strength of 1014 MPa. The steel may have a maximum hardness (HRC) of 42.
[0088] By having a card backer 2 inserted into a card sleeve behind the card it is possible to protect the card from accidental bending and sideways marking during use. The added weight is a bonus feature.
[0089] It is important to underline that in one embodiment, the card backer is light (e.g. has the same weight or less than a card). This can be done by reducing the thickness and/or selecting a material having a low density.
[0090] In one embodiment, the card backer 2 is made of graphene.
[0091] In one embodiment, the card backer 2 is made of chemically strengthened glass (such as that developed by Corning Inc. and sold under the brand name Gorilla Glass).
[0092] FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a card backer 2 according to the invention placed next to a card 4 and a sleeve 6. The sleeve 6 comprises a front portion 16 and a rear portion 18 constituting an inner space 24 configured to receive the card 4 and the card backer 2. A slip 20 is rotatably arranged relative to the front portion 16 by means of a joint 22. The length L.sub.3 of the sleeve 6 is larger than the length L.sub.2 of the card backer 2. Moreover, the length L.sub.2 of the card backer 2 is larger than the length L.sub.1 of the card 4.
[0093] FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the card backer 2 shown in FIG. 9 in a configuration, in which the card backer 2 has been inserted into the sleeve 6 adjacent to the card 4 shown in FIG. 9. An additional sleeve 26 is arranged under the sleeve 6.
[0094] FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the card backer 2 shown in FIG. 10 in a configuration, in which the card backer 2 has been inserted into the sleeve 6 that has been inserted into an additional sleeve 26.
[0095] FIG. 12 illustrates a card backer 2 according to the invention being inserted into the sleeve 6 behind a card 4. The sleeve 6 comprises a front portion 16, a rear portion and a slip 20 rotatably attached to the rear portion. The length L.sub.2 and width W of the card backer 2 is indicated. It can be seen that the W.sub.pocket of the pocket of the sleeve 6 is larger than the width W of the card backer 2 and that the length L.sub.pocket of the pocket of the sleeve 6 is larger than the length L.sub.2 of the card backer 2. The W.sub.slip of the slip 20 of the sleeve 6 is smaller than the width W.sub.pocket of the pocket that the front portion 16 and the rear portion of the sleeve 6 constitute.
[0096] FIG. 13 illustrates the card backer 2 shown in FIG. 12 in a configuration, in which the slip 20 of the sleeve 6 is being inserted into the sleeve 6.
[0097] FIG. 14 illustrates the card backer 2 shown in FIG. 13 in a configuration, in which the slip 20 of the sleeve has been lockingly inserted into the sleeve 6. Now the card 4 is protected by the card backer 2 and by the sleeve 6.
[0098] FIG. 15 illustrates a card backer 2 according to the invention being inserted into a sleeve 26 together with a card 4. The length L.sub.2 of the card backer 2 is smaller than the length L.sub.pocket of the sleeve 26. Likewise, the width W of the card backer 2 is smaller than the width W.sub.pocket of the sleeve 26.
[0099] FIG. 16 illustrates the card backer 2 and card 4 shown in FIG. 15 in a configuration, in which they have been fully inserted into the sleeve 26.
[0100] FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a card 4 and a card backer 2 according to the invention. The length L.sub.2 of the card backer 2 is larger than the length L.sub.1 of the card 4.
[0101] FIG. 18 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the card 4 and card backer 2 shown in FIG. 17 in a configuration, in which the card backer 2 and card 4 have been inserted into a sleeve 26.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS s
[0102] 2 Card backer [0103] 4 Card [0104] 6 Sleeve [0105] 8 Arced corner portion [0106] 10 Arced edge [0107] 12 Arced section [0108] 14 Straight portion [0109] 16 Front portion [0110] 18 Rear portion [0111] 20 Slip [0112] 22 Joint [0113] 24 Inner space [0114] 26 Additional sleeve [0115] 28 Core [0116] 30 Enclosure [0117] R.sub.1, R.sub.2 Radius [0118] L.sub.1, L.sub.2, L.sub.3 Length [0119] L.sub.pocket Length of pocket [0120] W.sub.1, W.sub.2, W.sub.3 Width [0121] W.sub.pocket Width of pocket [0122] I First configuration [0123] II Second configuration [0124] α Angle
